St. Augustine called pride, "a defect of nature."



Chairman’s Column January 2010

By: Bob Schaffer, LPR Chairman



In virtually every instance, weakness threatens freedom. Whether in local law enforcement, international diplomacy or economics, the inability or refusal to protect liberty plunges societies ultimately to the depths of servitude.



The same holds true on the constitutions of… Continue

"That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it," wrote Virginia Colonist Thomas Jefferson in 1776.



Chairman’s Column

By: Bob Schaffer, LPR Chairman



In considering the quality of leadership, one good indicator of poor quality is a leader’s reliance upon the use of force.



Leadership entails persuasion. This often… Continue

Patrick Henry properly accredited the rational and theological virtue of hope to “the vigilant, the active, the brave.”

Chairman’s Column

October 2009



The Delusive Phantom of Hope

By: Bob Schaffer, LPR Chairman



Beware the leader who substitutes hope for vision for he will betray you every time.



Hopelessness is commonly equated to unhappiness. If that is true, does having hope mean… Continue

Plato's philosophical devotion to the concept of fortitude girds today's historical understanding of the cardinal virtue.



Chairman’s Column

By: LPR Chairman, Bob Schaffer



In all our searching for virtuous leaders there is scarce mention anymore of the one foundational virtue upon which so many others stand: Fortitude.



Plato regarded it as a core element of perfect wisdom. He… Continue

National demonstrations of Revolutionary spirit appear to be more than fleeting episodes of civic passion. Stirred by the recent torrents of forceful bureaucracy, Americans seem to know their liberty is in jeopardy.



Many spontaneous protests evoke the Boston Tea Party. There, feverous speeches channel the Founders and are brilliantly propounded by unfamiliar orators who are more often unaided by the privilege of elected… Continue

CHAIRMAN'S MESSAGE



Give Up and Lead



By: Bob Schaffer, Chairman of the Leadership Program of the Rockies



A week before the 2008 election, radio host Hugh Hewitt addressed a Denver political audience. He asked, “Are you all in?”



Hewitt’s question clarifies a central theme of leadership. In order to succeed one must be willing to take risks and put certain comforts aside. His point was… Continue

Plaudits and admirations gush upon leaders whose manner is tolerant and considerate of opposing viewpoints. History nonetheless allows that some who rule by treachery rise to ferocious power, too.

In the first instance, Doris Kearns Goodwin's book Team of Rivals acclaims Abraham Lincoln's phenomenal appointments of political rivals to his own cabinet. His picks were prompted by the urgency of slave states seceding to form the… Continue

Alexis de Tocqueville

Capitalism, Charity and Leadership

April 2009 LPR Chairman's Column



President Barack Obama recently defended a proposal to limit tax deductions for charitable giving. The idea touches an important element of leadership.



As a nation, ours has always been defined from within - by the greatness of its people, especially in challenging times. For more than two centuries, civic leaders… Continue

Crisis moments thrive on confusion. Those whose ambitions entail power and dominion love a good crisis. They refuse to “let one go to waste.”

Resisting such tyranny is often equally errant especially when predicated upon fear. Still, resistance is essential. At such a time, temperance is the moral virtue that brands our best leaders. The moral virtue of temperance restrains the passions of ambition and pleasure. It places intellect and reason above… Continue

“There is no indication at the moment that the President is going to help the poor kids in D.C. continue to have bright futures through the D.C. Opportunity Scholarship Program.”

March 11, 2009

Face The State Staff Report

President Barack Obama outlined his plans for education reform Tuesday by embracing stricter standards, merit pay for teachers and charter schools. While Colorado’s conservative education leaders were glad to see Obama… Continue