Public office provides access to information, decisions, and resources that other people do not have. That is precisely why it should not be viewed as a personal business opportunity.
When public influence is used for private gain, the damage extends beyond a single decision. Citizens lose confidence that the rules apply equally and that decisions about their money are made in their best interests.
That is why it matters more to me how a position is carried out than how visible someone was while holding it. Are decisions explained? Can we determine who is responsible? Are personal interests kept separate from public service?
A position is temporary. The consequences of decisions often are not. This should be the starting point for anyone seeking to manage something that belongs to others as well.
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