Importance of marriage vows

Michael Gerson, an opinion writer, recently included the following in one of his pieces, "Marital infidelity is destructive to spouses and children and a violation of the Seventh Commandment. It is not, by itself, a disqualification for public office."

I must strongly, vehemently disagree.

When a man and woman get married, they exchange vows, central of which is fidelity to one another.  When entering elected office, an individual takes an oath, central of which is fidelity to the office being entered and the laws under which it operates.  If the elected official cannot adhere to the marriage vows, then I have serious doubt about his/her adherence to the oath of office.  If one cannot maintain fidelity to his/her spouse, it is a character flaw disqualifying one from holding public office.

Character counts, particularly for elected officials.  Giving and keeping one's word is a crucial measure of character.  If we are to believe a politician and entrust him/her with our votes, the individual must have unimpeachable character.  Character and the values it represents (honesty, integrity, ethics, morality to name but a few), are essential for faithful performance in elected office.  Thus, when giving his/her word via the oath of office, character is central.  Otherwise, the oath is meaningless.

If the individual seeking public office cannot adhere to marriage vows, perhaps the most centric of the vows and oaths we take, there is no doubt he/she is unqualified for office.  Failing in the vows is a failing of ones word, a crucial character failing.  By failing to uphold and maintain the marriage vows, one declares that his/her word has no value.  Similarly, his/her actions in violation of said vows clearly demonstrate contempt for the honesty, integrity, ethics, and morality attendant to the vows.  Consequently, why should the voting populace believe the individual will serve the public with honesty, integrity, ethics, and morality in public office?  It is totally unbelievable.  The fatal character flaw exhibited by marital infidelity, which Gerson declares is "destructive to spouses and children," must be seen as fully disqualifying.  If one is willing to visit destruction upon one's spouse and children, that is not the type of individual in whom we should place our trust by providing our vote.

To those who whine in opposition to this view, the following is offered.  If the individual is in a failed marriage, he/she can obtain a divorce before acting with infidelity.  But it cannot be that deliberately violating of one's marriage vows is viewed as acceptable.  Nor can it be seen as anything but disqualifying one for public office.  It is a simple litmus test.  Either an individual's character, professed by offering one's word, has value and is to be accepted, or not.  If not, if the individual puts so little value in their own word, vows, and oaths, then he/she is unworthy of and disqualified from holding public office.

Sadly, all too sadly, far too many do not hold this view. 
 

The voting populace

The voting populace leaves me scratching my head.  From local to national level elections, no serious character flaw, no "indiscretion," no otherwise criminal act, no disgusting behavior, no glaring example(s) of abysmal judgment, no manifestly false statements (meaning lies), no lack of integrity, no outrageous claims, no failures of upholding the law & public trust, no unethical behavior are seen as disqualifying an individual from obtaining, retaining, or returning to public office.

It is, quite astoundingly, unreal that the voting populace permits such individuals to run for public office, let alone elect and then re-elect them.  What does it tell us about the state of our voting populace?

Contemplating this question over a cup of coffee, I can only conclude the voting populace is either dumb as dirt, cares not for its role in electing our governing officials, ignores reality, or has totally lost its moral compass.  Any of these conclusions speak dramatically and starkly about the possible future of our nation.

A second cup of coffee and more contemplation.

Alas, I've narrowed it down to the obvious conclusion.  The voting populace is dumb as dirt.  It isn't possible to arrive at any other conclusion.  Where the majorities have elected and re-elected miscreants, the unqualified, liars, lawbreakers, the unethical, and others to offices at every level of government, it can only be that the voting populace is dumb as dirt.  Surely no intelligent adult could elect and re-elect such individuals.  Surely no informed adult can overlook such glaring disqualifying factors to cast his/her vote for such a candidate.

As time and again such individuals are elected and re-elected, we can't hold fault with the candidates, because the control lays with the voting populace.  It requires the voting populace to cast ballots in favor of the scurrilous and otherwise unqualified candidates.  Therefore, whatever calamity befalls the elected office can only be viewed as the responsibility of the dumb as dirt voting populace who put the individual into the office.

Stated more bluntly, when a known fool (or worse) is elected, the dumb as dirt voting populace that put her/him into office has, in my view, forfeited any claim to be able to complain when the known fool (or worse) fails to act honorably and appropriately in performing his or her duties.

Leaves me scratching my head.      

Try it, you'll like it

During a recent vacation with our daughter and her family, we unplugged from the Internet and TV news.  Focusing on family, including the grand kids, there were no distractions from email and so-called news.  The result was refreshing, uplifting, and envigorating.

Who would think, in today's world of tweets, instant messages, texts, mobile phone alerts, the Internet, news channels (not just the news reports of decades past), Facebook, the touted 24 hour news cycle, blogging, and the like, that unplugging could be so enjoyable.  Absent were the the bellicose rants from this side or that.  Unheard were the preposterous claims from one side or another.  Unconsidered were the outright lies and deceptions spewed by politicians at all levels and from both sides of the aisle.  Heads were not shaken at the endless, or so it sometimes seems, reports of violent death.  For several days, we enjoyed family, listened to music, read, explored the outdoors, and rested.  Somehow we also squeezed in eating and drinking.

Since our return, old habits have emerged and not for the better.  Determined, as stated previously, to focus on positive rather than negative, once again I'm determined to resist the pull of the Internet and news.  Sports shows, music, reading, exercise, and time spent with family and friends are the new objectives.  Of course, when with friends, there is always the trap of discussing the news, a trap we're working to avoid.

So, as the news hour approaches, I'm going to step out, light up the BBQ, turn on some country music, pop a cold one, wait for the arrival of my bride, and just enjoy the evening.

Try unplugging from all the electronic buzz, you'll like it.  

She's got a point

My lovely bride made an exceptionally good point about some local drivers.

In our urban area, there is no shortage of poor drivers.  Like most of us, we've observed idiotic, dangerous, and outright crazy operation of motor vehicles on the area's numerous freeways.  Considering folks are moving along at freeway (plus) speeds, these observations highlight the need the be exceptionally aware when on the road.

After one specific observation, wherein a motorist changed four lanes in the blink of an eye, causing lots of squealing brakes and cursing by others in the vicinity, my bride commented that the worst driving is seen on the weekends and holidays.  Continuing the explanation, she noted that in the periods of weekday heavy traffic, the morning and evening rush hours, folks are taking familiar routes as they head to work and then home.  Having taken these routes countless times, they know when to move over to take an exit, understand the traffic flow at those times of day, and are sure of their destinations. 

However, the weekends and holidays are dramatically different without the usual routines.  Folks are headed all over the place, and aren't using the well practiced routes and times prevalent during the workweek.  Consequently, they travel in unfamiliar areas or to unfamiliar destinations, with the routes uncertain.  Last minute darting around lanes and other dangerous maneuvers follow.

Perhaps if these folks researched and planned their routes on the weekends and holidays, driving wouldn't be a chaotic as it sometimes appears to be. 

The early morning run (or ride)

The early morning run (or bicycle ride) provides multiple benefits, in addition to that obvious gained by exercise.

As I've written before, the early morning is the special time of day, presenting new opportunities and a fresh start.  As the sun rises, tinting the world in a nice warm glow of soft light, there is an expectation of things to come.  In my neighborhood, the birds are chirping and singing to one another, introducing us to nature's awakening.  Beside the few of us stalwarts out running or cycling, there are also neighbors beginning their day with a walk.  Single, in pairs, and groups, these walkers inevitably have smiles on their faces.  The morning has that effect on us.  If one chooses to exercise with the sun as it rises, the day begins, full of anticipation of what lays before us.

When I was working, these early morning runs also provided time to mentally map out the day, concurrent with the flow of endorphins.  That which seemed complex and elusive the night before, now come into clarity.  The complexity of the previous day yields to simplicity  in the morning sun.  The infuriating tempers to the aggravating.  After an hour of rigorous, strenuous running, the major issues devolve to the mundane.  Perhaps mental acuity and processing improve as the blood courses through the body and brain.  Or maybe all the negatives fuel the workout, enabling the burning off of the emotion, leaving the components easier to tackle.  But whatever the case, after these workout sessions I arrived at work energized and prepared to tackle the issues of the day, clear headed and focused.  I noted over the years that co-workers who simply got up, dressed, ate, and rushed out the door to work were often those least capable of beginning the day productively, if they ever reached a point of productivity at all.

Now, in retirement, the early morning workouts still provide an excellent springboard for the day.  (By the way, a key factor to enjoying retirement is to have purpose every day.)  Just as done while working, clarity for the day's plans is realized.  

Above all else, the early morning workouts provide the best benefit of all.  Starting the day with a smile.    

Don't confuse tolerance

One of the greatest attributes found in most of America is tolerance.  As a people, we are very tolerant of others and their views, religions, musical preferences, politics, attire, choice of cars, diets, appearance, sports teams, geographic location, diversity (whatever that has come to mean in the progressive era), level of intelligence, lack of politeness (when it manifests), and all the other innumerable characteristics and attributes that combine to make up the millions of our fellow citizen.  Tolerance is as essential to our national character as is our love of freedom.

To those who seek to demand of us, to force their will on us, to insist upon preference, and otherwise pursue changing the basic makeup of our country, don't confuse our tolerance with acquiescence.  An  act of simple tolerance should not be confused with acceptance.

The vast middle America tolerates a great deal.  We have shaken our heads at the aberrant, disagreeable, histrionic, ludicrous, outrageous, idiotic, political, inane, and just plain dumb.  There are those, however, who are pushing the limits of this tolerance.

When Christians can't profess or practice their faith, yet governments and institutions demand we yield to the rants of radical Islam; when conservative voices are squelched on university campuses; when a sexual deviant seeks "a second chance" to run for political office; when Congress fails to perform its duty; when the President of the United States intentionally decides not to obey federal law; when public employees refuse to answer questions in Congressional hearings; when the media fails to report; when elected officials misuse public trust and funds; when the nation's so called leaders rack up incomprehensible levels of debt; when the self-appoined power elite grow wealthy as elected officials; when the Pentagon wastes billions of dollars; when activist judges attempt to write law; when honesty and responsibility are rare qualities in elected officials; when "popular" music demeans and debases women; when more and more elected officials are accused of felonies; then the tolerance of the average American has been pushed to an intolerable limit.

Those on the wrong side of this equation should not confuse our tolerance with acceptance of the unacceptable.    

A novel defense

For those who may contemplate disobeying or simply ignoring a federal law, say like forgoing paying income tax, here's a novel defense: cite the precedent of the President of the United States failing to uphold the law.  If the President, who taken an oath to obey and enforce federal laws, can disregard or choose not to obey or enforce federal laws, then surely an average citizen who has NOT taken such an oath should be entitled to do the same.  

In detailing the duties of the President, Section 3, Article 2 of the Constitution requires, "he shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed."  

However, our current President decides, from time to time, that he won't apply, enforce, or obey federal law.  For example, the recent announcement that a key element of the Affordable Care Act will be delayed, by Presidential edict.  As Wes Pruden comments, "The language of the Affordable Care Act sets out in Section 1513 in “black-letter law” that its provisions “shall apply to months beginning after December 31, 2013.” The language is plain and clear; only a lawyer or judge could misunderstand it."  The Editors of the Wall Street Journal observe, "The White House seems to regard laws as mere suggestions, including the laws it helped to write."  Other examples abound, such as directing that laws pertaining to deportation of illegal immigrants not be enforced.

An imperial presidency it is not.  Yet Obama, the purported (at least by the media) Constitutional scholar, time and again fails to enforce, obey, and apply federal law.  Our federal laws have a great many shortcomings, but the average citizen can't claim them as defense for failure to obey.  Why, then, can the President deliberately and with forethought, decide not to obey, enforce, or apply the law?  If the laws are incorrect, change them.  Otherwise, the President, above all others, must set the example of equal application of the law.

This President obviously is troubled by laws and the constraints he sees they provide to his desires. Well, cap, there are a lot of laws, federal and state, that constrain my desires.

So the next time you choose, disobey a federal law.  When challenged by the massive federal law enforcement apparatus, simply explain you are following the President's example.

The American roadway, a metaphor for our country

Having just completed a road trip of several hundred miles, it occurs that the great American roadway is a metaphor of our country.

The vast, if not overwhelming majority of my fellow travelers were great citizens.  They followed the laws, were courteous to one another, allowing people to change lanes without problem, and shared the roadways as good citizens do.  Whether in city traffic or on the open roadways separate from urban areas, we each travelled to our respective destinations without a worry about or for the majority of our fellow sojourners.  These folks remind me of the millions and millions of my fellow citizens, each pursuing his/her objectives, without interfering with or interference from one another.

But just as in regular daily life, there were those on the roadways recently travelled who were not good citizens.  

These self-centered individuals were noticeable by their selfishness and disregard for the wellbeing and safety of their fellow travelers.  Speeding, tailgating, rapidly changing lanes, cutting off other vehicles, driving 10 MPH below the posted limit in the fast lanes, passing in the safety lanes, talking on their cell phones, and weaving in and out of traffic.  These and other actions characterized those individuals who care not for their fellow travelers, but only for themselves.  Endangering others without a care, they demand preference from all those around them.  Self centered to the extreme, they drive as if those the roadways of the nation exist for them and them alone.  Treating their fellow sojourners as interlopers, they operate their motor vehicles with disdain for anyone and everyone else.

Makes me think of our country.  The vast majority pursuing life, while respecting others.  A minority, operating outside of the norm, without a care of the danger they create for others.