Politics and Government

Politics.

3 a : political affairs or business; especially : competition between competing interest groups or individuals for power and leadership (as in a government) b : political life especially as a principal activity or profession c : political activities characterized by artful and often dishonest practices

Government.

5 a : the organization, machinery, or agency through which a political unit exercises authority and performs functions and which is usually classified according to the distribution of power within it b : the complex of political institutions, laws, and customs through which the function of governing is carried out


I work for the government. I work for the Mayor of Jersey City. I promote the Mayor and his work, that is what I do. None of the definitions above though can even come close to what is good (or the possibilities) about being of service to others. I suppose I can't ask for heart from a dictionary definition.

While my function does not pertain to directly servicing people, I do have that desire to make a difference. Outside of work, Rolando and I are amongst a small group of young Filipino Americans in Jersey City (I may venture to say even in a larger demographic...) who are out to cause something good in our community.

There is a part of me, that competitive side of me, who is very intrigued by the "political" process, of forming alliances, developing strategies, creating allegiances and followings, running campaigns, and aiming to be always on the winning side. It scares me to think of how one maintains integrity and respect, instead of just being a pawn in some game.

I ponder and caution myself every now and then not to get sucked into that part of politics that is "characterized by artful and often dishonest practices." Not just to avoid it for my own sake, but to provide a new or different perception of one who engages in public service, who actually has the concerns of the people at heart.