If you thought 2015 was an election year, you’re forgiven. It was in March that Ted Cruz announced his bid for the Republican nomination. A full one year and eight months before the 2016 election. In short order, Cruz got company.
Of those better-known 16 to also file, 11 remain.
For the Democrats, Hillary Clinton ended two years of speculation when she filed in April, shortly followed by Bernie Sanders and a handful of others.
And now, with a full 11 months until Election Day, most Americans are tired of the campaigns that have come to resemble reality TV with candidates working to use every tragedy or success to their political advantage.
I might add that Canada’s recent campaign season for prime minister lasted 11 weeks. Total. And they got a whopper of a PM in Justin Trudeau.
I STILL make New Year’s resolutions because there’s so much room for improvement and I’m the hopeful sort.
That’s what keeps me in a business that doomsayers have predicted was on its last leg ever since the dawning of radio, then TV, and today, the Internet.
We have our blinders on to such hype, determined a daily newspaper is still a valued commodity.
A challenging environment helps fortify one’s resolve to manage efficiently. So it may seem contradictory that I try to pay my employees above regional and industry standards. The better gauge is what an employee is worth, not what I can get away with. Without a doubt, the return on investment is several-fold and evidenced by a talented crew.
The hardest thing about being a boss is the desire to be a nice one, which can go at odds with being a good one.
More than a friend, employees want acknowledgement of a job well done and respect. The latter is harder, because it must be earned over time not only through good work but also from a good attitude.
I also try to regard each employee objectively to avoid favoritism, which always works to someone else’s disadvantage, and can work as an enabler to a subpar performance.
IF THE same criteria are applied to the presidential candidates, one can more quickly discern their substance.
Do they earn my respect by being honest? Do they have the talents to motivate us to become engaged in civic affairs? Are they willing to make hard decisions for the public good even though it may go against the party line? Are they willing to fund programs such as Social Security, Medicare and the Affordable Care Act so we are a healthier and safer country? Are they respectful of our differences? Are they, in essence, willing to put people first?
As with a business, these are goals for which we should aspire. Anything less, is second-rate.
