Category Archives: Soapbox

Who’s Teaching Who?

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I just saw the movie, “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” and I thought it was really great. I read the book in December 2000 and enjoyed it so much that I read the other books as well. In every book, there seems to be a central theme of good versus evil. It’s probably the most basic theme in most stories, including my favorite trilogy, The Lord of the Rings.

But I hear that these stories of witchcraft and sorcery spread the wrong messages and should not be told to our children. They are “non-Christian” and depict the beginning of the “new world order.” There is contact with the supernatural world, where spells and potions are the norm. And there are reports that these stories reflect evil beliefs.

As John Stossel of ABC News would say, “Give me a break!”

I could counter-attack with another story that speaks of spells, alcohol, infidelity, and many other things that we find appalling today, but my point isn’t to compare the Bible to modern literature (that would be blasphemous). No, my point is that some people have way too much time on their hands and need to stop ruining those things that the rest of us want to enjoy in peace.

A case in point. Every December, the State of Wisconsin puts up a tree in the capitol rotunda to celebrate the holidays of the season (let’s face it, it’s a Christmas tree). In 2000, a decision was made to not decorate the tree with religious ornaments. That upset a group of people, who then sued to have them put on. So, in 2001, the decision was made to place all sorts of secular and religious decorations on it. That upset another group, who is now suing to have the religious ornaments removed. A newspaper author suggested that in 2002, we put up a naked tree so that it stands as a tribute to those that want to ruin a holiday for the rest of us.

Don’t get me wrong… I’m all for free speech. But when does that speech become extreme? I admit that I’m a Christian. I’m also open-minded and believe in many other beliefs. But some people just need to get a life.

Let’s face it, I say a lot of things on this site that are probably just fluff. But what better way to get something off your chest than to say a few words about it. Those people that argue about the most mundane thing, though, are so full of it. I remember that Proctor and Gamble once had to change their logo because it resembled a satanic image. “Dungeons and Dragons” was banned by many because some twisted teenager committed suicide when his fighter character was cursed. And “Barney and Friends” and the “Teletubbies” are taboo in some circles because of either the actors or the symbolism of a character. Do you really think kids notice?

The fact that Harry Potter or The Lord of the Rings has fantastic characters should not alarm people. Disney’s been doing it for years. But unlike the original “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves” tale, Disney did a bang-up job of adding ridiculous characteristics to the dwarves. I mean, who wants to be friends with a short dude named Dopey? And does that name connote something more (such as pot-smoking)? Or what do people think about swimming around with a half-naked mermaid, as in “The Little Mermaid?” But the message is always the same at the end: lock lips with someone and the spell is lifted! Oh, look out, you may spread mono that way!

I especially have a hard time listening to people that feel that they have to push their beliefs on others. I’m not referring to Jehovah Witnesses, who peddle their religion but move on if you say no (although I have my reservations about them as well). I’m referring to those who preach brimstone and fire if you don’t believe in the healing powers of whomever or whatever they believe in. Yet I see so many acts of kindness in the face of all religions and all walks of life, whether it be Hindu, Christian, Judaism, Islam, Buddhism, Taoism, Paganism, or even Atheism. We all live by some form of ethical code, which we normally refer to as morals, and it’s this force that drives us to either do good or not. But if these people that preach their way or the highway are so freakin’ righteous, why the hell are they the ones that drive like complete asses on the highways and disregard other drivers out there? What hypocrites!

This country was founded on religious freedoms, but it was also found on the premise of majority rule. Yet I can’t help but notice that we always have to listen to the minority. Maybe we should listen to what they have to say… to a point. But to have to bend over backwards and appease them is absolutely ridiculous. These people are extremists, and they’re willing to take their beliefs to dangerous and deadly extremes. The U.S. is at war with extremists who terrorized our country. I often feel that other extremist groups are no better, especially when they send messages of fear and blow up clinics or factories.

I suppose there’s a balancing act in place here, and that these people do have some rights to express their opinions. But, in conclusion, I also believe that we, as sentient and intelligent human beings (well many of us… perhaps), should also be able to tell when these people need to be ignored. It kind of makes you wonder why I wrote this… after all, I’m reacting to their bull.

The First Year

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I recently celebrated my one-year anniversary of living in Madison and at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. Although it’s been a trying time, it’s also been a time worth sharing. Since this is pretty significant (at least to me), I thought I’d write about both my working aspects and my living experiences.

Employment

When I first arrived at WisDOT, I was a little overwhelmed with how things are structured. Fortunately, the staff was really friendly and helpful (there’s no manual here). The former analyst was still in the office (who is now our lead analyst on our team), so I used him as a resource quite often (I still use him as a resource, but not as often). My section chief was extremely patient with me (and still is), and offered me some guidance.

I didn’t realize the amount of detail among the different appropriations. But I spent much time learning about them, especially when my section chief assigned me the task of creating a document that explains all of the appropriations and current issues. I continue to learn about other aspects of my assigned division by interviewing divisional staff and writing allotment requests. I know I’m still learning, but I have a better idea of how things are done now, thanks to my section chief and the former analyst.

I thought about looking for a part-time job not long after I moved to Madison. I missed working in customer service. I looked at places that I went shopping, but nothing seemed to really impress me. Recently, I went shopping at a store called Bed Bath & Beyond. I was so impressed with the way people treated me and with the products they sold, I went back and bought a second item, then a third, and received the same treatment each time (no, they didn’t tell me to kiss my own…). So, I applied for a job there. After a couple of weeks of working there, I’m really happy I made this move. I interact with people all the time and I have fun playing catch and climbing a ladder (all stock related). Although it’s a ton of work, it’s also pretty fun (or so I keep telling myself). The pay is, well, let’s just say that I took the job for fun.

Recreation

When I wasn’t traveling to Milwaukee for the weekend, I spent time trying to find recreational things to do. A coworker introduced me to cross-country skiing (well, I went once) during the winter, and golf (I went very often) during the summer. I took golf lessons and really enjoyed knocking the wind out of a small, helpless ball on the driving range. I spent most of the summer playing. Although I still have lots to work on, I’ve had a good time so far.

Now that winter’s around the corner, I spend most of my time at home in my little apartment. My office book club recently read The Hobbit, and I was so captivated with reading it again (I first read it in grade school) that I decided to reread The Lord of the Rings trilogy again, apparently just in time for the first movie. I’ve also been upgrading my computer to Windows XP, so I’ve spent a lot of time dealing with problems (easy to upgrade my a**). On the plus side, I now have high-speed Internet access. Although I like the speed, I still don’t use my computer as often as I probably should.

One evening, I had a craving for cookies, so I bought a stand mixer and some other necessities to bake them. So far all I’ve baked is cookies, but I seem to enjoy it, probably because I like to bake for others. And now that I’m working at Bed Bath & Beyond, I don’t know if I’ll have time to do much else.

Next summer, though, I know I’ll devote more time to golf. I also plan on traveling… probably to some golf destinations.

Domestic Life

A year ago, a friend of mine told me that I’d spend my first week alone in my new apartment feeling lonely. Thank goodness I bought a TV, a VCR, and a DVD player, because I’m still waiting for that moment. He also told me that I’d get sick of cooking after about a month. If only he knew what I spent on groceries just last week.

But seriously, I do enjoy my apartment (which I refer to as “right-sized” for me). It’s got most of the amenities of home (furnished kitchen, bedroom, bathroom, living room, dining area, washer and drier in the basement). The building I live in is also set back from the road, so I don’t normally hear the traffic or much else. My neighbors are also pretty quiet. My only complaint is the small amount of countertop space in the kitchen, but I’ve compensated and adapted.

Besides eating, watching television, and sleeping, I spend some time in my apartment just catching up on domestic things (like cleaning, paying the bills, etc.). I’m not someone that could handle working from home all the time (I need to interact with people), but I do spend some time doing some house-type work at home. For example, I do use my computer for more than just surfing the web. There are letters to be written, finances to be analyzed, and Metallica to be listened to. And, of course, there’s plenty of room to practice my putting and swinging (though I still need to visit a driving range to actually drive any golf balls).

Social Life

There isn’t much to say about my social life in Madison. I guess one of the reasons I got a weekend job was to get out of the apartment and interact with people on the weekends, even if in a work-setting (oh, there’s the fun part). I spent so many weekends in Milwaukee during the last several months that I never really found time to get out and try to pursue a social life in Madison. And when I do go out in Madison, it’s either alone or with a couple of coworkers, but that’s pretty rare.

I recently discovered that I’m not a big fan of the bar scene anymore. I haven’t had any real desire to go out and have a drink, so my blood-alcohol content has been at zero for quite some time. Yet I also haven’t found a chance to date, so I’m still maintaining that I’m “happily” single.

I also spent much of my time on the driving range and putting greens this past year, since I’m really enthused about golf. Although I’ve met a couple of people in passing on the course, I haven’t made any real long-term friendships outside of my office. But I’m sure as life goes on, I’ll meet people and start living my life in Madison (just need to stay away from Milwaukee for a while)… and now with a weekend job, I think I have some excuse.

Volunteer Work

I’ve spent so much time helping out my Cub Scout pack in Milwaukee, that there are times that I feel that I could use a break from them. I’m still the Committee Chairperson of my pack, but I’m ready to move on. Fortunately, there is someone that acts on my behalf when I’m not around, and I hear he’s been doing an excellent job. I’ll be talking to him soon about relieving me.

As a result of all of the time I spent in Milwaukee, I haven’t found time to do any volunteer work in Madison. I did discover that other adult leaders work in my building that are always recruiting new volunteers for their Boy Scout troops. But with my busy schedule, it’s tough for me to find the time to help out another troop.

I’ve also been asked to sit in on an advisory committee. Although it sounds promising, I haven’t made a decision as to whether I’m really interested or not. Something tells me that I’ll be signing up for this soon, depending on whether or not my section chief gives me permission to.

So what are my feelings now that I’ve lived in Madison for a year? I like living here. It’s small, compared to Milwaukee. It’s got plenty of recreation to offer, which I need to capitalize on. My apartment feels more like home now, but could still use a few amenities (like a computer desk and a recliner). I’ve made some really good friends in the office. And I’ve taken up golf, so I’ve got something to look forward to every summer.

But I can’t help notice how many things I’m still missing out on. Because I live so near Milwaukee, I still drive there to help out with some odd thing or other. I would like to spend more time in Madison and try to get a jump-start on my own life (which has been slow-going so far).

In retrospect, the first year here has been very rewarding and very exciting. I hope that the next year allows me to pursue some more fun and exciting things… I’m sure it will.

Plumbing/retail

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Originally posted: December 2000

In a previous life, I worked in a plumbing store. I have had time to think about my experiences, both good and bad. Although there are many virtues to working in a store where you can learn about fixing things (especially the one thing that most people really dislike to work on), I also had my share of problems.

Let me start with the benefits. The plumbing store was a retail store, so I was fortunate to have dealt with the general public. I’ve heard many people complain about having to deal with difficult customers, and I’ll admit that I’ve had my share. But I rarely hear about the grateful customers that have returned to say, “hey, thanks for your help.” So, here’s to those that have done that for me. And it hasn’t happened only once or twice. I remember the gentleman who returned after four or five years and told me about how the pipe I made for him was used in an Air Force bomber, marked as good, and is still in service (anything to do my duty to my country). Then there’s the elderly lady who listened to me on how to replace her lavatory pop-up drain (something her late husband normally would’ve done). She returned a couple of months later and told me how wonderful it was to follow my directions and watch it work… perfectly. And there was the regular customer who owned some apartments and hated to see me go (after five years, you think I’d learn his name… sorry).

I also learned about ordering merchandise and dealing with suppliers. I learned how to order a year into the job. As I moved up in seniority (others left and allowed me to move up… if you want to call it a move up), I was given more authority in ordering and dealing with employees. I learned how to order how much, what sold quickly, and how often to order something. It also allowed me to learn what we really had on the shelves and in surplus.

I also learned how to order special items for customers. I sold new fixtures and faucets as well (the store is a Kohler registered showroom). I dealt with people that wanted a variety of styles, all from basic to traditional to Victorian to contemporary. I also learned how to get the products as soon as possible (more on this in a bit).

The most important thing I learned while working there was how to install and repair plumbing. Selling products and parts included teaching customers how to perform the install or repair. There are many different faucets, toilets and other fixtures out there, meaning that each has a unique way of being fixed. And I’ve learned how to identify a part just by looking at it (well, many parts, not all of them). Installing is also important, because it’s important to know when to give up fixing something. This just doesn’t include faucets and fixtures; it’s also important to know some of the dynamics (and codes) when installing pipe and other plumbing items.

I also had the opportunity to learn about new technology and decorating trends. With this knowledge comes the ability to learn about what works well and what doesn’t in certain settings. The technology aspect is especially important, seeing how many toilets and faucets are now designed to use less water than years ago. If you want to know which toilet will flush properly, or which showerhead offers a decent spray, I would be able to tell you.

Despite all of these benefits I’ve discovered working in a plumbing store, I have also discovered some downsides as well. Most of these relate to the store that I worked in.

The store was family-run. This meant working with the boss’ sister-in-law, his son, his neighbor’s kid, his son’s friend; it was quite a circus at times. Don’t get me wrong; his sister-in-law was really cool to work with, when she wasn’t on the phone. As for the rest of them, I can now see why so many people shun at the concept of nepotism, especially when these people don’t know how to deal with customers or give out the wrong information. And speak of a lack of motivation! When they weren’t busy helping customers, they spent a good deal of time sitting and wasting time.

I especially had a problem with the level of discipline at the store. The boss’ son and his friend seemed to have a schedule in a different time zone, because they would come in two, three, or even four hours late. That increased the workload for the rest of us. Yet these two were never disciplined for it. At one time, I was appointed to employee supervisor; big deal, right? I was told that I was responsible for telling the others what to do if they weren’t busy. Not long after that, I told the boss’ son’s friend to perform something, and he said, “no.” I wanted to fire him, but I didn’t have that kind of authority. I wondered why I was given this “supervisor” position if I had no recourse for problem employees.

Another thing I learned was to not put all of your eggs in one basket, so to speak. It seemed that the boss always ordered special-order items from one particular warehouse, probably because he could chat with the woman that he called all the time (I won’t say it’s flirting because it didn’t sound like it).

Customers who were told that a special-order could be available in as soon as two weeks would call me a month later and ask why it wasn’t available yet. I’d check around, find out the same item was available at a different warehouse, and get the item for them in a day. Although this didn’t always occur, it did occur more often than I care to remember, which, from a customer service standpoint, I think is too often.

I also had trouble with another aspect of ordering. We had too many people ordering, so when it came time to order something, there was no control. There were times that person A didn’t check in with person B about what was or was not ordered. This resulted in some overhead issues, as well as an increase in cost. Also, some employees felt that they could order something for display or for stock without really evaluating any cost-benefit of it. For example, someone thought it would be a good idea to stock PEX pipe; before we knew it was approved by state code. I left before finding out whether PEX really sold in the store or not. Another example was getting a Toto toilet in for display. That angered the regional Kohler sales representative, who threatened to pull our showroom certificate if we didn’t get rid of the toilet. Living in Wisconsin, being a Registered Kohler Showroom brings in business, and lots of it. Losing that registration could’ve been detrimental.

Finally, we had more items to sell than we had space. We built additional shelving and such, but everything was dispersed throughout the store. The building was an old restaurant/deli that was converted into a retail/hardware store. Space needs were certainly an issue, but it never became a real problem. We made due with the space we had, even if it meant less space in our break room.

But looking in hindsight, I think that I really learned much about working in retail and working for a small organization. I missed helping people, so I found work in another retail store. I probably won’t have the home-like feeling I had at the plumbing store, which is something that I miss. But then again, who needs the headaches of arguing with your “siblings?”

E-mail: Use or abuse?

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Originally posted: February 2001

Many people who are reading this probably have some sort of e-mail access. Of those, I would imagine that many find that there are real benefits to e-mail, as opposed to regular postage (a.k.a. snail mail or land mail). I tend to agree that there are many benefits to e-mail. Yet I am also disgusted with the number of messages I receive in the form of junk e-mail and chain letters. I also dislike messages that don’t use proper grammar… this is the English language, not baby-talk. A third complaint I have is information that people send off without confirming the information or the source. Let me discuss this further.

Junk e-mail has been given the name, “Spam.” Spam, named after a favorite Hormel lunchmeat (not mine), is the solicited e-mail sent to a person who did not request it. It is used primarily for advertising. I like this as much as I like receiving junk mail in my regular home mailbox (or snail mail box, or whatever the hell you want to call it). But Spam is much worse. First of all, because it is free, it can be sent to a single recipient several times. The thing I hate even more, though, is that it tends to contain some of the worst material! Why on earth do I want to look at women with no clothes? I already know that I’m not getting any, so why bother showing me what I’m missing? Do you prefer I go postal (pun intended)?

Other things I’ve received in the form of Spam include messages that tell me that I can earn my degree online. This seriously bothers me because I have already earned two degrees the old-fashioned way… I fell asleep in class (especially in Bureaucratic and Organizational Theory). I’ve also received messages telling me that I can win a cruise to some tiny little island resort off the cape of Florida. Sure, just when I get back from visiting a third-world nation and realize that I prefer staying away from bottled water for a while (a long while, mind you), they suddenly find a need to tell me that I can win a cruise where I’ll be surrounded by water that’s unsafe to drink and mosquitoes that still carry malaria (thank goodness for that vaccine). If I want to go on a cruise, order a degree online, or purchase anything, I’ll look it up myself! I don’t need other people telling me what contests and such I should be entering or purchasing.

The other type of e-mail I really dislike are chain letters. These usually come from friends that have you on their happy little distribution list (which usually includes everyone they know that has e-mail). I find these as offensive as regular chain letters. First, you just wasted my time telling me that I can have good luck if I annoy a boat-load of people with the same rubbish you just sent me. Better yet, I will have bad luck if I don’t send it to anyone. Realistically, I don’t believe in luck. And those messages that tell me to forward them to exactly ten people now so I can see something cute on my PC are just as bad. If I want something cute on my PC, I’ll download a picture of some cartoon character. And again, why on earth do I want to annoy my friends the way you just annoyed me? Furthermore, if I want to fall in love with someone, well refer to my snippet on dating!

Second, these messages are usually the type that say I can find my true love or good luck if I send it to so many people… again, read my snippet on dating. I don’t want these messages, so don’t send them to me. If you need good luck, send them to someone else who gives a flying rip. If you need to fall in love, go to the bar and meet someone there… they’ll love you for the night.

Proper grammar in e-mail is another issue I have. Sure, in chat rooms many people don’t capitalize the first letters where they should or use proper punctuation (or any in most cases), which is understandable. But e-mail should be treated like a written letter. If I sent e-mail that had absolutely nothing but improper grammar and structure to a potential customer or employer, do you think they’d earn my respect? Of course not! They’d view me the same way I view others: What’s the highest grade this person completed, Kindergarten? I really lose much respect for people that don’t structure their letters properly, and I think that a letter, no matter how insignificant it may seem, shows much about a person’s personality. A quick and dirty letter usually means that the person does things to get it done, not for meaning or content. First impressions say much, and there’s no exception to e-mail. This type of message tells me that your thought processes are a jumbled… just the person I want to know!

Another problem in the ways of e-mail and grammar are what I call “this moment” messages. These are messages where someone writes:

hi brian just writing to let u know that i really liked meeting u in chat last nite and i want to hear from you again. i gotta go to school now so i can’t write more right now. see u bye

I mean, what the f**k is that supposed to mean to me? I don’t care if you’re running late for classes or your own wedding! I won’t even see the message for a few hours, so why should I care? Do you write messages like that to parents, siblings and cousins? I wouldn’t dare! I think I could compose something nicer in a couple of minutes:

Dear Brian:

I just wanted to let you know that I really enjoyed spending some time last night chatting with you and getting to know you. You seem like a very articulate and friendly guy, and you seem to show a great deal of respect for me. Thanks for having such a meaningful discussion with me. Please write soon.

Your stalking admirer,

Jane Doe

TIme: 45 seconds. And don’t copy and paste this message to me… I’ll know that you read this (thank you) and copied and pasted the message (plagiarism). My point is that a decent message should not look like a bunch of thoughts scribbled on a bar napkin… If I want that, I’ll go to the freakin’ bar! All letters, no matter how simple, should show that you cared enough to send me something worth my time. I just simply refuse to read messages like that anymore.

My third problem with certain messages is that people tend to send things to me that are either hoaxes or that cannot be confirmed. I receive many messages that tell me about all of these dangerous viruses, and how all of the big companies confirm that they exist. Yet when I check out those websites, there’s absolutely no mention of such a virus. As an added step, I also check out some of the reliable anti-virus sites to check out this information… only to find out that the message I just received is really a hoax. I also receive scares from people about other things, such as government legislation that’s going to affect me in one way or another. Just like the virus hoaxes, I soon discover that these “reliable sources of information” are completely false.

What really bothers me is that people get scared over nothing and instantly send it off without confirming their sources. What is the big deal about going to a website to check it out for yourself? It takes an extra five minutes, and it prevents people from getting scared (or in my case, angry). I think that the ability to send information quickly makes some people quickly assume that they have reliable information without confirming the source of the information. Would you believe that the Budweiser Frog Screensaver scare is still circulating? This was confirmed a hoax by Symantec over a year ago!

E-mail can be a wonderful thing, but it has to be treated with as much respect and etiquette as a written letter. Also, it shouldn’t be junk-mail. I don’t like receiving that. And finally, I don’t care to hear about how lucky I can be; I already am the luckiest guy I know. I have everything I want: Respect, self-esteem, a decent job I love, shelter, food, and overall peace of mind. So I beg you, don’t send me that rubbish, don’t compose that rubbish, and most importantly, write something substantive yet simple. I don’t mind jokes, but lighten up on those as well. If you really want to earn my respect, you’ll follow these rules and adopt them when you compose any message (not just to me, but to everyone). And if you have problems with the English language, buy a book about learning the language (like “Grammar for Dummies”).

Finally, I don’t need people telling me about dangerous viruses and other useless information out there. I am already an insider (in a sense), and I am aware of what’s out there. I am also aware of what’s not out there. The things that don’t exist seem to be the things that I receive from sources that cannot be confirmed. Spend a couple of extra minutes and confirm it; provide the website link that does confirm it. And above all, if you can’t confirm it, don’t send it out!!

Public vs. Private Sector

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The argument that government is not as efficient or as effective as private enterprise continues to rage on. I finally thought it would be worthwhile to offer my two-cents worth to the argument. Seeing how I work for the government, you probably think that I am biased towards it. I will admit that this is true. But please be aware that my arguments are based on experience, not on academics (although I reserve the right to use academics for reference). I’m not going to argue which is better to work for… that’s for the reader to decide. Rather, I will offer my arguments as to why I think that government organizations are generally actually more efficient than private businesses.

I’ll start with customer service. It would seem that since companies are trying to lure and keep customers, they are doing what they can to increase their customer service. You could even argue that governments don’t need to worry about customer service because many of their citizens usually don’t choose where to live once they’ve moved in. This is false. In fact, governments are very concerned about citizen-relations because they realize that citizens do have the means and option to move. Many of our larger cities have seen a decline in population in the last twenty years, while the suburban communities have seen an increase. Development in rural areas is an important issue. This is evident that governments are concerned about the people they govern. Yet private companies were the driving force behind the customer service charge, but that seems to have waned among some companies. I think I am especially upset about many of the large department stores. Many of these stores have had to deal with low employment, so they seem to have hired just about anyone. Yet they seem to miss the fact that they need to train employees on how to deal with customers. I’m sorry, but if I get some cocky 17-year-old guy that’s too busy speaking on the phone with his buddies to answer a couple of questions, I can easily find another store to patronize. I think many governments have realized this, so they have made efforts to become more in-tune to what their citizens want… but you still can’t please everyone.

The second complaint I hear about is the rigidity of government bureaucracies. Yet there is also the argument for equity and fairness. Max Weber argued that bureaucracies are the most efficient and fairest organizations around (during the 1920s). Yet I have recently seen more problems in the private sector in relation to this. The biggest gripe I have is that when I take an item to the store to exchange, they make me sit through this entire process of scanning in the old item, applying the credit to my account, then ringing in the new item. During this entire process, I have gone from one receipt to three… there are times I’ve ended up with seven (must be that new math). Yet government bureaucracies are doing many things to make life easier for their customers. I recently visited a Division of Motor Vehicles office to change my address. While there, I observed the operation. When you walk in, you read a sign that explains the process. First, you take a number from the machine, and you push the button for the category of your visit (licensing, vehicle registration, etc.). Second, you don’t stand in line… you sit. Who would’ve thought that people actually hate to stand on their feet for 20 minutes? Anyway, you sit and wait for your number to be displayed on a large electronic board. If you have a form to fill out, you can do so while waiting for your number to appear on the board. Finally, you are called to a counter where a customer service representative helps you deal with your paperwork. I even hear that they will be working on better id photos.

Third, when was the last time a government filed bankruptcy? Only two major cities (that I know of) have in the last century. Meanwhile, many companies are merging or closing down. Sure, you can argue that it’s the result of fierce market competition, but how many cities have to compete against the same conditions? How many people move out of the cities and into the suburbs? Many governments continue to struggle with budget deficits and other shortfalls, yet they seem to develop balanced budgets and continue to operate rather well. Companies that run into problems close branches (like some retailers), shut down factories, or even completely disappear by the wayside.

I haven’t mentioned accountability yet, have I? This is very important. When a company makes a mistake, the company begins to point fingers. This was pretty apparent in a recent automobile mistake. Eventually, the company accepted fault and paid the consequences. Government officials are much more accountable in this case. If an elected official makes a mistake, he or she usually gets elected out (well, we won’t discuss the conduct of a high elected official and his intern). My point is that there is a higher level of checks and balances between the public and its government than there is between companies and their customers. Warranties are useful in some cases, but they are usually limited and not heeded until after those limits have passed. Elected officials are out meeting their constituents time and time again just to continue to serve. That, I believe, is a high level of accountability.

Finally, there’s the cost of government. Governments are constantly increasing their services while simultaneously cutting their primary revenue sources, i.e. taxes. Businesses increase prices when the cost of production increases. Yet governments have been under this sad façade of cutting taxes while increasing services. The truth is that governments are really at their wits’ ends. They’ve fallen under the guises of strategic planning and benchmarking (and a list of other names), and they’ve really been able to pull off this amazing feat. Only lately have governments really felt the pinch of this. Companies, on the other hand, have been raising prices… some beyond belief. And prices can increase more than once a year… governments cannot raise taxes more than once a year due to the constraints of the budget. Where is the budget for companies? They do make them, but they are usually not as constrained to them the way governments are.

Thus I believe that the public sector does not receive its fair shake in the argument of which is more efficient and effective. No system is perfect, public or private. Yet it is difficult for me to argue one is better by comparing apples to oranges. The bottom line is that governments are not any worse than private companies… I dare to argue that governments have as many pitfalls as private enterprises, but with greater restrictions. On the bright side, I do like the fringe benefits that governments offer.

Road Rage

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I don’t understand why people have this need to be so adversarial when they’re driving. Why is everyone in such a hurry? As a driver, I have noticed that many people are in a rush to push their vehicles to their limits. They zigzag through other cars, they pass in non-passing lanes, they cut off others, and they drive as if they’re driving at Indy.

I’ll admit, I used to be the same way. But then I realized that it wasn’t worth it. Your car ends up wearing out faster, your tires need replacing sooner, your brakes burn up more quickly… and for what, to get to that next red light so you can wait longer? Is that how you like to spend your time in traffic… waiting?

And who said it was ok to make illegal lane changes, illegal U-turns (a U-turn at a traffic light is not allowed in Wisconsin), and illegal turns? The last time I checked, it is illegal to turn from a left lane into a right lane (and vice versa). And you wonder why we have so many accidents in our intersections. And if that’s not enough, I’m supposed to read everyone’s minds when they decide to cut in front of me without a signal. Do you think I keep a crystal ball in my glove box? Do you keep one?

Furthermore, I really find it annoying when I am driving, I look up into my rear-view mirror, and there’s some idiot right on my tail. I don’t mean a few feet back… we’re talking inches! Do I look that good that you feel you have to get a better look? Is my car that impressive? It can’t be my bumper stickers, because I don’t have any. Try getting on my tail and see if you go any faster… I know how to slow down and really tick you off! And what about those people at traffic lights that just screech off when the light turns green? It’s like I’m in freakin’ Indy again.

Or worse, why don’t people pay more attention to what’s going on around them? I really love when I’m driving and I see the bright-orange construction sign that says, “Left lane closed – 1 mile.” So what does everyone do? They wait until the last freakin’ minute to move into the right lane. What really bothers me is when I’m at a red traffic light, it turns green, and the person in front of me doesn’t seem to either remember what a green light means, or where the gas pedal is.

Speaking of paying attention, there should be a law banning the use of personal phones in a moving vehicle. People on phones while driving seem completely impervious to what’s going on around them. Hey, those mirrors only show you so much when you want to make a lane change… I’m right next to you! And they drive so much slower. I don’t know about anyone else, but if the posted limit is 40, I’d like to go that fast so I can make it home before Nightline! Isn’t there a minimum speed limit as well? And what on earth is so important that you have to talk about it while you’re driving, risking life and limb, and possibly making it more difficult for me to get home in time for Nightline because you’ve turned over your SUV and created one ugly traffic jam?!? What’s more important, your phone call or getting home in one piece? And don’t assume that I wouldn’t know what I’m talking about… I had a phone once, and I nearly got into accidents myself while speaking on the phone.

My solution to everyone, then, is to use common sense while driving. It doesn’t take much to show a little courtesy and proper judgment. Think about this: You’re in a vehicle, all surrounded by 1/8″ steel, a couple of bars between you and the outside world, or a piece of glass. Is it worth risking life and limb just because you got a little upset, or because you’re in a hurry? And what happens if you crash? Your insurance rates jump, you’re out a car, and you risk having lifelong injuries. Take it easy out there… there are better things to do than to drive like an idiot (now hush up… The World’s Worst Drivers is starting… I need to get home to watch it).

MPA Program at UWM

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The Masters of Public Administration at UWM has been one of the most rewarding programs I have had the pleasure of being a part of. I would like to take this opportunity to describe to you how this program offers students more than just a masters degree.

When I began the program in the Fall of 1998, I was somewhat overwhelmed at the idea of actually working towards a masters degree in a field that really interested me. There were some new professors, new students, and new ideas and concepts. It seemed like there was more work and more time that would have to be divulged into working for this degree. But I also noticed that some of the instructors and professors teaching us had practical experience in the field, and they were able to bring this into the course structure as well. Two classes that stand out are Municipal Management and Bureaucratic Theory.

The following Spring, I took a course in Policy Analysis. I was surprised to learn that the professor teaching this was at one time a legislator. Since this was a class on policy analysis, I learned that an actual policy maker (former Wisconsin State legislator) made the ideal instructor for this course. And taking a course in Intergovernmental Relations with a professor who specialized in the field made that class more worthwhile also.

The following Fall, I took a course in Physical Planning and Municipal Engineering. This was not a class taught through the Masters of Public Administration Department, but rather, it was a class that was taught through the Engineering Department. There was so much work that was involved, but the professor kept the class interesting, the material was really exciting, and the work really paid off. If anyone has an option to take this course, don’t even hesitate for a second… go for it! The following semester, I took a course in learning what a Geographical Information System (GIS) does. Another “hands-on” class, I learned how to really articulate my analytical and technical skills. What really surprised me were the students that sat in this class, which included business, geography, architecture, and even an engineering student. I would definitely recommend this class.

The bottom line is that the MPA program at UWM offers more than just your basic classes. They offer classes that are hands-on, classes that are not only informative but also intriguing, and instructors that show a genuine concern about their students. This last item, concern for students, is another thing I really want to discuss.

As an undergraduate student at UWM, I earned my Bachelors of Arts in Political Science. As a student in that program, I became a member of Pi Sigma Alpha, and was involved in the Epsilon Chi chapter at UWM. I even spent a semester as chapter secretary. But all we did was hold one big event in the Spring, and we had a recognition luncheon. Beyond that, I only saw my fellow students in class, assuming I shared the same classes. But it was different when I went to that first orientation for the Masters of Public Administration.

One of the big things that impressed me with the orientation was the commitment the faculty showed for the students that were in this program. They wanted to begin a student organization for those of us who were interested in public administration. This became the Public Administration Student Society (PASS). What was unique about this was that it was open to students who were interested in public administration, not just those that were in the program (although anyone in the program was automatically a member with voting privileges). As PASS progressed through the first year, we saw minimum participation. Many of us were very discouraged.

PASS’ second year saw a change in leadership. In the first year, many of the officers were involved in many other things, making it difficult for them to put forth much commitment into the program. As charter officer and secretary, I had more time to devote to PASS, since I did not have the various work-related obligations my fellow officers had. I became president in Winter 2000, and the new officers that were elected showed much more commitment and enthusiasm to helping this organization really move forward.

This past year, we have had a panel discussion with professionals from the field of public administration to help students work on getting their first jobs, and our Spring orientation was successful, with three alumni that came and spoke to us about opportunities and lessons in public administration, and what their degree helped them to achieve. We’ve also had some fun activities, such as attending a Brewers game, complete with (what else?) a tailgate party, and we’ve spent time meeting professorial candidates for the MPA program. And in July, we will join the Milwaukee Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration to tour the Milwaukee River on the Edelweiss Cruise.

What are the ingredients to a successful organization such as ours? First of all, you have a group of students who are concerned about this field. Let’s face it, we’re working on this degree because it is related to a field in which we will spend our lives working in. And a masters degree requires so much more commitment than a bachelors degree. Furthermore, the officers have goals for the events as well as the organization as a whole. Their commitment and time has really been a key factor in helping to propel this organization.

Finally, we have had support from the professors and staff. Our director has a genuine concern for the students, and he has been an important contact for all of our events. He continues to ask for student participation at many of these events, as well as other events that will help us continue to grow. Other professors in the program have also been very helpful in distributing materials and attending many of our functions. And now that we have support from a professional organization, we have the ability to network with the finest members of the field of public administration, including administrators in municipal government, state government, and non-profit organizations.

In conclusion, I just want to say that I am grateful to all of those that I have had the pleasure of knowing through the Masters of Public Administration, including students, faculty, and professionals. I know that other students will also have the opportunities I’ve had in this program to really get a true feeling about what public administration is all about. Anyone who joins this program will have many wonderful experiences in the time they spend at UWM, and these experiences will help them over time in the field of public administration.