In my column last week, I focused my attention on the Republican candidate and front leader, Donald Trump.  My objective was neither to oppose Mr. Trump nor to endorse him.  It was, however, to cite some of his beliefs and rhetoric that he has boldly made known to his supporters, as well as everyone else who keeps up with the news.  Furthermore, my column last week in regards to the “Trump Train” was not an endorsement and support of Hillary Clinton either or any other candidate, whether Democratic or Republican.  As a matter of fact, I, like so many other American voters, find myself between a rock and a hard place in regards to who is the right person for the very tedious job of being the President of the United States of America.  Due to my strong Judeo-Christian convictions that govern my convictions and priorities, I find it extremely difficult to jump on the bandwagon of any of the candidates of either party with a clear conscience.  To the best of my ability, I want to remain objective, truthful, and neutral in this column, if it is at all possible.
This week, I want to say something that will both provoke thought and discussion about making your vote count by knowing how to choose the right person for the job.  Choosing the right person is not limited to the presidential campaign, but to knowing how to use your vote wisely on every level, especially on the local level with balloting scheduled to take place in June.  I believe that there are some obvious qualities that every voter or citizen should look for in a candidate before they even consider giving them their vote and endorsement.  Too much is at stake to allow dishonest and crafty people to pull the wool over our eyes.  Hopefully, the days of securing votes through putting dirt in someone’s yard, a few dollars in someone’s hand, and other crooked means are over.  Such tactics are both unethical and an insult to the intelligence of voters who are smart enough to know about the issues at hand.  As I see it, there are three basic qualities that all candidates should possess if they expect the voters to support their bid to be elected or re-elected.

Integrity
At the top of the list of candidate’s qualities should be integrity.  To be a person of integrity is to be genuinely honest and sincere.  A person of integrity will not take bribes or operate in an underhanded way.  A person of integrity has no hidden agenda or ulterior motives for wanting to serve in an elected position.  Their reason for running for office is because they believe that they can make a difference and represent the voters who elected them to the best of their ability and not some special interest group or individual who they owe favors.  Who can dispute that one of the primary problems with our government on all levels is that there is a deficiency of integrity in our elected officials.  If we are going to have a governmental system that works to the well-being of all people, then people of integrity must be elected and allowed to serve.

A Good Reputation
The next quality that one should have when wanting his or her fellow citizens to endorse or vote for them in any election should be a good reputation.  Exactly what is a good reputation?  I believe that a good reputation is a good record and a good name.  One who possesses a good reputation has a history of moral and upright behavior or conduct that is beyond reproach.  A person with a good reputation has no skeletons in the closet or secret affairs or illegal and shady business dealings waiting to be exposed.  Although they make no claim to be flawless or a paradigm of excellence or virtue, they are people with a proven track record of possessing honesty and character.  They are trustworthy people, with nothing to hide, who will most likely take that honesty and transparency into the execution of their duties, if elected.

Vision
The final thing that I believe a candidate must have if they expect people to elect them is a vision or plan.  Not only must this be true for those who are running for the highest office in the land, but also for every political or civic leader.  They must have a vision, plan, or agenda of how they intend to make things better for the people who they will represent.  These goals must be realistic, practical, and achievable.  It would be utterly absurd to think that one can accomplish a feat that is beyond their political position or means to achieve.  Even the president is limited by what he can do without the aid of both houses of Congress working with him.  This is especially true for local politicians, like county or city councilmen.  So be weary and distrustful of those who make ridiculous campaign promises that they neither have the power nor desire to keep.  Such rhetoric is an insult to the intelligence of the voters, a clear indication that those who use such tactics and trickery are not worthy of support or votes.
As the season of casting your vote draws near, make sure that you are a registered voter.  At the end of the day, what matters is not whether you are a Democrat, Republican, or Independent.  What is truly important is that you are an American with an awesome right and responsibility to be a part of deciding who is going to be the next president, senator, or councilman in your district.  Do not take this right for granted, but use your vote as a tool to assure that the right person will either stay in office or get in office.  Your vote can make a difference when used wisely in determining whether America will continue to be great and prosperous on every level.  So make your vote count and choose leaders who are honest people, who have a good name, and who have a vision that they can implement for the betterment of all.  And most importantly use your vote to ensure, as quoted by Abraham Lincoln, “that government of the people, by the people, and for the people, shall not perish from the earth.”