The next president must restore our faith in America

[kscarbel2]

The country needs a leader who is committed to reaffirming our special role in the world.

Opinion – Jamie Dimon, CEO of JP Morgan

August 2, 2024

We live in a perilous time. Deeply divided, our nation now faces both challenging domestic issues and perhaps the most complicated geopolitical situation since World War II. We may be at an inflection point that will determine the fate of the free and democratic world for decades.

We should not sleepwalk into disaster — we will prevail, but we need an active, comprehensive effort. This is precisely the time when strong American leadership is needed to unite us and strengthen the indispensable role our country plays for the safety of the world.

We’ve faced worse: war, economic upheaval, social transformation. In those moments, leaders such as Presidents Lincoln, Truman and Eisenhower guided us forward with common sense and pragmatism. Our best leaders strengthen the bonds that unite us. They address the broader interests of our country and don’t pander to base politics or cater to extremes.

There are lessons learned from these leaders that our current candidates should embrace. Unity is a word, but there are specific actions that can accomplish it — actions I hope our next president will adopt:

First, our problems cannot be fixed without our leaders acknowledging them.

Unite Americans with regular, honest and open communication. We deserve a president who explains our problems, encourages input from all sides, and shares plans and solutions.

Eisenhower made a point to have lunch or dinner with opposition leaders, including those he disagreed with, and listen to their views. The best leaders in politics and business take criticism as an opportunity to ask themselves “Where are they right?” instead of “Why are they wrong?” If we’re going to truly unify our country, we need to begin treating opposing views, complaints and critiques as opportunities to find common ground and make us better.

Second, develop policies that reflect our critical place on the global stage.

These national policies should include facing — and fixing — our failure to create equal opportunity for all, expanding the economy by encouraging investments, sharing the wealth, addressing our national debt, maintaining the world’s strongest military, taking control of our borders, strengthening the social safety nets, and renewing national pride by unabashedly teaching civics and American exceptionalism without papering over our mistakes.

In addition, we need to get back to a pragmatic, smart and no-nonsense foreign policy that also advances our economic strategy and strengthens our relationships with our allies. This would include the more effective use of diplomacy, trade and the active promotion of democratic values. When our allies are fighting wars to defend their sovereignty and democracies, and desperately need secure and reliable energy sources, delaying long-term liquid natural gas projects in Louisiana and Texas is misguided and self-defeating. It is bad for the environment and the economy — and it is bad for our allies.

Third, we need smarter policies that provide protection, progress and prosperity to all.

Sadly, we lack coherent energy, education, infrastructure, housing, tax and immigration policies. While we agree sometimes on the problems and the goals, our prescriptions are too often simplistic and poorly designed.

The American Dream is disappearing for many because opportunity is not shared equally. Many inner-city and rural schools do not teach students the skills they need to get good jobs. Some of these problems aren’t necessarily intractable. For example, we can easily reform our mortgage policies to make homeownership more affordable for lower-income Americans.

Additionally, both parties agree on the benefits of dramatically expanding the earned income tax credit, which would get much-needed income to the individuals and communities most in need of it. The absence of good policy is hurting our country and, unfortunately, hurts those who are already disadvantaged the most.

Next, build the best team: a group of rivals.

The members of a president’s Cabinet and administration should reflect the entire nation. Tribal politics will not deliver the best talent and expertise across the political spectrum. Put country and Constitution first.

The private sector has huge wells of expertise and produces 85 percent of our nation’s jobs. It should have a seat at the table. Yet in recent years, government leaders have often failed to engage those in industry. A president should put the most talented people, including those from business and the opposite party, into their Cabinet.

We have seen the powerful impact of this collaboration in places like Detroit. In that city, we saw a mayor, governor, city council, business leaders and community leaders come together regardless of party affiliation to get their city back on its feet. The city’s bonds are investment-grade today, just 10 years after it declared bankruptcy. Collaboration works.

Finally, work to earn the support of all voters.

Recognize that voters are all different and have good reasons to think differently. Do not insult, stereotype, weaponize, scapegoat or gaslight. And do not attack them. Engage them.

This takes bravery. Some forms of bravery are obvious: fighting for our country and caring for our sick. Other forms are less obvious but just as important: listening openly to conflicting views, changing your mind, lifting people up, choosing country over party.

A healthy, unified country is good for everyone. I believe that our nation is at a critical time in its 248-year history. Like many of your families, my grandparents were immigrants who did not finish high school. They were drawn to the promise of this nation, which was then, and still is, the beacon of freedom for the world.

America has all the advantages, and we can win the future with smart policy, courageous leaders and everyone with a seat at the table moving in concert.

We need to elect a president who is dedicated to the ideals that define and unite us, and who is committed to restoring our faith in America and our indispensable role in the world.

Such a person could be one of our greatest presidents — and put us on a path that is worthy of the American people.

[kscarbel2]

I like Jamie. He's on top of his game in business, extremely smart and passionate about the country.

[AlleyKat]

The whole World could use a large dose of Common Sense, Cooperation and Respect for each other right now.

 

[tjc transport]

common sense now costs $3.97, and that is $3.98  more than most people are willing to pay for it.

[hicrop10]

I think if the right person doesn’t get into the White House then we may be looking at civil war.This one will have nothing to do with race,but it will be the have vs the have not.How long can we survive as a middle class is if we bear the weight of everyone on our shoulders.We can’t keep paying for everything.Just my 2 cents worth.