New system then is that I announce what posts will do for the week, on Sunday, and today have no scheduled posts for the week, as I have to work at engagement. While it's fun for me to produce more content, I have three months of that solid to see how well that goes and now to look at other aspects necessary to success.
So will give myself an assignment of working to figure out that engagement thing through the week. Very vague. I don't like vague goals. It's not even really a goal, as is an assessment.
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Should politics be painful?
Coming into a New Year wonder if there is a bit of a groan for those thinking about it being an election year in the US. And yeah that can mean lots of things I think can be considered painful, like blizzards of television political ads.
The concept of pain in politics fascinates me, as if it has to be there. But does it? Politics has so much to do with people's lives in so many ways. But yeah it also relates to so many things not liked in most people's lives, like taxes. Who likes taxes? I don't even say I like taxes. I think taxes are one of the few things where you can get a tremendous amount of agreement on the position that no one likes them.
To the extent that politics isn't grim, it can involve things that puzzle, like politicians actually do kiss babies. But then again, so do religious figures. Oh, and American politicians do seemingly odd things, like make pancakes or flapjacks often called for groups of supporters. Why pancakes? Why not?
And as politicians stump around the country, why do they stump? Why don't they just tread softly, metaphorically? Of course they actually ride I'm guessing in big black vehicles.
There are those for whom am sure the idea of something being painful is part of it being important, like that horrible exercise mantra--no pain, no gain? Wrong!!! Exercise does not have to be painful for gain, and in fact painful exercise can simply lead people to, not exercise. So definitely not a gain there.
And is that part of the point? Pushing politics as painful as a way to lessen engagement? Turn it into a dreary exercise of drudgery to which we are subjected routinely and wish we could escape?
If so then my answer to the question of should politics be painful is, no.
It should be a way to help. Should be about what's needed to maintain our nation at its best. And should be how people get heard, feel like a part of something, and find a sense of place within a healthy reality.
Yeah, that sounds good to me! Wishing for people to look more for a political exercise without the pain, with all the gain, and with discussions that matter to you, to your community, and your nation.
James Harris
The concept of pain in politics fascinates me, as if it has to be there. But does it? Politics has so much to do with people's lives in so many ways. But yeah it also relates to so many things not liked in most people's lives, like taxes. Who likes taxes? I don't even say I like taxes. I think taxes are one of the few things where you can get a tremendous amount of agreement on the position that no one likes them.
To the extent that politics isn't grim, it can involve things that puzzle, like politicians actually do kiss babies. But then again, so do religious figures. Oh, and American politicians do seemingly odd things, like make pancakes or flapjacks often called for groups of supporters. Why pancakes? Why not?
And as politicians stump around the country, why do they stump? Why don't they just tread softly, metaphorically? Of course they actually ride I'm guessing in big black vehicles.
There are those for whom am sure the idea of something being painful is part of it being important, like that horrible exercise mantra--no pain, no gain? Wrong!!! Exercise does not have to be painful for gain, and in fact painful exercise can simply lead people to, not exercise. So definitely not a gain there.
And is that part of the point? Pushing politics as painful as a way to lessen engagement? Turn it into a dreary exercise of drudgery to which we are subjected routinely and wish we could escape?
If so then my answer to the question of should politics be painful is, no.
It should be a way to help. Should be about what's needed to maintain our nation at its best. And should be how people get heard, feel like a part of something, and find a sense of place within a healthy reality.
Yeah, that sounds good to me! Wishing for people to look more for a political exercise without the pain, with all the gain, and with discussions that matter to you, to your community, and your nation.
James Harris
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