BY DR. GLENN MOLLETTE
Men and women who run for political office must be men and women of the people, for the people. Political jobs are jobs for the people. A person who holds a political office must know that he or she is serving a massive number of people.
Holding office comes with a lot of expectations and pressure. If the kitchen is too hot then get out of the kitchen. Typically, political jobs are hot jobs that often reach boiling temperatures. People get upset when there are potholes in the road. The price of gasoline and the monthly electric bill are infuriating. People get angry when their water and trash bills are too high. Somebody has to be blamed for all this, so it is going to be the political leadership. If you are in the office, do not be surprised if people are mad at you. They may be mad at you for most of your tenure.
A person in political office has an opportunity to make many friends. People love a politician who will speak to them, treat them nicely and listen to what they have to say. If you do just a little bit of this, your local community will name a bridge after you. They might name a building or road after you. There is usually some type of community response when you try to do a decent job.
Years ago, my dad was approved for federal black lung benefits because he had worked in the mines for over 35 years. Congressman Carl Perkins called him to tell him he had been approved for the benefits. It was impressive that a United States congressman sitting in Washington called our little Appalachian house to deliver news that was very welcomed by my dad and mother.
Politicians who become too high and mighty to make phone calls, visit communities, sit in people’s homes or respond via email or text are not appreciated. We are all people. We all put our pants on the same way.
When President Lyndon Johnson visited Inez, Kentucky, in 1964, he made global news by sitting on the porch of a poor East Kentucky family. It was just a photo opportunity to sell his campaign on poverty but it worked.
When you visit with people, shake hands, show interest and compassion, people swallow it hook, line and sinker.
The nature of most Americans resonates with politicians who present themselves as friendly and act as if they care. I want to know what a politician plans to do and what his goals are during his tenure. There is work to be done. Taxes are too high. The cost of living is too high. There is still work to be done on America’s border. The illegal immigrant task is not over. We must strive for peace in the Middle East and so forth.
The point is, we cannot elect someone to office because he or she is just a good ol’ fellow. Political offices are big jobs and should not be handed to someone who is just an all-around nice person. However, if you are running for office, keep in mind that it will not hurt you to be an all-around nice person.
Dr. Glenn Mollette is read in all 50 states. He is also the author of numerous books and can be heard each weekday morning on XM Radio 131.