W.D.C.
Little more than two weeks ago I started working/interning on the Hill. I work for the Congressman from northern New Mexico. The work is fun at times and boring sometimes. I get to do a lot. At first it was mainly opening constituent mail, taking phone calls, other small tasks around the office. More recently Ive been allowed to go to hearings, write reports on these hearings, and letters to constituents on various issues (as Im the only economist in the office I do a lot of finance related issues, say budget 09 and 10 or go to hearings on derivatives which has been interesting and definitively useful to whatever Im going to do in the future).
Life in DC at the moment is dominated by health care, health care this health care that. While it is interesting to follow, working on the Hill it gets very tiring. Ive received several phone calls with constituents worried about what might happen if everyone has access to quality affordable health care. Some call shouting down the phone at us, that we are turning the US into a communist state (Im guessing they dont actually know what communism is), that we are the devil taking down the US from the inside etc etc.
The most fun call Ive gotten so far was one today from a lady in New Mexico, she whispers on the phone to me "I have a confession...Im a Republican...but Im in favor of government run health care...and I voted for Obama...what do I do?" I go "Thats perfectly ok, why are you whispering?"
There are times when it hits you that you where you are working. The other day I was allowed to go on the floor of the House (which is rather rare if you arent an elected member). I got to sit in the chairs where the Representatives sit (very comfortable chairs), and see everything from up close. Today I went to a hearing with where there Treasury Secretary (Tim Geithner) was outlining the G20 and administrations plan to overhaul the financial system. I was sitting no more than 2 meters away. All in all quite an impressive internship I think.
My first Saturday in DC there was a huge protest outside the Capitol building (against everything the Democratic party is doing). I found this somewhat comical video of it.
Thats all for now, and Shana Tova!
Little more than two weeks ago I started working/interning on the Hill. I work for the Congressman from northern New Mexico. The work is fun at times and boring sometimes. I get to do a lot. At first it was mainly opening constituent mail, taking phone calls, other small tasks around the office. More recently Ive been allowed to go to hearings, write reports on these hearings, and letters to constituents on various issues (as Im the only economist in the office I do a lot of finance related issues, say budget 09 and 10 or go to hearings on derivatives which has been interesting and definitively useful to whatever Im going to do in the future).
Life in DC at the moment is dominated by health care, health care this health care that. While it is interesting to follow, working on the Hill it gets very tiring. Ive received several phone calls with constituents worried about what might happen if everyone has access to quality affordable health care. Some call shouting down the phone at us, that we are turning the US into a communist state (Im guessing they dont actually know what communism is), that we are the devil taking down the US from the inside etc etc.
The most fun call Ive gotten so far was one today from a lady in New Mexico, she whispers on the phone to me "I have a confession...Im a Republican...but Im in favor of government run health care...and I voted for Obama...what do I do?" I go "Thats perfectly ok, why are you whispering?"
There are times when it hits you that you where you are working. The other day I was allowed to go on the floor of the House (which is rather rare if you arent an elected member). I got to sit in the chairs where the Representatives sit (very comfortable chairs), and see everything from up close. Today I went to a hearing with where there Treasury Secretary (Tim Geithner) was outlining the G20 and administrations plan to overhaul the financial system. I was sitting no more than 2 meters away. All in all quite an impressive internship I think.
My first Saturday in DC there was a huge protest outside the Capitol building (against everything the Democratic party is doing). I found this somewhat comical video of it.
Thats all for now, and Shana Tova!
posted by Reubie at
1:54 AM
2 Comments:
Shit alltså, du är ju ute och ser världen! Och en mycket speciell del av världen dessutom...!
Gud vad roligt med kommunistkommentarerna. Vad är det folk tror ska hända om alla får bra sjukvård?? Jag fattar faktiskt inte. Vill gärna höra vad de tror kan hända som är negativt.
Puss
Jenny
By
Anonymous, at September 25, 2009 4:04 PM
Shit alltså, du är ju ute och ser världen! Och en mycket speciell del av världen dessutom...!
Gud vad roligt med kommunistkommentarerna. Vad är det folk tror ska hända om alla får bra sjukvård?? Jag fattar faktiskt inte. Vill gärna höra vad de tror kan hända som är negativt.
Puss
Jenny
By
Anonymous, at September 25, 2009 4:04 PM
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