I look at integrity, honesty, passion of candidates (in that order) as I decide how to vote. In the Merriam-Webster dictionary, integrity is defined as “firm adherence to a code of especially moral or artistic values: incorruptibility.” Honesty is “adherence to the facts.” Passion is an emotion or “intense, driving, or overmastering feeling or conviction.” Unfortunately, this election and our country are being driven by passion with little integrity or honesty.

I’m tired of the weary boogeyman tactics employed, primarily by the Republicans. Be afraid! Be afraid of the “those people!” Be afraid for your health! Be afraid of women! Be afraid of liberal mobs! What happened to integrity and honesty? When I hear phrases like “I don’t know, but …” or “what I think” or “believe me,” I know I’m dealing with a con.

My siblings used to scare me half to death when I was about 4 years old by pulling the bed sheets over my head and making all sorts of noise saying, “the boogeyman is coming.” One day I pulled back the sheets and saw they were laughing. There was no boogeyman, and I felt like a chump. Pull back the sheets, and the boogeymen disappear.

To my point — although a very compassionate conservative at heart, I cannot abide the cynical con men (predominately white males) that are preying on our fears. But when the dust settles, I’m voting predominately Democrat this time around. Dan Feehan has led a life of real service to his country in Iraq and community as a school teacher. He is an independent thinker based on scientific inquiry, not passionate, wishful thinking. He promises to represent us and not follow the power-hungry pack. I’ve known Tim Walz over the years, and he, too, has demonstrated his commitment to community and is an independent and thoughtful decision maker. I wouldn’t passionately follow them without some indication of integrity and honesty. Voting is just one step along the way in democracy. I intend to follow my representatives, exchanging ideas and ensuring they represent me. By the way, I grew up a conservative Republican but don’t recognize the passionate, angry mob currently occupying the posts of power. I want representatives who listen to us, and who do not attempt to scare us into their agenda of a pure power grab. I pulled back the sheets and am no longer a chump.

Roger Steinkamp

Faribault