The unending stream of shady revelations about the two major presidential candidates guarantees us that our next president will be seriously hobbled from the start. How sad this is — for her or him, for the nation and for the world. No one should wish for a crippled presidency, regardless of party. We need leadership and united action far too much.
In this age of ultra-tolerance, the country seems willing to overlook much in a candidate’s personal life. But Hillary Clinton’s and Donald Trump’s stains and flaws are far worse than mere personal peccadilloes to the point that they cast doubt on their very competence to serve as president. Neither is restrained from lying by conscience. Is there any limit to Clinton’s (and her willful husband’s) duplicity and self-dealing? Does or can Trump curb himself to any extent from gross licentiousness, from the meanest bullying, from fomenting violence and hatred?
Sadly, our nation and society will lack a moral voice and worthy example emanating from the White House, things we expect and sorely need from our highest leader.
While some may think the term “moral politician” is an oxymoron, our country has been blessed with good leaders in modern times. FDR, Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Ford, Carter, Reagan, Bush 41, Bush 43 and Barack Obama are decent people of character (conceding that FDR, JFK and Eisenhower had their extramarital affairs). But they also showed laudable leadership, high-mindedness and essential decency. FDR’s feat of guiding the free world through World War II is one of the greatest of human achievements. Eisenhower’s leadership in the war and his steady hand in the presidency helped lay the groundwork for modern America’s prosperity and superpower status. Obama is leaving office without a scandal of note in his eight years — an enviable record in today’s political environment. Putting your politics aside (if that is at all possible in this uber-partisan time), can you not agree that Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Ronald Reagan, the Bushes and Obama were good and decent people? Their public record is clean. They left the presidency with their integrity intact. They aspired to and mostly achieved a standard of morality and ethical conduct. We should be grateful to them for that. We did not value it then as we ought to have.
We need public role models, if not heroes. Where can we find them? Some examples: Chancellor Angela Merkel looked at the flood of Syrian refugees overflowing the shores of Europe. Under her leadership, Germany shouldered the humanitarian choice to succor these hopeless refugees. The stereotype of Muslim terrorists made her decision dicey. She made mistakes, but her vision and the Germans’ noble sacrifice is a shining example of humanity. Pope Francis has spoken forcefully in advocating for social justice for the poor. His politics are controversial, but his heart is undoubtedly pure. His predecessor Pope John Paul II was a man of such indomitable strength and personal power that he contributed to bringing down the Iron Curtain. Gandhi and Mother Teresa haunt me with their absolute goodness, wisdom and self-discipline. Jesus was the Great Teacher and the Great Healer. He showed compassion to all, irrespective of race, religion or social status, and perfect integrity at all times — at the cost of his life. His peerless example and teachings bridge the ages between when his life then and his work today.
Locally, we have Rev. France Davis and Elder Pamela Atkinson, stalwarts in their respective faiths as well as iconic community servants. The LDS community and others draw many role models from the men and women in the leading councils of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Read the biographies of President Thomas S. Monson, President Henry B. Eyring and President Dieter F. Uchtdorf and you will see true greatness. Other faith groups provide moral leadership to their own and other people in our community.
Thanks to the men and women from all walks of life, locally and nationally, who stand as examples of morality and high ethics. May those who aspire to be our leaders correct their flaws and give us leadership based in truth, self-denial and unselfish service. Give us cause to follow you and even admire you.
Greg Bell is the current president and CEO of the Utah Hospital Association. He is the former Republican lieutenant governor of Utah.