By Stephen Earley, freshman student at MLC; published in Meridian Magazine.
In frustrating election years like this one, when there is a shortage of candidates to our liking, it’s easy to wish for a nostalgic time when Americans chose from people that were truly admired—like Lincoln, or perhaps Reagan. We long for a hero: someone who embodies the best virtues in one leader. In his day, Washington was called “The American Cincinnatus,” but today few know what that means. During the fledgling years of the Roman Republic, Cincinnatus was called upon during a desperate national crisis. He left his plow in the field to serve his country and was given dictatorial power to rescue Rome and its armies. After securing victory the people begged him to remain in power, but he willingly relinquished his position and returned to his humble life of farming.
I hear what you’re thinking. We all want another Cincinnatus, whose selfless example Washington intentionally followed. Who wouldn’t? But reality rarely provides such a hero. Politics is never perfect; far from it. It’s a messy game where players maneuver and lie to get gain. Instead of voting for someone we truly want, we’re left trying to decide which candidate we dislike the least, or worse, just avoiding the decision entirely. Compared with Cincinnatus, the modern world is rather disappointing.