Countdown to the Election

There is ALWAYS some sort of crisis! Gas Crisis, Energy Crisis, Health Care Worker Crisis… What we need to do is practice “crisis management”, roll up our sleeves, and get to work! With respect to the budget…we need to think of it like a diet: neither work! We manage our weight by creating a balance of caloric intake and exercise. The same can be done with our financial health. Rather than following a rigid, archaic method of annually increasing the amount of money we throw at problems, we should be REWARDING effective leaders that accomplish their goals by INVESTING more money in their projects. And before we cut budgets, we need to understand WHY other departments are not as successful as we expect. Did we set unreasonable goals? Is there a reason outside the scope of responsiblility creating an adverse effect? Do we have the “right people” doing the job? I respectfully disagree with the Governor’s solution of cutting 10% across the board. Yes, it creates more work to identify specific cuts, and you will definitely upset some people, but forcing everyone to “deal” with the shortfall does not make good sense.

Here’s an example that might make more sense: If you had four children and you gave each of them an allowance of $10 a week. One child does all their chores quickly, and efficiently. Two require a little prodding, but complete their chores on time (just before payday).  The fourth, no matter how many times you ask, never quite gets there, but they smile sweetly and “promise” to do better in the future. Now your paycheck is short and you need to cut the allowance fund by 10%. Do you cut all four children’s allowance by a buck or use this opportunity to find a new way to “motivate” everyone?  Think about it and get back to me!