All of the great leaders have had one characteristic in common: it was the willingness to confront unequivocally the major anxiety of their people in their time. This, and not much else, is the essence of leadership.
“By adversity are wrought the greatest works of admiration, and all the fair examples of renown, out of distress and misery are grown.”
“I'd rather see the United States as a beacon of good work and good citizenship, rather than as #1 on some international educational measurement.”