In three years we will have a
Presidential Election choosing the person who will take our country through the
next four years. This election will test
our resolve to take back the personal freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution,
presently usurped by a greedy and corrupt government, and restore the rest of
the world’s increasing conviction that our democracy, based on the stunning
idea that governments shall exist by permission of the people, to be governed
by the people, for the people, is destined to fail.
We must succeed in this task, but how do
we determine which candidate is a true leader and which ones are the
manufactured product of self-interested political hacks lusting for the power
and money, and prestige victory will bring them?
The possible answer is in the most
unlikely place—The Psalms of David, found
in the New Testament. If you’ve read
my book, Accidental Alien you’re
aware I am not a fan of organized religions as practiced today, but lately, in
an attempt to understand how this vast schism between Muslim and Christian has
happened, I’ve been reading works by religious scholars and gained some
perspective.
Among those recognized as prophets, and
there are many, I’ve found a blueprint for the perfect leader in the writings
David, one of the five prophets generally recognized by Western religions. The others are Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and
Muhammad.
I’m referring to the 23rd
Psalm, an achingly beautiful hymn of devotion. If it is paraphrased to take out
any religious references that might color our reception, it gives us the
profile of the perfect leader. Hopefully you won’t resent my presumption while
I give you my interpretation, inserting “leader” in place of references to the
Lord.
The leader is my shepherd; I shall not
want
To
a true leader, the welfare of his people, their comfort and their needs, is
always paramount to his own. He does not lead for personal gain of wealth or
power, or for fame. His motivation is to do what is best for his people.
He
leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul.
He
imparts a sense of security. He instills faith that all will be well.
He leads me in the paths of righteousness
He has a strong ethical, moral code and a
personal belief system that follows the code of The Ten Commandments.
Though I walk through the valley of
death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.
There
will be many times during the Presidency when the country will be facing danger
from her enemies. He will face these trials with courage, resolve, and complete
confidence that, after listening to the will of the people, he will make the
right decisions that will reassure his followers.
Thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
The
Office of President of the United States confers great powers. A true leader
never hesitates to show his muscle to the world to ensure the safety and
well-being of his people. Although not given to impulse or rash actions, he
will be willing do whatever it takes.
You prepare a table before me in the
presence of mine enemies
Our chosen leader willingly expresses his
devotion to the ideals that gave birth to this government. He is proud of his
country and exhibits his devotion to the ideals of our Founding Fathers,
proclaiming as often as necessary his belief in the Constitution of the United
States and his determination to preserve the idea of a government of the
people, by the people and for the people.
Therefore, surely goodness and mercy
shall follow us all the days of our lives.
How
can we possibly know if that is the character of a Presidential Candidate? If
you’ve read my blog, “Aftermath,”
about my take on the incompetence of the campaign advisors in the last
election, you’ll realize you have to be able to see the real man underneath the
cunning of his advisors and ferret out the true character of the person. He
must have a record that demonstrates the values we demand.
His words must demonstrate an allegiance
to democracy instead of the socialist “government takes all” philosophy of the
present leader. In his past history he must have demonstrated successful
leadership that shows the devotion of his followers. That is a tall order, but
the survival of our way of life depends on you to determine the facts and make
the right decision.
