What do you, dear reader, think of the quality, the character, of various American political figures. Men and women who are or want to be political leaders. Are we crass enough to say they want to be “rulers” of the States and the people?

Are they any good? Do we agree that leadership is affected by a person’s character and identity?

Consider this one thing: What quality is a key mark of a leader’s character?

This is a question frequently asked by boards evaluating Army non-commissioned officers (NCOs) for promotion. For instance, a Sergeant E-5 being considered for promotion to E-6 Staff Sergeant.

(Typically, a Sergeant leads a fire team or team of 5-8 men and women: a Staff Sergeant leads a larger unit, such as a section, with 10-12 people, and reports in turn to a Platoon Leader (a commissioned officer: a Lieutenant) assisted by a Platoon Sergeant (E-7) which may have from 20-50 soldiers.)

The standard, and tried-and-true answer is simple: Integrity – doing what is right, legally and morally.

Now, if this is expected of men and women who are responsible for as few as a dozen people, more or less, in garrison or the field, peacetime or wartime, is it reasonable to expect this of people who want to represent and/or lead – or even “rule” – hundreds, thousands, or millions of people?

We think so, here at The Price of Liberty.

So here is the 64,000-dollar question. How many of the political figures that you know of – or know personally – have this character trait? Are identified by this reputation and quality?

For us here at TPOL, the answer is also simple: Not many. Indeed, we cannot think of a number that requires use of the fingers of both hands to count. Not living, at least.

Indeed, looking across the spectrum of political viewpoints and philosophy, elected and appointed offices, levels (sizes) of government, and many other things? Integrity is NOT one of the traits that come to mind when we are talking about officials. Even those who are highly praised by many people as effective and respected leaders or representatives.

Usually when we “grade” someone, we think of the old A-B-C-D-F scale. With integrity, is it not more a PASS-FAIL situation? In such, most politicians deserve a FAIL: an F. There are a few we might give a D. Are there any

Something to think about.

And a question to ask: how long can we continue to put our lives and fortunes (and those of our families and friends) into the hands of people who do not have integrity?