On my last sprint through government employment, I got friendly with an aide to a Congressman. We had coffee and lunch and frequently socialized at functions his boss hosted. Hey, free food and good company.
I also got to know his boss, who was not arrogant and seemed sincerely interested in doing good. A lot got in the way, though.
The congressman was always on a funding treadmill, constantly being pulled multiple ways on issues, and that was only when he was home in his district dealing with his constituency. Over time, I became acquainted with others on his local staff who handled constituency services. You have a problem, and you call your representative’s office. The person you speak to is a constituent service staffer. In this case, she fields the call and starts the ball rolling, attempting to resolve the issue or get you to someone who can help. These people get too little credit for all the work that they do.
Eventually, I also met some of the policy staffers. Your representative has a staff of people who study and analyze issues intently so they can keep them well informed. With the complexity of all the issues, one person would never sleep if they had to plow through the reports, articles, and briefs these people do. You have to be a bookworm to do the job well.
Both my friend and I moved on. His boss lost a reelection bid, and he lost his job, and my federal job was “reinvented” out of existence by Bill Clinton. He is back in the traces now, working for another Member of Congress, and I run a small television station and do some funky wood carving for my second business.
So, does my perspective on what goes on behind the scenes lessen my upset at what seems to be business as usual in Washington, D.C.? Somewhat, because I know real people are working on issues that affect constituent lives.
Then I think back to the always-present treadmill of fundraising that everyone is on or dependent on, and I see some of the whacko policy proposals and wonder if there wasn’t a better way to fund things. And if that might help to get more time for issues and policy, less on getting elected, and less empty drama.
Oh, please let’s hear it for less empty drama!
You don’t get enough where you live?
And it is exhausting!
I think you’re rihjt. I’m sure most politicians, whatever colour, embark on their career for all the right reasons. And you can imagine that a good proportion of them must feel totally frustrated about how little they can do.
You hit a major problem. I haven’t been able to figure out WHY Boobs, for example, is likely to win because she’s has raised more money than the other guys. Clearly it’s not about voting at all.