I've just written 100 entries. Why do I write this blog?

I just recently published my hundredth entry on this blog. Throughout the past year and a half I have offered my views on topics ranging from Immigration Reform to the way women are covered in politics.

Being a member of one of the most conspicuous professions I figured I’d give you a little personal perspective to what I do. I love my job. I look forward to researching a topic and trying to convince lawmakers to see things my way. I get a thrill from picking up the phone and rallying people to a cause. But at the same time, my job forces me into anonymity. I am forced to keep my thoughts to myself when speaking with those I represent. I can talk about the issue(s) I represent and that one alone. I can’t speak about things I’m passionate about, such as immigration or religion. My job is to be the voice of my client and nothing more.

I grew up in a very humble family with no political ties. I have had to work for everything I’ve achieved and have. I get a chuckle when I see people arguing we no longer need things like affirmative action. I think that affirmative action should always exist. Maybe it should be based on income and not race, but the reality is that humans born into wealth will always have it easier than those who don’t.

Since my job makes me keep my thoughts to myself, this blog provides me with the opportunity to express what I think about issues that I care about. Many of my friends ask me what being a lobbyist is like. I must admit that it’s quite different than most professions I know. One minute you may be all but certain that a politician is with you, only to realize the next day that you have a lot of work in your hands  to ensure that legislator will vote with you. When you make a mistake, it’s often a big mistake, one that could land you on the press or force you to do tons of damage control.

When I was a child, I never thought the day would come that congressmen would know me by name. I may have wished for it, but never actually thought it would really happen for me. Like everyone, sometimes I struggle with the thought of whether or not I’m putting that access to good use. In my case, the answer is pretty straight forward. I work for an industry that serves working people. But I see far too many lobbyists who would represent whoever paid them most. The movie “Thank you for smoking” comes to mind. It’s people like them who give the line of work a bad name.

Some times I’m amazed by how little one really knows about politics. In fact, I am sometimes shocked at how easily and quickly things can change in politics. What you think you know today, could be totally off base tomorrow. But I do try to be well informed – and I love sharing that information with others through this blog. But unfortunately, with my line of work, sometimes I become rather unavailable.

Relatively soon you will see other authors join me as this blog continues to grow and move forward. These are fellow young latino politicos who share many similar political views with me – but with very different life experiences and this should provide you with a different and fresh perspective.

The world of politics can sometimes be perceived as something foreign, as something that is totally corrupt and that can’t be changed. As a lobbyist, I must admit that some days I get frustrated when I see politicians make wrong choices and not stand up for what is right – even if their political affiliation would lead you to believe they will side with your cause. But at the end of the day, I know that it is up to every citizen to be informed; it’s up to us to seek and research the facts. After all, the mainstream media will most likely continue distancing themselves more and more from true journalism as they engage in the ratings race. I hope this blog continues to be part of your tools to become informed and join a constructive conversation for the betterment of humanity.

As we look forward to the next 100 entries, this blog will continue being an outlet for my thoughts on what I experience in politics and for me to voice what I think of the headlines of the day. This is the place where I can tell you what I really think without losing my job or pissing off politicians I have to work with on a daily basis. The addition of different authors will give you different perspectives and more frequent entries. Thanks for your readership and here’s to another 100 entries!

PS. We rightly predicted in December Mitt Romney would be the nominee . You read it here before the first ballot was cast.

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Tagged: Lobbying, Politics

Posted in: Lobbying, Unfiltered Politics