I became reacquainted with the seductiveness of Washington, D.C. last week when I journeyed east for several events. It has been decades since I lived there, but it still remains an extraordinary fascinating city for me. For political junkies and scholars, there is no better place for a rush than the political center of the world's most powerful nation. Whether in the hotel, in a bar or on the road, talk of the upcoming election easily crept into most conversations, and the House's initial rejection of the bailout bill added to the chatter.

 

Of course, similar discussions occur regularly in other parts of the country, but not with the same frequency, intensity and first-hand insights. The dominance of the political culture is manifested in other ways. Like Los Angeles with its Hollywood stars, D.C. has its share of celebrity sighting, but in the form of spotting elected politicians and high-level appointees. I confess that I was absolutely thrilled that a former congressman came to a meeting, and better, we had a chance to talk!

 

The built environment is a symbolic reminder of D.C.'s role as a keeper of America's history and identity. It was surreal to jog up the Mall to the Capitol, back to the Washington Monument, around the Tidal Basin, up the Lincoln Memorial, and along the Reflection Pool. These landmarks echo the distant past as well as more recent events associated with notables such as Wilbur Mills and Martin Luther King. Some claim that life inside the beltway is unreal, but in my opinion, it is just different, very unique by necessity because it is the national capital.

 

Even in the middle of an economic crisis where the federal government's potency looks problematic, there is an unwavering belief that the decisions made in Washington profoundly affect people and their lives. Those actions do really matter, and the direction for the next few years will hinge on November's outcome.

 

During the short stay in D.C., I felt a longing to be a part of that world. If I were asked to serve by the next administration or a public interest group, the offer certainly would be enticing. Regardless of the election results, one should be there, semi-permanently or occasionally, to influence major public policies.