As I listen to yet another political speech about changing Washington, I'm starting to feel a little defensive. And I'm not even a government employee!
As a REALTOR in the Maryland suburbs of D.C., many of my clients ARE government employees, however, and they are hard-working dedicated people who chose public service over a more lucrative career. And that includes the government contractors and consultants who also put in long hours and bring incredible creativity and commitment to their work - many of them with advanced degrees, and many of them current or former military. ALL of them qualified for better-paying jobs in the private sector.
Let's be honest... it's politicians coming here from all over the country to "change" Washington who control policies such as those which failed in recent weeks. The thousands of dedicated Washingtonians and suburbanites who keep our government running on a day-to-day basis do not have the power to change anything.
It may be an understatement to say that Washingtonians don't agree on all issues all the time, but I believe most people traveling the highways and rails to work in our nation's capitol every day are good patriotic people who don't need changing. Their goal is clear, whatever their political position: working for the public good. It's their job to implement policies created by people who come here from all over the country to "change Washington," even though they ay not agree with those policies.
It would be nice to hear a major candidate or career politician from outside D.C. give credit to Washingtonians for their public service - now THAT would be a change!
I, for one, am PROUD to be a native Washingtonian and have the opportunity to live in the proverbial shadow of our Nation's monuments. I know my clients and neighbors are doing everything they can every day, within the confines of policies set by politicians, to keep us both solvent and safe.
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As another native Washingtonian I'm with you. Many of my clients are active duty military who are constantly making sacrifices for their country. Living in this area has a lot to advantages but there are days when the political rhetoric makes you want to crawl under a rock and pretend you have never heard of Washington DC.
Margaret, I'll agree with you on this. While one can argue ad naseum about the policies that come from the top down, those staffers and government workers who toil away each day to serve the public do deserve respect. My in-laws retired from over 30 years in government service and performed their jobs day in and day out regardless of which administration was in charge at the time.
Cindy - I'm chuckling about your "crawling under a rock" because it's so true.
Brian - Interesting that only 2 Washingtonians have commented here, some 48 hours after this was posted. Your inlaws are typical of the people we all (Cindy, you and I) do business wih every day.
Margaret, there are many anonymous bureaucrat types who are true national heros. They make it really hard for any administration to do anything really harmful to the country. And we owe them many thanks for their service. So another Washingtonian chimes in!
Margaret, although it's been almost 30 years since I lived and worked in DC I have a feeling some things haven't changed. For every 'in front of the camera' politician there are hundreds, if not thousands, working diligently behind the scenes doing the best job they know how to. They're the folks who keep the government moving forward.
I'm pretty sure when they talk about 'changing Washington' they mean changing the 'political infrasturcture'..........but I definitely agree that Washingtonians should be 'acknowledged'by the political candidates for what they do to keep the 'city' running smoothly..:-)
Thanks, Liz - Yes, you're right, that is what they mean. But the constant pounding does get to the people who live and work here, and yet another politician from "outside" thinks they have all the answers. Let's hear it again for all those who keep our federal government going on a daily basis!
Jesse - Just imagine if they all decided to do something for themselves and dropped out of public service... we'd be in a hell of a mess!
Ahhh... the first non-Washingtonian to comment and you couldn't from further away!
Patricia - Welcome to the chorus of Washingtonians!
Agreed...it would bring every agency to an instant standstill. As much as we joke about nothing ever getting done on the Hill, just try to get anything done if we lost even 1/2 of the folks in civil service.
Margaret - what a great point - sometimes the most obvious is overseen - I would be proud too