Monday, September 1, 2008

“If he was half the leader his wife is, he’d be a good president”

Do you know who this observation is referring to? Before you fill in the blank with the president you’d wish had never ended up in the White House here’s the answer:

Abraham Lincoln.

This less than favorable review of Lincoln’s first year in office reminds us that it takes a historical perspective to truly evaluate those who lead our country.

Since we are right in the middle of presidential convention season, and looking forward to a fall full of presidential politics, it might be good to prepare our hearts and our minds to discern reality from what will be a great deal of theater. With this in mind consider the wise words of Samuel Adams, the American Revolutionary Statesman:

God give us men a time like this demands
Strong minds, great hearts, true faith, and ready hands
Men whom the lust of office does not kill
Men whom the spoils of office cannot buy
Men who possess opinions and a will
Men who have honor; men who will not lie

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