Elaine Harris Spearman Commentary: People show their true nature through their actions

“When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time.” This phrase has been uttered many times, by many people with variations. It is mostly attributed to Maya Angelou, who wrote the above version in her 1969 book, “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings.”

No matter the variation, the theme remains the same. People reveal their true nature through their actions, and it is important for others to take note of their behavior and not make excuses for them.

We know a lot more about some people than we care to know. It starts at the national level, trickles down through the states and finally lands on the heads of all of us at the local level.

A USA TODAY story noted that some, even in his own party, consider Florida’s Congressman Matt Gaetz to be a “loud-mouthed, attention-seeking political performer, with no interest in doing the hard work of governing.”

A colleague from Florida, U.S. Rep. John Rutherford, R-Jacksonville, accused Gaetz of going after House Speaker Kevin McCarthy over a “personal vendetta.”

Rutherford said in a news release, “Rep. Gaetz is driving our nation toward the brink of another government showdown, all for clicks and cash and a boost in his national profile.”

Gaetz, in my view, joins the earlier mentioned national python wrestling match that is already underway. He has, by his sharp tongue and brash, confrontational approach, stepped up his status among those in the state party in Florida, and with his avid supporter Donald J. Trump.

None of his supporters are surprising. They too have shown who they are. Please let Gaetz follow his dream, or threat, to run for governor of Florida. The best thing that Gaetz can do for this country is return to his home state and stop rallying his gang to still another attempt to overtake government by the people and create a United States of Florida.

The USA TODAY story noted that Gaetz has never adequately responded to an investigation into sex trafficking allegations that were being pursued by the Department of Justice. His attorneys announced earlier this year that “the probe would be dropped, and no charges would be filed.”

Former Florida GOP Congressman told USA TODAY that Gaetz “is a guy with nothing to lose. Which makes him very dangerous.”

As Gaetz is parading around the networks and hawking microphones, the hunt is on for a replacement for former Speaker McCarthy.

Whoever encouraged Jim Jordan of Ohio, chair of the House Judiciary Committee, should be involuntarily committed for examination. This man showed the world who he is during the confirmation hearing of the first female African American Supreme Court justice.

He began his reign on the Judiciary Committee making unauthorized, dumb demands of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who is prosecuting Trump and others in Georgia. She subsequently responded with a law school lesson and a referral to an over-the-counter quick-learn book.

Jordan appears to have made going after the Biden family his life work on a committee that should be focused upon equity and fairness in the American system of justice.

It was pointed out that the recently appointed interim house speaker is known for his colorful bowties. Jordan appears to be known for his yellow regular ties. What on earth does that mean? As we watch him spread his bitterness on the news, I get the vision of Jordan having slept in the basement rooms that the legislators fled to on Jan. 6, 2021, so he could be first on the floor and at the podium.

As to the yellow tie, aside from it being a color of “the sun or ripe lemons,” there are other definitions. I have wondered about that tie for some time along with his choice in shirts. We see them because he is rarely in a jacket.

The Merriam-Websters Advanced Learner English Dictionary provided some answers regarding yellow. An informal description is “afraid in a way that makes you unable to do what is right or expected.” Or there’s “always used before a noun: containing news that is meant to shock people and that is not true or is only partly true.”

Take your pick. Jordan has shown us who he is and is most undeserving of a top leadership position in the house, or elsewhere. The American people have enough to grapple with without having a daily dose of the vitriol spewed by him and his now No. 1 supporter for the job, Trump.

Most people have had enough of the madness and mean-spiritedness that has become pervasive across the country.

The local levels of the government are not spared, nor are the state governments.

Order and decorum ought to count for something, especially in government. The climate has been set at the national level and has prompted the “trickle down” theory.

Chaos, disrespect, lack of order and lack of knowledge appear to be the order of the day.

The legislative bodies in this country certainly exemplify the fact that all who are willing, and able, can run for public office and win.

The hard job of balancing power, knowledge and an understanding of the workings of government versus the rights of the people is critical.

People get tired of “town criers” who really have little to say that is helpful to us all. Power and ignorance of governance, rules and the law in a democracy is the worst combination for leadership. It is the perfect combination for a dictatorship.

Elaine Harris Spearman, Esq., a Gadsden native, is an attorney and is the retired legal advisor to the comptroller of the City of St. Louis. The opinions expressed are her own. 

This article originally appeared on The Gadsden Times: Elaine Harris Spearman looks at chaos in Congress