The views stated here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the editors of this newspaper. We welcome supporting or opposing views on any published item. Received October 30, 2024.
Renee LaMark Muir is uniquely qualified to be our State Representative for the 36th district by virtue of her long experience as a public servant in law enforcement and as a non-partisan legislative investigator-consultant. In stark contrast, at the recent debate, her opponent touted her business experience, arguing in effect that government and business are equivalent, if not the same. That idea is, sadly, a common misconception.
It is also misleading and couldn’t be further from the truth. No business has its owners as its only customers. No business makes public law – that could, for example, enact a death penalty. The purpose of business is to make financial profit; yes, even a not-for-profit organization needs to generate a ‘margin’ to keep going. In our country our government exists to enable our right to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” It is empowered by virtue of our autonomy and operates by our rules so that it is “of the people, by the people, and for the people,” unlike any conceivable business.
To successfully serve as a Representative requires a very different and much broader mindset than experience in business. This is true even for those who have served in an executive position who cite their financial expertise. Money management is about expense/revenue, but a State Representative must deal with value that is understood to mean importance for the greater good of our communities, including our towns and their citizens, and our State as a whole. This skill comes from understanding and from consideration of the greater good. It requires balancing conflicting interests, priorities and not from a balance sheet. It is about spending wisely. It is about making sensible laws.
Renee LaMark Muir has proven by her actions that she has the knowledge, experience and commitment to our community to assure us of strong, fair, non-partisan representation.
Al Saubermann, Deep River
