Whiners and The Whiny People Who Don't Like Them

I'm of two minds when it comes to Phil Gramm's comments yesterday.

First, it was politically stupid. I have been poor and it's not a mental state. Perhaps Gramm has never been without necessary money. It's hard to be empathetic without shared experience.

Lesson #1: Never discuss issues with people when you have no anedotal experience to share.

Second, it was a betrayal of John McCain who asked Dr. Gramm to be his surrogate. No, not the first comments (see Lesson #1). When McCain denounced Gramm's comments (threw him under the bus actually but I digress) Gramm dug his heels in and reiterated his position.

Lesson #2: Never use a surrogate when s/he refuses to promote your agenda.

Lesson #2a: Choose credible surrogates. Most working class folk don't care about PhDs in economics. They deal with concrete problems not abstract ideas.

Third, there is truth in Gramm's remarks. Otherwise this story wouldn't have hit every network and cable news show. Why do grown people whine? It's a throwback to childhood when it often worked. People who have seen their income reduced by 10% because of gasoline prices, worry about heating their homes this winter if they can keep a home to heat, face much higher food costs are not in control of what's happening to them. They are being buffeted by the global economy, poor energy policies and devastating weather that has destroyed millions of acres of crops. No one is really hearing them and so they get louder and whinier in the hopes someone will.

Lesson #3: Make sure you listen to the people in your world personally and privately.

Unless you are Tom Hanks in Castaway or are a sole proprietor with no employees politics will creep in. Make sure you're the one sending the right message.