Dear President Bush:

I am reading the Analects of Confucius for a class in Asian Philosophies at Green Mountain College in Vermont. For one of my homework assignments, I need to write you an email and offer some advice based on what the Master said.

I want to be honest with you, Mr. President, I did not vote for you. Perhaps you already assumed as much from the fact that I live in Vermont. If it makes you feel better, I didn’t vote for Howard Dean either. But that is all in the past. Today, you are my president.

Part of your job as President is to act as my representative. I’m not one of those folks who think their representatives should always do what the majority of people want. Politicians should be statesmen. They should be elected for their wisdom, not for their ability to follow the latest poll numbers. With that being said, however, as my representative, your words and actions reflect on me. And I’m sorry to say, sir, that some of your words and actions have left me feeling ashamed.

Master Confucius said, “To make a mistake and not change your ways — this is what is called truly making a mistake.” It saddens me to think that I don’t need to explain why this statement is relevant. It saddens me to think that you are aware of your mistakes and that, out of some sort of weakness, you refuse to admit it. Some people mistake this for steadfastness, but it is nothing more than stubborn pride.

It’s not too late, Mr. President. You are never going to run for another elected office again. There is no short-term repercussion to admitting your mistakes. But the long term gain! History will tell tales of President Bush’s genuine character. Can you imagine the historic reputation of a President who admitted his mistakes and proceeded to correct them? And don’t worry about whether having concern for future reputation is unethical; Master Confucius said, “The gentleman is troubled by the possibility that his name will go uncelebrated after death.” The goal of establishing an historic reputation puts one on the road to self-cultivation.

You have two years left, Mr. President. Let this be your starting point.

Thank you for your time, Mr. President,
Kyle Callahan
Poultney, Vermont

The Master said, “To ‘govern” means ‘to be correct.’ If you set an example by being correct yourself, who will dare to be incorrect?”