The van was waiting for the last rider - me - as I dashed out the door with my jacket, scarf and purse flying behind me.
The van's door closed, and I was off for my first attempt to influence a vote in Olympia.
I'd become quite disillusioned with "the voice of the people" and how we could have the government we wanted if we just worked at it. I have so seldom been able to have things political coincide with my dream of the American way. I suspect it was a case of "everyone being out of step but Roberta," but I was on the verge of giving up the whole process.
Even as I harbored such thoughts, I could sense my mother and father beginning to turn in their graves.
Voting was akin to a holy day when I was growing up. I remember well the year I turned 21. My mother escorted me to the polling place and stood while I signed the register.
As I walked toward the voting booth, I felt as if the future of the United States hinged on my vote.
I took my own children with me when I went to vote years later because I wanted to instill in them the same sense of duty and privilege as I felt when the precinct worker handed me the ballot.
However, my American dream faded, and I caught myself saying, "Why do I go through this ritual? It probably doesn't do one bit of good."
At that, one of the propositions or people I voted for barely did win, and once again, I was pleased with the way the system worked. One vote could make a difference.
Today, I had the opportunity to see the political process in action. Today, among other activities at the Capitol was a large group of Washington Association of Housing and Services for the Aging members and open to all interested parties.
I decided to be one of those interested others. Furthermore, transportation was provided. I couldn't resist. I figured it was my chance to see how those folks earned their keep.
The day began with a meeting of the association members and guests. We heard from the association's lobbyist, who did not fit my vision of lobbyists at all.
I thought lobbyists nefariously worked for oil companies and insurance and drug companies and the like. The association's lobbyist was a soft-spoken woman who had been a lobbyist for 25 years. She explained clearly and simply the reasons various bills on the association's agenda might be revised or might not pass.
We then departed for the halls of government in groups of 20 or so to keep our various appointments with our representatives.
Our first appointment was with Sen. Pat Thibaudeau, who arrived at her office as we gathered in the hall. We were scheduled to meet in the caucus room, but it had been usurped.
After a bit of consultation with her staff, and by moving furniture and people about, we all managed to fit in the office with a minimum of discomfort, and the discussion began.
Sen. Thibaudeau proved a good listener, gave answers when she knew them and phoned for paperwork on bills that she wasn't familiar with.
However, before we even began the request list, she told us that the budget had to be balanced, which meant the deficit had to be reconciled, so almost anything except essential items had much of a chance this session.
I had to agree with her, but it tested my willpower. The requests were minimal and would serve people of all ages so well.
Still, I did agree with her: You don't reduce a debt by adding more to it.
Sen. Thibaudeau thanked us for our input and hurried on to her next meeting, and we moved on to a small caucus room, where Rep. Ed Murray, our 43rd District representative, awaited our group.
He, too, gave straight-forward answers to our questions, and he, too, could not offer much hope for our requests in this session of the Legislature.
He did agree that a task force should be formed to start planning now for long-term care capacity and the funding for it, as well as planning and funding the needs of seniors, people with disabilities and people with mental-health impairment, as the need for that funding is clearly going to grow in the future.
As he closed the session, he gave us an invitation to talk with him anytime at the 43rd District office or in Olympia.
When I entered the Representatives' wing of the Capitol, I was disappointed to find no one in the chamber except a gentleman making a statement in front of a TV camera. I had expected at least a scene from "Mr. Smith goes to Washington."
As I left, I realized most of the members were going from meeting to meeting, listening to requests from groups like us, lobbyists and individual constituents and finding time somewhere to study the issues and figure out how to divide a negative pie.
Once again, proof that life isn't like the movies.
Madison Park's Roberta Cole can be reached via e-mail at mptimes@nwlink. com. [[In-content Ad]]
