One man, emails us every day with a full list of every single car, make and license plate included, that enters and exits a certain property on the Cape. Another man, calls every morning at 3 am to discuss the dangerous and manipulative powers of technology. However yesterday he called at 3 pm (changing it up!) and we let him talk for 2 hours to just get it all out. A woman arrives every day at our office and gives us the same research over and over again on the income taxes of Massachusetts and where we are missing "hidden revenue." Every day is the same sprinkled with something new and exciting.

But, all our calls aren't just rambling. I truly believe that the line is open for these people to air their thoughts, but also to provide real help to the constituents of Massachusetts. Reading through the emails, I weed out the scripted emails and search for the people needing our help. Most of the time we can help them get food stamps, get help from DCF, contact MassHealth, and other casework. However, the most painful feeling is telling them we can't help them. Some stories are utterly heartbreaking and I have found myself tearing up at my desk many times. Yet, we have no power or jurisdiction to help them. Government is meant to assist people yet even that assistance has limits. It's hard to say no, especially for a people pleaser like me, but in many cases my hands are tied. As much as I want to, I can't get your child back, I can't come up with the missing Social Security money, and I can't solve your health problems. That is painful for me to say and I think that is why this work is so hard. The very nature that makes me interested in public service is what makes it so difficult. My people-pleasing drove me here, but it can make the job harder. I guess it's a blessing and a curse.