Tuesday, Jan, 20, 209 My Turn • Presidency true test of a man’s character

Publisher’s note: This My Turn originally appeared in the Tuesday, Jan, 20, 2009 edition of the Lassen County Times.

I am intrigued by the fact the inauguration of the first black president of the United States takes place the day after Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. This civil rights leader had a dream that one day in America his four children would not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.

This message was part of his “I Have a Dream” speech delivered in 1963. More than four decades later, as Barack Obama takes office as the 44th president of the United States that is my hope for this presidency. Rather than achieving a place in history for the color of his skin, I hope President Obama is remembered as a man of character.

But what is a man of character?

In a book titled “Who You Are When No One’s Looking” author Bill Hybels wrote that character “is not the same as reputation — what other people think of us. It is not the same as success or achievement. Character is not what we have done, but who we are.”

When I was growing up my father would tell me and my other siblings that no matter the task, we should do it well for the quality of our work reflected on us. Whether earning a living as a ditch digger or in a profession that requires a PhD, our work should be completed in an honorable way to the best of our ability. Thus, he was saying it was not the position that counts but the character of the person in the job.

I think many of the students at Fletcher Walker Elementary could name important character traits for a president. Monthly many of them earn awards for exhibiting six character traits identified in the program Character Counts, which has been adopted by the Westwood School District.

Respect for others is one of these traits. It is exhibited in many ways according to this curriculum but one description seems fitting for politicians  — “dealing peacefully with anger, insults and disagreements.”

Trustworthiness is also an appropriate trait to highlight especially with campaign “promises” so fresh in our memories. Children are taught in Character Counts that people can trust them if they are “reliable, doing what they said they would do.”

Politicians need to be responsible and fair as well. Responsibility is described as being accountable for your choices and fairness as “playing by the rules and listening to others.”

How often we hear the word “bipartisan,” but it is not frequently practiced. It seems that elected officials are also fond of passing the blame for failed programs and legislation onto others and never admitting fault.

One of the most revered presidents of the United States seemed to think the presidency would reveal a man’s character.

According to Abraham Lincoln “Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power.”

Of course, the presidency of the United States is one of the most powerful positions in the world.