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CCR Exclusive: Life After College |
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Written by Senator Tom McClintock
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Friday, 14 December 2007 |
 It is late 2007. You are a young conservative college student or recent graduate.
Many of your liberal friends have secured or are looking for positions in local, state or federal government. They see the public sector as a fulfilling potential career opportunity and a way to change the world.
Meanwhile, your conservative and libertarian friends are flooding résumés to dynamic corporations. Some are devising ways to garner capital sufficient to start their own businesses. Government employment is a last resort – if that – even for members of the local College Republicans chapter.
Like your conservative friends, you believe passionately in limited government, low taxes, private property rights, free-market capitalism, justice, and equality under the law. You believe that “the government is best that governs least.”
So why in the world should you consider working in the California State Legislature by participating in either the Senate Fellows Program or the Jesse M. Unruh Assembly Fellowship Program?
Because these programs rank among the most esteemed political fellowships in the nation? Yes.
Because a high percentage of these fellows become full-time legislative employees and some even become state legislators? Yes.
Because these programs also serve as launching pads for successful careers in the corporate world, university careers, think tanks, and lobbying? And also are great prequels to law school? Yes.
Because you will receive a monthly stipend of $1972? Plus full health, vision and dental benefits? And 12 units of graduate credit from the Sacramento State Government Department? Yes.
But most importantly, because the Legislature needs bright young conservatives, who want to protect and strengthen California’s promise and vibrancy by making a difference.
While growing up, I learned – by studying our Nation’s Founders – of the irony that proponents of classical American limited government must participate in government to restrain its appetite for growth and to guarantee that personal liberty, national security and economic opportunity continue to exist for all Americans.
Or to put it another way, you cannot rein in a runaway horse and turn it around unless you’re riding on its back.
In a May, 1780 letter to his wife Abigail, President-to-be John Adams articulated this well:
The Science of Government it is my Duty to study, more than all other Sciences: the Art of Legislation and Administration and Negotiation, ought to take Place, indeed to exclude in a manner all other Arts. I must study Politicks and War that my sons may have liberty to study Mathematicks and Philosophy. My sons ought to study Mathematicks and Philosophy, Geography, natural History, Naval Architecture, navigation, Commerce and Agriculture, in order to give their Children a right to study Painting, Poetry, Musick, Architecture, Statuary, Tapestry and Porcelaine.
Working in the California Legislature as a Fellow is one of the most rewarding experiences a young conservative can have. You will learn skills that will help you in any arena. You will make friends of all persuasions. You will meet leading elected officials. You will help make sound public policy to benefit your fellow Californians -- and help protect Californians from bad public policy!
And help me keep the conservative torch burning in a State Capitol where it is needed the most.
In two years I will leave the California State Legislature– and although I will still be involved in politics and policy-making, I want to know that the future is in good hands.
I urge you to consider applying to these nationally respected fellowship programs at
http://www.csus.edu/calst/senate/index.html
http://www.csus.edu/calst/assembly/index.html
The postmarked application deadline for the next legislative year is February 27, 2008!
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