Perhaps it's True

Perhaps it is true. You be the judge.

I think it true that no President can please the majority of the American people. I know why.

I spent the last 18 years of my career as the Assistant Director and finally the Director of a very large criminal justice agency. I was well prepared to hold these positions. I started at the bottom and made my way up through the ranks, learning along the way. I list some of the things I learned.

1. Over time a leader will offend more than 50% of the workforce. My sense is that more than 30% are offended from day one, at a minimum. This group did not want you to get the job in the first place. Nothing you do, short of promoting them to high station and advanced salary will ever receive their approval. Even this approval will not last very long. Promoting these people will never really help you find favor with them, and it will cause you to immediately lose the support of those people who do like you; still, simply realize that you will never begin any endeavor with the support of more than 70% of the people.

2. You will offend at least 10% of the remaining work force each year, at a minimum. Each time you take an action many people will be offended. Not because it was the wrong action, but simply because it does not fit their lifestyle. Change business hours to serve the public and offend half your workforce who can no longer assure themselves of making it on time to a little league game, a hair appointment or a bowling league.

3. Do the right thing. This is certain death, but must be done if a leader is to have any personal or professional integrity. Tell the elected official for whom you ultimately work that they are self-serving, wrong, selfish, ill-advised, the list goes on and on, and you will have commited the right act in support of your own professional suicide. Sometimes the only ethical thing to do is commit professional suicide or move on before the suicide is necessary.

4. No good deed goes unpunished. Those you help the most will be the first to throw you under the bus. This statement is an absolute truth as certain as the admonition "never march on Moscow in the winter."

5. If you want to survive keep moving about. Reinvent yourself every five years. Bill yourself as a problem solver. Get into a screwed up organization, make the reforms for which everyone clamors, then move on. It will take time to catch you and perhaps you can retire in advance of one of many storms along the way.

6. No President, from George Washington to Barack Obama ever did or ever will ever enjoy a 50% approval rate over time. There are 44 stories to document that fact. That's why their terms are limited to 8 years. Jesus Christ didn't last out the first term.

I'm not crazy about Barack Obama, not because I dislike the man, but because I dislike his ideas; still, he was elected by a majority of the American people, people that are already waffling and whining as has become an American trait. Shame on us. You elected Barack Obama. Give him a chance. Support his views and help him meet the criterion of his agenda. Don't wimp out.

He might be correct in his views. I don't think so, but he might. I am willing to give him some time. Why can't you? Christ got 3 years. Perhaps Obama should a get at least 2?

What message does that send you?