Blog #4b [Make up]

 The outline of CST emailed to other students was no longer available on the NDNU student email service, so I based my response on my knowledge of CST from NDNU classes, and the Hallmarks.

In addressing the smaller of the two outlines, the hallmarks-a creation of CST themselves, are a bit shorter. The first connection being hallmark 2 that connects the mission of the County and the Office of Supervisor Lee to honor the human dignity of every constituent who calls us needing help. That means doing what we can, so they are enabled to rise above their current challenges or concerns.

We educate for and act on behalf of justice and peace in the world.

This is central to local governments' mission, as acting on behalf of the needy is one of the driving missions of county services. Furthermore preserving the peace in the county is up to the elected leaders to direct our police, and other community leaders.

We commit ourselves to community service.

As Said in the previous hallmark- this is also a main impetus for the county. As the county quite literally is the social safety net for many of the most needy within the  community. Therefore all the services the county provides to the greater public and to the needy apply equally within here.

We embrace the gift of diversity.

This is where federal and state law plays a part of county work life. This is because of federal and state laws that mandate certain levels of diversity, and the absence of discrimination within the workplace. Being that Supervisor Lee is an official of Santa Clara County, an infamously diverse location, the staff that I count myself among reflect the same multiculturalism.  

We create community among those with whom we work and with those we serve.

If there was a hallmark that applied most to my and the offices mission this is what it would be. As a staffer and resident in Santa Clara County I live with the decisions my boss and office, and the overall board make as a whole. This can be difficult when decisions are unpopular or seen as either too conservative or brash. However, it also creates a driving inspiration to do the very best for our neighbors, friends, and family who all make up the community.

We develop holistic learning communities which educate for life.

While the county does not directly develop learning communities, it does foster an intense amount of learning. That is because the county also has a strong hand in the primary and secondary education that occurs within its borders. Therefore the strong quality of schools to be found within the county suggests, they attempt to follow this guideline. However, the inequality between schools in the South County and the much wealthier North county also cast  doubt on the county's ability to deliver equal results.

All that being said the important element of CST that my CP is charged with is “Preserving the common good.” That is a concept found throughout Abrahamic religion that charges the leader of a sovereign geographic state with preserving the common good for all their constituents. The issue is with local governments, there is little element of “sovereignty.” However, as the book said in the American federalist system state and local governments derive their power from overlapping constitutions and charters. These guides help direct the local governments to preserve the common good-without sovereignty. This means deciding if the federal law is in the interest of the common good of your constituents- like the conflict over medical marijuana. With some states legalizing medicinal use for the ill, with others legalizing recreational use for tax reasons-which create economic opportunities i.e. common held money for all. All in the face of a federal government who keeps the drug on the same level as heroin or cocaine.