Dim Sum and Doughnuts

A little SUMthing about growing up, making mistakes and happy endings.

Do The Right Thing

The other day, one of my friends told me to listen to Dennis Prager on Talk Radio AM 1400.

Do you know who Dennis Prager is?

I didn’t. My friend mentioned him once and told me that he talks about relationships, and that he’s really smart, so OK, I gave it a shot.

I only had time to listen for about 10 minutes, but he was good. He gave positive, sound advice and he came off very “wise.“ He is the guy who basically tells you to do the right thing.

Most of the time, you already know what that is, but he tells you anyway and for some reason, when he tells you, it makes you want to do it. When I was done listening, I asked my friend if Dennis Prager is Jewish. He “sounded” Jewish. (You probably won’t know what that means unless you’re Jewish). My friend told me that he used to be a Rabbi.

Uh huh.

I knew it.

I turned Dennis Prager on again today when I was on my way to pick little Lovey up from pre-school and though he wasn’t talking about relationship stuff, he brought something up that I found kind of interesting:

He brought up a hypothetical situation (at least I think it was hypothetical, I didn’t catch the beginning of the show) of two Republican Senators talking in private while, unbeknownst to them, they were being recorded–and then the recording was leaked to a Republican newspaper.

HOLY SHIZZLE.

How cool would it be to hear or read that conversation? It’s like a behind the scenes look at real politics before the polished version hits the public. It’s flat-out RAW. Oh, the drama!!!

Of course I would have wanted to hear it.

But then Dennis Prager (the wise one) brought up a valid point:

Do we really have the right to hear what happens behind the scenes? Do we really want to?

And that got me thinking…

Do we truly want to know everything that goes into a political decision or is it better to be on a need-to-know basis?

Think about it: We already have a lot going on in our lives. Should we be burdened with political scrambles when it’s not our job?

In addition, how would you feel if you were having what you THOUGHT was a private conversation only to find out that it wasn’t so private? How violating is that? Think about how you act in private. Take a minute and really think about it.

I’m sure you’re good most of the time, but sometimes, just sometimes, I bet you’re not.

And what if that got out?

OY.

But this is politics!

Maybe if our leaders were being watched, or at least knew they ran that risk, maybe they would think twice about some of the decisions that they make.

If you were being watched, wouldn’t you think twice about what you say and the decisions you make?

Take reality television shows. The people on those shows know they’re being watched. Even at their worst, I would think that they must have some semblance of cognizance.

But is that good for politics?

Politics is not a reality show. I’m not sure if we should be privy to all the steps involved before a decision is reached.

Isn’t knowing everything maybe just a little too much?

Or no?

When it comes to politics, the decisions being made affect us. That’s something to think about.

This is all a lot to think about. I know. I have been thinking about it for days… My head hurts. And now, so does yours.

Sorry.

It’s interesting to me that this all came up on Dennis Prager’s show because I feel that if I brought this subject up to him, he would probably say that it doesn’t matter if we’re being watched.

As long we do the right thing.

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Comments

  2. Prager always says, “First state the truth then give your opinion.” So the truth behind the seen in politics is that it sometimes may be ugly, mean and unethical. My opinion is that it doesn’t need to be tgat way. When I run, I promise to be me, good and bad. I will be ethical, open and moral and actually fight for the good of the people and the country.

    • …and I totally believe that you will be that way, I know you are that way… even if you DO think that everything is a conspiracy theory!! XOXOXO You know I love you.

  4. Wow, Robyn….just *wow*.

    I think there is a lot of validity to the point: “Do we have the right to know all the steps involved before the powers that be reach a decision?…Isn’t knowing everything maybe just a little too much?”

    I think this is a very good point. I’ve had times in my past career, teaching preschool, when I had to make changes to the usual way of doing things because of the actions of one or two kids or families. Those changes were meant to make things better, not to punish. If I’d been talking to a colleague or assistant, we might have discussed the situation about the child/family and then how we would make the change necessary. I would hate to think that those discussions would be opened up to public scrutiny, because then, it somehow trivializes (or makes petty) the positive change. Instead of it being a proactive plan, it could be perceived as *reactive* and directed personally at someone instead of ‘this is the plan for everyone’. Usually, those sorts of changes make things better, but that would be lost in the speculation and even, sometimes, willful misunderstanding.

    One more reason why confidentiality is a good thing. It’s the same reason that (smart) parents often have conversations about managing the family affairs outside of earshot of the kids or others. When we all start chiming in on ‘what’s behind the decisions’, messes are made, feelings our hurt, etc. Someone feels wrong, slighted. That’s why “this is how it’s gonna be” is often preferable– people can still kvetch about it, but the plan or decision is made, period.

    And yes, we should always do what’s right, no matter who is watching– or not. That’s the first, best rule. That’s how we don’t get into trouble to begin with.

    Okay, now my head hurts a little, too. Thought-provoking post!

    • “I would hate to think that those discussions would be opened up to public scrutiny, because then, it somehow trivializes (or makes petty) the positive change. Instead of it being a proactive plan, it could be perceived as *reactive* and directed personally at someone instead of ‘this is the plan for everyone’ Usually, those sorts of changes make things better, but that would be lost in the speculation and even, sometimes, willful misunderstanding..”

      That is what I’m saying…TOTALLY. Everything you said is right on target with my thinking. So many ways to look at it. So many ways…uh-oh, Hazel…my head is starting to hurt again. At least it’s not just me now! Sorry! XOXOX

    • I’m so happy. I just had to get it out but we both know that it’s the mom in me that wrote it because in the end, it’s all for them. (And you, Malks). XOXOXO

  6. Hmmm, I will say that I would probably be mortified if someone taped a conversation between my sisters and myself because we might say things we wouldn’t necessarily want made public. Having said that in todays world with all the electronic devices we have if I were a politician I would temper my words. If I were caught with my “pants down” I would own the words and not point my finger at the other guy.

    • Basically…just BE SMART. Know your surroundings and circumstances. I couldn’t agree more. You just “bottom lined” it for me. Thank you, Andrea. That is exactly what I’m going to pass down to my girls. Be Smart.

      You are smart. Thank you for being a reader and helping me out. 🙂

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