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Some folks just seem to place a higher value on integrity than others.

You learn this about people, over time,

in subtle or sometimes dramatic ways,

or you don’t, at your own peril.

And, when you don’t,

if your relationship with that person

is an important one,

the consequences can be such

as to encourage more learning.

 

Children, lacking guile,

provide vivid glimpses into their psyches

in their daily interactions with their peers.

Whether integrity is inherent in some of us,

or is something learned

and conditioned over time,

is a matter easily as complicated to suss out

as is the weather.

Regardless , many children clearly possess integrity,

or the components from which it’s derived,

and express it plainly in their actions

from an early age.

 

We see this as innocence

But often there is also

a generosity of spirit–

a foundation of character–

shining from the depths.

 

Speaking of integrity,

or its lack thereof,

let’s speculate for a moment

on the degree of integrity present

among the crop of Republican hopefuls

currently vying for their parties’ nomination

for the office of President of these United States.

 

And imagine, if you will,

and visualize these Republican wannabes,

or people like them that you may know,

as kids on a schoolyard playground

interacting with their peers.

 

As seen from the level of schoolyard politics:

How often, by comparison to other kids,

can you imagine one of these young aspirants

taking cuts in line?

Cheating on a test?

Blaming others when something goes wrong?

Lying to cover up misdeeds?

Taking credit for the accomplishments of others?

Making things up to gain advantage?

Bullying other children?

 

When something goes wrong

and one of them gets caught,

Do they proudly display their innocence

with certitude and conviction

while repressing all qualms, should any be present,

with chilling deftness?

 

These brave Republican lads

have now grown up

and they desire control of your government!

They want to run your country!

And, based on their pronouncements,

the promises they are making

on the campaign trail,

the assurances they are giving

in their town hall meetings,

and the fervor they are igniting

among their followers

in their rallies . . .

they are gaining attention;

they are attracting followers.

Regardless of whichever candidate their  party finally chooses,

he will be a force to be reckoned with.

 

If you prefer to judge a person based on their words

and not their actions,

then these guys–

this odd coterie of Republican Party hopefuls–

might sound pretty good,

(if their message resonates, that is),

like, maybe they could scratch your itch,

soothe your pain, or increase your gain

the way you’d like to have that happen . .

Your way!

Maybe, who knows,

the way it should have been done

all along.

 

Maybe!

 

Increasingly doubtfully maybe!

 

Chance of a snowball in hell maybe!

(if their message doesn’t resonate),

 

Meanwhile, back at the level of schoolyard politics:

Were you ever lied to by kids you knew in school?

Did kids ever cut in line in front of you?

Did you ever know any kids who cheated on tests

without feeling guilty for having done so?

Did you see any kids try to blame other kids

when they got caught for misbehaving?

Did you know anyone in school who tried to take credit

for the work of others?

Were you ever bullied?

 

If you knew any kids like this, back in your school days,

did you enjoy being in their company?

And, if you didn’t, or even if you did,

or if you were one yourself,

do you really want someone like that to be running the country?

 

When did we collectively forget

that actions speak louder than words?

 

Actions bespeak character.

Words by themselves are nonsense.

 

If one chooses to judge a person based on their actions,

and not their words,

it ought to be safe to assume

at least for the job of President

that narcissists and sociopaths

needn’t bother to apply.

 

Tim Konrad

19 February 2016