If You Were President, What Would You Do? 13 Americans Answer the Question

It can be so easy to point our fingers, furrow our brows, and wish things to be different. But if we were in the hot seat, what would we do?

We pondered this as Presidents' Day approached this year. To honor this national holiday, we wanted to encourage conversation away from divisiveness and partisanship and toward connection and hopeful dialogue. So, we asked people: If you were President, what would you do?

The answers we received filled our hearts. They come from people of varying walks and beliefs—from artists and professors to mothers and journalists and beyond.

We hope the following Americans' responses inspire you to think deeply about the changes you want to see. Because the truth is, most of us will not command the desk in The Oval Office, but that doesn't matter. The most impactful things happen when we look deep within and carry out our hopes within the reach of our arms.

---

“If I were president, I’d enact a constitution in which no one is but '3/5 a man.'  Not now.  Not then. Not ever. As policy-maker, I’d rely on my parents’ love, what they taught me, and their expectations of me. 

And for laws and precedent, I’d codify Robert Fulghum’s universal wisdom from, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. This means to share everything. Play fair. Don’t hit people. Don’t take things that aren’t yours.  Say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody. Flush! The Golden Rule and love and basic sanitation, and ecology and politics and equality and sane living. Think what a better world it would be if we all—the whole world—had cookies and milk about three o’clock every afternoon. If all governments had as a basic policy to always put things back where they found them and to clean up their own mess.  And it is still true, no matter how old you are—when you go out into the world, it is best to hold hands and stick together.”

Janus Adams— Emmy Award-winning journalist, historian, and author of Sister Days

“If I were President, I may not know which policy I’d tackle first, but I know where I’d begin. I would see the world beyond binaries, beyond rigid labels and divisions. Leadership is about recognizing and valuing everyone, not just those who fit neatly into predefined boxes. This concept is especially personal to me as a mom of a child with special needs. I know firsthand how important it is to be seen, heard, and valued for who you are. It may seem like a simple concept, but it’s the very foundation of humanity. A true leader serves all, inspiring and uplifting every citizen. When people look to their leader, they should see not just authority, but possibility. The reflection of a future where they, too, belong and thrive.”

Wynne Wong— Content creator, mother, and special needs activist

"If I were President, I'd choose a calm approach to bring our country together. I would encourage creativity and collaboration to create a gentler, more connected world." 

Courtney Carver— Founder of bemorewithless and author of Gentle: Rest More, Stress Less, and Live the Life You Actually Want 

"If I were President, I would keep a kindergarten chair next to the Resolute Desk to remind me that each decision impacts individuals of all ages."

Mort Sherman— Co-author of Resonant Minds: The Transformative Power of Music, One Note at a Time

"If I were President, I would work on legislation to provide quality universal pre-K and preschool for any family, regardless of income. As a publicly-funded initiative, it would include developmentally appropriate ‘cooking classes’ to give children confidence in the kitchen. This early education would be nurturing and educational, providing lasting benefit to all." 

Veeda Bybee— Journalist, mother, and author of A Few of My Favorite Things: Recipes Inspired By Family-Friendly Musicals 

"If I were president, I would immediately end all wars. Afterwards, I'd gather every human being on earth to share food, tell stories, to envision and create a shared future, a workable world that leaves no one and nothing left out."

Satori Shakoor— Multi-disciplinary artist, arts fellow, social entrepreneur, and founder of The Secret Society of Twisted Storytellers® 

“If I were President, I would keep reminding federal employees that the First Amendment of the Constitution, which they have sworn to defend, guarantees freedom of the press. I would emphasize that along with that freedom is the need for transparency in the conduct of their own duties, even if that might sometimes be annoying or even misguided. I also would mandate that this famous saying of Supreme Court Justice Louis Brandeis be prominently displayed in all federal buildings: ‘Publicity is justly commended as a remedy for social and industrial diseases. Sunlight is said to be the best of disinfectants; electric light the most efficient policeman.’”

Myron Kandel— Founding Financial Editor CNN

"If I were President, I’d lead by example, to ensure that regardless of our differences, people feel valued and understand how they add value to the collective, because when we feel seen and heard—when we feel we truly matter—even in the smallest of interactions, we become better.”

Zach Mercurio— Professor, researcher, and author of The Power of Mattering

"If I were President, I would put love and relationships at the center of our nation's future—starting with our youngest citizens. I would champion early care and education as the foundation for human flourishing, ensuring that every child, regardless of background, has access to nurturing relationships that fuel their potential. I would invest in a future where learning is relational, where communities are strengthened through care and connection, and where our policies reflect the simple truth that when we prioritize human well-being, we unlock limitless talent and possibility."

Isabelle C. Hau— Executive Director of Stanford Accelerator for Learning, and author of LOVE TO LEARN: The Transformative Power of Care and Connection in Early Education

“As Americans, it's easy to take democracy for granted. Benjamin Franklin famously said that our form of government was, ‘A republic, if you can keep it.’ If I were President, the most important thing I would do is focus on strengthening our shared sense of purpose. Most Americans want affordable housing, good health care, good schools, clean air and water, and safety for our children and ourselves. There is so much we have in common. There are so many bright minds in this country. There is so much we can do together to create a better future. But this requires setting aside the infighting, partisanship, and ‘othering’ of people that has become so commonplace today. If we want to ‘keep’ our republic, we must set aside the things that divide us and focus on our common goals and our shared future."

Robin Finn, MPH, MA— Creator & Founder of HEART. SOUL. PEN.®  Writing Workshops for Women and author of Heart. Soul. Pen.: Find Your Voice on the Page and in Your Life

“If I were President, I would champion the quiet voices. The introverts, the deep thinkers, the careful observers – their perspectives are crucial for balanced leadership and thoughtful progress. Our current systems often reward quick reactions and loud opinions, missing the wisdom that comes from careful reflection and analysis. We'd get better solutions and more nuanced discussions that reflect how real change happens, which is through deep understanding.”

Melody Wilding— Professor of human behavior and author of Managing Up: How to Get What You Need from the People in Charge

"If I were president, I would prioritize appointing individuals with firsthand experience of systemic challenges to leadership roles, empowering them to shape decisions and solutions based on their lived expertise.”  

Lachi— Disability icon and activist, award-winning performer, GRAMMYs Board Governor, and founder of RAMPD

"If I were president, I would create a platform that amplifies the voices of those at their life’s end—a space for the world to learn from their priceless wisdom. These reflections remind us of an undeniable truth: at our core, we are united in our shared humanity. Beyond race, religion, or politics, we all long to be seen, accepted, and understood. It is through non-judgmental presence and compassion that we bridge our divides, uplift one another, and truly transform the world."

Suzanne O’Brien— Life and death educator, and author of The Good Death