A Higher Standard for Leadership

With the 100th anniversary of the birth of Ronald Reagan upon us, we have the opportunity to look back on what made him stand out among leaders and presidents of our great nation. His uplifting words still echo through and remind us of what we now lack. His positive attitude and determination led us out of the dark days of energy shortages, inflation and joblessness. His smile gave us hope that everything would be alright.

Contrast to the current administration and their constant need to find others to blame for their failed policies. Contrast to the constant dour look of our current President who, one can only guess, is trying to appear as he is very serious about his job yet seems to enjoy vacations and golfing more than the job he sought to be elected to.

Ronald Reagan took on big government. Barrack Obama invests in big government. I find it interesting that in this time of out of control deficits and spending, while the federal government seems addicted to bailouts and government takeovers, state, county and civic bodies are finding that Ronald Reagan was right and that minimal government gives entrepreneurial control to the people. And capitalist growth drives an increase in tax dollars. Raising taxes on a cash strapped society only increases and extends the strength and length of a recession.

Ronald Reagan gave us inspiration to defeat Jimmy Carter's desperation. While Jimmy was being burned in effigy in the middle east, cars were lining up for miles just to fill the gas tank and Jimmy was giving that lengthy and confusing 'National Malaise' speech, Ronald Reagan reminded us of our "shining city on a hill". He reminded us of our greatness and what we were capable of achieving if given the tools to do it.

Not all people are capable of being inspirational optimists. Many lack that sparkle in the eyes and perpetual smile on their face. Some, like Jimmy Carter and Barrack Obama, can be described in the same words Alice Roosevelt Longworth used to describe Calvin Coolidge. "He looks like he was weaned on a pickle." He did and so do they.

America is enduring a time of great frustration. A time when die hard followers of the President are hard up to find some inspiration in the tele-prompted speeches and off-the-cuff "uh's and um's" of a man who seems in it over his head. We need to believe in ourselves again. We need to stop electing someone because they are "Kennedy-like" or even "Reagan-like". We need a GENUINE person who is blessed with a spirit of optimism that we all wish we had. A true leader in all respects who will restore our drive and renew our faith in the greatest nation on earth.