It’s a truth that Americans understand, almost instinctively. The little things are what really matter. Most people won’t reveal a character flaw in something huge for obvious reasons. But that same person tells a lot about himself if you have the chance to see how he behaves in little things.

It’s important to know how a man behaves in the little things because that same man will also have some big things to deal with. If he fails us in something small, it’s likely just an annoyance. But if he fails in something big, that’s a different story. So we need to know what a man’s character is before we give him the keys to something big.

Nowhere is this notion more valid than in the political arena.

Which makes it troubling that Gary DeLong has not effectively explained how email addresses submitted for subscriptions to his City Council office’s newsletters and updates on local issues are receiving emails from DeLong’s US House of Representative campaign.

The Council subscription clearly states that emails for that account are not released in any way to anyone else for any purpose. To have done so would be a violation of campaign laws as well. It’s just a little thing, I know. But as I said, it speaks to issues of character and integrity.

That same character and integrity would seem to demand an explanation. DeLong has said he looks forward to providing it. He’s had ample opportunity to do so and has not. Enter little thing #2.

Why hasn’t he responded? Could it be because the Primary is just days away and if he ignores the issue and wins on Tuesday, he will have avoided the people for selfish reasons as opposed to responding to the people in an effort to serve them? Little thing #3.

Too many little things have started stacking up – too many questions about character and integrity; too little response from Councilman DeLong. There’s too much evidence that Gary DeLong is the wrong choice for voters in District 47.

Vote Steve Foley for Congress on Tuesday, June 5th.