Ask Marilyn

Do you think politicians should perform based on their own convictions or on the convictions of their constituents?

—Mark Edwards, Charlotte, N.C. Personally, I believe we should elect politicians with much more wisdom and far fewer convictions, which are really unalterable opinions that are often applied without regard to the reallife consequences. Candidates should display their respect for humankind, their common sense and their perspicacity while campaigning so that, when elected, their constituents can trust them to behave with insight, knowing their representatives will do the right thing, even if it isn’t always obvious to those of us outside their circle.

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