There is a story about George Washington that has survived the centuries. It is about an American and an English visitor walking the streets of Philadelphia. The visitor expressed a wish to see George Washington. By happenstance, a few moments later, the president walked past all alone on the opposite side of the street. “There he is now,” said the American. The astonished Englishman exclaimed, “That is President Washington? Where is his guard?” The American thumped his own chest proudly, saying, “Here is his guard. I, and every other man on this street, would fight to the death to defend him if he were ever in danger.”

How far we have come in this country.

Today, we look on our elected leaders with great suspicion, and sadly they seem more intent than ever to live up to our expectations that they will disappoint us in the end. Governor John Rowland’s decision this week to resign his office under the cloud of a corruption scandal and pending impeachment proceedings in the legislature is just the latest example here in Connecticut. Two big city mayors from the state are already in prison for weakness in the face of temptation.

We have to remember that the gathering federal investigation may find the governor did nothing worthy of prosecution; he may be guilty only of expecting his friends to bail him out of his financial problems, which is humiliating and impolitic, but not illegal. He is leaving office, however, because he lost the respect of the electorate. He lied. He maintained cozy relationships with contractors doing business with the state. He liked the privileges of power a little too much.

So we try to turn our attention to something else — something nobler. What we find are two presidential candidates each trying to enhance the country’s negative view of the other. Their efforts have been so effective that by the time we vote — those of us who still care to vote — we are likely to be guided in our choice as much by revulsion as inspiration. Needless to say, when these candidates walk the street, they are never alone and heavily guarded by professionals.

We don’t know what it takes to restore character to a political process in which character assassination has taken root. But as in so many things, we suspect the answer starts in our own thoughts. In a democracy, elected leaders tend to live up to expectations. If we expect arrogance and corruption, that is what we will get. If we expect exaggeration and deception, that is what we will get. If we expect failure, that is what we will get. In John Rowland’s fall this week, we detected a certain excitement, even satisfaction, in the fall of an important man. After all, this is what so many of us expected to happen.

Maybe it is time to try a different tack, turning away for a change from the negative side of our natures. If we expect integrity, honesty, humility, and wisdom in our leaders and resolutely reject arrogance, the smear, the half-truth, and expediency, perhaps one day our choices will be clearer and our leaders will be better. We will only see another Washington walking the streets when we take seriously our duty as the guards of democracy.