Let's put it this way: now that he's gone, I feel a bit like I did when Fred Rogers died - like another piece of the USA I was proud to be born in has passed away. Another piece of the earnestness, the humanity, the seemingly-immortal effort has gone the way of all flesh. Was he a good politician? A good head of state? Well, I see common folk from both sides of the grand canyon of current social division saying the same thing: 'May we emulate his life'.
Because sometimes people transcend their term in office. Sometimes their personality inspires not a cult, but rather guides everyone to embrace kindness and service. To be better Americans. To be better neighbours. To be…better.
Jimmy Carter did that. And, in my view, the magnitude of his contribution to humankind makes his political career nearly insignificant in comparison.
Whilst invisible properties themselves, they can be incarnate in us.
Writer: David Moore
