After listening intently to both political conventions and the commenters from both parties extolling the virtues or denigrating the limitations of the republican and the democratic candidates and reading a variety of newspapers representing different ideological perspectives, I came to the conclusion that I am discouraged about the questionable integrity of both of our candidates! I am a moderate; more specifically I am a fiscal conservative and a social liberal. As the daughter and wife of successful businessmen, most of my life I have reaped the benefits of a life without financial worries. However, as a psychologist, I spent my adult life working with low-income children. Every day I witnessed the pain these poor families faced, because they could not afford healthcare, food, clothing, or essential medications for their children! I have lived in a world of plenty and worked in a milieu of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, in which I have attempted to help my clients’ lives become a little bit better.

I have been thinking a lot about what it means to be an honorable person. According to Webster’s Dictionary the definition of integrity is “possession of firm principals” while synonyms include words like “veracity, honesty, honor, and truthfulness.” I truly believe that people described as having integrity must possess the following personality traits:

1. They tell the truth and NEVER knowingly lie to others particularly for purposes of self-aggrandizement.
2. They are kind and respectful to all people regardless of the ethnicity, social status, religion, gender, or race of others.
3. They admit mistakes and apologize if an apology is needed.
4. Their words reflect their actions. They should not only talk the talk but also walk the walk.
5. They use their resources to help the vulnerable by advocating for them or by contributing their money or time to lift up those in need.
6. To be honorable, they must be bigger than themselves. This is the most rare personality attribute and few can achieve it. After striving all their lives to find a sense of belonging in the world and succeeding in their professional and personal lives, the truly honorable person, is able to leave their egos behind and work on a cause that is bigger than themselves. After identifying their purpose, they must ask themselves not only how they can use their strengths but also how can they adjust their limitations to enhance the cause for which they tirelessly fight.

After rereading this list, I find that Trump does not fit any of the criteria, while Hillary fits three or perhaps four out of six. In selecting a leader of the free world, I wish we could have selected someone who possesses all of these attributes, as some of our forefathers and former presidents have!

As Barton Carter’s, the protagonist in my biography, Searching for Barton Carter, character evolved, he ultimately met my definition of an honorable person. Although he died in his early twenties, he saved 5,000 children’ lives and initiated the blueprint for Plan International that eighty years later continues to help millions of poor children in 50 different countries. Barton gave his life for this cause.

In my recent reading, I am overwhelmed by examples of two authors and a politician who have provided portraits of people of honor, which I plan to cover in my next three blogs. The first author will be Adam Hochchild’s character portrayal in Spain in our Hearts, while the second is David Brook’s description of several honorable people throughout history, in The Road To Character. The third is an editorial in the Washington Post written by Senator John McCain. I am certain that Brooks and McCain are republicans, while I am not privy to Hochchild’s political ideology. However, I am certain that integrity and honor are universal truths and are not, in any way, related to party affiliation!