My Dad for President

Jack, Jill, Dad, Jane

My Dad for President

“I think my dad would make a good president.”

It was an election year, 1964, and I was 6 years old. I’d been playing on the monkey bars when William Janz, a reporter for the local paper, asked me and three of my classmates who we’d vote for if kids could vote.

Peter said he’d vote for Senator Barry Goldwater; Jay and Cindy chose Lyndon B. Johnson; and since my dad wasn’t running, I said I’d vote for Johnson too.

At that time, Dad was a lieutenant colonel in the Air National Guard and a veteran of World War II and the Korean War. When he died, at age 53, he’d served a total of 34 years. His funeral was dress blues as far as the eye could see.

How would he vote this year if he were alive? I think of him as I ponder how I’ll vote in November. I feel sure Dad always voted for people he felt displayed the values he instilled in us.

So I want to choose someone who will be a good role model for children. Are they a person I’d want kids emulating? I can hear Dad saying, “Watch the people on top, Janie. How they behave trickles down.”

Dad often had to call people who didn’t report for their weekend duties. He explained to us kids that they had a responsibility and broke it. Although we knew he was angry, we never heard him yell, put them down, or treat them poorly. But he did make his point!

Whether playing a family game of basketball “horse,” Jarts, or ping-pong, Dad expected us to play well together—no bickering! I feel he’d remind us that kindness and integrity matter when deciding who we want to lead the United States. They’ll need to “play nice” with other leaders, negotiating our welfare and that of the world.

Dad despised sore losers and so do I. As an umpire for my brother Jack’s softball team, he called Jack out on a close call. The team was furious, I was horrified, and Jack was mad as heck. On the way home, we got a lecture on “calling it like it is—fair is fair.” Dad would vote for someone who’s honest and fair, a respectful winner and a gracious loser.

Dad also taught me a thing or two about how to tell if someone is more interested in themselves than in other people. He’d say, “Watch how they treat the waitress, the bartender, the sanitation workers.” Anyone who puts others down is off my list. If they mock people, take advantage of weaknesses, or are abusive in any way, they won’t be getting my vote. As children we were reprimanded for these behaviors. It's no different for adults. 

I want to vote for someone who has, as Dad would say, “pulled themselves up by their bootstraps.” Working hard shows character. It means you’re willing to do what needs to be done. I’m also more impressed by people who have gotten jobs where the interviews were tough, who had to earn the job, and who are passionate about what they’ve chosen to do, especially if what they’ve chosen to do has helped others.

Personal finances matter. I’m horrible at finance, but I’m not running for the presidency! Dad kept a meticulous bank account. His checkbook always balanced to the penny, and he was proud to pay his bills on time. So I’d vote for someone who has a solid financial record, hasn’t ever claimed bankruptcy, earns their own money, and pays their debts on time.

If there’s a candidate who believes in raising others up, the way my dad always did, that’s who I’d vote for.

If a candidate could honestly try to do all those things while showing grace and humor, I’d consider it a bonus and vote for them.

I want joy over hate, truth over lies. I want to vote for someone who instills hope. Let’s face it—I want it all, and so do you.

Johnson ending up winning in a landslide in 1964. This year, I’m going to do what I know Dad would advise: I’m going to do my homework. I’ll make the best choice I can by doing my research and not listening to just one media source.

Above all, I’m going to channel Dad and vote for the person I trust will work for the good of not only me but also you and our neighbors and children. Someone just like Dad!