The Helpful, Worthwhile Makes Sense Everywhere

Three times during my summer travels to Guatemala and El Salvador as a Jesuit scholastic, I contracted a nasty stomach virus because of something contaminated in the food or ground water (and I was careful!). But in seeing the effects of war, industrial pollution and grossly inadequate housing in the lives of hundreds of campesinos (country folk) - especially the children - I have been scarred far more powerfully by the suffering of the people than the fleeting sickness that discomfited me.

Given my experiences, I often ask myself what I can do to more effectively make our world a better place. The answer that keeps priming my desires is tackling a life in politics. In the two years since I left the Jesuits and worked to complete my graduate studies at Gonzaga University, I have worked as a live-in care giver for a man with multiple sclerosis, as a bus boy at Clinkerdagger and substitute teacher for Spokane public Schools.

I was born and raised in suburban Massachusetts, and the few times that I have mentioned my interest to someday run for the 5th congressional seat, I have been quickly warned of the great difficulties I would face bringing my “Boston liberalism” to predominantly “conservative” Eastern Washington.

I often find political labeling to be confusing. What’s important is that Northwesterners are just as concerned for the good of community life and the environment as are New Englanders. I studied economics as an undergraduate in Worcester, Mass., but I did not really learn about sustainable economic development and global interdependence until I became a resident of Spokane. For example, what’s good for Latin American coffee pickers is good for Washington apple growers.

Movements that benefit everyone are strengthening everywhere, from commerce to housing, and global education to religious ecumenism. Supporting win-win strategies means hoping for a prosperity that will enrich citizens in all lands, whether in Eastern Washington, New England or poor countries. Sharing and investing our resources wisely is one of the great challenges in the years ahead, and certainly the men, women and children of the “conservative” Inland Northwest are as prepared to lead our country in generous, intelligent directions as citizens anywhere in the United States.