Where does your loyalty lie? Do you volunteer with the reward of helping others? Are you in the game for self-serving interest? Would you step over your friends as well as constituents for power, greed, and political expediency? In this most contentious of election seasons, tempers and emotions are begun to flare, even amongst the most like-minded of individuals. Recently, I began to reflect on my first year and a half with the Osceola County Republican Executive. From that first day through the present, my feelings towards on loyalty as well as my own personal ambitions have changed in a very profound way.

           I remembered a close friend of mine explaining to me her view of the political process. To paraphrase her words, she remarked that in politics, it is an accepted unwritten rule that you use your friends to climb the ladder of political ambition. While I know politics can be a dirty business, I almost did not want to believe that being dishonest or using others would be an inevitable progress in my personal evolution through politics. Would I remain loyal to my new friends or would I follow the path of many before me?              

           Through everything, my core values as well as my character did not change. What changed was my perception of the character of the many individuals I have come into contact working with OCREC. As a very careful observer of human behavior, I have seen people say and do things while doing the complete opposite. I have seen loyalty oaths broken and deception rise in conjunction with a person’s personal political ambitions. From bitter antagonism to arguments of character, this type of behavior could deter even the seasoned pro from caring about what happens in our government, but not me.            

           In becoming a member of OCREC, my eyes to new perspective towards politics. It has allowed me to view a full spectrum of what politics, civics, and volunteerism is all about. Honestly, loyalty, and commitment to the party as well as the Executive Committee is something I am proud to embody. Seeing where this committee has come from since my beginnings has made me very proud. The members of this organization and its leadership are the types of persons who exemplify what it is to be a true Republican and a person of high moral character. We have accomplished quite a bit in a short period of time and I believe we can continue improving our craft so long as we remain loyal to each other and our base principles. 

           I could have never imagined at my age I could have made such an impact on what happens politically within Osceola County. I always envisioned my experience in politics being one of me running for office or doing something involving my own self-serving interest. I wanted to be famous, powerful, and very wealthy. To some degree, these ambitions may still linger, but not nearly to the degree they did before I became a member of OCREC. 

           In the end, we must decide the type of person we want to represent not only for ourselves, but also for our community. When does personal ambition cloud or impair one’s principles and core values. It is time to take a stand for what is right as well as remain loyal to the party, the Executive Committee and its leadership. I know who I am standing with, do you?

Eric Scott Dolhon, BFA, MBA

3569 Sanctuary Drive

St. Cloud, FL 34769