Thirty-Something Soccer Mom

“We get the Presidents we deserve.  A great people is what you need for a great president.  Washington was the greatest president, because the people were at their most enlightened and alert.”*

When *Charles Krauthammer penned these words in 1988 he never could have imagined the dissatisfaction and distrust of our elected leaders in 2018.

Every week we hear of more allegations against politicians (including our president), from sexual misconduct to accusations of domestic abuse.

But are we free of blame when we consider Krauthammer’s words? How accountable are we for the egregious actions of those we elect into power? 

Could it be that the leaders of our nation are merely 

a reflection of the people they represent?

We scoff at the behavior of our elected officials when revealed to be immoral, dishonest and self-serving, all the while excusing our own immoral, dishonest and self-serving choices. Even if our offenses are on a smaller scale, our criticism for their conduct drips with hypocrisy. 

If someone were to analyze our lives with the scrutiny of the public eye would we be free of guilt and blame? As a whole does our society reflect the qualities and values we expect from those who lead our nation?  Consider how you would answer the following question:

If everyone in this nation were just like me, what kind of a country would it be?

Would our nation be greater tomorrow if everyone were just like you? Would it be worse?  Would it change at all?  We expect our leaders to be moral, hardworking, industrious and responsible, but are we? 

Painting by Arnold Friberg- Washington praying

Nations are not great because of their leaders.                                        

They are great because their citizens are great women and men. Their leaders stand as a mere representation of that population.  Therefore, our ability to have a great nation does not rest solely on who’s in the oval office or which political party controls the House and Senate. 

“Whatever the era…whatever the times, one thing will never change: Our Success as a society, depends not on what happens in the White House, but on what happens in your house.” -Barbara Bush 

“There is no Greatness where there is no Goodness and Truth.” -Leo Tolstoy 

We all agree that goodness and truth are declining in the world at large, but do we see that decline in ourselves? 

Do our friends, family and co-workers see in us an example of goodness and truth?  Have we consciously and deliberately woven into the fabric of our lives the threads of honesty, morality, discipline, hard work, sacrifice, compassion and truth? 

Are these moral virtues a part of our character or just something we expect of our leaders? 

Time for a Change- 

The time has come for us to stop blaming the failures of our nation on the morality and corruption of our leaders and accept that the moral strength of our nation rests upon each of us individually and collectively.

If we hope for a better world with more goodness and truth and if we long for America to return to its days of greatness, then we must evaluate the level of greatness within ourselves.  

Choose to elevate your standard of morality.  Strengthen our nation by strengthening yourself, your family and all those within your circle of influence.

Choose to be more honest, more disciplined, more giving, more compassionate, a harder worker a better mother, a better father, a better husband a better wife a better son or daughter, a better employer, or employee.  Whatever you are don’t just be a good one, be a great one.  

Then, and only then will we be content and happy with the leaders we deserve… Leaders like the great presidents of the past whose lives of honor and respect made America a shining light in a dark world. 

Then and only then can we make America great again.

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