What has happened to our leadership in this world?

The other day several of us were discussing, "What has happened to our leadership in this world? At the city level, the county level, the state level, the national level and the worldwide level we seem to have lost our great ethical statesman like leaders. Everyday we read and hear about their childish and unsophisticated behavior and ideas."

On the eve of celebrating our national independency and freedom, I thought it might be appropriate to present a possible answer to our question, "What has happened to our leadership in this world?"

I believe it is time for new major party, at least in our area. I believe that party should be the L.A.P. Party of America. L.A.P. stands for Leadership Arise Please!

The L.A.P. Party of America believes that the art of leadership is an endangered species. President John F. Kennedy’s story about a royal leader in the French Revolutionary War, best describes the political leadership today. The old French leader said, "There go my people. I must find out where they are going so I can lead them." Take a poll and go lead them where they seem to want to go, not where they need to go for their own safety and welfare.

Leadership is the ability, duty or act of leading; the art of directing and guiding others; the ship that leads the way. We elect officials to represent us and lead the way. Ours is a Republic not a democracy. Where democracy is expressed by the privilege for every person to vote and pursue their own dreams. Our system demands leadership to operate effectively for us to survive over the years.

In the movie "American President" there is an example of poor leadership. In the middle of a wonderful love story is a frightening reality. The politicians portrayed depended solely upon public opinion polls to plan and make decisions. No thought was given to what was the right direction for the country, but where does this country want to go.

I for one do not want to be lead by the mood of the public. God knows there is ample proof that the public is quite fickle and nearly blind. I yearn for the leadership Ralph Waldo Emerson advocated in "The Conduct of Life: Power" written in 1860. He wrote, "There are men, who, by their sympathetic attractions carry nations with them and lead the activity of the human race."

In the heat of battle no soldier likes to hear from his leader, "Well boys, what would you like to do?" Instead he wants to hear those words carved on the statue at Fort Benning, Georgia, the home of the Infantry, "Follow Me!" The leaders of the L.A.P. Party of America will lead in this tradition. Why can't the leaders of the established parties do the same.

Mr. and Ms. Politician would you please get out in front and carry us courageously into the future? Please examine the facts; survey the situation; determine what must be done and lead us in that direction. Be our ship that leads the way.

If we come kicking and screaming that's okay. Children never like to take medicine that will cure their ills. They only protest to put off the inevitable. If the parent has the child's best interest at heart they will over come the protest and guide the child into doing what must be done for the health of the child.

The politicians from my L.A.P. Party will not be afraid to step up boldly and lead the way. If you judge a leader by his or her followers, you will see people with confidence about tomorrow in this nation. Why? Our leaders are taking action based on what they were elected for and not what will be needed to get reelected. They are to busy leading to run for office and their followers know the difference. Reexamine your leaders as leaders. Could they belong to the L.A.P. (Leadership Arise Please) Party?