What Have We Learned From The Shutdown (And Other Nasty Little Secrets)

What We Have Learned From The Shutdown!

As we hear news reports about the end of the shutdown let's review the lessons to be learned:

Congress: Look for work because most people blame you.

Congress: It will take many years to ever regain our trust. You have demonstrated the only words you can spell are "gridlock," "no," "blame," and, well you get the idea. If there is a problem it is not "their fault" --- it is YOUR fault for not working together to solve it.

Furloughed Workers: We're sorry you were caught in the middle.

Local TV News: You could have done better than tell us the status of the shutdown, be a platform for politicians, and tell us who is affected. Perhaps some journalism?

Network News:  You could have done better than tell us the status of the shutdown, be a platform for politicians, and tell us who is affected. Perhaps some journalism?

NY Times and Washington Post: Kudos for some excellent analysis stories.

Average Americans: We're tired, frustrated, and finished with politics in Washington. You have demonstrated you were not worthy of our vote. You have demonstrated politics is more important than people. You have demonstrated a "party" is more important than people.

It should not be about party politics; it should be about effective leadership. Perhaps there can be a workshop in the future that helps all of you in Congress learn the following:

1. Empathy

2. How to listen

3. How to compromise

4. How to reduce your arrogance

5. How to serve the people instead of shaft the people.

Joe Barnes, An Average American