"10-4 Shirley, we'll see you again". I uttered those words fourteen years ago when I eulogized my Mother at her funeral on October 4, 2007. Hard to believe it's been that long as she is usually in my thoughts most days. I often wonder what she would say about the craziness of the last several years. Eight years of the country's first black president followed by complete reversal in the election of an incompetent racist narcissist who opened up the floodgates of our national prejudice and bias which is always simmering under the surface. A pandemic that turned political and a deposed "wanna-be" dictator spreading lies along with the willingness of so many to be influenced by social media spreading unproven opinions and conspiracies. "May you live in interesting times" (which may or may not be an old Chinese curse).
I think one would agree that the Democratic party has some interesting members. The reason the smaller party (Repubs) manages to move their agenda forward is their ability to walk in lock-step with each other regardless of intelligence or conscience. The Dems, on the other hand, represent more of America's diversity which I also believe is her strength. However, we become mired in the swamp as so many opinions are bound to result in roadblocks. The time it takes to remove these impediments kills our ability to enact real change in a timely manner. Why is it so tough to make a few concessions or compromise here and there on our way to the big picture? Chasing crucial Dem votes from a clueless senator in a yacht; cornering one in a bathroom who cannot give a straight answer of what she wants (either doesn't have a clue, or waiting for her "handlers" to tell her-either a scarey scenerio).
I know bathroom encounters are viable "grounds" for negotiations. I am an advocate for unisex bathrooms (with closed cubicles). Not only would they resolve the "is he or is she" debate but no more of those agonizing lines of women at venues with too few potties. I also see the value when one of my former bosses stalked the men's room as a key management negotiator was cornered there by the union negotiators (all men obviously). Which also illustrates the need to have more diverse representation btw.
Some of these elected folks must have been management types (if they ever worked a real job) who should understand that you make progress in bits and pieces and strive for consensus. As a former manager I can unequivocally state that I never had the luxury of saying "Do this, because I say so". Naw, doesn't work that way. You will have mass resignations or suffer the office equivalency of fragging by your suborbinates.
When I was the "creative director" of the MIOSHA Training Institute, it would have been a heck of a lot easier if I could have just directed everyone to do as I say. The Construction group was especially challenging as: 1) they like straight talk but are not good with change; 2) they were more "hands on" and "shoot from the hip" rather than buying into course development protocol and 3) they were construction folks and arguing is their major joy in life. I stumbled upon a winning strategy however as I convinced one of them (who was both a construction dude and a PhD in psychology) to be my convincer. He could switch from construction-eese to academics with ease. The frustration to me was how long it took to get them on board as they were all brilliant in both understanding the standards and the nuances of the construction industry. Because of those qualities, they were all great and interesting teachers. But my point is, by recognizing the differences and DEALING with issues immediately, we reached our goal. The MTI classes remain a valuable and sought-after form of training and certification to this day.
We have two years to make a difference, because if we do not, we will be booted out at mid-terms in 2022. So bring on the reconciliation strategy and get'er done! Oh btw, the debt ceiling is not a real thing but the minority party always waves it around like a noose to make themselves look fiscally responsible. As if...
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