Remember, We are Neighbors, People!
A Call for a Perspective
Between Citizens and Council
Dr.Ken Sokolowski
February 6 2004
People, ours is a representative form of government. It is not a democracy. It is not a monarchy. It is not supposed to be an oligarchy. It is a republic.
People, ours is a 200+ year old system that has worked well because of the wisdom of the founding fathers. Among the valuable principles upon which our American system rests is that of 'checks and balances'. Our governmental structure at the state and federal levels is composed of three branches which are individually supposed to keep the other branches representative of the People's will and in compliance with our heritage, traditions, and laws as evolved.
Our representatives are just that: representatives, not an oligarchy - a rule by the few. Our representatives, both elected and appointed, must represent the will of the People, not only those who elected them.
Our elected leaders are to do just that: lead, not rule unilaterally. Our six currently dominant Councilors, as the six who preceded them, are there to lead, not to abuse our body Politic for the benefit of those closely affiliated with them or their personal preferences. Our six ruling BOE members, similarly, are there to lead, not molest our school system for the benefit of special interests or at the expense of our children, their parents and grandparents and other elderly. Because these are our good, honorable, moral, religious neighbors, I know they will rise to the challenges of their offices.
We are blessed with the right to address our Government for the relief of grievances, not just to sit mute, taking whatever is doled out to us. We are people; all of us are finite and fallible. No one gets it right all of the time. Remember, folks, these are our neighbors!
Election to a position of leadership in our American system is not a proffer of carte blanche.
Ultimately, those leaders who forget this will be removed from office, one way or another. Those who have never learned this (but who happened to be elected by circumstances far beyond their own abilities) are destined to have a very short political career. But then, again, shouldn't all "politicians" have a short career. Oft have we heard the expression: "No one or nothing is safe when the Legislature is in session." Will Wethersfield be safe during this 2-year 'session'? Time will tell.
Intimidation of those who disagree with a personal position is so un-American it's mindboggling! Of course, mob rule, goon squads and bully bands have reared their ugly heads at times during our history, always justified by their twisted logic of expediency ('It seemed right at the time').
The ONLY confrontation which should take place between and among true, Red, White, and Blue American patriots is at the "ballot box". Anyone who would suggest any other form of confrontation, intimidation, mob rule or oligarchy is not a faithful defender of our great American traditions.
Elected leaders must not delude themselves that they are sitting at the dias of the Council or Board by some divine right, empowered to do whatever they want, for whom they want, no matter how many or how few, disregarding the hue and cry of those who offer alternative views. They are there to serve the will of the People, with a BIG "P", not just the people who were instrumental in electing them.
Just remember, people, one of our most nationalistically sacred documents - the CONSTITUTION, begins:
"We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America."
Think about how that provides perspective to our situation here in our little, olde towne of Wethersfield.
Now, go to your corners! You can come out and vote at the ballot box. When the bell rings and the round is over, the People will have won. Referendum, yes!
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