A well-proven principle in business, thinking, problem-solving, etc is the 80/20 rule. Spent your time on the 80%, that will make the most impact. This concept is currently being overlooked in a big way during the current debt ceiling and budget fight. I completely acknowledge that it’s a tough job these lawmakers are trying to get done and one that doesn’t have many easy answers. There is also a fair bit of grandstanding here. All that aside, why aren’t these supposedly intelligent people following a practice that can make their lives easier? 80% of the budget is military, social security, and Medicare programs – and of course, these are off-limits from the perspective of our government. Bickering over the 20% isn’t going to move the needle, but alas here we are.

As Americans, we pride ourselves on thinking we’re the best and smartest. This is laughable in and of itself. We’re really not that smart. We’re painfully predictable. We have plenty of faults. It’s high time we eat some humble pie and take lessons from other countries.