Character is Higher than Intellect

The articles title is a quote that was in large letters above the Lew Wallace High School auditorium stage.  Lew Wallace was an American lawyer, Union general in the American Civil War, governor of New Mexico Territory, politician, diplomat, artist, and author from Indiana.  His best-known book was "Ben Hur".  I wonder how many of today's younger generation have even heard of Ben Hur.

But I digress as I want to focus on the quote: 'Character is Higher than Intellect'.  In context Lew Wallace was saying that a person's character is what elevates them in life.  That a person of good character is a true benefit to others and mankind.

We live in a time when people question government, and I believe that a good thing.  But they don't question with an open mind.  They judge the whole government based upon news stories from only their favorite channel which is an echo chamber for their already predisposed views.  In the internet chatter they follow, there are too many instances with some individual vomiting their vile opinion as though it were fact, while proclaiming any news that opposes their perspective as 'Fake News'.  They show is their Character.

I do not believe that every politician is noble and trustworthy.  But I do believe that the majority do try and represent their constituency.  I believe that most feel they are working for the country and the people.  Yes - they and their constituency may have views that oppose mine or mine theirs, but isn't that the idea within our Constitution and Republic?  That cauldron of people from various races, religions and economic positions struggling to find common ground through our representatives?  And from that negotiated common ground to continue to build America.

I believe that most people are of good character.  

So, when I do see a politician resort to rude and childish name calling, finger pointing, and demeaning people, I have to ask... what is their character?  

What are we to think when so many who have closely worked for them leave and tell us afterwards, they have no good character?

When I discuss politics with people who have opposing views I do so with people who I know are of good character.  By that I mean, I have seen them care for others, treat others with respect.  That their regard for the welfare of others is present at work, in their community and in their family.  
These are people of good character.

What confuses me though is when I ask them a simple question.  How can you support any representative whose character is the opposite of your own?  How can you condone behavior you would not accept from your children? You wouldn't want them to be on 'X', Instagram or any social media espousing how stupid another person is.  You wouldn't tolerate them making fun of another individual's differences like a bully? I suspect you'd be appalled to find that your child was leading and openly influencing their peers to ignore doing something right so that this person could look better.  I hope that we all would look at the character of that person and their influence on our children and tell our children that this was wrong.  That this person they were influenced by way of bad character.

I love America.  In all my travels I have seen many wonderful places - but none (In My Opinion) better than America.  I love the Constitution and Rule of Law and the fact that both evolve to fit the needs of the people as determined by the people.  But it needs to be kept good not by bullying and crude behavior.  It needs to be maintained by dignity by people of Good Character.