My Soap Box: The "Crooked Politicians"

In every walk of life, there are honest people and dishonest ones. There are people who care about their work, and those who don't. Most people who "work for a living" are working for the money their work earns that pays for the living they enjoy. Most people actually do their work "for the money".  They may love their work or hate it, but the bottom line is that the money matters. 

It is often said that politicians are "just in it for the money", and when I hear that, I laugh to myself. It shows just how much those speakers don't know. Being an elected official is a 24 hour a day, seven day a week, 365 day a year job. I'm an elected official in my town. As an alderman, I make $85 per month. In case you are wondering, that translates to 11.6 cents an hour. I don't get any extra for being vice-mayor. That may seem like big money to you, but I can guarantee you I'm not in it for the money. 

Being an elected official requires a committment to learning laws, ordinances, regulations, codes, and standards that often change on an annual basis. It requires staying current on all those changes and deciding how they affect your constituents and how you can make life better in the midst of whatever change is afoot. I just spent time this evening at a training session, listening to an update about recent changes in law, strategizing about how they affect my town, and arranging for community events that are scheduled in the coming months. The conversation around the tables was about our towns. We shared the good things in our towns, the problems, and those who had found solutions shared that, too. The room was filled with "politicians", and not one of them was there for the chicken and green beans. 

I love my privacy and I really prefer for "my business" to stay "my business".  Once I became an elected official, for good or bad, I became part of the "face" of my town. I'm a public representative of Blue Springs.  That means that, if I do some good things for my town, I might get my picture in the paper or my face on TV. If I make a bad decision, however, it has a high likelihood of being a public bad decision. I cannot begin to tell you how much I fear making a mistake that goes public. 

Being an elected official means that, when something goes wrong in your town, you are responsible. When a natural disaster happens in your community, you deal with it. 24/7/365. You take care of your community needs first and your own needs later. I remember a mayor attending a meeting just after Katrina in very casual attire. He was wearing the only clothes he now owned. He had worked non-stop for his town and wasn't stopping to go shopping for new clothes. 

I know there are people who take advantage of their position for their own gain. There are people like that in every walk of life. Before you lump all politicians, all elected officials, in that category, I wish you'd stop and think about the thousands of local elected officials who genuinely want to make a difference, who want the best for their communities, and who work tirelessly to make that happen. 

Before you grumble about politicians, there's something you should think about. Have you prayed for those politicians? Have you asked God to help them digest the mountain of information, make wise decisions, avoid the pitfalls? Proverbs tells us:

The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes. (Proverbs 21:1 NASB)

That's right. God can do whatever He chooses with those in authority, and He often chooses to do it in response to your prayers! Even when those "crooked politicians" don't seem to be doing their part, be sure you are doing yours. Pray, and don't stop until God's will is done. 

On Being an Elected Official

There has been so much hype recently about the Mississippi Republican Senate run-off that I am just grateful today was the day to vote. I am tired of this campaign. As a voter and as an elected official, I'm bothered by all the hype and the mudslinging.  I guess I see things a little differently from most candidates. 

The first time I ran for alderman in Blue Springs, I did it only because several people presented the need for help in preparing for the changes that the Wellspring Project would almost certainly bring, and pressed their case until I relented. I didn't want to do it. I had told God in no uncertain terms that I would do anything except politics, and I had reiterated my position to The Almighty on numerous occasions. He knew how I felt. It turned out that my refusal didn't matter much. As one of the elected officials explained the need, I realized it was a job I was uniquely equipped to do, and dread set in. I hate to admit it, but I cried and begged God not to make me do it. It didn't take long for me to see it was mine to do. That year, there were five positions and five candidates. I was elected by acclamation. 

The Wellspring Project evolved into Toyota Mississippi and tremendous change for Blue Springs. Suddenly, we needed a 25-year comprehensive plan, ordinances, building codes, subdivision regulations. The list seemed endless. We've had help every step of the way, but it's still been quite a bit of work. There was a tremendous amount to learn, and none of it had been covered in medical school. I took the Certified Municipal Official Course and learned as much as I could. 

It turns out that being an elected official is a 24 hour a day, 7 day a week, 365 day a year job. At $85 per month, I make about 11 cents an hour, and now, in my third term, I would do it for free. Getting things accomplished takes what seems like forever, it's impossible to please everyone, and there is never enough money to do all I would like for our people. 

On the other hand, the nicest people in America live in Blue Springs. They also have the most sense of any people I know. Our citizens seem to understand that life requires give and take. We've always been able to work out our problems by talking it through and working together. There are no words to describe how much I love this sweet little town. 

I fully recognize that not every elected official would work for free and not every official considers their position a sacred trust, but I wish they did. Tomorrow, we will learn who won this round. In a few months, we will know who won the race. No matter who wins, the losing side will predict dire consequences and the winning side will predict amazing prosperity. It's likely neither one will get it quite right. 

There is one thing we need to remember. No matter who wins, there is One who has the final say. When we least expect it, He can intervene. When we most need it, He can  move. No matter who is elected. 

If you are worried about the future of our country and what the candidates will do, don't waste time grumbling and complaining. Talk to the One who is, ultimately and completely, in charge. His name won't be on the ballot, but He has more to do with our future than anyone whose name is listed there. 

"The king's heart is like channels of water in the hand of the LORD; He turns it wherever He wishes." (Proverbs 21:1 NASB)