Showing Integrity

 FOR MOST OF THE PAST YEAR, I, like many others, have watched admiringly as Governor Cuomo skillfully managed the pandemic in New York. His skillfully managed daily press conferences became familiar to millions as a role model for leadership, with informative, firm, authoritative but always inspirational messages of hope and progress. I had begun to think of him as possible presidential material, considering that Joe Biden will be eighty two years old when its time for him to seek reelection, assuming he does.Now, however, with teh governor besieged by accusations of sexual misconduct and of misrepresenting the facts concerning Covid 19 related deaths in new York state nursing homes, I, like many others, am beginning to believe that it would be best for him to resign as governor. However, no office holder should be hounded out of office for "light and transient causes" as Jefferson might say.Only when a thorough unbiased investigation demonstrates conclusively that serious sexual misconduct has in fact occurred multiple times, or even one time, should a public official be forced to step down.it is a fact that overwhelmingly, when women come forth with such accusations, they are valid about ninety five percent of the time. most women would never subject their honesty to such scrutiny for shallow reasons, like profit. it seems to be that Governor Cuomo exploited television to project an image of himself as a bold crusading warrior against the pandemic, when in fact his administration has been beset by various problems involving corruption and mismanagement. Arguably, he responded to the pandemic in New York too late, as did state and local governments everywhere, and the federal government as well. I, like many others, was duped and taken in by his apparent competence. My point here is that I, a die hard yellow dog Democrat, am willing to amend my opinion about a Democratic politician I once admired, and even considered a possible president. I don't like doing it, but it seems necessary, for the sake of honesty and integrity. If nothing else, I want to maintain my integrity, for the sake of my self respect. this is precisely what i fell is lacking among supporters of Donald Trump. Trump, over teh past five years has proven himself unworthy of the support millions of peole have given him; he has in fact betrayed them by constantly lying to them, among other forms of egregious behavior. and yet, even after teh horrific events of january sixth, which beyond dispute trump bears a large share of responsibility, most of his supporters remain steadfastly loyal to him, almost after the fashion of gang members  coerced to remain loyal to a  dangerous mob boos with the power of life and dearth over his sycophants. Trump has no such power over anyone. His supporters simply refuse to admit their own error in supporting him, refuse to acknowledge they made a mistake, and instead cling to the false notion that supporting Trump is justified because of some greatness he has which outweighs all his faults. this self deception is costly to those who indulge in it, and even more costlyr to the country they claim so piously to love.