Two things you just don't talk about...

I must be missing something here. Why is a Christian leader preferable to a Jewish, Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim or even atheist leader who is down to earth and knows what people need?

I know one thing that isn't the answer - government! I think we are in the boat we are in, with this recession, because of too much government interference into the free market system. Also, corporations are allowed to rip people off in some ways, because government passes the laws letting them do it. This is done because of lobbying. Government returns the favors for the benefits they get from lobbyists. This should be outlawed before it's too late. Putting more control into government hands for anything is a dangerous way to go. The only reason this country has stayed free is by the checks upon government power put into the constitution and the way the government is set up, mainly by states rights. But nowadays states rights are becoming less and less and huge federal government far removed from the states and what each state needs is running the show. People are very corruptible, that's why government needs to be kept small with small amount of power. The bigger their scope, reach and control, influence, the more poWer and thus danger. - Besides we can boycott corporations, etc, but not government. The free market creates jobs (productivity). Those who know enough to look, realize how government is tying the hands of business with tons, yes tons (thousands or pages of) foolish government regulations. Of course we need some regulations, but between government getting say too big for their britches and lobbying causing wrong regulations, the economy is getting worse and worse. More government intervention is the problem not the answer, but it seems as though folks are looking to government to solve all things, and provide all things. But government can only get money to do this from other people. We do this because we no longer believe in God (speaking generally) but are casting government into the place of God/provider. And somehow government has unlimited money, from a money tree or something.. but it's not a money tree it's the citizenry's pockets. [Even with healthcare insurance challenges, government taking it over is not the answer and time will prove it, if we simply let free market work by allowing insurance to compete across state lines, something prohibited now, likely the result of you guessed it, lobbying!] - It's a vicious cycle and I am not sure it will cease til collapse.