This morning, I listened to President Clinton make a speech that detailed the reasons why he might take the nation to war. This afternoon, I spent a couple hours reading through the proposed legislation before the Nebraska legislature. I couldn’t help being struck with the stark difference of today’s leaders on both the national and state level.

Unlike Lincoln, the politicians in the city that bears his name were bankrupt of profound ideas that would inspire or even get the attention of the people. There were some decent ideas and some lousy ones, but none of them showed originality or deepness of thought. They were all petty rules and regulations that would give some irritation to those at which they were aimed at or some slight benefit to another group. Yet, there was nothing that would cause the average person or even someone like myself, who actually enjoys reading the legalese of a bill, to have any interest other than as a sure way to put one to sleep. At the least, someone ought to propose a great new way to raise revenue while not raising taxes. They should have each senator make a tape recording of their priority legislation and market it as the drug free way to cure insomnia.

While most Americans agree that Saddam Hussein is evil and are willing to use military force to keep him in check, it is hard to have confidence in a commander-in-chief who, in reciting the offenses of Saddam Hussein, could insert his own name into the list of offenses -- such as lying, cheating, delaying investigations, and changing his story from one day to the next. When we have peace and prosperity, it might not matter whether a President is a man of principle and good character who has the trust of the people. However, when a potential crisis arises, it doesn’t make me comfortable to have someone there whom I do not trust, respect or have any confidence that he can make the right decisions, even when we are the superior force. In contrast, George Washington’s strength of character made people loyally follow him even unto death because they had faith and trust that he would overcome any obstacle.

America has always had its share of untrustworthy politicians, but we have always had our share of brilliant men and women of outstanding character and wisdom. George Washington and Abe Lincoln had their faults just like everyone else, but they never willingly gave into weakness and didn’t expect others to ignore their faults. However, they were able to rise above their faults to inspire those around them and a nation to greatness.

In the age of mass media and instantaneous communications, it becomes more and more difficult for politicians to hide their indiscretions. Many seem to want to lower the standards and not expect politicians to have good character. I see it in just the opposite light. I think it gives us the opportunity to demand the best from our leaders. We can and should expect them to lead exemplary lives. We should hold them up to the standards of the great leaders of the past. We can’t always find a Lincoln or Washington; but whether it is lawmakers in Lincoln or the Commander-in-Chief in Washington, we have a responsibility as citizens to seek those that strive for greatness of both achievement and character.

Do you want politicians that strive for incremental changes, follow triangulation strategies, and worry about the petty and mundane? Do we want politicians where we must always question whether they are acting out of what is good for the country or to divert our attention from their latest indiscretion? I, for one, would rather have someone that could lead me to cross the cold, icy Delaware on Christmas Eve despite being cold and near starvation. I want someone who can inspire me with profound statements like, "With malice toward none; with charity toward all; with firmness in the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation's wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan -- to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations."