Obama’s manners are an example for all

By Bradley Chapline, Las Vegas

Thursday, April 21, 2016 | 2 a.m.

My hero is President Barack Obama. Not because he saved America’s economy. Not because many more Americans are getting health insurance coverage. Not because he has globally taken the lead on climate change. Not because he has normalized relations with Cuba.

Not because he has made the world a safer place with the Iran nuclear deal. Not because he has stood strong against terrorism. Not because he sealed the deal on the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Not because he got same-sex marriage legalized. And, last but not least, not even because he has truly been a president and commander in chief of “We The People.”

The president is my hero because he has manners. This reminds me of an elderly friend from my childhood who was always a gentleman. Even though he was faced with a hard life, illnesses and a verbally abusive boss, he always maintained a respectful, courteous attitude. He told me manners couldn’t be taken away from me; I could only give them up myself. He felt manners defined a person. He was correct. I often wish I could better emulate him.

As witnessed by the current political contests, America appears to have set these values aside. I will always respect my friend, and President Obama. Whether I agree with Obama’s politics or not, his manners, like those of my friend, only increase my admiration for him.

We should all take a page from their book. No matter our position in life or our financial situation, we can all afford manners. In fact, the more we freely spend them, the more likely we are to receive them in return.