When I was a little boy, I used to ask my parents questions that would help me understand the basics of living in America.  I remember what they told me about electing the president of the United States, and the qualities most people looked for in the person who would ultimately come to occupy the highest office in the land.

Though I can’t remember anything more specific about the conversation, I definitely recall that “honesty” and “high moral character” were at the top of the list, and I went through my life believing this to be the case.

You can imagine my surprise and dismay when, half a century later, Donald Trump arrived on the political scene.  I called my mother, and asked how it was possible that this man has any traction whatsoever with American voters.

She was almost as shocked as I was.

Whom We Elect to Lead Us