Good morning everyone,
Thank you for joining me remotely as I close in on the end of what has been the experience of a lifetime serving as your Governor.
While it would be easy for me to make this speech about my regrets--I have many--I would instead like to focus on where we are as a region and as a country.
For those that know me best, you know that I am a son of Lincoln. I've been here during some of the best times and some of the worst times in the history of our region. Service to this region has always been something I've craved. We are home to some of the greatest cities in the world. In my very biased opinion, there is no better place in the world than right here in Lincoln. The friends I've made along the way have been instrumental in both policy and personal growth. You have all taught me more about legislating, governing, organizing, and politics in general than anyone, anywhere has ever taught me. You've also taught me a lot about myself.
That is why I am so troubled by the state of our nation at this time. I fear we risk losing everything if we continue to put our allegiance to party first. The "teams" we are on should be secondary to our obligation to our fellow Atlasians. I have never seen such deep partisan divide, such venom, such animosity driving our politics in my many years of service to this nation. I won't rehash
last month's statement on this same topic, I would like to leave here with a warning to you all--you will bring down this great experiment if you continue to make this about winning elections instead of electing the best people. One of the things that drove down my passion and enthusiasm for this game was the fact that I knew I was tethered to my party. Many of my decisions were made not by me, but by the party I represented. That is not how one is supposed to govern. I became too comfortable turning over decisions on appointments, legislation, and voting to line up with what my party would need from me. I considered serving as an Independent, but knew I would be washed out by someone more obedient. Therefore, out of self-preservation, I ultimately gave up and became a Governor-by-proxy for quite some time. In conjunction with real life struggles with depression, I lost all interest in this game that I once loved so dearly. I owe a great apology to the people who believed in me, elected me, and expected better of me.
In the grand scheme of things, I am nobody. I am not a power player or someone who will be remembered. That's why I'm expecting this statement to largely fall on deaf ears. But I would be remiss if I didn't at least get this message out on the off chance that someone would hear it.
It has been the honor of my lifetime to serve as your Governor, and I am sorry that I failed you. Luckily, our incoming Governor is more than exceptional, and I am confident that he is the type of leader that we need at this time. I hope that he learns from my failures, heeds my warning, and leads you with an independent heart. I trust his judgement.
Goodbye, Lincoln. I hope you remain true to yourself. Thank you and God Bless all of you.
R2D2
