We The People!

By Rob Ferguson

Recently I had the opportunity to meet face-to-face with my local Westmoreland and Fayette County, State-elected politicos in Harrisburg. I was attending a Legislative Conference in conjunction with my professional association to address the need for fair State Board regulation enforcement and to improve modern technology within the funeral industry. The focus of the trip was well thought out but surprisingly the jaunt became an educational experience concerning an issue that sometimes is taken for granted.

Its a three-hour trip by car and we in Southwestern PA are somewhat far removed from the daily hustle and bustle of the State Capitol. As I discovered, our local Senators and Representatives have a busy schedule with time spent in session, appointments, committee meetings, and evening functions. Much of their commitment and time is spent speaking and meeting with those who have a plan, request, need, or legislative goal in mind. Many of these appointments are with those hired by special interest groups, or as they are referred to, Lobbyists. So many are they, that the Governors office has recently required Lobbyists to be registered.

For the 2 days spent in Harrisburg, I was most fortunate to spend QT (quality time) with my elected Senator and Representative, stopping by just to say Hello. It seemed as though my face-to-face was a breath of fresh air to those I spoke to. It actually provided them a chance to relax, not feeling pressured that I was pushing an agenda or demanding a grant, monetary request, or asking a favor. As easily as I can describe, it was a rare occurrence for them. I did however, utilize the chance to express how my elected could enhance the quality of life for those who reside in their home districts. As cordial as it was, I took from the exposure a bit of an educated perspective that we all, back in Mayberry, removed from the legislative setting, are truly missing a prime opportunity to interact to our benefit.

Our efforts have merit, our concerns are often valid, our letters acknowledged, and phone calls many times heeded but until we have a physical presence at the Capitol, its the special interest groups and paid legislative procurers that win out. We organize at home, we hold meetings in town halls and invite our elected to come (they send their office staff), but bottom-line until we fill the halls under the rotunda on a regular basis, only then can we compete.

Our routine, our vice is to charter a bus to play the slots, to travel to vacation spots, or visit the Big Apple to take in a play or the attractions. Where we miss the boat is by not developing a mission statement, a goal, objectives, a plan, and then filling the buses for that essential 3-hour trip to meet our lawmakers and voice We The People! The Lobbyists will hate to see us come if we do, but count on us not to

Rob Ferguson is a PA Licensed Funeral Director and Past President of the Westmoreland Indiana Armstrong County Funeral Directors Association. He can be reached at fergfh@verizon.net.