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Paul’s first newspaper column

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Illinois

Last week, my intern Paul wrote a brief bit for the Capitol Fax about the lessons he’s learned so far this year. Paul will be with us through August, but I thought it would be a good time to get his impressions about the Statehouse scene.

He did such a good job that I asked him to expand the piece and then used it in my syndicated newspaper column. Go read the whole thing, but here are some excerpts…

After four months under the tutelage of Rich Miller, I’ve been blessed to experience more of the Springfield process than many get in a lifetime. I learn a dozen new things each day. […]

Elected office still is very much a family affair. As I continue to meet more politicians, I have learned that, more often than not, their back story includes a father, uncle, cousin or close mentor who themselves were elected or were actively involved in the process. That reality is no different than in any other profession. Parents help their sons and daughters by pulling strings all the time. But correctly or not, the public outcry over political nepotism is more than that for all other occupations combined.

At the end of the day, most people involved in the process get along quite well. Republicans and Democrats share poker games, dinners, deep conversations, jokes and family vacations. Before I got here, I had bought into the notion of two distinct groups of elephants and donkeys locked in a constant and personal battle. Now I realize that party here is like eye color — often ignored and hard to determine unless looking closely.

Money doesn’t dictate everything, but it does most things. The issues that draw the most legislative bloodshed and attract the lobbying kings are those that involve cash: deciding who gets more at who’s expense. The vast majority of contentious bills are pieces of the never-ending fiscal battle royal between the big interests, from hospitals and lawyers to insurance companies and unions. The Statehouse is a large machine fueled by hundred of bills determining who wins money and who loses money.

Public service attracts more criticism and less praise than any other position. No matter what issue or official is involved, critiques will outnumber compliments at least 5 to 1; it is often even more lopsided. […]

It is genuinely difficult for the average citizen to affect policy-making. I have witnessed the steady drum of Statehouse rallies and have been struck with the pessimistic feeling that “none of this really matters.” From education funding to electric rate relief, I can’t help but notice that these decisions don’t hinge on how many posters are displayed, chants are belted or feet are stomped. The problems are complex, and the solutions are even more complex. Only a few individuals truly know why things happen the way they do. Ninety-nine point nine percent of Illinoisans will never know.

How about some feedback for Paul?

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, May 21, 07 @ 9:17 am

Comments

Paul is right on about the money driving most legislation, about few people knowing how the decisions are really made and how little rallies affect the outcomes. It took me 45 years of lobbying to learn what Paul did in a few months.

Don Moss

Comment by Gathers No Monday, May 21, 07 @ 9:27 am
Paul said…..>”It is genuinely difficult for the average citizen to affect policy-making.”

Tell me about it.

Comment by The 'Broken Heart' of Rogers Park Monday, May 21, 07 @ 9:34 am
An insightful and well written article.

Comment by leigh Monday, May 21, 07 @ 9:37 am
Those are similar to the comments I’ve made to friends and family when they ask “So, how’s it going? What’s it like?”

I get the nervous feeling you’re right about the 99.9 percent. Still, there’s 0.1% that do know and that’s got to be worth something.

Comment by Kiyoshi Martinez Monday, May 21, 07 @ 9:37 am
Paul has indeed learned a lot. Very well written article that says it as it is. Well done Paul.

Comment by JuneBug Monday, May 21, 07 @ 9:44 am
Good piece.

But one could write one focusing on how one individual’s efforts have led to legislative change or the prevention of legislative change.

Consider that a challenge, Paul. I’ll bet you can even find some this session.

Comment by Cal Skinner Monday, May 21, 07 @ 10:17 am
It’s a fairly astute piece of journalism.

I’d like to add some comments to this observation:

It is genuinely difficult for the average citizen to affect policy-making. I have witnessed the steady drum of Statehouse rallies and have been struck with the pessimistic feeling that “none of this really matters.” From education funding to electric rate relief, I can’t help but notice that these decisions don’t hinge on how many posters are displayed, chants are belted or feet are stomped.

I agree that simply attending a rally and holding a sign will have no influence on the decisions made by the General Assembly. The repeated rallies and lobby days are background noise; important background noise, but not effective in themselves.

On the other hand, I don’t dismiss the few citizen lobbyists out of hand. There aren’t many citizen lobbyists who have the time or motivation to hang around the Statehouse on many session days, pushing their issue. But the few I have encountered have been effective. It just takes a lot of time and patience to break through; but once a citizen does break through, they can be just as effective as many lobbyist.

Ultimately, most politicians would rather get a vote than a dollar. The problem is that there are too many dollars, and too few voters willing to put in the effort to be taken seriously.

A problem of how we teach civic involvement is that we push the idea that every vote counts, as if nobody else’s matters. Public policy ends up being about consensus, and that takes time. Most importantly, it means showing up at more than just the voting booth or at a rally.

While the motto “give the lady what she wants” worked well for Marshall Field’s store, it’s not exactly how politics work. On the other hand, it is possible for a citizen without money or power to affect the General Assembly; it just takes a lot of work and the understanding that you can’t always get exactly what you want.

Comment by the Other Anonymous Monday, May 21, 07 @ 10:37 am
Good Job. Payed close attention and he does not even sound disallusioned - Yet!

Comment by JW Monday, May 21, 07 @ 11:36 am
Paul,

go look up Esther Saperstein for an example of how one legislator can make a difference. The question most usually is not “can”, but “will”.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, May 21, 07 @ 11:50 am
Good piece Paul. Congrats on the internship. Seems like you learned alot even though I’d like to slap your boss some days. Long Live the Guv.

Comment by Frat Boy Monday, May 21, 07 @ 12:18 pm
Paul- In a day and age when it is obvious that many of your generation struggle or ignore any attention to or mastery of the written word; you proven the exception and renewed my hope for the future. Rich- I hope you continue to develop new talent in the coming years, you seem to have the soul of an educator…

Comment by potomac fever Monday, May 21, 07 @ 12:35 pm
Paul, I know I kid him sometimes but you couldn’t have gotten a better mentor to show you the ropes in the patch. You seem to have picked up on a lot in your short time under the master’s tutelage. Best of luck in the future.Journalism is really a noble profession( I can’t believe Im writing that!)
p.s. a lot of legislators actually DO listen to their constituients and some of us do actually make a difference once in a while. We count on the press and other media to keep us informed. That is one of the reasons why guys like Miller and a few others are so important to the process.

Comment by Bill Monday, May 21, 07 @ 12:38 pm
Well written, insightful.
Quote:
The reason for the sadness of this modern age and the men who live in it is that it looks for the truth in everything and finds it.
Authors: Goncourt, Edmond De; Goncourt, Jules De

Comment by i d Monday, May 21, 07 @ 1:06 pm
“Now I realize that party here is like eye color — often ignored and hard to determine unless looking closely.”

Dude, that’s brilliant. Well written article, bravo.

Comment by God's Country Monday, May 21, 07 @ 1:10 pm
At 11:30 AM I inadvertently posted anonymously.

Comment by steve schnorf Monday, May 21, 07 @ 1:53 pm
Nice piece of work. Be like a sponge around Rich, take it all in. Remember - two eyes, two ears for a reason. Keep up the good work.

Comment by Stateelm Monday, May 21, 07 @ 2:06 pm
It doesn’t seem good or right

Comment by Timur Monday, May 21, 07 @ 3:27 pm
Kudos on a great piece. I happen to agree with everything he wrote. But maybe more importantly, it was incredibly well written! Maybe we have the next Royko here?

Comment by Ambulance chaser Monday, May 21, 07 @ 4:27 pm
All of your words of support and encouragement are too much. I truly appreciate it.

I am the one who should be thanking everyone here for allowing me to join the fun and learn an enormous amount in the process.

Comment by Paul Richardson Monday, May 21, 07 @ 6:44 pm
I agree very well written and unfortunately accurate. It should not be so difficult and time consuming for the citizen lobbyist, to make a difference. I agree ultimately most politicians would rather have a vote than a buck, but I think many can hear a dollar more clearly with no debate than they can hear their constituents.

Comment by piks Monday, May 21, 07 @ 8:15 pm
A very insightful young man. Bottom line: the only way to “reform” government is to make it less powerful.

Comment by Edward Monday, May 21, 07 @ 8:29 pm
“Out of the mouths of babes shall spew forth wisdom.”

Comment by Disgusted Monday, May 21, 07 @ 9:58 pm
Great job all “semester”. Your column is right on the mark: it is tough for the average schmoe to make his or her input count. But we can’t give up the hope that as people get more educated and civically involved, our leaders will grow weary of the oligarcy that has become us.

Comment by Team Sleep Monday, May 21, 07 @ 10:31 pm
great wrap up..been there - done that- it is really aazing when you realize how small the and inter-twined eveything really is - the only good part is the couple of guys and gals that still care

Comment by 1 who knows Tuesday, May 22, 07 @ 11:15 pm
OK I meant amazing..kinda like depending on spell check

Comment by 1 who knows Tuesday, May 22, 07 @ 11:46 pm