Dear Doctor:
A great American is gone – Ronald Reagan is dead at age 93. Some would dismiss his easygoing, plainspoken style as vacuous or insipid – but in reality, he made a significant contribution to the political process of his era. At the time, the Cold War was raging, and distrust was at an all-time high.
In the midst of the paranoia, a beacon of optimism appeared, a pleasant, friendly, homespun leader who disarmed the opposition with social grace and an uncanny skill for cutting through layers of defensiveness to reveal the real people underneath. His now-legendary private meetings with Gorbachev, where they acknowledged each other first as men and then as respected adversaries, led to the demise of the Communist regime – in fact, this defusing of one of the most volatile periods in history is among the most artful acts of diplomacy ever.
As a noted actor, President of the Screen Actors Guild, Governor of California, and two-term President of the United States, Reagan packed several successful careers into one life – but many don’t know that he got his start as a sportscaster. Born in rural Illinois in 1911, his main local radio stations were out of Iowa, owned by BJ Palmer. WOC (Wonders of Chiropractic) in Davenport and WHO (With Hands Only) in Des Moines were the platform from which young Ron Reagan launched his auspicious career. Even after stardom, Reagan would visit Palmer’s mansion, remaining an ardent chiropractic patient and supporter.
In this time of storming in our profession, we could learn from Reagan’s style of leadership. He was tough yet kind, determined without being rigid, courteous to his opponents while staying focused on creating positive outcomes. He believed in common sense, and used this belief throughout his negotiations, usually with great results. His popularity continued to climb throughout his reign, and his approval rating was even higher when he left office than when he was elected.
I look forward to a day when our leaders wake up and realize that working together works better. Our fellow chiropractors are not the enemy, even with some difference of opinion – we agree on the essence, above-down, inside-out. Let’s use Ronald Reagan’s example to establish peace in our profession, so we can concentrate on the more important task of healing our world.
Dennis Perman DC, for The Masters Circle
PS Check out the new album on chiropractic success by The Masters Circle, “Be-Do-Have-More” – call 1-800-451-4514 or go to themasterscircle.com.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
