In last week’s column,  we discussed the public trust, noting that “… our country is best served … and each state is best served … when all citizens are properly represented by public servants genuinely committed to the public trust.”

The column concluded urging “more individual citizens to stand as candidates for office in order to turn the public trust right-side up.”

Now we turn to what must be at the core of any candidate’s professed commitment to earn and  keep the public trust: Character.

Yes, character — not political skills.

What’s the difference?

Here’s an example: One of the so-called political skills is the ability to convey you are sincere.

But, experience has revealed to discerning citizens that all too often, many incumbent politicians and others practice their so-called “political skills” at the expense of truth.

The methodical deceits embedded within politically skillful deliveries and spewed from memory or read from teleprompter have bred the virulent virus of corruptions that plague politics today.

Obviously, such honed “political skill” behavior cannot be sincere.

Obvious too, such manipulative behavior undermines the public trust and has been a major block that must be confronted in order to restore honest, open government.

That said, the need for an antidote continues and increases with every day. The prescriptive antidote is for citizens with core character to stand for public service.

Thus, the clarion call for candidates is for all those citizens with the vision and the temerity to demand of themselves and of all others: Integrity now.

Regular readers will recognize the persistency in our calls for focus on integrity now. It is a compass for all citizens searching for the right way out of the wilderness of political corruption and government encroachments in life, liberty and property.

Feedback nationally from our prior piece regarding the draft Integrity Protocol has been quite helpful. 

We have made arrangements for a special column poll to enable each reader to vote on which additional factors ought to be included in an integrity protocol as well as those factors that may help you as assessment criteria as you consider those best suited to serve as servants in the public trust who are genuinely committed to integrity now.

To take the poll, go online to www.Keysurveys.net.

“Which should be included in the Integrity Protocol?” (Vote for one, more, or all)

•Character

•Duty

•Responsibility

•Accountability

•Commitment

Richard is president of Olivastro Communications and founder of Citizens for Change. A professional member of the National Speakers Association, he is available pro bono for charitable fundraisers and public forums and can be reached via e-mail at RichOlivastro@gmail.com or by phone at 1-877-RichSpeaks.