Those trusted few who know me well are aware that I’m going through an existential crisis of the political sort.  Actually, those trusted few who happen to be in my hearing over the past month probably know.

I feel soiled by politics.  I feel jaded because of the lack of goodwill, loyalty, and integrity in the people I know in the political arena.

I feel defeated, mostly.

Bill Clinton, aka The Big Dog, has offered a bit of wisdom that reflects some previously held beliefs of mine about politics (it clocks in around 2:55):

“No matter how distasteful they find politics, if you don’t play it, somebody will and you will lose if you sit it out. And it always happens. You’ve got to suit up and play the game.”

So, while I was inches away from either total withdrawal from the political world, President Clinton brought me back in.

But there’s something my wife said after one of the many times the Scranton School Board passed me over for an appointment, “You should go House of Cards on everybody.”

And there’s something my mother said after one of the many times the Scranton School Board passed over me for an appointment, “You should write about the problems you see.”

And there’s something my grandmother said after one of the many times the Scranton School Board passed over me for an appointment, “Politics is dirty.  Get the hell out.”

And there’s something Alex Hazzouri, who is a mentor of mine and a great friend, said to me before I ever ran for office, “You can be a politician or a commentator.  You can’t be both.”

The reason I wanted to get into politics was simply to make the area better.  I know it’s naive.  But with my recent appointment to the Scranton Parking Authority, despite having no actual power or authority to affect change, I absolutely have.  More on this soon.  So I’m satiating my need for public service and I feel little call to run for anything at the moment.

I guess I’m going to be a commentator.