THE ART OF DIVERTING RESPONSIBILITY
People who are brave enough to make decisions are becoming rare but politicians who make brave decisions are almost extinct.
Polling, focus groups, strategists and media experts massage the message focusing exclusively on the political ramifications and benefits. Sadly this is the natural state of politics today.
The camera hogs, political hit men and media whores shape every word, facial expression, body language, hair style, fashion choice and mirror tested smiles. They wear glasses to look smart, deliver prepared pompous speeches and have their quiver full of snark filled talking points. If by chance they are put on the spot and asked an actual question they answer with condescending snarky insults, empty word salad fluff, meandering filibuster or simply run away.
Politicians call themselves experts and leaders but very few are actually experts and never actually lead. If they are forced to vote on a controversial piece of legislation their main concern is their own reelection.
I understand votes take a certain amount of wheeling and dealing and compromise but voting in the interest of their constituents rarely takes precedent.
The so called representatives of "the people" consider their constituents only at election time. Senators with six year terms focus on the needs of their states in the last year of their terms. The first five years they can play on a national stage ignoring or even hurting their own state. They simply bring money for a federal bridge, building or highway project then name it after themselves and they are good for another six years.
Representatives with two year terms have to be more crafty. They need to rely on money from their party and donors so their votes reflect the interests of these sources of campaign money not the people they represent.
The rare statesman usually has a short career because they don't play the game. Their ability to survive the sound bite world, avoid the wrath of the media and raising large amounts of money is not the major focus of a statesman. Because a charismatic person can navigate the political gauntlet doesn't make them any more equipped to lead a country, they are simply good at winning and election. In fact in my opinion this detracts from any chance they will make wise or well thought out decisions.
If by chance they do make a decision they are prepared for only two responses. Brag and take a victory lap if it can be twisted and framed as a success or blame the failure on their opponents because of their lack of support, usually money.
Taking responsibility can be political death because a vote will put them on the spot. We may or may not vote them out at the next election so this one is partially on us.
Omnibus bills are the latest tactic. Cram a bill full of pork and bad law then cover it all with a caring name and call it a crisis. We have lost all sense of fair play, winning and all cost is becoming the norm. Actual governing has turned into a bullying no holds bared power grab. The gloves and masks are off.
Some have abandoned any sense of honor. They view fair play as weakness, the rule of law as a weapon and free speech a one way street.
The courts, law enforcement, prosecutors, censorship and propaganda rule the day. The attitude of I know it is wrong but it will take time for the courts to rule on it. Buy the time they do we can blame the courts and our opposition for not caring and overturning established law.
The educational system, entertainment and media have created an entitled uneducated dependent class. Curiosity about issues and history are frowned on. Critical independent thinking or having a different opinion can now get you banned, fired and imprisoned. Quoting the Constitution, expressing a religious view or owning a fire arm means you are a bad person or worse.
Separating people is a well thought out strategy, Mao did it with class warfare we are doing it with race and gender warfare. History may soon repeat itself if it hasn't already.
The hunger to hate other people and see bad things happen to them feeds a base human desire. People they disagree with are not viewed as people with bad ideas they are viewed as bad people.
LIKE A SCENE FROM BETTER CALL SAUL
IN THIS WORLD THERE ARE TALKERS AND THERE ARE DOERS.
Keeping an appointment, telling the truth, doing the right thing when no one is looking and playing by the rules were behaviors that were expected. A person was judged by his or her word. All other factors were of less concern, race, sex, who you love, age, education, social and economic status. What really mattered was the value of your word.
If you gave your word it meant something. Once we gave it we would go to any lengths to keep it. Our self-esteem, sense of honor and reputation would hinge on keeping our word at all cost. This wasn't only for the big things but for everything.
It was an internal thing not an enforced thing. The community didn't punish a person for breaking their word, people felt a personal shame for failure. There was a standard of behavior we were all aware of so falling short or not following through mattered.
Children born out of wedlock were accepted by the community but all parties knew it wasn't right. The father usually came forward to take responsibility and the family accepted and loved the child. No scarlet letters or shunning but an awareness and encouragement to do better.
Even a misspent youth, addiction, criminal or moral past can be overcome by positive actions. Talking has little or no effect.
The idea that the midwest is more judgmental and unaccepting doesn't fit my experience. Sure there were narrow-minded judgmental people and people who could care less about honor but the community as a whole lived by these values.
I moved to the southwest and later to the Bay Area and found a new definition of acceptance. To be considered accepting required ignoring personal responsibility and abandoning common sense. Everything is relative, rules and laws are optional depending on the situation. Honor was an old fashioned concept and nothing is actually wrong.
I first noticed this in business and later in social settings. Appointments were optional and handshake agreements were nonexistent. Being cool was breaking social norms, mocking religion and belittling midwest values. Ironically they wondered why society is so screwed up.
Individual responsibility is no longer valued or taken seriously. I'm by no means a shining example of honor but I an at least aware when I fall short.
Showing up and following through are important to me. I expect people to keep promises, appointments and responsibilities. If I expect this from others I must expect it from myself. I have boiled this down to a basic question, are you a talker or a doer?
Measure what you promise, over promising sounds good in the moment but not following through damages your reputation. It is simple if you can't or don't want to do something don't say you will.
Expect follow through from others. If they follow through you don't have to punish them but don't let it slide, express your disappointment. Then they know it is important to you.
I believe this needs to be brought back into focus. No I don't want to police or punish this but rationalizing it away has obviously not helped.
We have changed the rules from obeying that small voice that tells us it is wrong when we are alone to if no-one catches or sees us it is okay. This has grown to include even if we are caught we are a victim of circumstances or dismissing the normal standards all together.
Taking an oath, keeping a promise, showing up for an appointment, paying a debt, telling the truth and not stealing need to be valid by society again. I realize I'm older and this might sound old fashioned but these basic values need a renewal.
I don't blame young people, they grew up with these new distorted standards. The few I have talked with seem to be interested because it is like a new refreshing concept. I have hope the pendulum will return to some midwest standards.
Like I said I have failed many times both with large and small things but I am striving to do better. Falling into the mindset that this is okay is a danger so the guilt I feel is a sign I am aware of my short comings. I measure my promises today but once they are made I bend over backward to keep them.
