US Congresswoman Virginia Foxx of NC’s 5th Congressional District

Christian Mango, a 10-year-old from Greensboro, North Carolina, recently wrote a letter to his Congresswoman, suggesting a $5,000 tax rebate for people buying electric vehicles. He shared his concern about the melting glaciers and worsening pollution and weather impacting the world. The letter was mailed to Congresswoman Foxx by the teacher who wrote, “Please enjoy this students hard work and passion.”

Congresswoman Foxx replied to the student, sharing her counterpoints on why she felt this was a bad idea, primarily that the tax rebate would need to come from other’s taxpayers pockets and that it could worsen our nation’s debt and economy.

But then Foxx crossed a line; she criticized Christian’s teachers for “indoctrinating him” instead of providing a good educational experience. She basically was insinuating that people who did not think like she did were bad and leading people down the wrong path This displays a horrendous example of poor leadership.

How should have Foxx replied? Try this:

“Dear Christian, thank you for sharing your proposal with me. As with any issue, there will be people who agree with you and there will be others who disagree. This is part of mature public discourse. I disagree with your proposal for the following reasons ….

I hope that you will have an open mind to understand the differing opinions that people may have about your proposal. And I commend you for taking the time to share your idea with me. I hope in your education you continue to learn about and discuss multiple sides to the issues facing our country.”

We should be encouraging children to be creative and discuss various ideas and viewpoints

Instead of encouraging civil discourse, Foxx jumps down a kid’s throat telling him he has been “indoctrinated.” This is the poorest kind of leadership imaginable. A good leader encourages people to bring forth creative ideas and engage in thoughtful conversation.

Ms. Foxx is totally unqualified to be an American leader. I am hoping that all the voting citizens in North Carolina congressional district 5 ask themselves, “is this the kind of message I want leaders to deliver to our children?” as they vote in the November elections.

Link to this recent news item.

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Do read my blog “Five Components of Excellent Leadership.”

Also my blog “Leadership Lessons from Star Wars,” and you can deduce what kind of leader Ms. Foxx is.