SPECIAL REPORT: How To Guarantee Good Government

Published: Mon, 08/24/15

Around this time every four years I write an election

season note. It's always the same basic topic...

Stop letting any government decide how your life

is going to turn out.

Most people would dismiss the idea they ever let

the government influence their lives.

But if you look at the passion they put into supporting

their presidential candidate - or more often, hating

on the other one - it looks very much like they think

their life and livelihood depends on who gets elected.

I'm still on board with my usual note. But this

year the amazing Joel Comm put a new twist on it,

with his note about how important it is to disagree

with civility.

He wasn't telling anyone to stay out of politics or

political discussions.

And I agree. That's a very dangerous thing to do.

A lot of important decisions and policies are made

by the people we elect, and the people we elect

hire lots of people to do a lot of the day to day work.

I want my budgets sustainable. I don't want our

economy to be a slave to foreign countries.

And I want our foreign policy to reflect a

strong but compassionate America.

So yes, it's important to have the discussion.

But how much of "good government"

really happens at the federal level?

This was my response to Joel's status...

OK, in a healthy democratic society there has to be a

vigorous debate, disagreement and ultimately

consensus in order to keep things running.

I agree with the statement that much of what we see

is the manufactured attempt to divide and conquer.

I am also CERTAIN most of the important governing

that is done is on the local level, which also happens

to be where individuals can make the most impact.

Apologies to those I may offend, but it seems there

is an inverse relationship between those who scream

the loudest about one side or the other, and those

who actually get directly involved in the process.

If you attend the meetings, get on the committees,

even run for office you have more of an informed

opinion than somebody who pops off online.

And the more active stakeholders make noise at

the bottom, the more message (and the money)

flow more directly to the top.

If you love your country, step up and be part of

the solution, not part of the chorus of naysayers.

Get it?

You guarantee good government when you're

a part of it.

Or at least you guarantee a government that

reflects your interests and values.

Truth: more gets done when you set school

board policy.

Or decide where the new stop signs should go.

Or whether or not a business can get a wetlands

variance permit.

For real...enough people doing that, and a

whole bunch of problems start to untangle.

If you know me, you know what comes next...

Same principle applies to career.

And your business.

And your relationships.

And your health.

Stop waiting for someone else to fork over

the solution. It's not their job.

Or if you insist on letting someone else

be in charge, stop complaining when they

don't do it in the way you want.

You weren't in the room when the choices were made.

When you stop trying to control the uncontrollable,

and work on the things you can control, or at least

influence...

And you do it in a way you would want it done

by others to you...

The "uncontrollable problems" start getting a lot

more under control.

With Respect,

Larry