Advice for a New American President
Presidents May Come and Go but the Office Must Remain Reputable
Jan 11, 2009
In America everyone has the privilege to write to the White House to give advice. The talk shows offer free advice to the president and anyone may offer advice through newspapers or radio, or in a wide variety of websites and blogs available which allow both citizens and special interest groups to post advice for free.
Advice To The President
"Advice to the President" is a nonpartisan web site run by the Carnegie Corporation, where a selection of ideas and reports by leaders, analysts, scholars, and policymakers are offered to help shape the agenda of the next president of the United States. It represents many points of view and a wide spectrum of research and ideas.
There is also a website “Change.gov - the Office of the President Elect” which allowed for input from citizens into shaping the Obama administration.
Presidential Quotes
Even past presidents have left comments and advice to help identify the hardships of the position and provide guidance for future presidents:
- "That government is best which governs the least, because its people discipline themselves." Thomas Jefferson
- “If you see the President, tell him from me that whatever happens there will be no turning back.” Ulysses S. Grant
- "To announce that there must be no criticism of the president, or that we are to stand by the president, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public." Theodore Roosevelt
- "My God, this is a hell of a job! I have no trouble with my enemies . . . but my damn friends, they're the ones that keep me walking the floor nights." Warren Harding
- "There is nothing wrong with America that the faith, love of freedom, intelligence and energy of her citizens cannot cure." Dwight David Eisenhower
- “A president's hardest task is not to do what is right but to know what is right” Lyndon B. Johnson
- "Indecision is often worse than wrong action." Gerald Ford
Ten Guiding Principles for Real National Interests
While much of the advice offered is about politics or specific issues such as health care, it is best for all future presidents to remember the sound, basic principles and values that has served America thus far in achieving the real national interests:
- A president should not represent just republicans or democrats. The role of government is for the health, safety and welfare of all citizens and the government is for all citizens - one by the people, of the people, and for the people.
- Be responsible, ethical, moral, legitimate and legal, and act within the power ascribed.
- Streamline the government and administrative burdens and demands that are crushing small businesses and citizens and taxpayers.
- Regulate big business and monopolies. Give the people a fair playing field instead of always promoting the agendas of lobbyists or special interests.
- Spread peace throughout America and the World… let the real legacy of the President of the United States be a pro-life administration in all forms.
- Compromise on the unimportant things, but stay the course on the more serious.
- Lead, follow, or get out of the way.
- Follow the word of the Constitution and the intent of the Forefathers.
- Fix the problem.
- Listen to the advice received when growing up: Work hard, resist temptation, keep the traditions, do random acts of kindness, don’t spend more than America can afford, keep the faith, and do not compromise values.
Presidential Legacy
As president, one should surround oneself with good and competent people - people with compassion, with a heart, and who care. Above all remember Lord Acton’s famous quote “Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.” No president can solve every problem, but one’s legacy should be that as President at least one or two significant problems were solved. After all presidents may come and go, but the office must always remain reputable and respectable.
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