PRESIDENTIAL ETIQUETTE

clearer.by Max Fischer

There was a time in American history when you could look up to the language and statements of the president's thoughtful, contemplative approach. What immediately comes to mind is John F. Kennedy. I can't recall a course of poorly worded statements he ever made. He certainly never made inappropriate remarks about friends or foes. So now the evidence could not be more demonstrative

The presidency of the United States is more than a constitutional role; it is an enduring symbol of the American republic and its people—everywhere.

Beyond the explicit powers granted by Article II, the occupant of the Oval Office assumes the profound responsibility of "Chief Citizen." This unwritten mandate requires a standard of decorum, humility, and class that transcends partisan agendas. Presidential etiquette is not merely a collection of polite habits or antiquated traditions; it is the invisible mortar that holds the foundation of our democratic institutions together. When the highest office in the land obeys these rules, it strengthens the values that everyone in the country shares.

Conversely, abandoning etiquette in favor of abrasion, profanity, and disempowering human beings and life everywhere unravels the very fabric of public trust.

However, recent years have witnessed a distressing erosion of essential norms. Behaviors that would have once faced universal condemnation for their lack of dignity have increasingly found acceptance in the political arena. I, for one, cannot stand it. While I think everyone has to let go occasionally in anger, the onslaught of disingenuous statements and words is now overwhelming. It's become normalized and it shows where we are and soon where we are going unless this ship is turned

When decorum declines, the presidency loses prestige, and the American people are deprived of the goodwill they deserve from their leaders.

Everyone should collectively demand a return to decency. Institutions and elected offices are much like currency—their value is entirely dependent on the faith we place in them. If we allow the highest office to become a platform for juvenile hostility, terrible language, and self-interest, we risk bankrupting our democratic system.

The American people deserve representatives who reflect our highest moral aspirations, who understand that the true power of the presidency lies in its capacity to unite rather than divide.

Reclaiming the lost art of presidential decorum is not about nostalgia for a bygone era; it is an urgent necessity for the survival of our republic. The dignity of the office must be restored for the sake of the democracy it was created to serve.

If you disagree with these statements, we cannot help you. Out of respect and the First Amendment, you may wish to reflect on how the rest of the world views Americans right now; it may give you pause and serious concern.