I just want a leader

Over in the BlogCatalog.com Political discussions, HiScrivener started a thread titled ISSUE WATCH: What issues mean the most to you for this country?

I answered there but decided to put my answer here as well since I took the time to think about it.  I know there are things I should have included and I may well add to the list but for now this is a good start.

I just want a leader who knows the difference between fact and opinion.

I want a leader who can give proper weighting to the opinions of scientists who have spent their adult lives working for the US government or for international research bodies to help understand the complex world around us when comparing their opinions with those scientists working for industry organizations funded by groups like the American Petroleum Institute.

I want a leader who – when confronted with complex foreign relations issues involving the US and other countries – realizes that ignoring those countries is not an option.

I want a leader who realizes deficit spending does actually matter.

I want a leader who understands that if we are going to gamble on the future by spending money we don’t have we should put that money towards things that will help the nation. Spending money on subsidies for wind and tidal and solar power is not morally or economically equivalent to spending money on the invasion and occupation of another country.

I want a leader that understands that the American people are grown-ups and can decide for themselves who to marry and that the government has no more moral authority in this matter now than it did back when interracial couples were denied the right to marry.

I want a leader who truly respects the fact that there are many people of faith in the USA and that there are many atheists as well and that the government can best serve both kinds of people by staying out of the religion business.