It all started when I was conducting a training class in MRP (Material Requirements Planning) about 15 years ago.  At that same employer I had to make a presentation to management on the benefits of MRP.  I sweated profusely but gave a satisfactory presentation.  Subsequently I decided that Toastmasters would make me a better speaker.  The results of that decision are magnificent.  I earned a CC (Competent Communicator designation) from Toastmasters International and have been an active participant ever since.

One of the things you learn to eliminate in your speaking is crutch words.  “You know” and “Uhh” are the two most common crutches most people use.  When does this happen? You are asked, at the last minute, to make a presentation or you are giving an interview and you have no prepared notes.  That is when those crutch words are more likely to come out of your mouth.  I have heard the “Uhh” or an “Umm” in many prepared speeches because the speaker had not sufficiently practiced the presentation.  That is the reason that Caroline Kennedy has been roundly criticized.  She is the daughter of a man famous for his speeches.  Barack Obama has used “Uhh” frequently in answering questions.  Mr. President-elect, you need to eliminate those words.

Proudly, I will tell you that when a scheduled speaker is absent at my Toastmasters group it is I who will step forward with an unprepared speech.  You know, I never do use the words “You know.”

For a nation that was founded on the idea of no royalty we have a growing group of families that are treated like they are part of that aristocratic class.  They are the group whose names keep reappearing in our politics.  The latest is Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of President John F. Kennedy and niece of Senator Ted Kennedy.

There are other famous names like Bush (President George Herbert Walker Bush, President George W. Bush, former Florida Governor Jeb Bush), Rockefeller (Senator Jay Rockefeller, Vice President Nelson Rockefeller), Bayh, Gore, Clinton, etc.

Do these families believe they have a claim to high office?  It certainly appears to be the case. The problem is that all of these families have the money and the connections to obtain whatever they want.  It was reported that Caroline Kennedy has been a major fund raiser for New York City schools.  It’s probably true.  The reason is name recognition.  It’s obviously not exclusive to one political party.

I personally find this situation very objectionable.  We have allowed a relatively small group of people control the path of this nation.  The path is not necessarily bad but it is one that obviously benefits the controlling families.

If you look at the two political parties that have controlled this nation for most of its history you will notice that they are not too different from each other.  The Democrats do favor and support labor views while Republicans have historically been supporters of big business.  However once in office most presidents seem to shed much of their political party rhetoric and follow paths that are less political.  Many of the decisions made appear to be more in their own self interest and what is best for their families rather than what is best for America.

Barack Obama has participated in the sustaining of the royalty class when he selected Hilary Clinton for Secretary of State.  Obama is a smart politician.  He is not the great change agent that everyone bought.  There is only one way this situation will change and that is through the ballot box.