To the Editor:

As a teacher for 25 years, I realize the importance of good role models for children. They look to others for cues, especially persons in authority like parents, teachers, ministers, and those in official capacities. Children want to know if our character is comprised of honest, fair-minded, consistent, compassionate actions. Young people also appreciate a willingness to apologize and to admit failures — two components of humility.

Sadly, the one at the highest level in our nation is serving as one of the poorest role models a child could have. Our children are being cheated and deserve better. Adults who chose Donald Trump as president cannot plead ignorance as to his character. We all witnessed his behavior in the Republican primary and again in his presidential campaign.

Ideally, all of us, including children, would be able to look at our president as someone with honorable character. Naturally, humans experience occasional lapses in judgement, but when these lapses become incorporated into a public lifestyle of dishonesty, childish insults, vulgarity, arrogance and lack of grace and compassion, well, no conscientious parent wants a child to emulate that. 

Corroborating this point is the fact that not one of my Republican friends has ever provided an answer to my question: what aspect of Trump’s character would you like your child to adopt?

One only has to observe the chaos and intrigue in this administration to see how necessary character is. We discount its importance at our own peril.

Larry Brown

Bryson City