MONDAY MUSINGS

February 18, 2008

President’s Day

Today we honor two of our finest Presidents, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.  One was born in a patrician family and made his mark as a citizen soldier who dared to believe the thirteen colonies could stand up to the might of the British Empire.  Washington resisted the invitation to serve a third term as President, believing that a democracy should be based on its laws and traditions instead of personalities.  The other was born into a poor rural family, his first two forays into politics resulting in election defeats, and who believed that the self-governing experiment of the United States of America must withstand a bitter contest of wills over state’s rights and the legitimate place of Negroes. Lincoln sought to heal the division within the country and reunite a fractured nation, and we can only speculate what the outcome would have been had he not been assassinated.

These two are giants in our nation’s history.  They were not universally liked or appreciated when they were alive but they now claim our deepest respect and admiration.  As we prepare to elect our next President, they loom over us as outstanding examples of leadership and wisdom and courage.

I remember cutting out pictures of axes and top hats in school as we sought symbols of these two Presidents.  The symbols were simplistic, to be sure, but how do you capture such greatness with 3^rd graders?  The cherry tree story of Washington and the splitting rails story of Lincoln give meager insight into the adult contributions of both men.  Can you predict from a person’s youth who that person will become in adulthood?  Is the story of a person’s first 30 years an indicator of potential and important in determining the remainder of that person’s life?  Isn’t every presidential election a risk, not knowing how that person will respond and react to the challenges of that high office?

Washington and Lincoln have stood the test of time, their lives examined and reexamined, their decisions discussed and debated.  We look for the best possible people to represent us to the world about us and to work within the political process to shape the nation we will bequeath to our children.  A nation as blessed as ours has the heavy responsibility to be accountable for our gifts and opportunities. 

This is a Leap Year, meaning this is a year to select presidential leadership.  Instead of yearning for a return of Washington and Lincoln, we will select from the few to survive our convoluted election process.  I pray for each candidate, and I trust each will seek to measure up to the high standards of the two we honor today.  Peace.  John Krueger