So Sue Me
by Anonymous

Ok, I admit it: I work for a Conservative Member of Provincial Parliament in Ontario. No, that doesn't make me a fascist, or someone who hates public education, or even someone who hates government. What it does make me is employed. Employed, and losing my friends, one at a time.

Last week, I went out for coffee with a friend of mine. She asked how my job was, what I do, and for whom I work. I answered that I work for our Member of Provincial Parliament. She asked who that was. (What a devoted citizen she is) I named my boss. My friend flinched, got a look on her face and said "You're a Tory?"

"Well," I answered, "I work for one."

"That doesn't help. I can't believe you're one of them."

"Who do you support?" I asked her.

She puffed out her chest with pride. "I'm a supporter of the NDP."

Wow, I thought, you're part of a dying breed. "I'm still the same person you went to high school with," I pointed out, "just in a better job, making better money, doing something I really like."

The rest of the night was somewhat forced.

And there it is. Very few people hear of my job and comment on the job itself. Instead, they talk about my boss, and the political in government. When someone works at Foot Locker, selling Nike shoes, do you say "Man, how can you work there? Don't you know about the sweatshops in Indonesia?" If someone works pumping gas at Shell or Esso, do you ask about the sponsorship of civil wars or oil spills? So why do people insist on asking me my political leanings?

Despite all of the crap, I really like my job. I have a neat name tag that allows me access to Queen's Park without having to sign in. I don't have an office, a name plate, or an email address, but I get to read my work in Hansard whenever my boss rises to speak. That's far cooler than a cubicle. Plus, I get to hear some of the dirt, and meet influential people. Some of them are really nice and make an effort to learn your name. Others, you can tell, are big on their positions and have no time for the little people. Interestingly, in my experience, it is the woman MPPs and Ministers who are open and outgoing, while the men are too caught up in the other stuff, thinking that their (s--t) doesn't stink.

So there. I work for a Tory. Hell, I voted Tory. But I also believe in public education, and public health care, recognize the value of government, and don't think that the optimal tax rate is 0%. I'm employed, good at what I do, and enjoy my job. So sue me.

The author, who wishes to remain anonymous (because he would like to be hired back next summer), would still like to hear from you. I will forward all e-mail I get about this piece to him.

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