on topic

 I'll begin by saying I take responsibility for whatever I write. It is incumbent upon the author to be clear in their ideas, thoughts and meanings. I still recall the instructions from English class, who, what, where, when and why. I don't always succeed. So, that being said I take some consolation in that others are misunderstood as well. That must be case if you read the comments left on postings in social media. The comments, more often than not, have little to do with the subject matter. More often they are concerned with a why, than an acknowledgement of the subject at hand. Reading through them I feel like Judge Judy at times, it's a yes or no answer! Attempting to explain why a fact is a fact, but that it isn't always a fact, because I don't like this fact, really doesn't change the fact that it is a fact. You know like ,Trump is the President. It's a simple fact. 

 Now that happens most often in political discussions and for good reason. We can review history and find fault or justification for just about any action. History does repeat itself. Man may change the name of things but the action remains the same. Bernie Sanders calls himself a Democratic Socilaist! Just what the heck is that? A socialist that wants people to think they are going to have a choice. That isn't what socialism is all about but sounds good to the uninformed. Sounds real good if you believe you get to choose what free stuff the government will provide. That way I won't have to spend my money on necessities, I can spend it on the things I want. I can vote to have things like medical care, housing, food, child rearing and education paid for by the government. Yay, I get to spend my money on cell phones, drugs, alcohol, new cars and clothes. 

 I guess the frustration for me is this; it's hard to have a discussion when you aren't talking about the same thing. And that is what seems to be the case a great deal of the time. It's not just with my posts. I see it all the time on social media.I grow annoyed with the straw man arguments and hypotheticals. Deal with the facts before you. In short, stay on topic please. That's what I want to say. Be less concerned with what if, and more concerned with what is. 

 You know you can train a dog with reward. Give them a treat for performing a task of some kind. It doesn't matter what the task is, sit, roll over, guide a blind person, sniff out drugs , whatever. Reward them and they will perform that action every time for the same reward. But people are different than that. Yes you can get them to comply with reward. That will work for a short time anyway. Problem is they will begin to demand more. Unlike a dog that will be content with that biscuit, man will want the biscuit and gravy. Once he gets that, he wants salt and pepper. Soon he will demand a four course meal. Seems to me we have a whole lotta folks demanding more reward for the same old trick. What we need to do is remove the reward and focus on the action. Perform the action and then get he reward. Stay on topic, stay focused, and hold people accountable. Concentrate on the problem, not the reward.