At least our political scandals are in the open.
That’s the best you can say for the sorry examples of public servants in both Washington and Colorado who’ve shamed our democracy, not to mention themselves, over the last year. The saddest part of their sleazy legacy is that while most politicians are honest, committed and principled, most Americans don’t believe that.
When I first entered politics 20 years ago, Bev Bledsoe, then speaker of the Colorado House, told me the most important thing about politicians was not what party they represented, but whether you could trust them. He had no time for self-important officials who didn’t keep their word. Despite our different parties and points of view, Bledsoe and I became good friends because we knew that we would be straight with each other.
For some elected officials, winning an election is like an overdose of steroids. They suddenly feel all-powerful, invincible, and above the law. They believe churlishness and bullying prove their might. They treat other people with contempt. But just look at what has happened to a few of the more arrogant and unprincipled of these shameless servants of the people.
Former congressional power-monger Tom DeLay has just resigned in the face of indictments and squealing lobbyists. These same swaggering ex-pals may do in several other Republican members of Congress and perhaps a Democrat or two as they try to ease their punishments.
And, while former Congressman Randy “Duke” Cunningham shed tears of remorse over trading votes and contracts for big bucks, one might suspect that the tears were more for his eight-year prison term than his corruption.
Meanwhile, Democratic Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney may face charges for allegedly striking one of the very guards whose job it is to protect her when he challenged her entry into the Capitol.
Here in Colorado, Democratic Sen. Deanna Hanna got caught trying to squeeze money out of a Realtors’ group with a threatening letter, forcing her resignation.
And former House Minority Leader Joe Stengel gave up his leadership position because he took taxpayers’ money for days he didn’t really work.
The bad news is that all politicians get tarred by the tawdry behavior of the few. The good news is that this behavior is usually unmasked by the press. While the wave of scummy behavior over the last year hasn’t resulted in substantial ethics reforms, the miscreants have generally been held accountable.
None of this should be necessary. Elected officials are people like the rest of us who happen to run for and win public office. Only a few are truly extraordinary, exhibiting remarkable leadership or solving critical problems.
Being elected makes one neither better nor worse than anyone else.
But politicians do have a greater responsibility for their behavior because they are in positions of power over us and because their job is to make decisions in our best interests, not theirs.
Given that some politicians forget that trust, here are a few of the lessons I learned in my two decades of public service:
Always treat your colleagues and constituents with respect and courtesy. This is just common civility – but you also will need their support from time to time.
Ask yourself if you’re doing the right thing. Would you feel proud if your decision or behavior were on the front page of tomorrow’s newspaper? If you have to hide what you do, don’t do it.
Hold yourself accountable. If you messed up, admit it. We are a very forgiving nation and tend to love important people who make mistakes just like all the rest of us – if they ‘fess up.
Seek other people’s ideas. They will appreciate the chance to be heard and you will learn a lot.
Above all, act with integrity. Know your own values and follow them. People may disagree with you, but they will respect principled decisions.
Remember that you are just a vote away from oblivion.
After all, the best words a politician can hear are, “You can trust him.”
Gail Schoettler can be reached at gailschoettler@ email.msn.com.
