The founding impulse of Freehold is sticking it to the government. Loses some of its shine after you get elected. - James S. A. Corey

Say what you will about organized crime, at least it’s organized.

“No, that was real,” Miller said. “Just a little reminder that we’re out of our depth here.”
“Didn’t need it. Was clear,” Jim said.

People trust what they already know. Having a new high consul would be difficult under any circumstances, but it would be less difficult if there were a story with it. A succession. I want to train you to be that, if—God forbid—something happened to me.
But why should I be good at it just because you were?" Teresa said. "There's no reason to think that. That's dumb.
It is," her father said. "But it's a mistake people have made all through history.