Political candidates will be true to their character
At the moment, one candidate seems to dominate the presidential campaign. He shouts down and interrupts his opponents. He minimizes and insults women who question or challenge him. He blames an ethnic group for our domestic problems and would forcibly remove them (even those who were born here) so the country can "return to its former greatness."
As I ponder my voting choices, I can't help thinking of the following fable: A young girl was caught in a snowstorm while searching for mountain berries. She hurried down the rocky path fearing that she would die from the cold.
Suddenly, she heard a hissing sound, looked down and saw a beautifully colored snake.
"Help me! I am dying," he begged. "I need warmth to survive."
"I will not help you," she said. "You are poisonous and will bite me! I will surely die."
"No, no! I promise I will not. Why would I do such a thing? You will be saving my life."
The girl hesitated. He was so beautiful, and he would surely die if left on the mountain. So, she picked him up, put him under her coat and continued down the mountain. She had walked halfway down the mountain in the swirling snow when she felt the bite of the snake near her heart.
"Why did you bite me?" she screamed as she fell to the ground. "Now we will both die."
The snake uncurled himself from her jacket, looked at her and hissed,
"Why are you so surprised? You knew what I was when you picked me up."
It is everyone's responsibility to truly think carefully about his or her choice for president. Listen and watch.
After all, the candidates are showing who they are every single time they speak or act.
Cheryl Kucera
Lindenhurst