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