Washington Politics

Mike Van, Business Intermediary

Many of us voted in the November 8th, 2016 election, an election which may go down as one of the most important elections of our time. In the same breath November 11th is Veterans Day and being a Veteran, this election also holds some real significance.

I recently read a book on Benjamin Franklin and found this man accomplished many things in his lifetime, I guess you could say he was a man of action. To say he knew how to get things done would be putting it mildly.

In reading and re-reading sections of the book, Benjamin Franklin was a person many of our political leaders could look to in how to accomplish great things whether adversity exits or not.

He was a man of less talk and more action, which is why so much of what he began still exists today such as your public libraries. We all know our politicians constantly talk about the things they are going to do, but rarely ever take the first step. You begin to question their credibility and purpose – which is what is happening today with Washington politics.

Never confuse motion with action. They rush from one meeting or event to the next many times without achieving much in the way of results. Does that sound like Washington politics to us, the American people who voted them in and pay their salaries?

Washington politicians must get out of their comfort zone and take risks that make sense for the people that elected them. Maybe that is why term limits and limiting the influx of lobbyists into Washington politics would be huge steps and force the lifetime politicians to either do what is best for the American people or get out of the way.

When opportunities are in front of you and they make sense for America, Washington politicians should seize upon them with action vs numerous hearings that stall progress while the prospects disappear. Many of our inventors and successful business people like Benjamin Franklin did grab those opportunities. We must continually ask “What If” rather than state “It Won’t Work” or “It Can’t be Done”.