An open letter to Yukon's political leaders:
As we reflect on the life and legacy of former U.S. President Jimmy Carter, who passed away yesterday at the remarkable age of 100, I urge you to consider what lessons his life of service offers to those who hold public office today.
Carter, derided in his time by so-called elites as "just a peanut farmer," was in fact a highly educated man (who worked on the design and development of nuclear propulsion systems for naval vessels), a statesman of uncommon integrity, and a devout man whose faith was evident in his actions rather than his rhetoric.
Jimmy Carter demonstrated what it means to live the values he professed. His presidency, though often criticized, was marked by a steadfast commitment to human rights, environmental stewardship, and peace. He brokered the Camp David Accords, prioritized energy independence, championed civil rights, and spoke honestly with the American people about difficult truths—even when it was politically unwise to do so. After leaving office, he didn’t retreat to the lucrative speaking circuit or corporate boards but dedicated himself to building homes for the poor, eradicating disease, and overseeing elections in the world’s most fragile democracies.
Carter’s humility and authenticity stood in stark contrast to the performative populism and cynical careerism that so often define politics today. He embodied the ideal of public service as a calling, not a means to personal advancement or partisan entrenchment. His life invites us to imagine what our political landscape could look like if more leaders prioritized moral clarity over messaging, courage over convenience, and empathy over ego.
I write to you today not out of cynicism but out of a deep yearning for leadership that resembles Carter’s. Leadership that isn’t guided by polling numbers or the next election cycle, but by a genuine desire to improve the lives of the people you serve and to leave a better world for those who come after us. Leadership that listens, that is willing to tell hard truths, and that resists the easy allure of political expediency.
The Yukon faces challenges that demand such leadership. Whether it’s addressing the housing crisis, improving healthcare access, fostering reconciliation with Yukon First Nations, or tackling climate change, these issues require courage, collaboration, and a willingness to think beyond the next poll. Too often, what we see instead are decisions aimed at avoiding controversy or placating the loudest voices, rather than meeting the long-term needs of the territory.
Jimmy Carter once said, "We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles." What are the unchanging principles that guide you? Are they visible in your decisions, your priorities, and your communication with Yukoners? Or has the pursuit of political survival obscured them?
I do not write this to diminish the work you do or the challenges of governing in a small and complex territory. I write it to remind you—and all of us—that public service, at its best, is not about being liked, re-elected, or celebrated. It is about doing what is right, even when it’s hard. Especially when it’s hard.
Jimmy Carter’s legacy shines as an example of what politics can and should be: a life dedicated to the service of others, guided by integrity, and marked by actions that speak louder than words. The question I leave you with is this: How will your individual legacies be remembered? Will you be the leaders who chose the easier path, or will you rise to the occasion and serve with the humility, honesty, and courage that defined Carter’s remarkable life?
Best,
Clayton Loudermilk
Whitehorse, Yukon
