I haven’t been this disappointed in a very long time. It’s 1AM and I can’t get to sleep. No, it’s not anything personal. Spending time at the state capital because of my position as the state lobbyist for ABATE allows me to see the partisan posturing by many. I follow the BS that is happening in our nation’s capital as well. But I won’t even get into that cluster&%$#.
I can see why some run for public office. The frustration in me is building as I see both Democrats AND Republicans playing political games. There are some instances of humor. I like to sit in on certain committee meetings because at times the legislators make a joke or two.
Today, Senator Peshlakai was sharing with the ADOT Director in the Transportation Committee about the need for infrastructure improvements in her rural district. She has always been one to keep things upbeat and I like that about her. She was telling a humorous story of what happens when a semi full of products turn down a wrong road on the Navajo Nation. Sometimes the semi will get stuck and need help getting out of a jam. And the truck driver might have to “pay the sheepherder in toilet paper to help get him out.” The Committee members laughed as did most of those in attendance.
Those moments of levity are few and far between at the Copper Dome recently. The fighting between the parties only seems to get worse. That is the frustrating thing for me.
Senators and Representatives, I have an enormous amount of respect for all of you. It’s not easy being a state legislator. As a former Marine, let me give you one piece of advice that I hope you take to heart.
IT IS ABOUT THE MISSION!
During my time as an infantry Marine, I was trained to accomplish one thing. The mission. No matter what it is, the mission comes before anything else. If you die but the mission is accomplished, then you did your job.
The mission of an elected official is NOT to get re-elected. It is NOT backbiting the other party or blocking a certain elected official proposed legislation because they are in the other party. Common sense legislation is just that. COMMON SENSE.
I was lucky to have served under great leadership during my career in the Marine Corps. The last battalion commander I served under was Jim Mattis. You may know him by several different monikers such as “Warrior Monk”, “Mad Dog”, and “Chaos”. I only knew him as “sir”. But he left a lasting impression on my life. The ability to see the entire battlefield and being able to have compassion in the midst of the battle. To this day, I would charge the gates of hell with a half-empty water pistol for that Marine.
I share that for a reason. As an elected official, you are a leader. Act like it! The reports of sexual harassment, the innuendo of physical violence against another colleague, flat out disrespect for each other, does not show leadership.
I will leave you with a few pieces of wisdom I learned from my time in the Marine Corps.
- The mission ALWAYS comes first. No matter if it’s sweeping the parking lot or fighting to save a people from oppression.
- If you are walking alone, you are NOT a leader. Let that sink in for a minute.
- Act professionally!
- Don’t take yourself too seriously.
This is not only for the elected but for all of us to remember. I’m off to bed.
Be good to one another.
