As an American citizen I take pride in having the privilege to voice my opinion at the polls, casting my vote for the best person for the job whether it is city council representative or president of the United States.
Presidential elections roll around every four years and I’ve been eligible to vote quite a while. At least long enough that I can honestly say many people think as I do that the current presidential race is the worst regarding derogatory remarks made by some of the contenders. Of course, there is always a sharp barb or two made during political debates or along the campaign trail but who has ever heard a presidential candidate curse during a nationally televised presidential debate?
To my knowledge, I don’t believe it has happened in previous presidential campaigns.
What would the founding fathers of our country think? Certainly George Washington would be appalled and so would Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. Certainly, George Mason, one of the framers of the U.S. Constitution, didn’t make offensive remarks when he walked out of the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, objecting to some of its provisions, including the lack of a bill of rights. Mason, the author of the Virginia Declaration of Rights on which the first 10 amendments to the Bill of Rights to the Constitution are based, probably gathered his papers and left the convention with a nod.
I am terribly disappointed in these presumably educated, and I assume intelligent candidates, although the intellectual level of one or two is questionable, for their ill-manners and lack of good behavior.
Surely, to get this far along they have been taught differently. The current race is a demonstration in rudeness instead of a show of loyalty to home and country,
As a member of a national organization that has education, patriotism and preservation as its mission, I am honored to chair a committee that promotes patriotism statewide from Rome and Athens to Columbus and Americus to the Golden Isles and 12 more cities in between. This is carried out in varied ways such as service to the military and veterans to honoring new citizens at naturalization ceremonies to flag programs. My favorite, however, focuses on areas involving students. It is rewarding to see the benefits of their participation in educational projects and programs.
The students’ parents and teachers deserve recognition, too, for it takes their direction and guidance to motivate these young people, our future leaders, in these meaningful projects.
Surely, if one of these young people grows up to run for president of the United States of America one day, and it could  happen, they will remember their good heritage and good manners and respect for their fellow man. Jimmy Carter of Plains remembered his manners when he ran and was elected governor of Georgia and then United States president. Then why shouldn’t those in the current presidential race behave likewise?
I thoroughly enjoyed U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson (R-Georgia) speak on current issues last Tuesday at the combined meeting of the Rotary and Kiwanis clubs. He is a gentleman and a scholar. His talk was interesting and enlightening. At the beginning of his remarks he mentioned several people in attendance including Randy and Nancy Jones and their daughter, Stephanie Jones, a valued member of his staff for the past 18 years; Lou Riccardi and their long friendship that stems from high school days in Marietta; Riccardi’s wife, Candy, and their daughter, Alex Riccardi, who is in dental practice here with her dad, and GSW’s Interim President Charles Patterson and his wife, Colleen Patterson, who were at our table. Also sitting with us was local realtor Cindy Pryor, who introduced us to newcomer Paul Blanchard, Alfa Insurance regional manager, who has moved here with his wife Shannon and three young sons; happy birthday wishes to Thomas Lynn, son of Pagie and Daniel Lynn, who just turned one, Michelle Gatian Andrews, Linda Fuller Degelman and former resident Mandy Carter Flynn of Albany and belated birthday wishes to my husband, Bruce Case, who celebrated his big day with brunch with the family. Congratulations to attorneys Justin Arnold and Bardin Hooks of Arnold and Hooks LLC, who moved into their new offices at 416 W. Lamar St. last weekend. The two men, both natives of Americus, are childhood friends and now law partners. We wish them well. Meanwhile, Lisa Bliss McMichael of Dublin recently visited her parents, Dwight and Ann Bliss, and showcased CAbi’s spring styles at an event hosted by Alice Argo and daughter Christine Argo of Atlanta. Judy Megginson of Birmingham is visiting her daughter and son-in-law, Julie Megginson and Sam Peavy at their home on Brown Street.
And don’t forget to make your reservations for the “The McCartney Years,” a Friends of the Rylander presentation and annual gala at 8 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 27 at the Rylander Theatre.

Leila S. Case lives in Americus.