
Ever noticed that somewhere around 127% of all political candidates campaign on lots of stuff that is never actually questioned or explained? The one that has always made me roll my eyes is “Common Sense Leadership.”
“I’m Roosevelt Beamon, and I promise Common Sense Leadership.”
Blah. Liar. I mean, it’s obviously just a buzz phrase that political consultants tell their candidates to say. And why is that? Because citizens who listen with as much skepticism as blind butterflies LOVE that phrase. But what exactly does it mean?
Well, I can’t answer that for every other candidate because it seems to me that many of them can’t answer it for themselves, but I thought it sounded like fun to spell out what I have to offer with my own “common sense leadership.”
These are in no particular order. I literally wrote them down as they came to me.
- It is almost universally agreed that we need to impose term limits on our politicians. If the majority of the populace thinks it needs to happen, it sure seems like common sense to actually make it happen.
- It has been proven that people can’t actually multitask because the brain cannot focus on two things at one time. Therefore, cell phones are not a necessity in the classroom; they are a major hindrance to educating young people. Ban them from classrooms, and education in North Carolina will improve. I guarantee it. Seems like common sense to me.
- It is common sense that as people grow in a career, their pay should also. It is also common sense that their pay should stay in line with inflation and/or the Consumer Price Index (you know, how much things cost.) Apparently, this is only common sense when applied to jobs other than teachers.
- It is common sense that if students will not eat anything healthy for lunch, you probably shouldn’t offer them cookies. We should provide ONLY what they need, and that is a healthy lunch. If they’re hungry, they’ll eat.
- It is common sense that civility gets a hell of a lot more accomplished than the dumpster fire currently residing in our legislative chambers in Raleigh and Washington. It’s really not that freaking hard either. We teach kindergartners how to work together, you know?
- It is common sense that when inflation rises 22% in 12 years, but over those same 12 years, health care rises 52%, we should be asking a LOT of questions.
- It is common sense to me that truly racist people are worthless assholes. If you think you are better than anybody else on Earth, I hope I die at the same time as you so I can eavesdrop on your entry interview at the pearly gates.
- Here’s a list of some of the taxes we pay: federal, state, county, municipal, fire, sales, property, capital gains, excise, sin, gas, Social Security, Medicare, estate, unemployment, and a bunch more. You could hypothetically pay up to 97 different taxes per year. I’m well aware that taxes are not theft because our country doesn’t function otherwise, but it seems like common sense that maybe we should simplify this a little bit.
- It’s common sense to me as a teacher that if a student doesn’t do the work or does not come close to mastering a certain curriculum, he or she should not pass simply because the school’s retention numbers are too important. We push far too many students on to the next grade so we don’t have to deal with them anymore. That’s the opposite of common sense.
- Speaking of that, isn’t it common sense that every concerned parent wants their kids to have the best education possible? So why are we in NC – from the legislature trying to dismantle public education to the school systems pushing kids on to the next level who don’t deserve it – so content with accepting a below average educational system?
- It is common sense that 99.9% of gun owners are probably not yearning to shoot people. It is also common sense that even though I have never actually held more than a single joint in my hand when I tried a puff in my early twenties, I guarantee you I could have drugs in my hand by midnight tonight if I asked around enough. The same will happen with guns if “the war on drugs” becomes “the war on guns.” It is common sense that we shouldn’t take guns away from good people, and it is common sense that bad people will not give a damn what the rules are if they want one.
- It is common sense that every single person that earns money (or stock options) should pay a fair share of taxes. This is not hard stuff.
- It is common sense that if the country hasn’t balanced a budget in nearly 20 years that maybe the legislature should figure out how to do that. Again, not hard stuff.
- It is common sense that in the year 2020, when we are so inundated with technology that Chick-fil-a workers can work the drive thru with an iPad and a credit card machine on their hip, that we can find a way for everybody to get an ID of some kind, we can find a way for every student in the US to get internet at their home, and we can find a way to give excess school lunches to needy people.
- It is common sense to me that the General Assembly is made up of representatives from all over North Carolina, and each of those representatives should vote anytime there is a vote held. Either party waiting for a few people from the other party to not show up just to win a vote is not only crooked, it’s not fair to the areas of NC that are represented by those who might be absent. These people have lives, too, and should not be punished if they have to attend a funeral or the birth of a child or whatever. I mean, really. How hard is it to set up an absentee vote for an elected official? This is just common sense.
- It is common sense to me that a divided issue that is “won” by either of the two major parties actually only benefits about 30% of the population. If that issue is negotiated and the result lands closer to the middle, you’re benefiting more citizens and only the outer extremes are not satisfied. It’s simply common sense that compromise leads to opposing parties finding a solution that takes ideas from both sides.
- It is common sense to me that parents who understand the importance of a good education have kids that understand the importance of a good education. It is also common sense that when not enough parents care, you get an education system that falls far below average. Guess which direction we’re heading in North Carolina?
- It is common sense to me that if we are going to honor the First Amendment religion clauses in such a way that EVERY religion (or absence thereof) is equally free of and/or from religion, then doesn’t it make sense that we don’t reference religion in making or administering our laws?
- It is common sense to me that every single person in this country has the right to believe as they see fit. It is not required by our constitution that they tolerate those whose beliefs differ from theirs, but it sure seems like common sense that if they don’t learn to tolerate and coexist with those who differ from them, their life is going to kinda suck.
- Lastly, it is common sense to me that if 32% of North Carolinians are registered unaffiliated that they should probably have somebody who represents them in state government. Hint, hint.
That’s enough for now. I can’t really call this a “short blog” if I keep going anyway. I’m sure there are many more. And I’m sure I’ll write about them at some point. But the next time a politician says they promise “Common Sense Leadership,” ask them for a list.
11 and 14….good stuff. So is the rest but you know, they kinda stood out to me ’cause I love to shoot and I love to eat. Feeling a lil’ shallow today. Maybe tomorrow I’ll be a better human!🙄😁❤
I’d still vote for you…