Crossroads.
I met up with two former legislators and a former aide tonight. No formal agenda – just chit chatting. I heard all sorts of stories about lobbyists and legislators that simply disgusted me. I won’t go into details, but it was just sad. They shared with complete sincerity to not go into lobbying (yes, it crossed my mind) unless I was willing to sleep with people for votes. I did not in any way get the feeling they were being dramatic or funny – it simply sounded like a fact.
I was told that THIS legislator would indeed give you his vote if you slept with him. Ladies, if I told you who to Google Image, you’d gag a little.
I was told THESE legislators shared a condo with a mistress. And THIS lobbyist is “well-known”.
I was told THIS lobbyist didn’t have to bother going to House meetings when the bill would just get shut down in the Senate…over “dinner.”
I was told how legislators were kept in line.
So, where does this leave me? The “cute blonde”… with brains AND a conscience? A contract lobbyist is put in compromising positions, and a legislator is intimidated into voting the party line out of fear of retribution.
I’m wondering if my role isn’t simply to get the right information where it needs to go. Maybe my role isn’t to be a lobbyist or a legislator – it’s to discern what’s shared with me and get it to the best person to effect positive change.
Lots to sift through as I figure out what I want my role in politics to be…
Animal house party