I am one. As my father used to say: “supping from the public trough.” Actually, those weren’t his exact words. Ol’ Pops would probably be turning in his grave if he knew how I’ve made my living for the past 20 years. “Never earned an honest dollar in his life” were some other choice words he would use to describe people like me. At one time I did make an honest living. I worked for the family business he and my mom established before I was born. At one time it was a decent business and we made an honest living there. My dad died in 1980, at a time when the business was in a decline. I missed him so much I didn’t want to let go of it. Nine years later I just couldn’t do it any more. I got lucky and found a buyer. There was enough “business” left to get a small amount for it. I got enough money to pay off the creditors but not enough to pay myself the back wages I owed myself.

While the sale was in escrow, I learned through my brother (thank you John) that there was an opening at the County for a press operator. If I didn’t already believe in God, I would have following the course of events that would soon ensue. The escrow closed on my birthday, April 15, 1989. On that same day I interviewed for the job with the County and got a call by the end of the day that I was the choice of the interview panel. Hired on my birthday. My Uncle Dwight, who was a very studied and “devout” astrologer would say that it was no coincidence. Good things happen on or near your birthday. Your stars are in alignment or your Mars is in Jupiter or something like that.

It seemed no coincidence for a “young” man who worked just about every day of his life since he was 14, working for the neighbor farmers and working in the family print shop, and working all the way through college, that there was a mere gap of 14 days of non-employment, before the day I was hired on my 38th birthday until I started my first day at the County. Eight months after being hired as a press operator, I was promoted to manage the County print shop.

Since that day, May 1, 1989, until today, I have bitched and moaned about my job for so many reasons that I feel almost ashamed. Looking back on my 20 years of government employment, I have to say it’s been quite an adventure. I’m still doing basically the same thing I’ve been doing my entire adult life. I’ve kept up with technology and have enjoyed that part greatly. I’ve had great people working for me. I’ve grown to appreciate my job. It hasn’t been all that bad and has been punctuated by more than a few highlights. Last May I was feted at an awards banquet with others who have achieved the 20-year mark and beyond. My daughter Kathryn attended with me. It was special.

In this troubled time of economic uncertainty, I am glad to have this job. I don’t bitch about it any more. It’s starting to fit me pretty well.

I might just do it for another 20 years (or so).