A Request to the Next President

"I was not primarily concerned with either following or not following in his [William McKinley's] footsteps, but in facing in the new problems that arose; and that if I were competent I would find ample opportunity to show my competence by my deeds without worrying myself as to how to convince people of the fact."



-Theodore Roosevelt



Throughout what may go down in history as the most significant election in history thus far, we have heard one reoccurring theme-we need change. We need change from the last eight years. We need change from Mr G.W. Bush. We need change in Washington. We need change from politics as usual. I'm sure you get the idea.

What we haven't heard, however, is what changes we ACTUALLY need. Should we change everything put in place by the last president of close to a decade? Just foreign policy? economic policy? educational policy? We as a country have been so caught up in the idea of change that we have failed to consider what we actually want to change. Just the word "change" makes us sound intelligent in any political conversation as much as the phrase "anti-terrorists" made us sound superior immediately following 9/11. It's not that I'm not for "change" or that I'm unpatriotic...but vagueness only goes so far in political rhetoric or governmental planning.

Immediately after President McKinley was killed in Buffalo, New York in 1901, Roosevelt was asked by several aids how he was going to place his mark on his presidency. Ideas were suggested from major changes in policy to nearly a complete change in cabinet. Although patiently listening to all of these, Roosevelt was adamant that he was a servant of the people and working policy and competent staff were worth more to them than making an "impression of change."

Let's face it ladies and gentlemen. President Bush has been criticized more than any leader in recent history. He has, however, done several things throughout his presidency that are worth commending. George W. Bush's administration has given more money to combat aids through the "President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief" (PEPFAR) than any other nation on earth-$15 billion over five years. Through all of the current administration's blunders, there are undoubtedly some success stories worth acknowledging and worth remembering.

I have one request for a nation in transition and a president elect leading the way: there is no doubt we need "change," but we need a plan, rather than just drifting as far away as possible from the norm. I ask for change with a purpose, change with a plan, and change that is worth voting for. Before we become "a nation of change," assess what works rather than just throwing off old ideas in the name of progress. Do not worry so much about setting yourself apart from your predecessors as setting a course to a more prosperous nation. You have won the election and our support. Use it to mend the country rather than continuing to set it apart. Lead...don't just change!


Respectfully,

Mr. Jackson