Monday, October 31, 2016

How we get things done

For one reason or another, system ideology has been a very hot topic in my life lately. System ideology is a term that defines steps to accomplish goals or methods to navigate through chaos, basically how we get from here to there. Every time such a discussion comes up I have to state that no system is greater than the people operating it. In my last article I made the analogy of a bad driver who has options to drive a luxury vehicle or a junker. The end result is that no matter what the vehicle is the driver will remain bad. In terms of politics, the same applies. If a leader is terrible the system could be democratic, autocratic, monarchy, communist or some hybrid of all them and still the leader would be terrible. As the debate rages on about what system is better it must be noted that every system has it valid points and its downfalls. To look at this topic in a personal basis, there is no family that would only use a democratic system with two, three, five and seven year old children. In this situation at some point an authoritarian system must be employed. In recent month this very analogy is being used in the international debate of system ideology. The past year has been a very interesting one in relation to this topic of systems. We have seen the United Kingdom deal with a separation referendum internally and externally. The European Union has to manage the exit of Britain as well as the Belgium vote on international trade deal. Poland is also looking at its system of politics. Then there is what the Republic of the United States is going through as well. Columbia just went through a difficult referendum of a peace agreement with the rebel group FARC which the people turn down. At the most brutal we can look at Syria with its battle of system ideology. For anyone that is interested in such topics, the past year has been a carnival of excitement. On the global stage both Russia and China have pointed to the failures of democracy. Of course the situation in the Republic of the United States is their main target. On the surface it does appear that democracy has not been a shining example of good governance. However, we must remember that a system is only as good as the people operating it. We also must remember that China is doing very well because of economics not politics. Further to that, when the economics begin to slow China will have a very difficult situation. Moreover we must also be aware that most corporations operate under authoritarian systems. Each of the above examples can be a rabbit hole of research and discussion. At the end of all the discussion will be a statement that an excellent leader will know what system is best for what situation. The difficulty rests with the ease of transitioning from one to another and ensuring the people know and understand why and what system is being used. That task is one of communication deserves its own article.

Thursday, October 20, 2016

Doing what is right/just.

To put this simply as possible, you can drive a Ferrari, Cadillac or a beat up 1987 Ford F150 truck, if you are a bad driver the vehicle will be of no help. We often seek better things in hopes that it will improve the self. What actually takes place is the waste of good resources, harmful impact and the erosion of trust. This erosion is impacting our education, healthcare, governments, communities, friends and even our families. I am growing so tired of hearing the phrase – it all comes down to money. If that is true we are all dead or worse we are just walking zombies feeding and chasing a false idol. For example, we have had instant wireless communication since Marconi inventions in the late 1880’s. Since then we have seen two world wars and massive death tolls, but have we had better communication? We certainly have more communication but the quality is questionable. This is an exact example of our main struggles today. We have wonderful things yet are we utilizing them to improve ourselves? What we get on all media platforms is speeches of togetherness, freedom, family, security, excellence, peace of mind, caring community, beauty and even love. Yet the reality is we are being sold something for a price and the true cost is far greater in damage. After years of working in the most desperate situations this world can offer, our problem is not a lack of food, money, water, communication, education, healthcare, or opportunities. Our problem is the lack of interest to fair distribution, greed and poor use of these elements. The argument against what I am writing here is that we need to work, support our families, communities and we need to provide our children with the best possible life. I understand these arguments. Understand this though - you can raise a child in a castle or a shack, neither will matter to that child. The most important item is to know they are emotionally, spiritually, mentally and physically secure, supported and loved. The irony of all this is that we have the intelligence to live without the stress of monetary limits and endless pursuit of material wealth. We have the intelligence to know that a child does not need a kings palace to realize dreams and achieve greatness. We have the intelligence to build such a society, we simply choose not to live in such a manner. We are judging ourselves and others using a monetary measuring stick. If you question that realize the quickest way to be viewed as an important person is to win millions of dollars. You can have the best things this world offers and still fail. We have to get back to doing what is right/just no matter what the dollar amount is. If you ever get the chance to live in such a society you will immediately know that money/material wealth do not even register on the list of worries.