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Lead with logic A political litmus test

Recently, I heard a commentator say that young couples
and honor who are thinking of marrying are increasingly concerned
they may bring someone home to meet the parents who is
not of their political belief. For some, this issue surpasses
fears of rejection based on race, religion or economic status.
To me that says it all: we are creating new barriers rather
than breaking them down, and logic has gone out the
window. We must figure out quickly how to get it back.

If this year's heightened rancor in Washington is an
indication of what the next four years will be like, we
citizens of all political stripes are sorely in need of political
parties based on logic and honor in the true sense of the
words.

We all have neighbors who are different than we are, and
to date, that has worked. We all have business associates
who have different religions, life partners unlike our own,
and differing approaches to work challenges. That, too,
has generally worked. I am delighted to be able to work
well with sales agents and merchants who do not share my
religion or, most likely, political views ‒ at least not on all
By Steven Feldshuh issues. To me that has always been a positive, not a negative.
Merchants' Choice Payment Solutions East
If we each retreat to our own world and associate only
esiding and working happily in the New York with people like us, we'll have little room for growth of any
City area, I used to think I lived in a bubble. I kind. Meeting new people is always an adventure and, in
wasn't sure life outside my sphere could be sat- most cases, turns out to be highly rewarding. Most of us in
R isfying. Fortunately, having friends in business sales have found this to be true.
throughout the country enabled me to realize there are so
many similarities among all of us that the differences are It makes sense that we should continue to reach out to
more in our belief systems than in how we live our lives. people with different backgrounds and beliefs; it is a sound
practice. Now, it is also smart to be particularly aware of our
We all like to eat great meals and, once in awhile, eat junk assumptions. Many of us have believed our government
food. We like to drive new cars, versus relying on a 10-year- has our backs as Americans, but is that the case today?
old car. We dream of owning our own home, whether it be We've felt that serving in the highest ranks of government
a house, townhouse or apartment. We enjoy a good show is an honor, but is that true today? And we've believed that
or movie; activities like biking or water sports; and playing a kind word will get you more than a heavy hand or ugly
or watching basketball, football or baseball. We work hard tweet, but is that true today? If these assumptions are no
so we can take a nice vacation. longer true, can we mitigate the impact in some way?

Our parents, our friends, our children, our relatives and Watch out for cheat creep
work colleagues play a huge part in our lives. Most of us I expect we are all in this industry to make a healthy liv-
like having a cat, dog or at least a goldfish in our homes. ing and to continue growing as people within our commu-
We seem to give to charities such as the Red Cross, the nity. However, I fear that as business owners, salespeople
homeless and hundreds of other worthy causes. We all
experience heartbreak, pain and loss.

However, it appears we're losing some common ground. If we each retreat to our own world
Given the unprecedented rancor in our country today, how and associate only with people like us,
do we find the stability and motivation to continue to train we'll have little room for growth of any
new agents, solicit new merchants and return home each
day feeling accomplished? kind. Meeting new people is always an
adventure and, in most cases, turns out
to be highly rewarding. Most of us in
sales have found this to be true.

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