After watching the speech Tuesday night by Barack Obama I must say he is a teriffic orator and a wonderful salesman for the policies of the democrats. He speaks beautifully, with great clarity and gives the listener the sense that he is talking directly to them. He is, in fact, the pitch man for the democratic agenda and is able to persuade listeners to agree with his plans, a talent that is highly valuable to democrats. It is critical to look past the messenger and look at the message.
In contrast, our last president was the exact opposite, unable to sell his program to the American people. His poor communication skills led people to question him, his intelligence, and his policies. This demonstrates the importance of charisma, appeal, and TV presence in the marketing of ideas and policies. The truth is, those skills are a talent like any other and really do not correlate with intelligence. Many people in history were able to coerce the populace through language but later tuned out disastrous. Obama is not necessarily more intelligent than Bush or a better leader than Bush solely due to his oratory skills.
In contrast, there is no one that turns me off quite as much as Nancy Pelosi. She comes off as extremely arrogant and one who memorizes talking points with very little depth. Now I dont know if this actually the case but this is her TV personae. This is how she comes off on television, similar to the robotic personality that Al Gore portrayed.
I think a great strategy for the republicans would be to tie Obama to Pelosi as much as possible. They should always address the democratic agenda as the Obama-Pelosi plan. This is exactly what the democrats did to Mccain in the election by always referring to his plan as the Mccain-Bush agenda. Regardless of the veracity of this tie, it was effective. I believe it would be effective against the democrats as well.
Sadly, we as voters care more about appearances than substance. We are too lazy to explore deeper than the most superficial layers. At best we listen to short sound bites rather than to take the time to understand complex issues. We put more imporatance on how someone looks or sounds rather than the content of what they are saying. This is why politics has become more of a marketing battle rather than a true debate on the issues.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
pilots and doctors
I have been reading the reaction of Chesley (Sulley) Sulenberger regarding the financial situation of pilots. Sulley is the pilot from US Air that landed in the Hudson River a few weeks ago saving many people. I remember when he was interviewed right afterwards he mentioned that many hours of experience prepared him for that one moment. I was impressed how bright and eloquent he is. He is surely a treasured product of this country. This country through its educational and military structure has produced such a wonderful yet humble man. I believe as a young man he could have done anything with his life.
Recently he has been commenting on the fact that due to the financial situation of pilots, specifically, the decreasing renumeration, the many hours on the job, etc., it will be dificult to attract future pilots with the similar skills and experience. This will cause a more dangerous and risky environment in which to fly in the years to come. Perhaps the disaster that occurred two weeks later in Buffalo is an example of this situation.
I couldnt't help but notice the comparison to the medical field. I have noticed that the smartest kids are not pursuing medical carreers like in the past. They have figured out that the duration of training, the cost of the education, and the lost opportunities while training make it a poor choice. Additionally, the hassle of the insurance companies, the crazy lopsided malpractice environment, the overwhelming number of hours at work, and ultimately the declining income of doctors have steered the best and brightest away from medicine. This will ultimately lead to a lesser quality doctor although this will take time as the well trained doctors slowly retire. But be sure that down the road we will all pay a price by cutting the quality of our doctors. When some of us will require emergency surgery who do we want operating on us? The mediocre student who just got by through medical school, or the Sulley of medicine who was the best and brightest.
If we want the best pilots and doctors we must create incentives for young adults who are exeptional to enter these fields. Instead, where are the incentives now? to go to a hedge fund to try and strike it rich, or to go to law school to worsen our already litiginous society and produce nothing except jackpot judgements. We must make the right choice, it is a matter of life and death.
Recently he has been commenting on the fact that due to the financial situation of pilots, specifically, the decreasing renumeration, the many hours on the job, etc., it will be dificult to attract future pilots with the similar skills and experience. This will cause a more dangerous and risky environment in which to fly in the years to come. Perhaps the disaster that occurred two weeks later in Buffalo is an example of this situation.
I couldnt't help but notice the comparison to the medical field. I have noticed that the smartest kids are not pursuing medical carreers like in the past. They have figured out that the duration of training, the cost of the education, and the lost opportunities while training make it a poor choice. Additionally, the hassle of the insurance companies, the crazy lopsided malpractice environment, the overwhelming number of hours at work, and ultimately the declining income of doctors have steered the best and brightest away from medicine. This will ultimately lead to a lesser quality doctor although this will take time as the well trained doctors slowly retire. But be sure that down the road we will all pay a price by cutting the quality of our doctors. When some of us will require emergency surgery who do we want operating on us? The mediocre student who just got by through medical school, or the Sulley of medicine who was the best and brightest.
If we want the best pilots and doctors we must create incentives for young adults who are exeptional to enter these fields. Instead, where are the incentives now? to go to a hedge fund to try and strike it rich, or to go to law school to worsen our already litiginous society and produce nothing except jackpot judgements. We must make the right choice, it is a matter of life and death.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
as goes california so goes the nation
I have always been under the opinion that what happens in California fortells what will happen in the the country in general. Culturally, trends often start in California such as fashion and media. Trends in health care such as the rise of HMOs started in California. Legal issues such as gay marriage began in the golden state. It has always been on the cusp of future developments.
This is very depressing considering what California is going through at this time. Its financial situation is essentially bankrupt. The government has spent or committed to spend more money than it has or could possibly raise through taxes and fees. The government of California has made the mistake of deciding that it is the governments role to fix the problems that effect society. This has exploded the demand for government services for which it is unable to keep up. They are in a viscious cycle where to obtain more revenue the taxes are raised which leads to an exiting of business and actually a reduction in the state's revenue, the opposite of what was intended. The loss of businesses leads to higher unemployment and more demand on government services which requires additional funds. And round and round the cycle goes.
It already appears that more states are heading into this cycle. My home state of New Jersey continues to work with defecits and cannot live within its means. The system is broken and the only way to break the cycle is to have elected politicians who will tell the people the truth that they cannot afford to spend beyond their means. They must drastically reduce their committments and must reduce the size of government. Tough choices need to be made and we must have the stomach for it. Many companies are currently going through these same problems and they must reduce their expenses or else go bankrupt. Similarly, government must do it as well. Trying to raise revenue will only exacerbate the problem.
I am pessimistic that leaders will be elected that will enact these tough choices. Too many people depend on government for welfare, food stamps, health care, and pay checks. Such people will never elect a person that will cut off their benefits. We have tipped over to the point where too many people are government dependents and their votes have been bought. They will only vote for the party and candidate that continues their benefits.
Maybe the quicker California can descend into the abyss, the quicker it can demonstrate to the country how to rebound with proper policy.
This is very depressing considering what California is going through at this time. Its financial situation is essentially bankrupt. The government has spent or committed to spend more money than it has or could possibly raise through taxes and fees. The government of California has made the mistake of deciding that it is the governments role to fix the problems that effect society. This has exploded the demand for government services for which it is unable to keep up. They are in a viscious cycle where to obtain more revenue the taxes are raised which leads to an exiting of business and actually a reduction in the state's revenue, the opposite of what was intended. The loss of businesses leads to higher unemployment and more demand on government services which requires additional funds. And round and round the cycle goes.
It already appears that more states are heading into this cycle. My home state of New Jersey continues to work with defecits and cannot live within its means. The system is broken and the only way to break the cycle is to have elected politicians who will tell the people the truth that they cannot afford to spend beyond their means. They must drastically reduce their committments and must reduce the size of government. Tough choices need to be made and we must have the stomach for it. Many companies are currently going through these same problems and they must reduce their expenses or else go bankrupt. Similarly, government must do it as well. Trying to raise revenue will only exacerbate the problem.
I am pessimistic that leaders will be elected that will enact these tough choices. Too many people depend on government for welfare, food stamps, health care, and pay checks. Such people will never elect a person that will cut off their benefits. We have tipped over to the point where too many people are government dependents and their votes have been bought. They will only vote for the party and candidate that continues their benefits.
Maybe the quicker California can descend into the abyss, the quicker it can demonstrate to the country how to rebound with proper policy.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
religion and longevity
I heard on the radio an interesting study. Those who attend a religious service once per week live on average seven years longer than those that do not. What is it about attending a church, synagogue or mosque that provides this life extension. Well, those with faith believe it is the hands of the divine that provide this benefit. But to a nonbeliever or one trained in the scientific method that answer just doesn't hold up.
Perhaps it is the security of believing that everything which occurs, whether good or bad, has a purpose. This purpose may not be understandable to man but an all knowing being is in control and is working behind the scene. This belief can be very calming and relieve significant stress during difficult periods of ones life and this may translate into longevity.
Perhaps it is the sense of community that often goes along with attendance at a religious service that is the key. The knowledge that their is a group of friends to help you when necessary. To be there for you during times of joy and times of sadness. To give advice when necessary or to help each other with raising children or taking care of an elderly parent. To provide for a divorcee or a widow or someone who has recently lost a job. The community is there financially and socially. It gives people a purpose when perhaps they feel they have no other. An elderly person has a place to go, a place to make friends and converse, a place to be able to contribute. It give people a sense of fulfillment when perhaps nothing else in their life could. It allows people to feel they are not alone.
I am a person who struggles with my faith in the divine. But I do believe that there are benefits to living a life that includes attendance at a religious service. I feel that when I am there, a lot of the daily stresses of life are reduced. It helps to listen to my clergyman discuss the bible and how that can translate into lessons for my own life. It helps me to become a better person to my family, coworkers and clients. If it translates into a longer and healthier life so much the better.
It is a shame that some people avoid or dismiss religion under the assumption that there is no divine entity. There are so many benefits to attending a religious service, an absolute belief should not be a pre-requisite for anyone. If more people attended religious services there would be less mental illness, less criminal activity, less drug use and better health. So join a church a synagogue or a mosque and give it a chance. Who knows? you may get a few years out of it
Perhaps it is the security of believing that everything which occurs, whether good or bad, has a purpose. This purpose may not be understandable to man but an all knowing being is in control and is working behind the scene. This belief can be very calming and relieve significant stress during difficult periods of ones life and this may translate into longevity.
Perhaps it is the sense of community that often goes along with attendance at a religious service that is the key. The knowledge that their is a group of friends to help you when necessary. To be there for you during times of joy and times of sadness. To give advice when necessary or to help each other with raising children or taking care of an elderly parent. To provide for a divorcee or a widow or someone who has recently lost a job. The community is there financially and socially. It gives people a purpose when perhaps they feel they have no other. An elderly person has a place to go, a place to make friends and converse, a place to be able to contribute. It give people a sense of fulfillment when perhaps nothing else in their life could. It allows people to feel they are not alone.
I am a person who struggles with my faith in the divine. But I do believe that there are benefits to living a life that includes attendance at a religious service. I feel that when I am there, a lot of the daily stresses of life are reduced. It helps to listen to my clergyman discuss the bible and how that can translate into lessons for my own life. It helps me to become a better person to my family, coworkers and clients. If it translates into a longer and healthier life so much the better.
It is a shame that some people avoid or dismiss religion under the assumption that there is no divine entity. There are so many benefits to attending a religious service, an absolute belief should not be a pre-requisite for anyone. If more people attended religious services there would be less mental illness, less criminal activity, less drug use and better health. So join a church a synagogue or a mosque and give it a chance. Who knows? you may get a few years out of it
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