Things are not as bad or as good as our politicians want us to believe

The quadrennial political orgies are over. I don’t know how many millions are spent every four years on this anachronistic spectacle. I can appreciate the utility of this mechanism some 150 or so years when it was difficult communicating in a vast country such as ours.  But now we have television, Internet, and intelligent phones.

People wearing funny hats, homemade signs and slogans, people dressed in strange ways, balloons falling down. Give me a break!

We are told that conventions are intended to energize supporters and build momentum. I wish they could be shortened to just one day. Four days is three days too long. Nominate candidates in the morning and then have the speeches in the afternoon. 

Not many people are listening to the numerous speakers anyway … they are drowned out by the multitude of folks milling around while the networks interrupt with advertisements.

Instant analyses ad nauseam by partisan pundits and so-called political strategists currently accompany this interminable show. 

What follows is a summary of three different views of the current situation.

The Optimists’ View

• ·      Unemployment down to 5% - 15 million jobs added
• ·      25 million people have health insurance
• ·      Stock market has recovered
• ·      Car industry is thriving
• ·      Fewer combat troops on the ground 
• ·      Interest rates never been so low
• ·      Housing industry on the rebound

The Pessimists’ View

• ·      Lowest worker participation rate
• ·      95 million people not working
• ·      Record national debt
• ·      Fight against terrorism not going as well
• ·      Stagnant middle class wages
• ·      Most jobs created are low wages
• ·      Foreign policy in disarray
• ·      Healthcare costs continue to rise rapidly
• ·      70% say country is on the wrong track
• ·      2/3 of Americans do not trust our candidates
• 
  

The Realists’ View

• ·      Heads in the sand 
• ·      Choice between two flawed candidates
• ·      Civil strife due to injustices and inequalities
• ·      Faulty assumptions about democracy
• ·      People tired of Political Correctness (PC)
• ·      Finger pointing by both parties
• ·      Paris, San Bernardino, Miami, Nice, Istanbul, Munich

OK! What then?

There are many topics that could receive bi-partisan support.

Whomever wins in November should learn from the past. Avoid starting off the gate with divisive initiatives. Build consensus. Start with trust building measures!

Had Obama done that seven and one had years ago, he would have had a greater chance of unifying the country.

Here are eleven suggestions (not in order of importance):

• ·      Reform our tax code 
• ·      Reform our justice system
• ·      Approve a tuition-free in-state university education  
• ·      Enable refinancing of college loans
•     Modernize our infrastructure  
•     Mend or replace Obama Care  
•     Invest in job creation
•     Take action on Wall Street 
•     Strengthen Social Security and Medicare 
•     Increase minimum wage 
•     Fix the Immigration System

• 
  

If we could tackle most of these issues during the next four years, we would all be better off.

What Not to Do

Here are some straightforward things we need to do less of:

• ·      Demonizing or ridiculing those who disagree with us.
• ·      Finger pointing to reap cheap political points.
• ·      Lying to the American people.
• ·      Scapegoating ALL immigrants or Islam.
•  ·

Learning from Experts

Experts tell us that there are two kinds of problems in front of us. One set of problems can be labeled tame in the sense that there are specific technical solutions and technical experts available to us.  There are also a number of problems that can be labeled wicked. Wicked problems have no off-the shelf solutions or experts. In fact, there might not even be solutions.

Best way to solve wicked problems is not to rely on so-called experts or one party, but to involve as many constituencies as possible in developing solutions or remedies.  Here is a partial list of wicked problems:

• ·      Violence in the inner cities
• ·      Fixing the healthcare system
• ·      Immigration reform
• ·      Strengthening the family structure
• ·      Reducing crime
• ·      Job creation
• ·      Election reforms

We cannot afford to settle the next generation with problems of our own creation. We must hand over an improved system, not a broken one. And, in the process, practice more civility and respect for each other.

Your views?