Brennan: Good politicians serve the public

Believe what you will about politicians, but I’m just glad that good people are willing to take those jobs. If they didn’t we might have to draft them.

Consider the ongoing plight of our three members of Congress, Rep. Don Young and Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, especially during the unending impeachment trial of President Donald Trump.

Having to sit and listen to the endless inane arguments over whether or not Trump should be booted from office for leveraging a favor from the president of Ukraine would be torture for me.

It’s bad enough that the all-news networks carry the deliberations live and what seems like around the clock. At least we have the option of turning the TV off or changing to a local station. If you were a member of the congressional delegation you would be obligated to listen to that same yada-yada all day long and into the evening.

Fortunately for those who serve in public office, ordeals like the impeachment trial are not everyday events. But though they are not typical of how elected public servants spend their time, they seem to me to be painfully similar in some respects. A lot of what those folks endure requires infinite patience and sympathy for those dealing with government intrusion into their lives.

I’ve known a number of politicians over the years and can say with certainty that a great many of them are motivated by the desire to help people — even those I disagree with. And, I must admit, somehow a number of them also help themselves, bringing millions of dollars into their bank accounts during a life of service. Those who take such advantage of their opportunities are, I hope, relatively few. But they do exist and often drag down the reputations of people who are trying to do the right thing.

One very sad aspect of the impeachment trial is the growing public awareness that former Vice President Joe Biden’s son Hunter did indeed enrich himself while his dad was serving as this nation’s number two elected official.

Young Hunter got himself appointed to the board of directors of Burisma Holdings, a Ukrainian gas company, for a salary of $50,000 a month. His work requirements for that job were apparently attending a few meetings, several fishing trips and assorted other light duties. Young Biden’s net worth these days is estimated at $3 million. What Ukraine got from the deal is unknown, at least in any detail.

Obviously, some do profit from their public service. It seems to me, though, that the motive for most is the positive feeling they get from helping other people solve their more difficult problems with public issues.

Many people’s problems are obviously private matters that can only be resolved by themselves or their families with minimal interaction from government. Officialdom can sometimes function in a supporting role and the elected, appointed or hired professionals who fill those roles deserve credit and thanks.

The people who devote their lives and energies to helping others generally deserve whatever thanks are afforded them. Keep them in mind when you are thinking kind thoughts.