I have always been frustrated by the public vetting of political candidates. All too often candidates focus on issues that they know people — and often select groups of voters — will respond to positively. This makes it difficult for the voters to get a true sense of the candidates’ character.
One Way They Try to Show Character
In the recent mayoral race, some candidates are pushing for more police in communities — not necessarily impoverished communities of color. It was in response to many older citizens, citywide white voters, and business/corporation owners whose communities are now feeling the effects of the violence. Something that has been all too common in our poorer communities.
They disregard the state of policing. Changes mandated by the Federal Consent Decree against the Chicago Police Department are slowly being adopted on paper. However, they are only spotty in their embrace by CPD in general. Trainings are generally not taken seriously, seen as another hoop to jump through, and generally opposed by the CPD “old guard.”
Other candidates are pushing hard for police reform. Not to abolish the police, but to strengthen community policing. Additionally, they do not want just a department for a few officers to oversee, but community policing embraced by police officers in general. They are supporting both the good police officers who take de-escalation and the restrained use of force seriously. Many of these are female officers who are still not given significant roles in training.
Rare Gem
The truth of most lead-up to our elections is that candidates play to where they think they’ll get the most votes. It’s a rare candidate whose character, upbringing, and life experiences express a true concern for every human being across every spectrum of race, ethnicity, gender, religious belief, age, or sexual orientation. But there are a few.
Their character speaks volumes to their regard for the dignity and sanctity of all human life and the freedom of everyone to make fully informed choices on key life decisions.
Godly Character
We know that “free will” is freely given to us by God. But our choices do have a cost, on ourselves, on others, for good or for bad. A Godly character also never sees their decisions as totally personal, because any choices we make ultimately affect others.
For example, a drug addict may see their addiction as just their problem. We know that addiction affects families, friendships, and whole communities. No sin is totally personal and no decision is really totally personal. Our bad decisions have ramifications on not only limiting our own potential for good but affect the people and society that could have benefitted from their positive contributions rather than having to deal with the harm caused by their actions.
Ideal Candidate
The ideal candidate for office:
- Has wisdom.
- Shows discernment.
- Is willing to admit mistakes.
- Can be a model of character.
- And has integrity that could inspire future leaders who are attracted by this character.
They do not make promises they cannot keep. Additionally, they pledge to do their best to keep promises that correct those elements in society that continue to perpetuate, the haves and have-nots.
They choose people as part of their administration with the expertise and the character to be guided by the authority of the Author of Life and the positive character traits of the great prophets of our faith traditions, working to end the idolatry of self-righteousness and power over others, focusing on the most needy in our communities, inviting everyone of goodwill in our ward, city, state, country, etc., to empower those most in need and, in turn, to be empowered by those in need who invites us to share, and not hoard, our God-given gifts.
By Fr. Larry Dowling
Inset Image by Iza Bella Courtesy of Wikimedia – Creative Commons License
Featured Image Courtesy of Marco Verch Professional Photographer‘s Flickr Page – Creative Commons License
