If you have faith in the public sector, as I do, you must be the

Host: The room feels calm, yet there’s a subtle undercurrent of seriousness, as though the conversation is about to shift into the complexities of trust, accountability, and responsibility. The soft evening light filters through the window, casting long shadows across the space. Outside, the world continues at its usual pace, but inside, the conversation feels poised to touch on the delicate balance between faith in institutions and the need for scrutiny. Jeeny sits at the table, her fingers lightly tracing the rim of her cup, her expression thoughtful. Jack stands near the window, arms crossed, watching the street below.

Jeeny: (her voice gentle, yet filled with curiosity) “You ever think about how our trust in institutions can be tested? How, when we believe in something—like the public sector—we also have a responsibility to hold it accountable, especially when it falls short?”

Jack: (glancing over at her, his voice dry, but intrigued) “Trust and accountability? Yeah, it’s interesting how we expect institutions to work for us, but when they don’t, it’s easy to get frustrated. It’s almost like the more faith we place in something, the more responsibility we have to ensure it lives up to that faith. What made you think about it?”

Jeeny: (nodding slowly, a small smile forming as she shares her thought) “I was thinking about something Eric Schneiderman said: ‘If you have faith in the public sector, as I do, you must be the harshest critic of corruption, waste, and fraud in government.’ It made me reflect on how real trust in any institution—especially the government—requires us to be vigilant, to critique and question it, rather than blindly accept it.”

Jack: (pauses, considering her words carefully) “So, he’s saying that if you truly believe in the value of something, like the public sector, you’re not just a passive supporter—you have to be an active critic as well? That having faith in an institution means you have to ensure it’s living up to its ideals, especially when it’s falling short?”

Jeeny: (smiling more deeply now, her eyes steady as she explains further) “Exactly. Schneiderman’s point is that faith in the public sector doesn’t mean turning a blind eye to its faults. It’s about demanding accountability and working to make it better. The real test of loyalty and faith is in the willingness to criticize and challenge when necessary, not just accept things as they are.”

Host: Jeeny’s words seem to linger in the room, creating a subtle shift in the conversation about trust, responsibility, and accountability. Jack stands still, his expression softening as he processes the deeper message behind Schneiderman’s statement. The world outside continues its rhythm, but inside, the conversation feels rooted in a more profound understanding of how we engage with the systems that govern us.

Jack: (his voice quieter now, almost reflective) “I see what he means. It’s easy to put faith in something, to trust that it will work for the greater good. But true faith isn’t passive—it’s active, it’s about engaging with the system, critiquing it, and pushing for improvement. If you don’t hold it accountable, you’re not really trusting it at all.”

Jeeny: (nodding slowly, her voice calm, yet filled with quiet strength) “Exactly. Faith is not about unquestioning loyalty—it’s about believing in the potential of something and holding it to the highest standard. It’s about being willing to speak out when things go wrong, because that’s how we make the system better and ensure it serves everyone.”

Jack: (pauses, a small smile forming on his face as the idea sinks in) “It’s liberating, isn’t it? To realize that faith and trust aren’t about blind belief—it’s about critical engagement, about being a partner in improving the system, not just a spectator.”

Jeeny: (smiling warmly, her voice gentle, yet filled with wisdom) “Exactly. The best kind of faith is the kind that challenges and pushes for progress, the kind that demands better. It’s not about abandoning trust—it’s about strengthening it through constructive criticism and accountability.”

Host: The room feels lighter now, as though the conversation has shifted into a deeper understanding of trust, accountability, and responsibility. Jack turns from the window, his posture more relaxed, his thoughts clearly reflecting on the importance of active engagement and critical thinking. Jeeny watches him, content in the realization that true trust is built not just on faith, but on the willingness to hold systems accountable. The world outside continues its rhythm, but inside, there’s a shared understanding that true faith in institutions requires not just belief, but scrutiny, action, and the pursuit of improvement.