President's Day: Can a President Make or Break a Nation?
Posted by Warrior Poet Society on Feb 17th 2022
Alexander the Great is famously quoted as saying, "I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion."
And this bit of ancient wisdom is more pertinent for America today than it's been in a very long time. A Commander in Chief should have a convincing roar, and the fangs, claws and strength to back that roar up.
Let me just add, that if shrewd conquerors like Alexander (or Vladimir Putin, ahem) hear the bleating of sheep, it just triggers their predatory instinct–and that is not a good thing. Even the best lions can't fend off endless packs of wolves emboldened and strengthened by the devouring of the sheep.
Yay for animal analogies.
Anyway, as you might have already guessed, I think the office of President of the United States is pretty important to the health and future of our country.
That's why recently I've been looking back on some of our early presidents and founding fathers. I don't see perfect men by any stretch, but I do see men of profound moral courage, strength and conviction.
Quality #1 of a Good President: Conviction, Courage and Strength
I realize these are actually three qualities, but these are inextricably bound to each other–knowing what's right (conviction), being willing to stand up for what's right (courage) and having the ability to defend the truth can make anyone a formidable foe (strength).
I would imagine that seeing these qualities embodied in a persuasive and respected leader like George Washington could inspire the defeat of tyranny and the establishment of a nation.
Washington wasn't just a well-trained and shrewd military leader. He was also a man who read philosophy, read his Bible, revered God and understood why he was putting his life and the lives of his men on the line.
It also kept him and his men vigilant on Christmas night when they crossed the Delaware River to surprise the intoxicated Hessian mercenaries, turning the tide in the early days of the Revolution.
Again, a good president should know what's worth defending, have the courage to stand up for it and know how to wisely and shrewdly wield strength to defend against threats.
Quality #2 of a Good President: Humility Empowered by a Higher Calling
It seems that so much of politics nowadays rides on self-preservation, but for Washington, being worthy of the presidency meant riding in on horseback–literally. Unlike many political candidates today, self-preservation and empty promises weren't part of our first president's campaign repertoire. In fact, his only campaigning was military campaigning.
In more than one instance Washington was the first into battle, sword drawn, riding fearless through a hail of gunfire unscathed and undeterred. I don't think this was bravado or simple battlefield insanity of some sort. This was a show of humility that says "I'm willing to risk everything for this cause" and willing to do the dirty work required to lead well and inspire a nation.
Before the first American flags were stitched, Washington's men carried another flag on their campaigns. Simply bore the image of an evergreen tree and the words "An Appeal to Heaven." Washington was humbled and therefore emboldened by the cause–defending the rights given by God for humans to live free.
Quality #3 of a Good President: Doesn't Want to be King
Perhaps it was tempting at some point when the American people began treating Washington like a king. It certainly would have been a quick way for him and the other founding fathers to enact their vision for a new nation. Living under a tyrant, though, helps you see the dangerous path kingship might travel.
This is why Washington set the precedent of being a three-term president and no more.
Quality #4 of a Good President: Isn't a Sheep
Sheep are not leaders, and they don't make good presidents. George Washington was a Commander in Chief, and a Warrior in Chief. He knew who the enemy was and knew how to lead into battle. He didn't cower behind propaganda or woke virtue signals in an attempt to improve his poll numbers and assuage the woke deities of the hour.
Instead, he was a lion leading lions and defending sheep against wolves. He was a Warrior Poet.
Train Hard. Train Smart. Live Free.
