Hey, I never really followed the life and times of former Sen. Jesse Helms, but like most people I like to mark the moment when such a figure passes on, buys the farm or kicks it, as my beloved mother is wont to say.
Like him, hate him or remain vaguely indifferent, Helms was one of those politicians that you couldn't ignore. Maybe his death should start a rallying cry for term limits. The longer someone stays in office, the more powerful they become and Helms had some 30 years of puissance in the Senate. He wasn't defeated, but ultimately stepped down from his seat when his health began to really deteriorate.
You don't have to like a guy that powerful, and you sure don't have to respect his beliefs, but I think you're forced to respect the power and influence someone like that wields. We all like power, but there's a point when it overshadows the individual, takes over and starts using him.
This Fourth of July weekend, think about how you want the power of elected officials to be used. Then vote.
Jesse would have wanted you to.
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