Blog 3896 – 07.23.2026

Three Qualifications For Leader

The twelve-step program that has helped many manage addiction adopted the Serenity Prayer as their own. One of the steps is acknowledging a higher power, but to quote a quantum physicist who helped me with that one, “If that is a problem for you just imagine your higher best self as that higher power.” That works for me far better than most of the gods created by men with the all their petty prejudices. I need a higher power that I can look up to, not one that requires incredible faith just to look over his or her short-comings.

Speaking of short-comings, instead of excusing and over looking the faults and failures of our leaders we should I believe hold them to a higher standard and not be forever lowering the bar. Anyone who has not the Serenity to accept defeat graciously nor to realize that somethings are beyond their power should be immediately disqualified from leadership.

Anyone lacking the Courage to speak truth to power and stand for things and against the dismantling of our democracy should also be disqualified from leadership. We require our leaders to swear or to affirm an oath to uphold and defend the Constitution do we not? Failure to keep that promise is serious and is an impeachable offense being the essence of treason, high crimes and misdemeanors.

And lastly Wisdom not only to know the difference between right and wrong, but also between what we cannot or should not change and what we can and should change is a qualification for leadership that we the people cannot ignore.

Political parties and Presidents should properly vet individuals being proposed as candidates for positions of leadership and responsibility. All three branches of our government should take seriously their oaths as well to support and defend the Constitution which gave each branch the responsibility keep the others in check.

When our leaders fail to exhibit serenity, courage, or wisdom we the people have a responsibility to remove and replace them lest we surrender the government of the people, by the people, and for the people to a person or persons who only care about their own power.

We elect our leaders to be public servants not kings or dictators.

Your friend and fellow traveler,

David James White