I have a saying: “He who expects nothing is never disappointed.” It seems this is the attitude many Americans have when it comes to those we elect to public office. There was a time when voters were very concerned with the character and integrity of those we placed in authority over us.

While politicians are supposed to represent the people who elected them, they now see voters as their servants. We’re supposed to just suck it up and gratefully accept the “crumbs” of services government allows us to have. It wasn’t always this way. At our founding, there were high expectations as to what our elected leaders were to be like.

“In selecting men for office, let principle be your guide. Regard not the particular sect or denomination of the candidate — look to his character.” —Noah Webster, 1789

“The public cannot be too curious concerning the character of public men.” —Samuel Adams, 1775

“Nothing is more essential to the establishment of manners in a State than all persons employed in places of power and trust must be men of unexceptional characters.” —Samuel Adams, 1775

There are many more quotes, but you see where I’m going. Character and integrity for men in authority were highly valued. In past generations, Bill Clinton being a notable example, we have replaced those two qualities with personality and charisma.

Bill Clinton and Barack Obama were very charismatic and personable, but the lack of character and integrity was evident to anyone who was looking. Trump was very charismatic, but definitely lacking in moral character. Don’t shoot the messenger; I’m just stating a fact. Yes, I voted for him twice. The choices, Hillary Clinton (NO personality or charisma) or Joe Biden, were nonstarters for me. I pulled the lever, holding my nose, hoping and praying for the best.

President Trump surprised millions of conservatives when he actually kept his campaign promises (what a novel idea). He got things done. Imagine what he might have accomplished if he didn’t have to fight Democrats, the media, academia, and Hollywood every day of his administration. His mindless personal assaults and needless Twitter rants didn’t help him. Melania should have taken his phone away from him when she went to bed and let him have it back in the morning. Sigh!

Now Joe Biden occupies the highest office in the land, at one time a position that inspired other nations because of the character of the man in office. Who does Joe inspire? Russia, China, Iran, North Korea? He certainly did not inspire Afghani citizens when he bailed out of the country in the dark of night. Our enemies were watching, and you and I are paying for it every day. Maybe I’m overthinking this, but watching “Sleepy Joe” campaign from his basement and then receiving 81 million votes has millions of us scratching our heads!

Joe Biden, a man of impeccable character and integrity? Please! This crude, vulgar, and cognitively challenged senior citizen who keeps hours that make bankers envious is president because too many Americans voted for the media version of Biden, not the man who spent 50 years living on the taxpayers’ dime, accomplishing nothing.

Now all of us are paying the price for it. We can change this in 2024 if we pay attention.

Something to think about?