Greatest Leader?

[RaspberrySwirl 20]

Mandela

Elizabeth I

Uh, I don't know >.<

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Not too many women rise to top positions in the country (Ie. PM's/ Presidency).. That and her length of term as PM is quite staggaring.. Those were some of the reasons I put her down.. Not really to do with policy, but obviously she did SOMETHING right.. the old girl.. to last that long in such an important position. One can be a great leader and pass bad policy.. IMO. Leadership has to do with the act and capacity to lead.. not necessarily with their political stance on an issue. Just my opinion of course

I can dispute that claim with the example of Indira Gandhi. Economically, she pushed for big-government control, much like her father--to the detriment of the country. And her power-hunger (as shown in "The Emergency" 1975) was even worse. Indeed, the ONLY correct decisions she made (of course, she would have had to be DAFT AND BLIND to do otherwise) were:

• to prepare for war in 1971
  
• to allow the military to conduct the war till Dhaka was captured
  

[kim&james 0]

Just to go off on a completely different tangent, is there someone in your family or community whom your young'un would consider a great leader? someone whom she would look up too for their leadership abilities?

I think a more personal bent to this question might get some brownie points.

on saying this, when I was in school one of our questions was "who do you consider an influential New Zealander and why do you consider them so?" I answered my uncle, granted he is considered a living treasure for his knowledge of maori heritage and culture but I think it was the personal aspect of someone actually having a profound influence on my beliefs rather than just the standard quoting that this politician was great because.....

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Some of them on my list are: Sir. Winston Churchill - or Margaret Thatcher two great Brit Leaders

Considering what MT did to the mining industry, I'd say she was one of the worst.

But there's any amount of reasons to choose from really, that's just one close to my heart.

I agree with you there - and it wasn't just mining but the manufacturing industry as well. My dad (a former) engineer had to retrain in his 50's because there are few (if any companies) now in the south of England that require engineers.

Then there's also that small matter than not long after Thatcher got ousted the country collapsed into a recession. Hardly a ringing endorsement of her govts economic policies.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Some of them on my list are: Sir. Winston Churchill - or Margaret Thatcher two great Brit Leaders

Considering what MT did to the mining industry, I'd say she was one of the worst.

But there's any amount of reasons to choose from really, that's just one close to my heart.

I agree with you there - and it wasn't just mining but the manufacturing industry as well. My dad (a former) engineer had to retrain in his 50's because there are few (if any companies) now in the south of England that require engineers.

Then there's also that small matter than not long after Thatcher got ousted the country collapsed into a recession. Hardly a ringing endorsement of her govts economic policies.

Again comparing Mrs. Gandhi here: pudding proof of the rottenness of her policies were came when the man who had served multiple posts (Home, Defence, Foreign Affairs) in her cabinet was the architect of scaling back her "Licence Raj" (a great deal later than India's massive northeastern neighbour reformed ITS policies for economic growth).

[babybunny 2]

my VOTE is for the 1st black president of the USA. Clinton!!!

he has got to been the greatest leader.. even if he did not get old man bin ladin

[Saddle Bronc 124]

my VOTE is for the 1st black president of the USA. Clinton!!!...

Could you please explain to me how Clinton was "black"?

(and use Maryland MVA rules)

...First, you need to reside in the state of Maryland and provide two forms of evidence to verify the fact. A healthy appetite for steamed crab does not qualify as proof of residence...

[Hilarious Clinton 452]

James K. Polk

In four short years he met his every goal

He seized the whole southwest from Mexico

Made sure the tarriffs fell

And made the English sell the Oregon territory

He built an independent treasury

Having done all this he sought no second term

[Fuzzness 2]

Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce tribe. He cared about his people and their hardship.

[Nikita2Charles 32]

Bill Clinton

Make love not WAR

[William33 110]

Impressive accomplishments for that day and age, yet Ross Perot offered equal results for a dollar.

A surprising amount of Americans voted for him, including myself.

That is the type of leader we need. One that has no subversive agenda, yet wants to foster positive change for this country.

Who is on board with that mentality?

James K. Polk

In four short years he met his every goal

He seized the whole southwest from Mexico

Made sure the tarriffs fell

And made the English sell the Oregon territory

He built an independent treasury

Having done all this he sought no second term

Edited March 7, 2007 by William33

[Caladan 19]

Political leader, right? Otherwise Jonas Salk.

I like the ideas of leaders who sought power in a time of crisis but then gave it up once the crisis had passed.

Cinncinatus is the classic example.

Charles Martel, grandfather of Charlemagne, who was pretty much a regent for throneless proto-France and refused to accept the crown.

[William33 110]

Geez, everyone speaks of leaders they read about, rather than ones they lived through.

I would not even begin to hold any belief of some dead person, based upon anecdotal evidence of their significant existence. Books and University Professor claims are not always accurate, you know that.

How about the last 20-30 years? Unless of course, you were there for the others.

[Alex+R 0]

James K. Polk

In four short years he met his every goal

He seized the whole southwest from Mexico

Made sure the tarriffs fell

And made the English sell the Oregon territory

He built an independent treasury

Having done all this he sought no second term

Really? Not Martin van Buren, a former president and an abolitionist?

or James Buchanan, a moderate?

or even...Lewis Cass, a general and expansionist?

[pedroh 21]

Chuck Norris! OMG!