The end of my time in our nation’s capital is near and as I look back on my experiences and conversations here I think about all that I have come away with from these past six weeks. I have come a little closer to knowing what type of working atmosphere I would like to work in and the type of people I want to surround myself with. I have learned a great deal about the way of life on the hill and the meaning of the relationships they have. I have learned the importance congressmen, staff members, and even constituents put on time.
I never quite realized the role that time can play in a congressman’s success. For example, Senator Grassley has been in congress, whether it be the House of Representatives or the Senate, for many years. This extensive amount of time plays a major role in the relationships he has and the ability he has to get legislation passed. Senator Grassley is very successful in working with both political parties because of his experiences he has had and knowledge that he has gained over the years.
The amount of time that he has been in the United States Senate has also played a role in the relationships and the way in which his personal office operates. An emphasis is placed on the amount of time a staff member has been working for the Senator. The longer one has worked there the more they will work there way up the latter and the more money they will make. If one can bear there time at the bottom and put their time in at an entry level position they will then be set to join the "loyal insiders".
This creates an atmosphere that does not place an emphasis on quality but rather on quantity. There is a lack of incentive to be innovative and successful because what really is important is the time that you give in your day and the years that you put in. One that has only been in the office for a year or so may have great ambitions and ideas but will be hindered by the little amount of time they have given.
As I am now beginning the process of looking for jobs, I begin to think does time really change everything? I sure hope it doesn’t in the eyes of my prospective employers. I will soon to be walking out of college eager to make a difference in the world but I find myself scared that because I have not yet paid "my dues" that I will get stuck in a job that is mindless and monotonous. I fear that I will have a difficult time with my job search because I fail to meet the requirement of x amount of years put into a certain field. The most frustrating part about it is that there is absolutely nothing I can do about it.
I am not about to apologize for my lack of time that I have given to a certain business, congressmen, etc. This is one area that I can not improve upon and I hope that someone will be willing to look past that element and help me grow in a position that will not require me to just put my time in. I don’t want to wish my years away for the day that I will be able to get my 25th anniversary with the company pin. There are far too many things I could be doing to better myself and the company I choose to work for.
I start to wonder if the American people are also choosing a president based on their time. The time they have given to visit Iowa’s 99 counties. The time they have spent with each voter. The time they have spent in ones state and the time they have given in public service. Should Obama not be our next President because he has not yet put in enough time in office? Should we not vote for John McCain or Rudy Giuliani because they have failed to put any time into the Ames Straw Poll?
Do we live in a society where everyone places such an importance on time and the belief that time "changes all things"? And if so is it all that bad? I believe that time is what it is. Sure, time can beneficial to a political leader and a business worker but time can also be harmful to the new graduate looking for jobs. I guess only time will tell…
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Monday, July 23, 2007
"Tangled up in Blue"
I have just finished two weeks now working in the Senate. I would like to think that this is an unusually busy time around the senate with the latest all night filibuster on the War on Terrorism and the heated debate on SCHIP but I am starting to wonder if this is a typical week. The hours have been crazy and the jobs up-in-the air until the last minute. The staff members are stressed because of lack of sleep, food, and personal life and frustrated by the ongoing debate of a bill they have been putting in countless hours working on for the past year. The senators continue walking through the motions as they meet with their constituents, vote on bills, and work within their committees with every minute scheduled out for them from 7 AM until 8 PM at night.
And the citizens of the United States wonder why it is that our government is out of touch with the American people? Maybe it has something to do with the type of lifestyle and environment that our senators and their staff are forced to live in. This is a fast-pace, always-changing, not-so-friendly, lack-of-personal life types of career that these people have chosen in hopes to better our nation. But when you turn on the news, is this the impression that you get? Do you have any understanding of the hard work, time, and situation these elected officials and staff are involved in everyday?
The only impression that I get is that they are all corrupt, selfish, and money hungry. There may be some that have their own interest at hand but overall these are good people working for the everyday person doing the type of tasks and passing the type of legislation that the average American cannot do on their own. I have utmost respect for all those that give their all everyday to their work on the Hill. Our nation would not be so great without their continued efforts and passion.
For all of the work that they do, I vow to do my part to keep informed and vote and become civically involved so that they can better do their job. I have learned that as many newspapers your read or C-SPAN hours you watch, you can never be too informed or be too civically involved. No matter what you do, as a citizen becoming informed and as an elected official getting legislation passed, it is never enough.
Instead of focusing on the things we aren't doing or the things we don't know, we should begin to look at all of the good things that are happening all around us. Our country is not perfect because we, as human beings, are not perfect. As long as we continue to try our best and work together we can accomplish great things. Divided we fall but together anything is possible.
And the citizens of the United States wonder why it is that our government is out of touch with the American people? Maybe it has something to do with the type of lifestyle and environment that our senators and their staff are forced to live in. This is a fast-pace, always-changing, not-so-friendly, lack-of-personal life types of career that these people have chosen in hopes to better our nation. But when you turn on the news, is this the impression that you get? Do you have any understanding of the hard work, time, and situation these elected officials and staff are involved in everyday?
The only impression that I get is that they are all corrupt, selfish, and money hungry. There may be some that have their own interest at hand but overall these are good people working for the everyday person doing the type of tasks and passing the type of legislation that the average American cannot do on their own. I have utmost respect for all those that give their all everyday to their work on the Hill. Our nation would not be so great without their continued efforts and passion.
For all of the work that they do, I vow to do my part to keep informed and vote and become civically involved so that they can better do their job. I have learned that as many newspapers your read or C-SPAN hours you watch, you can never be too informed or be too civically involved. No matter what you do, as a citizen becoming informed and as an elected official getting legislation passed, it is never enough.
Instead of focusing on the things we aren't doing or the things we don't know, we should begin to look at all of the good things that are happening all around us. Our country is not perfect because we, as human beings, are not perfect. As long as we continue to try our best and work together we can accomplish great things. Divided we fall but together anything is possible.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Ms. Hesse goes to Washington
I have officially started my internship in Senator Chuck Grassley's Washington DC office. Emily and myself arrived in DC Friday and have spent our time thus far trying to find our way around the city. We have had no problems yet and I am hoping we continue on this path.
There are eight of us interns that will be spending the next six weeks learning from Grassley's staff and experiencing what its like to work for the Senator. Emily is working on Healthcare in the Finance Committee while I am in the main office working as the Press Intern. I have and will continue to be helping out with phone conferences and his weekly webcasts.
I am truly enjoying being able to watch the Senator work and speak with such passion. If there could only be a few more political leaders like Grassley this country would be far better off.
I have not yet hit the point where my job has become monotonous and I don't think that day will come because of my limited time in D.C. However, I have noticed that the people here are so accustomed to seeing political figures that it no longer has any thrill. I think that is a major difference between New Hampshire and Iowa politics. While studying in both the first in the nation states this past month, I got the feeling that most people are genuinely passionate about the leaders they choose. They are thrilled when a political leader comes to town and go out of their way to speak with the candidate.
I don't feel that this would necessarily be the case in D.C. I don't think the excitement or eagerness to speak with the candidate would be as prevalent as it is in New Hampshire or Iowa. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that DC does not have as much political enthusiasm as Iowa or New Hampshire. What I am saying is that there is a different type of political enthusiasm that can be found in these states. Both are very beneficial and necessary to the type of activities that are found within these states.
Now that I have been spending my summer in politically involved states, I am interested to continue on my travels to get a feel for other parts of our nation. Do all the states truly have this much political involvement or did I just end up living in ones that surpass the norm?
There are eight of us interns that will be spending the next six weeks learning from Grassley's staff and experiencing what its like to work for the Senator. Emily is working on Healthcare in the Finance Committee while I am in the main office working as the Press Intern. I have and will continue to be helping out with phone conferences and his weekly webcasts.
I am truly enjoying being able to watch the Senator work and speak with such passion. If there could only be a few more political leaders like Grassley this country would be far better off.
I have not yet hit the point where my job has become monotonous and I don't think that day will come because of my limited time in D.C. However, I have noticed that the people here are so accustomed to seeing political figures that it no longer has any thrill. I think that is a major difference between New Hampshire and Iowa politics. While studying in both the first in the nation states this past month, I got the feeling that most people are genuinely passionate about the leaders they choose. They are thrilled when a political leader comes to town and go out of their way to speak with the candidate.
I don't feel that this would necessarily be the case in D.C. I don't think the excitement or eagerness to speak with the candidate would be as prevalent as it is in New Hampshire or Iowa. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying that DC does not have as much political enthusiasm as Iowa or New Hampshire. What I am saying is that there is a different type of political enthusiasm that can be found in these states. Both are very beneficial and necessary to the type of activities that are found within these states.
Now that I have been spending my summer in politically involved states, I am interested to continue on my travels to get a feel for other parts of our nation. Do all the states truly have this much political involvement or did I just end up living in ones that surpass the norm?
Saturday, June 30, 2007
"8 Days a Week"
It's our last day of our First in the Nation course. I can't believe how quickly this course has come to an end. These past three weeks have consisted solely of politics. Whether it was attending political events, discussing politics with my fellow peers, or just thinking about the presidential candidates and who I am choosing to support. As the Beatles sang about love "8 Days a week", I feel that as Americans we need to be kept informed about the current issues 8 days a week. It is our duty to keep informed and involved in our government.
I feel that I am fairly-well informed and involved politically and yet I know that one can never know too much or be too involved. This is why I feel that it is important for us (FINS) to stay connected and involved in our communities. This is not just the end of this course but it is the beginning of our involvement with the '08 Presidential Elections and the political process. I am excited to see where the next year takes us, as scholars and as Americans.
I will be keeping weekly updates as to my ongoing views and experiences. I am looking forward to spending the next 6 weeks in Washington DC with Iowa's very own Senator Charles Grassley. I am interested to see how the views of the DC residents differ from the First in the Nation states. I wish that I would not have to miss the opportunities of getting to meet Presidential candidates this Summer and I hope to take full advantage of these opportunities when I return.
I feel that I am fairly-well informed and involved politically and yet I know that one can never know too much or be too involved. This is why I feel that it is important for us (FINS) to stay connected and involved in our communities. This is not just the end of this course but it is the beginning of our involvement with the '08 Presidential Elections and the political process. I am excited to see where the next year takes us, as scholars and as Americans.
I will be keeping weekly updates as to my ongoing views and experiences. I am looking forward to spending the next 6 weeks in Washington DC with Iowa's very own Senator Charles Grassley. I am interested to see how the views of the DC residents differ from the First in the Nation states. I wish that I would not have to miss the opportunities of getting to meet Presidential candidates this Summer and I hope to take full advantage of these opportunities when I return.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
"A Beginning"
Hello there Everyone! This is my first ever blog and I am not quite sure how all of this works and what is "blog worthy" so work with me a bit as I might be a little shaky at first.
I am currently in New Hampshire where the first primaries are held. Woo hoo! We arrived at Franklin Pierce College in Rindge, New Hampshire yesterday and so far all we have seen our trees. I have never been to New Hampshire so I am very excited to do some sightseeing and to learn more about the role that New Hampshire plays in the presidential elections and the importance that role is to the state.
I believe this will be another exciting week for us, first in the nation scholars. Last week, we spent the week in Iowa traveling across the state to learn more about different aspects that play a role in Iowa politics. We traveled to KWWL, WHO and KCRG to see how they cover the Presidential elections and how they perceive their role in the election process. We listened to a panel of religious leaders and spoke with a Muslim lady about how they looked at religion's role in politics.
We also spent some time looking at local politics. Last Friday night, we attended the Bremer County GOP picnic with appearances by Mitt Romney and Senator Charles Grassley. I truely enjoyed having the opportunity to meet a presidential candidate who is one of leading Republican candidates. It was also great seeing the enthusiasm that Iowans have for politics and the importance they feel that their role is in having our caucus go first in the nation. This is truely something we take seriously. The local political leaders panel was an added benefit for us to hear how they perceive the feelings of Bremer County residents.
Overall, I have truely enjoyed being a part of the First in the Nation program and I look forward to the many experiences that are to come.
I am currently in New Hampshire where the first primaries are held. Woo hoo! We arrived at Franklin Pierce College in Rindge, New Hampshire yesterday and so far all we have seen our trees. I have never been to New Hampshire so I am very excited to do some sightseeing and to learn more about the role that New Hampshire plays in the presidential elections and the importance that role is to the state.
I believe this will be another exciting week for us, first in the nation scholars. Last week, we spent the week in Iowa traveling across the state to learn more about different aspects that play a role in Iowa politics. We traveled to KWWL, WHO and KCRG to see how they cover the Presidential elections and how they perceive their role in the election process. We listened to a panel of religious leaders and spoke with a Muslim lady about how they looked at religion's role in politics.
We also spent some time looking at local politics. Last Friday night, we attended the Bremer County GOP picnic with appearances by Mitt Romney and Senator Charles Grassley. I truely enjoyed having the opportunity to meet a presidential candidate who is one of leading Republican candidates. It was also great seeing the enthusiasm that Iowans have for politics and the importance they feel that their role is in having our caucus go first in the nation. This is truely something we take seriously. The local political leaders panel was an added benefit for us to hear how they perceive the feelings of Bremer County residents.
Overall, I have truely enjoyed being a part of the First in the Nation program and I look forward to the many experiences that are to come.
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