Petty squabbling is consuming The United States Government.  There is gridlock on Capital Hill.  It appears that most people in Congress are running for reelection in 2010 and their message is to blame the other party.  Is this leadership?  Is this the solution to the mounting problems of America?  We need only to look back at courageous men in democratic history to find the answer.

By June 18, 1940, seventeen capitals of the countries of Europe had fallen to Hitler’s armies in a nine month period.  One remained – London.  Winston Churchill had been elevated to Prime Minister only a month before.  Churchill was given the task because it was Churchill who had been predicting the Nazi European Holocaust for six years – this while others in European governments (including Britain) were trying to negotiate treaties with the mad man in Berlin.  On that day in June all seemed lost.

Churchill appealed to Franklin Roosevelt again for assistance – a declaration of war by America would embolden the resistance in Europe.  If no declaration of war came Churchill wrote to Roosevelt, “If we go down you may have a United States of Europe under Nazi command far more numerous, far stronger, far better armed that the New World.  Roosevelt did not have the support of the American People – he offered supplies in the form of arms and munitions.  Naval and air support was withheld as a precaution to defend the States should the war come to America.

Churchill stood alone.   Britain was the last country in Europe to defy Hitler.  For the previous six years Churchill had been warning the British Government of the imminent threat of the Nazi’s.  With the fall of France and the British military evacuation from the continent many in Britain were looking for scapegoats.  Many wanted to persecute the heads of State who had ignored the threat from Germany.  But Churchill again demonstrated his genius for leadership.

On June 18 Churchill told the House of Commons:

• “There are many who would hold an inquest in the House of Commons on the conduct of the Governments – and of the Parliaments, for they are in it, too – during the years which led up to this catastrophe.  They seek to indict those who were responsible for our affairs.  This also would be a foolish and pernicious process.  There are too many in it.  Let each man search his conscience and search his speeches.  I frequently search mine.  Of this I am certain, that if we open a quarrel between the past and the present, we shall find that we have lost the future.”

We in America today, in 2010, should heed the words of Churchill from 1940.  The petty bickering between political parties is destroying our country.  The radical left is angry with President Obama.  The radical right is angry with President Obama.  What does that tell us?  It tells me that President Obama is one of the few politicians in Washington who has postured himself in the reasonableness of the center.

John McCain is appealing for money for his reelection bid this year.  Here is an excerpt from an email he is sending to anyone who will listen:

• During his first year in office, President Obama and Congressional Democrats have amassed a $12.4 trillion deficit that is growing each day. While the President advocates increased federal spending, I have actively advocated tax cuts, reduced spending and earmark reform to get our economy back on track.

  The non-discretionary spending freeze announced by the President is a start, but what he also needs do is promise to veto bills laden with pork barrel spending and begin creating jobs for the thousands of out-of-work Americans.

  We currently face a national unemployment rate of over 10%, and it has only grown during President Obama’s time in office. As we have seen, trillion-dollar, big-government stimulus packages are not the answer for creating jobs. To stimulate our economy for job growth, we need payroll tax cuts, tax incentives for small businesses and an assurance that Democrats will not raise taxes.

  As a United States Senator, I fight each and every day for these and other conservative values. I won’t settle for business-as-usual, behind-closed-doors politics. I’m not afraid to stand up and speak out for the majority of Americans who are angry at the current Democratic leadership in Washington.

  But, to continue serving in this capacity, I must win reelection this year. You can help my campaign today by following this link to watch the video I’ve recorded for you and after, make a generous contribution of any amount to my campaign.

Ask yourself this – Who is the greater leader, Churchill or McCain?  (As an aside, Churchill had more medals for valor in combat than McCain).  But valor in combat aside – who puts aside pettiness in the interest of his country?  This is the true measure of leadership.  The Democrats have their cowards – Ben Nelson of Nebraska and Joe Lieberman come to mind. We don’t mean to single out McCain – but his example is glaring.  The Republican House leadership refuses to help with any new legislation claiming their right to ‘principle.’

I hold with Winston Churchill for I am also certain: that if we open a quarrel between the past and the present, we shall find that we have lost the future.

These times are too desperate to leave in the hands of petty politics.