A Friday Afternoon Confession - by Greer Clem

I have a confession to make to the larger internet community: in 2016, I applied to work in the Trump White House.

Now, let me explain. Barack Obama told me to! Okay, well not really. But after the election I sat down to write, and what came out was a cover letter. I wrote that I didn't believe Trump was capable of holding the job, that the GOP was corrupt and fundamentally unresponsive to the values of the American people, and that I would never in one million years vote for their party. And that that was why they needed to hire me. I told them they needed people like me, people who would speak for the rest of the country and keep them honest. Well, honest-er. I told them it would be a mistake to not hire me because I believe in this country and I would take the job just to protect it from the very person we had just elected.

Needless to say I never heard back. Anyways, when I see articles like this one, articles that call out people who have worked in the Trump White House, I feel both angry and defensive. On the one hand, people respond by saying, "Screw them, they made their bed." But on the other hand - maybe someone wanted to help. Maybe just one person believed they could make a difference.

And isn't that what government is all about? Isn't that what the American dream is?

I never heard from the Trump White House. But the difference between me and them is that if they asked for my help I would give it. At any time, they can choose to turn the ship around. And I will always hope that one American, even just one, will stand up and say, "This is not right."

And yes, I am now going to end this post with a Dumbledore quote: "help will always be given at Hogwarts to those who ask for it." Never be ashamed to offer your help. More importantly, never be ashamed to ask for it, even if you don't think anyone is listening. One day someone will.