THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, March 5, 1995 TAG: 9503020188
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 07 EDITION: FINAL
TYPE: Another View
SOURCE: BY MILES DANIELS
LENGTH: Medium: 74 lines
Politicians aren't the most popular of people. Some Americans describe them as egotistical know-nothings. Liars. Cheats. Crooks.
In the past, because of what I was used to hearing about politicians, I probably would not have disagreed with these descriptive adjectives. But having seen the inside of political life firsthand, my feelings have changed.
Last month, I spent some time in Raleigh working as a Senate page, and I learned a lot about the character and lifestyle of the people who have a big hand in running this state. It wasn't all bad.
During the four days I spent with North Carolina's elected officials, roaming their hallways, working in their offices, and dining with them in restaurants, I gradually began to understand what makes the general public dislike them.
One senator's secretary summed it up this way: To become a successful politician one must have thick skin and a big head. And many of the senators I met did indeed have enormous egos.
The conversations I had with politicians seemed to me to be short and shallow. I wanted to learn more about these people, but they didn't seem to have time. They greeted me with an almost generic smile, light handshake, and a ``how do you do.'' That was it.
Time was the essence and they didn't have enough to spend with an ordinary citizen.
I also found that taxpayers aren't too far off when they think a lot of politicians spend their time socializing and lollygagging.
When politicians speak to one another, the focus is almost always self-serving. Democrats seem to flock together, while Republicans do the same. In the Senate chamber, when the time comes to debate and pass bills, an almost nonchalant atmosphere prevails.
During the first night of my duty in the Senate chamber, I saw an apathetic approach to state government. Among the bills on the floor was one that would eliminate the citizens' right to vote for the state superintendent of schools. As senators rose to debate the bill, others would engage in casual conversation, oblivious to the words of the speaker.
I was dumbfounded by what was going on. As a high school student, I couldn't help but think that this kind of behavior would not be tolerated in classrooms.
Yet, this is what ordinary citizens see when they watch the news or tune in to Congress on C-SPAN. We think our representatives do nothing but talk. This is how the public forms negative opinions about elected officials.
However, as my week in Raleigh progressed and I spent more time with the politicians, I became increasingly aware of the not-so-obvious side of serving the public. What we don't always see are the sacrifices politicians make.
Every week the General Assembly is in session, elected officials forfeit time they could be spending with their families so they can provide individual localities with a voice in state government.
Likewise, many people assume that elected officials receive fantastic salaries for their work. However, in North Carolina a member of the assembly earns a base salary of $13,026 and about $6,000 for expenses. These salaries are far from exorbitant.
Our elected officials often take verbal beatings from talk show hosts and critical newspaper columnists, and are frequently ridiculed by citizens. Furthermore, constituents watch and misinterpret almost every action an elected official makes. Life as a public servant is not as easy as it looks.
The next time I put in my two-cents worth about politicians I'm going to try to remember my experience in Raleigh. I guess this proves that some of life's best lessons are not found in textbooks. Some things can best be learned by personal experience. MEMO: Miles Daniels of Wanchese is a senior at Manteo High School who plans a
career in broadcast journalism.
by CNB