Codger, "we" the people, don't even know what it takes anymore. We're promised and promised during speach after rhetorical speach filled with spin and lies and then we're left with our heads in the dust when all is said and done. I don't understand why it is so difficult to rally "the troops" to make change, but the rug always seems to get pulled out from underneath "us".
The Example of WWII doesn't exactly fit or match the situation. What happened there was orders from above (the presidency/congress) and the might and fight of the American people to defend what we hold dear..our lives, our family & our home. It is the same as anyone else in any other country. That was also a lifetime ago. A completely different generation of beliefs and supstitions. This was when our country pulled the faith into the fighting spirit of the United States. That has changed and isn't as applicable now. We have the media and spin doctors for the politicians so we get mis-information and don't know exactly which way to go. We get extremists who disrupt the civil way of getting business done which drains resources.
An example - With the Democratic Convention moving about the country in election years there have always been violent protesters which drain our security forces and cost the local governments extra for increased presence and equipment. Not to mention the damages caused by these extreme protesters. We have the benificial protesters as well. They are the welcome change from the norm, but they can be overshadowed by those that bark loud and don't have much to say.
If I knew which route to take in helping to make a change I would. At this point, however, all I know is that I'll be at the polls, voting for change in our government. I'm quite the squeaky wheel in my condominium association! They hate me!
____________________ Get in, Sit down, Shut up and HANG ON!
Hi Chelly
re: condo association.
Just a suggestion from an old guy. I learned that when people perceive that you are bitching about something, the way to turn it around is to ask them if everything is perfectly fine for them. Can't we make it better? Sometimes confrontation is inevitable but if you can just get people to help you figure out how to make things better you'll get further, faster. Trying to understand their point of view can be difficult but will help you to define what the real issue is. Most people don't intentionally lie but they use the first thought that comes to them as a response. Drilling down to get past the bullshit rhetoric to the real root issue is what is important. Doesn't matter if it's business negotiation, parenting, seduction or politcs.
____________________
A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams...John Barrymore
Actually, the major problem with this association is that it was only formed exactly a month ago today. Dan and I had say in the voting process and elected the board, but have heared nothing from them ever since. We have a severe problem with parking abuses and a neighbor/tenant that plays loud music all hours of the wee morning and night.
We have lived there for a year in August and have had ZERO representation and NO response to issues for that long. The Contract Dan signed for this condo has not had the seller's side of the deal followed through, and as I mentioned, for nearly a year now. Repairs were not done as they agreed and we still have some pretty significant problems. As for being pleasant. I am quite pleasant when I want something. I am a customer service rep...I have to have my faces. With clients I have to be "fuzzy and warm" and with publishers, well...they earn the reactions they get.
I'm pretty slick at working a "deal" with any situation really. I know when I have to be firm, yet professional...and when I need to "kiss ass". I may only be 33 but I've been there and done that in a whole lot of situations. I'm only saying the board thinks I'm a bitch because I have filed complaints and as of yet, not had the opportunity to go to any other meetings of the board & association. We've had no results on our year long quest for help in the parking problem. The noise issue has been this bad for nearly as long. I've actually had to call the police because speaking with them directly didn't seem to work. Hell, I had to politely construct a letter to the neighbors upstairs to let them know we can hear them having sex every damn time! Still a problem! I'm ready to deliver a pillow and a can of WD-40 to them!
____________________ Get in, Sit down, Shut up and HANG ON!
Chelly02 wrote: Actually, the major problem with this association is that it was only formed exactly a month ago today. Dan and I had say in the voting process and elected the board, but have heared nothing from them ever since. We have a severe problem with parking abuses and a neighbor/tenant that plays loud music all hours of the wee morning and night.
We have lived there for a year in August and have had ZERO representation and NO response to issues for that long. The Contract Dan signed for this condo has not had the seller's side of the deal followed through, and as I mentioned, for nearly a year now. Repairs were not done as they agreed and we still have some pretty significant problems. As for being pleasant. I am quite pleasant when I want something. I am a customer service rep...I have to have my faces. With clients I have to be "fuzzy and warm" and with publishers, well...they earn the reactions they get.
I'm pretty slick at working a "deal" with any situation really. I know when I have to be firm, yet professional...and when I need to "kiss ass". I may only be 33 but I've been there and done that in a whole lot of situations. I'm only saying the board thinks I'm a bitch because I have filed complaints and as of yet, not had the opportunity to go to any other meetings of the board & association. We've had no results on our year long quest for help in the parking problem. The noise issue has been this bad for nearly as long. I've actually had to call the police because speaking with them directly didn't seem to work. Hell, I had to politely construct a letter to the neighbors upstairs to let them know we can hear them having sex every damn time! Still a problem! I'm ready to deliver a pillow and a can of WD-40 to them!
When's the next board election? Run, win and fix it.
You could always show up at your neighbour's door the next time and just walk in thanking them for the invitation to come and watch. Free porn. Probably better if you can get all the other people that are being disturbed by the noise to show up with you. Hell, TFNE
should be up for that one. They'll either quieten down their passion or be entertaining.
____________________
A man is not old until regrets take the place of dreams...John Barrymore
"the Ayatollah from Texas" -- That is too funny Codger. I hadn't heard that one before.
As for voting in the legislature, it's been a little more interesting lately. While there is still a huge party bias (which is to be expected) it seems that even the legislators themselves are getting tired of being pushed around by their parties. It's going to be an interesting few years.
