Qualifications

   I was recently asked what qualifications I had to become a representative. Did I have government experience? Worked on legislation? My answer to these questions is no, I haven't, and that in itself is actually to my benefit! I think we should do away with career politicians! Once they serve a term or a few terms they need to move on and be in what we call the "real world." Too much power only corrupts and we see that all too much with our elected officials. 
   My qualifications that are the most paramount are my training on how to actively listen to people. To not just sit and nod, but to engage and understand where they are coming from. I have been trained as an advocate which I used in talking that teacher into letting a student have another chance at the speech they were absent for. Persuasion is an important skill when dealing with different attitudes and ideas. I am also trained in conflict mediation.  I have sat between two teenaged girls who used to be best friends until a boy ended up dating both at the same time without them knowing it, until later. In this situation I helped the girls come to terms with each other and save their friendship. Getting a group of intelligent Democrats and Republicans  to agree on something seems easy compared to that! 
   I say that I have the exact qualifications needed in Jefferson City at this time in our State's history.