flattery IS everything

The more compliments a politician’s message includes, the more skeptical you should be. What is a compliment? Well, most candidates for Congress won’t have an opportunity to tell you how nice you look in your black polka dot dress or how you don’t look a day older even after twenty years. They do, however, have ample opportunity to heap praise on categories you may fall into. They have the opportunity, and they seize on it. This is why some go on and on about what a great country we live in and how much we have accomplished. We are a beacon of freedom built with hard work and non-stop innovation … and of course you are a huge part of that effort. It is also why politicians talk about the strength of the working class, the contributions of the brave men and women of the armed services, and the generous gifts that have been given and are still being given by older Americans. All of these compliments feel wonderful to receive, as long as you don’t notice what is not being said. Compliments should not be accepted as a substitute for real ideas, possible solutions to the problems facing our country, and even explanations. What a startling idea … an elected leader might actually explain something to his or her constituents rather than trying to charm or scam them into accepting it. Of course, for that to happen, we have to want more than compliments. We have to reward those who do explain by listening. We have to listen, and encourage constructive engagement by other politicians with those who have good ideas that they are confident enough to really explain. We need to shift our skepticism of compromise and constructive dialogue over to empty compliments. Ultimately, the onus here is on us … on voters. We will get what we ask for, or at least we won’t get anything we don’t ask for. So … if you want more than a shout out you’d better start asking for it.