I Am Not A King; I Don't Choose Successors

By Brian L. Baker

President Abraham Lincoln once stated, “No man is good enough to govern another man without that other's consent.” How true these words ring as we approach the 2008 elections.

Recently, I was asked if I had picked my successor as I enter my final year as your state representative. I feel obligated to remind the public that I am not a king and I do not choose successors. In our government the people are the kings and they choose their leaders.

Each voter…each citizen has a voice and in our Democratic-Republic, those voices are equal. None of us elects kings, but we consent, by voting, to allow men and women to govern under a set of rules established by our constitution.

In the coming months the political landscape will be full of discussions. Debates will rage and lines of agreement and disagreement will be drawn. It is imperative to remember that debate and discussion is healthy in our form of government.

History tells us that the formation of our country was not a simple table discussion where everyone was agreeable. Our founding fathers engaged in heated debate and arguments.
In 1972 a musical titled “1776” was created to depict the debate and struggle of how our nation was founded. Many of the words and arguments in that production were actually pulled from the notes and diaries of our founding fathers. Notice this discourse by John Adams who was angry at the direction the Continental Congress..."I have come to the conclusion that one useless man is called a disgrace; that two are called a law firm, and that three or more become a Congress! And by God, I have had this Congress! For ten years, King George and his Parliament have gulled, cullied, and diddled these colonies with their illegal taxes! Stamp Acts, Townshend Acts, Sugar Acts, Tea Acts! And when we dared stand up like men, they have stopped our trade, seized our ships, blockaded our ports, burned our towns, and spilled our BLOOD! And still, this Congress refuses to grant ANY of my proposals on independence, even so much as the courtesty of open debate! Good God, what in hell are you waiting for?"

Yet amidst the severe debate, men with various ideas and varied views of what kind of government we should form, created the most unique, free, and fragile course for a new nation.
We are heirs to their vision. There are no kings. The voice of the people reins. After over 200 years, this democratic-republic has become beacon of light to other nations seeking freedom.

Our founding fathers knew that their creation was fragile. When asked what form of government had been established, Benjamin Franklin stated, “A Republic if you can keep it.” Franklin knew that throughout history, this type of government had struggled to survive.
Here we stand, still at the beginning of a new century, 50 states striving to maintain that which has been handed down. These United States are now in our trust.

It is imperative that we hold true to the gift of our founding fathers. We must use our voices. We are to cast our votes. The people govern by selecting a public servant from among them.
President Lincoln was right, “No man is good enough to govern another man with that other’s consent.” Always remember, the people you elect serve you and govern with the consent of the people.

That being stated, like you, I will lend my support to candidates that I believe will best serve my city, my county, my state, and my country. Like you, I will share my voice. However, at the end of the day, when the elections are over, I will stand side by side with my fellow citizens and move forward. I will not stand by Republicans or Democrats, but I will stand by Americans. I will do this because I remember that we do not elect kings…but we consent for men and women to serve us in this place called the United States of America.

It continues to be a pleasure to serve you all! God bless!