Public Servant vs Politician
At this point in time, almost everyone I know (including me) is sick of hearing about the dysfunctional nature of politics. So why the hell am I writing another essay regarding the very subject that often makes me want to barf? Short answer: Because this is not about the standard political insanity we hear about in the news each day.
I have divided those who seek public office through the electoral process into two definitive camps, even though there is a gray area in this subject matter. In observing office seekers, sometimes up close, I have found there are vastly divergent motivations operating in this arena.
First there are those who run for office because they believe they can make a difference in the world at large. In some cases it’s to be on a local school board or for the position of a village trustee. Other times it’s for offices such as a representative or senator at either the state or national level. The goal for most of these people is rooted in an altruistic notion of creating a better world. And by doing so, they offer themselves up for the greater good. This type of behavior includes the ability to truly listen to constituents while working to connect to all voters in their districts, regardless of political affiliation. Taking this path is hard work and involves mindful dedication, which is never easy. I refer to the person who embodies these characteristics as a Public Servant.
Another personality type who runs for office, at least from my perspective, does so out of a desire for self-aggrandizement, hungering for elements of power. These people are most likely attempting to prove their own self-worth either to themselves or to an authority figure who may have denigrated them at some point in their life. They may also see this as a steppingstone to other lucrative positions, either in government or in the private sector after they have left office. The majority of these people fall under the title of Politician. They are good at glad-handing and giving favor to a specific element of their constituents who will support them in their primary bids. They will also have the ability to act as a chameleon and feign approachability while harboring distain for the majority of the people who they ostensibly represent.
There is also a third category of those who begin their political careers with high ideals, seeking to change aspects of what they view as incongruities within the current culture, either locally or nationally. At first they appear driven by a desire for bettering society. Then, over time, they become embroiled in politics. Complacency settles in and the enticement of power becomes the sirens song, drawing them towards the corruption of their initial ideals and lapsing into a sense of elitist entitlement.
Personalities such as this are not relegated to one specific party. They can be found within the arenas of liberals and conservatives, republicans and democrats, and other politicos entrenched in a third party.
My wife, Rachel, and I currently reside in the 10th Congressional District in the state of Illinois, represented by Congressman Brad Schneider. What I’m about to describe is not an endorsement, but strictly an example of a person who I believe embodies the style inherent in a Public Servant. As a full disclosure, I have known Congressman Schneider for the past 14 years and have observed him in his position over the course of that timeframe.
During his tenure as a member of congress he has consistently met with citizens in townhall meetings and internet gatherings, in high schools, elementary schools, union halls and at religious institutions, with small groups at cafés, and with individuals. He has been invited to and eagerly attended meetings at organizations that may, at least on the surface, appear hostile to a democratic candidate. When asked a question at any of these events he does not gloss over his answers, nor does he tell people what they might want to hear in order to placate their political leanings. This directness has led, at times, to outbursts of emotion from an audience member who may vociferously disagree and yet each time, Congressman Schneider does his best to calmly and respectfully respond.
In addition, and on a more local level, our representative to the county board, Jessica Vealitzek, has been accessible, responsive, interactive, and generally everything anyone could want from someone in that position. She is retiring as of the end of her next term, and we can only hope that her replacement will be cut from the same cloth.
I am usually a harsh critic of political figures, so this post may come across as solicitous, but my assessment is meant as a pragmatic perspective of those who have served our community for many years. What is of critical importance is that I can disagree with either of these people, sometimes fairly adamantly, and I know that I’ll be heard. There is a mutual respect that takes place between a true Public Servant and one of their constituents.
On the other hand, there are many members of the political landscape, both republicans and democrats, who do not hold townhall meetings out of fear of either being challenged or of being asked uncomfortable questions. Some politicians who eschew public appearances will make certain that any gathering they do attend consists exclusively of their own supporters. Most of these elected officials have become habituated to being in office and will do almost anything to maintain their positions, including underhanded tactics to denigrate challengers in either primaries or in the general elections. While still others have taken for granted the overwhelming party affiliation in their districts and do not feel the need to continue outreach to the voting public. None of this is healthy for the lifeblood of a democratic republic.
In selecting a person to represent you in any area of government, be it local or national, finding out if they intend to represent your voice (and not just of a select few) in the political arena is critical to good governance. This means becoming involved in the process, whether you are a voter or someone who wants to run for office. Support of, or running as, a Public Servant is the foundation of the best form of governing. So ask questions, write letters, go to meetings, and find out about your choices. This makes a huge difference, especially at a time when it feels as if we, the general public, have no voice. We do! So please, make it heard.
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Tobin,
I will go ahead and comment. I doubt that delay for further thought is likely to make a difference in what I have in mind about the topic. You have composed a reasoned overview of the link between character and representation in our republic. I wonder if your categorizations would have been received as cogent in Seneca’s day of tumult under Nero’s rule? I suspect it would. Everyone is compelled to think analytically about such matters in a time when the Chief of State behaves as a madman.
Character matters. A robust sense of self seems to be the antipode of concealed calculation, or avarice. As you described, character is not fixed and is subject to change over time. Often we begin a great endeavor with the best of intentions but circumstances erode, the friction and the grind cause us to conform to the least, the lowest effort required to keep one’s job. I think that happens a lot. I suspect that your support of Congressman Schneider has gone a long way to lend resolve to his practice of openness to individuals representing many attitudes and concerns.
I guess my enduring suspicion is that democracy, as we have developed it, has become ossified, impervious to modification. Even if “the people” opt for sanity, for a humane society in the midterms, who knows if the party now in power will accede to a change… The future is always open of course. The imagination is able to conjure up, to envision possibilities that will upset every expectation for the future of the United States.
I know that no matter the course of events, I need to take care of those in my circle of influence, doing what I can to promote their material, psychological, and social well being.
To know that is enough to lend meaning to each day.
Jerry – Thank you, as always, for your thoughts. The scenarios I have laid out appear to be aspects of a generalized human nature and as you noted, it may be difficult or even impossible for the entirety of society to alter that behavior. Power and greed seem to be standard operating procedures when people land in positions of authority (though there are wonderful exceptions that give me hope). Unless the jurisdiction to elect representatives is usurped (which may come next November) the people still have the voice and proclivity to choose the direction for this nation. It also may be that the majority of voters prefer authoritarianism over the tenets as set forth in the Constitution, at which point we will have lost what little semblance we have left of this grand experiment for a democratic republic.
“This means becoming involved in the process, whether you are a voter or someone who wants to run for office. Support of, or running as, a Public Servant is the foundation of the best form of governing. So ask questions, write letters, go to meetings, and find out about your choices.”
This is a fine sentiment for you to express –one who is a genuinely well-liked and respected member of your community, who mostly believes in the good of people (or at least good if they listen to reason, damnit!). One who is sought out for advice and opinions, and willing to work to make this a better world. For congenital hermits such as myself –who generally mistrust motives of people (including my own motives!), and are usually disliked by my fellow mankind, this is a problematic strategy.
I’ve been in the process of deciding who to vote for next week. At my polling address there are 7 wannabee hopefuls for House and 18 for Senate.
Since I no longer have any trust in the media, nor access to my old employer’s Corporate PAC (informing me who NOT to vote for), I resorted to Google to locate each candidate’s web page. So far a couple possibilities are emerging.
Preliminary results from the 221942 characters I’ve gathered in my database, not any of the candidates claim to be Evil.
My Dear Mr. Retzer,
I have yet to run across anyone who has even remotely expressed a negative attitude towards you (or any other hermit for that matter)!!!!!
Assessing candidates is not an easy task. As a democrat, I’m truly sickened by most of the candidates on my side of the aisle who are shamefully bashing their opponents in the primary. I don’t believe they understand the damage they are doing to the party as a whole. Why they just can’t debate their differences and allow the public to choose instead of eviscerating those who are relatively like-minded is beyond my comprehension.
Aside from our support for our congressman, the one statewide candidate I am supporting is Karina Villa for Illinois State Comptroller. I was able to spend some time talking with her on Monday and feel that she is by far the better choice. Just my two cents.
As time ticks down to primary election day on March 17th, day by day I am more repulsed by the television ads that I am forced to watch. At very best the sound bites say nothing of substance. Attack ads produced by the dark money-tech Bros, motivate me to click the mute button for any campaign ad that is the advertising lineup, to reach for something to read.
Welcome to the cluster-fuck. And this is just the primary. When removed from face to face encounter, media transforms an ordinary human into a party functionary, a one dimensional mouthpiece-for-power in the production process of campaign commercial.
What in the name of heaven can we replace all of this with?
Or will it simply burn, no matter what?
I am in 100% agreement with your sentiments. For me, the responsibility for the situation of democrats beating the holy hell out of each other comes down to Ken Martin, the chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). There is zero leadership under his tenure in this position. According to an NPR internet analysis, this is his position:
“Ken Martin is the Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), elected in February 2025 to lead the party. A long-time Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor (DFL) party leader, Martin is focused on restructuring party infrastructure, grassroots organizing, and winning back voters after the 2024 election cycle.”
Where is he when democratic candidates are becoming so vicious in primary battles that they are turning off a large swath of voters? Where is his voice in calming these waters and making sure the best candidates are going to be facing republican opponents leading up to the election in November? NOWHERE! And we wonder why the Democratic Party is struggling. Yeah, right!