We have a responsibility, too...
I was in seat 1A on a 145 this summer...I was amazed at the junk the crew had lying around. USA Today sections everywhere, bid pack, and the F/O couldn't find the MEL 'cause it had slipped into a dunkin' donuts box. It was literally spilling out of the cockpit. What a mess. If I was a fed who wanted to ride observer, my first impression would have been terrible, not to mention the impression passengers (customers!) get. Not saying the crew would let anything slide, but a clean, neat cockpit can speak volumes about our professionalism. Not to mention save your life (fire, etc). I always tried to leave just a pad and pen for the next guys. HSLD is dead on about MX, too...