I’ve spent the last few days nestled under the tree-covered mountains and cool waters. The rivers amble past and the hummingbirds buzz over my head.
The best part: there was no cell phone service, but there was plenty of cold Keystone Light.
The chilled nighttime air creeps through the windows while the stress melts out underneath the door. The rainbow trout tugged at my line and politics did not tug at my heart.
The only thing I paid much attention to in the news was some gubernatorial polling.
Of course I think, as usual, way too many people are considering a run. No doubt, a split race with too many candidates registered as “Republican” will lead to the most moderate candidate being elected.
The difficulty is that there has been much party division in recent years.
Despite the many successes of a conservative campaign and initiatives to make significant policy changes, many interparty political dynamics are still at work. Some individuals seek greater power and higher office. Others run to lead out of principle and servitude. And still others seek notoriety and clout.
But we know the outcome. Democrats will register as Republicans to vote in our primary election. They will choose the most moderate candidate, and if we split our conservative votes across several good candidates, we will lose.
It is a simple concept, yet Wyoming ignores it all the time.
I must say how much I appreciate many of the good Republican candidates waiting to announce if they are running, in light of Congresswoman Harriet Hageman surfacing as a possible contender.
The amount of respect that all Republicans have for her is obvious and she could lead the state as a clear frontrunner if she chose to. She also would have at her disposal access to some of the best staff that the state has to offer. Her conservative principles would mean success for our state.
If she chooses not to run, several good candidates await behind her, many of whom I respect greatly.
Also, State Sen. Darin Smith’s nomination by President Trump for the U.S. Attorney for the District of Wyoming is a powerful and well-deserved honor.
His principled strengths will serve integrity and justice for our state. We will without a doubt be furthering conservative principles of this nation with the champions coming up to bat for us.
As Patrick Bet David says, “the future looks bright.” We have so many opportunities awaiting us. It is important that we pick the right individuals with the right motives for office.
Politics can turn egocentric very quickly. We must exercise great discernment and discretion in our policies and approaches. Now is the time to execute policies that will forever change the landscape in the protection of our freedoms.
The land that we love holds us in stars and cool mountain evenings, and reminds us that the world is so much bigger than just us.
We should live and engage with politics in the same way.
We should strive for protection of the little guy, the rancher or farmer, the family who can’t afford groceries and property taxes. We lost sight of the little guy when we focused on nuclear billionaires’ dreams, more government bloat to keep up with the Joneses, and the next rung on the ladder of power.
Our founders designed an ordinary government made of ordinary citizens, with an extraordinary goal in mind – the great American experiment.
Critics of conservative-style law making peddle some elementary arguments. They say it’s not the legislative staffers’ fault when laws fall flat: it’s the idiot legislators who don’t read the bill, or it’s the lack of golden committee time.
Actually no, it is the Great American Experiment hard at work.
The rules are being obliterated. The codifications are being scrutinized. Will the experiment survive? Can it, when big-time money and out of state agendas meddle?
Will the light prevail over the dark policies that seek to dehumanize or even kill those who can’t defend themselves?
We were called for such a time as this. Wherever we are and whatever we do.
To serve, experience and contribute in meaningful ways as rights are fought for and the American experiment is stretched, bent and tested. I believe it will be forged through fire and the Golden Age of America truly is upon us.
Cowboy State Daily columnist Cassie Craven is a University of Wyoming College of Law graduate who practices law in Wyoming. She can be reached at: longhornwritingllc@gmail.com
