Lesson in the election

In the most recent election it seems to be reasonable to believe a four-term Arkansas legislator was given a spanking and told to go sit in a corner by his constituents because of his position on a single issue. This is much like what the voters did to Bill Clinton when the voters replaced him with Frank White.

Over his period in the Legislature, much of the representative’s service was positive for the residents of his district. However, he failed to listen when they repeatedly asked him to back off on one issue. While it was likely there was no single reason the voters gave Clinton a vacation from office, the issue in the headlines was a $5 increase in the fee for registering your car when he was advised not to implement the increase.

Neither the issue nor the political party is the most important thing politicians should learn when an inexperienced member of the minority party gains more votes than an experienced and relatively effective legislator in a geographic area that is largely represented by the majority party.

If you wish to retain your position, do not give your constituents reason to believe you are acting like you are too big for your britches. Listen to the people who gave you the honor of representing them. That may not be what you, the politician, believe is the wisest thing, but you are elected to represent the people. Listen to what the people are telling you. After all, regardless of your beliefs, the majority may disagree with you. And yes, this might be an important lesson at the national level. PHILLIP TAYLOR Fayetteville