| | Thinking outside the box | |
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Abe F. March Five Star Member
Number of posts : 10768 Registration date : 2008-01-26 Age : 85 Location : Germany
| Subject: Thinking outside the box Sat Oct 29, 2011 5:13 am | |
| We often hear the phrase, “Thinking outside the Box” (Novel or creative thinking). This phrase is used in business environments, especially by executive coaches and management consultants. To think outside the box is to look further and to try not thinking of the obvious things, but to try thinking beyond them. When we think about our country, are we boxed-in with our views? Have you ever tried to see our country with an outside view?
Observations about our country, expressed by foreigners, are often rejected and even resented. Many only want comments from people living inside the box – people of the same mindset. Some writers view criticism as constructive while others only want to hear words that are comforting and supportive of their work. It is natural for people to want affirmation for the choices they make and that includes their choice of where they live or work. It can be a personal affront to hear criticism of one’s choice of residence and the impulse is to strongly defend that choice. When it comes to ideas, i.e., a healthcare system, only a system that originates within one’s country (the box) is even considered. There are existing systems that have been proven to work, however unless it is American devised, it can’t work.
As an American living in Europe, I often hear critical comments about America. If I don’t like what I hear, I rise in defense of my country. Often the comments they make are valid and I can understand their POV. I like it when I hear how America was (once) a beacon for the world. America was the world leader and many countries, especially in Europe, adopted American ideas. Now they complain that the bad things happening in America are coming to Europe. It would be great to pick and choose what is good and reject what is perceived as “not good”. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way, and once an infection begins, it requires an antidote – some remedy to diffuse or eradicate it. One looks for the source of the infection, and often the source is easily identifiable.
Preconceived ideas are difficult to change. Using universal healthcare as an example, those against it look for programs that don’t work well and find incidents where the patient experienced problems. They use bad examples to defend their agenda. If their agenda was in support of universal healthcare, they might investigate programs that work. I don’t believe that there is a perfect system; however there are systems that do work. I have experience with a program that works, is affordable and want to see my fellow Americans have access to a similar program. A good healthcare program not only saves lives, but also saves money. Government controlled does not mean government operated.
Are we too boxed-in to entertain outside ideas? Are we too blind to admit our faults? Do we still have the fighting spirit to work for a better tomorrow? Can we once again become a world leader? Leading by example works. Our current economic example is not something to follow. Those who did are in similar economic straits. The decisions made by previous American Presidents led to our current financial crisis. The policies that created the problem can be corrected. It will require not only thinking outside the box, but leadership outside the box of political philosophy that created the problems.
The next election is important for America and the world. The world is watching with good reason. They want to follow a winner. If American can’t lead, then America will become a follower. Will China take the role of leadership? Financially, China is already in the driver’s seat. |
| | | dkchristi Five Star Member
Number of posts : 8594 Registration date : 2008-12-29 Location : Florida
| Subject: Re: Thinking outside the box Sat Oct 29, 2011 6:49 am | |
| Very thoughtful! I think the influx of immigrants helped the ideas flow in this country. Now, we are mired in the two-party impasse and no ideas flow past the wall. I agree that positions on the world stage change and the world is looking to follow winners. Our Congress is being paid and doing nothing. My post on a potential new job description for Congress disappeared. No one seems to care about the hundreds of thousands of dollars paid the the representatives and their staff for - nothing. At least the President is doing what he can unilaterally. I remember saying that I wished he would use executive privilege to accomplish domestically what was done in foreign policy. I guess he heard me.....that's a little out of the box anyway.
I don't want a system of government where the President unilaterally makes decisions; but this is a crisis mode with this Congress. The whole bunch needs to be voted out of office. However, they have money and money speaks. It's like having the fox watch the hen house to have them make laws that will threaten their cash cow. |
| | | alj Five Star Member
Number of posts : 9633 Registration date : 2008-12-05 Age : 80 Location : San Antonio
| Subject: Re: Thinking outside the box Sat Oct 29, 2011 8:58 am | |
| Perhaps the time for America's leadership has passed. Only in a hierarchy does one need to "be on top." That, it seems to me, is a big part of the "occupy" movement is about - a leveling of the playing field.
Ann |
| | | LC Five Star Member
Number of posts : 5044 Registration date : 2009-03-28
| Subject: Re: Thinking outside the box Sat Oct 29, 2011 10:00 am | |
| The WSJ had a funny piece about OWS the other day, I might scan and post it. Basically, it focused on all the thievery complaints; one OWS protestor complained that someone stole her $5,500 laptop. The Journal said she should welcome the "redistribution of wealth." lol |
| | | dkchristi Five Star Member
Number of posts : 8594 Registration date : 2008-12-29 Location : Florida
| Subject: Re: Thinking outside the box Sat Oct 29, 2011 10:08 am | |
| Many developed nations have populations who live quality lives. Perhaps our time passed as leader of the free world. Better start studying Chinese. Some forward thinking friends of mine in college did just that. Our demise as a leading nation is not necessarily bad. Perhaps with a reduction in ego may grow a practical sense to meet the needs of citizens, just as other countries meet those needs today. England survived and is a viable world player. Spain, France, Germany - have all survived with quality lives for their citizens. Japan rose from the ashes. We are fortunate that no war has taken us to this point.
Blame is not the issue. We have all contributed. We grew accustomed to a life of excess while other nations struggled. Our politics were based on self-interest not the ideals on which we claimed to live. We allowed our corporations to rule and their executives to become power brokers. We let our politicians become their own bosses with renewable tenure. We gave away the power of the people to the power of the few. Now we reap the consequences when it appears too late. |
| | | Abe F. March Five Star Member
Number of posts : 10768 Registration date : 2008-01-26 Age : 85 Location : Germany
| Subject: Re: Thinking outside the box Sat Oct 29, 2011 10:47 am | |
| Good post DK. I think we agree on these issues. I also believe others on this forum agree and just haven't expressed themselves. Your previous post was read and noted.
Ann, your comments are well received and to the point. And I believe that leveling the playing field is necessary for our survival. What is happening with our present system is broke and needs fixed. |
| | | LC Five Star Member
Number of posts : 5044 Registration date : 2009-03-28
| Subject: Re: Thinking outside the box Sat Oct 29, 2011 11:00 am | |
| I agree that our time as leader of the free world is passing, if it hasn't passed. I'm fine with that. Along with it, though, goes a cut off right now to the billions given to Israel, Africa, and all the other bottomless pits of need. No more troops to the Middle East. Let someone else coordinate peacekeepers. And no more being the relief valve for Mexico and Central/South America. Use the money to build that moat Obama (can't WAIT until he, Holder, Napolitano and Sebelius are kicked out) laughed about. |
| | | alj Five Star Member
Number of posts : 9633 Registration date : 2008-12-05 Age : 80 Location : San Antonio
| Subject: Re: Thinking outside the box Sat Oct 29, 2011 11:45 am | |
| It could be long wait, LC Ann |
| | | alice Five Star Member
Number of posts : 15672 Registration date : 2008-10-22 Age : 76 Location : Redmond, WA
| | | | LeeBrown2010 Three Star Member
Number of posts : 84 Registration date : 2011-09-24 Location : South Carolina
| Subject: Re: Thinking outside the box Sat Oct 29, 2011 2:31 pm | |
| Abe,
"Thinking outside the box" is one of my favorite sayings in the counseling field! I am always challenging my students in grad school, my staff in the professional setting and my patients!
In my personal life....the same rules apply! Dare to take a risk to be different; go against the grain; try something new; don't believe everything you see or read; challenge and grow.
Then of course, I stay inside the box to keep focused! Good topic! |
| | | Abe F. March Five Star Member
Number of posts : 10768 Registration date : 2008-01-26 Age : 85 Location : Germany
| Subject: Re: Thinking outside the box Sat Oct 29, 2011 11:38 pm | |
| - LC wrote:
- I agree that our time as leader of the free world is passing, if it hasn't passed. I'm fine with that. Along with it, though, goes a cut off right now to the billions given to Israel, Africa, and all the other bottomless pits of need. No more troops to the Middle East. Let someone else coordinate peacekeepers. And no more being the relief valve for Mexico and Central/South America. Use the money to build that moat Obama (can't WAIT until he, Holder, Napolitano and Sebelius are kicked out) laughed about.
LC, you hit a very sensitive, but undeniable truth. We have been flushing our money into a septic tank thinking it will eventually fill up or smell better. The result has not been positive. Addressing the root of the problem is overlooked. Some managers feel that throwing money at a problem will solve it. It rarely does. If we are part of an international community, like the UN, and we are, allow others to participate or assume a leading role. It appears that our leadership is with the amount of money we so eagerly spend, and what's worse, it is borrowed money. Politics drive much of the spending. It would be enlightening for someone to make an honest evaluation of what our money achieved. On the surface it appears that what we achieve is creating a bigger hole for the money flush. It's much like a fat person. The more they eat, the greater their capacity and appetite for more food. We need to stop feeding the fires and work to put them out. When will we learn to simply say, No!" |
| | | LC Five Star Member
Number of posts : 5044 Registration date : 2009-03-28
| Subject: Re: Thinking outside the box Sun Oct 30, 2011 6:39 am | |
| Abe -couldn't agree more.
I think that if people literally saw all our (borrowed from China) billions of dollars slushing around in the pockets of corruption that it really ends up in, there'd be a far bigger movement than Occupy Wall Street going on. |
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