Knee Jerk Reactions

How many times in the past have you came to a decision without really thinking about or considering the long term affects (or consequences) before putting it into place?  This is something we all, or almost all guilty of I am sure, both individuals and groups.  I am sure you have seen many examples made by others, and possibly make knee jerk decisions that backfired.  This is not to say that knee-jerk reactions always backfire or that they don't have a place in life but they should be the exception and not the rule!

These days it is almost a way of life, as individuals and companies seek out ways to reduce costs and increase profits (stay out of the red and in the black).  One prime example that comes to mind immediately is the Health Care Reform.

"Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it is time to pause and reflect." - Mark Twain

The manner of how Health Care Reform was pushed through the legislature is just one example of what is wrong with it but that particular part of it spans far wider than the intent of this post.  More so the long range effects of Health Care Reform should have been thought about before being pushed upon us and accepted by us (the population).   There was and still is undoubtedly a need for Health Care Reform!  A large part of the problem is that the majority of people recognized the need for change, they by and large welcomed the change(s).  The  problem is that though the change was welcome to few people took the time to educate themselves before acceptintg it and further fewer took any action to make it 'right.'

The vast majority of people all ready realized the need for change in Health Care and those that 'pushed' the reform though.  They are the ones who stand to profit the most from the reform (or so they think). The majority of people saw the change and accepted it, but did not look at the much larger and far reaching affects.

All ready many people feel that Health Care is not what it should be in this country.  Health care professionals and organizations all ready show their attitudes to treat the symptoms of the condition, not cure it.  (I can attest to this from personal experience!).  How can you expect adequate health care when your health care professional is seeing 70 to 80 patients a day?

These are a few of my predictions as a result of the Health Care Reform:

1.  Increased reliance and strain on Public Assistance.
2. Decrease in the level (quality) of Health Care.
3. Decrease in the number of Health Care professionals.
4. More bankruptcies of more medical related companies.

 I am curious to hear from others on this so be sure to leave comments below.

Another example is the conversations going on and in about the post office and going to a five day delivery schedule, cutting out Saturday delivery.  First off such  a change requires a change to the constitution which requires a Congressional vote.   Secondly, this has been discussed and debated for years and keeps coning up because of fiscal reasons primarily.  When considering this, first you must ask yourself "how important is getting your mail on Saturday."  Then you need to at the big picture and see how this is really going to affect things.

This will only affect the carrier's, Post Office will remain open and all related support functions.  What will happen to Saturday overnight deliveries?  How much money will the Post Office actually save?  Research and investigation of the backlog of mail over the weekend will need to be looked at.   All read the Post Office 'suffers on Monday from the Sunday 'backlog' that occurs with no Sunday delivery.  Will there be a need for increased overtime?  Being as there is the propensity to use 'non-carriers' to perform carrier tasks on Saturday.  Might this result in more grievances (Postal employees are union) resulting in additional revenue being spent?  This is just a couple of points that need to be looked at and there are more but it is late.

I do have a couple suggestions on how revenue might be increased without reducing customer service; why not explore offering more customer service at a reduced cost from private industry and create more jobs?

In our personal lives, 'knee jerk decisions' come in a variety of areas; drinking on a work night lending to increased absenteeism, on a school night affecting a myriad of things.  Or sex outside the marriage and the many number affects it has on all parties involved including the community and public aid.  Extra-marital sex and the impact it has? 

The list is almost endless!  I am only scratching the surface here but hopefully it will cause some one to stop and think.  Remember, charity starts at home - what better way than to start thinking smarter and making better decisions!