Shock Waves

Dec. 27, 2007
Well, I had a blog all written for this week, then Benazir Bhutto, former two-time prime minister of Pakistan was murdered. (I refuse to say she was assassinated, because it sounds somehow more acceptable.) I will now deviate from the norm… I clearly remember when USSR dictator Joe Stalin died in 1953, although I was only 12 at the time. I asked Mother why there was so much news wondering and worrying about whom his successor might be. In my youthful naivete I just assumed that they would elect another leader and move on along. Mother, who never missed an opportunity to teach a lesson about either God or democracy, explained. "That," she said, "is one of the greatest things about America, England, and other civilized, democratic, countries. We have a peaceful process for selecting our leaders—and it works." I could see the wisdom of her statement then, and still agree with it today. Our system of passing the baton is a gift of inestimable value, and one reason that our business world can move forward with faith in the future—investing vast sums of money into businesses that don’t expect profits for years. Our own industry is a perfect example. People today are putting down deposits on proposed corporate supersonic aircraft that are not even scheduled for delivery until 2012. The stability that makes this possible comes from our founders who were determined to build a country of laws rather than of men. Our constitution is the oldest governing document of a major country in the world. Long may it so remain. We’d love to publish your comments. Please click the comment box at the top.