Soap Box

by Larry Schuster

January 26,2008

Public servant's duty to serve, not move into higher office

Last week, Gov. Matt Blunt delivered his State of the State address, which was followed by a videotaped message from Attorney General Jay Nixon.

Most everyone is well aware that these gentlemen have been slugging it out for much of the last four years. How can either of these gentlemen claim to place the business of Missourians first when their target during the last four years has been either each other or moving another step up the political ladder?

Both spent much time seeking an office neither one held during their initial campaigns.

When Blunt was Secretary of State, he not only was distracted from full service to Missourians by his stint in the Navy, which is certainly excusable, but also spent much of the latter portion of his term campaigning for governor.

Similarly, Nixon cannot conceivably have devoted his full occupational energies to the office of attorney general since he has openly campaigned for governor since 2004. As citizens, we are short-changed by any office holder who campaigns for an office he or she does not hold.

The governor could argue that his focus during legislative sessions is significantly more demanding than the remaining part of the year, which allows for extensive campaigning. Hmmm, sounds a bit sophomoric to me.

However, we must endure incumbents campaigning for the seats they hold.

In the attorney general's case, full attention to his job is necessary throughout the entire year. Indeed, Nixon recently claimed that he is on call 24 hours a day and seven days a week when defending his use of a state vehicle for personal purposes.

Let's be frank. Most of us believe politicians care more about themselves and their special interests than the average taxpaying citizen who simply goes to work, raises his children and expects a fair opportunity in the field of commerce.

What we Joes in the trenches know the commentators and politicians only jaw about or exploit. Health care and insurance costs, coupled with tax after tax, inhibit our ability to reap a reasonable return upon our hard work. Our elected officials should hold their duty to serve as sacred. Inattention to that duty for any reason other than the extraordinary circumstances of life ought to be cause for resignation or removal from office.

No elected officials in the Show-Me State should be allowed to campaign for offices they do not hold unless they are being term-limited out. Missouri citizens should be able to expect their public servants to do exactly that: serve. There is enough work to do in the discharge of the duties of their offices to more than fill an 8-to-5 job. A career of public service is most likely a disservice not only to the citizenry but also to the office holder. The opportunity to serve should not be considered without a clear understanding of both the monetary and the intrinsic costs. When the focus of public service is that of faithfully discharging the duties owed that constituency, special and personal interests take a back seat.

At this juncture, an individual rises from run-of-the-mill politician to that of citizen legislator. Such a title is akin to statesman. Life experiences, along with the sure and certain remembrances from which we hale, lend credence to our service that rarely suit career politicians. Remuneration for public service should be average at best, not an opportunity to grasp a fine salary or plump retirement. Most should focus on a return to civilian life following elective service.

In a democratic republic, it is our duty to vote, to serve and to be knowledgeably informed. Let each of us fulfill that duty accordingly, forgo the woo of special interests, seek that which is best for the constituency and serve without undue regard to personal gain. All else will fall into place as we plod along this path.

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