Politicians Telling the Truth:
Last night I was watching Jay Leno and he said something that I observe frequently in the press and public. He was interviewing Rick Santorum who said his policy on Same Sex Marriage was the same as Romney and Obama. If you look up their stated policy, all three, as of that time, supported the current federal policy supporting male-female marriage. The issue I have is Leno's comment, "Yes, but they are just saying it, you really believe it." I know I'm getting a little long in the tooth, but I thought what you say is what you believe.
I like Leno and, while he's more liberal than I prefer, I can watch him and have a good time. His comment just brought home the often quoted position that a candidate will change their position after they get the nomination or get elected. We watched Obama in the run up to the 2008 election during the primaries run closer to the left. Then during the election, move closer to the center than he had in the primaries. Once elected, he shifted back toward the left by pushing health care through to the detriment of the economy and jobs.
Recently we have heard the press state that Romney, now that he has the nomination wrapped up, will pivot to the center. I can understand evolving positions; but, I don't agree with pandering to what is perceived to be the more popular position.
As time passes, it is appropriate for everyone to re-evaluate their positions.
Currently it seems that the Obama administration seems to be evolving their position on Same Sex Marriage. I find it convenient that a recent CBS poll shows gaining support for Same Sex Marriage. While I understand the shifting positions on this issue, this is typical of what we see from our elected officials.
A thoughtful, long discussed, and evolving position over several years is what most of us do. We do not look for the latest poll, focus group, or targeted voters to determine new positions on issues.
Now we need to watch and see if Romney "shifts to the center" or Obama backs off on taking money from senior citizen funding to pay for his other pet projects. Not to jump on Obama any more but his taking credit this week for the death of Osama while he is dramatically defunding the military is just wrong. Sorry, just had to get that off my chest.
The bottom line is: I want a candidate that will say what they believe. I may not agree with everything they say but at least I know what they'll do. Also, then I vote on the character of the individual and that's what I have to trust when the pressure gets high and they have to do the right thing, not the popular one.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Friday, May 4, 2012
Work Ethic - Ben Franklin
Blast From The Past – Work Ethic: Ben Franklin Style
Ben Franklin is known for his work leading up to the Declaration of Independence, his scientific interest in electricity and his financial acumen with his Poor Richards Almanac. He was truly a Renaissance Man. What can we learn from his guiding principles?
"Energy and Persistence Conquer all." Stick to your plan and work until you complete it. This is rarely seen today with the perceived need to show results quickly. With weekly/ monthly / quarterly results used as measuring tools, many plans requiring long term planning and financial commitments needed to be in place for years are constantly modified. I have seen this frequently while managing shipbuilding programs. We have the Energy part down. It's the Persistence part with the constant modifying of the plan that needs work.
"Well done is better than well said." Can't say enough about this one. In our current society, for many of us it seems like people are getting ahead by talking a good story but not actually doing the job. In the political and entertainment arena this seems to be more prevalent. Electing people because they are likable shouldn't replace voting for people that have a proven track record. I don"t know about you, but I want someone who has "Been there, Done that." Fortunately in the engineering, scientific and medical fields this fame for fame's sake is not true.
"Diligence is the mother of good luck." Almost all of us who have been successful recognize that this is true. We've seen many folks punching the clock. Those end up being the people that miss out on promotions and end up complaining they are being treated unfairly. The American work ethic has always been to go above and beyond. Our record of innovation and accomplishment is unsurpassed. We must continue to pass this on to the next generation.
"When you're finished changing, you're finished." Most of the successful people I know have re-invented themselves several times. I've gone from being a ship driver to a meteorologist to a Project Manager in the Electrical business to a Program Manager building ships. While this is not uncommon for someone with 35 years of work experience, it is what you have to do to stay relevant. Many of the following generation are finding this re-invention as a way to get ahead. One of my children has changed jobs 3 times and the other 4 times. Each move either brought them closer to what they wanted to do or a pay raise. This is what I see as the way ahead for the our generation.
Ben had many applicable quotes. He is a great example of what we should ascribe to. I know this is a little different than my usual entry, but sometimes I want to hit other areas of interest.
Ben Franklin is known for his work leading up to the Declaration of Independence, his scientific interest in electricity and his financial acumen with his Poor Richards Almanac. He was truly a Renaissance Man. What can we learn from his guiding principles?
"Energy and Persistence Conquer all." Stick to your plan and work until you complete it. This is rarely seen today with the perceived need to show results quickly. With weekly/ monthly / quarterly results used as measuring tools, many plans requiring long term planning and financial commitments needed to be in place for years are constantly modified. I have seen this frequently while managing shipbuilding programs. We have the Energy part down. It's the Persistence part with the constant modifying of the plan that needs work.
"Well done is better than well said." Can't say enough about this one. In our current society, for many of us it seems like people are getting ahead by talking a good story but not actually doing the job. In the political and entertainment arena this seems to be more prevalent. Electing people because they are likable shouldn't replace voting for people that have a proven track record. I don"t know about you, but I want someone who has "Been there, Done that." Fortunately in the engineering, scientific and medical fields this fame for fame's sake is not true.
"Diligence is the mother of good luck." Almost all of us who have been successful recognize that this is true. We've seen many folks punching the clock. Those end up being the people that miss out on promotions and end up complaining they are being treated unfairly. The American work ethic has always been to go above and beyond. Our record of innovation and accomplishment is unsurpassed. We must continue to pass this on to the next generation.
"When you're finished changing, you're finished." Most of the successful people I know have re-invented themselves several times. I've gone from being a ship driver to a meteorologist to a Project Manager in the Electrical business to a Program Manager building ships. While this is not uncommon for someone with 35 years of work experience, it is what you have to do to stay relevant. Many of the following generation are finding this re-invention as a way to get ahead. One of my children has changed jobs 3 times and the other 4 times. Each move either brought them closer to what they wanted to do or a pay raise. This is what I see as the way ahead for the our generation.
Ben had many applicable quotes. He is a great example of what we should ascribe to. I know this is a little different than my usual entry, but sometimes I want to hit other areas of interest.
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