The Outsider Looking In
The Outsider Looking Inside (a Political Outlook)
My civil service career began in 1996, the first and only public service job I have ever had. It was also the second year of the second term for Carleton "Carty" S. Finkbeiner. I was told from the start he was a pistol, more like a howitzer, shooting his mouth off to everyone and the treatment of his employees like servants. During that term, I met the man four times and he said about 4 words to me. I kept it that way. I witnessed many tyrannical outbursts and fits and was amazed people like him still exist.
In 2001, I was promoted and assisted in establishing the STAX unit. The STAX unit is a unit that uses IRS Information. Essentially we compared the taxpayer’s social security number with the database. If the person did not have an account, a letter was sent asking for W-2s or self-employment information.
In 2002 came the Ford administration, a do-nothing confused administration that could not understand how to run a city and let a no-name assist him in attempting to run the City. 4 years was too long.
Next mayor, “the second coming" of Carty. Again, it is a dictatorship but only in a more senile manner. I loved that he cut my pay to 32 hours when I was collecting taxpayers' money for the City of Toledo.
Last but not least comes Mike Bell, a charismatic and well-spoken man, who again surrounded himself with people who either were "double dippers", or had advanced through with merit. This administration amazed me, they do all they can to benefit each other and outside Toledo, but do less to help the working man. In short, this city needed a candidate who could talk to citizens, not pat them on the back and do their agenda. This City needs and still needs a lot of work, and frankly, a strong mayor with better business sense and ethical integrity.
Michael Collins was elected in November 2013, we will see what the future brings.
Post Note: Michael Collins was elected Mayor of the City of Toledo. Unfortunately, he was only in office for one year. He died from an accident due to heart problems while performing the City of Toledo business.
CHAPTER ONE
In Politics, most candidates will try to go through their careers as mistake-free as possible. Others try to cover their errors. An ideal politician should admit their faults and learn from them. Listening to feedback, and communicating back are the key components. Stop, take tiny steps back, and learn from their mistakes. The learning curve never ends. The public figure is here to serve and assist the people, not gain for their greed. To me, the United States and all levels of government are like a self-serving gasoline station where one receives what one needs and then moves on.
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