Today I heard some supporting thoughts for this week’s essay from an unlikely source. I was listening to a legislative briefing from two of my state’s representative. One of them is decidedly known as a "conservative". The "conservative" one made this statement, which I’ll paraphrase.

"I campaigned that government should be run like a business. I still feel that way, but I’ve discovered it’s very hard to do. For example, in business you don’t have to allow for everyone being your customer. In government you do. Every kid that walks through the schoolhouse door you have a responsibility to educate, like it or not."

What I further found remarkable about these two officials is their reality based thinking. At State and Local levels, elected officials know how much money they have coming in and they are forced to adjust their spending based on what they have. There is no expanding money supply or Fed to back them up. They might get some Federal monies or use a cash reserve, but no one is coming to the rescue.

As a result, their discussion was respectful, realistic and pragmatic. Interesting to consider what might be required to bring that about on the Federal level.

So far I have used this story to write about what a difference a relatively minor change in the rules can make to how much better a game can be played and enjoyed. This applies to the game of life, business and politics, not just sports.

Shifting emphasis somewhat, this writing will use examples from the story to illustrate some of the psychological prejudices used in politics.

To recap for those yet to read the book or see the movie, The Blind Side is about how Michael Oher, a poor black teenage boy from Memphis, TN is taken in by a white family and given new opportunities. Oher comes from incredible poverty and has been living in a virtually homeless situation. His truancy means he is largely uneducated, because the school system has passed him from one grade to another, regardless of demonstrated skill.

Oher has one thing going for him. Nature has given him a huge body coupled with incredible nimbleness and speed. As a result of his athletic potential, Oher is granted admission to a private religious school. Through the efforts of his adopted family, Oher is given the support he needs to succeed both academically and athletically. He is able to attend college on a football scholarship and currently plays for the Baltimore Ravens.

The amount of support needed for these achievements was considerable. For example, a full time private tutor was hired for him during his senior year in high school and accompanied him to college.

The story as portrayed in the film has resulted in a Best Picture Oscar nomination for the film and a Best Actress nomination for its star, Sandra Bullock. The book raises a whole host of questions about the meaning of this story and our society at large. . . .