Bruce Blizzard: How many criminal traits do politicians possess?
I have an old friend who sent me an article on “Psychopathic Behavioral Traits,” based on research by a Dr. Robert D. Hare. My friend knows I still write to some of my old, at-risk students who went on to state and federal prisons. She wanted to know if I remembered how many had the traits listed below because, when tested, most prisoners exhibited these characteristics. I read them, and was struck by how many I’ve observed in the today’s political candidates – especially Donald Trump. So I share this list in hopes the observations of readers will guide them as they vote in November .
The Psychopathic personality has:
Glibness, a superficial charm.
Grandiose sense of self worth.
Need for being noticed and stimulated.
Habit of lying when convenient or deemed necessary .
Conning and manipulating approach.
Lack of remorse or guilt.
Shallowness.
Callous lack of empathy.
Parasitic lifestyle.
Poor behavioral controls.
Promiscuous sexual behavior.
Early behavioral problems.
Lack of realistic, long-term goals
Impulsivity.
While these traits might indeed be common and symptomatic for prisoners who have not outgrown them, they also seem to reflect the conduct and behavior of many of our past, current and potential “leaders.” Rather sobering isn’t it? Vote carefully.
Bruce Blizzard, Modesto
This story was originally published August 17, 2016 at 4:01 PM with the headline "Bruce Blizzard: How many criminal traits do politicians possess?."