An invitation to the Ambassador's salon

Why enter the blogosphere? 

Historically, when people wanted to discuss the important issues of the day, they held “salons” to learn what others were thinking and to provide a forum for discussion of important topics.  Often held in someone’s home the salon invited thoughtful people to join in thoughtful discussions on a range of pre-selected topics. 

Today “salons” can occur over the internet.  Although I have strong opinions and will be sharing them , l write to  solicit conversation, ideas, alternatives or rebuttals.  My goal is to create a forum for discussion.   I intend to practice civility in my comments; indeed civility is a topic for our discussion.  I expect civility in return, maintaining a focus on the issues and not the writers.  

Hopefully together we will engage, enlighten, even find consensus on the important issues of our day.

Welcome to the salon.

Firemen First!

First responder (Photo credit: patentboy)

The overwhelming discussion of sequestration and its effect is not only annoying it is - to use a diplomatic term - disingenuous.  

All organizations and institutions face times of prosperity and retrenchment. The impact of retrenchment causes leaders to review priorities and make decisions based on those priorities.  The Obama administration has done just that.   The handling of the sequester has made it perfectly clear their highest priority is to maintain spending levels while making any cuts to the federal and state government as visible, damaging and painful as possible..

Only in government is spending less than had been requested - even if more than the year before -  considered a cut. 

So after the standoff was over, the final date arrived when their own idea - the sequester - actually came to pass, a new strategy came into play.  Firemen First is the strategy chosen.  It involves cutting the most visible and valued government services first. 

Cabinet Secretaries toured the country proclaiming the approaching disasters.  The President used his bully pulpit to visit locations he had targeted for the largest cuts using campaign style rhetoric proclaiming the horrors that were to come.

The better interests of the country would have been served if cabinet secretaries and other managers in the federal government had been directed to protect the customer (US citizens) rather than inflict the most pain.  Do many of these high profile "cuts" seem petty and mean spirited?  

There is time to direct managers to manage - to prioritize their most critical and valued programs and manage their budgets accordingly.  Some have tried to do that and have been criticized by their leaders for doing so.  

Allowing managers to manage with the goal of protecting their customers and minimizing the cuts would mean that citizens could still visit the White House, people could still visit the national parks, meat inspectors could perform their duties (even if it meant some would miss the wine tasting in Napa Valley) and members of our military could still have access to education through tuition assistance (a promise made when they enlisted). 

What kind of actions or pressures will be required to take a different approach? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Courage and Negotiation

The Constitution in Peril (Photo credit: Renegade98)

Negotiating with courage, civility, integrity requires the sincere desire to find common ground.  

Following are a couple of useful strategies as we discuss the controversial issues of the day. 

It is helpful to recognize that the other person's beliefs are valid....for instance many people believe the Second Amendment protects all firearms regardless of size and scope.  If that is your position,acknowledge it, and then acknowledge that after tragedies that kill it is not difficult to understand why some people - especially families of victims - would want to change the current status.

A helpful follow up suggestion would be that the mental health of the shooter might be more of a problem than his weapon - so a discussion of the scope of the problem would be in order.

or,

If you believe the national debt is a much larger threat than global warming, an effective negotiator would acknowledge that climate change is occurring.  A follow up suggestion might be that the pace of global warming pales in comparison to the pace of increase of the national debt - so a discussion of prioritizing problems and issues would better serve the group.

Remember, negotiation does not demand compromise (or being compromised) it is about seeking common ground.

When common ground can be found (no matter how small the territory) celebrate - and then act on it - together.

A helpful tactic is to take some notes of agreements and share them...this prevents going over the same ground during the next discussion - where everything has been said, but not everyone has said it.

Are there training sessions in Congress?  Does anyone listen?  Or are people just waiting their turn to talk?

Negotiation - A "Dirty" Word?

Newtown (Photo credit: BeauGiles)

Someone who is interested in negotiating to solve problem does not call a news conference to pronounce his opponent's positions as absurd.  "I will not negotiate" is not the opening salvo of a person who believes he can lead.

Successful negotiations usually begin with each side acknowledging some of the positions held by the opponent...the first step in finding common ground.

For example, what if someone acknowledged there is a Second Amendment to the Constitution and it is valued and respected by many Americans.  They have not been hijacked into their belief or position by a lobbying group.

What if someone said the issues that cause a tragedy like the one that occurred in Newtown are many and complex. Let's review all of those issues - starting with the mental health of the shooter.

Just asking questions would begin discussions that might have a chance of solving some problems. 

As it is, the atmosphere in Washington reminds me of recess at an elementary school when the barometer is falling.

 

 

Quiet Time

Holiday (Photo credit: Junior Henry.)

My blog has been quiet for a month...a long time without publicly sharing opinions.  So how fast has the time gone - and what caused the "recess"?

The Christmas Holiday is a favorite and deserves my full attention.  Family sharing of food and and togetherness is a high priority.  I decorated, prepared favorite foods (I know I have overdone it when the freezers overflow and every plastic storage dish is in use) and shared many musical delights. I saw and heard a dear friend in her first conducting excursion -"The Hallelujah Chorus". It was a triumph. Various church musicians outdid themselves.  Blessed with four musical granddaughters we heard them and their mother sing and play beautifully.

One of my best Christmas gifts was a new hip.  Yes, a total hip replacement - a modern day miracle.  To be free of pain almost immediately is a great gift to be sure.  And since I was on crutches, it gave me a great opportunity to delegate lots of things. Especially cleanup - thanks Krista!  Friends and family rose to the occasion famously.

I'm allowing myself one more day of enjoying the decorations - tomorrow they start to come down..I can't wait to put them up, I love the house when they are all in place, and then suddenly, I want them put away - back to some semblance of order.  My self imposed deadline is New Years Day.  Nothing like bowl games and storage boxes - and grazing on leftovers.

There are my excuses.....I have been storing up topics to share - so watch this space!

 

 

Great "Gifts"

November (Photo credit: kurafire)

November is a time for remembering to be thankful...more than Thanksgiving day - it's a perfect time to take a personal inventory of "gifts". Totally unrelated to the madness of Black Friday, Small Biz Saturday, Cyber Monday, etc.  Here is a part of my inventory.

Veterans Day/Armistice Day - Kay's birthday.  I am so thankful for this gentleman who has been my best friend for more than 54 years.  He is grown and changed with me -  always pushed me to take risks and accept challenges that come my way.  Rejoiced in my success and commiserated when things didn't go so well.

For better or worse, in sickness and health - he has it right!  

Daughter Krista's birthday.  One of life's greatest gifts is when your children grow into adults and you LIKE them!  What a kick to watch your children grow and mature, become the person you hoped they would be and then surpass your wildest expectations. 

I had the honor of being named a "Sage Over Seventy" this month.  A beautiful celebration.  The good news? It was a great honor.  The not so good news? Everyone now knows I am over seventy (but not how far)!  It reminded me how thankful I am for all the "sages" and other friends and family I have in my life that give me cause to celebrate. Being named a "sage" reminded me I better get busy.  There is still much to be done.

November, a great time for a personal inventory... deliberately postponing that next fabulous holiday so there is time for gratitude and peaceful contemplation. 

 

The Day

English: Seal of the President of the United States Español: Escudo del Presidente de los Estados Unidos Македонски: Печат на Претседателот на Соединетите Американски Држави. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Tomorrow we vote... many of you have already done so.  I am such a traditionalist about this, I will vote on election day.  Somehow it just makes me feel my vote is more official.

In almost every election or recent times, people say "This will be the most important election of our lifetime".  

As Charles Krauthammer said recently "This election may be the first time that comes close to being true". 

This time, our growing national debt, our stagnant economy, the paralysis of our federal government, the current President who says "more of the same" is what we need, it may indeed be the most important election of our lifetime.

So if you haven't already please vote tomorrow.

 Please cast your vote for a brighter future for us and for future generations, not for revenge.

 

Opportunity vs. Entitlement

Cover of Margaret Thatcher

To paraphrase Lady Margaret Thatcher:

    "The trouble with socialism is that all too soon you run out of other people's money to spend."

This seems particularly timely in light of the decisions we will make on Tuesday.

Please Vote!

 

 

Where is the Outrage?

September 11th news (Photo credit: Ann Althouse)

On September 11, four American diplomats were murdered.

Since then we have been treated to an astonishing amount of misinformation - outright lies and an attempt to place blame on a video that is so obscure one cannot find it anywhere.  

This is disrespectful of those we lost and of their grieving family members.  One has to ask "Why have the multiple sources of this misinformation (the President, the Secretary of State and the Ambassador to the United Nations among others) not been held to account by the media?    

Democracy requires an inquiring media. Regarding this incident, much of the US media has failed in its obligation. 

Further, the optic regarding the video that is supposedly at fault is one of the alleged producer being arrested - taken away in the dark of night, surrounded by uniformed police, wrapped in coat and scarf to hide his identity.  Photographs in the international deny completely our value of free speech.  The international community has good reason to question our values.  This endangers our peopole in the foreign service as it furthers the impression of US weakness abroad.

Now we learn that the situation rooms at the White House and the State Department both received emails in real time detailing what was happening.  Situation rooms receive and disseminate information.....an event of the magnitude of an attack on a consulate and the murder of an American Ambassador could not have been withheld. 

Notwithstanding these murders, the President went to bed that night without public comment, got up the next morning and flew to Las Vegas to raise campaign funds, then flew to New York to raise more money at a party sponsored by celebrities.

Our Ambassador to the United Nations appeared on five national television shows on Sunday morning saying this was not a terrorist attack, it was simply a protest of the obscure video that got out of hand. That same morning the interim President of Libya was saying publicly it was a well organized, planned attack....

I may not have in depth diplomatic experience, but everything I was taught and learned from my experience makes this unbelievable....and everything I know about diplomatic service says these four Americans deserve far better than this. Clear security warnings were ignored. Every messenger that tried to bring the facts forward met with angry attacks.  

Make no mistake, this was a stunning and deadly attack on on the United States of America.  Four Americans lost their lives. As yet, the "spin" says we are going to get to the bottom of this.  Really?  When?  After the election? 

Where is the real story?  When will the questions be asked and answered?  What would be the outcry if this were any other Commander in Chief?

 

 

Silly season - Mean season - Campaigns on the move....

Big Bird - Library of Congress, Living Legend Award, 2000 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

During one of my campaigns for the Iowa Senate, my opponent accused me of being too old (turns out he was older than I was) too sick (he knew I had recently recovered from cancer surgery) and when challenged suggested running against me was like "running against Mother Teresa".  

That comment mystifies me yet today, even though I took it as a compliment at the time. But it added to my personal experience with campaigns. I've been in a few myself and helped with many others. So I recognize the symptoms when we move from what's called the "silly season"  - running against Mother Teresa? - to the "mean" season  ( too old, too sick). 

The Romney campaign is accused of providing "too few specifics".

One specific that exemplifies the "silly season" is the furor surrounding Big Bird.  In fact, no one suggested Big Bird is a bad thing.  The question was "should we continue to subsidize with borrowed money"?  The furor that followed provides one small example of how difficult it will be to make the changes necessary to diminish government spending.  

Avoiding specifics is not an attempt to be "sneaky".  Instead it demonstrates the necessity of having enough confidence and openness to be willing to work with 100% of the Congress to serve 100% of the people.  When entering negotiations it is necessary to have the goal in mind.  That goal must be to address the biggest threat to our country. The National Debt.

The effective process must include two powerful initiatives.  Reduce government spending and grow our economy.  Putting people to work is a classic "win-win" situation.  Families are once again able to to support themselves and reduce their dependence on government. Economic growth in the business sector increases government revenue.  Both are optimistic and encouraging solutions.   

A problem cannot be solved until it is acknowledged and defined.  President Obama has simply not addressed the subject.  This major omission leads us to believe he does not recognize our massive debt as a threat to national security, to world peace and to the future of our country.

The first step in solving a problem is acknowledging it exists. Governor Romney and 
Congressman Ryan  have demonstrated they not only understand the problem they have strategies to address it.  

Are you fearful of our economic stability due to our national debt?  Do you agree it is the most significant threat to our country in decades?  

 

 

Tax Hikes

46th United States Congress (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

According to CNNMoney, a recent study by the non partisan Tax Policy Center indicates that American families are in line for an average of $3500 per year tax hike beginning in 2013.

This will impact 88% of American families.

It represents an additional $531 billion in revenue for our federal government - a 21% increase.

The average figure is somewhat misleading, because the increases have such a wide range. Those who pay no tax will see smaller refunds, but those who do will see everything from an additional $1000 to an additional $141,000.

The Tax Policy Center estimates that families earning between $40,000 and $60,000 per year will see a $2000 increase. Yes that is correct.  A $2000 increase.

This is just one component of the dreaded "fiscal cliff" our federal government - under the leadership of our current president - has concocted to avoid making any tough decisions before the election.

What does this mean?  It means, regardless of election results, a lame duck Congress along with whoever is elected President will need to make some huge decisions in the period between Thanksgiving and Christmas.  After several years of pointing fingers, something will actually have to be done - or the nation goes over the fiscal cliff.   The game of "kick the can" is over.  

The perfect storm in light of the lack of economic growth we are experiencing.  Meantime as American citizens, we wait - unable to plan or predict what our future tax obligations will be.

Even aside from the potential negative impact on American families, there are two huge problems for our economy.  Unpredictability that causes paralysis leading to a continuing period of no growth,  and the size and complexity of the problem will need to be addressed in a brief period of time by people who have previously failed to address, let alone solve the problem.

As you listen to the upcoming Presidential and Vice Presidential debates, please keep this information in mind.....what kind of leadership has brought our country to this place?  And what kind of leadership is needed to secure a brighter future?