OF GROUNDHOGS & POLITICIANS

Why can't we limit our annual exposure to the ludicrous clowns much like we enjoy the spectacle of Punxsutawney Phil's pompous prognosticators preoccupation with Spring. Why don't we limit politicians to one day, or even one week, to their equally ridiculous antics, lies and slander? One week where they can say or do anything they want and then we are done with it for the year. Let's start a movement as it sure beats the traveling "nasty" show that has been the political scene for the past several months with more to come. Expensive, nauseating and unnecessary.

Though I dread the system we use at work for interviewing prospective employees due to its interminable, heart-wrenching and sometimes, boring, interpretations by the interviewee who missed the point about 5 minutes ago; it does have its strengths in determining a "fit" with the competencies for the position. Wouldn't debates be much more interesting and MEANINGFUL if the political wannabes were actually asked questions that forced them to give examples of how they personally resolved real-life situations that are pertinent to the high office for which (in their own mind) they believe they are so qualified for? Are they able to think under stress, during a crisis? Do they know how to motivate and bring consensus? Do they know how to learn and change their minds when they have all the facts? Are they strong enough to do "the right thing" when the selfish are screaming their own agendas? Are they open to new and innovative ideas or slaves to their "handlers".

In my humble opinion, after many decades of life, my experience as a manager and based on the many interviews I have conducted, adults do not stray too far from their own "normal" under any circumstances. They revert to the character and coping mechanisms they have learned and found successful based on their life experiences,education, employment. To expect them to react differently takes massive internal mental changes. Basically, people do not change all that much after they are adults. Surface maybe, but not core beliefs, how they address right and wrong, their feelings towards others, etc.

Forget the sound bites and attacks on others-which really makes the mud-slinger look worse if you ask me. Look at their past because it definitely predicts their future.