by Ted Onulak

Created on: November 30, 2008   Last Updated: August 30, 2010

Washington DC is unique on so many levels. The rich history, the imposing government buildings and the incredible cultural diversity are only a few of the reasons that make it an incredible city.

When I first moved to the Washington area, I was struck with the thought that the President of the United States lives just down the road from me. I could be waiting for a cab, thinking the black limousine passing by could be taking him to Congress. All of a sudden, the national news became my local news. You really started to get a feeling that you were at the center of it all.

My job search took me all over town. I visited the FBI building, the Watergate, Main State, The Rayburn, the Smithsonian and too many obscure places to mention.

I was always struck with the grandeur of the buildings and how accessible they were. A couple of times, I sat on the steps of the Supreme Court and ate my lunch. You could just walk into the Capitol and walk around to your heart's content. Unfortunately, this is not so easy any more due to the heightened sense of security after 9/11, now it's a lot like getting on a plane, with metal detectors and searches. It was a simpler time in 1986, but in some sense, there is a heightened awareness of how precious our country and freedom are.

I did a series of odd jobs until I found a position with the government in early 1990. Looking in from the outside, I somewhat flippantly developed the theory, that every little obnoxious, popularity seeking kid who ever ran for student government wound up In Washington Dc. Until I started working in government, I never realized how dedicated, intelligent and honest the overwhelming majority of government workers and officials are. Quite frankly, most highly qualified people can make a lot more money in the private sector than in government. By and large, they are motivated by a sense of service.

Of course, there are exceptions and dealing with the status quo of beaurocracy can get you down. The rules and regulations become like many coats of paint that grow lumpy and unattractive. Every once in a while, it all needs to be stripped down and cleaned, before it is repainted. The American people are generally smart enough to know when to do that.

The other thing that is so great about Washington is that it is full of interesting people from all over the world. The city is crowded with missions and embassies from every corner of the globe. These embassies frequently open their doors to the public for film festivals,

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