Collateral Damage

The above cartoon is part of why I have had such an edge of late. While next to none of the blame for our current overtime rests with so-called rank and file legislators, the sideshow act that passes for budget negotiations tarnishes every man and woman in the House and Senate.

The majority of my colleagues are hard-working, earnest people who want to do good things for the people whom they represent. Yet the inability of a few understandably leads to public frustration with state government in general.

And I mean in general, not just legislators. I unfortunately believe that increasing cynicism with how our state has been operating, under both Democratic and Republican leadership, has caused the general public to develop a cynical perception of all state employees.

And while it might be understandable, it's far from accurate, and it's not fair to the thousands of state employees that keep our state functioning 24/7/365.

If anything, many state employees are bigger victims of this gridlock than are the general public. They oftentimes find their ability to perform (or keep) their jobs resting on political maneuvering rather than best practices. It is a wonder to me that some of the best and brightest that we have working in state government don't just pack it up and head for the private sector.

I'm not saying that there isn't dead weight in state government, you can find it anywhere. But the majority of state employees with whom I have dealt are simply trying to do a good job in an environment that can often be dysfunctional. I hope that the public can separate the proverbial baby from the bath water.

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