They say to never talk about religion or politics, but I’m going to risk it today. The President gave his State of the Union speech last Tuesday night. I was at a dinner event and missed it. And, I’m sad to say, I really don’t care that I didn’t hear it.
You see, I’m incredibly frustrated by what’s going on in Washington, D.C. I know I might be a little late to the party. Millions of Americans have long been frustrated with what’s going in our nation’s capitol, but I think partisan politics has risen to a level never seen before.
The morning of the State of the Union address, I read that the President last met with Republican leaders on July 23, 2011. That’s six months ago! Now before anyone jumps to any conclusions and determines that I’m going to bash our President, let me just say there is plenty of blame to go around. That is, both parties are to blame for the mess we currently have in Washington, D.C.
I’ve been involved in many negotiations over the years. I’ve negotiated acquisitions, partnerships, and vendor relationships as both customer and provider. In all of my years in business, I don’t recall ever getting anything done by not meeting with the other side. Have you ever said to anyone, “Let’s get this thing figured out by not talking to one another”?
How can Republicans and the President believe that they can move our country forward by not talking to one another?
Politics in our nation has become so antagonistic, we’re at the point where they can’t even speak to one another. I believe politicians feel that any attempt at compromise will be seen as a sign of weakness or even selling out to the other side.
Republicans love to associate themselves with Ronald Reagan, invoking his name at every opportunity. And they especially love to identify their tax policies with Reagan’s. Do you know that President Reagan, the great conservative, compromised and raised taxes numerous times while in the White House? Republicans nowadays would be crucified by their own constituents for even suggesting such a thing!
Reagan had his vision and worked hard to implement it, but he was also a realist. To advance his cause, he had to give the other side something, too. The great business titan Andrew Carnegie once said, “I shall argue that strong men, conversely, know when to compromise and that all principles can be compromised to serve a greater principle.”
And President Barack Obama, who ran on a message of bipartisanship, now can’t make himself come to the table with Republicans in order to get something done. While running for President, he promised to “turn the page on the ugly partisanship in Washington, so we can bring Democrats and Republicans together to pass an agenda that works for the American people.”
Wouldn’t that be nice!
In business we work to accomplish things that will benefit our stakeholders — investors first among them, but also employees, partners, vendors, and the public. If members of management fail to enhance the value of the business for its investors, they will likely find themselves looking for a job. Yet in Washington, D.C., it appears that our leadership can actively do nothing in an effort to preserve their jobs. Now that’s a problem.
I like to look for lessons in everything. So, what’s the lesson we can learn from our elected officials? The best I can find is not to do what they’re doing! Don’t ignore your responsibilities. Don’t fail to communicate or negotiate with those across the table. Don’t sit idly by when you know there are problems that need to be solved. Don’t act like our politicians in Washington, D.C., are acting.
I wish I could point to the great leadership we’re seeing from our elected officials when our country could really use strong leadership. But instead, I think we’re all best not to do what they’re doing. It would probably cost us our jobs.