Who Are America's Best Leaders?
Reader Comments
Religous Leaders
I was surprised to see that there were no religous leaders on the list of America's Best Leaders 2008. I don't know if this is because the judges don't think the religous leaders in America are demonstrating true leadership or if they just didn't consider any religous leaders in their pool of 100 people. Here is one American religous leader who should not have been overlooked as he clearly sets direction, achieves results, and cultivates a culture of growth:
Thomas S. Monson
Over 13 million members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (the "Mormons") voted to sustain Thomas S. Monson as the 16th President of the Church in April 2008.
When the California supreme court reversed a law that prohibited same-sex marriage in the state, President Monson issued a letter in June 2008 to the members of the Church in California asking them to "do all you can to support the proposed constitutional amendment by donating of your means and time to assure that marriage in California is legally defined as being between a man and a woman. Our best efforts are required to preserve the sacred institution of marriage." In response to Monson's request, Mormons, comprising less than 1 percent of Americans, contributed 40 percent of the $36 million that was donated in support of the constituional amendment, which succeeded in November 2008.
When asked what the ideal birthday gift would be for his 81st birthday in August 2008, his answer was: "Do something for someone else on that day to make his or her life better. Find someone who is having a hard time, or is ill, or lonely, and do something for them. That's all I would ask."
As for cultivating a culture of growh, approximately 300,000 people worldwide will join the Church in 2008, and Monson continues to encourage members to share their beliefs with their family, friends and neighbors. In October 2008 he urged members to "pray for the opening of those areas [of the world where our influence is limited and where we are not allowed to share the gospel freely], that we might share with them the joy of the gospel."
I cannot think of a better example of somebody who sets direction, achieves results, and cultivates a culture of growth.
America's Best Leaders
All I can say is that America is in a parlous position when Newt Gingrich's name starts popping up all over the place the way it has over the past three weeks. I was once unfortunate enough to reside in Mr. Gingrich's district and I can assure you that there was a reason why he and his supporters were known locally as Newtie and the Blowhards. He does indeed have some good ideas; when your fertile and teeming brain produces two thousand ideas a minute a few of them are bound to be good. What he never managed was actually to accomplish anything of any worth.
Obama cannot be judged yet
President-elect Obama is an untried leader. We have no idea how good he is going to be. He can run a campaign, but leading a nation is much different. As for Republicans, Mitt Romney has done an excellent job of thinking out of the box, especially in the realm of healthcare coverage in Massachusetts. He is underrated as a leader.
Leadership
Best leader? Can't think of any Republicans--my party has not displayed a proficiency for that over the past few years. The Democrats on the Hill certainly aren't leading by consensus, rather they are coiled up like a poisonous snake. Best thought leader, best mind? Newt Gingrich tops my list, followed by Secretary Mike Leavitt.
Americans are VERY hopeful that President-elelct Obama will be a great leader. We have enormous challenges before us that we need to address responsibly.
Obama is a liar.
Obama has gone back on his word more times than I can count.. Does anyone remember that he said that on his first day he would remove all the combat troops from Iraq? Now he says they will stay until "at least" mid 2010. He is filling his cabinet with all those who voted for the war.. Don't misunderstand me, I agree with this - but do those who voted for him? If you don't like what he says, wait a few weeks or months.
Not Obama - Not Now...
David Gergen: Obama Is a Leader of Great Potential, but He Can’t Do It Alone"
I'm afraid not... A man who believes that killing the unborn, for the sake of personal convenience, after irresponsible sex, is a Constitutionally guaranteed right is a moral relativist and political opportunist and can truly stand for nothing of right or goodness.
However, this is not to say that if he came to understand his moral error and became an example to all - admitting that he had changed his heart and mind because he saw that it was the right thing to do - To take the path that God wanted him to take...Perhaps then he could truly lead our nation to a bright future, out of the shadows of abortion, unjust war and the death penalty.
No man can truly lead while shrouded in a belief in death over life. No amount of talent or intelligence came overcome such darkness.
