August 24, 2015 (Monday)
I decided a few weeks ago to try and memorize a list of our national presidents. In the process I came across interesting facts about them. I learned quickly that they were human beings just like the rest of us, with strengths and weaknesses.
Harry Truman had a sign in his office declaring, “The buck stops here.” That fact, of course, was and is true of every president we have had and will be true of every one yet to occupy the office. All presidents have that in common but have been very different from each other in other ways.
While we may expect mud slinging to take place during the 14 months ahead of us as the country elects a new president, we need to know, I think, that this type of campaigning has been around from the very first. We should not be surprised if the politics get dirty, but we owe it to ourselves and the nation to verify what is being said. Pay attention to the truth; ignore lies.
George Washington, our first president, had no rivals for the office and was the unanimous choice. That did not mean, however, that he had no detractors. While setting the precedents for those who followed, he endured criticism by his opponents. Seems to be something that goes along with the office. But all who have followed him as president have had to run against others and win an election, undergoing a rigorous contest characterized by bitterness and mud slinging.
The successor to President Washington was John Adams, who ran against Thomas Jefferson for reelection. The things they said about each other were mean and bitter, at times personal and undignified to say the least. When Jefferson was determined to be the winner, Adams refused to attend the inauguration, packing up and leaving town before the ceremony.
We have had 44 presidents, and every one of them has come under attack by political enemies. Several have been assassinated. All have been vilified, without exception. Two were impeached. A few were publicly accused of improper intimate relationships. All have been human beings, subject to mistakes, but rising to meet crises, whatever they may have been. Every one of them loved his country and considered a successful presidency vitally important to the continued success of the nation.
On November 8, 2016, we will elect a new president. When that happens, we Christians should take seriously the scriptural directive to pray for that person and all other leaders.