It’s time for politicians to Grow A Pair

We have all been playing a board game when one of the players got mad because the game wasn’t going their way and flipped the board over in anger throwing the pieces everywhere are ruining the game for everyone. Usually the culprit is a spoiled child who hasn’t been taught to lose with dignity or grace. They haven’t been taught to respect the time or interests of the other players. They haven’t been taught that just because you are losing now, to be patient and keep playing as things can turn around and go your way if you persevere. Instead, they believe that it is acceptable behavior to throw a tantrum, get mad and yell and blame others for their loss and ruin the game for everyone. These children should not be admired or rewarded for their behavior, they should be educated that there is a better way to behave and disciplined for their unacceptable behavior.

Does this little scenario remind you of what is going on in Washington? Our politicians have flipped over the board game ruining it for everyone and they seem to be proud of themselves for doing it. And some of us are proud of them too. How confused we all are.

It’s time for our politicians on Capital Hill to grow a pair and start doing their job. I know they believe they have a pair when they are so committed that they are willing to shut the government down rather than negotiate with their opponents. They believe they are being courageous and showing how strong they are and how committed they are to their ideals. They are mistaken. Sadly, many of their constituents believe that to be the case as well. These folks are also very wrong. I have been getting emails and Facebook comments from both sides saying how their party (doesn’t matter which party, by the way) has finally grown a pair and is standing up for their principles. That’s not how I see it. In fact, what these politicians are doing is just the opposite of growing a pair. They are taking the path of the coward, not the path of people with a pair.

People with a pair do their job. They gave their word to do their job when they took the job and they don’t let their differences or emotions stop them. They don’t blame their coworkers when things aren’t going their way. They certainly don’t let the customer suffer or let the boss down. All of these things apply to people working at the mall, in our hospitals, schools and offices and it applies to those who work in Washington as well. Perhaps, it is because our politicians are confused about what their job really is.

Some of our politicians seem to think their job is to point the finger of blame at the other side. Wrong. It is my job is to point the finger of blame at both sides for not keeping my interests and me as the number one concern in their mind instead of grandstanding in an effort to get more face time on the evening news.

Some also seem to believe that showing their anger and acting indignant is their job. Again, that’s my job. I am the one paying them and it is my job to be mad at them for not doing what I pay them to do. I am their boss. I am also their customer.  That means I get to be doubly mad about their lack of performance because I am affected coming and going by all of this.

Many think their job is to stand in front of the television cameras and talk about the other side. Wrong again. Their job is not to talk about the other side; their job is to talk to the other side. Big difference.

People with a pair have integrity and understand the importance of commitment. When they give their word to do something, they do it and offer no excuses about why it couldn’t be done. They don’t whine to their boss about how hard it is to get the results the boss wants, they just suck it up and get it done. They do what they are paid to do, like it or not. That’s what our politicians need to do right now. They need to stop acting like children playing a game with our lives, our government and our money and become very clear about what their job really is. Their job is not to get mad, blame or talk to the cameras. Their job is to sit down with people they don’t like, don’t respect and don’t agree with and work it out whether they want to do it or are happy about doing it. That’s what we, the American people, pay them to do. No excuse will suffice. Politicians, you need to grow a pair and understand that you are responsible to do what we want you to do. We aren’t asking you to throw your beliefs out the window. We are asking you to stay committed to your beliefs and negotiate a compromise where everyone gets something they want and both sides retain their dignity. We are adults and understand that we won’t get everything we want as that is what negotiation is about. But your job is to make this happen. You told us you would work for us when we hired you, now it’s time to keep your word and just do your job. Remember; if you don’t do your job, you have a performance review coming up very soon and you will be disciplined or maybe replaced.