Salesmen Rule
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by: Scott F Paradis
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Word Count: 654
Date: Sun, 29 Jan 2012 Time: 11:36 PM
Copyright (c) 2012 Scott F Paradis
Every few years we engage in an extraordinary ritual of grand political theater - a government sale. The electorate gets to entertain the salesmen. The ultimate power game is on. At the end of the fracas the people ceremoniously hand the reins of power over to the slickest, the most engaging, the most promising salesmen of the lot. In a democratic state the best salesmen rule.
Currently the Republican field is pressing the flesh in earnest looking to sell their wares to apprehensive buyers. They continue to test and refine ideas to secure favor with party fundamentalists while holding would-be opponents at bay. The winner in the skirmish for the nomination then ratchets up the rhetoric to face off against the powerful incumbent rival.
The Democrats meanwhile, not distracted by the preliminaries, are busy building the ultimate sales machine. Intent on leveraging an idealistic sales force Democrats are seeking to exploit technology focusing influence on an unprecedented scale.
The Democratic presidential election apparatus must, however, overcome some tough hurdles: flagging job approval ratings (46%), stubbornly high unemployment (government manipulated figure hovering around 8.6%), and stalled gross domestic product (GDP) growth (around 2%). To overcome these challenges the Dems are relying on a charismatic salesmen and a machine promising to discern the faintest fluctuation in electoral sentiment. The political machine will then apply the most opportune pressure by way of the optimal sales delivery vehicle at the decisive time.
This sales process is a spectacle to behold - mass manipulation.
The Republicans duke it out, old school, with polished, but often ill-conceived, sound bites in an attempt to woo a recalcitrant base. The Democrats, cleverly disguised as populist ideologues, steal the best the free enterprise system has to offer to manipulate the masses - Madison Avenue at its finest. Despite the delicately honed messages to the contrary both parties pursue, not progress or change, but power, pure and simple.
Make no mistake about it; regardless of the sales hype, the supposed features and benefits offered, or the promises of genuine transformation - the salesmen can and will only deliver what the supporting organization produces. If you look closely you'll see the underlying institute - the research, design and production components of the enterprise - both Democrat and Republican - are poised to churn out more favors for special interests, concentrate wealth more definitively, and funnel more power to government. The course is set. You are about to be sold.
Are you buying?
The real choice in a presidential election is not what new direction to head, but rather who should wield the power the people have forfeit. The products and services, the output of the enterprise will be more of the same. The only opportunity for real change rests with the people. And so far the people refuse to avail themselves of the opportunity.
So, dismissing any chance for substantive change, one can argue valid reasons exist as to why salesmen should run the show. Salesmen are generally better connected with customers. They understand what customers want and are positioned to suggest appropriate products and services to meet legitimate needs.
Just remember, hiring a salesmen it is not about the promise, it's about the product.
At the end of this fire sale season, reality will rear its ugly head. One salesmen will have succeeded closing the deal. The president and his sales minions will redirect their focus from influencing voters to manipulating the levers of government. The well-healed benefactors will then collect a return on their investment - it's the American way.
Do not despair however, that smooth talking salesmen will be with you to nurse your regrets as the merchandise that arrives surprisingly doesn't resemble, in the least, the description of the offering. That master salesmen will confidently help reduce the sting of the disappointment, redirect your attention and effectively lower expectations.
After all, there will be another sale soon enough.
Sound familiar?
About the Author
Scott F. Paradis, author of "Promise and Potential: A Life of Wisdom, Courage, Strength and Will" publishes "Insights" available for free at http://www.c-achieve.com
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