Paralysis Through Analysis
This post is longer than normal, please hang on.
Paralysis through analysis is the inability to make a decision because all evidnce begins to be seen as equal. The more analysis, the harder it is to prioritize information, frustration sets in and, there you have it, paralysis. As a teacher I see this all the time. Sometimes less is more. So here we go.
I have been reading on the web and in the papers about the angst of the undecided voter in this year’s presidential election. So I have decided to throw in my two cents to see if I can help to muddy the water just a little bit more. This election is not about Bush vs. Kerry. This is about Bush, the events that have presented themselves during his presidency, his reaction to those events, and his leadership traits during a time of growing world tension. If the president, after careful reflection, has decent marks in these areas he deserves another four years. Because the next four years are probably going to look a lot like the past four regardless of who is president.
Sometimes it is difficult to see a crisis for what it is. The duration is always a best guess. History tells us that rebuilding countries after WWII was not easy and took many years. The situation in Iraq could still go either way, but my money is on the Iraqi people. The ones we don’t see in the news. The ones who are struggling and dying even now for their country. The Iraqis who are being trained to do the police work, the Iraqis who get up every day and go to work, shop and live the kind of life that our liberation of their country has brought them. This president understands that if the Iraqis have ownership in their country more good things will happen than bad.
The next president must guide us from where we are to where we, as a nation, want to be. He must be able to handle a crisis on the level of 9/11. The rest of the world must see him as a leader who, while may be made fun of as a “cowboy,” is someone not to be trifled with. It’s not that France et. al. do not like Bush. They do not like America. Her strength and vibrant economy, her refusal to give in to silly demands and expectations drives the European community nuts. Why? Because it’s about power. When the Soviet Union was threatening European tranquility the power of the United States was grudgingly accepted to provide balance. Now that Europe doesn’t need our power they no longer want to tolerate it. Bush is right not to give our standing away. He represents the American people and their interests.
I am not happy with the economy, but would it be any better with a different president or is this just the way things are right now? There is a deficit. There is also a serious threat of terrorism that is forcing us to spend money in ways that we had never imagined. There are countries attempting to get nuclear weapons. Putin is attempting to revive an old style Soviet era government. There can only be a peace dividend when there is peace.
How would Kerry handle all of this? Honestly, I have no clue. And I am tired of trying to figure it out.
Would Bush be a great president in any other time? I have no idea. Is he the kind of leader we need during these times? I think so. If you disagree, go look at Kerry or Nader. The “paralysis through analysis” days will be behind you.
Paralysis through analysis is the inability to make a decision because all evidnce begins to be seen as equal. The more analysis, the harder it is to prioritize information, frustration sets in and, there you have it, paralysis. As a teacher I see this all the time. Sometimes less is more. So here we go.
I have been reading on the web and in the papers about the angst of the undecided voter in this year’s presidential election. So I have decided to throw in my two cents to see if I can help to muddy the water just a little bit more. This election is not about Bush vs. Kerry. This is about Bush, the events that have presented themselves during his presidency, his reaction to those events, and his leadership traits during a time of growing world tension. If the president, after careful reflection, has decent marks in these areas he deserves another four years. Because the next four years are probably going to look a lot like the past four regardless of who is president.
Sometimes it is difficult to see a crisis for what it is. The duration is always a best guess. History tells us that rebuilding countries after WWII was not easy and took many years. The situation in Iraq could still go either way, but my money is on the Iraqi people. The ones we don’t see in the news. The ones who are struggling and dying even now for their country. The Iraqis who are being trained to do the police work, the Iraqis who get up every day and go to work, shop and live the kind of life that our liberation of their country has brought them. This president understands that if the Iraqis have ownership in their country more good things will happen than bad.
The next president must guide us from where we are to where we, as a nation, want to be. He must be able to handle a crisis on the level of 9/11. The rest of the world must see him as a leader who, while may be made fun of as a “cowboy,” is someone not to be trifled with. It’s not that France et. al. do not like Bush. They do not like America. Her strength and vibrant economy, her refusal to give in to silly demands and expectations drives the European community nuts. Why? Because it’s about power. When the Soviet Union was threatening European tranquility the power of the United States was grudgingly accepted to provide balance. Now that Europe doesn’t need our power they no longer want to tolerate it. Bush is right not to give our standing away. He represents the American people and their interests.
I am not happy with the economy, but would it be any better with a different president or is this just the way things are right now? There is a deficit. There is also a serious threat of terrorism that is forcing us to spend money in ways that we had never imagined. There are countries attempting to get nuclear weapons. Putin is attempting to revive an old style Soviet era government. There can only be a peace dividend when there is peace.
How would Kerry handle all of this? Honestly, I have no clue. And I am tired of trying to figure it out.
Would Bush be a great president in any other time? I have no idea. Is he the kind of leader we need during these times? I think so. If you disagree, go look at Kerry or Nader. The “paralysis through analysis” days will be behind you.
posted by EduDude at 10:30 AM
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