Sunday, February 20, 2011

Presidents Day



















Today is Presidents Day and as such, it is fitting to celebrate the wisdom of some of our finest patriots, who helped to create and/or maintain this wonderful Republic we call The United States of America.

There may have been no man more directly responsible for the formation of our great nation than George Washington. Washington played a major role in the drafting of The Declaration of Independence and was unanimously selected as Commander in Chief of the Continental Army. Washington accepted this commission and asked that he not receive a salary for his service, only that at the conclusion of the war, his expenses be paid. Imagine a leader today being that selfless.

Near the close of the Revolutionary War, the Continental Army met to discuss a possible insurrection against the Congress of our infant nation. The soldiers had not received pay and benefits as they had been promised and were out of patience. Washington addressed the men and was able to successfully calm them down and thus protect the fledgling nation from an early internal demise. That is leadership, my friends!

It cannot be overstated how important a good leader can be. Many do not believe the position of President of The United States to be that important to our system of government, which specifically limits power to any one entity. I, for one, could not disagree more. I speak not in regards to his power within the three branches of government, which contrary to Senator Charles Schumer's belief, are not the House, the Senate, and the President . I speak in the sense of his direct effect on the emotions and morale of the American people. When tragedy befalls our nation, the nation looks to the President to explain what we are going to do as a nation to overcome it. He is expected to demonstrate poise, confidence, and compassion. His ability to demonstrate these behaviors appropriately has a direct effect on how successfully our nation navigates through difficulties.

There is no better example of this executed horribly and successfully than in two below presidential addresses:





Feeling confident in our nation after watching this?? I can't watch more than two minutes without wanting to wave a white flag.

How about this??





One clearly inspires confidence in the nation's citizens and one most certainly does not.

On this Presidents Day it is my prayer that we might find a President that strengthens and inspires this nation back to the greatness we once enjoyed, not so long ago. The current one seems intent on replacing our democratic republic with socialism, which is certainly not what our founding fathers and early Presidents had in mind.

I end this with a quote from another great President:

"Be sure you put your feet in the right place, then stand firm."
Abraham Lincoln


1 comment:

  1. “Government is not reason; it is not eloquent; it is force. Like fire, it is a dangerous servant and a fearful master.”
    –George Washington
    http://hughcpeconjrs.blogspot.com/

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