Public Servants

The problem with politics these days is that the media covers it like sports: who's "up", who's "down", who's "winning", who's "losing", who's raised the most money, who's this-that-or-the-other thing. It's always about the horse race, the fights, the personalities, the next election, etc. etc. etc. 

Political coverage is never really about policy -- or, just as importantly, service.

Politics is, ultimately, about getting and keeping power (i.e. winning elections and getting re-elected). But service is something else -- it's about helping people, whether in elected office or not.  For politicians, service is supposed to be their jobs, the thing they were elected to do, that stuff they're supposed to do between elections. Some politicians are great public servants (like Obama). Some politicians are horrible public servants (like Trump). Yet service is, ultimately, what the sorting process of politics is supposed to be all about. 

Unfortunately, for the media and many in politics today, they have no interest in service since the sorting process is all they care about. 

Service is something that my family has, for generations, engaged in. We believe in helping others -- full stop. None of them have ever served in public office -- instead, they've served in humanitarian organizations in counties in Africa and Asia and South America, they're doctors, teachers, counselors. No power, no money, no fame -- just the work. 

But some politicians are great public servants and deserve that recognition. They actually do the work -- and have committed their lives to it. 

Here in New York State we have two great examples: Charles Rangel, who served in the US House for 46 years, and Richard Gottfried who has served in the NYS Assembly for 48 years. It's easy to classify them as "lifetime politicians" but, when you look at their careers, as they do in these interviews, it's wonderful to see how much and for how long they have served their constituents, state, and country.

They are true public servants, and New York is lucky to have them -- and we may night ever see their king ever again. 

P.S. Here's another public servant who, until now, was totally unknown to the public and who we didn't even know existed -- the person who updates the MTA website and social media with announcements (often about delays). Talk about a thankless job -- and a real servant of the people. 

P.P.S. And talking more about public servants (this one hits close to home): did you know that right after World War I there was a hastily constructed "Arch of Triumph" in Madison Square Park (right across from the Flatiron building) that soldiers returning from the war marched under in 1919 (the war ended in November 1918, nearly 100 years ago)? The arch didn't last long and was never replaced. And it hits close to home because one of those soldiers was my grandfather.