The Long Term Solution

It’s that time again; pretenders throwing their hat and hand into the political fire pit that is the run up to the presidential primaries.  I catch snippets of the news across multiple channels in the morning while I ingest the first nourishment of the day.  Watching with interest bordering on amusement I absorb the sound bytes that attempt to catch the attention of anyone who is within earshot.

There seem to be as many candidates as birds in the sky.  There are many ways to interpret the expansive field – there is no strong frontrunner giving many who would not venture forth the fortitude to participate.  This could be a harbinger to multiple quality choices.  I’m not passing judgment – far be it for me to be astute enough to know which candidate will be consistent and bulletproof and if elected will deliver on the promises made with sincerity and engaging look and feel.

I mentioned ‘amusement’ in the opening paragraph.  I sense a carnival atmosphere as the same issues are raised in the same venues to the same constituencies, like a “B” movie script being repeated over and over again.  Research and analysis indicates that presidents don’t have the breadth of influence they profess.  Elections are won and lost on popularity, not necessarily on the candidate’s qualifications.

I’m not a dyed in wool Keynesian groupie but I will tell you that my professional affiliations and the populations on which my organization focuses reflects back a burgeoning problem that threatens to become intractable.  The crumbling family unit – children born into single parent homes and mothers barely through the hormonal turnstile of puberty actively participating in world populating activities.  This is not new or an isolated phenomenon.  This has been a growing problem for a generation.  If we don’t engage these young people before they make a life-altering decision we will be forced to continue to suffer the consequences. These generational problems are not solved by good intentions or in short time windows.  And they certainly are not solved by slogans and admonitions.  Practical education, positive adult influences and guidance that reach them where they live are critical.  Let’s fund more of these programs and less of the entitlement programs that incentivize people to be sedentary.

Deep-rooted problems need concentrated and enduring antidotes.  All the devils and demons that candidates skewer in public statements are mostly symptoms, not always problems.  Maybe instead of vilifying and public hangings in effigy, a viable candidate could cultivate public – private partnerships / alliances to begin to address these problems.  We dump countless and precious tax dollars into programs that are not evaluated or measured.  I’m not talking about instantaneous solutions. I’m talking steady progress towards attainable goals that all sides agree are worth pursuing for the long-term and adjusting as we gather intelligence.

Regardless of the minority who may be perceived as having no drive or determination, most people in less than ideal situations want to be shown the way to improving their lot.  Big business, always the scapegoat (and sometimes rightfully so) has the “bread” to feed the masses.  Public – private partnerships to provide entry-level opportunities to the unskilled and the forgotten may be the elixir that will address many of this nation’s ills.  Let’s give them the opportunity to build self-worth.  I don’t know any people who promulgates “I’m a lazy lump and damn proud of it”.

Be thoughtful about these politicos.  Can they be as persuasive with their legislative counterparts as they are with the general public?  That’s where the rubber meets the road – where negotiations are either successful or contentious and stalemated. We have an opportunity to initiate a solution. Each and every vote counts.  I hope for our sake and the future of this nation we can find a candidate who can marshal the resources and rally the constituencies to address the root cause not treat the symptoms with topical (read temporary) solutions.

Have a thoughtful day.

Love and hugs, Nikki DeCaro