The Servant of the People

There had to be right words to say, but Carrie O'Hare couldn't find them. She contented herself with "Thank you," and then realized that those had been the right words after all… but was unable to leave it at that. "Mayor Thom? Can I ask you something?"

"Of course, Mrs. O'Hare."

"It's just—well, I'm sure you realize that you people could easily beat my husband if you stuck together. You could probably do that in nearly every election in the country. You could rule the nation—and yet you don't seem to go after that power."

The Mayor frowned. "Power, Mrs. O'Hare? You mean the chance to make laws and compel others to do what you want them to? Why, good heavens, Mrs. O'Hare, who in his right mind would want that?" He paused for a moment, looking into space. "Still," he said thoughtfully, "given the right circumstances, I suppose we could learn."