I grew up in Claysburg and learned the importance of my political voice at an early age.

As a kid, I would walk with my grandparents down our rural road to the Greenfield Township Building to cast our vote. Of course, I was too young for my vote to count, but the poll workers, amused by my resolve to “vote for the candidate of my choice,” handed me a fake ballot.

I proudly walked back home with my grandparents, already feeling the power of democracy.

Politics was often discussed in our home, and disagreements were common — but that was OK.

My interest in American democracy grew, and my world expanded when I joined AmeriCorps.

At the time, the Balkan War was tearing apart the former republic of Yugoslavia, and refugees were being resettled in a community where I managed a program teaching adult literacy, including English as a Second Language.

It was this experience that led to over 20 years as a public servant, first at the Department of Health and Human Services and then at USAID, beginning during the Bush Administration.

I didn’t vote for President George Bush, but I built strong relationships with senior political appointees in his administration. Early in my career, I learned the clear distinction between my personal political views and my responsibility as a civil servant: to help my political bosses achieve results based on their goals. That’s what most civil servants do each day.

Like you, we may not always like or agree with our boss, but we do our jobs to the best of our ability.

I didn’t vote for President Donald Trump, but my team and I were ready to work with his political appointees, just as we had in his first term.

As innovators and disruptors ourselves, we were even looking forward to possible reforms that could make our organization better.

Now, as I consider leaving government service, I remain deeply concerned about the potential dissolution of USAID — not just for what it means for the U.S., but for its impact on the world.

Beyond that, I worry about the implications of Elon Musk and his young, inexperienced team having access to $6 trillion in Treasury Department payments and sensitive data, including Social Security and Medicare payments. I would be surprised if this is what voters intended — or want now.

No matter who you voted for, your elected representatives still serve you, and you have every right to raise your voice and express your concerns. Whether you support what Elon Musk is doing or oppose it, your voice still matters beyond the ballot box. I hope you use it.

Formerly of Claysburg, Daniel Corle now lives in Washington, D.C.