The Responsibility of Governance: A Commitment to Constitutional Leadership

Over the past twenty or more years, we have seen a rise in the belief that we live in a democracy and that what the majority wants should be implemented. While this is true, there is nuance to it. We do not live in a direct democracy; we live in a democratic constitutional republic. What this means for you is that mob rule and populism do not control the governing bodies or your representatives.

What is worse about ideological populism is that it ends up being the wants and desires of the few that rule the day. Those with the loudest voices. Most people are just living their lives day to day; they ignore surveys, they ignore the government, and they ignore the noise of politics. In fact, in Wyoming, I believe only around 60% of registered voters voted in the 2024 Natrona County primary election, and a lot of those voted out of civic duty; they didn’t even vet the candidates themselves. I have spoken with many voters who have told me that they just vote the way their husband/wife/friend/etc. recommends because they don’t pay that much attention. Are we to believe that this 60% speaks for every citizen, and do they actually speak with their own voice?

If our Founders had formed the government as a direct democracy, you would have to vote on every issue, and whatever is most popular at the time would rule the day. It would also make the government even slower to react than it is.

You may think that you want that or that your elected representatives should listen to the people first when making their decisions. If we do that, civilization as we know it in the West will collapse. Our elected leaders need to do what is best for the community, regardless of what the popular opinion of the day is.

Just because an idea or an ideology is popular does not mean it is the correct thing to do for the county, state, or country. And just because an idea is unpopular does not mean that it is the wrong direction to take.

Ideology does not belong in governance.

If our leaders had done what is always popular, we would not have fought the Civil War and restored the Union, we would not have helped during World War I, we would not have entered World War II, and we definitely would not have civil liberties for all races, creeds, and sexes in this country. In short, we would not be the United States of America.

These ideas and policies were not popular with the vast majority of people in this country when they were implemented. I, for one, am glad that the correct decisions were made. If they had not been, we would not have freedom of speech as we know it. We would not be a country of liberty. We would not be a country where the rule of law mattered. We would instead be a country that has no real direction, no real leadership. In short, we would have devolved into an unruly mob long ago.

Of course, there are times when the wrong decision is made, but that is the risk we have to take in order to have a fully functional society.

We need representatives that are not ideologues nor activists. We need leaders that respect the Constitution and the rule of law.

While the person can be smart and reasonable, the people as a group tend to feed on each other’s emotions and become more and more tribal. We need leadership that will weigh all of the issues that are before them and take into consideration all of the people, and not the wishes of just a select few, and do not base their decisions on opinion polls.

I am not an activist, I am not an ideologue. When elected, I plan to treat everyone equally under the law, I plan to look at all the facts; and base my decisions on them. I will not make rash decisions based on fear or emotion. I will not vote a particular way just because a poll shows that a majority of people want that decision. I will instead make the best decision based on the principles of the founding of this country and what is best for the county and citizens of this great county. The decision must take into account the welfare of all concerned, not just a select few who are living in an ideological bubble.

I will always listen to the people. There is, however, a difference between listening to and addressing the concerns of citizens and pandering to them. I will not try to keep my position when elected by doing the wrong thing just because polling data says the people like it. When all data is considered and the concerns of the voters have been addressed, then and only then will I make my decision. Sometimes that will mean that you disagree with me, and at other times you will agree.

If this stance costs me this election, that is something I will proudly live with. At least you know where I stand. Can you say the same for all of the other people running in this election at the local, state, and federal levels?

Do you want someone who will be honest with you? Or do you want someone who will tell you what you want to hear and make bad decisions so that they can remain popular and elected? Do you want a real leader who has real convictions and will do the best for the country, the state, the county, and the people? Or do you want someone who is only looking out for their own self-interests?

This August, you will have the chance to show that you want someone with real, constitutionally grounded values when it comes to governance. Everyone says that they want someone new; that they are tired of the same. They are tired of the platitudes and lies told by the modern politician. Well, here is your chance to prove it. Vote Savage for Natrona County Commissioner in the Republican primary this year. Then vote for me again in the general election in November. Make sure the voices of reason trump the voices of the mob.

Do we want people who want to do the work of government or those who only want the prestige of the office they seek?

With the 250^th anniversary of this country fast approaching, it would be nice if we chose our representatives and leaders based on the type of governance that the Founders intended.

Cameron Savage

Candidate, Natrona County Commissioner