02 April 2008

you're screwed.

... and just what did I learn at the county road commission meeting this afternoon?

If you're not trying to take it for yourself, someone else is going to try to take if for themselves. Sometimes that means taking from you. And what the hell are you gonna do about it? Hunh? Punk? Yeah, I'm talking to you.

It's not enough to expect fair and right - you have to overreach and overshoot, or else you get only what is left, which is nothing.

Call it Negotiation, call it Radicalism™... either way, all I can think about is the "he pulls a knife, you pull a gun" mindset. Sure, it's urban planning and transportation, but the sentiment is the same.

4 comments:

Sascha said...

Everyone has an agenda and most everyone feels a sense of entitlement, especially people who are actually motivated to get involved in politics. Shocked that you're not the only one who has the answer to what to do? It's called politics. Successful negotiation is the ability to figure out a way where you can both (or all) get some of what you want.

P.S. I'm getting stuck in AA more and more. Anyone have a 49 or smaller road bike I can ride?

biscodo said...

oh, no doubt about that. I am keenly aware of the politics aspect. My post was more for the "can't we all just get along? sing kumbaya with me..." enthusiasts.

That even if you are open to a practical solution that balances everyone's needs, there will still be those who don't give a shit because they think they are the sole interpreter of truth and everyone else is an idiot. They will fight for their position and not be willing to compromise, so why should you?

The effect is the same to get anything done - your reach must extend past what you can grasp, to be able to grasp anything at all.

Zoe the Wonder Dog said...

And what was learned at this most recent Commission meeting? That money is at the root of politics. And politicians like to yell at each other (though I think they were putting on a bit of show for those of us in the audience).

biscodo said...

[shrug] I don't think the argument was putting on a show... I think the "we were lied to!" was a bit overly dramatic though. I seriously doubt that any public official, in their daily duties and official capacity, is ever served by going postal in a public meeting. It only shows them to be out of control. No one wants officials to be unable to control themselves when in public office.

As far as money goes - I don't hate on money. It's just a proxy for goods, services, and a way of accounting for limited resources. Money is not evil, but what people do for it/with it can be. (a la "guns don't kill people...")