Think Outside….

For much of my career I have heard the advice to think outside the box.  The origin of the phrase is unclear. According to some, it goes back to management consultants in the 1970s and 1980s challenging their clients to solve the “nine dots” puzzle.  Both the puzzle and the concept served a useful purpose, but over time, thinking outside the box became a cliché.  The phrase has become so ubiquitous that it just sounds like bureaucratic filler words.  Which is a bit unfortunate because it served a useful purpose to encourage people to see things from a different perspective. 

Then, in 2001, Taco Bell released its new slogan, “Think Outside the Bun.”  Nearly a quarter of a century later, I think this slogan still works.  And it is worth applying in a multitude of environments outside of the restaurant industry.  While the box version of the maxim encourages us to see the same thing from a different perspective, the bun version encourages us to see something altogether different. 

This is an applicable and essential battle cry and mantra for today’s political landscape. 

A few more analogies before I try to assemble this all together into meaningful discourse.

One of my favorite songs is fairly obscure and you may not know it.  It is called Old Man’s Rubble, written by Brown Bannister and sung by Amy Grant, among others.   The song is catchy and can get stuck in your head.  But it is profound as well.  The lyrics challenge the listeners’ approach to what they feel and see.  And indulge or forgive me for pointing out that the title as well is apropos of current times.  Here is a relevant section:

“And are you trying to live by your emotions,
Are you putting your faith in what you feel and see?
Then you’re living just to satisfy your passions,
And you better be careful ’cause you’re being deceived.”

The next piece of the puzzle is the classic parent teenager argument that typically fails because the teenager either can’t or won’t look two or three steps forward to see the consequences.  This is precisely why parents leverage their experience to either allow natural consequences or apply consequences for behavior.  If you don’t want to put a coat on in the winter because it doesn’t look cool, you can learn the hard way.  You don’t realize that your reckless driving habits could result in injury or death, we will take the keys away until you demonstrate the understanding and maturity that is required for that privilege.

Consequences  

This brings us to the fulcrum with an introduction by the Jackson 5’s 1970 hit, ABC (1-2-3), “…all you gotta do is repeat after me.  A B C, It’s easy as 1, 2, 3….”  Well, it may not be easy, and that may be the problem, but it is achievable.  We can make better decisions if we go past seeing things from a different perspective and look at something completely different, beyond what we feel and see, to the consequences, the first, second, and third order effects.  If you get nothing else out of this column, you have to give me credit for pulling all five analogies together in that last sentence.

Okay, back to work.  If we focus on just what is said and done today, we will be forced to live with the impact tomorrow, next month, next year, and sometimes longer.  There is not enough time and energy to address all of the blitzkrieg of information over the last six weeks.  But I think a handful will suffice to demonstrate the point.  This is the (taco) meat of this column.  As I identify the first (1), second (2), and third (3) order effects for each, I will do so with the numerical parentheticals.

J6ers Release.  The MAGAs want us to stop talking about this.  What’s done is done, they say.  Biden did the same, they say.  That might have an inkling of merit if we only consider what we felt and saw that day.  Approximately 1,500 J6ers were release regardless of their crimes eliminating their consequences (1).  The release then serves to not only validate but embolden them (2).  A violent criminal who has been pardoned and set free becomes an immediate threat to society (3). And some cases of those threats, past and present, are documented (3).  And if Trump wants another violent protest, they are now able, willing, and ready to abide (3).

Federal Government Employees.  Trump chose an arbitrary method for firing these employees; he might as well have said we are firing the first ten thousand alphabetically (1).  Because the law requires probationary employees to be fired for performance, even though the bar is low, their termination notices cited performance as an issue despite countless earning stellar reviews (2).  People who are fired for performance issues, despite the lie, could face challenges in seeking new employment (3).  However, most of them have such an amazing track record they will compete with other individuals outside of the government for private sector jobs, adversely impacting those individuals and increasing the unemployment rate (3),   Since the firings were not determined in a methodical, fair, smart, or judicious manner, many are being overturned and reinstated causing additional chaos and turmoil (3).  It is one thing to downsize the government (I am all for that) but doing so in such a reckless way demoralizes and alienates the entire federal government workforce (3) and disincentivizes any reasonable individual to ever apply again (3), all but ensuring that the next crop will be less proficient because the high quality individuals will go elsewhere (3). 

Federal Programs.  Shutting down whole agencies and programs without regard to planning and impacts has created chaos (1).  When one of these is closed down by a citizen acting on behalf of the Executive Branch, the funds that were and are appropriated by Congress are in limbo (2) so we lose essential services for some and gain nothing for others (3).  When these decisions are made by someone without legal authority to do so, different organizations are responding differently creating even more chaos and destruction of a viable government (3).  When these decisions are made without judicial review or consideration, many are being overturned (3), which is a waste of time and taxpayer dollars (3).

Federal Cuts to States.  Many of the programs being considered or already cut would be money going to state governments (1).  These United States have similar budget challenges and deficits (1).  These cuts will put the states into further financial crisis (2).  Since multiple programs are being cut or planned to be cut (Health, Education, FEMA for example), this compounds it so much further for the states that Governors will have no choice but to completely end some services to fund others (3).  When there is no longer funding for disabled children, hospital medical supplies, and response to disasters, it is the average citizen, lower and middle class, who suffer the most (3).  Some will die (3).

Tariffs.  When we impose a tariff on goods from another country, while it obviously impacts that country, the tax is typically on the American company that imports the products (1).  That company will either suck it up (highly unlikely) which means they will need to terminate employee, products, or servicess to save costs (2) or pass those costs onto the consumer (3), which will likely lead to a recession (3).  The proposed and implemented tariffs prompt other nations to defend themselves in a trade war (3).  In just one example, Canada could deprive power to many American homes (3).  Rampant tariffs cause the world to look at America with disfavor, disdain, and disgust (3).

Transgender.  Trump did not just ban transgender from sports and bathrooms (though these are worthy of vigorous debate in their own right).  He clearly declared that they do not even exist – only two genders (1).  Those transgender individuals without a strong and healthy network of family and friends will wall into despair (2). They will not be able to get jobs, passports, and more (3).  Some will fight for their rights, some will become depressed, some will commit suicide for being guilty of nothing more than wanting to exist (3).  And Trump will be the killer.

Land Grab.  Trump has clearly indicated that he wants to own Greenland, Gaza, the Panama Canal, The gulf of Mexico, and make Canada a U.S. state (1).  This may be the most absurd example of MAGAs not being able to see beyond the first order effect (well, until you got to the next and last example).  Look at it from their side, those countries and areas do not want to be part of the United States (2).  When they are threatened this way the absolute best we can hope for is that they loathe Trump and prepare to defend themselves.  However, I can certainly understand why them and the rest of the world would be gravely concerned and begin developing retaliatory plans against the United States (3).  We wouldn’t let our children act this way on the playground for crying out loud.  “I now own the swings and declare them for me and the Smith family!”  “I hereby rename the merry-go-round and the merry-go-Johnny.”  Ridiculous (2).  Dangerous (3).

Allegiance. I can hardly believe I am having to write this one.  Time and time again, Trump has sided with Russia (1).  There are growing claims and potential evidence that the President of our Democracy is actually a Russian operative.  I have never been a conspiracy theorist on any topic, but, if true, this would explain every single thing that has occurred to date.  When Trump sides with Communist Russia, North Korea, and Iran but against Ukraine Democracy, governments around the world become outraged and threatened (2).  When Trump aligns with communists it becomes a green light for democracy to be attacked around the world (3).  If or when other democracies crumble, we lose democratic allies, our defense is reduced, and we fall prey to the loss of our own democracy (3).

The sad truth, is that there are already so many more examples than these eight examples where the second and third order effects threaten the safety and security of our citizenry, which will plague the lower and middle class but not the wealthy, which will challenge if not eviscerate our Constitution.  These are the first, second, and third order effects I wanted to address.

I have questions too.

Seek First to Understand

I am a reflective kind of dude.  As I was writing about thinking outside the bun, I addressed the same challenge to myself, and I need to hold myself accountable.  I was thinking about Franklin Covey’s Habit # 5, “Seek first to understand, then to be understood.”  With a little bit of shame, I confess that I have been playing that backwards and want to try and remedy.  So I have questions for MAGAs / Trump Supporters and I welcome your feedback publicly or privately.  I promise that I will make every effort to understand objectively.  I will not ridicule any response nor pull you into a social media debate.

1. In trying to have a dialogue with you all, do you have a preference for how you are titled?  Are MAGA and Trump Supporter synonymous?  Are they derogatory?  Do you have a different preferred label?
2. Can you share any policy or decision that Trump has made where you disagree?
3. Did you anticipate and do you support Trump’s position on Greenland, Panama Canal, Gaza, and/or Canada?  I understand and appreciate that you may have different answers for each.  I particularly want to understand the particulars on why any of these are a good move.
4. I have heard many of your arguments why you feel transgender individuals should not be in the military, play women’s sports, or use the other bathroom.  My question here is more basic.  Do you agree with Trump that there are only two genders and that transgender people do not even exist?  And if so, how is their mere existence hurting you?
5. I hear many of you say we should not give financial aid to Ukraine.  Do you still support Ukraine morally?  Beyond that, do you see Communist Russia as more of an ally to the United States?  If so, can you help me understand why?
6. Do you think the rest of the world in general has a positive view of the United States government right now?  Does that matter?
7. With bipartisan economists are almost universally opposed the tariffs, do you agree with the Trump’s desire to leverage them?  Can explain economically why this is a good thing?  Any concerns with retaliation?
8. Which group do you think Trump is doing the most for right now. The poor, the middle-class, or the wealthy, and why?
9. Do you think the President of the United States should abide the U.S. Constitution and U.S. laws and do you believe Trump is doing both without exception?
10. Do you support the checks and balances outlined in the Constitution between the Executive, Legislative, and Judicial branches?
11. I see the memes and comments of so many of you supporting the firing of federal government employees.  Do you also agree with how it is being done?  Do you believe Musk has that authority?  Does it bother you that Musk is making these decisions while he is making billions of dollars off the federal government?  Any concerns about conflict of interest?  Do you think the same outcomes could be reached while treating everyone with kindness and respect?  Since we are seeing judges, many placed by Republican Presidents, over-ruling some of these decisions, who do you side with and based on what evidence?
12. Since DEI programs never had any authority in hiring, can you articulate other reasons why you oppose discussions and celebrations of Diversity?  Equity?  Inclusion?
13. Do you agree that all 1,500 J6ers should have been pardoned or commuted to include the most violent offenders?  Can you help me understand why it could be the right decision to not review them case by case?
14. If you had a different alternate choice than Kamala Harris, is it possible you would have not voted for Trump?  Can you elaborate?
15. Do you believe that any of Trumps Executive Orders, decisions, elimination of government programs will have a negative impact on you, your family, or your friends?
16. Do you wonder why so many Democrats and Independents have been so vocal against Trump, but not of either Bush, Bush or Reagan?
17. Is there anything you wanted Trump to do that he is not doing?
18. Will there be a point in time when Trump is responsible for the economy and can no longer blame it on Biden (when the economy was actually better)?
19. If you could vote tomorrow, would you still vote for Trump?
20. If so, is there anything at all that he could do that would change your mind and cause you to vote against him or stop supporting him?  Anything?

Conclusion

I do struggle with a major issue many Trump advocates and adversaries struggle with as well.  We all see and hear various versions of “just because we disagree about politics, doesn’t mean we can’t be friends” bandied about.  I went to Ireland on a bus tour and became friends with three women, among others.  We had dinner together twice since we returned from the trip.  After we disagreed about the Pope’s comments on Trump, they all three unfriended me on Facebook.  Completely their right to do so.  And I am sorry to this day for offending them.  But ours is not an isolated case.  It has happened to many, on both sides.

I don’t think it is a simple issue.  If you have made a positive impact on my life, if we have history together, if I have seen your goodness in other ways, I am committed to working through it.  And I appreciate your same patience with me.  Yet at the same time, I think this has become more than politics.  It is about humanity to me.  It is about the safety and security of our Constitution, our Democracy, and the pursuit of happiness for all Americans.  I had to rewrite some of my questions above because they sounded snarky.  Maybe a few still do.  But I tried my best to just make them simple and clear and feel like the tone is almost inevitable based on how crazy it seems to me that I even  have to ask these questions.  It is not a contradiction to say I hope I learn from the replies.  But I can’t say I am holding out much hope.  And while I will work hard to hold on to my old friends regardless of politics, I would not start dating or build a new relationship with a MAGA tomorrow.  The juice is not worth the squeeze. 

We can make better decisions if we go past seeing things from a different perspective and look at something completely different, beyond what we feel and see, to the consequences, the first, second, and third order effects.  Taco Bell’s current slogan is Live Más, or “live more.”  The slogan encourages fans to take risks and live more.

Maybe that’s good advice for all of us.  Being open to change our mind can be a huge risk.  And I hope that everyone in our country can Live Más regardless of race, ethnicity, age, gender, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, economic status, political affiliation, and other diverse backgrounds.

But first we have to think outside the bun.

[Stay tuned.  My column next week is called, “The Breaking Point.”  I welcome your thoughts, ideas and input.]