It's Not Debatable...We Need Leadership

After watching what was supposed to be a debate late night, I was reminded of an old poem I once read. Josiah Gilbert Holland penned this little nugget back in the 19th Century. I've edited it a bit. He wrote God Give Us Men. I've changed it to God Give Us Leaders. I also changed a line he had in the original asking God to give us "tall men, sun-crowned". Holland's version was written in a time when women were not even considered for leadership roles. They couldn't even vote. So things have changed and changed for the better in that regard. But his message still resonates and couldn't be more timely.

GOD, give us Leaders!
A time like this demands
Strong minds, great hearts, true faith and ready hands;
Leaders whom the lust of office does not kill;
Leaders whom the spoils of office can not buy;
Leaders who possess opinions and a will;
Leaders who have honor; Leaders who will not lie;
Leaders who can stand before a demagogue
And damn his treacherous flatteries without winking!
Great Leaders who live above the fog
In public duty, and in private thinking;
For while the rabble, with their thumb-worn creeds,
Their large professions and their little deeds,
Mingle in selfish strife, lo! Freedom weeps,
Wrong rules the land and waiting Justice sleeps.