Chad "The Weezle" Smith                 Principal Thief of CNOT

Politicians or statesmen    By: Chad Smith           My desire for future elections is that the Cherokee people will select more and more statesmen, not only in Cherokee elections but also in state and federal elections. I look forward to the day when only statesmen will run for office. A statesman is a servant leader who is not concerned about his political future, but in what is best for the people. Former Deputy Chief John Ketcher is a great example of a statesman. A statesman is open-minded, logical, intelligent and compassionate. A statesman reconciles conflict and looks into the future. Unfortunately, many elected officials are not statesmen or even leaders. They are in office to make themselves feel important, to gain power and sometimes to get money. This kind of elected official is caustic, negative and hateful who stirs up messes, acts self-righteous, gets personal and calls other people names, and is the first to claim he is not a "politician" and that he "is working for the people." Some think success is getting their picture in the paper handing out a check. Some elected officials think their job is to be against the chief and other elected officials regardless of the issue.

   

We have elections coming up next year. I ask you to think about what is good for the Cherokee Nation and our children, not just what we can get for free now. Please think about the kind of people we need in public office to make good decisions for the present and the future. We don't need ag'iners; we don't need self-serving politicians. We need positive leaders and statesmen. Talk to those in office and those running against them. Look at their service history and decide for yourself if they are true statesmen.

This type of elected official is not a statesman. A statesman does not buy votes with "quick fix" hand-outs. A statesman makes 
the tough decisions. He considers all his constituents. He has a vision and a long-term plan.

My mother told me there are some people who if you gave them a gold mine and stood on your head they would still complain. She called these people "ag'iners" which is the slang word for those against everything. These ag'iners are rubber stamps who regardless of the issue say "no." In politics, everyone is an expert, especially the ag'iners. They boast they can do a better job even though they have never done anything themselves.

The ag'iners are the first to complain and criticize but never have a thought-out answer or solution. They don't want to build up; they want to tear down. Recently, someone told me of one ag'iner who takes pride in filing frivolous lawsuits was complaining about the principal chief. This person asked if the ag'iner had anybody better for chief. The ag'iner said, "No, I do not." That proves the point. Ag'iners have one-track minds - to "be against."

Disagreement doesn't make someone an ag'iner. Statesmen can disagree with each other respectfully and make their points politely and rationally. We need statesmen who can positively work together with one another and with each branch of government.

My style is quiet, thoughtful and methodical. I don't promote myself. I would rather work on a waterline or community building than shake hands at a fancy banquet. I live in a modest house in an Indian community and work and walk with the Cherokee people. My wife teaches Cherokee. One son graduated from Haskell Indian Nations University and another from Sequoyah High School. Our daughter goes to Briggs School. I listen to the Cherokee people and am convinced they want statesmen as elected leaders.