A Political Day in the Neighborhood

Today was an exciting day on many fronts, and definitely had changed my perspective that this year will end on a bad note.

1. President Obama finally upheld a campaign promise to repeal Don't Ask, Don't Tell. I am happy that this unjust policy has finally been lifted (well at least on paper...the final upheaval won't officially happen for a couple more months).
2. Congress passed a bill that would (finally!) provide care for 9/11 first responders. Why this wasn't take care of years ago, I do not understand.
3. Unemployment benefits were extended for another 13 months, which I know will come as a great relief for many families in my community. 
4. Gardasil was approved by the FDA as a preventative tool against anal cancer. It's not a final cure to cancer, but the idea that cervical and anal cancers could potentially be prevented in the first place from a simple vaccine is a major step in the direction of preventing and eliminating cancer as a whole.  For more details, visit: http://pagingdrgupta.blogs.cnn.com/2010/12/22/gardasil-approved-for-anal-cancer/?hpt=T2.  
5. Germany passed a "pleasure tax" on sex workers to help decrease their budget deficit. Check out this article: http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/12/15/political.circus/index.html. Just imagine the money the U.S. could make off of a tax like that (and I'm not just talking about taxing our politicians)!

I really have to giggle at the last news highlight of the day. I mean all of the rest are great, and I'm ecstatic that some major issues are finally getting addressed in a serious way that will have a direct impact on the daily lives of families across the U.S., but that one is definitely what I like to call "creative legislating".

Thinking about these issues and replaying conversations in my head that I've had with a lot of families lately through my job, it has made me stop and contemplate what I'm doing, really doing, to help make my community a better place for myself, my family, children (whenever they will come along), and my neighbors.  I've always been involved in some fashion with local issue campaigns, willing to lend my voice and signature to petitions, and have always tried to vote with my conscience on issues of great concern like property tax referendums and other similar issues. I've even helped to coordinate and run political campaigns for candidates that I could stand behind and wanted them to become a legislator that I could believe in.

The truth is that I am not doing as much as I used to do, and I could most definitely be doing more to make a real impact in my community. For years, I've had people tell me how much they respect my views and what a great advocate I am for the people I serve through my job. I am not afraid to be honest about situations, and people respect me for that honesty. I am not just someone who criticizes and offers no solutions; I am willing to put in the work to come up with better solutions to the current situation so that we can improve things where needed and keep what still works.

So...what more can I do? Well, I have been giving serious thought to running for the state legislature in 2012. I have said several times I would never consider running for office because I don't want my life put through a microscope, but the truth is that I think I was born to serve the public and to be an advocate. One of the best ways I can do that is as a legislator because I will actually have power to make things happen and not just talk about what should be done.

With all that has happened lately, I have realized that I am not living up to my true potential and as much as I want to pretend that the political arena offers me nothing good, I finally realized that I am denying my true calling in life. I want to help people better understand their government, how they can be a part of the process, and show them that they don't have to feel helpless as laws are being made that will affect their jobs, families, homes, education, or safety.

I am so fed up with listening to how much time is wasted on debating issues that are so politically polarized that most of the time we end up in a stalemate when it comes to a vote on those issues yet we can barely manage to find enough time to properly address the decline in the quality of education around the state, bringing more jobs to our state and keeping the jobs we have, finding ways to pay and keep our quality educators and first responders, cutting excess government spending (I clip coupons and shop for sales, so why can't the state be more creative?), combating hunger and homelessness, and finding ways to improve health prevention education and services.

There is still a lot of logistics to be figured out surrounding my potential run for the legislature, but it something that I have given a lot of thought to, and I'm committed to pursuing this endeavor. It is both exciting and scary at the same time, but it's a decision that I know I will regret if I don't at least try.

As my first step forward in this journey, I want to ask you: "What do you feel are the most pressing issues that directly impact families right now that state legislatures should be addressing in upcoming sessions?" Please post your thoughts in a comment below. I appreciate your help!