These days it seems like every time you turn on the news you hear something negative about young people. Fighting, joining gangs, school shootings – it’s enough to make even young adults wonder what is going on with the next generation.
There are a number of explanations for the behavior, but equally as important, there are a number of organizations doing something about it. Character Counts is one such organization (www.charactercounts.org).
The program is based on six pillars: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, caring, citizenship and fairness. In the spirit of fairness, these are characteristics that we political types could be reminded of as well. How can we expect coming generations to do the right thing when we don’t? Especially since these days every time you turn on the news you hear about the most recent political scandal, swindle or mishap.
I know, I know, it’s not a new phenomenon. According to Aesop for example “we hang the petty thieves and appoint the great ones to public office” and that was somewhere around 500BC. But in all seriousness, we know we are going to be held to a higher standard when we sign up for the job. What is it about the word “public” in “public office” that we don’t understand?
It almost as if people have started to expect politicians to behave badly. I realize that we are all human and (the Lord knows) I have made mistakes too, but it’s time to start expecting something better. It’s time to start restoring integrity and character to elected office and the people holding those offices.
Delegate Jeannie Haddaway-Riccio is a Character Counts Coach for 11th graders at a local high school.
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