Shipwide Announcement [Slightly bendytimed]

[governmentninja]

I really haven't bothered to do any campaigning, for a number of reasons. And even this isn't some kind of campaign speech, but on the eve of elections, I felt the need to talk to everyone for a few moments.

Forgive me if this rambles a bit, I'm not entirely sure what I want to say right now.

My father once told me that God puts you where you need to be. You can either stand there and complain about it, or you can do the best you can, and trust that God has a plan, even if you can't see it yet. I've never been a terribly religious guy, so I don't know if God has a plan, or if this is all random, or somewhere in between. But, looking back on my life, I can't help but wonder if my Dad might have been on to something.

I've been serving as Acting Captain of this ship for the past few weeks. What the title of 'Acting Captain' means is that... that this job belongs to someone else. Someone who, unfortunately, wasn't there to do it, so I took it upon myself because I was there and the job needed doing. I'm only on the ballot by default, basically. I have the job now, so if you want me to keep it, I'll keep doing it. If you don't, I'll gladly step aside for whoever you choose. I was quite content being Chief of Security, I had more free time to spend with my daughter, then.

That's really all I see this as, another job that needs to get done. That's mainly why I haven't bothered campaigning. If given the choice between either A) pandering for votes to keep a job that's been sucking up all my time, been grinding me to death, and wasn't even my job to begin with, or B) doing the job as best I can for as long as I have it... I'll choose option B every time.

And this is a tough job, made all the more harder because everyone I talked to expects me to pander for votes when I just want to cross a few more items off of what's become a massive To Do list. If this isn't my job anymore come tomorrow, then whoever wins, I do not envy in the slightest.

But maybe they'll handle the job better than I have. This job comes with a steep learning curve, and it's not like I'm a natural at this. I'm not a politician, or a monarch, and I've never been commander of an Imperial fleet, or led a revolution. I'm just a guy doing a job because someone had to do it. This whole thing has been a learning experience, to say the least. Which might be why I can't figure out what you all want in a leader.

I realize that, yes, everyone will want something different, but... I've been listening. I've also been barking orders for the past few weeks, but I've also been listening. Listening to the campaign speeches, to the responses, all of it, just trying to figure out what you guys want in a leader.

Strangely, while everyone has been going around saying 'this is what you should look for in a leader', no one has really bothered to ask what you want in a leader. This is probably why I felt compelled to address you all like this, so I can be the one to ask.

What do you all want in a leader? What are you looking for in them? What kind of person do you want them to be? When you go vote tomorrow, are you voting for the kind of leader that you do want? Or are you just voting for someone you can live with?

I guess I'm wondering because, on my world, politics tended to boil down to people voting for the least worst option on the table. I'm curious to see if that's what will happen here. I sincerely hope not.

Best of luck to all the candidates tomorrow.



Special Agent Leon S. Kennedy, US Strategic Command
Acting Captain, Transmigration 9

Comments

[gunslinging.livejournal.com]

...and now everybody who wants to vote for you gets to feel guilty for killing your family time, huh?

This is the first time I've ever...actually paid attention to politics. Not much point when I couldn't vote on anything back home anyway. So I guess what I want in a leader is somebody who's going to just get it done instead of playing the game.

[terminatefate]

Cry me a fucking river, shitbag. C'mon, few more tears. If you can't bother to state your motherfucking opinions and have a decent discourse with the people you're being forced to lead, then fuck you. You don't want the job? Fine. Withdraw your ass and let someone with proper experience lead.

Honestly, if you have to whine and bitch about your family time being interrupted by a motherfucking acting Captain position, then get your ass off the line and pay attention to your family. Obviously, you're shouldering too much goddamn responsibility.

As for me, my vote is going to the man I know has dealt with the sort of shit we're dealing with right now. I trained him, I know his head better than any fucking asshole on this ship, and I know that when faced with jackbags like the Ohm, my son will get us through to see another day. That's what he was motherfucking born to do. So, while you're carrying on like a dumbfuck about God and family with your head rammed up your ass trying to be a Big Man and Make the Right Choice, maybe you should consider that you're not at all suited to the role of being in charge.

A good leader doesn't whine, he doesn't carry on, and he motherfucking doesn't bitch about not wanting the job. Find your goddamn balls. Tack them on with a fucking staple-gun and some super glue if you have to, but strap that shit on, Kennedy.

Jesus H. Christ, the shit I have to listen to today.

THIS WHOLE POST

[so-pregnable.livejournal.com]

[godimgood.livejournal.com]

I am abstaining from voting, though I run myself for the Council. I justify it thus; the men who have commanded me have always done so out of right and out of appointment by someone higher than myself, be it God or a man in a pointy hat with a cushion under his bum. I can only say the good and the ill of where I have been led, or perhaps recite the chivalrous code which the leaders of my people are meant to abide by. Yet it would likely be an interesting discussion, this what makes a good leader, if anything does. Or is the question what makes the best leader? For many men are good.

What do the people want? Many things, always, often contradictory. What do they need? Another question entirely. The answer is often similar, but the question is different.