We all have many important questions to ask before we make our picks for President | Opinion
The most important presidential election of my life is fast approaching, and I am trying to finalize my decision.
To me, the two most basic and required qualifications to serve as president are whether the person is a decent human being and whether they possess the character traits and good judgment to serve as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Most of us would agree that the most vital role of any president is serving as Commander-in-Chief.
Having served active duty in the Army, I have some appreciation of the core values that must be possessed by any military leader. These values are integrity first, service before self, loyalty, honor, devotion to duty and consistent ethical behavior. Why should a candidate for president have a proven record of compliance with these core values? Because it is more likely than not that how Donald Trump and Kamala Harris have acted in the past is how they will act and make decisions as president.
The future of our Republic will likely continue to survive and thrive as long as we elect presidents of either party who have historically demonstrated they have embraced and advanced these core values. Our nation can survive passionate debates about political philosophy, public policy, and governmental programs. However, I have serious doubts about the survivability of our Republic if we elect a candidate who has a demonstrated history of breaching the core values required of the Office of President.
Finally, in the prelude to this election, I have observed a significant amount of demonized rhetoric directed towards immigrants currently in our country. I understand our country must have reasonable, compassionate, and enforced immigration laws; However, I have a tough time appreciating the basic decency of any candidate for president who continuously makes hateful and untruthful statements about fellow human beings be they immigrants or not. Why would any reasonably acceptable candidate for the most important elected office on the planet do this?
As I narrow my decision, I will review the respective well-chronicled life histories of Donald Trump and Kamala Harris and ask myself these questions? Would I trust this person with my money to be a business partner? Would I reasonably trust this person to have a close personal relationship with a beloved family member? Would I want my child to model the behavior of this person? If I have any lingering doubts about who to vote for, I will likely default to the admonition imparted by the late poet and writer, Maya Angelou, who said, “When someone shows you who they are the first time, believe them.”
Bruce Simpson is a Lexington attorney.