A Betrayal of Trust

It was a tough weekend for one politician in New Hampshire. when he acknowledged that he had “fabricated” internship records for his law degree.

In so doing Mr. Bettencourt has betrayed the voters in his district and disappointed those who have put their faith and trust in his leadership. As a Republican who has spent a great deal of energy promoting what I believe to be the honorable core values of our party, I believe that his immediate resignation was the appropriate response.

This is not the first time a politician has displayed a personal failing in character, however, and it won’t be the last. It is hardly a partisan issue – a simple Google search will reveal a long list of Republicans and Democrats alike who have betrayed the trust of the people.

Unfortunately, this is exactly what turns off most of us to politics; the arrogant belief that the rules are not for you, the dishonesty and collusion. There are good people and bad in every enterprise; sometimes good people make bad mistakes and sometimes bad people are just plain bad people. Other times, bad people actually learn to do better and earn redemption.

Whether it is because we have become jaded ourselves or are just disillusioned, we the people have come to believe that “that’s just the way it is” in politics. Sooner or later, we figure, everyone we elect becomes corrupt or abusive in one way or another, putting party and power above the people.

I remain firmly convinced, however, that it does not have to be this way. I am absolutely certain that most of those who run for office are led by the inspiration to serve rather than by the accumulation of power. I believe that most people are truly good and attempting to do good things, and I believe this to be true of many who currently serve in Concord.

None of us are perfect, of course, and some mistakes are greater than others. Those who serve as elected representatives of the people must be held to a higher standard, however. They are given an extraordinary privilege when their neighbors cast a ballot in their favor. Those who are honored with a seat in the people’s government must abide by the highest possible standard of ethics in all areas of their lives.

Among the many responsibilities of elected office is the duty to hold your fellow representatives accountable when they fall down on the job. Those who manipulate the mistakes of others to further their own agenda show no honor at all. Too often, the phrase “there is no honor among thieves” seems to prove itself in politics, just another betrayal of the trust the people place in their elected officials.

In this case, leadership has done the right thing, holding the errant representative responsible for his personal failure, insisting on his resignation and moving forward with the business of the people.

It falls to us, however – you and me and our neighbors around the state, to ultimately hold all of our elected leaders accountable.

Party and politics serve no purpose at all if they do not serve the people, and only we, the people, can assure that the democratic process we have honored for over 200 years is preserved.