By Elayne Savage, PhD
I’ve been wanting to speculate about Comb-overs for a while. Then it seemed there was also something to say about Make-overs. And of course with the fiasco of Brexit, there is much to say about Do-overs as well.
This blog isn't as well thought out as I'd like –– at times I have word-finding symptoms from my tenacious two-year-old concussion –– it feels like my brain works in slow motion.
So here goes – your contributions to these ideas are very welcome:
The Comb-over
It’s easy and creative to don a baseball cap to cover a comb-over — especially on a windy day. It’s clever to inscribe it with "Make America Great Again,” brilliantly making it part of your brand while making fistfuls of money from sales.
It was a catchy phrase in1980 when Ronald Reagan used it and it’s a catchy phrase now.
Here's President Reagan using it in his acceptance speech at the 1980 Republican Convention:
http://www.c-span.org/video/?c4541862/reagan-1980-convention-make-america-great
The Make-over
It’s not easy to agree to a make-over using a script and teleprompter when you really want to “Let Trump Be Trump.” "I do what I do. I don't care, I do me."
There's a huge temptation to speak your mind even when pressure is mounting from your campaign manager and political colleagues, fearing for the future of the party, are talking about opposing your candidacy.
I often coach students, workplace and psychotherapy clients that it's possible to maintain our individual integrity while at the same time recognizing the importance of making an effort to be flexible enough to "play the game." This includes embracing a spirit of cooperation and being knowledgeable about and respecting rules and boundaries.
I see this as a reasonable and grown-up way to navigate through life. However, it does require putting on our big boy or big girl panties!
The Do-over
It’s not at all easy to orchestrate a do-over when referendum or election results cause dire consequences for a party or country.
The Brits are trying hard to orchestrate a do-over to save themselves from unanticipated consequences of a “Leave” Brexit vote. They’ve organized a petition for a second referendum which acquired nearly 4 million signatures in a few days. Parliament is required to discuss the possibility of a re-vote once 100 thousand signatures are reached. And now there is talk that British politicians may not invoke the Article 50 binding notice that is needed to allow them to exit the EU.
The Scots voted strongly to “Remain” and are threatening to veto or even secede.
And Northern Ireland’s Deputy First Minister called for a vote on pulling Northern Ireland out of the United Kingdom and uniting it with the Republic.
For sure the Brexit vote was in protest of excessive control by the government, although “leave” won by only 4%.
Interesting that what for many was a “protest” vote is turning in to an unanticipated political and economic disaster for those who voted to “Leave.” Words such as disbelief, turmoil, and chaos are used to describe the resulting fears and uncertainty.
Also interesting were reports that following the vote results Google searches in the UK spiked for “What does it mean to leave the EU?” What is the EU?” and “What is Brexit?”
Now some of the shakers and movers of Brexit are rejecting their own monstrous creation and abandoning ship – somehow surprised by the far-reaching repercussions.
Where is That Un-do Button?
The US News and World Report asks “Does the Brexit decision come with an undo button?” and suggests five possibilities for how the Brits can save themselves:
http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2016-06-28/how-britain-could-undo-the-brexit
In the US, however, if a protest vote sweeps a defective candidate into the Presidency, the only option we have for a re-do is impeachment and removal from office.
Can you think of any possibilities I’m missing?
Impeachment is initiated by the House of Representatives and is similar to an indictment in a court of law. Articles of impeachment (formal allegations) must be passed by a simple majority of those present and voting. There still has to be a trial. These formal allegations are sent to the Senate which decides the verdict — needing a 2/3 majority of those present for removal from office.
In the past, Congress has issued Articles of Impeachment for acts in three general categories:
• Exceeding the constitutional bounds of the powers of the office
• Behavior grossly incompatible with the proper function and purpose of the office.
• Employing the power of the office for an improper purpose or for personal gain.
http://usgovinfo.about.com/od/thepresidentandcabinet/a/impeachment.htm
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impeachment#United_States
Do-overs don’t have to be complicated, however. We see attempted campaigning do-overs every day.
Flip-flops, Walk-backs and Denials
There are almost daily efforts at do-overs in the form of political flip-flops and walk-backs after controversial, inappropriate or unpopular comments or actions.
These days political missteps are difficult to deny and easy to prove –– with the wide access we have to audio and video archives and twitter trails. It becomes harder and harder to lie about whether something was actually said or done. The best the campaigns can do is try to walk-it back and insist "That's not what our candidate meant!"
And What About That Comb-over?
Do you agree the purpose of the “Make America Great Again hat is to keep the comb-over from blowing in the wind and exposing something. What could that comb-over covering up?
I love metaphors and I’m sure there’s a great metaphor or two here somewhere but I can’t quite get to it — I’ll just blame it on my brain in slow motion concussive symptom! Hopefully you'll have some points to add to help flesh out my rudimentary ideas.
I keep coming back to producer and comedian Larry David’s observation: “Anyone can be confident with a full head of hair. But a confident bald man - there's your diamond in the rough."
Thanks to my brother Lee Raskin for his enhancements to this piece!
Would love your input and ideas here too . . .
Until next month,
Elayne
© Elayne Savage, PhD
Elayne Savage is the author of ground-breaking relationship books published in 9 languages.
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