Like a majority of American voters, I did not vote for Donald Trump. I am terrified at the prospect of his administration, for many reasons that need not be detailed. Everyone knows the reasons.

But there is hope, because the Founding Fathers created a system of checks and balances. That system only works, however, if checks and balances are taken seriously.

Our congressional delegation is the instrument of checks and balances. The obligation to protect the nation must come before loyalty to party and personal ambition. All members of both houses of Congress must remember this obligation and we, as citizens, must be vigilant in reminding them – and more importantly, holding them accountable.

Our delegation, together with their colleagues in the House and the Senate, are the voice of “the people” – not the voice of any political party or faction. It will not be easy for our representatives in Washington to fight for what is right. But that is their job. We did our jobs when we voted, and now we need them to do theirs.

We, their constituents, need to make sure that they put the country first and everything else, including loyalty to party and personal ambition, second. We, as the constituents, need to make sure that they make our voices heard.

Each of us must pay careful attention to what our representatives do in the face of this unprecedented election, to protect us and our rights. And if our representatives, our voice, do not heed their obligation to provide checks and balances against the power of the executive branch by setting aside partisan politics and personal agendas in favor of rational governance, we must hold them accountable, starting in 2018.

Jennie L. Clegg

Brunswick


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