Politicians vs. Statesmen: Elected Officials vs. Leaders

Published on:

March 24, 2025

Chairman's Monday Message

“Leaders know what right looks like”. — Major General Geoffrey Miller, XVIIIth Airborne Corps Artillery Commander

I will never forget the sage words from then Brigadier General Geoff Miller when I was stationed at Ft. Bragg. I think those words would bode well for us all to ponder. It was Benjamin Franklin who gave us sage advice on the day our US Constitution was signed, September 17 1787 (later ratified in 1789). When he was confronted by Philadelphia socialite, Mrs. Powel, she asked him, “Well, Doctor, what is it that we have a Republic or a Monarchy?” Franklin replied, “A Republic if you can keep it.” Words that hold true for us today. We do not reside in a democracy. Yes, America has a system of representative democracy where our voices are heard in the halls of governance, the most powerful one being the legislative branch. America is a Constitutional Republic, and Article IV, Section 4 of the Constitution, known as the Guarantee Clause confirms such.

However, what can we, the citizenry do to keep this Republic? It is a question that I get so often. Just recently I had a young lady say to me, “I do not think I make a difference.” It was Thomas Jefferson who once professed, “The government you elect is the government you deserve.”

There needs to be better discernment regarding the difference between politicians and statesmen. The former will always tell you what you want to hear. The latter will tell you what you need to hear, and the consequences be damned. The issue in America — and we see it locally, as well — is that quite a few operate in the realm of just wanting to hear what makes them feel good. Sadly, our system of education has been reduced to rubble and we struggle to develop critical thinkers who embrace the art of debate, and intellectual rigor. The soundbite and immediate gratification culture has caused some to eschew critical thinking and seek to just be told what to do. We have fallen prey to trite slogans and refuse to ask the hard questions. This is the atmosphere in which “politicians” thrive.

Statesmen (and that is not a sexist term, though I am quite sure some will assert such) will take the time to research, understand an issue, and convey it to the people, those whom they are called to represent. But often, statesmen are rejected, to our lament, because they do not always say what makes us feel good. They challenge one to think, and assess. I remember when a Colonel was briefing our Division Commander, a Major General. The Colonel stated, “General, this is my opinion.” The General interrupted him and said, “Colonel, opinions are like buttholes (not exactly the language he used), everyone has one, and most of them stink. Colonel, I am not interested in your opinion, I want your analysis and assessment.” Yep, I was just a young Major, but you can bet yer bottom dollar, I got that message. We have to want factual analysis, not just feel good. We have to do our due diligence and study issues and see where respective political candidates stand on them. This involves the study of voting records and not just watching TV commercials, not to mention soundbites.

Yeah, I can hear people now, “Colonel, I do not have time. Can you do it, or someone else, and just tell me . . . ” Shall I go back to Franklin’s response to Mrs. Powel? We take the time to repost silly videos and peruse social media ad nauseum, including while we drive. I am sure folks, you can dedicate 30-40 minutes a day to study your issues, especially the local issues. Dallas County is heading in the wrong direction. You can start correcting that course this round of municipal elections.

The Army taught me that there are five Cs to leadership: Courage, Competence, Commitment, Conviction, and Character. I would recommend that you develop an evaluative criteria matrix of your elected representatives, at every level, and assess them. Ascertain if they are leaders or just elected officials. Elections must cease being popularity contests and based upon insidious, and often dangerous ideologies. 

How do you keep this Republic? Read the US and Texas Constitutions, along with your local municipality charter. Know when someone is giving you an opinion, and as liberal NY Senator Daniel Patrick Monyihan said, “You’re entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts.”

Dallas, Dallas County, Texas, and America needs more statesmen and leaders, not ideological charlatans who keep pumping sunshine up our skirts! Sorry, I still speak Soldier.

Steadfast and Loyal.