IT BOTHERS ME
What is that irks me most about present-day politics?
It doesn't seem proper, somehow, that I should be, in any way, critical of, or uncomfortable with the very process by which we select our nation's leaders.
Yet, I do.
I find the one quality which bothers me the most concerning any candidate running for public office is that of his, or her, being sincere in every way.
Insincerity is the most bothersome blight affecting a political campaign and much of it centers on the personal, individual sincerity of the person making the effort to place himself, or herself in a position of authority over others as an elected official of the governmental system they share.
If a person is not sincere in seeking office and, thus, in asking other people to place their trust in him and feel that he or she will do the very best they are capable of doing. If they do not make such a stand of integrity at the very start, they harm themselves most of all but also mistreat those who support them and their views.
I think we are called upon to take seriously our part in much of this political process/. When we look closely at the many people involved who, either set themselves forward or allow others to do so, who gather together an oft-times curious, even inexplicably composite group of individuals from which we must make a choice. They are not all there for the best of good reasons, either. I think we must realize this inequity at the very start and there can be just one fool proof way of doing so. It depends almost entirely on the level of personal dedication to which each of us holds fast as our own moral and practical view by which we live and express ourselves - knowingly or unconsciously - at the voting booths. If we are, in any way, lacking in such self-control and self-respect, we can, and do, elect poor leaders.
In the final hour, having looked at and listened to as many as we can, we select the one seemingly best suited to our own standard of sincerity.
Do you still want to be our President some day?
If so, be sincere and the Truth will make you be.
A.L.M. February 19, 2004 [c394wds]
