If the era of Donald Trump has taught us anything, it is that America wants a different brand of political leadership. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think this means petty and corrupt, but I think it means candidates and ideas that break the mold. That’s why it’s always disconcerting to see Democratic and Republican leaders suppress innovators and young trailblazers in their own parties. @AOC would be a bartender today if she followed the advice of her party leaders and just waited her turn. One of the reasons talented people avoid public office is that it takes decades to have any real influence. That is especially true in the United States Congress where it typically takes 20+ years to become a committee chair or a member of the party leadership. There are a lot of things wrong with our political system, and out of date customs and stodgy leadership is certainly one of them. I’ve been thinking about this a lot and am convinced that politics, like business, benefits from disruption; The political party that creates systemic processes which encourage innovation and disruption rather than the preservation of the status quo will attract the best talent to their tent and will thrive in the coming decades.
Almost everyone, including Democrats, were expecting last Tuesday’s midterm election results to heavily favor Republicans. Many predicted a “red wave” where they would pick up 50-60 seats in the House and 3-4 in the Senate. Joe Rogan said the red wave that is coming will be like the elevator doors opening in the horror film The Shining.