Yay, my mayor earned 62% of the vote yesterday! The future of South Bend is secure for the next 4 years :) You get a pretty good sense of someone's character when you work 20 yards from his office door, and Mayor Steve is quiet, gracious, humble and honorable, quick to share praise with his team and expecting the same high level of integrity from his staff that expects from himself. In addition, I believe he is a man who seeks to serve God and conducts himself in a manner consistent with his beliefs. There is a lot that needs to be accomplished yet in South Bend, but I think he's the one to do it.
It's really been a blessing to work here these 2.5 years and better understand how gov't works and see up close the commitment and sacrifices of the people who serve in public office. I leave with the firm belief that every resident should be required to job-shadow a gov't employee for 6 months before being allowed to complain (or vote!), to see up close the challenges and daily guff they face! :) Unless you're actually involved and investigating the issues firsthand, I'm convinced you're just armchair quarterbacking. I wasn't really politically aware before I came here, but I have a greater sense now of the blessing we enjoy in this system of gov't and the privilege of having a voice. It's far from perfect, but you can't help it or anyone else until you get educated (about both sides!) and then get involved.
One last thought... generally speaking, I have found both sides of any given argument to be comprised of well-intentioned, dedicated, intelligent people who are doing their best to act on what they believe to be right and true. I have also observed that the exceptions lie (figuratively and literally :) on both sides of the aisle.
OK, I'm done politicking...
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