He could have been King but he would have none of it. He was
a man that believed in the miracle of the Constitution and what America
represented to the citizens and the world. The people of an infant America so
loved this man they would have gladly empowered him to rule over the new
country. But knowing the importance of his actions in office he set in motion
the reality of a balanced form of government ruled by the people’s consent.
The term “President’s Day” was started as a way to celebrate
the office of the presidency but that would mean it should be the presidency
day. Not so sexy! But the important thing to realize is that not all Presidents
are equal and it is especially profound when you compare this President and
George Washington. Actually there is no comparison but I will try.
George Washington loved this country in every fiber of his
body. He battled for our independence and risked everything for the country and
his soldiers. It was not uncommon for GW to be leading his men into battle from
the front. To suggest that leadership could ever be done from the rear would
have been a foreign concept to him. He believed in the people and their ability
to rule themselves. He believed in Divine Providence. He was appalled by
slavery even though he owned slaves as was common for many of the founders.
They inherited a system that only the words and ideals of the Constitution
could set in motion to change and be the first country to abolish the appalling practice.
GW believed that if people were given freedom they could
achieve anything they set their mind to. He understood that the soldier was
worthy of praise and celebration and fought with his every ability to get his
troops paid, supplied, and a small stipend for all of the sacrifices they made
for the country he help found and loved. He was a patriot through and through!
When you read about him as I have done on many occasions you
can’t help but love the man for his commitment and love for the opportunity
this country represented for the people he so wanted to empower. He was not
known to be a great orator but he was known to be eloquent in his thoughts and
ideals. He was selfless in his commitment to leave a path for those after him
to be free from the dominance of any King.
As I write just a few of my thoughts about this great man I
feel no need to compare because the contrast is so glaring. George Washington
would be proud that a black man could become president in the nation he helped
found but he would be disappointed that the same man despised the American
Dream to such a degree. He would have wondered how a nation that gave every
citizen the same opportunity would be so criticized for some perceived
unfairness. He would be confused.
George Washington would wonder why a current President would
be doing so much to destroy a nation that gave him endless opportunity. GW
would have quickly figured out that the nation was again in trouble. He would see many of
the same elements that created the revolution he commanded. He would stand
again for the freedom of the American people from a dangerous despotism.
George Washington as a President is worthy of celebration…
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