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Facts Mean Little To Emotionally Driven People

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Col. Donald Myers

A Mind of my Own

Published: February 27, 2009

Emotions and appearances are significant forces for many people, and these elements carry over into the irrational thinking of too many in our society.

I have debated with countless individuals from the left portion of our political spectrum on a number of topics, and the lack of understanding of basic concepts actually floors me.

Good intentions override almost all facts concerning the outcomes of various programs. Unintended consequences are totally ignored, and more often than not disregarded. When income tax rates are reduced, they believe that the government receives less money. Presenting the actual increases in revenues to the federal coffers does not register.

Equating what retail businesses do to increase sales also does not register, or they say that that is not the same. It goes back to the educational system that does little as far as teaching fundamental economic concepts. The supply and demand concept does not totally compute for too many of them.

I recall when I worked in an organization that ran schools for teenage delinquents; we had many individuals who had either worked for the state or for non-profit organizations. Whenever we had meetings and the term profit was raised, one could see them actually cringe. In their mind, making a profit was sinful, especially when it had to deal with kids. The fact that we did it cheaper and better than the previous operator — the state — made no difference. Making a profit at what they considered the expense of children was wrong and immoral.

Of course, I never noticed them refusing their paychecks.

Capitalism has been under attack since the beginning of our nation, and with the current situation, it is even more so. CEOs and bankers are all being portrayed as nothing but greedy capitalists who care not a wit for ordinary people. I accept the fact that there were some who took advantage of their positions in order to feather their nests, but they were not alone.

Look at various politicians who accepted campaign contributions and special favors from these same CEOs and bankers. We don't hear too much about them. In fact, some of these same politicians are now going to be in charge even though they contributed to the problems.

Look also at some of the current members of the administration who received millions of dollars when they worked for Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.

Our education system is in need of an overhaul, but the only thing that is ever discussed is spending more money. We already spend more than other developed countries, and the results are dismal. One of the main excuses for poor performance is blamed on poverty. Since when was it determined that to be poor also means that you are stupid?

Parochial schools prove the lie to that assertion since they have many of the same type of students. Could it be that they demand and expect different standards?

Again, let me cite an example from my experience in dealing with juvenile delinquents in Baltimore. We had state employees and educators come to the school for a visit and briefing. We spoke about how we were going to get many of these kids into college. They were shocked and said that we were expecting too much from this group. Low standards and expectations result in low results.

My lifetime experiences in the Marines, business and education convinces me that demanding and expecting high standards and results with few exceptions causes the same. We must return to fundamentals of doing what works, listening to our people, demanding that they accept reality and not good words, striving for the best and not the easy, and then we will return to what has consistently made this country the envy of the world and the greatest nation in history.

I abhor the naysayers and defeatists who do not understand this great nation or only consider how they feel rather than look at facts.

Donald J. Myers, a retired colonel in the U.S. Marine Corps, is a regular columnist for Hernando Today. He lives in Spring Hill and can be contacted at dmyersusmc@aol.com.

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