I consider myself an ‘average man.’ I’ve had successes and failures. I’ve loved and lost. I’ve made good decisions, and more bad ones. Everyday I try to be a better person, and in certain instances make amends for past actions which may have emotionally harmed another human being.

I learned my life’s passion after I was forced to retire, and learned that this was more common than I expected. I spent the majority of my life working for the solitary reason of making money to support my family. There was little time to explore other possibilities.

I have been fortunate to have a few loyal friends, and most importantly I believe that I have the greatest partner any man could ask for in my wife of nearly 23 years. My love for her cannot be described in mere words.

When I am nothing more than a memory, I hope that that memory will include kind thoughts. There will be nothing which will change the lives of others to speak of at a memorial service. I was another human being who did his best.

Why am I writing this? For a simple reason. I expect those men and women who have the ability to change lives; to improve the quality of life for those who elected them to display the courage and resolve to become America’s heroes.

The American people make huge mistakes when they label athletes, men and women in the movie and television industry, or musicians who inspire us to be ‘heroes.’ Maybe this is because at this time in 2018 we cannot find heroes in Washington. We certainly don’t have a man we can admire in the White House. Congress has less than a handful of men and women who truly and consistently fight for the majority of the American people.

We look to the past and remember real heroes. Our founding fathers had remarkable courage and resolve to consider the fact that every average human being has value and certain inalienable rights. Only five presidents, in my estimation are worthy of hero worship.

George Washington was a brilliant general who defeated the British and allowed the establishment of the United States of America. Abraham Lincoln not only loved his country, he loved the principles guaranteed by the Constitution. The end of slavery is the symbol of the greatness and the courage of Mr. Lincoln. Teddy Roosevelt set goals to increase our nation’s presence in the world. He was a champion of the working man. In addition, it was Roosevelt who saw the natural beauty of our country and instituted policies to protect it; Ryan Zinke and Trump are attempting to destroy many of our greatest natural resources today. Franklin D. Roosevelt, Teddy’s cousin, will forever be remembered as the ‘President of the working class.’ His fights against the magnates of industry to protect the rights of workers remain legendary. Although Mr. Roosevelt was reluctant to enter WWII, when he was forced to engage in the monumental challenge of creating an unbeatable war machine, he became America’s hero.

My fifth choice as a true hero will anger some. However, I believe that President Barrack Obama was a great president. He entered office facing a possible depression. America was engaged in two unwinnable wars. Our nation was facing a deficit in the trillions of dollars. Although he faced the ‘party of no,’ he managed to begin recovery efforts which continue to bear fruit today. He did all of this while maintaining his dignity and grace. He was the epitome of class. He did not attack his detractors, he acknowledged them and their Constitutional right to express their opinions. He trusted his closest advisers and subsequently made more good decisions than bad. He was an American president.

I am proud to be ‘average.’ However, I, like every other American, would love to have heroes in Washington. On every election day we cast our ballots with hope in our hearts. Most of the time we are disappointed as those who promised to work hard for the American people, focus on their personal ambitions once they are sworn into office.

Today’s government is both dysfunctional and a disgrace. Time for change. We must have younger candidates and more women who want to serve in Washington. Today’s congress does not represent the majority; they are too old, and live in the past, failing to see the future. They are also too white, and too male-dominated. America is a diverse nation and women remain the largest demographic.

Finally, we must force congress to establish term limits for themselves. Spending 30 or 40 years in Washington is not productive.

Please vote in November. Thank you.

Op-ed by James Turnage

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