Case in Point

Today a lady called me to bitch about a PFD issue she's been having for 20 years. Her story is incredible, and though I can't go into it here, it makes me think of a few things.

1)  I listened to this woman for at least 30 minutes, and while I was happy we were not in person together, where I would have to refrain my eyerolls, I could hold the receiver away from my head and make annoying gestures because she just couldn't shut up.  But, that's my job.  That person is my boss.  She is the one who pays for my salary, and she has every right to call up our office and spew on about her ridiculously complex situation.

2)  I have nothing to think about people who do this, than to wonder what sort of lengths they have already been through.  I could hear the desperation in her voice.  The frustration behind the question : "Who is making these laws, and for what?"  I feel pretty terrible when I can't answer those questions.  I feel the same way.

3) At this point in time, it is easy to count the whistle blowers as being crazy, or indignant.  After trying to find my way through this bureaucratic mess, I wonder myself what is it all for?  It certainly is enough red tape to make you go mad.

So I am left with questions that cannot be answered.  But, I don't believe that is a reason to stop asking questions.

I cannot be accused of not understanding something. If I don't understand something, how many other people are there out there who don't understand the same thing?  This is unfair to think that because we are elected officials, because we have an entitlement role, that we should know more than the people.  In fact, the people should know more than the people who are leading. In most cases, I am sure, they do.

Leadership

I've decided it is a skill that is born. Real leaders have something inside them that ignites the people around them.  They have something that others believe in. They induce change.  It's not a fluffy thing, because I am realizing that good leaders aren't always the smartest, sharpest, funniest, best-looking people.  They get shit done cause that is what they are supposed to do.  The funniest, smartest, best-looking people are there to guide the way, and essentially lead the leader - but they lack a commercial charm.

The problem that America is facing is that the definition of "Leader" has resulted to the shrewdest, "smartest", best-looking, charming person.  It is true that these characteristics can add to a leader, but leadership takes courage, spirit, and dedication.  Those characteristics are born in a human, they aren't made.

As far as the woman who called today with a 20 year history in 30 minutes?  All I have to say is:   Lady, I'm with ya.  

Party Politics Suck

In a recent article by Bob Poe in the Alaska Dispatch, Poe shames Alaskans voters for not voting in the Alaska Senate race, leading to a Republican loss for Alaska's single senior Senator, Lisa Murkowski. To the horror of most people in the state, albeit a majority of non-voters, Joe Miller snaked himself into the race, endorsed by none other than Sarah Palin with beaucoup dollars from the National Tea Party.

And because of this, the expected democratic nominee, Scott McAdams, won the race, but not in the landscape predicted by the party. Frankly, McAdams probably didn't have a chance against Murkowski. But with crazy-town Miller pulling in and setting up shop, with all the bells and whistles and national financial backing, the seat for Alaska's next US Senator just got real freakin' interesting.

So...here we are. Sitting in the Last Frontier. Not voting. Playing the same political games we laugh at the Lower 48 for.

Poe's closing paragraph is right on:

"Only 28 percent of registered voters bothered to show up to vote in the August 24th primary elections, 72 percent did not -- you know who you are. Yep, life is busy and sometimes showing up on a specific Tuesday to vote is a hard thing, but in Alaska we can both vote early and absentee. When we don't show up we allow, in the case of the senate race less than 10 percent of the voters to decide our state's future, our futures, and most importantly, Alaska's next generation's future.

Shame on us."

While the voters (or non-voters) are the subject of Poe's article, I find it hard not to look at the candidates of all the races. Perhaps "voting" should be a stronger campaign message.

I know what political strategists and advisors are saying: "Why waste my candidates time talking about voting, when he or she could be talking about themselves?"

Well, perhaps that's the problem. Candidates are only talking about themselves. They are not talking about the people of this country who hold their nomination. They are not empowering the public to take control of their voice and vote for the betterment of the local and national community. And, to be fair, the voters are letting them.

The message should be about bringing people back to the idea that we can work within the system that we have. Look, our political process is f'd up. There are so many things wrong about the way we operate our country, it has turned off the American population. They don't understand, they don't think legislation will effect them, they don't believe they can make any sort of difference with one vote.

Maybe the two party system worked for the country that we were when it was created. But like every individual, business, corporation, and relationship, it must change with the times, grow and adapt for the betterment of the great good. Today, the party line is nothing but a way to divide people based on wedge issues. And voters who only vote on party lines are lazy and committed to keeping wedge issues as a manipulation of public emotion.

"I'm a democrat because I believe in free choice. What would your daughter do?"

"I'm a republican because I believe in the right to bear arms. If a D gets into this seat, he will take this right away."

Good Lord! Our 10% of voters sound like children on a playground.

Our nation is lazy. We are fat and lazy. We sit in our big houses with big mortgages, toys in the driveway, watching television, while our children play video games and eat Cheetos. We spend our money on plastic food, and plastic surgery, and after we eat our third or fourth meal of the day, we snuggle into our cozy California King sized beds, and drift off to a plastic dreamworld.

And when we have enough gumption to talk politics, we surround ourselves with people who think like us, and act like us. We talk about how we could do it better, or how we see the solution so clearly. We debate the "other side." We are always talking about "the other side."

I'm personally confused about who the "others" are. Blue Dogs, Tea Party, Libertarians, Democrats, Republicans, Centrists, Far Left, Far Far Right...

Aren't we all Alaskan? Aren't we all American? Aren't we all human?

In order to regain order of this country, we need to see past party politics. Abortion was passed in 1973. Does anyone else think this argument keeps America in 1973? I'm living in 2010, where we believe in each other to make decisions based on our own personal belief systems, because we live in a free country, where we send our own children to die for this freedom.

One vote does make a difference. Are we going to inspire people to vote by the party line? Or can we find it somewhere inside ourselves to elevate the conversation past the political Hollywoodicking to something that ignites a little flame of patriotism? Voting is patriotic. Voting strictly on a party line is not.

We will see more people voting in the November 4 race, and because we are victims of an outdated two-party system, each of us will have to choose between voting R or D. Will you be voting on wedge issues of the party, or will you be voting for someone who can work with the rest of the country, while moving the state toward a sustainable future? Are you voting because you want to see "your side" win, or are you voting because you want someone who can work within the system we have to get what we need. Alaska is a misunderstood state, with much to prove. It is not easy to represent Alaska in Washington. Our representatives need all the sane national support we can get. That means finding the commonalities and beginning there.

All the things we are slating to improve and correct for our country today- the big ones- health care, jobs, education, financial reform- need to be prioritized by the people we elect. And we need to elect people who can understand how to work within the political structure we have today. Sometimes this means we elect scholars with knowledge of strategy and debate. Sometimes this means electing someone who has seen what the true consequences are when Washington makes decisions based on party lines.

We've already lost Poe as an elected political official. And we've already lost one particular Joe Miller endorsing governor to fame and fortune. It's okay to make mistakes if we learn from them. Alaska deserves better.

The Process of Thought

It's taken me awhile to come to a solution based thought process. It seems difficult for people to think in "yes" terms- easier to think in "no" terms. I may have mentioned before about my friend who eliminated negative words from his vocabulary. He expelled contractions: "don't", "won't", "can't", "shouldn't", etc. and rephrased them positively. It is a challenge to change the way you speak without these words, but with some practice, life looks a whole lot easier. I thought for the sake of humanity, and to encourage the human race to think of life positively, I'd provide the process of this exercise.

When you are presented with a situation in which you find yourself thinking and saying it is not possible, ask yourself this one question: "How can we make this situation possible?"

With some thought, you will be able to come up with a few different scenarios. It is likely these scenarios will look overwhelming to you, and seem like a lot of work. This is probably not so. When you get to this phase in the process ask yourself this question: "What tools are already in place to make this situation possible?"

After a brief inventory check, the solution to your problem should become a little clearer. This may or may not include others who can enhance the solution. Another key is to always seal it with a "KISS". Keep It Simple, Stupid.

Many times, this simple process needs to be repeated and recycled to come to a resolution.

Tedx

Today I spent the better part of my time sitting in the Syndey Laurence Theatre in the Performing Arts Center in Anchorage. I was excited about the prospects of hearing new ideas and taking myself to another level of understanding. I was attending the first ever Tedx Anchorage event.

If you aren't familiar with Ted, it's a concept to take note of, especially if you consider yourself to be intelligent, enjoy thought-provoking material, and embrace curiosity. If you don't own (or admit to owning) any of these traits, Ted is probably not for you, but I would encourage you to take a peek anyway.

I admit when the concept of Ted was first introduced to me, I thought it would be a place where the quacks of the world come together to talk about quacky things. You know, things that sound like they could be something great, until you realize that the material is what you realized years ago, and mostly relate to common sense principles. I guess it's always good to reevaluate those principles, ones that make up the very fabric of your being, but that's the thing. I guess I assume that since this cognitive understanding is a part of the fabric of me, then why do I need to listen to someone preach about it? I don't. (Though I see the value of the message and I've also seen the impact they have on opening people's eyes and minds to experience life in just another sphere.)

Ted isn't like that. In fact, Ted could very well leave you in the dust if you aren't paying attention, and if your mind and your body aren't already subscribing to these very principles. Am I being vague? Perhaps principles could be replaced with enlightenment. It just sounds a bit pretentious, but I think it probably best describes what I am trying to convey. So if you desire or subscribe to being enlightened (and if you aren't above it), Ted will take you there in ways you wouldn't expect.

TED is a small nonprofit devoted to Ideas Worth Spreading. It started out (in 1984) as a conference bringing together people from three worlds: Technology, Entertainment, Design. Since then its scope has become ever broader. Along with the annual TED Conference in Long Beach, California, and the TEDGlobal conference in Oxford UK, TED includes the award-winning TEDTalks video site, the Open Translation Program, the new TEDx community program, this year's TEDIndia Conference and the annual TED Prize.

-Ted.com, read more here

The Voice

There is a time in every person's life when they find their voice. They hear themselves and like it or not, they understand the solid truths that make up their core being.

It's an interesting process, this finding of voice. It's something that during a busy day, surrounded by smart, vibrant people with bright ideas and influence can get swept into their thoughts. It's easy for one to listen to the news and read the paper and contemplate what the words actually mean, and what the story is actually about. It takes time and thought to find the voice, the one, unique, vibration of sound.

But that's not the end of it.

There hopefully isn't an end.

Because once a person finds their voice. Once they can sit alone, in silence, without distractions and without influences, and open their hearts, they hear their own voice. Small at first, like a weakness in the dark, far away.

Like a small child at the end of a muddy tunnel, scared and cold, but alive and thankful. The child walks toward you, and as he becomes more familiar with the sounds of the distant drips, the damp smell of vegetative waste rotting beneath his feet, he becomes aware and comfortable with the environment. Once he walks into the light, you see it is but a small man with a deep, strong voice, filled with character.

It makes sense, then, when the darkness melts away, that what's left behind is a stronger image of self, and a stronger will of desire to find the voice to make a difference.

Exercise Creativity

Exercise Creativity

Engagement- 18th Century Practice in a 21st Century World

This is a guest blog for Josh Hemsath's blog: Transplated An Alaska Dossier

Benjamin Franklin was an engaging man. From creating the first fire department in Philadelphia to currency with anti-counterfeiting techniques for New Jersey, to establishing the first hospital in the United States, to extreme political commitments worldwide, he was a man who made things happen based on the ingenuity of his own mind and the deliverance of his own ideas.

But how did he make all those things happen? He didn’t singlehandedly make the brick and build the hospital, or print and distribute the new currency, or gain a political position just by asking. No, Franklin knew that in order to do what he needed to do, he surrounded himself with people who could help make those things happen.

Franklin embodied a culture and lifestyle engaging to human beings from across the globe. How could one person generate so much common interest and faith in a world that was arguably more diverse than even today? Autobiographies and recollections of his life mention his tolerance and acceptance of religion, a very hot topic and cultural matter of the day. He found a common ground here and people saw in him what they wanted to reflect in their own character and values.

Which bring us back to being engaging. Benjamin Franklin is one in a long line of people who exemplify what it means to engage others. What are the common factors of each individual?

I wonder what Benjamin Franklin would think about virtual engagement. How would he have reacted to the Facebooks and the Tweets of today? Think of the difference between Franklin’s funeral in 1790 with 20,000 people, and Michael Jackson’s funeral with an estimated 5 million people viewing through technology. The way we are engaging people is changing…or is it?

Franklin, an inventor, created the common law so he could marry his adolescent love-interest after she had already been legally married. He signed the Declaration of Independence for our country, and he travelled around the world and had friends by the names of Louis XV, David Hume, and Joseph Pristley - all living in the time of Enlightenment, as scientists and as a piece of real social movement in the 18^th Century. I don’t know much about these fellows, except that they were incredibly smart and forward-thinking individuals. From what I do know, each of them was somewhat of a character, and all experienced some reservations and even abolishment from their respective societies. That being said, they all share name recognition in foundational building blocks of the world as we know it.

Today, Ben Franklin, his ideas, his tolerance, his innovation, and his robust passion for life are alive more than ever. Think of these 13 virtues he lived by:

1. "TEMPERANCE. Eat not to dullness; drink not to elevation."

2. "SILENCE. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation."

3. "ORDER. Let all your things have their places; let each part of your business have its time."

4. "RESOLUTION. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve."

5. "FRUGALITY. Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing."

6. "INDUSTRY. Lose no time; be always employ'd in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions."

7. "SINCERITY. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly."

8. "JUSTICE. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty."

9. "MODERATION. Avoid extremes; forbear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve."

10. "CLEANLINESS. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, cloaths, or habitation."

11. "TRANQUILLITY. Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable."

12. "CHASTITY. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or the injury of your own or another's peace or reputation."

13. "HUMILITY. Imitate Jesus and Socrates."

Then think about engagement.

It’s not just about the people who are popular, or the ones who are screaming the loudest. I see people looking for something more than passé rhetoric and doing things that are community-minded, civically engaged, socially involved. Sounds like a lot of work? Benjamin Franklin would agree. But if you think about it in the simplest context it’s really quite simple.

Curiosity in people and in the world is engaging. Showing your spirit is engaging. Wearing your heart on your sleeve is engaging. Speaking your mind and listening engages people. Smiling at someone on the street is engaging. Sending a friend request or inviting someone to dinner is engaging. Music is engaging.

There’s no time to waste, and there’s no time like the present. Seek out whatever it is that engages you, however large or small, or whatever it is you feel compelled to do. Do it.

"If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten, either write things worth reading, or do things worth the writing." ~ B. Franklin