Unless you’ve been living in a cave with no contact with the outside world, you’re probably aware that it is election time here in the U.S. of A. No matter what your affiliation, or how sick you are of all of the negative campaign ads, this is what democracy is all about!
Thinking of a career in politics? Hoping to run in 2008? Get your campaign Web site in order and read up on what it means to go into politics, from the 1948 Betty Betz Career Book: the Teen-age Guide to a Successful Future. Betty’s book contains a section about politics written by James A. Farley. An excerpt follows:
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The ability to meet and understand all sorts of people is very essential, and the more people one comes in contact with the greater are the opportunities. Getting close to people and rubbing elbows with them gives one an opportunity to observe their virtues and their faults. At the same time, it is a good idea to take stock of ourselves now and then to determine what faults we may have and which could, without too much difficulty, be overcome.
I am a firm believer in young people become interested in politics because in so doing they become interested in their government, whether it be national, state, city, town or county, and are in a position to better defend it through arguments with those who are not familiar with our way of life.
Altogether too many people look upon politics with a disapproving eye which is, in my judgment, all wrong. I do not know of any other field where greater service can be rendered if sincere, honest effort is properly applied. It is the abuse of power vested in some in politics that brings about bad government and has a great deal to do with the objection raised by many who are not active in political affairs.
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Ahem. How’s that for a public service announcement.