The Contrasts Got my Attention

By Rick Blumenberg @rickblumenberg

A few moments ago I sat in my office and watched a LoveShriners.org advertisement. I leaned back in my chair, propped my feet on the desk pull-out and gave that advertisement my full attention.

I really watched a commercial!

One after another, beautiful, articulate and photogenic youngsters showed off their progress in spite of their handicaps. They gave video examples of how they had overcome those handicaps to live joy-filled, active lives and they said “Thank you!” Over and over and over again they said “Thank You for helping people like me”. They were so effective that I was ready to whip out my checkbook and write a million dollar check. Fortunately reason prevailed and I remembered I couldn’t possibly do that. (I knew it would bounce up and hit me in the face).

The point is their joy-filled gratitude put me in a joy-filled giving mood. I really wanted to give!

And then reality hit.

The commercial ended and Senator Chuck Schumer came on to talk about the agreement reached by Democrats and Republicans over providing security on our southern border. Then he launched into a tirade of criticism of President Trump and threatened him with all sorts of bitterness and angry words if he didn’t sign their bill. He described how utterly awful the president had been in the past and threatened him with dire consequences if he didn't sign. By the time he was finished I was hoping President Trump would spit in his face and refuse to sign anything he wanted. Fortunately reason prevailed and I remembered he really should not do anything like that. (And I hoped he wouldn’t).

The point is Senator Schumer’s hate-filled tirade caused the exact opposite of what he seemed to want.

The old adage is “You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.” These two contrasting approaches were perfect examples that old saying. Their contrasting approaches were miles apart in attitude and example. My guess is they were also miles apart in accomplishing their goals.

I hope the President shows more restraint than I felt.

If Senator Schumer is interested, here is how I suggest he should have conducted his news conference.

What Schumer should have said....

As in any negotiation, no one gets everything they want. (The first sentence is pretty much his words but what follows is what I suggest he should have said.) I didn’t get everything I wanted (he should say) and I’m sure my Republican friends feel the same way. We all know this agreement is also not exactly what any of us wanted, nor what President Trump wants. However, believing, as I do, that the president wants what is best for the nation, (Okay this probably wouldn’t be totally honest but I still think it would be good if he had said it. Then Sen. Schumer should continue…) I hope he will choose to accept our efforts so we can keep the government working and so we can all serve the people of our great nation to the very best of our ability. A goal I think we all have.

Back to my thoughts 

From what I have seen of our president, I know he sometimes responds in ways that may not be what he would do if he thought it through more carefully. I can imagine he might have the same initial response that I first had. But in spite of what Senator Schumer said, I hope President Trump will refrain from my own worst impulses.

We could all use less sour and more kindness.

President Trump has done a lot of good things since he took office. The Democrats and contrary Republicans alike would do well to use the “LoveShriners” approach instead of the negativity and criticism that runs rampant in our nation’s capital. If they would, I’m guessing the President would be a lot nicer too.

What if each one did what was best for the nation?

If that was always the goal of every one, in the long run, all of them would do a better job for all of us— their constituents.

I’m Rick Blumenberg and that’s My View from Tanner Creek.