Lee Iacoca on Leadership

We bought a minivan because of this guy. First of the model year.

We also had to take the kids to New York on vacation instead of going out West. We had to wait several more years to see the Grand Canyon. Why? because Lee Iacoca's face was on the teevee all the time telling about how the Statue of Liberty was all renovated and ready to open to the public once again.

Lee Iacoca is an American hero. He knows how to make things happen. This time I hope he can do what it takes to shake some sense into a lot of people. Chapter One of his book, Where Have All the Leaders Gone? is online.
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My friends tell me to calm down. They say, "Lee, you're eighty-two years old. Leave the rage to the young people." I'd love to—as soon as I can pry them away from their iPods for five seconds and get them to pay attention. I'm going to speak up because it's my patriotic duty. I think people will listen to me. They say I have a reputation as a straight shooter. So I'll tell you how I see it, and it's not pretty, but at least it's real. I'm hoping to strike a nerve in those young folks who say they don't vote because they don't trust politicians to represent their interests. Hey, America, wake up. These guys work for us.
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I have news for the gang in Congress. We didn't elect you to sit on your asses and do nothing and remain silent while our democracy is being hijacked and our greatness is being replaced with mediocrity. What is everybody so afraid of? That some bobblehead on Fox News will call them a name? Give me a break. Why don't you guys show some spine for a change?

Hey, I'm not trying to be the voice of gloom and doom here. I'm trying to light a fire. I'm speaking out because I have hope. I believe in America. In my lifetime I've had the privilege of living through some of America's greatest moments. I've also experienced some of our worst crises—the Great Depression, World War II, the Korean War, the Kennedy assassination, the Vietnam War, the 1970s oil crisis, and the struggles of recent years culminating with 9/11. If I've learned one thing, it's this: You don't get anywhere by standing on the sidelines waiting for somebody else to take action. Whether it's building a better car or building a better future for our children, we all have a role to play. That's the challenge I'm raising in this book. It's a call to action for people who, like me, believe in America. It's not too late, but it's getting pretty close. So let's shake off the horseshit and go to work. Let's tell 'em all we've had enough.
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Good luck, Lee. Don't hold back. Tell us how you really feel.
It's good to read what you say, even if no one seems to be acting on it yet.

H/T 3 Quarks