SHIFTS IN POLITICAL SCENERY
Seldom do we see our leaders for exactly what they are.
We are bound to have certain pre-arranged views which tell us what qualities we admire in those we accept as proper choices in their particular responsibilities.
We like to think we “elected” some of them to the positions they hold. The ones of whom we voice approval are usually those we feel we have “influenced” in some small way by our votes in their favor.
That’s a comforting thing to hold close but somewhat pateralistic overtone in that warns we might come to think of public servant as our personal lackeys. In truth, they have broader responsibilities than just our
small, individualistic view.
Just because I voted for a candidate - man or women -does not mean he or she is supposed to do my precise bidding. I would hope they would set forth ideas with which I can readily align myself, in agreement for
the most part, but I also think they should have some free will of their own, and I am never disappointed or upset when they go a bit far out and do something with which I am not in full agreement. Obviously, others are interested in
aspects quite different from my own, and for good reasons, in many cases, and our representative himself may be more concerned about special points than we, and he should react logically to such ideas well as ours. He is not bound
to katow to our every whim. We do not own the people we elect. We are not puppet manipulators.
If your leadership does something which is not in keeping with your feeling as to what is best for the nation, stand up and, if you wish, and speak up. Let your voice be heard in some way; your view expressed. Do so
if you are concerned about keeping the record clear. Rest assured there will be another such time in the future. Most problems are mended or patched rather than being solved. “Fixed” does not mean “permanently repaired.”
V.P. Alben Barkley, many years ago, was said to have been talking with a backwoods voter who was seeking help for himself and his family. Barkley listened patiently and then read off a long list of things he had
done for that family. The man listened to the recitation and nodded assent as to the truth of each item so stated. After Barkley was finished the man asked: “Yes, sir - all that’s true - but what have you done for us... lately?
Those who expect politicians to be constantly passing out benefits are barking at the wrong stump speaker. You are not quite as important as your once may have been because demographics change swiftly
these days, and so do the views of political minds. Think back a few years to what real clout “farm bloc” and ”union labor” votes used the carry.
Edgar Allen Poe, as a cartoonist, might have, at this point, pictured his pol-raven issuing forth a ballooned quote saying: “Nevermore!”
A.L.M. September 22, 2002 [c518wds]
