People deserve more from public officials

Our elected officials, in their public conduct, set an example. Be it in social media posts, interactions with voters and employees, or just in their personal lives, the conduct of public officials and those wanting to be public officials should be worthy of our votes.

That is why the conduct displayed by Allegheny County Controller Chelsa Wagner in Detroit is so troubling. Ms. Wagner not only was belligerent to law enforcement, but she tried to threaten them with the force of her political office. As more evidence about the Detroit incident becomes available, the worse things appear for Ms. Wagner and her husband, Khari Mosley.

Those elected to public office should use their positions to serve the public, not defend their personal behavior. Ms. Wagner should keep that in mind as she continues to defend an increasingly tenuous position.

Moreover, Ms. Wagner’s actions in Detroit are another example of the need for our leaders to hold themselves to a higher standard, admit mistakes and errors in judgment, and when they are unable to do so, resign from office.

While due process should continue to play out, I would hope Ms. Wagner will choose transparency and honesty; after all, she was elected to be our county controller.

DAVE MAJERNIK

Plum Dennis Muilenburg decided America’s 737 Max 8 planes should remain airborne because Mr. Muilenberg said they were safe. Until he knows differently, that is exactly what we would expect from a CEO accountable to stockholders.

Mr. Trump accepted this. Instead of acting as an influential leader concerned about the welfare of the citizens, he only grounded the planes after Canada said we could no longer fly them in its airspace, which, as a businessman, he knew would make conducting air travel business very hard. So goes the thinking of the businessman.

A country, however, is not a corporation. It is a group of citizens trying to live safe, happy lives. It is time to get serious again and put an experienced bureaucrat, who cares more about what is right for Americans than profits, back in the White House before someone gets hurt. PATRICIA HAZEN Canonsburg