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<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">
Today I turned on the television and was absently watching
while pondering a note I had read about Statesmen.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There are basically two types of people
that venture into politics – politicians and statesmen.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Politicians are sort of defined as
“public servants” which fits very well into democracy – but not that well into a
republic.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Politicians, being
servants, are very concerned about the attitudes and opinions of the public at
large – and seemingly less concerned with administration and making laws that
will be good and constitutional – but unpopular with the general public.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>I recently spoke to a local politician that really had no idea that the
United States is a republic – which told me that he had probably never read the
Constitution.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If he had never read
the basis for our laws, freedom, everything that the government - and our
freedoms are based on, then how can he possibly administer in the spirit of
that document?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In my personal
opinion, that man was totally unprepared and unfit to fill the office he was
elected to.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>While pondering this, I noticed that the group of “survivors” I had been
watching were once again engaged in the democratic process - and were voting off
another member of their tribe.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They
were not voting off the weakest, or the least likely to survive, but were
systematically voting off the strongest and smartest – or lest scheming
members.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This is always true in a
democracy.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>When politicians are
chained by public opinion, they learn and scheme and plot to be the only one
remaining.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This is often
accomplished by laying traps, abusing others while at the very same time making
promises, forging alliances, and saying exactly what needs to be said to make
sure that they themselves are safe.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>If this sounds too much like our government, there is a reason.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We have degraded into a democracy to
such an extent that the good men have been forced out and the remainder are the
"sweet talking used car salesmen" who are very good at telling you what you want
to hear while hiding the knife that will destroy your freedoms behind their
back.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>I wondered about this.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And
it dawned on me that in a republic, politicians were not the rule, and in fact,
many of the most destructive laws that have ever been written were at the behest
of the men in our government who were democratically inclined.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>A very good example was the religious
movement that pushed the prohibition on the American people, and weren’t content
to allow local or even state laws deal with problems… they pushed for an
amendment to the constitution itself.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>If they had not pushed in this direction, then alcohol, which as corn
that had been fermented to make it easy to transport – may have been the fuel of
choice in our world today.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>When making your own
alcohol became a felony, innovation and technology that could have been,
wasn’t.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The very bad law that
democracy forced on us lasted fourteen years. The damage has never gone
away.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I wondered about this as
well, and concluded that politicians were the ones that pushed the law through,
statesmen repealed it.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
style="mso-tab-count: 1">
</SPAN>Statesmen is a term that is rarely used in our world today.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Even definitions are vague as to what a
statesman is, and some even blur the line between a politician and a
statesman.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> This is very good for the
politician because it clouds issues with incorrect definitions. </SPAN>I
decided to take a little time and explore the difference.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Here is what I found.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <?xml:namespace prefix = o
ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> Webster’s Online says;</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"> <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG>Politician:</STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Date: 1589 </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=senselabelstart>1</SPAN><STRONG>:</STRONG><SPAN class=sensecontent> a
person experienced in the art or science of government;
</SPAN><EM>especially</EM><SPAN class=sensebreak> </SPAN><STRONG>:</STRONG><SPAN
class=sensecontent> one actively engaged in conducting the business of a
government<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN class=senselabelstart>2
a</SPAN><STRONG>:</STRONG><SPAN class=sensecontent> a person engaged in
party <A href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/politics">politics</A>
as a profession</SPAN><SPAN class=sensebreak> </SPAN><SPAN
class=senselabel>b</SPAN><STRONG>:</STRONG><SPAN class=sensecontent> a
person primarily interested in <A
href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/political">political</A> office
for selfish or other narrow usually short-sighted reasons<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=sensecontent> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><STRONG>Statesman:</STRONG></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt">Date: 1592 </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=senselabelstart>1</SPAN><STRONG>:</STRONG><SPAN
class=sensecontent> one versed in the principles or art of government;
</SPAN><EM>especially</EM><SPAN class=sensebreak> </SPAN><STRONG>:</STRONG><SPAN
class=sensecontent> one actively engaged in conducting the business of a
government or in shaping its policies<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=senselabelstart>2</SPAN><STRONG>:</STRONG><SPAN
class=sensecontent> one who exercises political leadership wisely and
without narrow partisanship<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=sensecontent> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN class=sensecontent>MSN
Encarta defines;<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=sensecontent> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=sensecontent><STRONG>Politician:<o:p></o:p></STRONG></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=resultbodyblack>1. Somebody active in politics: </SPAN><SPAN
class=resultbody>somebody who actively or professionally engages in
politics</SPAN><SPAN class=resultbodyblack><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=resultbodyblack>2. Government member: </SPAN><SPAN
class=resultbody>a member of a branch of government</SPAN><SPAN
class=resultbodyblack><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=resultbodyblack>3. </SPAN><SPAN
class=resultbodyitalic>U.S. </SPAN><SPAN class=resultbodyblack>somebody
seeking personal power: </SPAN><SPAN class=resultbody>somebody whose main
political motive is self-advancement and whose methods are often
unscrupulous</SPAN> ( <SPAN class=resultbodyitalic>disapproving</SPAN> )</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=resultbodyblack>4. Schemer: </SPAN><SPAN
class=resultbody>somebody who manipulates relationships, especially in a
workplace<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=resultbody> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=resultbody><STRONG>Statesman:</STRONG></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=resultbodyblack>1. Leading politician: </SPAN><SPAN
class=resultbody>a senior politician, especially a man, who plays an important
role in government or international affairs</SPAN><SPAN
class=resultbodyblack><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=resultbodyblack>2. Respected impartial senior male
politician: </SPAN><SPAN class=resultbody>a senior politician, especially a
man, who is widely respected for integrity and impartial concern for the public
good<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt"><SPAN
class=resultbody> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><SPAN
class=resultbody>The results were what I had expected, and I am more concerned
than ever.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We seem to have far too
many politicians.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Far too many men
that are concerned with votes and public opinion and nowhere near enough concern
with the good of this country.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The
men and women that ignore statistics and rely on public opinion – often guided
by the press -<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>are the very people
that would vote for gun controls.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>The very people that would vote for prohibition -<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>and the very people that pay pollsters
to find out what the next wave of public opinion and media pressure will be so
that they can scheme and plan for their next election.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It seems that the District of Colombia
have an abundance of politicians and far too few
Statesmen.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in">The sad thing
is that every news show pays the bills through advertising.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Advertising is dictated by Businesses
and these Businesses demand listeners and watchers.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The news once was delivered by sound and
thoughtful men who, when called to, would even dig into the trenches with our
solders.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Now, the press is fed by
the Associated Press, and the news generated is designed to elicit emotion and
pull people into polished soap opera style news shows and papers.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Everyone has heard of a newspaper
passing on a story because there was not enough public interest, while at the
same time pushing stories that were emotionally charged but frivolous.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>What this does is focus public opinion
to an issue, and the style of reporting will easily manipulate public opinion to
one side of that issue.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>That
opinion is what politicians crave.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>It makes their jobs easier.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN>And to clarify, the politicians job is to stay in power, and in office,
while drawing a paycheck and exercising his 51% by getting to tell others what
they can and cannot do.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This is
Democracy in action and the playground of the power hungry.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in">We must find
and elect statesmen that are willing to vote against the tide of public
opinion.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Men and women that will
not bow to corporate interests but will look, see, and act in their conscience
and within the boundaries set by the Constitution of our Country.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We need to correct many things, but
trying to get a politician to correct a wrong, is far too close to trying to get
a politician to admit he is wrong, or that he has a problem.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I hear a new story of these men that
crave power caught trying to gain too much power, every day it seems like.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Sex in offices and bathrooms, men with
little boys, laws that are passed because a dollar was passed… and that is just
the beginning!<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>What about laws
passed that benefited corporations but hurt individuals?<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>What about Coal Miners that were
squashed by the courts in favor of cheap coal.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I could tell hundreds of stories, many
from my own experiences, of politicians abusing their power, but the most
damaging are the deals that are worked behind closed doors.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Never trust a politician, trust a
statesman.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in">James Madison
was such a statesman.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>So was
Benjamin Franklin and many other Statesmen who would die before surrender to a
corporate interest while at the same time limiting the damage done
by politicians who would readily abandon the Constitution if
it did not support his position.</P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"> </P>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"><FONT
size=4>These are the questions – and the focus that needs to be used in our
elections.</FONT><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in"> <o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in">1.<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN>Does
s/he want the best for everyone.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in">2.<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN>Does
s/he resist public opinion to make good laws, even if it would hurt his
career?</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in">3.<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN>Does
s/he tell it to me straight up and pull no punches.<SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in">4.<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN>Does
s/he administer logically, with compassion, and thoughtfully by reading every
line of a new bill – or does he hire ten aides to read and make
recommendations.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in">5.<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN>Does
s/he take the Constitution and it’s meaning close to his heart – and administer
the office with solemnity and dignified seriousness. </P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in">6.<SPAN
style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN>Does
s/he make the good and best interests of every single member of our country his
personal responsibility - and administer that responsibility with careful
consideration?</P>
<P class=MsoNormal
style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt 0.75in; TEXT-INDENT: -0.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .75in"> <o:p></o:p></P>
<DIV><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><FONT
size=4> If he or she
does not, then look elsewhere for your leader, </FONT></SPAN></DIV>
<DIV><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA"><FONT
size=4> the one you are
considering is not fit to hold office.</FONT><SPAN
style="mso-spacerun: yes">
</SPAN></SPAN><BR></DIV></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>