Parenting is tough for anyone. For those in the public eye, though, the parent – child relationship gets scrutinized. And it brings up questions.
Is it possible to be a father who has unconditional love for his children and at the same time be an effective leader—even president of the United States of America? At a time when loving fathers and competent leaders are both so greatly needed, it is hoped that the answer could easily and always be “yes.” It seems the two qualities would be complementary, not mutually exclusive.
It’s not so simple.
Unconditional love is not mere indulgence. It also provides discipline. Sometimes children—even adult children—need guidance, painful truth-telling, or just hearing the word, “no.”
A nation that will soon be 247 years old is not so mature that it can go without a loving dose of discipline from its leaders, as well. It needs a balanced budget, law and order, and a secure border.
President Joe Biden excels at the first half of being a good father. He loves his family, and it seems as though he would do anything for them. But he must balance that unconditional love with being an effective leader of our nation. It requires delivering discipline.
Alleged Biden family corruption is staggering, especially where his son Hunter is involved. But the powerful are powerfully protected. The nation may never know the possible harm this family has done to the country. One thing we do know is that it would have been helpful if Biden had the ability to be both a good father and good leader by saying, “No, Hunter, it is not wise to receive millions of dollars as a board member for a Ukrainian energy company when you know nothing about energy and when it’s my position as (then) vice president to direct diplomatic ties with the country. No, Hunter, I will not threaten to withhold a U.S. loan guarantee to Ukraine, made possible and backed up by hard-working American taxpayers, unless Ukraine’s top prosecutor gets fired for investigating this energy board. No, Hunter, it is not a good idea to receive millions of dollars from entities in China because it will be perceived as influence peddling with our adversary.”
In 2019, the New Yorker ran a piece about whether or not Hunter’s escapades would jeopardize his father’s presidential campaign. The article states that Hunter pressured his father to make a public statement of support for his extramarital affair with his brother’s widow. Then candidate Biden stated, “Hunter, I don’t know if I should. But I’ll do whatever you want me to do.”
And he did.
And he still does. Biden lacks a father’s discipline. For his son. And for his country.
Government spending is out of control. Crime is rampant. Our border is not secure. These problems can never be solved by someone who lacks discipline.
Personally, Biden has been through a lot. Losing his first wife and a child in a car accident and then losing a second child to cancer are unthinkable tragedies. It’s understandable that the trauma would reshape him. Perhaps with his surviving children, he can only manage to indulge and no longer has the strength or desire to discipline.
The same may be true for how he runs the Oval Office.
For Christians, God is our heavenly father. He’s all-loving. But not just merely indulgent. He gave us the Ten Commandments. They are not suggestions. God provides both love and discipline.
Yes, it is possible for a father to have unconditional love for his child and at the same time be an effective leader by providing discipline. Lots of people do it.
It’s just not something that this president can do.
Moving the Conversation Along 