Where does the truth reside?

I wanted to make a short, easy response to Baddboy's last post.

Tongue-in-cheek aside, you ended your post with comments about Ryan's "ideal" candidate status. To quote, you said: "Your inability to recognize that like the truth the answers lie somewhere in the middle makes you an ideal candidate. Just one more person to add to the mix of people who are incapable of compromise making the system ineffective."

I more than understand this sentiment... I really do. None the less, I think that it is exactly this sentiment that is killing modern American politics.

If you can show me five of the greatest examples of American politicians over the last 235 years, I will show you five of the most UNCOMPROMISING and INFLEXIBLE politicians in American history.

Reagan, Eisenhower, Truman, FDR, Roosevelt, Lincoln, Jackson, Adams, Jefferson, and Washington were some of the most stubborn, inflexible, and uncompromising individuals that ever led a nation. Yet, these are the names that anyone can point to as examples of powerful, successful and dynamic leadership of our nation in times of trouble and crisis. Now, list the Presidents with the most obvious ability to "compromise"... Clinton, Carter, Johnson, Coolidge, Wilson, Taft, Buchanan, and Polk. Every single one of these Presidents had an opportunity to determine the outcome of a specific crisis in our history... and all chose the road of compromise and restraint rather than decisive action and determined effort.

For me, personally, I am NOT voting for Obama because he is focused on, and now beholden to, FAR too many outside interests to EVER manage to conduct himself as the Commander in Chief of these United States of America. I was unable to vote for Kerry because he held NOTING sacred... not his Catholic faith, not his relationship with his family, not even his Oath as an Officer in the United States Military... ALL OF IT was up for debate and compromise.

Bush Jr.'s greatest failings stem from a habit of wearing "blinders" when it came to political advice (that's my opinion)... but I don't confuse that with determination. His determination lies in his uncompromising loyalty to friends and his dedication the the Office of President... but he allowed the former to stain the latter (again, my opinion).

I think that there is NOTHING this country needs more, right at this moment in history, then an UNCOMPROMISING, dedicated and passionate individual to act as the Leader of this nation... so that we can look to him and KNOW that he will conduct himself as stated, without change or compromise, with no shortage of back-bone or will-power. We need the next "generation" of Harry Trumans or Ronald Reagans to step up and show America and the world just how GOOD traits like uncompromising and inflexible can be when counted as leadership qualities.

So, for my part... as much as the man pisses me off... I hope Ryan NEVER learns to compromise his opinions or his views. He (as do we all) retains the right to CHANGE HIS MIND in the face of overwhelming evidence... but he should never compromise.

Compromise your opinion, even once, and how far are you from compromising your morals, or your faith, or your honesty? There's far too much of that in American politics now as it is.