INTRODUCTION
We’ll take a break from the markets, but we’ll stick with our charts. We always favor data over emotion and conjecture. We can then start to debate the data and have a lively discussion. Here is today’s focus:
OPEN FOR INTERPRETATION
Politicians are very good at spinning stories. They can argue that the chart above shows we have experienced a nice rally off the 2014 low of “9” and doubled in the past 8 years to get to 18.
..Please stop…
The truth — we had a higher trend in the 90s, then a decline, and since 2010 we’ve seen a relatively flat-line…at an abysmal level around 20%. Time for OUR spin – the chart actually shows that Congress’ approval rating is poor. And because the data is on a lagging basis — it actually feels even worse than the current level of 18. If the outright datapoint of 18 is not bad enough, the solution set is even worse. There appears to be more energy focused on the blame game, rather than finding solutions. There. We said it.
PROBLEM SOLVING 101
The first step towards solving a problem is to first define the problem. Similar to the solutions set, the energies spent defining the problem are dwarfed by the blame game. We can now see the real problem – Congress and their weak approval rating. Self-help is a large and growing industry at both the individual level and at the corporate level. Why can’t it be at the political level? It makes perfect sense – who doesn’t want to be “better”? This is very intuitive, introspective, and positive…for a better forward. It’s important to ask questions and seek answers.
A MODICUM OF INTROSPECTION
It’s really not that hard. Because Congress works for us, one would think this approval rating chart is the elephant in the room. Your constituents do not approve of the job you are doing! Just once, one would think someone in Congress would ask the easy questions:
“Hey guys, have you seen this data by any chance?”
“Do you think it is important?”
“Do you think we should try to do anything about it?”
A SIMPLE SOLUTION/AN EXERCISE FOR POLITICIANS
Because we do not believe in criticizing without offering up solutions, we will memorialize a potential 4-step process towards a solution. Every politician should:
STEP 1. Stare at this chart for one minute.
STEP 2. Think for one minute.
STEP 3. Grab a pen and paper or their phone.
STEP 4. Write down one thought (not allowed to use the blame card) and one potential solution.
A NEW LENS
The definition of winning is an uptick in this chart. It is a simple way to keep score. Since Congress works for us, we can use this as a new barometer: a new lens. Let’s ask ourselves, or better yet, they should ask themselves – “is what you are saying, doing, or proposing moving this chart higher or lower?” We should demand solutions and accountability, along with TRUST, TRUTH, and TRANSPARENCY.
