The first of our nation’s presidents who I actually remember was Dwight D. Eisenhower. He was not only a great patriot, but was a very effective leader. Our nation was fortunate to have John F. Kennedy succeed him, although his time in office was far too short. I believe that these two men were exceptional leaders. They were followed by Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barrack Obama. None of them proved to be as great as their predecessors.

Several of our nation’s presidents who followed JFK were far from great leaders. Five of them were complete failures and gave the American people a reason to question the judgement of voters and their reasoning for electing an individual who caused harm to our nation and its people. Although Bill Clinton’s policies made our nation financially sound, he cannot be included in my estimation of great presidents. This is not based on his lack of morality, which was equaled by others in the past, it is the fact that he failed to display courage when necessary.

History will remember Barrack Obama as an exceptional leader who moved our nation from a near depression, while we were engaged in two unwinnable wars created by his predecessor. He could have been a great president, but extremism and obstructionist tactic from the right prevented him from implementing his proposals for the working class.

Here we are in another presidential campaign season. Our nation is well on its way to complete recovery from the Bush Administration, but serious problems remain unsolved.

Terrorism remains an enormous threat to world peace. Income inequality is eliminating the middle class. The Constitution is under attack from special interest groups. Reform in the areas of taxation and immigration must be addressed now and no longer ignored by politicians who support special interests.

Our next president must be an exceptional person who will represent the majority of our nation’s people. Exceptional is defined as: “Much ​greater than ​usual, ​especially in ​skill, ​intelligence, ​quality, etc.”

The very future of our nation is perilous if voters fail to cast their ballots for great men and women and consider party affiliation more important than the future of our nation and its people. America cannot afford to have another person living in the White House who lacks basic intelligence, or an individual who places his or her ambitions ahead of the American people.

Intellect, compassion, logic, and experience must be included in the qualifications for our 45^th president. Extremists and those who seek personal success over the needs and wishes of the majority of the American people must not be allowed to achieve their personal goals.

It is frightening to consider the reality that individuals who do not believe in the principles of our founding fathers could become the leader of the free world. Trump, Cruz, Rubio, and others have no belief or concern regarding our nation and its legacy. They are ambitious men and women who place their personal ambitions ahead of the majority.

The President of the United States cannot represent ten-percent of our nation’s people; he or she must serve the nation as a whole. The leader of the free world must be a diplomat and not a cowboy. The people must come first and not be an afterthought.

The GOP is owned by the wealthiest of Americans. Right now right wingers are saying; “Hillary Clinton receives donations from Super PACS whose members are represented on Wall Street and by major corporations;” and that is true. The difference is that when Democrats are elected, they attempt to achieve the goals they promised during their campaigns, and do not abandon the majority.

Without a doubt the perfect candidate is Bernie Sanders. He understands the fact that our nation’s government has been invaded by self-serving politicians who believe in ultimate capitalism while average Americans are losing their ability to live comfortably. The right wing would unfairly label him a communist, and fear would win once again. His message is far too logical and fair for all of the American people, and our nation’s people shun logic when fear tactics are used.

Whoever wins in November, must be a man or woman who possesses great intelligence, logic, an ability to negotiate, and has sufficient experience to effectively lead our nation into the 21^st century and not allow it to regress. This qualification excludes the passengers in the clown car and its driver.

Op-Ed

By James Turnage

Photo Courtesy of DonkeyHotey

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