“The truth is, all might be free if they valued freedom, and defended it as they ought.”
Samuel Adams
During the time between when a new person is elected and the old person leaves the position, there is a period where the old person can act without concern for what the action may mean for re-election. This outgoing official is known as a Lame Duck.
Very often we see them do bad things during that period that the general public would be opposed to. Because they are not concerned about getting re-elected (since the public already elected someone else), they do not feel the accountability from the public that they are normally faced with.
However, We the People can turn this around. We can put pressure on the public official to do what is right in spite of the political party pressure to do what is wrong. Occasionally, a public official simply lacked the courage to do what was right in the face of political pressure from parties or other politicians. The Lame duck period may be pointed out to them as a time to do what is right and get away with it.
The Lame Ducks always need to see We the People in audience at public meetings. Whether we provide accountability to those intending to do harm during this period, or whether we provide support for those intending to do what is right during this period, they always need us there to encourage good governance.
Photo Credit: Robert Killips/Lansing State Journal/AP
