Darn Television and Movies

In every movie or television show there is always that one scene where the protagonist(s) must accomplish some immense task or project. That scene is always set to music with the protagonist(s) working late in the library, puzzling over paperwork, or constructing some monolithic building. This montage is always inspirational yet is totally deceitful. I am a fan of the show The West Wing, and in almost every episode there is a montage. In it, the characters are working late into the night, and then suddenly they were done. As if, in that 30 second to minute interval of work (with accompanying background music) summed up all the work they had to do. Strangely enough, that was the idea I had when I started this program. However, having now worked 3 days at my internship, I have been robbed of that idea and I have true appreciation for the hard work and immense creativity it takes to pass a bill before Congress. Do not get me wrong, I love my job. I am currently doing what I dreamt about for years. I am researching bills, looking for potential Congressmen to cosponsor certain bills, and thinking of ways to convince other Congressmen to vote for them. It is just that disillusionment has occurred and I am vaguely disappointed. Yet, my disillusionment has been replaced with a sense of joy that only comes with the acquirement of knowledge. I have been studying American Government since senior year of high school; however, I have learned in the last couple days more about the political process than in the last couple years. We are all taught that it is the Congressmen who are moving the American government forward, but that isn’t the case. Congressmen are the people soaking up the limelight, while the real pushers are despised by the American public. Lobbyists (or special interest) are the people doing the leg work, alerting the Congressmen, and writing the bills that Congressmen pass. There was an article in the Wall Street Journal called “In Defense of Lobbyist” by Tom C. Korologos which accurately represents what is means to be a lobbyist. I believe it is a must read, and after reading it you suddenly realize that, “Hey…Lobbyists aren’t the great demon everyone portrays them as.”

Well, those are my thoughts.