Decision 2008: Four Fundamental Requirements for Our Next President

We live in a shallow culture today in which voters are driven by emotional, superficial concerns and empty political slogans. There exists a need for us to return to our foundations -- to go 'back to the basics' in determining our next President. The following fundamental requirements are offered for your consideration:

1. Belief in God

The United States of America is a nation of diversity and one that should respect the religious freedom of all, including those who profess no faith. However, the United States was not founded in a vacuum, nor were the architects of our Republic neutral when it came to the existence of God. You may be an agnostic or an atheist, but our Founding Fathers were not. And the country they established was thoroughly committed to a monotheistic worldview that cherished Judeo-Christian values and principles.

The Declaration of Independence couched its very authority on the "Laws of Nature and Nature's God" and the "unalienable rights" given to all people by their "Creator." We shouldn't disregard this belief, since doing so subjects our rights to the whim of the majority and/or to the good graces of our government. Indeed, Thomas Jefferson once asked: "Can the liberties of a nation be thought secure when we have removed their only firm basis, a conviction in the minds of the people that these liberties are of the gift of God? That they are not to be violated but with His wrath?"

Not only are our fundamental rights based on the authority of God Himself, but the ability of the people to govern themselves depends on their allegiance to religious-based values. George Washington, the first President of the United States and the most important and indispensable American in the history of our nation, warned that "religion and morality were indispensable supports to political prosperity." No American should cast his or her vote for a presidential candidate that disagrees with the Father of our Country on that point.

To the extent that the United States drifts away from its monotheistic foundation, it does so at its peril.

2. Allegiance to our Founding

Closely following that first requirement, our next President must respect the founding principles of the United States. Indeed, he or she must submit to them.

The distorted history and slander of "historians" such as Howard Zinn notwithstanding, the United States was not founded on passing interests or callous opinions. It was founded on a set of ideals that were intended to transcend time, personal bias, prejudice, and "factions" (or, as we would call them, "special interests.")

Critics of the Founders (particularly those from the ultra-leftist camp) usually, at this point, savagely attack the Founders over issues of race, sex, class, etc. That they do so reflects the kind of superficial, shallow, and emotionally-driven culture that I referred to at the outset of this article.

First, a distinction needs to be made between the assertion of principle and an individual's ability to live up to said principle. If polls are any indication, for example, most people believe it is wrong to commit adultery. Yet many of those people, at some point in their lives, engage in adultery. I realize it's not quite on the same moral level, but I believe it is important for people to eat right and stay fit. And yet, I frequent Dairy Queen and rarely frequent the local health facility. Virtually all of the Founding Fathers condemned slavery, including many who actually owned slaves. Though they fell short on the issue, the Foundinf Fathers nevertheless asserted a principle of equality that was later used to completely abolish slavery and eventually overturn segregation.

In addition, the Founding Fathers made significant progress against the institution of slavery, especially in the North. Momentum was also moving against slavery in the South, until Eli Whitney's cotton gin.

3. Trustworthiness and Character

We need a President we can trust. A President that we can depend upon to take the oath of office seriously. And one who will stand behind his or her promises to the American people.

President George W. Bush, for example, signed a campaign finance reform bill early in his presidency. The problem is that, at the ceremony in which he signed the bill, he acknowledged he had some "constitutional concerns" with the legislation. If that were so, it was his constitutional duty to veto the bill - and not sign it. The President is sworn to "uphold the Constitution of the United States." If he or she feels that a particular bill violates the Constitution, he or she is duty-bound to oppose it.

When Bill Clinton looked into the camera and told the American people he "did not have sexual relations with that woman - Miss Lewinsky," he was telling a bald-faced lie that was later found out. Whether this was an impeachable offense is not the point, it was a breach of trust. It isn't too much to ask that we be able to trust our President.

Likewise, consider George W. Bush telling reporters before the congressional elections of November 2006 that Donald Rumsfeld would finish out Bush's term as Secretary of Defense. Immediately after the elections, Bush announces Rumsfeld's departure. Clearly, George W. Bush was dishonest. We have a right to expect more from our President.

4. Patriotism

I'm not talking necessarily about wearing lapel pins or peppering speeches with "God-and-Country" rhetoric. What I am talking about is a true, heartfelt, deep and abiding LOVE for the United States of America.

Will our next President be more faithful to his or her own political ambition or to the needs of the American people? Will she or he care more about how a decision will affect poll ratings or the overall direction of the nation? Will he or she be able and willing to make tough choices for the public good even if it costs popularity in the short-term? John Adams, for example, sacrificed his reelection in 1800 by pushing for peace with France.

One other angle to this issue of patriotism is history. A presidential candidate's love for the United States will be reflected in his or her knowledge of American history. If a person doesn't care about the history of their country, they can't say they really love their country. That would be like a man telling his wife that he loves her, but has absolutely no interest in her life or background. An American President should have an appreciation for and a strong knowledge in American history.

Bottom line...our next President should be able to say, like George Washington once said, "I have no other view than to promote the public good, and am unambitious of honors not founded in the approbation of my Country."