“Of course,” we say, yet the massive polarization and divide in America are based on loyalty to personality and attraction to policies and promises….not core ideals. When the majority of Americans vote according to their sacred beliefs, our country gets sound leadership, and the United States becomes more united. Because our nation is a rare democracy founded upon shared ideals which most Americans try to live by. Our founding principles like freedom, justice for all, honesty, and commitment to the common good are America’s soul.
How do you confirm that your core values are driving your vote? Here are a few easy tests to confirm that answer. Bring to mind the person who most profoundly shaped your character during your formative years. For many, that “ most influential person” is a parent, a teacher or coach, or maybe a close friend or another family member. We all have someone who helped shape our core beliefs and behavior as we grew up.
Picture that person who had the greatest impact on you. And then write down the most important core principles they lived by—the ones you most admired. Perhaps you identified with their honesty, kindness, or decency. Or you were impressed that they were inventive, sly, or rebellious. Or it was their open, trusting, and respectful nature you deeply admired.
All that matters is that you pick the traits that you most admired. Jot them down.
Growing up, my hero was Milton Hershey, the chocolate magnate, who saved my life and the lives of countless orphans. As best I can, I have tried to emulate his core values of:
HONESTY, RESPECT ( for all ), and SERVICE above self.
These are now my aspirational ideals. I use them to pick my friends, my priorities, and presidents.
Back to your core values list. Are you applying them as a critical screen to pick our next president and congressional leaders? Sure, other factors like policies, programs, and promises make a difference. But nothing drives behavior like a leader’s core values… Just as it does for us. We all know that politicians can and do say just about anything. But what they stand for and how they treat people, that is driven by who they fundamentally are.
Self-assessment #2. When we pick our “ Greatest Presidents Ever,” we tend to heavily weigh their character. What they stood for, not just what they said and did. What core traits do you most admire in your “ Best President Ever”? More importantly, are you requiring these character strengths of our national leaders in this election?
And a final reality check of one’s core values. What sacred principles and behaviors do you want your children and grandchildren to embrace? The “Shadow of the Leader” tends to be cast further and deeper than we ever suspect. And children are especially susceptible to the behavior modeled by our national leaders. It can influence their lives forever.
So, for your family, community, and your country, what cherished values are you voting from and for in this vital election? Your voice and vote matter more than ever! And character counts. Our shared and sacred values are America’s soul. And all are at risk.
Johnny O’Brien is President Emeritus of the Milton Hershey School and founder and CEO of Renaissance Leadership, Inc. He lives in Easton, Maryland.
Charles D Zvirman says
“We need intellect, and there is no reason why we should not have it together with character; but if we must choose between the two, we choose character without a moment’s hesitation.”
Theodore Roosevelt, 1897
Helen S Davis says
Here is what I have been sending to my Jewish friends:———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————
Your spirituality and your Judaism fundamentals have taught you to embrace issues, from the heart. These guides have taught you that your actions on Earth, Tikkun Olam,(repairing the world) are a priority.
Your American foundation has taught you about your civil liberties and has given you a pride in our Democratic way of life.
Before you cast your ballot, think about the future for you, your family, and the world. Ethical conduct, human civility, and environmental health and safety for everyone, in this world, come first. Yes, first before your work responsibilities, first before your community commitments, and first before all your social engagements and promises. The world, in which we function, gets its character and strength from each of us, each of our honorable and humane instincts and actions.
And because morality is at the top of this list, let your vote, this November, be a vote for goodness, worthiness, and common decency. We are Americans, and these virtues should represent all of us. These virtues should reflect all our actions. As Jews, we do know that America will always protect the Israelis, despite their internal conflicts. And, as Jews, our religious heritage has endowed in us, in our hearts, a godliness of spirit. We are expected to do what is just and compassionate.
Now….. let us look at reality, here in the USA, today, in regard to the upcoming election.
Brazenly, Trump disdains even the idea that moral or ethical norms shape his conduct or define the nation he leads. He rejects distinctions between right and wrong for an ethos of explicit self-interest that Americans have never before seen from the White House. “I want to take everything back from the world that we’ve given them,” he once said. President Trump’s words and actions signal a government more inclined to authoritarian leadership than to democracy.
America is in a time of despair. If ever there was a need for moral leadership, it is now. Right now, we should be calling out the best within us to be the best Americans that we can be. We must feel uncomfortable with today’s realities of a violent, racially torn, unjust America. We, as Jews and Americans, must take personal responsibility for change. Vote from the heart.
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Johnny O’Brien says
So poignant and timely…and this from the Roosevelt who wrote the “ Man in the Arena” about the work ethic and accountability our presidents’ require.