From the Mayor: This Election Season Like No Other
By Mary C. Marvin, Mayor of Bronxville
Oct. 19, 2016: As a student of politics and a believer in its nobleness as a profession, this election season has emerged like no other. Stunning is the word that comes to mind.
In a nutshell, I concur with the thoughts of others who believe that as a nation we are suffering from a drought of statesman and a flood of politicians.
In stark terms, we are learning that a politician and a statesman are not one in the same.
Webster defines a politician as “a person who gives much time to political affairs; a person experienced in politics." A statesman is defined as “a person who is skilled in the management of public or national affairs.”
Though the definitional difference may be subtle, the difference has enormous consequences in the quality of our government.
At least since the fourth century BC, the distinction has been duly noted. The Athenian philosopher Demosthenes believed, “A statesman should be ahead of events and not be compelled to follow them.” By that standard, Edmund Burke, who foresaw the rise of Napoleon out of the French Revolution and Winston Churchill, who spoke against the appeasement of Hitler, certainly fit the definition of statesman.
Our Founding Fathers were also not politicians. John Adams and James Madison had almost no political experience when they were elected to serve in the Continental Congress.
Political experience, no – but they had education, ideas, and conviction – hallmarks of statesmanship. As John Adams said of his political stances, “Always stand on principle, even if you stand alone.”
In a review of historical opinions, there is a commonality of virtues/characteristics that all agree differentiate a statesman from a politician. First and foremost, a statesman has a moral compass and doesn't govern by public opinion polls.
By contrast, a politician puts a finger in the wind and follows the most recent Gallup poll. A politician tells his constituents what he has done for them either through speeches or mailings; a statesman is too busy trying to guarantee a future for his constituents grandchildren to toot his own horn.
Through the generations, statesman have always been perceived as ambitious, yes, but there is a limit as to what they will do to get to the top. They have a code of right and wrong.
Words used to describe statesman in historical works include noble, visionary, for the common good, trustworthy, possessing integrity, lack of ego.
A statesman has foresight and devises solutions for a generation he will never see. He builds a consensus to achieve his vision, not through ads and propaganda, but with well-reasoned arguments formed from a strong education in the study of history. A political realist, his policies are devised based on their effect on the nation.
A true statesman has a bedrock of principles and believes in fundamental truths. When speaking, he appeals to the very best within his countryman.
In contrast, the primary objective for a politician appears to be re-election, and stances are influenced by their popularity with the current voting public. And often they tell us what we want to hear, not what they truly think. Woodrow Wilson, over a century ago, didn’t think too much of this approach, saying, “If you think too much about being re-elected, it is very difficult to be worth re-electing.”
What has moved our nation’s political pendulum from the Founding Fathers to what we are experiencing today?
Many historians lay the blame on too many handlers surrounding a candidate. Everyone now employs speechwriters, pollsters, social scientists, and a cadre of sycophants. Words, actions, ideas are then those of others vetted around a table for their “popularity.” Authenticity is a casualty of the process. One pundit likened statesmen to vegetables – many people don’t like them, but they are good for us vs politicians are like a banana split – all yummy now and I’ll worry about my stomach later.
Our last two presidents, George W. Bush and Barack Obama, assembled the two greatest campaign teams in our country’s history. Myriads of books have been written extolling the brilliance of their campaign execution, and both political organizations serve as templates for successful politicians going forward.
Did their exemplary campaigning translate into exemplary statesman? History will be the judge.
As an electorate we have a duty to ferret out the appeasement, the unauthentic, the pandering and be an informed voter on issues that affect our lives and evaluate candidate beyond sound bites and hairdos.
In the best of times, only 60% of those of us eligible to vote cast a ballot. The United States is always at or near the bottom of numbers of voters in democratic countries who exercise their right to vote.
Euripides theorized that people get the government they deserve ...
Financial & Legal Assistance Directory
Hymes & Associates, CPA, P.C.
Our firm provides outstanding service to our clients because of our dedication to the three underlying principles of professionalism, responsiveness, and quality.
Listed as one of the 10 largest firms by The Westchester Business Journal, we serve clients throughout the tri-state area. By combining our expertise, experience, and
the energy of our staff, each client receives close, personal and professional attention.
Our high standards, service, and specialized staff spell the difference between our outstanding performance and other firms. We make sure that every client
is served by the expertise of our whole firm.
Hymes & Associates, CPA, P.C.
55 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, NY 10708
914-961-1200
914-961-1715 (Fax)
Website: www.hymescpa.com
Baillie & Hershman
44 Pondfield Road, Suite - 12
Bronxville, N.Y. 10708
Office: 914-337-6300
Matthew W. Kerner, ESQ.
Direct Dial: 914-337-6569
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Fax: 914-337-6913
Suzanne M. Bloomer, Esq.
Direct Dial: 914-337-0142
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Baillie & Hershman provides comprehensive Real Estate legal services for buyers, sellers, current owners, real estate agents and lenders. We also handle estate planning, including the drafting of wills.
Griffin, Coogan, Sulzer & Horgan, P.C.
Attorneys and Counselors at Law
Griffin, Googan, Sulzer & Horgan, R.C.
Located in Bronxville, New York, Griffin, Coogan, Sulzer & Horgan, P.C. takes great pride in providing our clients with comprehensive, high quality legal services in a responsive manner. The firm concentrates its practice in real estate law with a primary focus on issues relating to real estate tax litigation (also known as tax certiorari), real estate transactions, valuation law, real property taxation and tax planning and real property tax exemption matters throughout New York State.
The firm serves as general counsel for several local cooperatives and represents clients in various issues relating to wills, trusts and estate planning.
51 Pondfield Road
Bronxville, NY 10708
(914) 961-1300
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Nobile, Magarian & DiSalvo LLP
We are hardworking and dedicated attorneys who, combined, have more than 150 years of experience delivering quality legal advice. Our cutting edge is our ability to enter both the conference room and the courtroom with strength. Our law firm provides legal representation and counsel for both individual and business clients on issues related to estate planning and administration, real estate law, litigation, and business law. Our practice areas include: Commercial Litigation, Business Law, Real Estate, Wills, Estate Planning, Trusts, Estate Administration, Living Wills, Health Care Proxies, Powers of Attorney, Not For Profits, and Employment Law.
111 Kraft Avenue
Bronxville, NY 10708
914-337-6300
Veneruso, Curto, Schwartz & Curto, LLP
Veneruso, Curto, Schwartz & Curto is dedicated to providing businesses and individuals with exceptional legal services customized to each client's needs and objectives. Practice areas include litigation, real estate, not for profit, wills and estate planning, land use and zoning, business and corporate, cooperative and condominium and real estate tax assessment litigation.
The Hudson Valley Bank Building
35 East Grassy Sprain Road, Suite 400
Yonkers, New York 10710
914-779-1100
Aegis Capital
Steve brings 40 years of investing experience to his role as Senior Managing Director at Aegis Capital Corp., a prominent national securities firm.
Allstate
Auto, Home, Business and Life Insurance
Exclusive Agents:
Debbie M. Stockton
George L. Petronella Jr.
108 Kraft Avenue
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-961-7200
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
http://agent.allstate.com/DSTOCKTON2/Welcome/
John L. Vorbach Company, Inc. Insurance Brokers
Manhattan Media & Technology Center
65 Broadway, 9th Floor
New York, New York 10006
212-294-4900 x 112
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.vorbach.com
MDIC Investment Company
Mutual Funds, Stocks & Bonds, Financial & Estate Planning, Investment & Advisory Services, Life & Health Insurance
Daniel S. Macdonald, Jr.
116 Kraft Avenue, Ste. 8
Bronxville, New York 10708
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.mdicinc.com
Palmer-Tanno Agency, Inc.
Independent Insurance Agents since 1948
Greg Tanno
141 Parkway Road, Suite #11
Bronxville, New York 10708
914-793-6603
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Personal Risk Management Solutions
Focuses solely on personal insurance and
provides unique, customized solutions that save
money and time and create peace of mind.
Linda Graef Jones, Private Client Sales Executive
6 East 43rd Street
New York, New York 10017
914-645-3951
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Ranieri Insurance Agency
Auto, Home, Business & Life
Over 50 Years' Experience
Paul D. Ranieri, CPCU
457 Palmer Road
Yonkers, NY
914-376-2560
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Rollins Agency, Inc.
Insurance and Risk Management Solutions
Since 1910
800 Westchester Ave. Suite N-311
Rye Brook, NY 10573
914-337-1833
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Financial Legal Assistance Recent Articles
Quick Links
Newsletter
MyhometownBroxnville reserves the right to monitor and remove all comments. For more information on Posting Rules, please review our Rules and Terms of Use, both of which govern the use and access of this site. Thank you.
The information presented here is for informational purposes only. While every effort has been made to present accurate information, myhometownBronxville, LLC, does not in any way accept responsibility for the accuracy of or consequences from the use of this information herein. We urge all users to independently confirm any information provided herein and consult with an appropriate professional concerning any material issue of fact or law. The views and opinions expressed by the writers, event organizers and advertisers do not necessarily represent those of myhometownBronxville, LLC, its officers, staff or contributors. The use of this website is governed by the Terms of Use . No portion of this publication may be reproduced or redistributed, either in whole or part, without the express written consent of the publisher.
Copyright © 2009 myhometownbronxville.com, All rights reserved.