In the wake of so much violence in our culture and terrorism around the world, we are often enlisted as citizens to be watchful and report. “If you see something, say something.” It is time to apply this same vigilance to what is happening in the political landscape as the country counts down to caucuses, primaries, political conventions, and an election. I see a Republican candidate who is unfit to serve in office polling well above his rivals and who is expected to win the Iowa Caucuses in a few short days. It is time for all responsible Republicans to say something.

Businesses, city councils and school boards would be hesitant to hire this man in spite of his experience or ideas. Why? He mercilessly attacks colleagues & subordinates who disagree with him in an abusive, bullying manner. He will not take responsibility for his mistakes or failures, instead blaming others. His rhetoric and behaviors are deliberately divisive. He has a history of inappropriate behavior with women. He does not have a complete understanding of, or allegiance to, our Constitution. He is often incoherent and confused in his remarks. In the years before his election to the presidency in 2016 he “and his businesses were involved in over 4,000 legal cases, in U.S. federal and state courts.”

Lawsuits, investigations and now, indictments follow him consistently. This was occurring well before he became a major political figure so his cries of ‘foul’ or ‘election interference’ are not credible. All his legal issues, past and present, are evidence of his willingness to skirt, if not bend the laws of the land. He appears to believe that being the President of the United States is the equivalent of being king of the nation and even the world which suggests he has a god-complex. He celebrates lying and violence as reasonable to accomplish his aims.

So, I ask my fellow citizens who will be caucusing in a few days, “Would your business, your city council, or your school board hire this candidate?” Please think long and hard about this. If your answer is ‘no,’ then he also should not be ‘hired’ or even put forth as a candidate for the most prestigious position in the nation – one that requires gravitas, wisdom, self-sacrifice, honesty, respect for others, and an understanding of and adherence to the Constitution. Character does matter.