Our Republic Only Works If We Do

In a Republic, like we have in these United States of America, the greatest threat to liberty isn’t the politician who overreaches — it’s the citizen who looks the other way.

Once the votes are counted, the job is done — at least that’s what most of us like to believe. We elect good people, trust them to do good work, and move on with our lives. But that’s not how self-government works. The moment we stop paying attention is the moment we hand over the keys to those who will use government for their own gain.

Accountability is not a partisan idea — it’s a civic one. Whether you lean right, left, or somewhere in between, the duty to keep government honest belongs to all of us.

Pay attention — always, politicians depend on distractions. They hope we’re too busy, too tired, or too overwhelmed to notice what happens between election cycles. That’s when the deals are made, the votes are cast, and the promises start to fade.

A responsible citizen doesn’t need to memorize every bill number or participate in every policy debate. However, we should at least know how our representatives voted and whether those votes align with what they said when they sought our support.

Read the local news. Attend a council meeting. Ask questions. The first defense against corruption is awareness.

Be sure and ask the right questions, because it’s easy to take a politician’s words at face value — that’s what they hope for. But every proposal, every “solution,” and every emotional appeal has a motive.

When you hear a policy pitch, ask:

• Who benefits if I believe this?
• What will it cost — not in slogans, but in dollars? And maybe not just me, but also my less fortunate neighbors and family.
• And, most importantly, does it strengthen individual liberty or expand government control?

Those questions cut through the noise and reveal the truth. Politicians are skilled at selling what sounds good. It’s our job to determine what’s truly valuable.

Don’t be afraid to use your voice — loudly and often. Accountability isn’t just about complaining when something goes wrong; it’s also about taking responsibility for the outcome. It’s about speaking up before it’s too late.

Write your representatives. Show up at meetings. Become an activist and use social media to post the truth when you encounter misinformation. Don’t underestimate the power of ordinary citizens — that’s where every significant movement for freedom has always begun. Silence, on the other hand, is what gives bad government its power.

Every campaign is built on promises. Every vote is a test of character. The politician who says one thing to your face and votes another way in Helena (or Washington) is counting on you to forget. Don’t.

Keep a list. Follow your representative’s record; ask them to explain themselves — in person, if you can. Accountability isn’t cruelty; it’s stewardship. We are stewards of the freedom that generations before us fought to secure.

Remember, freedom is not self-sustaining. It depends on citizens who stay alert, engaged, and unafraid to challenge those in power. Our system works only when we do.

Politicians may hold office, but the real authority — the power to correct, to replace, and to restore — belongs to us. That’s not just our right. It’s our responsibility!