By DL White
America is at a crossroad or better stated, at a fork in the road. It is not new for this nation, which has grappled with issues of race, gender and economic disparities from its inception.
However, while not perfect, America is resilient and when needed, the citizenry steps up and does right most of the time. America is a great nation, as it is!
The late Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall referred to the American Declaration of Independence as a “Declaration of Intent” – Justice Marshall noted, the framers of the document – Thomas Jefferson and others knew it had discrepancies, moral issues that required review going forward.
Likewise with the Constitution, the delegates to the Continental Congress were clairvoyant enough to understand the need for Amendments to the ever-evolving document, beginning with the 13th, 14th and 15th Amendments.
Election after election and year after year, the founding founders and those that would come later, were gatekeepers for Democracy, Law, Ethics and Morals in their era.
The founding fathers created a three-tier government (intentionally) in order for the power to be spread and by no means did they intend to duplicate the hierarchy and Kingdom that was in place in Europe and specifically in England. These men loved their country and while not perfect, they were real patriots and not just in word.
Throughout history real patriots, men who loved their country, and were gatekeepers, acting in the best interest to maintain democracy, with the exception of Andrew Johnson, who was impeached all would have had issues with one Donald J. Trump.
One of the most (if note the most) important election of the past 60 years is looming and the candidates are reported to be neck and neck (tied) in several battleground states.
While alarming, this might not be a bad thing. If Harris was leading by a wide margin. A number of individuals might think about not voting. However, every vote is needed.
Many Americans have chosen to believe yet another Trump lie, which being the violent insurrection of January 6, 2021, was a peaceful love fest, in which no one died (big Lie).
Dismissing, the morals, ethics and course of law, misguided Trump supporters stormed the Halls of Demcracy chanting “hang Mike Pence” (the vice-president) at the time as well as Kill Nancy (Pelosi).
Ethics, morals and the respect of law and order appear to have dissipated or vaporized when it comes to one Donald J. Trump, it begs the question who are we (collectively speaking) as a nation to have this person heading a major party ticket?
There are not two or three lens from which to view the persona of Trump. He is what you see and hear. The pivot many hoped and looked for in his first run as President, never happened.
The anticipated pivot years later has actually become a downward spiral, as the venomous disgorge from Trump’s many lawsuits are surfacing.
In most (If not all) societies there are laws, and standards that everyone in that society must adhere to or face the consequences of fine or some form of punishment for falling outside the boundaries of that particular society. No one is above the law……No one!
Running a red light in a busy intersection has consequences. A ticket might be the least of your worries.
Stepping off a curb before the light changes has consequences. Driving a car for months on end without changing the oil or having routine maintenance has consequences (do not test it in the AZ heat).
Just as Laws are important, Morals and Ethics are the principles and boundaries that hold a society together, the thread that binds all to a common goal.
In the territorial days of the wild-west, lawlessness and immoral acts were rampant until a Marshall or Town Sheriff stepped in to provide the structure, safety and peace of mind, to go about their business on a daily basis.
Conversely, the lack of a Town Sheriff or Marshall allows those with power, or seeking power, to rule ruthlessly, understanding there is no one to consequent the bad actors.
Ethics and morals are not congenital, they represent the moral code that guides an individual’s choices and behaviors throughout their life, and are observed and developed within the structure of
Are you trustworthy, do you respect other spaces and places?
Ethics is concerned with rights, responsibilities, use of language, what it means to live an ethical life, and how people make moral decisions. Psychology Today.
The former President would receive a failing grade here. He lacks an ethical code or morals it appears. Almost on que, Trump’s supporters also lack an ethical code and morals and are perched to do whatever they are instructed to do.
That said, many people grow up adhering to a certain moral or ethical code within their families or communities. When your morals change over time, you might feel a sense of guilt and shame or deny the feeling and forge straight ahead.
Notable: Elections have consequences and none greater than the one unfolding on November 5. Voting is a private and personal matter, yet the results are very public. Come Nov 6, or days later. The results will be in, and the nation will stand on morals, ethics and the rule of law or it will surrender to lawlessness, unethical behavior with little or no morals. If the former President were a fifth grader acting as he does and saying what he says, demeaning others, lying, he would be in timeout every day and all day. Why would anyone vote to send this type of behavior to the Oval Office? A better location would be time-out in any corner of Mar-Largo
Vote!!
Danny L. White currently lives in Phoenix, AZ. He is the author and creative lead for the Sensational letter “S”, a children’s book focused on early reading comprehension and word development, and Discovering The SAUNK In U. He is also a Adjunct faculty member at Maricopa College, and staff reporter for the Arizona Informant. He is an active member of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc, in Phoenix.
