(This blog was first published on May 20, 2012. Margaret Thatcher died on April 8, 2013)

Over the holiday weekend I had a chance to watch some movies I have been wanting to see for several months. One that I viewed, The Iron Lady, tells the story of former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

I was aware that many reviewers of this movie took exception to the depiction of Lady Thatcher as an elderly widow suffering from dementia. I had seen the trailers for the movie, which depicted Mrs. Thatcher in her prime as indeed a woman with an iron backbone rising to the top of British politics, the first woman Prime Minister. Surely, I thought, they can't spend that much time on her present plight considering the many years she successfully governed the country. I was mistaken.

As the movie progressed it was evident the writers and producers intended to tell her life story backward, through her present frail condition. I was tempted to leave the movie but decided to keep watching, hoping to take away some value of a well lived life. One of service and accomplishment. Only a few choice lines of wisdom and insight from Baroness Thatcher's life came through the script. Of all the speeches that could have been quoted, or the accomplishments cited, only a few came through. Most of the movie dwelt on the twilight years of a proud woman whose best years were past.

Margaret Thatcher governed as Great Britain's Prime Minister for 11 years, 1979-1990. She reversed a long period of decline through reform of taxes and rolling back the place of the state in the economic affairs of the nation. Inflation declined and a period of prosperity returned to the Great Britain. When Argentina invaded the British-held Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic in 1982 she sent British forces south to reclaim the islands. Her policies were not without controversy. Great leaders never sail through only calm waters. But they sail successfully by holding a firm hand on the tiller. Margaret Thatcher did just that during a critical period of world history.

Thatcher's leadership set the stage for Great Britain's present position, such that it is, on the world scene. Arguments are made that even as Queen Elizabeth celebrates her Diamond Jubilee the nation is on the verge of another period of decline. Parallels are drawn between today's England and the Hapsburg Empire of a hundred years ago, prior to its collapse during World War I. Britain and other Western countries sorely need visionary leadership to reverse a period of economic and political crisis. No one seems to have answers to correct the economic problems threatening today's nations.

I have just finished writing a Good News article about the present crisis in world leadership. Seeing how today's dominant media culture treats those who dare to lead with their ideas it is little wonder we do not see people of character and conviction taking to the stage, seeking to lead their states and nations out of decline. We are left to watch second-tier leaders scramble for positions. Leadership is not appreciated today. It is not cultivated nor able to rise at the critical times to articulate a vision and lead.

I know I'm just a bit idealistic. But I wonder if we depicted the best leaders of our past in better forms if we might see a better class of leadership emerge at all levels of society. I think we might, but again, I am just a bit idealistic.