With the midterm elections in our not-too-distant past, there will be some stunning changes in the political landscape come January 2011.

Now that the Republicans are taking over power in the U.S. House of Representatives, the Democrats must be feeling a little bruised and broken. Like they’ve been kicked to the curb, told they were not wanted any longer, that they did a horrid job while in office and are being chased beyond the D.C. city limits to cope with real life back home.

Yes, that’s a little on the harsh side, I know – but there may be some former congressmen out there who feel like that since Nov. 2. Losing a hard-fought election where millions of dollars are spent on advertising, banquets, staff members, travel, meals, bottled water, late night strategizing meetings and the like can be a big blow to someone who thought they were going to spend the next two years on the East Coast serving their constituency.

But does that mean life has to end for those folks? Does this mean they should give up public service forever? Never run for political office, not even for a library board trustee position?

Absolutely not.

Unlike some folks, these political types are thick-skinned individuals who have goals and ideas and not even losing a midterm election can knock the wind out of their sails. They realize in order for this democracy to work, people have to take risks and be willing to be lightning rods.

They have to take the blows in the Op Ed pages and cocky columnists of the newspapers, and still feel as though they have something to offer their country. No, they don’t tuck their tail and run at the first word of criticism; they take it for what it’s worth, gleaning what they can use for their advantage and move on.
They have attributes some of us haven’t used in a while, like perseverance and courage. They persevere under the tightest of circumstances because they believe in the process and realize their voice counts. They have courage enough to go from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm.

They refuse to be left in the dust of the next big thing and are willing to risk their ego to compete with someone younger, more popular or savvier, with more charisma.

Realizing not everyone likes them is not a cue to stay home and play the victim, but rather, a reason to reevaluate and tweak their expertise, their views and their goals. Maybe they’ve been antiquated in their thoughts or need to change their habits.
Maybe they’ve been listening to the wrong counsel or maybe they are right on course and need to keep moving forward – but on a different track.

While it may sound like I am putting politicians on a pedestal, I’m not.

But I do think that while we are bashing them for not following our guidelines or train of thought, we should shed some light on the attributes that got them elected.

Either way, losing the battle on Nov. 2 can equate to a victory on the horizon – but only if we keep our perseverance and courage muscles in shape.

The views and opinions expressed in this column are those of the author and not necessarily those of Farm World. Readers with questions or comments for Melissa Hart may write to her in care of this publication.