About Rod D. Martin
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Politics & Economics
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Faith & Cultureby Rod D. Martin
April 4, 2014
The AP reports today that Hillary Clinton says excessive partisanship flowing through the nation’s political system is causing the U.S. to march “backwards instead of forward.”
Millions will agree. But should they?
No. Because the “partisanship” Hillary decries — just like the partisanship decried by every politician who decries partisanship — is really just disagreement with her. And what she’s really saying is, “shut up and let me have my way.”
Again, millions will disagree with me, and blather on about “the toxic tone” and assorted foolishness. In doing so, they forget that the issues about which people are especially “partisan” are the issues that matter most: will we fight this or that war, will the government take over our health care, stuff like that. And these things being more than a little consequential — as in, literally life-and-death for very real people — if there is any disagreement, it’s likely to be strong.
As it should be.
And we should rejoice in that. Strong disagreement in Washington means that the people’s ideas are being expressed and fought for, by people elected to fight for them. If Congress were singing Kum Ba Yah, an extraordinary number of people would be getting screwed: they would most certainly not be receiving the representation they voted for.
This is freedom. And freedom is messy. Too many Americans on both sides of the aisle have started longing for someone else to make their decisions, all in the name of “peace,” or as the Bible would say, “‘peace, peace’ where there is no peace.” This is the Anakin Skywalker solution. Too often lately it’s been the Barack Obama solution. Elsewhere in the world, everyone understands it’s just the fascist solution.
It’s good that Americans like “nice.” But politics is supposed to be a round-the-clock debate, about weighty matters of importance to the people represented. Hillary and other politicians of the left know that an absence of partisanship means an absence of discussion, in which their media near-monopoly will win for them, and their agenda will pass without opposition.
But it’s a little harder to understand why regular Americans would fall for this line. Are we still descendants of Madison, Jefferson and Hamilton or not?
Rod is one of our nation’s leading minds. He’s smart, original, and very committed—a combination that one rarely finds.
Rod Martin and [former Howard Dean campaign manager] Joe Trippi are America’s two foremost experts on online politics.
Rod Martin is a Reaganite-Thatcherite conservative…[and] a man who has spent much of his life ministering to and working for the benefit of others. I know Rod as an advocate for freedom, a leader who understands the real changes we need in Washington, and who has the drive and ability to make those changes happen.
Rod Martin is the kind of dynamic leader who has the knowledge, ability and experience to lead us successfully into the 21st Century. His vision for America is compelling.
Rod Martin literally wrote the book on excellence. Humble yet brilliant, a man of love and compassion, with penetrating clarity he illuminates the world around us, and we are both stirred and enlightened.
Rod Martin is a born leader and an outstanding political mind. Anyone who takes him on is going to have a serious fight on their hands.
Rod Martin is a man of uncommon vision and character. Ever since I first worked alongside Rod in the early days of PayPal, I’ve been struck by his powerful vision for the future. Rod understands the intersection of technology, politics and culture in a way that few others do.
Rod Martin wears with uncommon grace an uncanny ability to link his vigorous faith to the practical challenges of both the business world and the political arena. Yet the respect he shows for others carries a warmth and modesty that are both too rare among those who are strong advocates of feisty positions.
America badly needs more leaders who really get the future. We need more Rod Martins.
Rod Martin is a modern day philosopher-statesman. He is a capitalist intellectual, a conservative iconoclast, a gentle adversary and a kind prophet. He inspires us towards a fresh national vision built upon the original founding principles.
Rod Martin is not only effective and efficient, but he is also perceptive, wise and gracious. He gets things done. He is a great friend and a great ally.
Rod is one of the sharpest, most gracious men I know, and one of the most gifted political thinkers today. His ability to analyze issues and communicate thoughtful insights on them have earned him the respect of people across the political spectrum.
I am proud to have been Rod Martin’s friend for a quarter century, and I can tell you that he is one of the finest men and most outstanding leaders in our church and in our country today. He has a knack for turning everything he touches to success.
Rod Martin is a cornucopian entrepreneur and eutropic thinker whose influence radiates through an array of companies, institutions, movements and churches. A renaissance American, he is also a prolific friend of freedom and faith around the globe.
If Rod Martin represents the next generation of leaders, America has nothing to worry about.
A leader and a servant, in public life and in private, Rod Martin strides at the top of his profession, and has nowhere to go but up. He is in the truest sense of the word ‘outstanding’.
Rod Martin is undoubtedly one of the most accomplished thought leaders today. He is a wonderful mentor, a humble role model, and a deep inspiration for the next generation of scientific innovators and entrepreneurs.
Rod’s achievements pale beside his character and his brilliance. He sees what others can’t. He leads when others won’t.
Rod Martin is one of America’s finest young minds.