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To thine own self be true
1136
LETTERS
who are sensitive to the aspects of the subject would be nonproductive. I might add that many specialists of all disciplines are comfortably unaware of the breadth and energy of this issue in the eyes of the general dentist community. That may be the biggest impediment to solutions. Other specialties are actively confronting these problems. Could there not be some communication among these organizations? The issue is both complex and divisive, and therefore compels thoughtful and ongoing attention. It will not be resolved easily or quickly. I congratulate you for opening it for perusal and discussion among your readers. RICHARD D. WILSON, DDS Richmond, Virginia To THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE To the Editor:-“To thine own self be true.” These Shakespearean words echo strongly the tenet of personal responsibility, as valid today as centuries ago. It is our responsibility to be true not only to ourselves, but also to our country and to the organizations to which we belong. Among these responsibilities is the duty of each individual to nominate, elect, and support those who will do the best job in positions of leadership and authority . National elections taking place in November allow us the privilege of electing 435 members of the House of Representatives and 34 members of the Senate. It is our individual responsibility to determine who is the best candidate for each office and to faithfully support him or her to the fullest. Speaking from our organization’s standpoint (the AAOMS), we certainly should support those candidates for positions who have proven themselves not only to be leaders, but who also look favorably upon the specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery. We are truly fortunate to have our own political action committee, OMSPAC, which does much of this work for us. It is through the efforts of the OMSPAC, complemented by other AAOMS committees, such as the committee on Federal Governmental Affairs, and the ADPAC and other groups, that organized oral and maxillofacial surgery determines those candidates best suited for our support.
TO THE EDITOR
What factors are taken into consideration? Which candidate should we support? Should we support Mr X solely because he is from our city or state? Should we support Mr Y because he is the incumbent, or should we support Mr Z because he is best suited for the offlice? These questions must be answered individually and responsibly. We must make a truthful, valued judgment. Of utmost importance is that we support only individuals who are best qualified and honorably motivated to hold a position of leadership. It is necessary that we look squarely and objectively at each candidate and determine whether that person is, indeed, the most qualified, best suited, most representative, most deserving, and, simply, the best candidate to serve in office. How does one determine a candidate’s potential for leadership? We should ask ourselves: Is the candidate trustworthy? Is the candidate loyal and true to his or her cause? Is he or she seeking office purely to nurture a large ego or volunteering to serve on the basis of altruism? Is the candidate simply wishing to gain stature or merely add additional credentials to a curriculum vitae? Is the candidate approachable? Will he or she listen? Will the candidate represent you and speak, vote, and act in your best interest? Will the candidate use this position to forward his or her own name and cause? These are all very difficult questions, but ones that must be answered if we are to elect an individual into a position of trust and responsibility. Organizations, as well as government, must be directed by those who possess exemplary qualifications for leadership. In this regard, each of us also has the responsibility to determine our best professional leaders. It is our moral obligation to identify and support that individual who will best do the job for the good of the organization. We must listen, analyze, question, compare, and debate. We must support only those who will provide the best leadership, no matter what office is sought, whether it is Presidency of the United States, trustee of AAOMS, or officer of a state society. By supporting the best individuals, we guarantee the optimal leadership for our organizations, our country, and, in turn, ourselves. Thus, our system confirms the adage of Shakespeare, “To thine own self be true.” JOHN J. YUROSKO, DMD Venice, Florida
I
LETTERS
who are sensitive to the aspects of the subject would be nonproductive. I might add that many specialists of all disciplines are comfortably unaware of the breadth and energy of this issue in the eyes of the general dentist community. That may be the biggest impediment to solutions. Other specialties are actively confronting these problems. Could there not be some communication among these organizations? The issue is both complex and divisive, and therefore compels thoughtful and ongoing attention. It will not be resolved easily or quickly. I congratulate you for opening it for perusal and discussion among your readers. RICHARD D. WILSON, DDS Richmond, Virginia To THINE OWN SELF BE TRUE To the Editor:-“To thine own self be true.” These Shakespearean words echo strongly the tenet of personal responsibility, as valid today as centuries ago. It is our responsibility to be true not only to ourselves, but also to our country and to the organizations to which we belong. Among these responsibilities is the duty of each individual to nominate, elect, and support those who will do the best job in positions of leadership and authority . National elections taking place in November allow us the privilege of electing 435 members of the House of Representatives and 34 members of the Senate. It is our individual responsibility to determine who is the best candidate for each office and to faithfully support him or her to the fullest. Speaking from our organization’s standpoint (the AAOMS), we certainly should support those candidates for positions who have proven themselves not only to be leaders, but who also look favorably upon the specialty of oral and maxillofacial surgery. We are truly fortunate to have our own political action committee, OMSPAC, which does much of this work for us. It is through the efforts of the OMSPAC, complemented by other AAOMS committees, such as the committee on Federal Governmental Affairs, and the ADPAC and other groups, that organized oral and maxillofacial surgery determines those candidates best suited for our support.
TO THE EDITOR
What factors are taken into consideration? Which candidate should we support? Should we support Mr X solely because he is from our city or state? Should we support Mr Y because he is the incumbent, or should we support Mr Z because he is best suited for the offlice? These questions must be answered individually and responsibly. We must make a truthful, valued judgment. Of utmost importance is that we support only individuals who are best qualified and honorably motivated to hold a position of leadership. It is necessary that we look squarely and objectively at each candidate and determine whether that person is, indeed, the most qualified, best suited, most representative, most deserving, and, simply, the best candidate to serve in office. How does one determine a candidate’s potential for leadership? We should ask ourselves: Is the candidate trustworthy? Is the candidate loyal and true to his or her cause? Is he or she seeking office purely to nurture a large ego or volunteering to serve on the basis of altruism? Is the candidate simply wishing to gain stature or merely add additional credentials to a curriculum vitae? Is the candidate approachable? Will he or she listen? Will the candidate represent you and speak, vote, and act in your best interest? Will the candidate use this position to forward his or her own name and cause? These are all very difficult questions, but ones that must be answered if we are to elect an individual into a position of trust and responsibility. Organizations, as well as government, must be directed by those who possess exemplary qualifications for leadership. In this regard, each of us also has the responsibility to determine our best professional leaders. It is our moral obligation to identify and support that individual who will best do the job for the good of the organization. We must listen, analyze, question, compare, and debate. We must support only those who will provide the best leadership, no matter what office is sought, whether it is Presidency of the United States, trustee of AAOMS, or officer of a state society. By supporting the best individuals, we guarantee the optimal leadership for our organizations, our country, and, in turn, ourselves. Thus, our system confirms the adage of Shakespeare, “To thine own self be true.” JOHN J. YUROSKO, DMD Venice, Florida
I