Happy Birthday, George!

He used to have this day all to himself, but now shares it with the 43 who followed him into office.

Born in 1732, he was raised to become a proper Virginia gentleman.

Feeling exploited by the British merchants and hampered by government regulations, he served as a delegate from Virginia in the Second Continental Congress.

After leading forces in the Revolutionary War, he was disappointed by the government created by the Articles of Federation and joined others in leading the path to our Constitution.

At ratification, he was elected President.

It's not fair to measure our current leaders by the history of our fore-fathers.  Times were different.  The country was different.  Decisions could be made with deliberation and not under the gun of a 24 hour news cycle.

Still, this nation is blessed to have had the leadership of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Adams, and others.

They were not perfect.  The opportunity to solve the issue of slavery was kicked down the road for President Lincoln to handle.

Perhaps most inspiring in our "me first" world is to recognize the risk Washington and others took in revolting from the mother country in establishing a new nation.  They could have let things pass and done quite well for themselves.

Today is a good day to reflect on the courage, foresight, and leadership they offer us.

Those characteristics are not ancient history.  They exist today.  If we slow down and take the time to stop "kicking the can down the road," our present leadership can raise the level of dialogue and statesmanship to something worthy of the Father of our Country.

Happy George Washington's Birthday.  

 courteous to all but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence; true friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to appellation.
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Be courteous to all but intimate with few, and let those few be well tried before you give them your confidence; true friendship is a plant of slow growth, and must undergo and withstand the shocks of adversity before it is entitled to appellation.
Read more at http://www.notable-quotes.com/w/washington_george.html#7kPUlgODH5AOOYsx.99