Regular Folks

People sometimes ask me where I get all the bull#$% I write in here. Good question. In my business I am forever amazed at the intelligence of the average Joe or Jane who comes in. Naturally the talk of the shop is whatever is happening in the world at that time.

Everyone usually has some kind of opinion on most any subject. The wild part is no matter how complex, convoluted and deep the problem of the day is, the average regular person usually has some kind of super simple, logical, easy to understand and implement solution. It blows my mind how often this is true. I ask myself how come our politicians, powers that be, educated, learned and certified people out there with huge important diplomas on their walls don't seem to know shit. These are the very people who should be bringing up these super important issues and presenting concrete ideas and solutions on these things for us peons.

It really makes one wonder who might be better able to run our country. Our present system relies on anyone with a suit and tie, who has gone to universities and lays claim to great knowledge. Well as Dr. Phil would say "How's that workin out for ya?"

I've thought after listening to regular folks for years and years that quite possibly the best person to run our country might just be someone as simple as " Joe the Farmer (and his wife of course). Now good old Joe knows how to handle the realities of a working farm. He has to make super important decisions everyday that effect whether the farm makes a living this month or year in order to stay in business for the long run.

Lets take a few examples to help make my point.

How about the subject of "crime and punishment"?.
Old Joe has a favorite dog he just loves and is quite possibly his best friend up to this point. Now all of the sudden Joe's special buddy starts chasing and maiming or even killing Joe's prize money making sheep. Well, Joe has a huge quandary now, doesn't he? Using the "farmer" logical thinking, he has only one choice if the farm is to continue making a profit, so he can feed his family and keep the farm going.
The last thing in the world Joe wants to do is put the dog down but he has no choice. It's the dog or everything else he loves. So with a tear in his eye and a heavy heart, he makes a special place up on the hill for the dog and he does his duty.

How about "helping the poor"?
Some new people come to the area of Joe's farm and they are about as poor and run down as can be. Does he offer to take supplies, food and equipment from his farm, give it to them and continue to give to the poor family, so they can have a life there? No, he contacts them and offers to teach them how to live off the land and helps them make whatever they need to get by for themselves. In the end, he is one hell of a good neighbor, a good man and has helped the new people make their own new life with a great pride of accomplishment.

How about "credit"?
Unfortunately, Joe's tractor breaks down. Does he run into town to the local bank and beg the banker for a loan to get the parts to fix his tractor as soon as possible? No, he has other choices, which take longer but don't require him to borrow at all. The first logical choice is to start saving the money and with time be able to pay for the parts himself. Another way would be to sell some of the products he produces on the farm to get the money or trades labor with other farmers or any number of other ways he can and will think of. The last thing in the world old Joe would want would be to "owe" anyone anything.

I think you get the point by now. Old Joe and his wife are just normal folks, just like you and I by the way, who think with logic (remember that odd concept) and use good common sense (another one of those odd concepts) in their decisions and try at all times to make due with what they have or can produce. As long as they can keep the overeducated suits away from their children, their children have a more than fair chance at happiness also.

By the way, old Joe and his wife are quite happy with their life, which is pretty darn hard at times. You know what though? They have no problem getting a good nights sleep without all the tension, worry and strain most people have to live with in our self caused complicated, complex lives.

What other ways could old Joe handle everyday problems? Do you have common sense ideas?

Lets hear them.

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Come on.......DO IT!