Hensoldt
02-18-2007, 06:10 PM
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By Alexander L. Lacson
When God decided to build a nation for His people, He didn't call upon them as a whole. Instead, He called on one person-Abraham- to do the job, and He made him the leader. When God wanted to deliver His people from the bondage of slavery in Egypt, He didn't talk to the people as a whole. Instead, He raised one leader-Moses-to do it. When He wanted His people to cross the wilderness on to the Promised Land-God appointed Joshua. In the Bible, each time God wanted to do something great, He always called on one person-one whom He molded to become a leader-to do the task.
But in our times, God no longer speaks directly to man the way He did during the times in the Old Testament. Today, God speaks to us indirectly-through the signs and subtle messages He sends our way.
Today, leaders are elected by the people. Every election, therefore, becomes a call to leadership. While many run for money and power, there are those who run because they feel it is their calling to serve the people. But often, it is difficult to differentiate one candidate from another.
This brings me to the point-what should we look for in a candidate? What kind of leaders does our nation need today?
Lao Tzu, a famous Chinese philosopher, said-"In choosing a leader, character is the most important quality. Intelligence and skills come second in importance." US President Theodore Roosevelt said that "intelligence without morality is a great danger to society." Abraham Lincoln, one of the greatest leaders mankind has ever produced, said-"Power is best used by a leader who has strong moral character." Plato said "He who does not seek power is the most qualified to hold it."
Park Chung-hee, president of South Korea from 1961 to 1979-in his desire to build a good government in his country-used honesty as the first criteria in appointing leaders and officials to government. When he died in 1979, he left a government that was highly credible in the eyes of its people, and an economy that became one of Asia's economic miracles. Despite serving as his nation's leader for 18 years,
President Park died a poor man in 1979, with little money in the bank, and left only one property to his family-an old, small apartment that he and his wife bought in 1961, before he was installed as president.
In early 19th century, Alexander de Tocqueville, a French statesman, sought to understand America's greatness, and this is what he discovered, in his own words.
"I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers, and it was not there....
"I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her public school system and her institutions of learning, and it was not there.
"I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her democratic congress and her matchless constitution, and it was not there.
"Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and greatness.
"America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great."
My dear countrymen, please let us make moral character-or righteousness- as our first criteria in voting for candidates this May 2007 elections. It is our obligation to do so. Aristotle said, "The salvation of the community (nation) should be the common business of good citizens."
Today, more than ever, our country needs leaders who cannot be bought; whose word is their bond; who put character above wealth; who will be honest in small things as in great things; who will make no compromises with wrong; whose ambitions are not confined to their own selfish desires. (With apologies to Charles Swindoll who penned "The World Needs Men.")
Leaders who, by their love for our country, can unite us Filipinos, wherever we may be in this archipelago or in the world, whatever our religions are, whether we are loyalists of Marcos, Cory or Erap.
Leaders who, by their sincerity and humility, can bring out the best in us as a people, so we may discard the indifference and selfishness among our rich, the despair and lack of spirit among our poor, the greed and ambition among our leaders.
Leaders who can inspire our entire nation to work as one to do great things, including sacrifices, for the good of our nation.
Leaders who value honor, whose word is their bond, whose oath of office their commitment. Leaders who cannot be bought, who will be honest in small things and in great things.
Leaders whose stand on right and wrong is as clear as black and white, whose principles and values are beyond the reach of money, who are brave and bold to do what is right.
Leaders whose love of country is greater than love for one's self and family, and who shall be willing to march into hell so that the Filipinos may have heaven on this planet.
Leaders like Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Mahatma Gandhi, David Ben Gurion, Lee Kuan Yew and Park Chung-Hee. For the stories of these men-considered as fathers of their nations today-all point to one clear truth: that the task of building a nation begins in the heart.
Source (http://www.goodnewspilipina s.com/docs/inspirational_views/current/leaders_nation_needs .html)
By Alexander L. Lacson
When God decided to build a nation for His people, He didn't call upon them as a whole. Instead, He called on one person-Abraham- to do the job, and He made him the leader. When God wanted to deliver His people from the bondage of slavery in Egypt, He didn't talk to the people as a whole. Instead, He raised one leader-Moses-to do it. When He wanted His people to cross the wilderness on to the Promised Land-God appointed Joshua. In the Bible, each time God wanted to do something great, He always called on one person-one whom He molded to become a leader-to do the task.
But in our times, God no longer speaks directly to man the way He did during the times in the Old Testament. Today, God speaks to us indirectly-through the signs and subtle messages He sends our way.
Today, leaders are elected by the people. Every election, therefore, becomes a call to leadership. While many run for money and power, there are those who run because they feel it is their calling to serve the people. But often, it is difficult to differentiate one candidate from another.
This brings me to the point-what should we look for in a candidate? What kind of leaders does our nation need today?
Lao Tzu, a famous Chinese philosopher, said-"In choosing a leader, character is the most important quality. Intelligence and skills come second in importance." US President Theodore Roosevelt said that "intelligence without morality is a great danger to society." Abraham Lincoln, one of the greatest leaders mankind has ever produced, said-"Power is best used by a leader who has strong moral character." Plato said "He who does not seek power is the most qualified to hold it."
Park Chung-hee, president of South Korea from 1961 to 1979-in his desire to build a good government in his country-used honesty as the first criteria in appointing leaders and officials to government. When he died in 1979, he left a government that was highly credible in the eyes of its people, and an economy that became one of Asia's economic miracles. Despite serving as his nation's leader for 18 years,
President Park died a poor man in 1979, with little money in the bank, and left only one property to his family-an old, small apartment that he and his wife bought in 1961, before he was installed as president.
In early 19th century, Alexander de Tocqueville, a French statesman, sought to understand America's greatness, and this is what he discovered, in his own words.
"I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers, and it was not there....
"I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her public school system and her institutions of learning, and it was not there.
"I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her democratic congress and her matchless constitution, and it was not there.
"Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and greatness.
"America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great."
My dear countrymen, please let us make moral character-or righteousness- as our first criteria in voting for candidates this May 2007 elections. It is our obligation to do so. Aristotle said, "The salvation of the community (nation) should be the common business of good citizens."
Today, more than ever, our country needs leaders who cannot be bought; whose word is their bond; who put character above wealth; who will be honest in small things as in great things; who will make no compromises with wrong; whose ambitions are not confined to their own selfish desires. (With apologies to Charles Swindoll who penned "The World Needs Men.")
Leaders who, by their love for our country, can unite us Filipinos, wherever we may be in this archipelago or in the world, whatever our religions are, whether we are loyalists of Marcos, Cory or Erap.
Leaders who, by their sincerity and humility, can bring out the best in us as a people, so we may discard the indifference and selfishness among our rich, the despair and lack of spirit among our poor, the greed and ambition among our leaders.
Leaders who can inspire our entire nation to work as one to do great things, including sacrifices, for the good of our nation.
Leaders who value honor, whose word is their bond, whose oath of office their commitment. Leaders who cannot be bought, who will be honest in small things and in great things.
Leaders whose stand on right and wrong is as clear as black and white, whose principles and values are beyond the reach of money, who are brave and bold to do what is right.
Leaders whose love of country is greater than love for one's self and family, and who shall be willing to march into hell so that the Filipinos may have heaven on this planet.
Leaders like Abraham Lincoln, George Washington, Mahatma Gandhi, David Ben Gurion, Lee Kuan Yew and Park Chung-Hee. For the stories of these men-considered as fathers of their nations today-all point to one clear truth: that the task of building a nation begins in the heart.
Source (http://www.goodnewspilipina s.com/docs/inspirational_views/current/leaders_nation_needs .html)