So the first week of the legislative session has ended. I snapped this picture on my way out the door Friday afternoon before I hit the freeway back home to Seattle. One week down - 14 more to go. Sigh.... I have to ask myself what has changed in 20 years that makes me dislike this job so much these days? When I first started my lobbying firm back in 1991 after I left the Washington Credit Union League it didn't feel like "work". I truly enjoyed what I did -- helping craft policy, make laws, shape government. I think over the course of twenty years philosophies have changed. It's no longer about doing what's best for the state and the people, it's about beating the other guy, it's about "I'm right and you're wrong and therefore evil and you must be destroyed." "I know what's best for you so sit down and shut up." So when I head back to Olympia Monday morning, walk up the stairs to my office and down the hall, the timekeeper at the end of the hall will be less than three digits. I suppose that's a good sign. Makes me think of the old drinking song, "99 bottles of beer on the wall, 99 bottles of beer...take one down, pass it around, 98 bottles of beer on the wall..."
tired
