A Weasel on Your Back

A Weasel on Your Back

By Joe Renna

We all meet our share of weasels in life. If your savvy enough you could avoid them or at least, if you had to, work with them without being effected. The people I'm talking about are sleazy and they pray on the naive and unexpected for their own self fulfillment. I notice this more in the political arena than I had in the private sector.

My running for Union County Freeholder has lead me to research many issues facing county government, what I found was a lack of morals and ethics that is frightening, to say the least. The way some people operate is in such total contrast to how I was raised that it almost seems extraterrestrial to me.

At least in business there is no secret that money is the corrupting force. A businessman can deal with that. But in politics it isn't so clear cut. Besides money the currency is power and that can be translated into contracts, jobs, favors and perks. Some stuff is not above board and unless someone goes scratching around it will never be seen.

This way of doing business is embedded in the system to a point that it is accepted as normal and actually is expected. That bothers me, but what bothers me most is when I see young people starting their careers in government, bright eyed and optimistic, being indoctrinated into the system and not being taught what is right or wrong. They are jaded from the start. They get trapped like a smoker who can't kick the habit.

Their jobs become their life. They are no longer pursuing their dream career but are now working for the the team. The pay is too good to give up. But as time goes by the job doesn't resemble anything legitimate. They find themselves helping out on extra curricular projects in the evenings and on weekends. There comes a point when the not so young journeyman looks around and sees that he has lost his direction.

With a glance at the bosses, the underling can project himself in time and not might like what he sees. There is something that is unwholesome about their personal lives. Everything relates to maintaining power and that isn't healthy. It doesn't lend itself to a healthy family, loyal friendships or good business. The Paton Place that plays out in some government offices would be too harsh for the Jerry Springer Show. The young staffers must make a choice.

There is room for people to move in and make a difference. The opening is not all that big but it can be done. The majority of public service employees are talented and capable but they are only as good as their immediate supervisors. Waste flows from the top down. Change must be at the upper levels. It is imperative that the public gets involved to insure that there is proper leadership. The biggest benefit would be on the entry level employee. They will be the ones who will develop into the future administrators and good guidance will make them more effective.

Public service is a noble career. It grants the ability to improve the lives of many people but that also comes with responsibility. To squander this opportunity is truly a disservice to the public.
I'm entering this ring at 43 years of age, with a keener sense and tougher skin than when I was 21. Entering in from the side has been an advantage for me. I have seen employees with the upmost integrity hesitate in their actions in fear of retribution. That just shouldn't be.