We, the government

In our town, like others, people are the government. It’s the arrangement set out by our founders and it’s worked well here for more than a century and a half.

We know many of those who keep us safe and healthy, who keep the lights on, the water flowing, the streets clean and smooth, the pool open and the parks trim, among other services.

In Lindsborg, the mayor and city council hire a city administrator who supervises the management of notable municipal agencies. They include the Parks Department, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Community Development and Neighborhood Services, Public Safety (police, fire, ambulance), Public Works (streets, electric, water and wastewater treatment), Recreation (swimming pool, golf course, dozens of activities programs), Communications (keeping people informed) and more.

We select and elect those who serve us; they seek no glory, no riches, no beds of clover. They are at their jobs because they believe in community, that they can help it be a better place. They make a difference.

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In recent years, polls and surveys have revealed a trend of disrespect for public service. This is fueled almost daily by reports of politicians who play fast and loose with public funds, who sell their influence for a cause or barter it for favors or trade it for glory, usually short-lived. When they are not busy promoting themselves they spend time demeaning public servants up and down the line.

In contrast, we see others ‒ especially the young ‒ step out, seeing themselves as world citizens eager to find ways that they can be involved and engaged.

There have been signs:

Fifteen years ago Congress passed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, a massive bipartisan economic stimulus bill. This countered an economic crisis brought on by banking and real estate mortgage pirates. Billions in federal aid went to state governments, Medicaid was saved, and local governments were helped to survive revenue shortfalls.

In 2021 the Infrastructure and Jobs Act, known as the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, became law, authorizing $1.2 trillion for transportation and infrastructure spending and $550 billion for new investments and programs, a lot it for electric vehicle charging stations.

These and a few others offer at least some marks of shared purpose in a Washington otherwise soiled with grievance, grudge and self-interest.

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But we count on ourselves. Government begins at home. We choose the people who manage things in our cities and counties. In Lindsborg this means friends, neighbors, acquaintances and those we don’t know personally but trust to do well.

This covers a lot of ground. It includes the street department and crews from the water and electric departments in a mission to keep the city clear, clean and safe no matter the routine or the challenge.

The vigilance of police, fire and ambulance services leaves a secure feeling. The Parks Department and Recreation managers, the Convention and Visitors Bureau ensure a brighter and more lively way of living, and are proud to show it. Managers and assistants at City Hall keep the teams moving, collect the funds and pay the bills, manage the budget and plan for the next month, the next year and beyond.

They are from us. Those who get their kicks and think they get their popularity by bashing public service only spin insults at their own kind. They

mock the very citizens who have elected the servants and selected the managers. They deride their own, the very citizens who comprise that government.

Our government starts and ends with us, the People. Those who seek to find fault might first look in a mirror.