Critics

One of my professors, Henry Steele Commager, the dean of US Historians when alive, wrote an essay (I have it filed somewhere) in which he postulated the most important, valuable members of a society are its critics. I know that flies in the face of many folks' "reasoning." After all, critics are "whiners," "bitchers," "complainers," "negative," etc. But, no, HSC noted the value in criticism.

Lincoln, when President, demonstrated the truth of this. HSC surely would have approved of Lincoln the Pres. Abe, in the tradition established by HSC, named not only the brightest, most powerful pols of his time to his Cabinet; he named his fiercest opponents and, at first, critics. Recognizing the political and practical value in this (keeping your enemies where they can be watched), A. Lincoln had other motives, too. No doubt, HSC would mention the fact that Lincoln was not insecure, that he had enough confidence in himself to face criticism, accepting or dismissing it as he saw it.

Lincoln saw the value in critics. One, he knew his critics might have worthwhile ideas, maybe better than his own (and he accepted suggestions/recommendations from these Cabinet members when he thought this). Two, he also knew that he'd have to sharpen his own thoughts and ideas (policies) knowing that these critics were out there. His ideas had to pass muster; they had to be well thought. Sloppy thinking invited legitimate criticism.

I think the HSC essay should be required reading for all those in positions of decision-making. (Of course, giving it to them doesn't insure they will read it or even pay attention to it. I have handed it out many times to people who, instead of being able to react with reasoned dialog and defense, merely call names--see above.) How is a society to improve, straighten out its problems, without criticism? Leaders who surround themselves with "bobbleheads" (I was going to write, "sycophants," but that sounds a bit snooty) do themselves no good and, I posit, display a great deal of insecurity. After all, can't these leaders argue their points with effectiveness? (In the case of the public schools, I think the answer is "no.")

OK, out to think about an award I can give myself....