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"Seriously the most important characteristic of Strom Thurman was his knowledge and belief that he was a servant not a ruler. People wonder that he was a racist Democrat and Dixie crat in 1948. But he was the first southern Senator to hire a black chief of staff. He was Democrat when South carolina wanted a Democrat. He was a Republican when the people of south Carolina wanted a Republican. In over a 60 year career Strom was always where the voters were.

Strom never tried to be something the voters didn't want. He was always in tune with the people of South Carolina. Lots of people here on Free Republic long for a politican who will say the people be damned, I am going to do what I believe. The people be damned group never gets elected because the people won't elect them. That is a very good thing.

That is why I preach change public opinion and you don't have to do much about candidates. There are always some candidates trying to do what the public wants. Members of congress are our representatives not our rulers. The most impressive thing about Strom is he always knew who his bosses were. And he did his very best to please them. They talk about his service to the people of South Carolina. He had offices in South Carolina. If you needed help they would do your income tax return for you. There was not much chance of getting audited if ole Strom did your returns.

But it is something we should all remember. Every nation that falls into dictatorship follows a powerful leader who tells you he knows best. Hitler, Stalin, Saddam, and Castro came to power to do what they thought was right ... They promised to follow their principles to make your life better. It never works out.

Strom ran for office proposing to do what the voters wanted. He was a public servant. He did what the bosses said right or wrong. I have noticed over the years that politicans that try their best to do what the public wants rarely have trouble getting relected.

Stom believes the line says "We the people of the United States" It never has occured to him to distort that to "We the elected rulers of the United States."

I hate to see Strom retire. We have way too many would be rulers and not nearly enough servants."

Very thoughtful and moving reply. Thanks for publishing your opinion!

Strom never tried to be something the voters didn't want. He was always in tune with the people of South Carolina. Lots of people here on Free Republic long for a politican who will say the people be damned, I am going to do what I believe. The people be damned group never gets elected because the people won't elect them. That is a very good thing.

I am afraid I disagree completely. What the people want may be wrong. Convincing them otherwise is called "leadership." Strom was wrong to be a racist Dixiecrat. I am glad he left that sort of foolishness behind him. The South wanted segregation and the complete subjugation of the black race. "The people" were heinously wrong. Politicans who do only what the people want never make a difference and have no conscience.