The relationship between a local government and its people is typically a combined form of stability, as well as discordant moments of tension and dramatic change. More specifically, the political climate of local government differs depending on how these people view three aspects of their governmental callings and needs: the rights and responsibilities of the people, the obligations of their government, and the limits on local governmental authority. of Texas, the Democratic Party enjoyed a dominant position at all levels of state government and in representation in the national government. The Democratic government was dominated by a conservative white political elite that strongly promoted economic development but resisted change in both race relations and social programs for the poor (“Texas Politics,” 2009). Republicans were not entirely absent during this period, but their electoral victories were few and limited in scope (“Texas Politics,” 2009). In every election since 1980, however, Republican strength has grown into the dominant government that currently reigns in Texas. Since the 1990s, the Republican Party, despite the attempts of others, has had control of state government. That said, the Republican Party dominated the general election. Every citizen, as a sitting citizen in the State of Texas, has certain responsibilities and commitments to consider. Included in these considerations are the roles we are assigned when selecting an elected official for our congressional district. This congressional district representative is a person elected by “the people,” such as those of a city or county, in the hope that they will have a voice to respectfully represent decisions intended to impact their areas. One such congressional district representative is Lamar Seeligson Smith. Lamar S. Smith, a Republican, represents the 21st congressional district in the state of Texas. In summary, the 21st Congressional District includes portions of Bexar and Travis counties and all of Comal, Real, Kerr, Bandera, Kendall and Blanco counties. Over 650,000 people live in the 21st Congressional District, and Smith has served here as a state representative since November 1986. Smith was born and raised in San Antonio, Texas, and has spent much of his life living in, and now representing, the city and surrounding areas. He is a graduate of TMI: The Episcopal School of Texas, Yale University, a private research university in New Haven, Connecticut, and Southern Methodist University Law School, located in Dallas, Texas (“Representative Lamar S.,”) . He briefly practiced law before entering politics ("Representative Lamar S.