When elected, some stay the course, working to serve their constituencies without compromising the greater good of their state or country. Most likely they are not well known anywhere but back home where they are known and respected.
They are statesmen because they understand and practice the principles for which they were elected to govern for the people they represent. However, we have very few statesmen governing on our behalf because we do not choose well.
On the other hand, we have many politicians. When they first took office, they too exhibited the qualities associated with statesmen, but at some point they got caught up in the system and their own desires to advance a personal agenda.
They began to form questionable alliances, employ cunning strategies for gaining power and/or prestige, snub colleagues, and summarily dismiss those in their constituency with whom they disagree.
These characteristics distinguish the seasoned politician from the statesman. Why do we continue to choose those whom we know have shown less than honorable intentions?
We have a clearcut choice in this year’s race for one to represent us in our state House. We can either send someone who “has been” a statesman, or we can send someone who “would be” a statesman. The choice is ours: Richard Morgan or Joe Boylan — politician or statesman? May we choose wisely.
Anita Gray
Whispering Pines
