We see you, we hear you

If you see something, say something.  

That phrase has application in so much of our life, especially when it comes to people. There are character traits necessary that are considered to be on the positive scale and there are others that would be seen as tilting the scale in the opposite direction. For example:

Courage can be seen as the ability to take action and persevere despite facing danger, difficulty or overcoming fear. Cowardice would be the opposite of courage, where there is an inability to take action when facing opposition.

Concern may be considered as having an interest as a result of some sort of tie, connection or relationship. Indifference would be the opposite of concern, where there is an inability to care about others.

Compassion moves people to want to be aware of, and help, others who are in distress. Contempt is the opposite of compassion, where there is a certain level of disdain and disinterest for others.

These characteristics are things we learn about the people who are in our life whether they are nearby or from a distance.  We see them in our family members, neighbors, coworkers, first responders, educators, and civic leaders.  

We look for them in our military personnel, sports teams, corporations, and politicians.  We hope for the best of these in our public figures, entertainers and thought leaders. 

The joy of watching compelling sports stories play out during the annual spectacle known as March Madness should not blind us to the madness of March we are observing from the executive branch of our government. The broken promises of reducing food prices, no wars, full transparency, all files released, an improved quality of life, safer streets, and competent cabinet level leaders scream out loud.

What can be said of the character of a person who will not sacrifice anything for the good of others but is willing to send others into harm’s way?  What can be learned from a person who decides it is better to inflict pain on a family grieving the death of a loved one by publicly celebrating that death? 

The flip flopping on tariffs is not the same as flip flopping on strategies in the military theatre.  When there are too many of the wrong character traits present, we as a public have a responsibility that says if we see something we should say something.

All of this would be the most frustrating thing if it were not for the number of sad and silent congressional representatives, whose party is in control, who refuse to utilize the best of the characteristics listed above. It makes it appear that they are more concerned about their personal interest than the public’s interest. 

This is what happens when the character of the people in place is not defined by having courage, concern and compassion.