Concerned About The Whole Man

I had some free time today, after coming back from celebrating Mother's Day in San Francisco, and I decided to do some reading while waiting for dinner. Now, for the most part, my reading focus has been in the Balkans, reading about the breakup of the former Yugoslavia and the civil wars and ethnic cleansing that went on there. But, figuring I should go for somewhat lighter fare, I decided to do some more reading about one of my favorite Presidents, Lyndon Johnson. I happened to come across a quote of his that struck me deeply. I reproduce it here for you:

I am concerned about the whole man. I am concerned about what the people, using their government as an instrument and a tool, can do toward building the whole man, which will mean a better society and a better world.

The reason why it struck me so deeply is because it managed to express the way I look and feel about politics and government. Now, perhaps it's a bit naïve, but even today, I still believe in the ability of the government to help people, and that's always been my feeling.

So, what does it mean to be concerned about the whole man? To me, it means working first and foremost for accountability and leadership in government. The point of serving in elected office is to lead and make choices that will result in a better life for not just a small segment of the population, but "the whole man", and putting self last. So, translating it into current situations, it means across the board cuts in pay and paying more into or reductions of all benefits, and not just public employees. It means asking for shared sacrifice not just for the clerks and secretaries, but the managers and executives. It means ensuring that everyone pays their fair share, but not more. It means efficient and prompt services, and ensuring that  the consumer doesn't get screwed over by the producer. It means doing what's right, not just what's convenient or easy.

My mother works for Contra Costa County's Health Services Department, as an Account Clerk Supervisor. My father was a police officer for 25 years, and is now retired. So public service isn't just a buzzword for me, but rather it is in my blood. However, this has also meant that fiscal conservatism is a way of life. Cutting expenses, reducing costs, doing without, trying to make ends meet - this has become almost second nature to my family. And because we've been experiencing constant cuts in pay (my mother hasn't gotten a raise in at least 5 years, and every year it seems more and more gets cut) while also being slammed with rising taxes and service charges, not to mention high gas, food, and other prices, is why I've become passionate about fairness in budget cuts and government service. It transcended the political into the personal. And that will always be the case.

So I'll apologize here if any offense has been caused, but I will not apologize for my views. Taxpayers and citizens right now need to see that their elected officials at all levels of government are going through the same experiences as well. Discussions about discussing looking into pay and benefits are akin to all the junk that gets said at higher levels, and means nothing. Action, and the feeling of the knife against the budget, is what is needed.