Margaret Chase Smith said in her iconic Declaration of Conscience, “As an American, I want to see our nation recapture the strength and unity it once had when we fought the enemy instead of ourselves.”
Our country is facing a crisis in leadership because those who want to be our leaders prefer to engage in playground fights rather than to engage in serious political discourse. Name-calling, bullying, ranting and expletive-laced diatribes have become the norm. The presidential candidates for the major parties are trying to pin the label of “racist” or “bigot” on the other, hoping to inflict a career-ending blow.
These tirades and name-calling are symptomatic of serious personality flaws that would ordinarily preclude these individuals from high office. Neither presidential candidate has the honesty, integrity or the strength of character to serve as president at this critical juncture in history.
Our greatest presidents relied on personal integrity, ethos and persuasion rather than a foul mouth. Our civics classes taught us that George Washington could not tell a lie and that Abraham Lincoln’s nickname was “Honest Abe.” What would have happened had John F. Kennedy engaged in an obscenity laden rant against Nikita Khrushchev rather than having the cool nerve to stare down a nuclear superpower? When Ronald Reagan was disgusted with the press, he would smile and say, “well … there you go again.” When Reagan sought to end Communism, he simply said, “ Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.” It was the inherent moral force in his statement that accomplished the objective, not a vicious ad hominem attack.
Name-calling obscures the serious matters at hand. There are legitimate and very different points of view held by the two major political parties, but we cannot hear the messages through the din. Nationally, the concerns include the threat of Islamic State, immigration, race relations, the national debt and the economy. Maine faces the scourge of narcotic-related deaths, the loss of our manufacturing base and five important referendum questions. It is difficult to recall the facts supporting Gov. Paul LePage’s commentary on Maine’s drug epidemic when our attention is diverted by allegations of racism and a profanity-laden response.
The problem in politics is that there is no judge ready to intercede when the low blows occur, nor is there a principal ready to impose a suspension for untoward conduct. As a result, the unstated rules for political behavior are completely ignored. This is especially true when neither of the leading candidates for president can claim the moral high ground.
Perhaps it is time to establish a benchmark by which to assess candidates for office. Perhaps we should adopt certain standards of civility that we expect from those who aspire to lead us. I suggest the following:
— Candidates for public office and elected officials should act with personal dignity and integrity.
— Candidates and officials should treat all members of the public with civility, politeness and respect.
— Candidates and officials should treat opposing candidates and officials with civility, politeness and respect.
— Candidates and officials should not engage in any conduct or speech that is reasonably likely to violate the federal or state equal protection laws, except as the discussion may pertain to legitimate issues of governmental policy.
— Candidates and officials should not personally attack an opposing candidate, official or the family thereof, provided that differences on policy issues and issues pertaining to the character or suitability of the candidate or official to hold public office may be discussed.
— Candidates should undertake reasonable efforts to discourage supporters from heckling, shouting down or otherwise interfering with another candidate’s right to speak.
— Candidates should undertake reasonable efforts to discourage supporters from engaging in any acts of violence or threats of violence.
By having standards of decorum in place, candidates and officials may strive to rise above the fighting words that are threatening to destroy our country. These standards should embolden the electorate to expect more from those who seek the honor of serving the people.
Brett D. Baber of Veazie is a practicing attorney. He is running as a Republican for Maine Senate District 5.