Much has been made of the wealth of certain candidates, particularly Mitt Romney. Do you want to elect someone who has not been successful in their private sector endeavors? Mediocrity is not for the presidency of the United States. Although some were born with the proverbial “silver spoon,” a majority of past presidents relied on their individual acumen for attaining success. This is especially true of the founders, like George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, and invariably throughout the 19th century.
Increasingly, presidential elections have become more about the special interests and lobbyists. Your vote still counts, but do not be fooled – rather than relying on a record of private sector success, who becomes president depends on those who can make it happen. When they become president, they owe favors to political cronies who aided in their successful bid for office. Again, do not be fooled; despite laws and ethics rules, the same circumstances still happen all the time in Congress. As such, the need is great once again for a self-made individual who, like Washington and Jefferson, can rise above such political intrigue and be swayed only by what they believe favorable to the nation than to any particular group.
Yes, it is a fanciful notion. Do we dare not dream it though? The presidency should not be given to those who can simply afford it through connections and financial support; it should be afforded to those worthy of the position by their own success. Otherwise, not only the United States but also the free world and those who clamor for such shall suffer. As our first self-made president so eloquently stated, “Our cause is noble; it is the cause of mankind.”
©2012 Steve Sagarra
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