Here's a letter from my (Democrat) state senator. Other states would do well to have Republicans with these principles!
By Sen. Jeff Woodburn
A philosophy is a handy thing to have in politics -- like guard rails for decision-making. Some of my recent votes have surprised and upset some of my Democratic friends. During the State Senate campaign, I promised to be independent and practical and work with everyone to protect rural values, culture and our unique way of life.
But my votes – against repealing the one-year old “Stand-your-ground” self-protection law and increasing the speed limits on the northern section of Interstate 93 from 65 mph to 70 – were based upon my small “d” democrat philosophy. I love democracy, strive for liberty and have an egalitarian chip on my shoulder.
Simply put, I trust people – individually and collectively. I’m for empowering people to make personal decisions about things -- things like marriage, abortion, gun control and using marijuana for medicinal purposes. By and large, people are the best stewards of their own lives and when their opinions are bound together they create a legitimate, credible government. Its purpose is not ideological – or always right, but simply to keep the democratic process working. A casual observer of history knows that most governments used discrimination, poverty and violence to enforce an undemocratic balance. So, on issues of personal liberty and political process, my philosophy is firm.
I believe in using government power to do big things -- protect liberty, equality, and do what is beyond the scope of an individual. Government action won wars, freed slaves, educated illiterate children, invested in GI’s to build the strongest economy in the world – and I believe that it must invest in rural areas, like the North Country to improve our economy. The greatest challenge is to restrain the instinct to grow and demand more change than the people want.
I’m shaped by many experiences – growing up in a rural area, serving as a town moderator, enjoying local history and being engaged across the community as small business owner, teacher and newspaper reporter – but it is my years as a writer and civics teacher that honed and cemented my iconoclastic philosophy
Teaching 50-freshmen high school students civics twice a year instilled a bottom-up, grassroots approach to public decision-making. The genius of our system is that it nearly perfectly balances our natural instincts to expand individual rights with our equally strong trust in the collective wisdom of the majority. Further, there is a strong historical concern that the powerful few will abuse the powerless many, and that widely distributed power is the best protection against an abusive, discriminatory government. The most difficult part about teaching civics is that nothing in young people’s lives emulates this philosophy
I oppose repealing the Stand-your-ground bill that provides slightly more power to the person confronted with violence. This law was enacted last year and was according to its critics going to lead to mayhem; but newly empowered people did exactly what they did before – acted responsibly. There is arrogance to think in an instance as personal as when someone is confronted with a serious bodily threat – that state law will influence behavior. It goes much deeper than that to one’s personal character, temperament and circumstances.
I supported raising the speed limit on northern parts of I-93 because I believed laws need to be credible, legitimate and live in the hearts and minds of our people, not on a sign on the road. When the vast majority of the people disobey a law in plain view of the police -- something is wrong. Eventually, it weakens the authority and credibility of the state. The 85-percentile rule sets speed limits based upon the rate where the vast majority of the drivers drive. The speed limit reflects established behaviors. It confirms my democratic notion. If the speed limit signs were removed, most people would behave as they presently do – operating their vehicle in a manner that is safe for themselves and other motorists, which happens to be 5-miles over the current speed limit. My big government friends call this anarchy – I call it democracy and wise, practical public policy.
![[cheers]](/xen/styles/default/xenforo/smilies.vb/018.gif "Cheers [cheers]")
