Monday, October 27, 2008

Republicans for Obama and "Wisdom of the Ages"






"Wisdom of the Ages" by Barbara Gordon is featured on the website 'Republicans for Obama'. As usual, it's always interesting to hear opinions coming from 'opposing counsel', especially when they have not necessarily changed, but have been tempered with the ability to be flexible in making important political choices. That is why I am and always will be, an Independent. I do not fit any particular party ideal and as a typical European, am too beholden to nuances that I cannot possibly just tow any party line for the sake of 'unity'. My opinions are my own and as your (stereo)typical Dutch person, I want to be able to "agree to disagree". It's not defection, or being a traitor or being (pffff) 'anti-American' (dimwits)..it's just having another opinion.

So here is an excerpt from Barbara's "Wisdom of the Ages"'

"I was thinking about leaders today, and about how we decide which guys would make good elected officials. When you set aside platform, I think we all pretty much agree on what kinds of characteristics make for ideal leaders. In fact, it seems like the characters we value in our leaders today are probably the same ones that have been highly regarded throughout the ages. So, to test my theory I decided to go back. Way back. I pulled up the quotes of ancient sages King Solomon (tenth century, BCE) and Confucius (fifth century, BCE) to see if either one had any wisdom on the virtues required of leaders. This is what I found:
"For a lack of guidance a nation fails, but victory is won through many advisers." -- Solomon

One of the complaints many have had about the Bush administration is that he and Cheney have been sort of Lone Ranger executives. Sure they have advisers, and sometimes they even let the advisers advise, but rumor has it that the two of them listen politely before going ahead with whatever their plan was to begin with, regardless of any concerns raised. Colin Powell says he cautioned President Bush about the long-term implications and complications involved in invading Iraq. He says he did everything in his power to dissuade Bush from invading, but Bush insisted. Now, six years later, I think most of us wish Bush had heeded wise counsel. And indeed many of us now value a leader's willingness to accept counsel so much that we've watched both McCain and Obama closely to try to get a sense of how they interact with their campaign advisers.
"A ruler with discernment and knowledge maintains order." -- Solomon
Clearly we still value both discernment and knowledge. A majority of voters polled now say that Palin makes them less likely to trust McCain with the presidency. Why? Because they say that Palin lacks the requisite knowledge for the vice presidency, and the fact that she does makes them question McCain's discernment."



Check out the site Republicans for Obama and if possible, leave a comment to say thanks for putting country first and let's work towards a bipartisan next four years!

Plus..check out the long list of republicans and conservatives who've endorsed Obama and their reasons as to why; Republicans and conservatives endorsing Obama

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8 Comments:

Blogger Utah Savage said...

This is a great post Ingrid. I may steal a little of it. I love your European independence. Especially when you agree with me:)

1:28 PM  
Blogger Ingrid said...

haha! Utah..I love that line in 'Life of Brian' (Monty Python) where Brian exasperatedly turns to the following crowd and says (imagine british accent), "please gow away, you are AWL indiVIDUALS" (response)"Yes Lord, we are AWL indiVIDUALS" ..and then there is the first independent known to man, speaking up in the background "No I'm NOT"! LOLOL!!
And steal away.. btw..it's been easy to get disgusted and dismissive of all republicans because of their towing the party line so well, ehem, shall we put it that way?? So it's good to see some common sense independence and speaking up for oneself. Naturally, the Republican money machine has turned all these, genuine Republicans into Independents..ha.. step right into the fold my friends, I say..(this way this way..where the other 30% of Americans vote and think..)

Ingrid

1:37 PM  
Blogger Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

I have been greatly heartened in the last week by people who are standing up and crossing party lines. Maybe democracy is in better shape than I thought.

1:41 PM  
Blogger jmsjoin said...

I was so happy to see Governor Weld who I did not like come out for Obama so now I do. Glad to see someone do the right thing!
Speaking of Politicians I was also happy to see the arrogant Stevens was found guilty!
I also just heard Breaking news that a plot to assassinate Obama was just uncovered!

3:41 PM  
Blogger Blueberry said...

It's good to see that a site like that has been posted.

Nov 4 can't get here fast enough.

5:53 PM  
Blogger enigma4ever said...

great site- thanks for finding that....Hey Love your new avatar....( profile- you are right we do look like we could be sisters ;-)

Hey hang in there Nov4 th coming...Sooooooon.

6:10 PM  
Blogger Mariamariacuchita said...

Can't wait for the election!
Will check out the site.

I've not seen enough written on the topic of Leadership. As a country we need to concentrate more on what makes a great leader. Thanks

7:33 AM  
Blogger Robert Rouse said...

Ingrid, this is great! I just finished a post that included their list of Obamacans.

1:56 AM  

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