BOO!

It’s Halloween and a scary day. Not because the kids are made up as ghosts and goblins but because the scary world of real time issues is slam blast in our faces. It is not pleasant. The world is on edge. North Korea might easily set the eastern nations on fire, a nuclear fire. The Middle East is a tinder box ready to explode; friends are fighting friends there; oil markets are contending with one another; individual sects of Islam are dueling each other. The struggles are real. And they are ugly.

At any time, hot wars could erupt. Killing thousands of people, mostly innocents, but most likely accelerating to ending the lives of 100’s of thousands of people. Yes. Scary indeed.

As I write this it is 6:30 am Chicago time on Monday, October 30^th. Today indictments will be handed down in Washington, DC. Robert Mueller, special prosecutor, will finally uncover his prime suspects in the 2016 Presidential Election shenanigans related to Russia. Or may a few will be named as prelude to an expanding list of indictments? Who will be named? How are they connected to one another? Who is a king pin in the case, and who is a supporting actor who, without his/her actions, the whole collusion thing couldn’t have worked? And most importantly: who sponsored this travesty of American political life? Who benefited and who masterminded it all?

At this moment, I do not have any of that information. That will probably be tomorrow once I’ve digested the quality news reports (not the sleazy tabloids). So give me time to do my thing and then I’ll post my point of view.

Without the drama unfolding in Washington DC, however, we have much to be wary of. The international hot spots are concern enough. But we have our own hot spots here in the USA, too. These include a stock market so overheated that it is certain to collapse and take financial stability away from a lot of families. The national debt is roaring ahead at full speed while stock markets prices are doing the same. Retailers are in a tail spin due to goods selling like hot cakes over the internet. Store personnel know their jobs are in peril for certain despite the approaching holiday season.

Military personnel and their families are on edge because they know action is imminent. Their lives will change enormously and forever in far too many cases.

Meantime virulent weather patterns upset old patterns and wreak horrendous damage on communities rural and urban. Just ask Houston, New Orleans, Miami and much of Florida. Think about the toll in Puerto Rico, too; there it is too awful to write about or understand the full extent of the misery.

The forest fires in the West are horrific. California will take years to rebuild the communities they lost. And the industries located there as well. Floods will surely follow this winter and spring as snow packs melt upon deforested areas turning once beautiful mountain-scapes into rivers and oceans of mud.

Mother Nature will have her way and we will adjust to her. All at the same time we adjust and survive other issues man made.

Boo! Indeed!

October 31, 2017

National Priorities?

I’ve slogged along with this blog for over 6 years. In all that time the issues remain stunningly the same. The problem I see is that real problems rarely get addressed holistically; only in part are they calmed and salved; but then we see a nasty eruption of the same problem in another year or so.

One year the focus is on national debt. Another year it is on employment or unemployment. Yet other years – and seasons, too – the issues revolve around sports, car styles, celebrities and their love interests, celebrities and their fashion choices, and so much more. Issues: some matter; some don’t.

I have a morning reading website that gives me the weather, national and international news reviews, and links to local happenings. It always surprises me what the web editors feels are the primary interests of their readers. Most days they lead off with a national political story, but more often than not, it is a sports story playing the lead role.

Scan through the headline stories and I view 1 or 2 national items, maybe 1 international story, 4 sponsored pages (ads), 4 celebrity articles and perhaps 3 or 4 sports interests. Of 12 to 15 items, very little news of importance; but a lot of lowest common denominator items focusing on celebrities, sports personalities, and ad related links.

The web page has turned into a tabloid advertising rag in electronic form. How quickly this devolved.

Lowest common denominator. Short attention span. Who’s paying for the web site? What revenue flows must they earn to pay the bills? That explains a lot of it, the shabby news coverage and the sensational coverage of sports and celebrities.

Lost in all of this are the things that matter: quality of governance; progress of important issues being handled or mishandled; political discussions focusing on national priorities; education of the public in these matters so they can vote and discuss intelligently.

At least this digital news is free. Well, not really. We pay for it in internet access fees, cable fees, and computer hardware and software expenses. We also pay by weathering the wilting barrage of ads and other mindless clutter.

But we pay a still higher price in the non-coverage of important, priority national issues. Not paying attention to these issues costs our nation enormous sums: poor selection of ideologues as politicians (Christianity is our national religion! HIV/AIDs patients should be quarantined! Religion-based and charter schools do not detract from the public school systems; etc.); mismanagement of the economy (towering deficits yet crushing tax cuts making the debt worse); nonsensical management of social programs (cutting education funding but expanding prisons managed by private corporations); and the list goes on. How many trillions of dollars do we spend fixing problems we created in the first place?

The free press guaranteed in the Constitution is no longer free. It is bought and paid for by special interests. So too, the political system, bought and paid for by special interests.

Where do we see investigative reporting cover these issues in depth? Piecemeal maybe; in depth, rarely.

Our nation is in deep trouble and most do not know this. They are off on a happy ride thinking of celebrities and sporting events. As long as they eat well in a comfortable home and drive a late model car, they are happy as pigs in the mud. How often do they need reminding that those elements of a happy life are short lived and at risk? Do they even listen? Do they care?

Probably not. But boy! Try and educate them on these matters and suddenly the messenger is the ideologue and trouble maker. He’s the ‘libtard’ who spent too much time reading and in school.

Hmmm. I think a lot of people have a huge shock in store for them. Trouble is the shock waves will damage a lot of the rest of us, too.

When will the free people of America wake up and see what is happening? How free is free?

Priorities matter.

October 30, 2017

Budget vs National Debt

For 8 years republicans stalled budgets during the Obama White House demanding all expenses be paid for in full to avoid increasing the national debt. For 8 years they demanded taxes be raised to pay for the new expenses, OR they demanded other program expenses be cut in a swap to pay for the new programs. A tit for tax system that stalled progress, and it was a stall tactic that worked very well for them.

Now with a republican controlled federal government – all three branches – there appears to be no problem with increasing costs for favored programs, cutting out unfavored programs and cutting taxes with no consideration for the size of the national debt. The last time this was tried was in the George W Bush administration. Trillions were spent on wars and military preparedness. Taxes were cut. Total growth of the national debt was at least $4 trillion. Note that this growth had nothing to do with domestic spending programs – foreign affairs, defense spending and two wars waged simultaneously along with tax cuts for the wealthy.

In Obama’s administration, the Bush financial debacle had to be repaired or the economic system in America and the global community would have collapsed; nearly did. Simple as that. Yet the politicos on the other side of the aisle made it almost impossible for the work to be done. With a gun to their heads they finally relented and repairs were approved. The economy was saved and rebuilt. The global economy was supported back to health as well with America no longer undercutting it!

Today the republicans are repeating the debacle: cut taxes and spend anyway. Guess they figure they and their pals will enjoy the tax cuts and leave future repairs to the Democrats.  

National Debt a Contrived Crisis

When the republicans are in charge, national debt is not a problem. When Democrats are in charge, republicans barricade every budget plan in the name of debt reduction.

What really needs to be discussed by the American people is the role of the federal government. What programs are necessary and why? Why does the government need to be involved in these matters? And if not, why not?

This is the elephant in the room. It revolves around Big Government or Small Government.

The problem is elected officials do not engage in this discussion, nor do they enlist the voters in the exploration of the scope of government. They save these arguments as ideological hot buttons to rile voters for their ballot wins. Never are these matters intelligently discussed and explored after the election. So no progress on the ideological debate of Big versus Small. Yet that is the controlling issue.

Smalls claim Big is a prescription for socialism, and God only know this is right next to communism! So argument over.

No, it is not. If this logic held sway in the past, the Voter Rights Bill of 1965 would not have passed and African Americans would still be discouraged from voting. Segregation of schools in our southland would still be going on. The War on Poverty would not have been waged. Countless other social programs that built an even playing field for most Americans would not have been enacted.

The argument for Big Government is not socialism. Rather it is social justice and fair play.

The economy can and should be managed to produce the resources to pay the bills of social justice. Instead it is manipulated by ideologues to create false crises that make it appear taxes need cutting to stimulate the economy all the while social programs are denuded of resources. Giving wealthier people lower taxes does not stimulate the economy. Trickle Down Economics does not work. We learned that the hard way.

But cutting social programs only makes the poor poorer and saps the economy in false economies and crisis expenses to solve the resulting growth in problems.

The result: the rich get richer and the poor get poorer. All the while the system is not aided.

A much more balanced approach is reasonable and sensible. So why don’t we the people make this happen? My guess is we don’t understand the issues well enough to hold our elected officials accountable to a reasoned discussion and decision.

That’s on us, folks; not on the politicos.

October 27, 2017

Looking for Work

Yeah, yeah, yeah; you’ve heard this line before – ‘I’m looking for a few extra bucks, but don’t want to quit my day job!’ – but it’s true for a lot of people. Especially those people who have a calling and do it well. The assessment of ‘well’ is not a self-assessment but one from many others.

The story: retired and now 74; decades of working with organizations helping them perform better and achieve their better potentials. Most of this work was with nonprofits (the intentional kind, focused on doing good in the world). Along the way this work found a lot of soul in others and myself. Did this work while employed by nonprofits designed to help the other nonprofit clients. Eventually opened my own consulting business and performed that for over 20 years. In retirement, I continue similar work as a volunteer for SCORE.

Before retiring, I suffered three convergent health issues. Thought I was a goner so tidied up my affairs and retired. Two years later medical routines stabilized my conditions and I survived. Now eleven years later I’m doing very well health wise. Even regained stability and walking better. So I am mobile and able bodied; old and crinky with pains, but able.

My mind is as agile and eager as ever. I write a blog daily, serve 200 SCORE clients each year, work with another 120+ workshop attendees annually. I serve on committees and fulfill executive roles, writing minutes and white papers, too.

We live on social security benefits. Tough but doable. We pay for needs, not wants. No cash reserves at all and all income is matched to the outflow. The budget is tight and medical bills are challenging us currently. Veterinary bills, too. Love the dog but she is gaining on us age wise. No room in the budget for this expense. Family and friends have helped us through this currently but we can’t count on that.

So, the need to find part time employment is real and present. I’ve been offered $12/hour to drive for a retirement home; I’ve been recruited by Lyft and Uber to drive for them. That’s it. No one seems interested in hiring ‘institutional memory’ talents, and organizational development skills with practical experience. This isn’t a full-time gig being sought; maybe 20 hours per week with project hours added as needed. Something able to be juggled in with my current commitments so I can continue doing my volunteer work. I think this should be worth a lot more than $20/hour, but that’s all I need.

I’m looking for someone to hire my talents, not my hours.

If you know of anyone looking for someone like me, let them know about me, and let me know about them. I will praise you vociferously for such help!

The larger issue is this: America has a lot of talent that is wasted because employees like neat and tidy procedures, formulas and routines. Our free enterprise system, however, was built on making the best use of all resources while performing profitable services and delivering needed and wanted goods. Resources includes people. Assets reflect the value of an organization’s people, but you won’t see any dollar value associated with such. The fact is simply this: businesses and nonprofit organizations deliver value through their staff and coordinated effort. Ideas, inventiveness, people skills and a host of other intangibles make this possible. Why is this so easily ignored by so many people?

Organizational development is a career field. It helps organizations reach their potential by using mind power intelligently and people even better. The people are the ones with the minds!

They deserve to be compensated accordingly. Anyone interested in a mind for hire?

October 26, 2017

What We Can Do

Need help? Asked for it yet? Heard someone ask for help? Did you respond yet?

America is richly endowed. Even in its earliest history it was blessed with riches galore. Over time those were found and used to build yet more riches. Invention was one of our riches. We saw a need and filled it with a solution. Not always fancy solutions, but a solution just the same.

Same today. Unemployed? Jobs are available. Finding a match with your talents and interests is the larger chore in finding a job. Bad matches make work work; good matches erase the stigma of work. It becomes a pleasure and those so blessed are motivated to go to work to get things done rather than for a paycheck.

People in need describes most of us at one time or another in our lives. Thankfully such periods are few and short lived; others are not so blessed. They often suffer long and hard to overcome deeply rooted problems for them and their families.

That’s why there are charities and government programs to help them. When some of us suffer long our society and culture suffers as well. In fact, it holds all of us back. It is in our interest to help out and make good things happen.

Public discussion of this topic is not always positive. There are those among us who resent poor people or handicapped persons as burdens. Most of us see those who suffer as blessings among us. We see in them the promise of our own lives and good fortune. It should make us glad and generous to help those in need.

For those who think government has no business taking care of people, I feel sorry for them. If we live in a culture that does not care for each other, then we are part of a cruel and selfish society that suffers from poverty of the soul.

Luckily there are many in our country who are called to serve many worthy causes. Here is a partial list of the things we can and should be doing:

·         Feed the hungry

·         Clothe the naked

·         Heal the sick

·         House the homeless

·         Teach the unknowing

·         Coach the neophyte

·         Boost the struggling

·         Employ the jobless

·         Create new businesses

·         Beautify our neighborhoods

·         Be kind to one another

·         Support the arts

·         Be a part of the arts

·         Educate all generations to support the culture and wellbeing of all

·         Be thankful for our blessings

·         Share what we have in mind, spirit and goods with others who have not

This is not a complete list but you get the gist. We have riches to share with others and that act alone and in concert with others builds a strong and vibrant society.

Are we doing these things? Are you a part of the ‘we’? or are you one who says no to the pleas?

Not all can give money. But all of us can share non-monetary wealth: talents, presence, art, spirit, soul and love. Last time I looked, we have plenty of these to share.

Invent a solution to a problem. Give of yourself and see the good it accomplishes. Be a part of the solution and not a part of a problem. The rewards are bountiful.

October 25, 2017

Owning You

Crunch goes the knee; slip goes the hip; pang starts somewhere in the lower gut. Don’t get me started on the shoulder! You don’t want to know the orchestrated, discordant tune it plays!

Such are the feelings of an elder. Not just these days but for all time. Most people feel these sensations as they age. We are not talking strain, sprain or injury. These are aches and pains that just are. They come with aging. Expect them or not, they visit anyway.

But you wouldn’t think so. Most people comment on the pains. Some even whine. It’s normal, I suppose. But not an attractive trait.

The occasional ‘oof’ can be forgiven as a sharp ache materializes without warning, but then we go on without much thought. Onward. To the tasks at hand we ply our energy. Better if we did so without the sound effects.

I get it. I have the same aches and pains as most do but I’m tired of hearing me complain about it. If that’s true (and it is!) then it is a bore to others as well.

Best to quiet the sound effects and suffer in silence.

I bring this up today because whining about maladies of one’s own body is the tip of an iceberg we don’t much talk about. Whining in general; complaining about a circumstance out of our control like the traffic, weather, rude behavior of others, and so on.

Approaching an intersection that is clogged with idle traffic is a surprise, especially as you are thinking of the appointment you are traveling toward. Will I get there in time? Will I need to call ahead and warn them of the delay? Do I have their phone number at hand? Can I dial it while driving (sorry, parked in traffic!), or must I call via the ‘hands free’ feature of my Bluetooth in my car? Do I even know how to voice activate the feature?

Panic sets in imagining the delay and consequences of it. Then the whine begins, the cursing, drumming on the steering wheel, and then the rude behavior and gestures. None of it helps. The traffic is as implacable as it is wont to be.

At the office a crucial task has been left undone and I pick up the loose ball and finish the task so the organization isn’t embarrassed by this. Do I complain about this? Probably. At least a well-deserved mutter under the breath.

The news reports problems within the city, or maybe the state or county. One sees the effects of the problem on a national basis as well. Who does anything about this? Who has helped create this mess? Who and what is to blame for the situation?

And then we are off and running on a rant.

Stop! Take a breath. Center your brain and emotions. Find the calm.

Now, what should the situation be like absent the problem? What would be the better condition, or outcome of our hopes and dreams? Picture a more perfect outcome. Is it possible? How readily is it possible. What would have to happen to make this outcome a reality?

In the pantheon of all problems, what priority does this issue have? Is it hugely important? Is it an essential building block of other things needing it for other desired outcomes? Where do we place our energy, creative ideas and money to achieve the best and most important outcomes?

In a nutshell, we have turned from negative to positive. The latter allows us to be constructive. The challenge is interesting and intoxicating. We have the ability to fix things. We can create. This thought, this behavior, has its own reward. It motivates to do more of this.

Must we remind ourselves that we live in an imperfect world? We take it as it exists and work with it. The better outcomes will result if we invest in them. You and I individually and together. Investment of time, energy, ideas. Those three first. Then decisions and allocation of assets to implement the better plan.

If we complain about something, we are blaming someone known or unknown. It is energy expended for little good unless it helps find cause for repair. If it doesn’t, push the mute button and move on to something else.

A simple step. Takes discipline. But now you and I are focusing on the positive. Enjoy the good that surrounds us. Work to make it better. Own the solution. Build toward the outcome.

This is owning yourself. You are responsible for you.

And that’s freedom.

October 24, 2017

Career Fluidity

Most of you will remember I’ve written a lot about life-long learning and continuous education. I believe there is a huge need for this. Two reasons: first, individuals need to keep honing and reshaping their careers so they can adapt to changes happening all around them personally and within their chosen career-based industries. Second, the global community needs continuous education so everyone gets the personal development and support they need to function well within society. In any society wherever it exists.

The more we deal with day to day reality – aren’t we all? – the more we learn that change is not only a constant, it is everywhere. All the time. This is no exaggeration.

Thomas L. Friedman of the New York Times, and author of several block buster books, schools us repeatedly in the globalization of our education, economics, industries and competition for virtually everything. In his latest book, “Thanks for being Late”, Friedman equates change to flow and the use of this term helps us view life, work, play, education, and all experiences as a continuous river of change. The flow of change. The flow of transactions. In fact, transactions are the stuff of life these days. We exchange feelings, conversations, knowledge, goods, products and services. Commerce is the organization of transactions of all sorts. It doesn’t have to include the flow of money, although most of the time it does.

Therefore, we need to change the way we ‘see’ our lives and activities and careers. They are all of a piece – sharing the DNA of the times all of the time.

Because of the flow rate of change, our careers – the way we earn our livings – require us to continually change or morph into what is becoming. The becoming is not even real yet but we are doing bits and pieces of it and soon it will become more apparent and more concrete.

This is the new reality. Most of us have witnessed it and even felt it. Yet we continued being an accountant, a clerk, teacher, engineer, whatever, even as we began changing to the still unknown.

Career education in the future will focus on some specific education topics, but more important will be the processes by which we pick up information, relate it to transactions, and then into the flow that comprises whatever is being bought and sold or exchanged. There is no way of knowing what all of that is or will be. And the ‘will be’ may be 15 minutes from now or 15 months. The change will happen regardless of the when or where or who.

Are we ready for this rapid exchange of content that becomes a transaction of value and thus marketable? Are you ready? Do you see the world differently today than you did yesterday or a week or month ago? That is the perspective I’m writing about in this moment.

Are we seeing these things as three-dimensional-reality like our old jobs once were? Are we envisioning how this will play out and what then is expected of me? If yes, then you are prepared for what is coming. If no, you are not prepared.

If the latter, please know you are not alone. But you will need to get busy morphing into the new life processes soon. Not later. There is no later to what no longer exists.

This is the challenge: to become whatever is required of you while remaining happy and productive. And kind. Kindness never goes out of style or need.

I’ll be here tomorrow. Until then, be change and be kind.

October 23, 2017

Cutting Edges

When was the last time you felt very uncomfortable in a social setting? Did you feel you were expected to contribute to the scene in some way, or just survive it? Were you called upon to share an opinion or experience with the crowd, one that you felt might not be well received?

How about a situation where someone is in trouble, either physically or mentally? How did you respond to their plight and ease their anxiety? Did you have the words to help? The actions to help?

What did you learn from such ill-suited situations? Anything?

My contention is we do learn good things from such encounters. And as uncomfortable as they are they often beg us to intentionally engage in similar encounters in the future. Why?

Because they help us understand the world better, and ourselves in that world.

An example: I was asked to work with teen drug addicts on Wednesday evenings. I have no understanding of the drug scene or drug addiction. I only know of the wasted lives and early deaths of drug addicts. But working with the teens I have gained insight to their lives and dramas. And hopes and dreams, too.

I’ve done this work now for almost 5 years. I still don’t know enough to conduct a class in the subject let alone write a cogent white paper on the topic.

No, I can’t do those things, but I think I can share this bit of discovery: dealing with unknowns and complex issues helps me understand the complexity of the world. It also helps me understand other people. The experience is constructive.

I have more courage to think about such matters. I can form ideas and theories that may prove helpful in the future. Trying something new and challenging shapes my abilities and expands them. You as well.

We don’t fully know what we are capable of until we are called upon to do it.

I’ll leave this topic at this point for you to ponder it more. On your own time. And discomfort! feel it.

October 20, 2017

Salons

No, not hair salons, or even nail salons. I’m speaking of idea salons, the kind found in cities of great national power like Paris, Washington DC, New York and other cities scattered around the globe. Throughout history these salons held sway over current affairs and political decisions. I'm not sure if they still exist today.

The greatest thinkers were often found at these settings of privilege and power. They would sit in comfortable parlors in lush sofas and chairs, sipping wine, rare coffees and teas, as well as harder alcoholic beverages. These settings were conversation meet-ups where ideas were shared, problems were aired and defined. Possible solutions to those problems were formed and tweaked as well. These salons were the point-counterpoint dens of their time. Many good ideas emerged from these serious discussions.

Today, our thinking and conversations are of less consequence. The pace of life is quick and filled with noise from social media rather than serious discussion and learning. In the 1900’s college dorm bull sessions were common and instructive. Participants at least learned what was on the minds of other contemporaries, whether they agreed with them or not. The exposure, however, was good for all. From those encounters the scope and depth of issues were felt and learned. Good fodder for later thinking and idea formation.

Where is this function evidenced in our modern life? Surely not late-night television shows! Although I must admit comedic treatment of modern ills are comforting; just knowing others feel like I do about important issues brings relief to anxiety. But such programs are one-way and do not support engagement.

College and university campuses used to foment such social activities. They were initiations to serious academic study and discussion. Hopefully this activity is still going on at campuses. They sure aren’t happening where I live and toil. I wish they were.

Back in the 1960’s our church formed a contemporary issues discussion program called Nexus. There we gathered to talk over the largest issues of the day with experts and people of goodwill. Not all attendees were comfortable with the ideas shared, but we learned to accept and understand each other. In the process some minds were changed; mostly our minds were expanded.

Recently I attempted to start a Nexus program at our current church. I asked people of differing points of view and ideology to help run the program. Diversity is welcome to ensure respect for all ideas is present. Unfortunately, the diverse thinkers among us thought we were trying to change their minds. They refused our offer and claimed we were politicizing the church.

That was farthest from our intent! Instead, we were attempting to start a ‘salon’ setting in which people are comfortable talking about what concerns them the most. Talking about such issues often leads participants to action in other ways in their private lives. Learning more about the issues before taking action is a good thing. It leads to practical solutions rather than the current festering of malfeasance and inaction by elected officials at the highest levels.

We may still attempt to start a Nexus program at our church. It is a safe place in which to share weighty ideas and concerns. Who knows? We may even help discover solutions to share as well!

I’ll keep you posted on such developments if they occur.

Meantime, create your own salons for group pondering. It won’t hurt and might just help.

October 19, 2017

Turning Against Washington DC

No, I’m not turning against DC; are you? I respect the institutions of government and realize the complexity of their operations and the dedicated people it takes to run them. Having been a management team member at the University of Illinois – Chicago, I am keenly aware of all the people it takes to run an institution as big and complex as the university.

Those people have hopes and dreams as ordinary citizens as well. Plus they have a focus on developing the latest generation of citizens in their career and academic lives. And they are good at it, good at steering, suggesting, guiding. Not dictating; not telling someone this is what she/he ought to do. No; a gentle peeling back of the layers of what keeps a person from making career decisions at critical times of their lives. That’s what it takes; and then helpful suggestions for them to explore and become comfortable with.

Along with that process is the one that helps students socialize healthily and productively. And of course, there are all the academic requirements and hard work dedicated to making the career path a reality. And graduating with a diploma. That’s not the most important thing to gain, but it is a major credential others need to see to consider you for hire.

Such career dedication, training and development of a few million people populate the Education Department, Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, the Pentagon and all the branches of the military, as well as the Environmental Protection Agency, Commerce Department, Agriculture Department and the Veterans Affairs Department. And of course the National Security Agency, CIA, et. al.

A lot of people devoting their efforts and lives (many are in the cross hairs of violence to protect us) to the well being of the American people.

We see the political leaders juggling for power and prestige. And money and influence. This is the side of DC that is ugly. The current situation is the ugliest I’ve witnessed in my entire life of 7 decades plus. I know I am not alone in this feeling.

This morning I read a news item that claims the Washington DC power structures are turning against the Senate. I thought that was interesting. The Senate has dropped its ball so many times in the la st 20 or 30 years they have become a joke. But worse, the House of Representatives has a longer history of malfeasance and jokester governance.

I think the nation should turn against Congressional power bases, not the dedicated staffers and workers actually getting work done. We elected Congress to run the country, not destroy it. But that seems to be the path they are on. Of course, the White House is a key part of all this currently. Not so in the past so much; the other branches of government, including the Supreme Court, have operated against the grain of what the people need and have expressed a desire for.

Official Washington DC is focused on individual power and ideology. Power and money, mostly. These ought not control the agenda of the government. No, that belongs to the people themselves.

Less the elected goons have forgotten, we put you there to do a job. You seem to have forgotten that and gone out on your own limbs. Best you climb back to the tree trunk before we the people saw off the limb.  

We the people demand a responsive and goal driven government. So far you have let us all down in so many ways. The good among you cannot control the bad among you. The result is chaos.

Do we the people have to remind you that chaos is what our enemies wish for us so they can manipulate and encroach on our nationhood for their own gain?

Think about that. Let it sink in.

Now do you understand? Time is running out for you to find the resolve to make Congress function as it is supposed to. Mitch McConnell, Paul Ryan, and all your henchman, take note. Your days in ‘power’ are numbered. Do something constructive for a change. Or the people will end it for you.

October 18, 2017

Bits and Pieces

This is one of those posts I periodically use to address several topics in short blurbs. Sort of a catching up thing with me!

Social Security Benefits Increase: 2% increase in monthly benefit checks scheduled for January 2018. That’s a good thing. But a minor increase for recipients. They have weathered two years with no increase. They have weathered cost increases in many categories and managed to remain in budget; or not! Earlier years provided minor increases of 1% or a little more than 1%. These are hiccups to the households, but tics that spell success or failure in paying the electric and gas bills. The system has to recognize increasing costs of living for elders who pay more and more for medical care.

War on Media: We spend so much time arguing about the right to bear arms in America. What about the right of a free and unhindered media, press? If coverage is unfavorable, give cause to a change in the topic. We do not destroy or control the press because we do not like what it is broadcasting. If that were true Fox News would be gone. So too, CNN and all the others. Then in the ensuing silence we would never see what is coming for us. Spooky? You bet!

Destructive Politics: Yesterday’s post was about program development provided within our system of governance. One political party labors to produce serviceable programs. One party works to destroy what the other party builds without replacing anything. Other minor political parties build their brand on specific, targeted criticisms of topics and related programs; but they avoid all the rest of the agenda included in the responsibilities of governance. Either produce workable ideas without tearing down somebody else, or some other idea and program, or leave the field of governance. Produce your own ideas and programs. It is hard work and has to fit within a broad context of limited resources of money, people and operating schemes.

Marketing Culture Overload: I googled ‘senior citizen part time jobs’ and received a gazillion offers to buy, sell and trade stuff belonging to others; I was offered pay to take surveys; all of these did not gain my opinion or researchable input; only sales and referrals to other businesses and scams. I did get connected with several job center services, but very few actually focused on my talents offered, or possible employer job descriptions with enough meat to understand what they needed. Meanwhile, my email inbox suffered an onslaught of 85 to 100 messages each morning; again in the afternoon; and in the evening, as well, but I rarely go on email then. So the full toll of email traffic was over 200 each day. That’s a lot of noise and activity with no gain whatsoever.

Tweets are the political equivalent of propaganda fliers dropped by the plane load by Hitler and Stalin, and the rest of the old guard of Russia. Propaganda. Today it is easier to Tweet, or hack email accounts and send fake news anywhere you want to. In America we are used to it. It is called media, and social media marketing. It can be effective. Witness the last presidential election with Russian interference and social media pranks played against most political candidates.

We are overloaded in marketing. It needs to be more themed and pointed. Targeted. Same with our conversations and communications whether in print, voice or digital. Targeted and cogent. Meaningful would help. The rest is noise. And may be harmful to your health.

Beware.

October 17, 2017

Anti vs For

Being against something is one thing; being against everything is totally another thing. And it most likely is not healthy.

For years I’ve heard people rant against big government and Uncle Sam. We’ve all heard the complaints of SNAFUs by government agencies; and we know by heart that big government is not efficient.

The litany of complaints goes on and on; never a dead spot of silence. Turn on Fox News and observe the news anchors and their columnists – Hannity, O’Reilly, and all the rest. Open the blogosphere and read all the rants against everyone and everything. The record is stuffed full of this blather.

Consider for a moment, though, what these same news sources and pundits say that is positive.

Can you hear their messages? Can you read them? What is positive? In all the negative, do you even catch a glimpse of positive?

No. I thought not. And that’s what’s missing. Has been missing for a very long time.

Healthcare. What’s their plan? None. Nada. No suggestions presented; only negative reviews of what others have suggested. Immigration reform? Nothing suggested; only vitriol against what is the current situation. No programs to repair the situation or even make it a tiny bit better.

Public education and the funding of it? Again the silence is deafening. Same with air pollution, water and soil pollution. Also true about power grid issues and future supply chains of energy. No helpful suggestions. None.

Turn now to those people who do want to address the issues. What do they meet? In private they find people willing to roll up their sleeves. They find ideas and suggestions to work with. They noodle and doodle and come up with a plan, a program, even legislation. Then when it is brought forth, nothing but negatives again.

This is a mirror of our state legislatures and of Congress. Sides are chosen and obstructions built to the suggestions. Negatives. No solutions offered to make the proposals better. Just obstruction.

Observe the current White House. The motivator in chief is anti-Obama. Anti everything Obama did or was associated with. They rush to get rid of the Obama name. They tear down policy, program and legislation. They attempt to do much of this and fail at most of it. But they chip away none-the-same. Chip, chip, chip.

Through it all however there is something missing. What do you suppose that is?

Why it is their proposals and solutions! Nothing in this hail of activity and words is found a positive program proposal or policy. Just the negative.

This ‘null and void’ form of government has been going on now for quite a while. In my reckoning it began as republicans fought to defeat Bill Clinton’s entry to the White House. They failed then; but they persisted and became a pack of hounding dogs nipping at Clinton’s heels. Bill succeeded anyway. But the theme was cast and negativism was created as a lasting legacy of failed republican governance.

Throughout the entirety of the George W tenancy, little was accomplished that was based on positive themes. Only: war, spend, weaken the economy. Over and over again. What a mess. Trillions of treasurer wasted in tax cuts and wars and over stimulation of the economy. Obama had a mess on his hands to fix and he had a chorus of naysayers every step of the way.

But repair and build he did in spite of the naysayers.

Now in a fluke from the uneducated clueless masses, a madman is in the White House. And he and his minions, and the republican controlled house, senate and Supreme Court, can do nothing but tear down and shout NO! over and over again.

No productive proposals offered. Just No! Just Tear Down!

What do these people stand for that is positive?

I’m asking a serious question here. I think we all deserve a thoughtful answer.

Don’t you?

October 16, 2017

Assets Abound

In a meeting the other night we faced a long agenda. In 15 minutes, however, most of the agenda was completed. This left time for a discussion of a few items we hadn’t had time for in the past.

So we talked about those things, noted them in our minutes, and adjourned early. It helped that some of our tasks had been worked on in advance at earlier meetings. I think we were surprised at how well we performed and used time so efficiently.

We had ideas at the ready; the agenda was sent out by email a few days ahead; we were prepared. Those are assets. We used them. The task was accomplished.

In another meeting we pondered heavy tasks and problems that had been bedeviling us for the past two or three years. The people in the room were well aware of those tasks and had thought much about them. We came together. We noodled over the agenda items and jotted down (doodled!) our ideas and suggestions. In 15 minutes a solution began to form and 30 minutes later we had a plan of attack at the ready.

Assets brought by each of us. Assets employed intelligently by all of us. Workable solutions resulted. We are on our way to a new chapter of accomplishments.

Such are the ‘assets’ we work with day and night. We often don’t note them or even realize they are there. Many people in many places each and every day. They meet. They discuss. They share. They solve.

Companies and businesses large and small do the same and house countless meetings to ‘do business’. And they grow, prosper and morph into new products, services and industries. All the time evolution churns its way through our culture. We gain ground. We do our work. And time passes.

With passing time new problems emerge. We apply our talents/assets to them. We design solutions and enact them. The new merges with the old and not so new, and culture is enriched and moves on.

Outside our national borders the same is occurring. The morphing of the future is ever present.

Hop on the bus of change or miss it forever.

That is a stark choice we have at all times. Are we ready for the bus ride? Do we want the bus? Or do we hide from it?

I wonder how many buses drive empty because of this?

Stop. Look into a mirror. Ask yourself: “Am I ready to get on the bus?”

I hope you do. Join the exploration. It’s an adventure. And fun!

October 13, 2017

Focus on what’s important

War or peace? Choose which you want and can sustain. Diplomacy or threats of retaliation? Which scenario aids discussion, understanding and agreements to work with going forward?

Getting someone to the bargaining table assumes each party understands their potential losses and gains. That also assumes the parties understand fully the situation they are in. With North Korea, who can say with certainty what they believe and how aligned with the world’s realities is that belief? On what are we basing bargaining strategies or tactics?

I feel unsettled. I have grave doubts that North Korea understands what it is doing, unless, that is, some other power is operating the levers behind the scenes. With North Korea that is entirely possible. Russia? China? Someone else with an eye on blackening the eyes of the US?

More important, however, I am unsettled because I have even graver doubts that our president understands the realities of this ticklish task of diplomacy and peacekeeping. Two bulls in the same china shop do not allay fears!

We have talked of this before in this space. Still the conversation remains; the angst, too.

I turn instead to focus on what is important. Settle back in the chair; relax the neck muscles; allow the back muscles to ease and sink into the chair. Now, consciousness floats to other parts of the body that are tense and need relief. Eventually the float stops at the brain and focus is allowed to develop there.

What ideas surface? What are the thoughts that dominate? Are they related? Are they separated into categories to be worked on later? If so, do the sorting; then focus on what’s left.

The matter of national governance is a large concern for me. American processes have become mired in inaction and bad manners. We not only fail to accomplish anything of much value, but we don’t even engage in meaningful conversation. We talk about nonsense topics. The National Football League and whether players stand or kneel or sit during the playing of the national anthem, is not worthy of our attention in today’s world. We have much more important things to work on.

The NFL and Anthem brouhaha is nothing more than a distraction that takes our minds off of more important fare. Whether this is intention or not doesn’t matter to me. It only matters that a large part of our society seems to think this is important fodder to dwell upon. Bosh! It is nothing.

All sorts of metaphors and arguments can be drawn about this subject if we want to. We are good at this type of thing. We are marketers and the target of marketers. Nonsense babble is ever present in our culture. So making the NFL and flag/anthem thing into a life and death issue is simple stuff.

More simple? The minds of people who are drawn into this rubbish.

We have an occupant in the White House who thinks it is important to rattle sabers and aim missiles for fun. He thinks this is exercising power. Of course it isn’t; exercising power is actually pressing the button; to fire the missile.

Most of us can see this happening with the present personalities in the White House. What a horror this portends.

This is the important stuff of life. How well do we get along with others? How do we work with others to build the future the way most of us wish it to be – safe, prosperous, grateful for freedom and personal space. All of that is threatened with bad manners and poor judgment. We have serious work to do if we wish a future to be available at all.

The flag, anthem and football games? Surely you are kidding. Surely we have more important things to do with our time and attention.

Elected officials throughout the nation need to band together – not into parties, please! – but rather work teams to get important things accomplished. Perhaps one of those is neutralizing the trumpster so he can do no harm; and then put into place emergency powers to return to safety and sanity.

How about that for a focus? Is there anyone with enough balls for leadership to take this on? It is high time someone did.

October 12, 2017

Finding Lost Time

Often we are not available when something needs to be done, attended to or listened to. We may be on another call, driving to an appointment, or writing a project piece. Perhaps we are doing research and have shut down interruptions; whatever, we are not available when the call comes in.

And so an opportunity was lost. Then and many times over as well. This is a pattern of our lives. Busy, productive, doing many things, sometimes multi-tasking. Involved and doing things; getting things accomplished.

Still, we missed a call on the phone, an email, or simply a knock on the door.

Other times we get the email or phone call but we know we are not prepared to take the message and do something with it. Our minds are absorbed elsewhere for the moment and it would be unfair to respond to the person without a well-considered response. Sometimes I say hello and tell them I will get back to you in another day or two after thinking about your situation with more focus. That buys time, not anything more; I must return to this obligation.

Now and again a time block falls into my lap. I have a day or more to catch up on things recently put aside. This is a time to allow some of the topics to merge with one another as well, and suddenly discover commonalities unseen before. Moments like this are inventive. The yin and yang of life. Seldom are things of singular value. More like a stew!

We must be able to respond to the opportunities provided by the ‘stew!’

I have developed a process to handle this. Quiet time spent ‘noodling’ several topics all at once. If something pops out at me, I write it down, ‘doodling.’ In this manner I noodle and doodle for maybe an hour and review what I have jotted down. Then I sort the ideas as they pertain to different projects and clients. It almost always surprises me how productive this process is. Many new ideas emerge; maybe not all are feasible at first, but later their time comes into focus. They are used then, applied to real issues and problems. Solutions follow not long after.

Perhaps you do something similar?

It is impossible for the process to work well if interruptions are allowed and if noise and chaos intrudes. I cannot do this type of work if the TV is on in the next room; quiet is needed for proper concentration.

Much of the time I do this work at night (minus the doodling!) The quiet of 1 or 2 am allows concentration. And if ideas don’t readily connect, nodding off can solve that problem. Awaking I realize the solution has taken form. Magic! If fully formed I turn on the computer and document what I have from memory. This is set aside for later review and application.

Life produces many ideas. How to use them is a challenge. The trick is not to lose them by easy dismissal. Value them and keep them loosely in memory for later use. You’ll surprise yourself how often you go back to this storehouse of ideas for inspiration.

Life is a bountiful supply of stimulation and surprises. The more we let this facet of life into our consciousness, the more productive we become. And that’s time found for still more surprises!

October 11, 2017

Hope Community Foundation

Today's title is a phrase that weighed on my mind. Mulled for over an hour or two in the middle of the night – say 2 am! Over and over again words unassociated floated about and danced with one another, associating a bit here and a bit there; finally two words came together and stayed paired. But the phrase was not complete; more was needed.

Finally, the concept of community, coupled with the concept of hope, were placed in a framework that might accomplish something – foundation. And there is was – Hope Community Foundation.

It’s purpose? To work with communities needing and wanting more in their lives. Something they could do for themselves with the assets and tools at hand. Maybe a key partnership or two to help make good things happen, but just the same, something local focused on the community and expanding the quality of life there.

What started this thought process? The other day I passed an empty church property that is for sale. I don’t know the story about the congregation and why it is no longer there. But I have been impressed with the property for its modular design and purposefulness.

It struck me the facility could easily be re-purposed as a ‘community center’ but the question was which community? And for what purposes? A couple of programs or more? How expansive would this ‘center’ be in the life of the community?

So I began thinking of the programs needed in that specific area: day care for the usual group of young children; day care for special needs kids; day care for adults with special needs. That’s when I realized the facility was well designed for these programs. Others could just as easily be assigned to the spaces depending on community needs.

Then the thought swerved to licensing and professionalism required to provide the programs under state supervision. That would require specialized management and operations. But those exist elsewhere, how could we attract them to this space and serve our local populations?

So I added professional organizations to the mix and came up with local park districts and church organizations. These have the interest and the professional training to take on the management of specialized programs. Even contracting for some of those programs from established organizations would work in partnership.

What is the attraction for each? Well, the population in need, of course; the facility with so much promise and adaptive fit; and professional mission and vision of course!

Expensive? To some degree, yes; but think about this; the facility is on the market for $1.5 million and includes acreage. Some of the latter can be sold off to soften the purchase price; but professional operations of the program will include daily/monthly attendance fees well established in the market; some of these fees are covered by insurance; others are subsidized by government programs. In all there will be revenue streams available to pay expenses and a mortgage for the facilities.

Also, the holder of the current mortgage may be willing to work with the professional partnerships involved. This would secure their mortgage investment. I would think they would be interested in this!

Now to some specifics. The location is on the border of West Chicago and Warrenville, Illinois. It is on a major commuter route and accessible to passing traffic – ideal for drop off and pick up of kids and adults enrolled in the programs. The communities have solid working populations with family members in need of the programs mentioned. Who might have the talent and organization to provide the services in the facility? Several organizations do this type of work and hopefully would be available to supply contract work to the local site. Other programs can be explored for offering at the community center as well. Also, both communities have professional park districts that could join forces to share the management of this project going forward.

Putting several ideas together to produce a larger program and operational entity is not hard to do. Mostly we let problems expand in our mind’s eye and lament the inability to do something about them. Well something can be done about such problems. All it takes is imagination and belief that individuals can make a difference.

Would anyone like to take on this project? For the good of Warrenville and West Chicago communities? How about building an umbrella organization as use it as a template to replicate community centers all over the nation?

This is an argument for people to take control of their own issues and fix them; not alone, but in collaboration with others who can help. This is not an argument for larger governments, either. In fact, this is an argument for shared responsibilities that keeps government growth in check.

Now who might  be interested in this type of project?

October 10, 2017

Hard versus Soft Skills

This phrase was shared with me the other day by a colleague. He pointed out that soft skills – those that allow us human beings to relate to one another positively – are disappearing. Or so it seems. Instead our focus is on the hard skills – computational, programming, selling, building, hand work and brain work in analysis, writing and so forth.

As we go about our business of life we note how edgy people are, tense, uncommunicative, even angry and spoiling for a fight. Facebook posts are filled with such sentiments. So too blogs, news feeds, and all the rest of social media. What gives?

Well, maybe we have allowed the hard stuff to push the soft stuff out of our lives. Maybe?

Let’s see – a pet bounds to the door when we return home; it cuddles with us for moments to re-establish contact with us. Spouse and kids greet one another warmly as they re-enter the family’s nest after a day of being away.

Evening hours in front of the TV allow time to decompress from our hectic day, but do such intervals really allow that? So much drama and news programming on public media now continues to push serious topics into our consciousness. We call this civic duty and artistic stimulation. Really?

Do we really need more stimulation?

I think we need relaxation and time to ponder. Some call this meditation. Others calmly insist it is thinking things over. Sorting things out. Blending our experiences of the day together so it makes more sense.

Mulling things over helps balance the mind, doesn’t it? Sorting and weighing relative values. Recalling comments made by associates during the day; did I fully understand what he or she meant? Were other meanings of the interchange possible? Did I miss something? If so, what is it and can I pick up the thread tomorrow when next we meet up?

Not all people are 100% accurate in their responses to banter or conversation. Some heavy clues are missed, clues that hint at meaningful content we need to process moving forward: in that relationship or problem/solution matter. Rapid fire exchanges may seem like fun at the time but there are layers of meaning lurking in the communication; this is what makes them clever and fun exciting and challenging. But more meaning remains for processing. Are we doing the processing, now or later? Do we take the time to think about such things?

The world of feeling is what makes each of us uniquely human.

That statement alone should make us stop and listen. Often it doesn’t. instead we glibly move on to the next topic of consumption. Feelings. Sensitivities. Right and wrong. Liking, loving, attracted or whatever. These are complex matters not quickly digested. They are often more like clues to niggle us to ponder.

The other day someone in a meeting suggested the old sales routine of getting to know the personal side of a client was a lost art. It was claimed the art built a relationship that would fuel interest and loyalty to our company, services and products. From that base we could and would sell again and again to the client. Based on our relationship with them.

Another commenter alleged that perhaps what is missing is a sincere attempt to learn the needs of the client. Really seeking clear answers from the client as to his/her needs is another way of getting to know the person of the client. But the facts learned are focused on a transactional relationship that matters to both parties at the time. How many of us actually know what our clients need? Do we ask the right questions? Do we understand the client’s relative capability to grasp all the complexities of his situation and what solutions may be needed to help him manage the problems?

Assessing needs and capabilities. Both represent our task, but the skill sets needed to do this are quite different. One is based on hard skill sets and the other soft skills. The human dimension. It requires both.

I suspect most of us shy away from the soft skills applications. We are unsure of what to do or say. We may even be embarrassed. Afraid to hurt someone? To get in over our head in such things?

I get it.

But this mixing in with the lives of others enriches our lives – theirs and ours.

More on this topic soon. Something more to think about!

October 9, 2017

Connections – Again

I witnessed something the other evening that was remarkable. I facilitated a roundtable discussion for SCORE. Entrepreneurs of varying ages, seven of them of varying stages of development in their business formations, came together to air their questions and needs. To make their business dreams take form from the start, or to advance what they already had in place. My job was to get them to mix and share – who they are, what they needed help with, and what they could share to help others in the room.

Well I got them started. And then – Wow! Pow! – things happened fast. All at once they seemed willing to share openly and rapidly. The real mover was a 19-year-old guy from Aurora. An African American who was excited and on fire with enthusiasm. He had ideas and was working them in real life and commerce. E-commerce. And that topic was what most of the folks needed to talk about.

Small businesses. Small marketing budgets. The need to get their name, product and services out in front of other people. People to buy, to help, to network with. How to do this without breaking their piggy banks? How to understand how to work social media as marketing (that’s what it is!) and get it to work for them.

Social media works great if you know how to work it. Few know this. Our young Aurora friend did. And the roundtable took care of itself.

I got the ball rolling and they took it. I sat back in amazement and realized what was happening. I understood some of it, but my job was to get things started and get out of the way. I did!

I’m still trying to make full sense of it all. Here is what I’ve come up with so far:

·         Younger generations absorb the universe around them. They feel the connection

·         Younger people feel the entrepreneurial bug just like we did; they have different tools and methods than we did and do

·         They intrinsically trust more than we did (?) and share more willingly

·         They give and get at the same time; the price and payoff is built into that dynamic

·         They continue doing this in place when they sense the value is there

·         The deeper they go into the subject matter the more they can share with others who need help and receive as much help as they give in return

I am certain the above bullet points are true. Still working on them. I will continue to do so and share what I learn in this blog.

Meanwhile how does this fit with my understanding of the broader world? That is taking more time and effort. Some early conclusions are these:

·         Each of us has much to learn from one another

·         Our private minds and spaces are our creative labs; portable and contained

·         Other people are needed to prove our ideas and creations work; we must remain in relationship with others

·         Communication is an act of relationship; it requires trust and willingness to be open to others

·         Younger people are less encumbered with protocols, knowledge and enculturated norms

·         Older people have much to share but some of it is baggage that hinders sharing and mutual understanding

·         Much of our environment contains fresh new data and understanding how it fits with old data – or replaces it!

·         Figuring out how the new works and enhances our lives takes openness and courage to explore

·         We cannot advance if we sit in our quiet little private spaces

·         Seek new people, new data, and new experiences to advance your own understanding

·         Include diversity in this brave new world: men and women together; cultures and ethnicities enriching each other; acceptance and tolerance of differences, better yet, ignore those differences; taken as differences they hinder; unaware of them they enrich

That’s a good list to start with.

Meanwhile older folks need to know that younger people have a gift for us. It is ours if we are open to receive it.

October 6, 2017

Equal Access to Government

Harvey stormed ashore off the Gulf of Mexico smack into Texas; then it backed up and hit it again; it backed up another time, took aim to the east a bit and slammed into Louisiana. Meanwhile the storm system continued to dump enormous rain totals throughout Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana and points north.

Then Irma slammed the northern Caribbean islands and finally took full-on aim for Florida; eventually it moved west and up the western Gulf coast of Florida. The entire state of Florida was affected by the storm but not as badly as originally feared. Irma continued up to the north and Mid-Atlantic states and then petered out. Jose followed Irma but turned north over vast reaches of ocean and went up towards Maine and Canada; it never did much damage to the US mainland.

But Maria came along in short order and slammed the Caribbean again, raked across all of Puerto Rico, and moved north into the Atlantic threatening some damage to US coastal areas but none actually happened.

Backdrop to all of this storm activity were two earthquakes in short order for Mexico. No damage in the US but a lot of death and destruction in Mexico.

Unsettled was Mexico and America and the Caribbean island states. Where to turn for help? Each other, of course, but so many were occupied at the same time with their own woes. Response times were swift but hampered. Some response was downright late as in Puerto Rico. But help finally arrived.

What is fully needed and what will be provided over time is still an open question. And this is somewhat reasonable given the enormity of all that has happened in a short period of time. But still, help will need to be delivered to Puerto Rico.

On the American mainland resources exist for the immediate disaster, then regional and national aid is available as follow up until the entire job is done. In the island territory of Puerto Ricco the damage was huge and systemic. Other than air drops or helicopters, not much direct aid could be sent to help; only coastal aid approaching ports, docks and some airports. As those facilities were cleaned up enough to receive aid shipments, aid was received, and redistributed via land routes as best as possible.

Truth be told, infrastructure was so damaged in Puerto Rico that secondary and tertiary airports were still not serviceable. Ports were rehabilitated enough to continue to receive shipments but the problem continued to be distribution routes into interior areas of the island. In many cases aid shipments were stalled for many days. Roads were washed out as were bridges.

That is an indication of the severity of the problems Puerto Rico suffered from. And it is an indication of just how much they needed massive aid from America. Eventually it came, but distributing it all will continue to be a problem until the infrastructure is cleared and repaired. That will take months in many cases, and years in some.

The issue eventually comes down to access to government services. We can imagine the difficulties. Especially given the rash of damaging storms which strained the nation’s abilities to respond again and again. But in Puerto Rico’s situation, much more help was needed faster and more thoroughly.

We can only hope that a better far-reaching plan will be developed in time for implementation for the next Category 4 or 5 hurricane. This is an issue for both the regional and territorial government as well as America’s FEMA organization.

I can’t shake the feeling that Puerto Ricans did not receive equal access to America’s help when it needed it the most. 

October 5, 2017

Do It Yourself

Years ago Marshall Field’s Department Store advised the shopper, “The package you take with you gets home quicker.” That was a friendly reminder that would save you time and them money; after all, they generously offered to deliver your package directly to your home or gift recipient at no cost. In the early days public transportation did not present convenient circumstances to transporting home shopping bags filled with stuff. So the service originated for practical reasons as opposed to pure service.

But the point remains: do it yourself and you are in control of the results; take the package with you and you know it will be home at the same time you arrive there.

An apt metaphor for the times in which we live. If you yearn for an outcome that is not currently present, it will happen soonest if you get involved with producing that outcome. At the same time you will be present as the problems and solutions are worked out and defined. Let’s not forget defining the desired outcomes as well! That may be the larger task to do!

So, how do we use this gem of wisdom?

Let’s see, a mass shooting in Vegas. Not a good thing. Preventable under certain conditions, but in a free society, the event remains possible. So prevention is a matter of degree. What can I do about it? What can you do about it?

My position is to share my opinion on Facebook and in my blog. I can live with the Second Amendment that gives our citizens the right to bear arms. It is a means to keep the government from being all-controlling. Citizens may own arms and bear them. The circumstances of all that are not spelled out in the constitution. Court decisions up and down the entire judicial system have opined on the second amendment. It remains open today but I think it will slowly be tightened up.

Plainly spoken, there are limits to the right to bear arms. We must have limits imposed on the type of weaponry available to the citizens. Hand guns are for protection and target shooting. One does not have to own an armory of such weapons, one or two perhaps. A collection of guns disabled from firing is OK as well, but not capable of firing in an immediate sense. It is a collection, not an armory.

Rifles are good for sport hunting, target shooting and more. But one does not have to have a large number of these guns to participate in sports. So, a limit on the number of guns owned by one person. Seems reasonable.

Also with rifles, the nature of the caliber and firing mechanism should be limited. Large caliber is for what purpose? Penetrating an armored vehicle? If so, this is police and military issue only; no citizen should have an operating fire arm that is capable of war. That’s what we have an army and police force for. Civilian controls over both armed forces are present, so we can trust they are not out to get us citizens. So we don’t need to duplicate their capabilities as ordinary citizens.

Machine guns and others with the capability of firing sustained rounds is not a sport feature desired by the sportsperson. So they should not be available to the public.

Registration of all weapons is required so public safety personnel can track down where the guns are and keep everyone who owns such responsible for the armaments. This is not a violation of privacy. It is a violation of my safety if you don’t have to be accountable for the whereabouts of your armaments. Public safety policy 101.

Mental and emotional upsets should disallow ownership of guns. It’s the responsible thing to do. It would prevent unhinged persons from amassing weaponry and ammunition to kill lots of people. It wouldn’t stop such incidents from happening, but it might just slow them down long enough to prevent their occurrence. Who knows if this would work? It’s worth a try in my opinion.

Too many innocent victims of shootings occur in America. It is not right. To some degree it is preventable. We should try.

So, per this day’s blog, you can do something about this. Here are some steps to take:

-Write your opinion; share it with others; blog, Facebook posting, letter to the editor, whatever

-Share your opinion with your elected representatives who can enact legislation to effect your opinion on this matter. They are supposed to do what is right and what their constituents feel about such matters. They can’t do that without knowing your stand on the issues. Share them.

-Join a group that shares your view and works for enactment of solutions to the problems you are interested in. Be a part of the solution, not a part of the problem.

This action on your part is the least you can do to ensure the world works better than it did before. We have problems in this world; we need to define them and learn what we can do about them. We then need to take action. Peaceful, knowledgeable action. I can do it; so can you. So let’s do it. Your opinion and mine may cancel each other out. That’s OK. At least we are doing something and not sitting back and complaining.

Act on your beliefs. Be civil. But share your thoughts. It is the only way you will learn the ins and outs of all the issues. And have a chance of making a difference.

October 4, 2017