Immigration . . . Get Back on Track!

It is this writer's belief that the whole immigration issue has long gone off track. Perhaps it's political naivete or simplemindedness, but suffering illegal activity seems dissonant with our constitutional republic. Yet, massive protests have erupted in the name of illegal immigrants, and now a national boycott by these immigrants is being planned for May 1st.

Many activists are promoting this boycott in the name of amnesty. When one considers the number of people waiting to immigrate to our fine land legally, it seems that amnesty would violate the qualities of fairness and justice.

Some would argue that the "illegals" are merely trying to improve their standard of living or provide a better life for their families. While this is certainly noble, breaking the immigration law of our nation to do so invalidates their honorable cause. Someone wisely said, "It is never right to do wrong in order to get the chance to do right."

It is time for our lawmakers to exercise justice, tempered with mercy.

• Enforcing existing immigration laws is Step One. Rather than photo op enforcement, apply the law equitably and justly.
• Nail the businesses that employ illegal immigrants. Provide them with the tools necessary for enforcement and make them accountable for compliance.
• Provide an opportunity for illegal immigrants to leave and make request for legal entry. Those who chose not to leave must be held to account for their unwillingness to comply with our laws. If there is a legitimate reason for their inability to return to their homeland, provide a process for evaluating their mitigating circumstances.
• Secure the borders! Use our military to enforce the borders. Build the necessary structures to prevent illegal penetration. Install the latest technology to assist our military in the process of detecting and apprehending illegal perpetrators.
• Establish a guest worker program that will enable those with economic needs to fulfill their responsibility to provide for their families and loved ones. Make the enforcement simple by issuing a tamper-proof card that MUST be presented to any United State employer before being placed on the payroll.

There is no doubt that we are indeed a nation of immigrants. Ours is a respected tradition of welcoming many from other lands. Emma Lazarus best stated the goodness of our nation when she penned, "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, The wretched refuse of your teeming shore; Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door" (The New Colossus, November 2, 1883).

Any of the above listed categories are welcome in these United States. We merely ask that they honor our laws and traditions. Let's bring common sense to the table! Stop the political squabbling and, above all, stop worrying about who is going to control the next Congress. Let's do the business of the people because it is right, not merely expedient.

Thanks for reading. Always make a difference!

Worth Pondering!

"I have lived for a long time 81 years; and the longer I live the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of man. And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without his notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without his aid? We have been assured, sir, in the sacred writings, that "Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it." I firmly believe this; and I also believe that without his concurring aid we shall proceed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel: we shall be divided by our little, partial, local interests; our prospects will be confounded; and we ourselves shall become a reproach and a byword down to future ages. And what is worse, mankind may hereafter, from this unfortunate instance, despair of establishing government by human wisdom, and leave it to chance, war, or conquest. I therefore beg leave to move that henceforth prayers, imploring the assistance of Heaven and its blessing on our deliberations, be held in this assembly every morning before we proceed to business; and that one or more of the clergy of this city be requested to officiate in that service."

--Benjamin Franklin: Speech in Convention for forming a Constitution for the United States, 1787.

The "Art" of Persuasion

I found this blog post while checking through a recently found website. I urge anyone who needs to persuade others to read and re-read Selling Chocolates. I speaks to a defining principle of persuasion.

Think of the difference we could make by using similar practices. Happy reading!

Always make a difference!!!

It's All About . . .

Have we lost the concept of the Golden Rule in our culture? At every turn one can read, see or hear sorry examples of self-centered finger pointing and outright lies. The political climate, in this authors estimation, is the sorriest.

Is it time to clean house in Washington, D.C.? What would it be like to have 535 genuine statesman who thought first of others? Merriam Webster's dictionary defines statesman as, "one who exercises political leadership wisely and without narrow partisanship." By this definition, an obvious dearth exists in our current national leadership on every level.

While the readership of this blog is rather limited, this blogger believes it is time for a groundswell of grassroots activists to rise up and say, "It's not about you, Mr./Ms. Politician!" It's all about "We the People!" Sadly, "We" have lost interest in the political process because of its complexity, crassness and carnality.

Much discussion is going on about the 2006 mid-term elections. The Democrats are salivating at the opportunity to recapture control of the legislative branch. The Republicans are sweating over the hapless faux pas' that the esteemed leadership continue to make and the ethical lapses in which others are caught. How about "We the People" rise up and let them ALL know that we have the opportunity to vote out 435 congress"people" and replace them with genuine leaders that have the public's interest at heart and not the political pork or project.

Thanks for reading Differencemaker's diatribe. We can make a difference in the political pollution of our culture. Let's start now!

Always make a difference!

Values

Edgar H. Schein, Professor of Management at MIT has identified eight themes/values in which every person will prioritize their professional preferences. These themes, called Career Anchors by Professor Schein, are as follows:

Technical/Functional competence
This kind of person likes being good at something and will work to become an expert. They like to be challenged and then use their skill to meet the challenge, doing the job properly and better than almost anyone else.

General Managerial competence
Unlike technical/functional people, these folks want to be managers (and not just to get more money, although this may be used as a metric of success). They like problem-solving and dealing with other people. They thrive on responsibility. To be successful, they also need emotional competence.

Autonomy/Independence
These people have a primary need to work under their own rules and steam. They avoid standards and prefer to work alone.

Security/Stability
Security-focused people seek stability and continuity as a primary factor of their lives. They avoid risks and are generally 'lifers' in their job.

Entrepreneurial Creativity
These folks like to invent things, be creative and, most of all, to run their own businesses. They differ from those who seek autonomy in that they will share the workload. They find ownership very important. They easily get bored. Wealth, for them, is a sign of success.

Service/Dedication to a cause
Service-oriented people are driven by how they can help other people more than using their talents (which may fall in other areas). They may well work in public services or in such as HR.

Pure Challenge
People driven by challenge seek constant stimulation and difficult problems that they can tackle. Such people will change jobs when the current one gets boring and their career can be very varied.

Lifestyle
Those who are focused first on lifestyle look at their whole pattern of living. They not so much balance work and life as integrate it. They may even take long periods off work in which to indulge in passions such as sailing or traveling.

During a very challenging and informative course offered through my employer, I assessed my own values according to the aforementioned Career Anchors. It was eye opening and something that I wish I had the privilege of considering early in my work life.

The highest priority in my career is a sense of service or dedication to a cause. This explains my yearning to make a sincere difference in this world, and why I am seldom motivated by the mere acquisition of things. It also challenges me to prioritize my activities according to what is integral to satisfying this need.

Two anchors tied for importance in my professional priorities; life-style integration and entrepreneurial creativity. Whatever I do must blend with my family obligations, and provide the opportunity to be creative and participate in the successes of the organization for which I work or own.

What are your career anchors? Which of these anchors can you not live without?

Values are the root system of your career. They provide the "anchor" when the circumstances around you buffet.

Always make a difference!

Making A Difference

Has "Making a Difference" become a cliche? More and more I've seen and heard the phrase used and, yes, abused.

What does it mean to make a difference? Can one quantitatively or qualitatively assess the difference they are making? Is it possible that "making a difference" is merely a marketing catch-phrase intended to make a consumer feel good about a product or service? Could it be that "making a difference" is sometimes used to cover up a poorly executed or even ill-conceived business plan?

Every new year brings the opportunity to assess how much of a difference one has made in the lives of those with whom he works and lives. Even the "best laid plans of mice and men," may result in outcomes that are less than stellar. As I reviewed my own 2005 goals, my performance appraisal for 2005 would likely be judged as "needing improvement" in almost every area.

As such, I have decided to ascertain my priorities anew. I have determined to look at my life according to four areas:

1. My Values
2. My Personality
3. My Skills
4. My Interests

Because of this reassessment, Difference Makers will be taking a decided turn that will reflect these four themes. My expectation is that I will be able to measure how much of a difference I have made in 2006.

I urge readers to similarly reassess their own values, personality, skills and interests. Perhaps you'll discover something that will enhance your "performance appraisal" as well.

Always make a difference!