Just when one political scandal fades away, another appears without barley a chance for us to breath. Human nature may supersede common sense, but the sense of "entitlement" has become commonplace and revolting to those of us who value hard work and place public service in high regard.
Locally we have our hands full with the Detroit City Council. In fact, when I chose to write about other topics, just to give everyone a break from the predictable behavior of the Council, I was accused of backing away from the issue. Our Detroit City Council, unfortunately, makes national news. Then we have our list of governors from Rod Blogijevich, to Eliot Spitzer, and not to be outdone by the Democrats, Republican Governor Mark Sanford. The scandals may vary from prostitutes, to bribes and throw in a little "bad judgment" in men's bathrooms, and finally adultery, it makes for interesting reading over your cornflakes.
When stories are constant and the media is on top of them every hour of the day, after a few it can wear you out! Sure Eliot Spitzer made my life seem very boring and then Rod Blogijevich - well he to me is a walking cartoon character who loves attention but lacks substance. Sex and money have always been steadfast in garnering attention and some of our public servants are discovering that the hard way.
I am not judging what a person chooses to do in their personal life, but when it becomes public knowledge the news attention, including the public apologies, and Larry King therapeutic sessions, are we not missing the real point? There are public servants who work hard, devote themselves to important issues and author policy that should be more important than the name of the prostitute or undercover police officer in a sting.
My interest in politics began with my first visit to the Presidential library of John F. Kennedy. I read every book I could get my hands on about his presidency and the efforts made by his brother Robert F. Kennedy. Not that I avoided the scandals attached to both of these men, but my interest was in the Cuban Missile Crisis, Civil Rights, Vietnam and other public issues of that time. I am not naive to think things that may test our belief system don't happen with our politicians, nor do I believe that they should be elevated to a higher standard than we are asked to live. It seems that we are running quickly off course at high speed when one scandalous story follows another and you have to ask yourself, "Did they not read what just happened to so and so, and learn from their mistakes?"
Entitlement is an addiction for some in public office. There is no doubt in my mind that the minute they are sworn in, it becomes an all consuming desire to do less and expect more. Entitlement leaves no room for hard work, commitment to voters, advancing policy or in familiar settings, acting like adults. Being a public servant has it's advantages, because compared to the private sector, the money is not everything. Then, now wait, then when the benefits kick in, well it is a nice position to be in especially when you are part of the "elite" group that gets by on title, and little else.
I am old fashion when it comes to running for office and being dedicated to a cause. I ran for a local council seat. I loved going door-to-door and meeting everyone. Even local races have become about lawn signs, cable commercials, and rarely does anyone come to my door. Are candidates for public office becoming lazy? Yes some are, and what follows lazy could also mean entitlement.
I meet hard working people every day who would be great in a county commission or city council seat but are deterred by the big names and big money. I am not sure what the solution is but those few who are discouraging the "common sense" individuals from entering the political arena is disheartening. Maybe my morals have dissipated with time, but if you do not waste the taxpayers money by your mistakes, show up to work everyday and are attentive to the people, then I could care less what you do in the men's bathroom stall or a walk on a trail in Argentina. Please, just leave a note where to be reached and keep your family out of the limelight. My hunch is they never asked for it in the first place.
Robert F. Kennedy often used this quote, "Some men see things as they are and ask why? I dream of things that never were and ask why not?" At the risk of seeming naive, why don't we start questioning the caliber of our candidates before they take office? We are entitled after all.
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