The presidency functions on two levels: institutional authority and moral influence. Some powers — vetoes, executive orders, commander-in-chief responsibilities — are written into law. But others are invisible: inspiration, restraint, trust, and tone.
A president’s character tells the nation whether power is a privilege or a weapon.
A president’s demeanor shows whether disagreements are battles or conversations.
A president’s experience determines whether complexity is understood or ignored.
A president’s empathy decides whether the people feel seen or forgotten.
A president’s vision defines whether the future expands or contracts.
A president’s unifying force determines whether America stands together or falls into
pieces.
These qualities do not operate in isolation. They intersect.
A president without empathy may have vision — but never compassion.
A president with experience but no character may build systems — but break trust.
A president with charm but no integrity may win applause — but lose history.
America is a fragile experiment — held together not by force, but by consent. The presidency plays a defining role in sustaining that consent. The president is the nation’s constitutional leader and emotional compass. How they lead becomes how America behaves.
This is why the presidency is held to a higher ethical expectation. Children repeat presidential words in classrooms. Allies read them as policy. Adversaries read them as weakness — or strength. Business responds. Markets respond. Culture responds. Because the nation understands that the president is not simply a decision-maker — they are a meaning-maker.
The world watches the American president because the world knows that American leadership shapes global stability. A reckless president can spark chaos. A principled president can anchor peace.
All six qualities — character, demeanor, experience, empathy, vision, and unity — help define how America sees itself and how the world sees America. The presidency is not just a job; it is a symbol, a responsibility, and a moral burden.
When a president embodies the nation’s highest ideals, the republic grows stronger. When the presidency abandons those ideals, the nation feels smaller, angrier, and more divided.
The presidency helps make America America because it reminds the nation — every day — that democracy is not automatic. It must be modeled. It must be led. It must be lived.
And the President, more than anyone else, shows the country — and the world — what America really stands for.
And that is what makes America America.
By Medard Laz
This selection is from my newly published book, WHAT MAKES AMERICA AMERICA.
My book has 62 Chapters and 282 Pages.
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For Your Information: The above passage was written when Joe Biden was President.
What qualities do YOU see that are needed in our President today?
USE YOUR VOICE FOR KINDNESS, YOUR EARS FOR COMPASSION, YOUR HANDS FOR CHARITY, YOUR MIND FOR TRUTH AND YOUR HEART FOR LOVE!
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