When Abraham Lincoln delivered his Gettysburg Address, he referred to "the people" and the power invested by the citizenry in their elected officials. The core element of democracy is the concept of individuals selecting a person they believe will represent them and their interests. That's why Hannah-Beth Jackson is the best and only choice for the state's 19th Senate District.
Many of our leaders have become too "big" for the position they're in. Elected individuals have been given the power to lead "by the people," and, while many forget this promise, Hannah-Beth has proven time and time again she does represent and serve her constituency.
Our representatives, whether mayors, school board chairmen, state representatives, governors or congressional representatives, are voted upon by the people and owe the people their allegiance. They are "public servants," whether they acknowledge it or not. This isn't a dictatorship or a kingdom or a monarchy. We are not a fascist or socialist state, although there may be evidence to the contrary. I am certainly not trying to teach a course in Government 101, but Hannah-Beth has worked in the community -- she has actually held jobs -- and is not a product of the political system, moving from position to position in state government without experiencing the real world.
When I look at what Hannah-Beth has accomplished and how approachable she is, regardless of who you are or what issue you are concerned about, I am again reinvigorated with the political process because she is conscientious and does respond to the people, much as the original Founding Fathers and Lincoln recommended in their vision of what America should be.
Nov. 4, please send Hannah-Beth to Sacramento. She has and will look out for our district and can be counted on to do the right thing.
-- Chip Fraser, Ventura