Lincoln Memorial

Walking up the stairs to the Lincoln Memorial, I felt that I was approaching moral greatness in a man who claimed “I never had a policy; I have just tried to do my best each and every day.”  That daily best included not punishing the South after the Civil War. That daily best included integrity in his use of authority, practicing what he preached: “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”  Our newspapers contain articles about poverty, racism, infant mortality, and poor education. We need the will to ensure every American has enough to eat, a place to stay, and an opportunity to become their best selves. Otherwise we face the risk that Lincoln spoke of: “America will never be destroyed from the outside. If we falter and lose our freedom, it will be because we destroyed ourselves.”