Thursday, December 4, 2008

New Breed of Leader?

In the previous post, my good friend and accomplice called for a "New breed of Leader" in Washington. Now, I understand what he meant by it, but I disagree. The "new Breed" is what we have in power now, and as far as I can see, does not really know how to lead. How many kids now-a-days do you hear saying things like "I want to be just like Bill Clinton/George Bush/insert name of president here." You don't. It seems the character of our presidents is not important anymore. A leader is someone that people look up to, emulate in their actions. One who leads by example. Who looks out for the good of those he or she has been placed in charge of. Have our presidents exuded any sort of character that one would envy? Can our children look to our "leader" and say that is how they want to be? I would say that it is a big, "no". Ever since FDR was president, the role of Commander in Chief has been filled, not by solid leaders, but by idealists who have no personal integrity in and of themselves. They have been elected not by their quality of leadership but by emotion. They have been candidates that have promised the world (almost literally) and disappointed us each time. We are an emotionally charged nation right now. Like a hormonal teenager, confused and unsure about the future, we swing from one extreme to the next looking for the answer. Continuing to search for our place in this world.

So what exactly is happening to our nation? We are so far from where we originally started, can we ever recover? Is this just a phase?

We began as a country grounded on solid principles and rooted in Judeo-Christian beliefs. Our government was formed and shaped through blood, tears, failures and successes. All of it was covered in prayer and the belief that God was in control. Personal faith combined with action made our country what it became. We have not always done things right, but, as a nation, we have always relied on grace to help us through. We have always pushed through our difficulties and came out the other side wiser and stronger. Will we get through this? It's hard to say. Our country seems to be crumbling in upon itself these days. All of our supposed "too big to fail" businesses and programs are doing just that... failing... miserably. Starting immediately after the Great Depression when FDR began implementing all of his "stimulus" packages, our country began acting like a foolish teen with his first credit card. And it looks like our current president is not only going to follow along in his footsteps but looks like he is applying for 3 more cards as we speak.
Enough with the doom and gloom, I believe we will get through this stronger and wiser. Our country really is going through a hormonal time and will wise up sooner or later and take some responsibility. We need a real leader. We need an elected president who was placed there due to his wisdom, personal character and above all, integrity. We need a Thomas Jefferson or John Adams. Heck, even a Millard Philmore would be great!

2 comments:

Jane said...

Hear, hear! Well put.

Like so many things in life, the “new” is not always the “improved.” I agree, who we have now as president, and what we’ve had for decades is the “new.”

Left wing, right wing, it hasn’t seemed to matter as far as “For the people” is concerned.

I would, unfortunately, have to disagree with the wonderful author of this post. I don not believe that we are going to grow out of it, I do not believe that things will improve, I do not believe we will ever recover.

I can’t foresee the redemption of our government, or any government for that matter. As far as I can see, every form of government is conceived out of good intention, delivered the best it can be, then gradually disintegrates to a dysfunctional state.

So, where does that leave us? - I believe that as American Christians we are to “render to Caesar, what is Caesar’s” give God the rest, and don‘t fret about what’s beyond your control. I know that when Jesus said that ever so quoted statement, he was regarding taxes, but perhaps it can also mean things like your vote, a call to a congressman, a protest, a march… YES, give to our government what it is due. But give God the rest, give him your life. Live in such a way that it doesn’t matter what state our economy is in, live in such a way that YOU, being the church, can stand and sustain the poor and the destitute, live in such a way that glorifies God, in such a way that you want your children to live. I suppose what I’m saying is to live in such a way that you want your president to live, like our founding fathers lived, (or at least tried to live.) Or better yet, live like Jesus lived. Because man is man, and that’s what government is made out of…

Anonymous said...

Hey dudes, this is Linda O'Keefe checking in, by the way. Nice blog.

I liked Ike...or, I would have if I were alive then. But other than him, I think I agree that in general, people aren't happy for moral leaders because...there isn't much to pick from.

Anyway, I think I agree with Jane here, as optimistic and hopeful I am about the future, I agree that the time of the American (and British, as it is relevant to me) empires are doomed to soon run out.

Yes, citizens of every background need to stop stressing out over being in lines to get iPhones and need to care about their heart's accessories more than the ones they carry, but convincing 300 million people they need to become people of character isn't something I see changing soon.

I fear we will require a shakeup greater than 9/11 to get us off our couches and down to our knees.

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