Some politicians do things, even good or great things, with the real goal of acquiring political capital. They work hard to make sure everyone knows what they do. The public can tell, and even while appreciating the changes they benefit from, they often do not really admire those politicians who are more worried about themselves and the people benefiting are just a means to that end.
Other politicians do things because they really want to make change and benefit the people they are meant to represent. Sure, they want to be acknowledged for their efforts, but that is not their primary concern. They probably also know that the acknowledgement and admiration will be a natural result of their efforts.
People wondered a short while back why Yaakov Litzman was the top-rated minister in the government.
I think the answer is fairly obvious. It at least seems that he does not put much effort in to hiring publicists to boost his image and standing and take advantage of everything he does, but he just does what he said he intended to do. Litzman works and works quietly and works non-stop and recognizes it is also the small things, perhaps especially the small things, that people recognize the benefits from and not just the big bombastic changes.
While Deri and Gueta and Gafni and Netanyahu are fighting and criticizing each other over who gets credit for changing the pay systems for public transportation, Litzman has introduced cheaper food (not just via vending machines) in hospitals and is now working on lowering the exorbitant cost of parking in hospital parking lots.
People appreciate things like that. If you have to go to the hospital once or twice for a treatment or to visit someone and need to pay 40 or 50 shekel in parking, it isnt necessarily a big deal. If you have to go regularly for treatment, or to assist someone or to visit a long-term patient, it gets very expensive.People cannot figure out the new payment system on public transportation, and even though people are saving money, they are confused by it. People understand easily that 5nis coffee is cheaper than 18nis coffee.
As reported by Behadrei, Litzman mentioned that he is at the beginning of the process but he is working on lowering the costs of parking lots at hospitals. As well, some hospitals already have food carts going around with prices similar to Coffix and that will expand.
And, I think, this is why people think highly of Litzman. He isn't out shooting his mouth off at every issue out there, and he isn't working harder to get credit for things than he works to implement change. He just does what he needs to do and in his broken Hebrew he makes a one sentence announcement and then moves on to the next item on his list that needs to be done....
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