As I perused the news today I made note of all the headlines and blogger comments on everything from Mitt Romney's dog incident to Barack Obama's comments on being President at a Hollywood Fund raiser. Being President is not "prose," it is being strong and compassionate at the same time. I've come up with a short list of qualities our American President should embody- I invite you to add to the list.
1.Above all things, a President must be quick to defend against the enemies of democracy.He (or she) must have a foreign policy that stands ready to swiftly protect the American people and their interests from harm. This President is fond of claiming diplomacy in favor of our enemies, and rudeness to our allies.
2. A President must understand the history of America- its heroes, its Bill of Rights, its Constitutional heritage. This President has no regard whatsoever for our founding documents, our ability to win armed conflict, or the inner values of the average American. This President has attempted to re-write our history to delete the people of the past who served this nation with distinction and honor. He has done that by claiming that we are not really a Christian nation, and trying to manipulate school children into politically correct (incorrect) verbiage.
3. A President must love America, and stand firmly at her side come hell or high water. This President has never done so in any foreign situation. He has apologized, criticized, and ostracized Americans continually. He has created the largest deficit in American history and continues to pull out the very foundations of our economy in the name of "taxing the rich" and "redistributing wealth to the poor." American businesses could go the way of the dinosaur if we do not find a way to bring health and fresh jobs to their aid. To love America is to deeply care about her people and her future.
4. Finally, a President should be compassionate. Whatever mistakes President Bush made (and he made many), everyone knew that he cared about his troops and the people of America. The current President never shows any emotion whatsoever. A man who cannot show emotion over the plights of others is not the kind of President that is good for America.
Be aware of these qualities as you vote in this upcoming election. If you choose a man with emotionless qualities over compassion, we will again find ourselves with a man like the one we have. I do not care to live in a socialist/Marxist society. I pray that we will choose a man of integrity and honor, with love for his country. Let's not exchange one problem for a similar one.
Showing posts with label President. Show all posts
Showing posts with label President. Show all posts
Friday, February 17, 2012
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Presidential Connections
I sat at my desk this morning, re-reading a thank you letter sent to me by former President Bush, and the tears welled up in my eyes. Do any of you realize that we have lost the connection to our President?
Even as a child growing up, we were able to send letters or small gifts to our President, just to encourage or thank him for being our President. It's a tough job, that. Even though our Chief of State has always been wealthier than the average person, they seemed like one of us: success stories of people who worked hard, and came to make the nation a better place.
This President has made a lot of noise about being reachable and open. Yet it has been the exact opposite. His Blackberry notwithstanding,the sense is that the "real person" aspect of the Presidency is gone. He simply doesn't feel like "one of us." Now, before someone tries to tell me that's racial, it's not. He could be Asian, Native American, Black, or Martian for all I care -- it's the personal sense of a man that tells us they are approachable by ordinary citizens.
If you read the White House web site these days, you will find a fairly strongly worded statement that says no gifts. You aren't supposed to send them a book for encouragement like previous administrations (I've sent several before). And I suspect letters will come back form letters with stamped signatures rather than real ink.(If you get a reply at all). I was going to send the first kids a photo of my dog and a letter of encouragement for them with Bo, but no way after that slap in the eye from the website. It simply is not personable- and makes ordinary citizens feel like we are beneath his dignity.
The wonderful thing about America has always been that the President is reachable, and teachable. He understands and has compassion for the people of his country. He learns from the circumstances and alters his course if necessary. He feels the plight of the poor, but understands the importance of the business community. His first priority is security and protection. He balances left and right and tries to work with both. He tries to get consensus, not ram his own agenda down our throats. It doesn't feel that way anymore -- and I think that means we are in trouble as a nation. With a Congress that will likely be at least halfway unseated this year because of voter anger, and a President who is unreachable and unteachable, we've got some serious days ahead. Whether or not this all stems from a broken home in his childhood or an upbringing of false doctrines, it still shows as personally bad for the people of America. If I'm wrong, Mr. President, prove it.
Even as a child growing up, we were able to send letters or small gifts to our President, just to encourage or thank him for being our President. It's a tough job, that. Even though our Chief of State has always been wealthier than the average person, they seemed like one of us: success stories of people who worked hard, and came to make the nation a better place.
This President has made a lot of noise about being reachable and open. Yet it has been the exact opposite. His Blackberry notwithstanding,the sense is that the "real person" aspect of the Presidency is gone. He simply doesn't feel like "one of us." Now, before someone tries to tell me that's racial, it's not. He could be Asian, Native American, Black, or Martian for all I care -- it's the personal sense of a man that tells us they are approachable by ordinary citizens.
If you read the White House web site these days, you will find a fairly strongly worded statement that says no gifts. You aren't supposed to send them a book for encouragement like previous administrations (I've sent several before). And I suspect letters will come back form letters with stamped signatures rather than real ink.(If you get a reply at all). I was going to send the first kids a photo of my dog and a letter of encouragement for them with Bo, but no way after that slap in the eye from the website. It simply is not personable- and makes ordinary citizens feel like we are beneath his dignity.
The wonderful thing about America has always been that the President is reachable, and teachable. He understands and has compassion for the people of his country. He learns from the circumstances and alters his course if necessary. He feels the plight of the poor, but understands the importance of the business community. His first priority is security and protection. He balances left and right and tries to work with both. He tries to get consensus, not ram his own agenda down our throats. It doesn't feel that way anymore -- and I think that means we are in trouble as a nation. With a Congress that will likely be at least halfway unseated this year because of voter anger, and a President who is unreachable and unteachable, we've got some serious days ahead. Whether or not this all stems from a broken home in his childhood or an upbringing of false doctrines, it still shows as personally bad for the people of America. If I'm wrong, Mr. President, prove it.
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
True Leadership
Lately I've noticed that our President has been the victim of a lack of respect in his speeches. People don't just yell "Liar" at him, they murmer, grumble, and try to shout him down at times. When I was a kid, if I had backtalked a teacher or adult like that, I'd have gotten a slap across my mouth. (I dimly remember my brother once washing my mouth out with soap for one of those faux pas moments, too. Nasty stuff, that green soap).
We don't have to agree with where our President is taking the nation, nor do we have to kowtow to pressure to follow his leadership. But we should pay the office the respect it is due, regardless of how angry he may make us. Shouting him down, yelling words of cursing toward him does not fix the situation, it simply backs him into defense mode and makes things worse. So stop it, everyone. You're feeding the problem instead of fixing it.
As for our President's part, may he take heed to these words of advice: a true leader should command respect by his or her very nature. A true leader never has to resort to intimidation, pressure, lies, deception, corruption, or other nefarious means to obtain the respect he or she is due. Leadership is about the natural ability to create trust -- and that comes from a clean heart that truly contains compassion rather than ambition. Ambition, power lust, greed, and an arrogant spirit require force to bring about respect. But a true leader needs none of those things to show himself or herself a leader: their very presence creates an atmosphere of peace and hope.
I once had a dear friend, now deceased, who instantly commanded respect. He walked into a room and everyone felt safe. They all felt loved and protected and hopeful, just by his very presence. His name was Archbishop Unuigbo of Nigeria. He even made strangers feel like he was their best friend. He honored and respected everyone in his path. His anger was aroused only against those who would do others harm, and if the situation arose, get out of his way because those people were toast. No one would ever have thought of heckling him during a speech, or getting his face to speak ill of him. He wasn't very tall, but he was a true leader. One day, he and his family died in a tragic car crash. I will never forget his gift of leadership, his open heart, his compassion for others.
All of us have natural giftings- if we are true leaders we will cultivate those qualities which bring about the best for those for which we are responsible . The Bible teaches that to be great, you need to be a servant. One can only hope that one day Mr Obama will understand that bulldozing his programs through Congress, or apologizing his way through the nations is not the mark of a true leader. And then perhaps, the hecklers, the naysayers, the anger will die down enough to bring about healing in our nation.
We don't have to agree with where our President is taking the nation, nor do we have to kowtow to pressure to follow his leadership. But we should pay the office the respect it is due, regardless of how angry he may make us. Shouting him down, yelling words of cursing toward him does not fix the situation, it simply backs him into defense mode and makes things worse. So stop it, everyone. You're feeding the problem instead of fixing it.
As for our President's part, may he take heed to these words of advice: a true leader should command respect by his or her very nature. A true leader never has to resort to intimidation, pressure, lies, deception, corruption, or other nefarious means to obtain the respect he or she is due. Leadership is about the natural ability to create trust -- and that comes from a clean heart that truly contains compassion rather than ambition. Ambition, power lust, greed, and an arrogant spirit require force to bring about respect. But a true leader needs none of those things to show himself or herself a leader: their very presence creates an atmosphere of peace and hope.
I once had a dear friend, now deceased, who instantly commanded respect. He walked into a room and everyone felt safe. They all felt loved and protected and hopeful, just by his very presence. His name was Archbishop Unuigbo of Nigeria. He even made strangers feel like he was their best friend. He honored and respected everyone in his path. His anger was aroused only against those who would do others harm, and if the situation arose, get out of his way because those people were toast. No one would ever have thought of heckling him during a speech, or getting his face to speak ill of him. He wasn't very tall, but he was a true leader. One day, he and his family died in a tragic car crash. I will never forget his gift of leadership, his open heart, his compassion for others.
All of us have natural giftings- if we are true leaders we will cultivate those qualities which bring about the best for those for which we are responsible . The Bible teaches that to be great, you need to be a servant. One can only hope that one day Mr Obama will understand that bulldozing his programs through Congress, or apologizing his way through the nations is not the mark of a true leader. And then perhaps, the hecklers, the naysayers, the anger will die down enough to bring about healing in our nation.
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