THE PUBLIC MIND: DON'T BE FOOLED: CHARACTER REMAINS AN ISSUE IN THIS ELECTION

To the Editor:

President Bush has been making an issue lately of Bill Clinton's character. Due to the controversy of the issue and Clinton's apparent weakness in this area, the Guv has cleverly side-stepped the charges. But character is a central issue in this election and not merely a departure from real political concerns.

America has always realized the need for character in her leaders since the founding of the country. How can a man be other than the way he behaves? The definition of character in the first American Dictionary of 1828 says character is "distinguished or good qualities; those which are esteemed and respected; and those which are ascribed to a person in common estimation. We enquire whether a stranger is a man of character."

Bill Clinton is a man personally unknown to many Americans. In order for him to represent us, we need to know who he is. That means, what does he believe, what does he promote, and is he able and willing to act accordingly. We need to know if we can trust him to do what he says he'll do. The only way for those of us who don't know him personally to know this is by his past record. Did he follow through with his promises, did he apologize for his mistakes and did he recant of any former beliefs which would be detrimental to his presently serving in public office? What about the most crucial relationship in his life his marriage? He has confessed to having broken his vow to be faithful to his wife. If a man is willing to do that, what won't he do?

We as a nation simply can't trust a man who can't be loyal to the person closest to him. In the public he has conspicuously hugged and kissed his family and coyly wished his wife a happy 17th wedding anniversary during one of the presidential debates. But he has never tried to explain his relationship with Ms. Flowers in light of his view of the traditional family. The truth is, Bill Clinton has a different view on traditional family values. While most believe in one wife and multiple children, he has one child and a plurality of women.

Hugo Grotius, 17th century Dutch lawyer, writer and philosopher, has been "justly considered as the father of the law of nations" (James Kent, Commentaries on American Law, New York-1848). He commented on the subject of character in 1654: "He knows not how to rule a kingdome, that cannot manage a Province; nor can he wield a Province, that cannot order a City; nor he order a City, that knows not how to regulate a Village; nor he a Village, that cannot guide a Family; nor can that man Govern well a Family that knows not how to Govern himselfe..."

Furthermore, the hypocrisy of the liberal press comes to light when such escapades as with Gennifer Flowers are deemed "no news." I'm sure Gary Hart wishes the issue of his character would have been handled similarly. Under the rules of fair play Anita Hill wouldn't have had an opportunity to tell her tale.

Don't be fooled by the liberal smokescreen that character isn't an issue in this election!

~Fred W. Poston

605 N. Mt. Auburn Rd.

Cape Girardeau