We should not become satisfied with people in government behaving badly. We must take their wrong-doing seriously. What ethical and behavioral examples are our political leaders and candidates setting for the next generation? Bullying is an act of repeated aggression in order to intentionally hurt another person. It is a way to gain power over another person, or group of people. Have you watched a presidential debate lately? Listened to a campaign speech?

What can we voters expect from the current crop of political candidates, these would-be leaders? Our current generation of young people is being taught that bullying and aggressive behavior in school is wrong and is an unacceptable way to conduct oneself in life. I find the conduct of our current crop of presidential hopefuls to be thuggish and an example of just the kind of behavior we are trying to discourage. Name-calling, personal attacks, lying and other unsavory deeds are not the way to set an example for the leaders of our future. Whether in congress, the classroom or the boardroom, bullies are not leaders. A worthy man, or woman, will let us know through the quality of their thought and deed that they are able to lead in a way we can be proud of, not by acting like a schoolyard thug.

It's time to demand a better moral example from the people who desire to be our civic leaders!

Constance Heiman

Olivette