Wanted Leaders With Courage and Brains
By
Theresa Chaze

The success of movies like Lord of the Rings, the 300, and the many others reveal this country's need for true heroes and leaders. Although many are set in the fantasy genre, these movies have leaders who are so because they are the ones who are in front during battle not because they won a popularity contest. They are respected as leaders because they led the attack and were not hiding under their mommy and daddy’s bed. No longer are politicians respected and honored, not because heroes are no longer necessary, but they have diminished themselves by misrepresenting and dishonoring themselves.
In the Lord of the Rings, the characters faced insurmountable odds, yet they fought anyway. They faced their fear of death, because their honor demanded it. They could not--would not shirk their responsibility no matter how much it costs them. These days, politicians have sent the military off to an unnecessary war, even though most of them never served. Although military service should not be a prerequisite to public service, there shouldn’t be a pretense of military experience either. Bush’s antics on the aircraft carrier were an attempt to make him look like an eagle, when he was nothing more than a chicken. Instead of listening to the advisors with actual military experience and knowledge, he followed the advice of those who were more interested in the oil than national security. Soldiers went into battle without being provide proper protective equipment. Halliburton and its subsidies frequently failed to the services they were contracted and paid for. Injured soldiers return home only to receive substandard medical and emotional care. As long as Bush’s agenda is being furthered, it doesn’t care how many soldiers are killed or injured.
Battle of Thermopylae happened because the Persians were positioning to attack. Their military was on the move both on land and sea. There was impending danger. The threat was real and immanent. Leonidas and his guard chose to sacrifice their lives for their families, their country and their way of life. Iraq was not an immediate threat to the United States or any other country. After 9-11, the world came together in support of our decision to defend ourselves and to wreak justice on those who attacked us. If we had stopped there and help Afghanistan rebuild, we could have created a worldwide alliance. The attack on Iraq, cost on only the good will and respect of the world, but now that we have blood on the field, we cannot longer be considered objective arbitrators for the region. Instead of being able to create peaceful solutions, we are now just merely one of the players on the field.
The current administration’s policies have done more damage to our way of than the terrorists. While Bush claims to be bringing democracy to Iraq, the civil rights in the United States have been so diminished that the people are no longer safe from searches of their person, in their homes and in their cars. Under the guise of national security, personal privacy has become a right of the past. Emails, telephone calls, bank records--all the personal information that once was protect by law can now be searched without a warrant. Unnecessary traffic stops have increase as they are used an excuse to search vehicles. Many cities have begun to resemble pre-WWII Germany as law enforcement are able to stop citizens and demand to see their papers without reason or just cause. Those who complain or refuse to comply are degraded, harassed and intimidated.
Medical, religious, and personal rights have been eroded, as new laws have been past to circumvent or abolish existing laws as Bush continues to push his religious believes. Hate crimes have increased and frequently go unpunished. Women, people of color and those who have alternative lifestyles are seen as easy targets, because they know they will not be held accountable.
What we need are leaders who have the courage who represent all the people not only special interest groups. They must be willing restore civil rights and hold those who trample them accountable for their actions. We require leaders who will support the economic health of all of society not just the upper 1%. The corporate greed has sent millions of jobs over seas, which is really great for the other counties; however, it has cost millions their ability to provide for themselves and their families as the replacement job opportunities are lower paying and have fewer benefits. In short, we need good old fashion leaders, who are willing to put themselves on the line by being out front. They will have to work the good of all the members of this country by protecting civil rights, the environment, and creating an economic stability that provides for all of society. The next President will have to be someone who will have the wisdom to settle conflicts by compromise, while still have the courage to fight, but only when it is the only option left. This country requires the person in the oval office to be willing and able to work with the other countries in the world instead of trying to bully them.