Good morning, Leaders! It’s Friday!

After watching the political circus unfolding to the entire world’s amazement (horror or humor) I wondered why this behavior is acceptable? Why do we allow candidates to talk about their opponents? Shouldn’t they stick to their accomplishments and capabilities and shouldn’t they also be restricted from casting shadows and stones on their rivals?
Shouldn’t the networks do the fact checking before printing or broadcasting?
This isn’t an issue of free speech. It seems to be an issue of expensive TV advertisements and greedy behavior.
With all the negativity, I wonder what good can come from it?

What do voters rely on for basis behind who they choose?
-Debates?
-Newspaper articles?
-Network or cable television coverage?
-Wikileaks?
-Spousal opinion?
-Family history?
-Least offensive behavior or commentary?

What minuscule percentage of the voting population focuses on substantive issues that will absolutely affect the future quality of life, for us and those we care about?

Are we going to allow ourselves to be diverted by hypocritical and misogynistic behavior … the days the obvious candidates are predictable, aka their better days?

Who says a good politician has to be a good person? In fact, maybe they are mutually exclusive. I’ve seen plenty of candidates exhibit good behavior in the past but we, the people, put forward this slate of choices. We created the problem and we will all live with the results of this election so … dig deep enough through the rhetoric, the smear campaigns and locate the facts to make an informed voting decision … or lay in the unresolved muck for four years of political and economic heartache.

Abraham Lincoln was one of the greatest examples of presidential character and leadership that came from our country. Below, he provides some insight on what not to do that ultimately implies what to do.

“You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich.
You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong.
You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift.
You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down.
You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred.
You cannot build character and courage by taking away people’s initiative and independence.
You cannot help people permanently by doing for them, what they could and should do for themselves.”

Abraham Lincoln

Have a blessed weekend!