What I Really Want In A President - An Open Letter To The Candidates

I really do try to avoid discussing politics - it is such an inflamatory topic, but we do have a Presidential election next week so this is my final statement on that election.

Dear Candidates for President of the United States -

In a week we, the citizens of the United States of America, will be choosing a new president to lead our country. Unfortunately I'm not excited about any of the choices I have this year. In fact, I've never been excited about any of the choices I've had to choose from since I became old enough to vote. However I do love my country and I am thankful that I'm privileged to live in the best country on the face of the earth. I realize that each of you think that you have the best "plan" for America, the best way forward, the best answers to our problems here and internationally. What I really wonder though is if you think so much of yourself that you really think you are qualified for the job? Being President is an awesome responsibility, a weight you will carry on your shoulders the entire time that you lead this country - it is not a prize, a reward or something to write a memoir about. George Washington realized the magnitude of responsibility held by the man who filled the office of the President, but I wonder how many of our recent President's have felt that same burden of responsibility to make choices that were best for the nation, not necessarily their own personal agenda of "change". I wonder if any of you, the candidates to be the next President of the United States feel that same burden of responsibility. In case you are wondering what a 30-something mom, small business owner, proud citizen of this country is looking for in a President here is a short list.

I want a President who...

• is careful, thoughtful and not easily swayed by the winds of panic and fear that sweep across our nation any time there is an increase in the unemployment numbers, a threat from a terrorist or a decline in the stock market.
• can see past what choices will make him look good right now to the choices that will make the country still stand strong in ten years.
• realizes that America was established as a place where anyone could come and with hard work could make something out of themselves and that the rights and privileges of the individual are sacred.
  
• remembers that the rights of the states are of utmost importance.
• is honest, kind and respectful of the opinions of people who disagree with him.
  
• understands that a strong military is a necessary expense in this world and something that should be developed, respected and supported - publicly and privately.
• believes that parents know what is best for their children, how they should be disciplined, educated, cared for and loved.
• knows that social services are always best provided by churches and civil groups - not the government
• will work to make our tax system fair by taxing everyone - whether they make $10,000 a year or $100,000 - at the same rate. It isn't right that some end up paying no taxes while other's owe up to 40% of their income in taxes.
• is willing to cut the federal government back to a reasonable size by eliminating programs, giving control back to states over other issues and focusing on what is important - defending our country and providing an umbrella of unity for the states to function under.
• remembers that freedom of religion is not freedom from religion.
• knows that the backbone of this nation are it's people, their businesses, their hopes, their dreams and will work to create an environment where those people, their businesses, their hopes and their dreams can flourish.
• respects free speech - even when the message is one he disagrees with.
• interprets the constitution in context and as it is written not as he wishes it had been written or with his judgment colored by Hollywood, activists, extremists, popular opinion or special interests groups.
  
• comes to the office of the President with a desire to leave the United States a safer and stronger nation at the end of his term that is more intense than his desire to be applauded while in office and remembered in the future.

There is so much more I could say, so much more that I would like to see in a President, but these things would be a good start. Candidates, there is so much that has disturbed me about this election - the negativity, the $470 million dollars Obama has spent on advertising, the $207 million dollars McCain has spent on advertising, Bob Barr (the libertarian candidate) sending emails that say "McCain can't win, vote for me", the efforts to discredit "Joe the Plumber" after the last debate... it's been a frustrating election to watch and I'll be glad when it's over. I think that irregardless of who wins our nation has been so weakened over the past 16 years that a new President who really does want to change the course of our nation will have an uphill battle. Do any of you really appreciate the challenges you will be facing if you take office in January?

I'll close this letter with this quote from The Honorable Dean Alfange, an American statesman born December 2, 1899, in Constantinople (now Istanbul). He was raised in upstate New York. He served in the U.S. Army during World War I and attended Hamilton College, graduating in the class of 1922. (Information and quote from daveramsey.com - quote originally published in This Week Magazine. Later printed in The Reader’s Digest, October 1952 and January 1954.) Alfange says more clearly than anything I've read recently what it really means to embrace the American Dream. I feel like our nation has drifted away from fostering the American Dream and encouraging her citizens to pursue it by yielding to those who have nothing better to do than complain that people who are willing to work hard have nicer things than those who feel like they just deserve nice things because they live in America.

I Do Not Choose to Be a Common Man

It is my right to be uncommon—if I can.

I seek opportunity—not security. I do not wish to be a kept citizen, humbled and dulled by having the state look after me.

I want to take the calculated risk; to dream and to build, to fail and to succeed.

I refuse to barter incentive for a dole. I prefer the challenges of life to the guaranteed existence; the thrill of fulfillment to the stale calm of utopia.

I will not trade freedom for beneficence nor my dignity for a handout. I will never cower before any master nor bend to any threat.

It is my heritage to stand erect, proud and unafraid; to think and act for myself, enjoy the benefit of my creations and to face the world boldly and say, “This I have done.”

Finally will the world end if the candidate I vote for doesn't win the election - no, our government is built with checks and balances and I'm hoping that those checks and balances stand strong. I have to say that I am very concerned about the future of our nation and I hope that irregardless of which one of you wins the Presidency that you can work with the other lawmakers in Congress and can get this democracy back on the track of greatness and out of the pit it's fallen into of trying to be all things to all people at home and abroad. I want the tax code simplified, I want the government scaled back to a maneagable size, I want my military kept strong and I want my freedom - to speak, to worship, to bear arms, to raise my family, to pursue the American Dream left completely intact.