When I was 16 years old, my father and I had a "common sense" conversation about my future. It began with him asking what I wanted to do for a career. Idealistically, I replied that I wanted to earn a degree in political science and become a government representative in Washington, D.C. His response was immediate and direct. โNo. Youโll go to college to become a teacher. Thatโs what women do.
In the end, my father was wrong on both counts.
I did not go to college to become a teacher---or any other degreed position. And my 25-year resume proffers a variety of roles in government/political operations---or as I have come to prefer the job description --- public service. It is a purpose I have pursued since my teen years, serving as president of my high school student council as well as my freshman college class.
I then went on to serve as president of several home-school and PTA associations, president of my communityโs Chamber of Commerce, media specialist for the Erie County Legislature, district office manager and chief of staff for two county legislators, and campaign manager or coordinator for numerous city, county, and state candidatesโincluding myself. Yet despite my lifelong passion for government/public service, I have made the decision to temporarily step back from all such involvement.
Why?
Because from my perspective the purpose of the work---to serve people and their communities---is no longer the standard of the profession I once cherished.
Iโm not saying there are no longer people working in government as public servants rather than politicians. What I am saying is that the profession has become a cesspool of corruption, greed and substandard efforts to do the job---๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐๐๐. Itโs gotten to the point that I am limiting the amount of time I spend watching the news and reading online news reports. I am also stepping back from conversations about politics and the divisive rhetoric that so often accompanies them.
Still, something within me longs to be back in the trenches of public serviceโhelping to elect service-minded candidates, writing legislation to assist those in need, and lobbying government officials about the issues and conditions impacting our cities and towns, and the people who live in them. Yet at this moment, the best I can do is continue to serve my community as a private citizen and public journalist, working to make a difference through the ways and means available to me. Along with one more thing.
I have begun binging all seven seasons---156 episodes---of ๐ป๐๐ ๐พ๐๐๐ ๐พ๐๐๐.
If you are unfamiliar, ๐ป๐๐ ๐พ๐๐๐ ๐พ๐๐๐ was a fictional television series based on the White House tenure of President Josiah Bartlet and his fiercely dedicated, but flawed, West Wing staff. While the acting is superb, what makes the programming so compelling is the brilliant writing by the seriesโ creator, Aaron Sorkin and later shaped by writers and producers, John Wells, Debora Cahn, Lawrence O'Donnell and Peter Noah.
Watching these episodes has soothed my heart and soul like rain after a long summer drought. It has reminded me of how our government once operated---as an entity of the people, by the people and for the people.
Sure, Iโm being idealistic in that statement. I know from the beginning of time, governments have been defined by graft, greed, corruption and cruelty---the darker aspects of the "human condition." Nonetheless, I know from my own experience that there have always been people dedicated to the greater good. Individuals determined to ensure that those with less receive more and those in need receive care. Communities bound together by their innate believe in kindness and justice---something in short supply these days.
So now each night I immerse myself in West Wing episodes--pondering that long ago "common sense" conversation with my father--and trying to rekindle my youthful hope for the future.