Democracy demands integrity, responsibility

Personal integrity is basic to democracy. Lincoln profoundly defined democracy as a “government of the people, by the people, for the people.”

Integrity is an individual’s responsibility. My words, demeanor, and displays are my responsibility to self and democracy. Nobody’s perfect, but lack of perfection is not an excuse for shirking accountability.

Justice Samuel Alito’s recent justifications for his yard display cheapened his integrity. Sitting on the highest court of the land requires utmost integrity.

Justices’ decisions are key to trust in our judicial system. Democracy needs justices’ utmost uprightness in supporting our constitution.

Justice Alito’s allowing our flag displayed upside down on his property was certainly a personal responsibility.

Most troubling is Alito’s shirking his accountability. It is disappointing, disheartening, and concerning that Justice Alito cowardly shifted fault to his wife, and further deferred his wife’s culpability to their neighbor for a sign not on Alito’s property.

Were we not taught as children, “Two wrongs never make a right?”

It is disturbing when any citizen chooses to display profanities or demeaning signs on their properties. However, the biggest reflection of those presentations attacks not the subject of the spectacle, but the integrity of the exhibitor.

Respectfully submitted,

Delores Reinhart

Williamsburg