The concept of character is vital in so many aspects of our lives. When it comes to very important decisions like; Our choice in spouses or significant others, deciding who cares for our children or other family and friends when we are not able to. An individual's character informs us who we consider trusted friends, An employer's or company's character influences our job choices and career decisions. Character comes strongly into play when we elect people to political office, it is many times, the first and most important thing we look at when making a judgement about who will have a lasting impact on our lives, the lives of those we love and the lives of others in our communities. One's character plays such a key role in many of the most important decisions we will ever make. Let's look at the definition of "Character".
char·ac·ter
1.) the aggregate of features and traits that form the individual nature of some person or thing.
2.) one such feature or trait; characteristic.
3.) moral or ethical quality: a man of fine, honorable character.
4.) qualities of honesty, courage, or the like; integrity, compassion
5.) reputation: a stain on one's character.
It has been said that the 2012 Presidential Election is the most important one of our times. I believe this to be true. The outcome of this election will effect the lives of millions of people worldwide for decades to come. We are a global community, we are a nation of immigrants and our actions ripple around the world. The whole world is watching this election.
With the election only days away, I think it's important that we discuss with friends, family, neighbors and co-workers the nature of both Presidential Candidates "character". At this stage, I believe that a Presidential candidates character is something everyone can easily identify with and understand, it strikes at the core, the heart and soul of each man, it throws a stark contrast between these two very different men.
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With regards to which candidate is more in touch with the real lives and day to day struggles of most Americans, President Barack Obama came from a modest middle class home, raised by his mother and grand parents. A young Barack loved reading, playing basketball and excelled in academics and graduated with honors. Mitt Romney was born into wealth in Bloomfield Hills, Mich.which consistently ranks as one of the top five wealthiest cities in the United States, Mitt Romney attended private schools such as The Cranbrook school where he got average grades and was described as having promise but was over confident and lacked discipline. Mitt Romney was regarded by many of his peers as a prankster and a bully.
Another indicator of character for a Presidential candidate is likability and compassion. The President has held strong likability ratings with a majority of Americans and shown time and again his deep compassion for the American People, especially the middle class, veterans and those among us that are struggling. Mitt Romney has struggled with likability and empathy throughout his career(s). If you really want to know the truth about a person just ask a child. They are un-filtered judges of character.
During our most recent national crisis super storm Hurricane Sandy - President Barack Obama swung into full commander in chief mode, setting aside his campaign for re-election to help prepare the East coast for the storm. Working closely with F.E.M.A., State and Local governments, pre-positioned needed assets where they would be needed and helped Governors like Chris Christie cut through red tape to get recovery, rescue and clean up underway quickly. President Obama showed his compassion for ALL Americans during this crisis.
Meanwhile in Ohio, while the storm still raged, Mitt Romney and his campaign were dropping 5 thousand dollars at the local Walmart on bottled water, granola bars and diapers to display on tables at his "Victory Event" er "Disaster Relief" event, allowing attendees to pick up the goods the campaign just bought to hand to Mr. Romney for nice fake photo op. His campaign videos were playing, people were buying t-shirts and Romney was advising people to donate a Hodgepodge of things to the Red Cross. The Red Cross issued a statement that they don't accept donated goods as it costs too much time and money to sift through, what they need are cash donations. The Red Cross sure could have used that $5,000 dollars that the Romney campaign wasted just to try to look like he was doing something. But I guess cutting a check doesn't make for a good photo op.
Still the storm raged and ravaged people's lives, Mitt Romney refused to answer the question "If you win will you still shut down F.E.M.A?" He was asked at least 11 times. He said nothing. He also aired the most scurrilous attack ad yet. Claiming that Obama was going to send American jobs from "Jeep/Chrysler" to China.
Jeep/Chrysler so upset with this willful lie attack ad spoke out and refuted it and the Obama campaign did the same.
Time and again it comes down to character. Mitt Romney's character is in serious question here. We don't know what kind of man he is. We don't know where he stands on any of the important issues because he flip-flops from day to day. He say's he has a plan for America, but he won't show us. He won't release his tax records beyond 1 year and only a summary for the second, even though it was his father that started the tradition of releasing at least 12 years of his actual tax returns. He stated that “One year could be a fluke, perhaps done for show.” That is exactly what Mitt Romney has done. He's obviously afraid of what Americans would find. He's written off half of America already and stated that it's not his job to worry about "those people". Most in his own party don't like him. These are all red flags, they are warnings - Listen to them.