MY ADVICE FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO RUN FOR OFFICE

While much has changed since I last ran for office, there are some behaviors by candidates, their supporters and those who engage in political protests that must never be normalized for reasons that should be obvious to anyone with one wit of common sense. These behaviors should not require an explanation about why they are morally wrong, are mostly illegal and can result in people being hurt or killed. It should go without saying.

But after witnessing the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and the many out-of-control political protests over the past few years, it’s a discussion that is probably long overdue.

I never thought I would be writing a list of things like this, but here we are. The following guidance is especially helpful to candidates and their supporters.

Do not wear a fur hat with horns, paint your face and go shirtless while carrying a spear into a government office to disrupt a political proceeding. It does not help your cause, and it is probably illegal.

Do not stay silent if any of your supporters threaten to hang a member of your campaign. Do not fail to act if you hear someone else threatening others.

Act immediately if your supporters try to illegally enter a government building and assault police officers.

Do not assault members of the media and destroy their equipment.

Do not break into government buildings and steal things from people’s offices.

If you have the ability to help stop a riot, do so. Do not stand by and do nothing. Denounce any acts or threats of violence, and do not tweet messages that help inspire others to act in a violent manner.

Once you have exhausted all of the available legal remedies challenging the results of an election, accept the results and move on. Do not spread lies about what happened to raise money or use a legal team that graduated from Crazy Town University.

Respect the U.S. Constitution and follow the laws.

There are also behaviors that are wrong especially when engaging in political protests and marches.

Do not march with lighted tiki torches or loaded guns.

Do not drive a vehicle into a crowd of people and try to run them over.

Do not destroy other people’s property. Do not set it on fire or smash in the windows or doors of any buildings.

Do not steal other people’s property. Do not throw bottles, cans, rocks or any other objects at anyone.

Do not spray people with any harmful liquids, such as bear spray.

Do not spit at people, hit people, bite people, stab people, kick people or shoot people.

Even though the above list is not exhaustive, it seems like a good place to start. We need to agree that these behaviors are not normal and not acceptable.

The majority of people understand this, but, unfortunately, there are a minority of folks who think political violence is justified, especially when they do not get their own way.

Perhaps if we start now, before the next round of elections and political protests, and agree that political violence, illegal acts and other morally vacant behaviors are wrong, our democracy and the majority of law-abiding people who know the difference between right and wrong will be able to breathe a big sigh of relief.