Are you registered to vote in the upcoming Presidential and General Election?
The Consitution of the United States guarantees each citizen's right to participate in the political process. Some choose to run for office, while the majority of citizens 'merely vote.' I say 'merely' in a facecious tone because the right to vote is an incredible thing.
The framers our our government (the Founding Fathers) proposed a thing so completely unique that many observers doubted it would actually work...the power of the citizenery to choose who would lead them.
Over the course of the United States' history, the outcome of our elections has been good, not so good, and sometimes downright bad. Not all elected leaders at any level are exactly who they profess or try to be. The weighty responsibility an elected official has must be tremendous. I've personally known some good men and women who have served in varying levels of government, and not one of them didn't feel a terrible burden every day in office. Not all of them kept their priorities intact either. But at least they were out there trying to make things betters, and to do the best they could.
When we as a voting constituency decide that registering is too bothersome, or that getting to the polls is too much of a hassle, then we are letting ourselves, and our community down. Can you choose not to vote? Absolutely! That's your right.
But if you choose to sit on the sidelines on any election, then I personally feel that you have absolutely ZERO right to complain about the current state of politics on any level. If you want change, then you must participate--even if you are simply casting your vote; because if you don't care enough on election day, then you certainly don't care enough about any issue that affects you on a community, city, county, state, or national (and even international) basis.
Educate yourselves on the offices, candidates, and issues in your area. And PLEASE, get registered. You only have until 30 days prior to the election. Then, on November 4th, make it THE priority to get to your local polling station and utilize that awesome right (and responsibility) and cast your votes for offices at all levels.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Common Courtesy Out The Door
What has happened to us? I'm not talking any event; I mean, what has changed in society that makes it ok for people to treat others with disrespect, contempt, abusive language, and complete anger? What used to be unacceptable twenty years ago is now all too common. Why?
Today at my work, a customer called to [incorrectly] complain about a product he had received. When he was told that he was actually in error, he began vilifying three of my management staff, calling them F***n this, and F***n that; yelling; calling them liars; abusively berating them for something that was actually due to a customer error, and nothing we had done.
I was called in to deal with this customer. I gathered all the info I needed, and then took his call. This gentleman lit right into me, and furthered his previous (and now ongoing) beratement of my managers.
I quickly and firmly interrupted him and stated that "Do not talk about my employees like that. It is disrespectful, and I won't tolerate it." At this point, he began directing his anger at me, and started calling me a liar, and insisted I pass him up the line of command, which I refused to do. He then hung up on me; so I left. He then started harassing my managers by calling repeatedly and demanding to speak with me. When he was told I was no longer in the office, this man's tirade started anew.
At this point, I told my managers to make a police complaint. We had the man's phone number, business address, and name. Needless to say, but the next time he called, one of my managers told him that we were calling the police and filing a complaint. He stopped calling; but the complaint was filed anyway.
My question again, Why is it ok to treat others with such contempt and disrespect? It's bad enough when this happens in your personal life, but is compounded when it involves business customers. And this guy was 100% in error in his complaint. Yet, it was our fault. What gives?
We are all born with an innate sense of right and wrong. We know it; we feel it when making both good and bad decisions. Somewhere along the way, some people begin to ignore that sense of right vs. wrong, and go stomping about intent on seeing that everyone hears about how they were wronged, and someone's gotta pay!
It seems to me that this attitude is beginning to filter ever increasingly out into mainstream America. People who used to accept little mistakes (perceived or real) and say, 'That's ok. What can we do to fix it?' are beginning to take offense at comments, body language, even vocal intonations--many of which are completely innocent. Why? What has changed?
As I go about my everyday life, I increasingly notice a pervading sense of selfishness all around me. I try, and I mean really try, not to let myself get caught up in it. It would certainly be easy enough to slip into. This selfishness takes many forms like impatience while driving; ignoring servers in restaurants; demanding satisfaction if something doesn't go your way; berating business employees (even when you are completely in the wrong); extreme and avoidable neighbor issues; treating department store employees like chattle; etc, etc, etc.
If I'm wrong, tell me...but I know that I'm not. This observation is spot on. Its going on every day, and is getting worse with each passing year.
So you might be asking yourself, "What can I do about this?" Well, start with yourself. See if this behavior is infiltrating your everyday life. Then, stop doing whatever, and start living by example. We cannot change everyone we see because we want to. We can only change ourselves, and live by example, hoping that we can influence a few people along the way. If enough people subscribe to this belief and practice it, then things will change...slowly thought it may be.
But if we do nothing and expect change to happen, then we are merely deluding ourselves and will only witness the societal changes worsening year after year. I for one want society to adopt a more tolerant stance in everything we do. Will it happen? Will this change be achievable? I doubt it; but in the mean time, I will try, every single day, to be the best person I can, and to always be aware of how I treat others.
No, I'm not perfect, nor will I ever claim to be. But how I treat others in voice and action is important in my everyday life. I expect to be treated with respect, and I will do my best to treat others the same way. If I don't, then I have failed to follow that innate sense of right and wrong that we are all born with, and am no better than this gentleman that I was forced to deal with today.
Today at my work, a customer called to [incorrectly] complain about a product he had received. When he was told that he was actually in error, he began vilifying three of my management staff, calling them F***n this, and F***n that; yelling; calling them liars; abusively berating them for something that was actually due to a customer error, and nothing we had done.
I was called in to deal with this customer. I gathered all the info I needed, and then took his call. This gentleman lit right into me, and furthered his previous (and now ongoing) beratement of my managers.
I quickly and firmly interrupted him and stated that "Do not talk about my employees like that. It is disrespectful, and I won't tolerate it." At this point, he began directing his anger at me, and started calling me a liar, and insisted I pass him up the line of command, which I refused to do. He then hung up on me; so I left. He then started harassing my managers by calling repeatedly and demanding to speak with me. When he was told I was no longer in the office, this man's tirade started anew.
At this point, I told my managers to make a police complaint. We had the man's phone number, business address, and name. Needless to say, but the next time he called, one of my managers told him that we were calling the police and filing a complaint. He stopped calling; but the complaint was filed anyway.
My question again, Why is it ok to treat others with such contempt and disrespect? It's bad enough when this happens in your personal life, but is compounded when it involves business customers. And this guy was 100% in error in his complaint. Yet, it was our fault. What gives?
We are all born with an innate sense of right and wrong. We know it; we feel it when making both good and bad decisions. Somewhere along the way, some people begin to ignore that sense of right vs. wrong, and go stomping about intent on seeing that everyone hears about how they were wronged, and someone's gotta pay!
It seems to me that this attitude is beginning to filter ever increasingly out into mainstream America. People who used to accept little mistakes (perceived or real) and say, 'That's ok. What can we do to fix it?' are beginning to take offense at comments, body language, even vocal intonations--many of which are completely innocent. Why? What has changed?
As I go about my everyday life, I increasingly notice a pervading sense of selfishness all around me. I try, and I mean really try, not to let myself get caught up in it. It would certainly be easy enough to slip into. This selfishness takes many forms like impatience while driving; ignoring servers in restaurants; demanding satisfaction if something doesn't go your way; berating business employees (even when you are completely in the wrong); extreme and avoidable neighbor issues; treating department store employees like chattle; etc, etc, etc.
If I'm wrong, tell me...but I know that I'm not. This observation is spot on. Its going on every day, and is getting worse with each passing year.
So you might be asking yourself, "What can I do about this?" Well, start with yourself. See if this behavior is infiltrating your everyday life. Then, stop doing whatever, and start living by example. We cannot change everyone we see because we want to. We can only change ourselves, and live by example, hoping that we can influence a few people along the way. If enough people subscribe to this belief and practice it, then things will change...slowly thought it may be.
But if we do nothing and expect change to happen, then we are merely deluding ourselves and will only witness the societal changes worsening year after year. I for one want society to adopt a more tolerant stance in everything we do. Will it happen? Will this change be achievable? I doubt it; but in the mean time, I will try, every single day, to be the best person I can, and to always be aware of how I treat others.
No, I'm not perfect, nor will I ever claim to be. But how I treat others in voice and action is important in my everyday life. I expect to be treated with respect, and I will do my best to treat others the same way. If I don't, then I have failed to follow that innate sense of right and wrong that we are all born with, and am no better than this gentleman that I was forced to deal with today.
Monday, September 15, 2008
Shutting a Freeway for A Fallen Officer
A little over a week ago a terrible thing happened in North Central Washington when a man gunned down 6 innocent people, one of which was a police officer. It was a horrendous unfolding of events that sent shock waves through communities in and around Mount Vernon, WA.
A few days ago, as an honor for the fallen officer, the Washington State Patrol (one of THE finest State Law Forces in the nation) temporarily shut down a portion of Interstate 5 so the funeral procession could travel safely, and as an act of honoring the slain officer.
On Sunday, a "wonderful citizen" of the area wrote a letter of complaint to the Seattle Post Intelligencer stating how ridiculous it was that the freeway was shut down (briefly), and how inconvenienced he was. He was so incensed by the action of the State Patrol that he is considering filing a complaint regarding the whole matter.
What the #@&%?!!
Is this man really serious? Does he have one ounce of compassion for not only this officer, but for her family, or even for the civilians killed as well? So he was late getting to where he needed to be; big deal. So he was upset because of the traffic back-up; what a shame.
This man needs to put his priorities in line. When we feel we are inconvenienced because we have to wait for a funeral procession that also honors someone who has died defending us, then something is seriously wrong with us.
Human compassion is inherent in all of us. Whether we personally know someone who has died or not, we all pause to think about them even if only for a few seconds. Tell me I'm wrong.
I think that this individual needs to put aside his irritation at being inconvenienced. He needs to just stop and think, only for a few seconds. And in doing so, I would hope that he finds it in his heart to realize that his annoyance was unjustified, and just plain wrong.
It is a very sad statement on us all when basic human compassion and kindness is over-ridden by impatience, annoyance, and wrongly placed anger. Sad indeed.
A few days ago, as an honor for the fallen officer, the Washington State Patrol (one of THE finest State Law Forces in the nation) temporarily shut down a portion of Interstate 5 so the funeral procession could travel safely, and as an act of honoring the slain officer.
On Sunday, a "wonderful citizen" of the area wrote a letter of complaint to the Seattle Post Intelligencer stating how ridiculous it was that the freeway was shut down (briefly), and how inconvenienced he was. He was so incensed by the action of the State Patrol that he is considering filing a complaint regarding the whole matter.
What the #@&%?!!
Is this man really serious? Does he have one ounce of compassion for not only this officer, but for her family, or even for the civilians killed as well? So he was late getting to where he needed to be; big deal. So he was upset because of the traffic back-up; what a shame.
This man needs to put his priorities in line. When we feel we are inconvenienced because we have to wait for a funeral procession that also honors someone who has died defending us, then something is seriously wrong with us.
Human compassion is inherent in all of us. Whether we personally know someone who has died or not, we all pause to think about them even if only for a few seconds. Tell me I'm wrong.
I think that this individual needs to put aside his irritation at being inconvenienced. He needs to just stop and think, only for a few seconds. And in doing so, I would hope that he finds it in his heart to realize that his annoyance was unjustified, and just plain wrong.
It is a very sad statement on us all when basic human compassion and kindness is over-ridden by impatience, annoyance, and wrongly placed anger. Sad indeed.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Who Should We Believe In?
Who should we, as a voting constituency, believe in while assessing the best possible candidates for President and Vice President of the United States? Only two choices remain: John McCain, and Barak Obama.
On the former, Senator McCain has been in public service for most of his adult life. He has served the State of Arizona well over the years. He is an honorable, and decorated veteran of our Armed Forces. He has helped write and push legislation through Congress. He has vast experience in the Federal Government. He would seem to be a good choice.
On the other hand, the Electorate of this great Country is tired of the Repulican way of doing things. In eight years of Republican leadership we are in debt that our great grand-children will be paying off; we have begun raping our environment in an effort to be "energy independent;" we are in a war that was proven to be completely groundless as the current Administration distorted and created truths in their successful attempts to enter into the Iraq war; our Consumer Spending Index is the worst its been in 22 years; our educational system is a joke as discticts around the country scuttle arts and other electives in order to meet the No Child Left Behind joke of a law that doesn't even work (just so they(the districts) don't lose federal funding); homelessness is at its highest level since the Great Depression; and the average American Taxpayer is having a difficult time paying bills and feeding their families because of unconcionably high energy, transportation, and labor costs.
Since GW took office nearly eight years ago, we have not imroved as a nation, we have slipped backwards while a few
politicians and corporate bigwigs are living high off the hog as they pillage America's resources, jobs, and family budgets.
So, with Mr. McCain, we are being asked to continue to support the Republican Agenda that got us where we are today. Hmmmmmm....
Now, on the Democratic side we have Senator Barak Obama. He is a one-term Senator from Illinois who has limited leadership experience, has failed to do any real lawmaking in the Senate, but who is a very convincing and persuasive orator who has won the hearts of most (but certainly not all) Democrats in the land. He is untested, but has some great ideas. I think I'd term him an "idealist" with plans to 'clean up Washington (D.C.).'
After listening to the young Senator from Illinois, I can't get a clear picture of any specifics he wants to address. He seems to be merely whipping up Americans into a frenzy about fixing things, but does so with what appears to be an empty bag of plans. Hmmmm...
On the Vice Presidential side, Joseph Biden (for the Democrats) has years of Senate experience; is a proven lawmaker with America's best interest at heart, and has the foreign diplomacy experience that Mr. Obama lacks.
On the former, Senator McCain has been in public service for most of his adult life. He has served the State of Arizona well over the years. He is an honorable, and decorated veteran of our Armed Forces. He has helped write and push legislation through Congress. He has vast experience in the Federal Government. He would seem to be a good choice.
On the other hand, the Electorate of this great Country is tired of the Repulican way of doing things. In eight years of Republican leadership we are in debt that our great grand-children will be paying off; we have begun raping our environment in an effort to be "energy independent;" we are in a war that was proven to be completely groundless as the current Administration distorted and created truths in their successful attempts to enter into the Iraq war; our Consumer Spending Index is the worst its been in 22 years; our educational system is a joke as discticts around the country scuttle arts and other electives in order to meet the No Child Left Behind joke of a law that doesn't even work (just so they(the districts) don't lose federal funding); homelessness is at its highest level since the Great Depression; and the average American Taxpayer is having a difficult time paying bills and feeding their families because of unconcionably high energy, transportation, and labor costs.
Since GW took office nearly eight years ago, we have not imroved as a nation, we have slipped backwards while a few
politicians and corporate bigwigs are living high off the hog as they pillage America's resources, jobs, and family budgets.
So, with Mr. McCain, we are being asked to continue to support the Republican Agenda that got us where we are today. Hmmmmmm....
Now, on the Democratic side we have Senator Barak Obama. He is a one-term Senator from Illinois who has limited leadership experience, has failed to do any real lawmaking in the Senate, but who is a very convincing and persuasive orator who has won the hearts of most (but certainly not all) Democrats in the land. He is untested, but has some great ideas. I think I'd term him an "idealist" with plans to 'clean up Washington (D.C.).'
After listening to the young Senator from Illinois, I can't get a clear picture of any specifics he wants to address. He seems to be merely whipping up Americans into a frenzy about fixing things, but does so with what appears to be an empty bag of plans. Hmmmm...
On the Vice Presidential side, Joseph Biden (for the Democrats) has years of Senate experience; is a proven lawmaker with America's best interest at heart, and has the foreign diplomacy experience that Mr. Obama lacks.
As far as I am aware, Mr. Biden has no major flaws, and seems to be a man of character. He has a good track record of Public Service, but has himself run at the Presidency, which may cause contention in the White House.
On the oppositions side, Governor Sarah Palin looks comfortable in the role for which she was nominated. She is a convincing orator, but has herself fairly limited Executive type experience. She comes from a major oil state (which plays right into the Rebulican agenda), but seems to be an every-day mom and wife doing the best she can each day.
What all this comes down to folks, is choice. Who will we choose to lead this Country. There are positives and negatives with each candidate (and running mates). The choice is not easy.
But I urge you to study the respective agendas of both candidates. I urge you to ask questions. I urge you to register to exercise your right and priveledge to vote. Then, on election day, make no excuses; get out and vote; because then, and only then, can you complain if things aren't going well.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
The RNC
Well, I watched tonights Republican National Convention speech by Alaska Governor Sarah Palin, and I must say that I am extremely impressed. Whomever wrote the speech did an exceptional job. But it was Gov. Palin's delivery that impressed me most.
She was calm, relaxed (at least on the outside), and her command of the lecturn really started me thinking about the upcoming Presidential election in a more earnest way.
With every election, we have to think about not only who the next President could be, but also who will take over as President in the (unlikely) event that something happens, and the Vice President must assume the office.
Tonight, I saw just how wise a choice it was of Senator McCain to align himself with Mrs. Palin. She is well-spoken; deliberate in her words; and really has an air of quiet confidence about her that tells me that in a crisis, she would be an outstanding leader.
We all still have much to think about as the election draws near. The Governor's speech tonight was definitely the highlight of the long campaign, thus far.
I encourage all of you to be sure you register to vote, and subsequently, exercise your freedom of choice by casting your ballot. Until then, educate yourselves about the people, the issues, and the future of this country.
She was calm, relaxed (at least on the outside), and her command of the lecturn really started me thinking about the upcoming Presidential election in a more earnest way.
With every election, we have to think about not only who the next President could be, but also who will take over as President in the (unlikely) event that something happens, and the Vice President must assume the office.
Tonight, I saw just how wise a choice it was of Senator McCain to align himself with Mrs. Palin. She is well-spoken; deliberate in her words; and really has an air of quiet confidence about her that tells me that in a crisis, she would be an outstanding leader.
We all still have much to think about as the election draws near. The Governor's speech tonight was definitely the highlight of the long campaign, thus far.
I encourage all of you to be sure you register to vote, and subsequently, exercise your freedom of choice by casting your ballot. Until then, educate yourselves about the people, the issues, and the future of this country.
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