The end result of this is a disturbing level of division in this country, with leaders like Rep. Marjorie Greene calling for the seceding of red states from blue states and Rep. Rashida Tlaib openly giving antisemitic slogans a boost.
Character does matter when choosing leaders to get (or remain) in office. Furthermore, a prospect’s character directly influences their ability to “get the job done.” The idea that character and leadership remain completely divorced from one another is a fallacy. They go hand in hand.
Even if we completely overlook all the federal indictments against Santos, the plethora of lies he told about so many aspects of his life is disturbing. The same goes for reports of him using money from his campaign donors to pay for casinos, online sexual content, and other personal expenditures.
Santos’ own former campaign manager, Nancy Marks, even pled guilty to a host of felonies. These felonies include conspiring to engage in identity theft, make false statements, and commit wire fraud.
Better luck next time
With new congressional races coming up in 2024 and 2026, America has a chance to do better when electing leaders. If officials win elections, only for objectively damning skeletons to later emerge, voting them out (like Santos) is the only feasible option.
