Note: This is an initial treatment for a larger composition with more detail on the workings of Washington.*
During lunch with a colleague recently we found ourselves sharing the experience of trying to explain to family and friends what it is we actually do in Washington. When most people think of "Washington," they think of the federal government; usually not fondly. Many of those impressions are historical myths amplified by divisive television and social media commentary and opportunistic political operatives. In fact, there are so many deep-seated fables, misunderstandings and distrust about D.C. it's not surprising there is such cynicism about our government and institutions. The reality of what happens in Washington and how it works is much different.
To be sure, there is much of 'political' Washington - and the policy process - that is broken (and that's a subject for another column.) But it's not 'corrupt' in the ways most Americans imagine. In fact, the mechanics of governance operate in a surprisingly transparent and logical fashion that - thanks to generations of reformers - reflects democratic rules and procedures.
First, the obvious; Washington is like any other American city; with all the local businesses, neighborhoods, churches, schools, law firms, contractors, corporations, etc. that any other community has; most of which have nothing to do with the federal government.
Those who do work in or with the federal government on 'public policy,' in one form or another, usually experience the blank stares when telling anyone - especially 'outside the beltway,' -- what they do in Washington. So, what does "public policy" mean, anyway, and what does it have to do with all that 'political' stuff?
What it's not. It has virtually nothing to do with the hysterical, divisive drama portrayed on cable news, social media and fear-mongering websites. The reality would disappoint any who buy in to that caricature. Those high-profile narratives; the partisan bickering, personal dramas, hate-mongering and conspiracy theories, are important for a few who are trying to advance themselves or profit from American's anxieties and fears. But for most people toiling away in Washington, those dramas are largely a distraction, if not a hindrance.
The business of Washington is - essentially - one of representation; where Americans are reflected in all their different shapes and complexities. Most Americans think of their 'representatives' in Washington as their senators and congressional representative. But their individual interests are represented in many other ways. There are thousands of organizations that represent different segments of American society. Often disparaged as 'special interests', everyone - whether they realize it or not - has a stake in many of these groups; either because of their profession, age, residence, income, ideology or other characteristics. That is why, despite the prevailing narrative, most issues are not party-oriented or partisan, but are often geographical, economic, or industry-specific.
Washington is the marketplace where all these varied interests and constituencies of the country come together to compete and reconcile those interests. It is a focal point for the wide range of communities of Americans that defines their priorities, occupations, economics, and culture; where they are synthesized and articulated by their representatives to effectively compete and be resolved, either amongst themselves or along with government institutions. In that sense, Washington is a messy, consensus-building, compromise-forging machine.
The issues and the marketplace haggling over them may eventually reach the halls of Congress; though it may not need to. In fact, the actual work of Washington is done in scores of "communities" and groups that frame and communicate the interests of their members or constituents. Those groups interact with related groups, with relevant governmental agencies, specialty media, and sometimes with relevant members of Congress, forming alliances, countering opposition and organizing a strategy for advancing their agendas. These interests are most often represented in the form of organized 'associations' or coalitions of groups. There are almost 70,000 trade and professional associations and over a million charitable and philanthropic organizations in the U.S - many of which have offices in Washington. Their job is to proactively and defensively represent their member's interests.
Think the American Medical Association (AMA), which represents doctors, the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA), representing the companies that stock the shelves (Kraft-Heinz, PepsiCo, P&G, etc.), the American Public Transit Association (APTA), representing the nation's transit systems, as well as unions, environmental groups, charitable organizations (the American Cancer Society, etc.) and scores of other collaboratives. (My lunch companion was from the Children's Hospital Association and I led a national cancer organization.)
Actually, policy or lobbying work may only be a small part of what these organizations do. They often provide a wide variety of services, information content, meetings, newsletters, webinars, professional conferences, certifications, etc. to enhance the community, build networking opportunities and to mobilize the community's collective voice and influence.
Those who do work in the public policy shop take their members' temperatures and analyze the financial and social challenges faced by them to build an agenda of policy goals. What problems do their members face and how can they be addressed? How can they advance their mission, promote or protect their business or members? Armed with an agenda, they hold conferences, form or join coalitions with like-minded groups, rally their grassroots and appeal to policy decision-makers.
In many of these cases, the issues, laws and regulations affecting any group or industry are usually complex - sometimes mind-numbing - and certainly not topics that stir public passions. Yet, in their depth, detail and complexity, these issues animate those communities and constitute the bulk of work in Washington. They involve the intricacies of understanding people (members, organizations, etc.) the finances and nuances of their business and an expertise in the tradecraft of influencing policies that will impact them - whether it's a plumber affected by regulated materials or an investment attorney focused on IRS capital gains treatment. Most of these subjects are, frankly, boring, and why they never make newscasts or break the consciousness of the general public. Nonetheless, they affect the lives and business of Americans in direct and profound ways.
Adding to the complexity, all these communities intersect with one another in meetings, conferences, seminars, conventions and social events with one another. Medical groups of all types congregate and meet with insurance, academic, pharmaceutical and patient groups. Public transportation groups congregate and meet with municipal organizations, railroads, real estate organizations, trucking groups and private providers. They are allies on some issues - or temporary adversaries on others.
The venue and purpose may differ, but the familiarity of the people, the institutions and their interests and - most importantly - the nitty-gritty issues that animate them allows for compromise and consensus - often in new ways of thinking about complicated problems. In fact, difficult problems often force creative solutions by policy makers and 'think tanks' that can transform the economy and communities.*
Complicated and exasperating to grasp, this elaborate structure should be a source of pride for Americans, because it is a uniquely democratically American phenomenon. The maturity, sophistication and complexity of these institutions and processes are unheard of in most of the rest of the world - even in Western democracies. (Quote? - when two or more Americans meet, they form a committee/association)? Indeed, even in most mature European nations, citizens do not form similar associations, let alone lobby their governments. One can argue, as many have, that this enormous conglomerate of American democracy is the source of perpetual gridlock. I would suggest, however, that it accommodates compromise and problem-solving that often precludes any government intervention. That is where the "special interests" perform a valuable function. Congress doesn't want to wage those battles if it doesn't have to. It's not unlike a negotiated settlement in a court. If the parties can agree on a settlement, the judge doesn't have to make a ruling.
Another recurring theme spun by the fear-mongers - especially on the right - holds that Washington is filled with secret cabals, where bureaucrats and powerbrokers with some devious agendas are hatching plots against Americans; the so-called "deep state" that citizens are powerless to affect.
But nothing could be further from the truth. If any would bother to investigate, they'd find that most government processes are remarkably transparent; and dreadfully boring, which is why most citizens don't bother and the fear-mongering myths continue to succeed. In fact, while voting is the most visible means of affecting government, opportunities for participation and influence are embedded in almost every stage of the American political system. From town council meetings to legislative hearings and administrative rule-making, transparency and accountability to the public are baked into the DNA of our institutions. Anyone can write or visit their legislators, in Washington or state capitals. And if they organize with others, or join an existing group, can have a decisive impact. Legislation in D.C. and across the country is easily accessible online along with analysis and notices for hearings and public input. When city, state or federal agencies are considering new rules, they are required to post them for public input. The Federal Register, published daily, posts and solicits opportunities for citizen input. In fact, many agencies go beyond the letter of the law and proactively recruit community and professional advisory groups to improve and validate their decision-making. The FDA, as one example, makes most of its decisions based on outside professional, patient and consumer advisory panels.
As with so many conspiracy theories; this one does not hold up to scrutiny.
Certainly, the disillusionment and distrust of government - and one another - has been a recurring theme in U.S. history, made worse by the increasing complexity of society, technological and economic dislocations, impersonal and isolating communications, that all make the individual feel powerless. Those fears and naivete have been exploited by many for their own benefit at the risk of our most valuable distinction and legacy - American democracy itself.
For those of us who work in Washington or in the public policy process, the current state of cynicism and anxiety is especially disheartening. We see and experience firsthand the opportunities and privileges Americans have to contribute to their own government. In fact, it is often our job to bring those voices into the marketplace, to decode the issues, and give them a seat at the table. That's why it's particularly distressing to suffer individuals parroting television "news," social media memes, conspiracy-peddlers and internet fear-mongers….but who can't identify their congressional representative. American self-government offers valuable rights and liberties. But they're not free. They require individual responsibility, contributions, sacrifice, accurate information and a self-awareness of those duties to make it work. Increasingly, those of us who have been on the front line of the policy process will have the added responsibility of dispelling the myths and more forcefully illustrating the priceless gifts that American citizens have in defining their own destiny - as messy as it is.
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*Based on 40 years working in and with federal and state governments; as a Senate aide, lobbyist, and non-profit administrator in the industries of aerospace, public transportation, health care and research. Most importantly, experiencing and witnessing the influences, interactions and personalities that make Washington work and that contribute to representation and formation of public policy.
**For example; federal transportation funding to states and localities has traditionally been granted by mode: highways, transit, bikeways, etc. It creates entrenched constituencies battling it out for a larger piece of the pie. One creative solution was to combine federal assistance into "mobility grants," leaving it to local authorities to determine their own priorities. This also had some political appeal on several levels.
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