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It appears that Obama is trying more of the same. I thought there was supposed to be "change" for this new administration?
An open letter to the Obama-Biden Team:
Making The Change
I see Iran's response to your "carrot & stick" policy proposal. More of the same. I thought you were going to be different? This was highly predictable, and continues the mistakes of past administrations. I expected better from the Obama-Biden team.
If you truly want to make a fresh start for the US with the rest of the world, for the world is in desperate need of leadership (as opposed to alternating between US bullying & arrogance, followed by isolationism and xenophobia), I would suggest: Respect and Trust.
Generally, respect cannot flourish in a high fear environment. Authority can only be maximized in a low-fear environment. By using fear, you get an instant response, but it is often not the one you hoped for (highly unpredictable), and the ripple effects (ie. long term consequences) are uncontrollable and very costly (in more ways than just $).
Trust depends on 4 factors:
I would suggest that the US has not exemplified these 4 traits for quite some time, or has swung wildly and inconsistently through them with no staying power. Because of that, few countries and few people trust the US government (nor trust American citizens) as much as you'd like.
If Obama-Biden can demonstrate trustworthy behaviour, and explain how that can be achieved (by communicating the above 4 factors to all), and help Congress to follow suit, and get all Administration on board (starting at the top and getting everyone to act in a trustworthy, respectful manner), then asking all who report to them to do likewise, eventually it will filter down to all.
Tell the American people what they should expect from their government in these 2 areas. Put the US administration in a squeeze play (Obama-Biden at one end, the American people & the rest of the world at the other end).
However, be careful not to build unrealistic expectations in the public, nor the world. Ask for the public's help in encouraging the transformation in government, business, and all organizations.
Only then does the US have a hope of not going the same way as the Imperial Roman empire (rot from inside out until a shell of its former self, then implodes and gone forever).
Once someone is respectful and trustworthy, and adequate time and stress testing of their commitment & capabilities to maintain these as core values & behaviours has occurred, then eventually that person will receive back the respect and the trust of others.
As this transformation will be a major departure from past US gov't behaviour, that transition will not happen overnight. Be patient, and most importantly, be consistent in these two behaviours while you wait for the building awareness of this sea change, and the eventual response in kind by everybody else.
Good luck, you'll need it. You have a huge job and many needs to satisfy. Of all of them, I would suggest these (Respect & Trust) are the greatest needs, and will help you solve all the other needs that come knocking on your door.
Yours truly,
A Concerned Neighbour
Iran has rejected a "carrot-and-stick" approach from president-elect Barack Obama that would combine economic incentives and threats of sanctions to try to change Tehran's plans for its nuclear program.
"You know, in terms of carrots, I think that we can provide economic incentives that would be helpful to a country that, despite being a net oil producer, is under enormous strain, huge inflation, a lot of unemployment problems there," Obama said Sunday in an interview with NBC's Meet the Press when asked about dealing with Iran.
"You know, in terms of carrots, I think that we can provide economic incentives that would be helpful to a country that, despite being a net oil producer, is under enormous strain, huge inflation, a lot of unemployment problems there," Obama said Sunday in an interview with NBC's Meet the Press when asked about dealing with Iran.
An open letter to the Obama-Biden Team:
Making The Change
I see Iran's response to your "carrot & stick" policy proposal. More of the same. I thought you were going to be different? This was highly predictable, and continues the mistakes of past administrations. I expected better from the Obama-Biden team.
If you truly want to make a fresh start for the US with the rest of the world, for the world is in desperate need of leadership (as opposed to alternating between US bullying & arrogance, followed by isolationism and xenophobia), I would suggest: Respect and Trust.
Generally, respect cannot flourish in a high fear environment. Authority can only be maximized in a low-fear environment. By using fear, you get an instant response, but it is often not the one you hoped for (highly unpredictable), and the ripple effects (ie. long term consequences) are uncontrollable and very costly (in more ways than just $).
Trust depends on 4 factors:
- Benevolent best interest of the other party;
- Competency;
- Open & honest communication; and
- Predictable Behaviour.
I would suggest that the US has not exemplified these 4 traits for quite some time, or has swung wildly and inconsistently through them with no staying power. Because of that, few countries and few people trust the US government (nor trust American citizens) as much as you'd like.
If Obama-Biden can demonstrate trustworthy behaviour, and explain how that can be achieved (by communicating the above 4 factors to all), and help Congress to follow suit, and get all Administration on board (starting at the top and getting everyone to act in a trustworthy, respectful manner), then asking all who report to them to do likewise, eventually it will filter down to all.
Tell the American people what they should expect from their government in these 2 areas. Put the US administration in a squeeze play (Obama-Biden at one end, the American people & the rest of the world at the other end).
However, be careful not to build unrealistic expectations in the public, nor the world. Ask for the public's help in encouraging the transformation in government, business, and all organizations.
Only then does the US have a hope of not going the same way as the Imperial Roman empire (rot from inside out until a shell of its former self, then implodes and gone forever).
Once someone is respectful and trustworthy, and adequate time and stress testing of their commitment & capabilities to maintain these as core values & behaviours has occurred, then eventually that person will receive back the respect and the trust of others.
As this transformation will be a major departure from past US gov't behaviour, that transition will not happen overnight. Be patient, and most importantly, be consistent in these two behaviours while you wait for the building awareness of this sea change, and the eventual response in kind by everybody else.
Good luck, you'll need it. You have a huge job and many needs to satisfy. Of all of them, I would suggest these (Respect & Trust) are the greatest needs, and will help you solve all the other needs that come knocking on your door.
Yours truly,
A Concerned Neighbour
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