by Rick Bretz
1. Mark Twain
One of Twain’s best lines states this, ““Reader, suppose you were an idiot. And suppose you were a member of Congress. But I repeat myself.” When a President recognizes a problem before he begins, then he has solved half the problem before stepping one foot on the oval office carpet. He also said if you tell the truth you don’t have to remember anything. Honesty and sincerity with intelligence spiced with a sense of humor–imagine the possibilities. Mark Twain would have been a great president because he would have given entertaining press conferences. He also would have taken the job seriously enough but also laughed at the absurdity of it all.
Benjamin Franklin was an outstanding writer, diplomat and forward thinker. He said, “The Constitution only gives people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.” Based on the written material concerning Franklin’s work and exploits in Britain and France during America’s struggle for independence, he would have been effective dealing with world leaders.
The wife of John Adams was extremely intelligent and more politically savvy than her husband. In another time and another age, she would have had a chance to show the world what she could achieve. As it was, her advice to her husband during private conversations likely kept him from alienating even more people. She said once, “I’ve always felt that a person’s intelligence is directly reflected by the number of conflicting points of view he can entertain simultaneously on the same topic.” I think she was on to something there that applies toward today’s political environment.
He said, “Experience will teach us that no government costs so much as a bad one.” He would have had my vote.
She would have intimidated all of the world leaders. She would have known exactly what to say and to whom at the right moment. She would have been perfect.
6. Walt Disney
He knew how to run a business and build a world—Disney World. Where did Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev want to go when visiting Los Angeles in 1959? Disneyland. He wasn’t able to go due to security concerns which upset him greatly. As president he could have used the trip to Disneyland or Disney World as his trump card. I can hear it now, “Agree to this or no trip to the magic kingdom.”
The architect Frank Lloyd Wright built spectacular buildings and houses. If he can build great structures that people admire today, then he could have helped build a great nation also.
8. Orson Welles
His voice was terrific. He would have delivered speeches that would have had audiences standing in awe. Convention speeches would have been must see television.
Notable Links:
http://www.adherents.com/people/100_men.html
http://www.thefamouspeople.com/
http://jpetrie.myweb.uga.edu/poor_richard.html
http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/authors/a/abigail_adams.html
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