Letter: America deserves stronger leadership

Tuesday, May 8, 2007 | 7:40 a.m.

In Sunday's Las Vegas Sun, readers were presented with a powerful literary piece - excerpts from Lee Iacocca's latest book, "Where Have All the Leaders Gone?" Although I have never been a big Iacocca fan, his message was clear and timely. It should be required reading for those registering to be voters, as well as for all elected officials.

His list of nine qualities of a political leader reveal to the American people just how little we are experiencing from our own leaders in Washington. His "Nine C's" are curiosity, creative, communicate, character, courage, conviction, charisma, competent and common sense, and he gives examples of how leaders can display these qualities.

One of his remarks that reinforces why readers like me contribute to the Sun's letters section says so much: "You can't call yourself a patriot if you are not outraged."

The small group of Americans who still support this administration will look on Mr. Iacocca's book as "liberal" because they do not have any answers themselves. Where Iacocca lists and describes the qualities of a leader, the supporters of President Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney hang on blindly to their vision, one that is getting more and more difficult to debate in terms of good judgment and accomplishments.

I urge everyone who can get his hands on a copy of Sunday's Sun to be sure to read Lee Iacocca's commentary and to read it carefully, and to share it with others. You will all surely agree that we deserve better than the leadership we have in Washington, and the shortcomings will be spelled out clearly.

Ken Anderson, Las Vegas