Interesting dilemma

Front page news on CNN.com - http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/02/07/berkeley.protests/index.html.

My initial reaction to the city of Berkeley, California, encouraging the protest of Marine recruiters in their city is one of sympathy and "How dare you?". Sympathy for the work of the Marines (including recruiters) whose jobs are literally to defend the United States of America. Without the dedication of the Marines, we'd be a much less prosperous and happy country. My "How dare you?" reaction goes directly to the city of Berkeley and the protesters themselves. Simply put: you are protesting and fighting against the very people that fight for your ability to protest.

Regardless - this is an interesting dilemma because I do believe the city of Berkeley had the right to make this call. I believe it is up to the city to make these kinds of choices. "Autonomous" city governments are some of the best systems of government as they can most effectively address the wants and needs of their citizenry. So what does one do?

Firstly, I believe the Federal Government did the right thing in threatening to remove $2 million in federal funding to the city. I think the government should in fact remove all federal funding if Berkeley continues to act this way. I also think the government of California should take away funding from and/or tax any city government that makes calls like Berkeley's. I believe this would set up the right incentives for Berkeley to act in its and the entire country's interest.

Secondly, the citizens who believe in the Marines and understand the fact that their work enables us to live the lives we do, need to make our voices heard to cities like Berkeley. Email, phone calls, letters, facebook, etc. to help them understand the mistake their making.

Change is scary - but this kind of change? Disturbing.

Change is scary. All types of change. Middle school to high school, high school to college, college to the working world, marriage, kids, career changes, going abroad, organizational change, etc. But what doesn't destroy you, makes you wiser, and makes you a better person. That is why almost all types of change are scary, but they are for the best.

Organizational change experts talk of "change killers" - individuals that can't fathom the concept or thought of changing the current mold, the current way of operating. I can't stand change killers - in fact, I seek to avoid them at all costs. But there is one type of change that I'm literally disturbed by - it's a type of change that we've all heard a lot about recently, and that is the "change" espoused by presidential hopefuls Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.

Both Obama and Clinton use simple and tactful phrases referring to change that effectively appeal to millions. I recently viewed a video on youtube - WeCan08 - from one of Barack Obama's speeches. Wonderfully done, and inspiring; however, is it not scary to anyone else that hundreds of people chant "We Want Change!" to a aspiring government leader? Is it not uncomfortable to anyone else that hundreds, thousands, millions of people are looking to presidential campaigns to create change for them? I mean, what are people really expecting from a new president? Do they expect them to make things better once and for all? Is it George Bush's fault that we can't provide for ourselves? That we can't manage our own finances maturely and effectively? That we can't do what it takes to educate ourselves to be competitive, global citizen? I firmly believe that it's up to the individual to create a life of excitement, happiness, and fortune for himself or herself, and that is why it is scary to me to think that millions of people are seemingly looking to a presidential candidate to provide that life for them.

I trust John McCain will win the presidency. If not, it's not the end of the world. In fact, the world may not very different if Obama or Clinton is elected. However, if the individuals who beg for change from Obama do not begin to embrace the kind of change that is scary but ultimately rewarding and for the best, and continue to look to someone or something else for a better life, then we're going to have some seriously unhappy people over the next four years.