Us and Them

When I responded to Mr. Newman's letter to The Auroran ,I had only read the headline. I didn't read the letter. The headline set me off.

Yes Yes,,,I admit to  human failings. What do you want from me? .Sackcloth and ashes?It's not going to happen.

Since the thread  continued, I thought I ought to check back to the beginning.

Mr.Newman's letter prompted my memory. It sent me back to twin letters in The Auroran a few years ago. One from Mr.McIntyre another from an apparent friend. I can't remember what it was about. But the most likely issue was The Petch House. 

The friend commented I had outlived my usefulness and should step aside. 

Just like Mr.Newman did. Now that I think of it, it may even be one and the same. 

Being scolded  for being disrespectful by a person being disrespectful is an interesting contradiction.

I have been elected a number of times in free and clear elections. 

I do hold the office of Councillor.

I have held the office of Reeve and County Councillor  as well as Mayor and  Regional  Councillor and sundry others.

It  appears my manners  were acceptable  to a sufficient number of Aurorans ,over several generations,  to generate sufficient support at the polls where it counts.

I am in the happy circumstance of being myself, being in politics and never having to say I'm sorry

because I  always did my best.

I thought about it as I listened to  the twin editors of The Economist talking  about their book The Fourth Revolution on Charlie Rose on Tuesday before I went to the Council meeting. They identified cronyism and entitlements as the main problems for governments 

Charlie asked who is the world's best leader." Angela Merkel" they said. But even she  is caught in the common dilemma. She knows the problem. Knows how to fix it. But if she does she can't get elected.

Well,I thought,there she is the most powerful woman in the world,carrying the heaviest burden she can't do what needs to be done because getting elected is the most important thing in her life . I understand that. I am not unsympathetic.

In my very much less exalted position , I think I am fortunate. I enjoy politics.  But most important to me is ,when people vote for me,they know exactly what to expect.

I will be true.

I have banked my life and everything else on the principle ...honesty matters ....to me ...to my parents and grandparents before me and to  people like me.

And there are more of us than there are of them.