Josh Penry’s smart to not run for lieutenant governor or re-election

Josh Penry’s got a hat trick for 2009:

1. He decided to run for governor. Raised his profile, learned somethings about politics and himself and paved the way for a more lucrative career in business, as a lobbyist or—worse case scenario—as a government bureaucrat.
2. He dropped out of the governor’s race, cutting his losses short, putting his family first, earning the gratitude of most Republicans.
3. He decided he won’t run for lieutenant governor, but that decision probably was made for him. Two guys from Grand Junction wouldn’t be the strongest ticket on the Front Range. More important, he decided he won’t run for re-election to the State Senate where he is a highly-regarded but relatively powerless and probably a very frustrated minority leader.

Penry’s accomplished more in his 33 years than most people do in a 40-year career. He has another 35 to 40-plus years to make some money, play politics and raise a healthy two-parent family.

He’s probably learned that politicians don’t have as much power and fun as most people think they do. Being a politician is very hard work. It’s demeaning. You have to listen to selfish idiots and lobbyists with a polite smile, and you have to compromise your integrity and principles for power. Or you fail.

Worse, you have to pretend that you have a family life.

Despite all of the government regulations, competitive challenges and other frustrations that come with working in the private sector, smart, honest people find that they often can create more jobs and contribute more to society than any politician ever dreamed he or she could. And private sector CEOs and middle managers often can get more done in a day or a week than a governor, mayor, legislator or bureaucrat can do in a year.

I have a lot of respect for the sacrifices politicians make and for their work ethics, but the not-for-profit (tax-exempt) and taxable sectors look much more attractive than a political career to this opinionated, let’s-just-do-it guy. 

So I hope the reports that Penry is looking for a job in a Republican’s administration aren’t true. He needs to experience the joys of being free to be a creative and pro-active private sector executive.

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