Member-only story
We should believe what the legislative session tells us
The people should take careful note of all that occurs, believe what they tell us, and remember it when next they ask for our votes.
Sometimes, the simple lessons placed right in front of us are the hardest to learn. The seemingly simple “When people show you who they are, believe them the first time” quote from Maya Angelou hinges on two parts to go from quotable quote to ingrained wisdom: discerning the actions of folks, and understanding those actions are harbingers of things to come.
As the West Virginia legislative session begins, it would be easy enough to just follow along with headlines and narratives, listen to the buzzwords and politi-speak of the participants, see what passes and does not, what changes are made or not, and chalk up the whole exercise as just going-through-the-motions of representative government. The problem with that is neither seeing what the legislature is showing us in proper perspective nor believing what those actions tell us gets done. A free people self-governing through representation doesn’t work off apathy and inertia, but unaccountable government and the unworthy schemers who, if left unchecked, tend to thrive within such government sure do find such an environment inviting.
