Presidential?

Within a month of my turning eighteen, I registered to vote. I've voted in every election since, except the 2000 debacle. I had just moved to Florida that summer and hadn't registered to vote here by the time of the election. I've always been fairly liberal, but I can usually see at least two sides to every issue and I respect that reasonable people can disagree without one of them being an idiot. I regularly converse with conservatives; it hasn't killed me yet. Here's what I just can't wrap my head around: the crazy guy with the weird hair (I refuse to use his name lest a search for him would bring the searcher here) is leading the Republican presidential ticket. I was watching the news tonight -- plain old network news, not cable -- and there was a story about Jimmy Carter followed immediately by a report of silly back-and-forth gibberish between "hair guy" and "inherit the throne guy". (The latter would be Jeb Bush. I have less concern mentioning his name.)

Jimmy Carter was the first president for whom I voted. He's also the only one whose museum I've been to. (I didn't travel to Georgia just for that, but while I was there I was invited to visit. I had lunch there too -- nine or ten courses, all of which included peanuts -- as part of a group.) What I saw in him then and what I see in him now is a quiet dignity and purpose. He has been involved in tremendous humanitarian efforts since the end of his presidency. When I saw him on the news tonight, he was talking about his cancer diagnosis. He said that at first all he could think was that he had only weeks to live, but that was just a passing thought and then he was at ease. He talked about how gratifying his life had been. He is, and was, humble and gracious.

Fast forward to the politicians of today. Earlier I mentioned only Republicans, but many Democrats are just as bad. However, I've seen Bernie Sanders conduct himself with dignity and not get pulled into nonsense from other candidates (and/or reporters). I remember hearing many years ago that we get the government we deserve. I wonder: If we were better, would the candidates be better?