|
Chapter 14
“It was an amazing time when the
country was founded and defined. George
Washington was an incredible individual, getting that first job as
President of the
United States
. There was no past history to
go on, and the future was cast in stone with the precedence that he set.
He gave the leadership position dignity, yet had a servant’s
position that was for the good of the people.
The names were presented to Mr.
Washington
as to how to address him. Your
Excellency, your Majesty, but he said Mr. President would be respectful.
At that time, it was not really any big deal and the title meant
nothing. But for eight years,
stepping down with dignity to
Adams
, formed precedence for the government that we have today.
He created an image on white horse-back, and would travel all the
states in the union by carriage, to get out and hop on his white horse to
ride into town. As a past
General and a President, he could lead.”
Career day at the high school was always fun to speak at.
The new PA system had some boom to it, and it now really made a
speaker feel like he was somewhere. You
could get loud when you wanted to drive a point home, and could soften for
the reflective moments, the new PA system adding the drama to the
speaker’s material. As local
businessman, I always had the opportunity to present myself as
entrepreneur and was usually the subject of my material.
We never had to outline what we were going to speak about, as year
after year, they trusted you to do another terrific job of motivating
these “life bound” children, as well as present your position and roll
in life and what opportunities were there for each child to consider.
“Anyone can achieve whatever they want in life” I continued,
“as your tenacity and perseverance is the key.
Today you have new challenges facing you.
The country is slowly but surely loosing its middle class.
The information age is growing, and importing products that have
laborious tasks and jobs are being sent overseas.
We create a vacuum in this value added activity.
We also have economies coming together as world trade increases.
One dollar an hour job, meet the eighteen dollar an hour job!
They will slowly over the years come together in hourly
compensation! And at what
cost? As a student entering
tomorrow’s competitive world, to be a value, and to have any chance
whatsoever in our tomorrow’s economy, is to have that college education.
Technical and professional positions are thriving and growing, and
exceptions to these requirements for good jobs are virtually not accepted.
Look through your internet job sites before you decide not to go to
college. Bachelor degree
required, Masters Degree preferred, experience necessary.
Make sure you do pay attention to your resume while you are in your
working career, as your years spent is your character, much more so, your
opportunity. When there is
governmental failure in any area of the government’s responsibility, the
first thing scrutinized is the correct appointment and education that was
presented by that failed candidate. You
might have big dreams, but the uphill battle is there without that degree.
Give yourself that head start. It
will be the best investment you will ever make.
For those that do not, it does not mean you can’t make a
difference.”
I paused.
My hands started sweating profusely.
My heart started racing and I was feeling very faint.
My mind was scattered as I spoke the next words.
They would forever change my life, for better or for worse.
For the weeks that had passed, my mind has been swimming with
thoughts as I contemplated issues, took notes to organize my thinking, not
really ever succeeding at getting enough on paper.
My news junky habits had all but consumed me by now, watching news
all waking hours of my days. Current
events, history, that humble amount of information I was feeding myself
couldn’t begin to prepare me for what I was about to say.
“Then there are a few individuals that contribute in their own
way”, I started. They are
those that get attention or are noted for contributions yet have no real
background, but knew what was right. Their
commitment got them there for that contribution without any self gain in
their dreams. They only had a
dream for what was right and was able to convey it.
Nine presidents did not have a college degree.
Many had leadership skills, a commitment to a cause, and those
leadership skills to get it done. Many
that ran for President did not make it and might have gotten a minority
vote, but the amount of attention their ideas got, influenced the final
decisions of party leaders that did win elections.
Dreams and drive are the key elements of what you can make for
yourselves, and to set the example...” My heart is beating so fast it is
jumping out of my chest. The
room started to spin as I knew my next statement would not only be a
profoundly noticed one, but the commitment I was making was something I
couldn’t turn back from, no matter what the pressures I was about to
face. The room was dead silent
in the long pause, as they almost knew what I was about to say.
“I do not have a college education.”
The room almost gasped. After
speaking about how important it was for them to get one; it was like they
were caught by total surprise. “I am one though that knows I have a
purpose; I have ideas and feel it will benefit the American people.”
You could hear a pin drop. There
are long pauses between statements now.
I am trying to think things through very carefully as this is not
written or rehearsed; the pauses adding a drama that I did not expect.
“I am not announcing the fact that I have a personal goal for any
personal gain whatsoever. I do
have a platform of ideas that I would like to convey, and am driven to get
the ideas in the right places to be discussed by the influential people in
government in our times. Fundamentals
of our systems are overlooked, and to get that proper attention, I will be
forthcoming in all aspects of my personal background with no personal gain
desired, but as a commitment to these ideas and desire to have them
reviewed and presented, I hereby announcing my candidacy to run for
President of the United States starting here in this school room.”
There, I said it.
The room was silent. No
one was speaking. As the
clock’s second hand motor could be heard, there was a clap; then a
second; two people; then three. It
was such a slow response at first, as the words that came from my mouth
started to “soak in” to my audience.
At that moment I wasn’t sure if I made more of a fool of myself,
or if I was about to embark on a journey of adventure and success.
The clapping and response was growing now to reach moderate level.
My relief was starting to run through my body like some kind of
sedating chemical in my veins. The
applause continued to grow, everyone standing up.
It continued at a surprising rate.
I am feeling pretty good at that very moment.
The applause was not stopping.
I have done it. I have
announced I am running for President of the
United States
. No turning back now.
I am also experiencing the very first time the crowds response, and
it is feeling pretty good. This
was a warm and friendly local crowd of friends and neighbors.
What would the rest of the world think?
I had support of friends and the town when I went to my local
grocery store, as everyone had seen me on the news.
The crowd continues to cheer, stand, and holler.
It grew to a roar. They
all seem elated! Right now, I
am on top of the world.
|
