John,
Growing up, many of us were taught that honesty is the best policy. It’s a fundamental American value, embodied by leaders like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. Telling it like it is might not always be popular, but it’s essential for staying on the right path.
Unfortunately, today’s politics often feel disconnected from this value. So far, the 2024 presidential race has been dominated by name-calling and insults from both sides, with little of the honest conversation we desperately need about the real challenges facing our nation—like the soaring national debt, the border security crisis, and the growing threats from China, Russia, and Iran.
Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, recently penned an op-ed that speaks directly to the kind of presidential leadership our country needs. Dimon emphasizes that we’re living in “a perilous time,” with a deeply divided nation facing both “challenging domestic issues and perhaps the most complicated geopolitical situation since World War II.” He warns that we cannot afford to “sleepwalk into disaster” and stresses that strong American leadership is crucial to unite us and strengthen our indispensable role on the global stage.
Dimon also highlights the importance of leaders who are willing to acknowledge our problems and communicate honestly with the American people. As he puts it, “Our problems cannot be fixed without our leaders acknowledging them.” He calls for a president who will engage in “regular, honest and open communication,” and who will work to unite Americans rather than pandering to extremes.
Jamie Dimon isn’t a Twitter warrior or a regular on the talk show circuits. He’s a commonsense business executive who would prefer to let actions speak louder than words.
