(Getty Images).

Now that we have had the first presidential debate between Joe Biden and Donald Trump, did either exhibit the qualities and competencies to earn your vote?

Electing the best candidate is not up to big money contributors, political parties and partisan talking heads drowning the airways. It is left up to us as Missourians, joining our fellow citizens in other states to earnestly choose the best person to lead America.

Just as important, are you willing to convince others to vote for your candidate of choice?

It is incumbent on each of us to have our list of non-negotiable qualities that we must see in the person for whom we will cast a vote, and ideally work to elect.

Did either Trump or Biden demonstrate any of the qualities you are looking for during the debate?

As veteran operatives on the political stage, both Trump and Biden have a history of policy positions and actions that you need to examine. The debate, regardless of who you think had the best performance, is just a snapshot of what either man is about.

Most of all, we must be or become discerning and informed voters, in perhaps, the most important and consequential presidential election in recent history.

But as we look at the political terrain across Missouri and other states, we also see the importance of electing people who can best work for policies for both our state and national interests.

This has not been more clearly demonstrated as we have observed the bipartisan stalemate in Congress and in state legislatures that have recorded some of the worst productivity records in recent memory.

The current Congress and the last Missouri Legislature are examples.

We elect representatives to work for us on the state and federal level. Yet, too often, little or nothing gets done.

What qualifications do you look for in electing local and state office holders?

There are values and qualifications that all true public servants should demonstrate no matter what elective office they seek.

No matter what level of government, the number one overriding question is: Who and what interests are they working for and representing?

As voters, are we able to distinguish between the connectivity and mutual benefits of passing policies and laws that are good for the issues and problems that impact states and the nation?

There are many such pressing problems. Among them are immigration reform, sensible gun safety measures, women’s reproductive health, voting rights, equitable taxations, and other economic pocketbook issues. There is a myriad of issue areas that have broad implications for the quality of life for population groups across states.

Are we electing office holders with the capacity to discern what those issues are, and able to collaborate and compromise to reach the best solutions?

In good governance, there is no place for extreme views, hardliners, proponents of not only misinformation, but downright lies.

In good governance, how can we be expected to do what is in the best interests of the people and the country when we tolerate and disregard the very laws and institutions under which we are supposed to function and conduct ourselves.

At the end of the day, what will determine whom you vote for president, and other offices up for election in your state, city, or county?

What is on the list of qualifications that you are looking for?

These qualifications are not new or unreasonable. The person elected must, at a minimum, show: a strong desire and commitment to serve; high integrity; knowledge and history of the office they seek; a command of the pressing issues; inclusiveness; a capacity to collaborate; and respectfulness.

It is imperative that we determine which candidates best represent them based on their history and what they are promising to do should they become elected.

In a few days, we will pause to celebrate the birth of this nation. It is a holiday that we, perhaps, have come to take for granted, celebrating with fireworks, parades and patriotic songs.

We are likely to celebrate as usual, ignoring the ill political winds that are swirling all around us — political rancor and divisions in state houses, Congress, and among politically polarizing groups — strong winds that could change much of the principles, institutions, laws and traditions that we will pause to celebrate.

This Fourth of July is a great time to search within our souls to determine if we are willing to stand and be counted.

During the last 248 years as a Republic, we have faced and overcome many challenges. Think about what it is going to take to continue to preserve our way of life — who will be best to continue to lead the efforts to make America better.

Which candidates share your vision for our nation, the county, city, and state in which you live? Will they use their office to make things better, move us forward?

It is up to us to make the right choices for the right reasons when we enter the polling booths for the elections ahead.

What are the non-negotiable qualifications you are looking for?