How to Be a Statesman
By Hannah Hill, Lt. Governor of Patriot Academy 2009
The purpose of PA is to learn the political process. That, and that only, should be the
main goal of each student. You learn it by living it, but we need to bear in mind that we
are not there to pass the laws of Texas. If every bill we bring fails but we do learn the
process, then the time at PA has been successful.
The secondary goal of each student - and particularly the alumni - should be to help
others learn the process. In fact, sometimes focusing on this is the best way to learn it
yourself. This means considering how your bills will affect the discussion and spirit of
PA, looking for ways to encourage the freshmen and help them get involved, taking the
initiative to involve them sometimes, and generally looking for ways to serve those less
experienced. The verse "Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on
the things of others." needs to be the mindset here. "Put others first" should be the rule.
Statesmanship also involves treating each other with respect, even when we disagree.
After all, no one's opinion has any superiority in its own right over that of anyone else.
We're all just people. The only thing that can give weight to someone's opinion is how
much it is based on God's Word and principles. This being the case, personal pride in
one's own opinion and thoughts should be non-existent. A Statesman never laughs
anyone off or derides their opinion, even if it seems ridiculous.
A common problem in debating is the tendency to want to "win the argument" rather than
arrive at truth. A willingness to be wrong is an important characteristic of a Statesman.
Some basic observations that are almost never made need to be considered. In the first
place, if I am wrong, I will not know it, because I think I am right. And if anyone has a
contradictory opinion, I will automatically think they are wrong. But, that doesn't mean
that I'm not the one who's actually wrong and the other person is really right. It just
means that I won't necessarily know it. This understanding is vital to a humble, teachable
attitude. We need to value "becoming right" rather than "being right". This means trying
to understand where the other person is coming from, and giving it honest consideration.
If you want to have an "iron sharpening iron" relationship, and everyone needs one, you
have to realize that your iron is probably dull in some places.
Expectations also need to be carefully controlled. Just because someone's your friend and
has a similar political ideology doesn't mean that you have a right to expect them to
support your bill. The only thing you have a right to expect is what someone promises.
Don't take support for granted. If you do, then if someone decides not to support your
agenda, you will feel betrayed. The only time you should feel personally betrayed is
when someone violates their word to you. They may violate principle, but they did not
violate you unless they specifically promised something. This is a big part of maintaining
a Statesman-like attitude and responding correctly when someone you counted on doesn't
support your legislation.
Finally, one of the most important aspects of Statesmanship is the understanding that
people are eternal, not policies or bad decisions or laws. Fight bad bills tooth and nail, but
never lose sight of the people behind them. Never sacrifice a relationship over policies if
you can help it. Sometimes you can't, and you should never compromise principle for the
sake of a relationship, but HOW you behave goes a long way toward maintaining a
relationship. It is possible, and it should be a characteristic of Statesmen, to disagree
civilly and respectfully, and still be as great friends as ever.
I guess if I had to sum it up, I would say that Statesmanship consists of humility,
teachableness, and a servant's heart in addition to unswerving devotion to principle. And
Statesmen recognise that the principles of behavior are as important as the principles of
conservatism.
One more thought: any position you hold now (whether it be Representative, Chairman,
etc.) is more important right now than the position you may be seeking. You may be
running for a higher office, but right now you do hold a lower one. As of right now, you
will be giving account for that office, and not the one you are running for. If you are not
faithful to do what is right in that sphere, what right do you have to seek a higher one?