Fred Shectman: Candidates talk, don’t walk the walk

On Sept. 11, 2001 a group of Americans thwarted terrorists from crashing still another plane. More recently another group of Americans subdued a terrorist in France. Even more recently a group of American bystanders restrained the killer of a Louisiana state trooper by using the slain trooper’s handcuffs.

As we are reminded daily of how America is falling behind, these extraordinary acts by ordinary citizens show that the values of heroism and bravery remain in the American fabric.

These actions contrast sharply with the self-serving selfishness shown by many who would be president. These would-be leaders speak vacuous rhetoric rather than demonstrate the kind of leadership shown by workaday citizens.

This story was originally published September 10, 2015 at 5:01 PM with the headline "Fred Shectman: Candidates talk, don’t walk the walk."