Given our national obsession with respect to the age of both our presidential candidates, I am reminded what actress Billie Burke rightly said: “Age is of no importance unless you’re a cheese.” Assuming both President Biden and Mr. Trump are not made of cheese, should we not turn our attention to how both candidates would address vital issues of importance to all citizens of this nation?

More specifically, should we not generally ask who is the most decent, who would defend the U.S. Constitution, who would uphold law and order, who would support equal rights for everyone, who has demonstrated a desire to find solutions to reducing the effects of climate change/global warming, and who would defend democracies around the world?

Maybe in the end, the only relevant/straightforward question to ask is: Which of the two presidential candidates would we want our child to emulate – to be a habitual liar or be a truth-teller; follow the law or be a convicted felon; treat people with respect or swindle them; be a narcissist or have empathy for others? Therefore, instead of trying to understand complicated national/international issues, just simply ask: Of the two candidates, who possesses qualities our child should incorporate and, thereafter, utilize in their daily lives?

There is only one candidate our children should emulate, but we must personally research who this candidate really is, and not be told by others. By relying upon our own standards and ethics, we will easily select the correct candidate.

John Mishler
Harpswell