Archive for the ‘Book Excerpts’ Category

“MY TURN” Politics: A Story of Blocking

Posted by Terri McCormick On January - 29 - 2014

myturnIn the two years prior to my congressional run, I was focused on creating solid public policy for the constituents in my legislative district. I was honored to represent the Fifty-sixth House Assembly District, and I was focused on just doing my job. Many accolades in a variety of media sources were offered on the reforms I had led since I took office in 2001.

In fact, the Small Business Administration in Washington DC wrote a letter to my legislative office, telling me that without my leadership, the regulation bill would not have passed. I didn’t use that letter, on the advice of the National Federation of Independent Business president, because it may have angered my party’s leader, speaker and primary opponent.

It was my practice to read constituent letters, e-mails and trends from my district in the state legislature. Books such as the World is Flat and Manufacturing Trends and Reports from authors who wrote ahead of the business and economic curve became important, so that I could anticipate the competitive needs of major employers in my state.

I believed then, as I believe now, that if you are busy doing something for someone else, you are not swept up with the pretense of “being somebody.” More important, if you earn your own way, you cannot be bossed or bought.

In spring 2003, just two years before my first conversations about running for U.S. Congress, a story ran in the state’s largest newspaper that riled political rivals in my own political party. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel published “One of Four—Up and Coming Leaders in the Republican Party.”

The four rising stars identified were Paul Ryan, a young congressman; Mark Green, another congressman with ambitions to become governor; Scott Walker, who had recently become Milwaukee County Executive; and me. I was described as the “mother of all education and health-care reform.” The chatter about my early reform initiatives created a buzz that went through the editorial boards and the lobby corps alike.

I was too busy working to notice, but my competition noticed.

It wasn’t until an attorney with Foley and Lardner and former GOP political director spoke to me privately in my office that I began to realize the stir that article created. He said, “One day soon you are going to have a competitive race and you will move up where you belong.”

I was taken aback by his statement for the moment but continued my path of working for major solutions to major problems of the day. I was already someone, I thought, but I was too busy “doing things” to care or to notice. I never saw the angst and anger brewing in my political party’s front row or the curve ball that was to be thrown at me in 2006…To continue reading this book, get your copy of “What Sex is a Republican” in paperback or Kindle edition on Amazon.

About the Author:

Terri McCormick is an author, policy expert, educator, and former state representative to the Wisconsin State Legislature. Today, she offers her expertise in public and government relations through McCormick Dawson CPG Ltd., a trusted consultancy of independent contractors.

Ms. McCormick serves as president and CEO of the company, drawing from more than two decades of professional experience, a strong educational foundation, a host of industry-related publications, and a multitude of accolades, awards and formal recognitions. Holding a Master of Arts in administrative leadership from Marian University, and a Bachelor of Science in political science and public administration from the University of Wisconsin, Ms. McCormick received both degrees with high honors.

“What Sex is a Republican?” is sold on Amazon in both the paperback edition as well as Kindle edition.  Read reviews on Amazon here.

Stereotypes in Politics

Posted by Terri McCormick On December - 11 - 2013

Stereotype in politicsIn the world of political manipulation, stereotypes of ethnicity, gender and religion pose would-be barriers in the minds of some of the voting public. When these stereotypes are used in conjunction with insider political class/fish-tank politics or “food for favors,” corruption becomes the culture. Simply, the partisan bickering and rancor creates an illusion to most of us in the general public, clouding the reality of ego and power needs of the front row. Politics presents an equal party opportunity for greed, corruption and power mongering—call it tomfishery in the ecosystem.

When we oust one political party from the power to distribute scarce resources to their respective constituencies, all we are doing is bringing onto the scene another political machine that will call the same political plays. The net gain in this change is zero. Social and economic issues are bantered about, creating an ideological illusion for Republican and Democratic followers—the outcome appears to be the same. What’s more, unless we break this perpetual cycle of changing one political machine for another, there is no hope for change. One front row alternative to this status-quo political ecosystem is the same as the other. The kind of change we need can be brought about by electing people more willing to swim upstream, against the front rows.

BARRIERS OF ETHNICITY AND GENDER

Our 2008 presidential race created an opportunity for all of us to examine not only gender but ethnicity with the highest level of politics. We were having serious and frank discussions for the first time in American history, facing our fears and misperceptions of race, gender and leadership. Senator Barack Obama didn’t appear to meet the mark of any of this nation’s preconceived notions of what a presidential candidate should be. Governor Sarah Palin didn’t appear to meet the nation’s notion of what a vice-presidential candidate should be.

Obama was characterized as inexperienced and too young to hold the position of president of the United States. Attack ads in his Democratic primary were “soft” ads, asking “Who is best suited to pick up the telephone?” Barack Obama’s childhood was a challenging one, with an admission of some youthful drug use. Due to his admissions in a biography, Obama has faced stereotypes in the form of personal smears and rumors that did not stick. Perhaps the most potentially damaging stereotype was that his father was a Muslim and his pastor was a radical against whites. His high-road strategy, however, staying away from the fight, served him well.

Sarah Palin was characterized as inexperienced and too young to hold the position of vice president of the United States. Smear campaigns by the Democratic party were aggressive and genderfocused. “Who is taking care of her small children at home?” ads asked, and noted “She does not have a passport.” Initial polling suggested that Governor Palin saved the McCain presidential ticket. The only certainty about this historic election year was that the pundits have been wrong in both primaries, and they were wrong about the mass support a woman could garner on the GOP ticket.

The 2008 campaign marked the first time in American presidential campaign history that a major political party chose an African- American man and the second time in history that a woman was placed on the ticket as vice president. Both candidates confronted our fears and stereotypes of race and gender. The election of 2008 offered an opportunity for all African Americans to see themselves in the face of Barack Obama. And to a great extent, the selection of a woman by the GOP broke an even more profound gender barrier. The gauntlet was thrown, challenging all of us to move past the stereotypes of the past. It is only then that we may have one nation, looking to the future of our United States of America.

To continue reading this book, get your copy of “What Sex is a Republican” in paperback or Kindle edition on Amazon.

About the Author:

Terri McCormick is an author, policy expert, educator, and former state representative to the Wisconsin State Legislature. Today, she offers her expertise in public and government relations through McCormick Dawson CPG Ltd., a trusted consultancy of independent contractors.

Ms. McCormick serves as president and CEO of the company, drawing from more than two decades of professional experience, a strong educational foundation, a host of industry-related publications, and a multitude of accolades, awards and formal recognitions. Holding a Master of Arts in administrative leadership from Marian University, and a Bachelor of Science in political science and public administration from the University of Wisconsin, Ms. McCormick received both degrees with high honors.

“What Sex is a Republican?” is sold on Amazon in both the paperback edition as well as Kindle edition.  Read reviews on Amazon here.

The Bush/Obama Experience with Congressional Leaders

Posted by Terri McCormick On November - 21 - 2013

WallStreetAs you may recall, President George W. Bush’s final days in office in 2008 were marked by a burgeoning banking crisis, caused in large part by the collapse of the real estate and housing market, which led to record foreclosures and bankruptcies, which further broke the banking industry, which had overleveraged and overvalued homes, and gave what some consider unethical home loans on balloon payments to people who could not afford them.

This led to the collapse of Wall Street, due to the fact that stocks and bonds were tied to home values and the housing markets. The inflated valuations of homes that led to the silent hyperinflation of prices and relative commissions would all come back to bite the banking industry and Wall Street as they depended on home sales, home builds and the values of homes to continue to go up and up, despite people’s inability to pay for these things.

The banking industry, as of this writing, has tightened all capital (paying only its own debts) to the point that small businesses and manufacturers in America don’t have access to the capital they need to run their businesses, which then collapsed many small businesses as well as hitting large businesses wired into the same supply chain in the American economy. There were 71,400 job losses reported on one day: January 26, 2009.

What is the impact of this domino effect? Take a look at the policies below.

PRESIDENT GEORGE W. BUSH’S 2008 ECONOMIC STIMULUS POLICY

The policy answers that the Bush administration presented were denial, silence and then a $700 billion blind stimulus package, with no details provided to the U.S. Congress. Congress was given just days to pass this package for fear that the collapse of Wall Street was imminent. Half of the monies—$350 billion—was released to members of the banking community. No explanation, no transparency and no discussion or debate was offered on this massive stimulus. In fact, the stimulus package proposal appeared in the middle of the 2008 presidential campaign in October.

CONGRESSIONAL LEADERSHIP RESPONSE

John McCain, 2008 Republican candidate for president, halted his campaign to fly back to Washington, pledging that he would get the votes needed to get the $700 billion Republican stimulus passed. The Republican leadership, now in the minority, continued to support their president’s policies. Republican leaders, while in the majority from 1996 to 2006, had a history of record spending and record earmarks. Democrats in 2008 and 2009 became the guardians of the purse, calling for transparency and accountability for the 2008 President Bush stimulus package.

The monies went to AIG, Citicorp, Wells Fargo and others in the banking industry. The American people were increasingly dissatisfied with this “taxpayer bailout,” due to the fact that people were losing their jobs, losing their homes and still didn’t see an end to the economic crisis. To make matters even more controversial, scandals broke that exposed excesses within the very industry being bailed out. AIG was caught using its bailout money on a luxury getaway for its executives. Citicorp was ready to buy a $50 million corporate jet, the exact amount of its bailout check. “Where is my bailout money?” was the response from middle America. Demonstrations broke out from Republicanleaning constituents in the form of “Taxpayer Tea Party” revolts.

Now turn the dial forward on the clock one month….To continue reading this book, get your copy of “What Sex is a Republican” in paperback or Kindle edition on Amazon.

About the Author:

Terri McCormick is an author, policy expert, educator, and former state representative to the Wisconsin State Legislature. Today, she offers her expertise in public and government relations through McCormick Dawson CPG Ltd., a trusted consultancy of independent contractors.

Ms. McCormick serves as president and CEO of the company, drawing from more than two decades of professional experience, a strong educational foundation, a host of industry-related publications, and a multitude of accolades, awards and formal recognitions. Holding a Master of Arts in administrative leadership from Marian University, and a Bachelor of Science in political science and public administration from the University of Wisconsin, Ms. McCormick received both degrees with high honors.

“What Sex is a Republican?” is sold on Amazon in both the paperback edition as well as Kindle editionRead reviews on Amazon here.

THE POLITICAL ANIMUS AND ITS ECOSYSTEM

Posted by Terri McCormick On November - 3 - 2013

politicalanimalA political animus (political animal) has little to do with gender, ethnicity or religion. In fact, gender is indeterminable. Far beyond any differences in anatomy or stereotypes of male or female; black, white, Asian, Latino, or Native American; or religion is a psyche that can only be attributed to the political class. All we need do is study the proverbial political fish tank to cast some light on what is meant by “political animus.”

Those thriving as politicians swimming in their proverbial “schools” often do so as the beneficiaries of their respective sharks in their front rows. With the self-purported generosity of individuals and groups paying homage to the sharks in the front row, cash for campaigns is assured. The term leadership, in the context of front-row politics, has spawned what I will refer to as “pisci-humus,” a political animal all its own. As you look at the political fish tank, there are the sharks on the top (closest to the fish food); the swimmers in the middle, who remain close to their constituents; and the bottom-dwellers, who catch the droppings from the top.

There are political outsiders who have not been brought into the inner circle and the intimate deal-making and trading that goes on to ensure that the top feeders (the front row) remain in power. But decisions are not made for the greater good or even on behalf of the ideology of one political party over the other. It is all about keeping the front row in power—or it was, up until the majority shake-ups in the 2006 midyear elections.

There are visionaries, or “idea people,” who make up the swimming class. These individuals are usually swimming against the current, unless they are brought up into a holding tank and judged as to just how hungry they are for a seat near the front. Often, the swimmers are thrown to the back row because they raise questions of ethics or refuse to fall in line when orders from the front row violate the rule of law. Unfortunately, these swimmers are destined for failure—they just can’t stop doing what they believe is right.

Somewhere in between, we have combinations of all types of candidates and legislators. It is in this gray pool of water that the “go-along-to-get-along” politicians live. If they connect with the sharks on the top of the tank, they soon believe that they, too, must become predatory to get along in the world of politics. At times, this go-along-to-get-along group can include over 70 percent of the legislative body.

Meantime, the wannabes are jockeying for position continually. They are not a part of the top feeders in the front rows of either political party, and they are not a part of the middle swimming class. The wannabes support the power of the status quo in the hope that they will be promoted up. They will do anything to support the people who are making deals in the front (on the top of the tank). They are often swayed by and join forces with the predatory fish on the top of the tank. Their hope is that some of the crumbs will fall their way. The front row makes the rules and skews the game of politics to their own interests. Consider campaign cash as fish food—it is a wise shark that guards the food for itself. In direct conflict with this political-gender swimming on the top are those who work for change and believe in citizen-led legislatures. It takes much more effort to swim against the current of the status quo of self-interest than it does to generate new ideas and call for reform on behalf of the people. What is the result of this fish-tank politic? There are many more politicians who are coerced or are comfortable with the old-style politic of falling in line than with the new politic of swimming upstream.

My favorite minority class of political fish is the up-and-coming outsiders! This class in the political ecosystem represents those who are waiting for an opportunity to lead and have their ideas heard. Often, this group doesn’t have an opportunity to present their ideas because of the nastiness of the predatory top feeders, but this group of swimmers simply cannot be bossed or bought—and they are infuriating to the front row. Despite the obstacles and games played, it is this group of swimmers to whom the American people’s hopes and dreams are entrusted.

Consider the following example: If you are a citizen voter, you use the say/do ratio in your thinking—determining the ratio of what a politician says to what he or she actually does. The political class says many things while proclaiming beliefs and party platforms. Republicans, for example, are often associated with the idea that we should tax less and spend less of the public’s money. Take a look at the following spending issue as it relates to ….To continue reading this book, get your copy of “What Sex is a Republican” in paperback or Kindle edition on Amazon.

About the Author:

Terri McCormick is an author, policy expert, educator, and former state representative to the Wisconsin State Legislature. Today, she offers her expertise in public and government relations through McCormick Dawson CPG Ltd., a trusted consultancy of independent contractors.

Ms. McCormick serves as president and CEO of the company, drawing from more than two decades of professional experience, a strong educational foundation, a host of industry-related publications, and a multitude of accolades, awards and formal recognitions. Holding a Master of Arts in administrative leadership from Marian University, and a Bachelor of Science in political science and public administration from the University of Wisconsin, Ms. McCormick received both degrees with high honors.

“What Sex is a Republican?” is sold on Amazon in both the paperback edition as well as Kindle editionRead reviews on Amazon here.

Political Gender Hierarchy

Posted by Terri McCormick On October - 21 - 2013

Who swims in the political stream of politics? Is there a specific gender or personality stereotype that best fits the job of politician? Amid Associated Press reporters and citizen accounts, there is a public gauge of politics and politicians that does not favor the status-quo party structures of either party.

The Political EcosystemIn March 2006, Max Bowen, a citizen of Neenah, Wisconsin, wrote an opinion column for the Appleton Post Crescent newspaper: “The GOP’s Top-Down Style Is Unfit for Democracy!”

Bowen observed:

“Since 2000, the GOP has been run like a street gang. All power is vested in the leaders, and others are to follow with unquestioning loyalty. Talking points are sent from above, and loyal followers are expected to stay on message. Dissent from the ranks is not tolerated.”

Bowen goes on to say that “this approach belongs in a monarchy or dictatorship; it is a poor fit for a democracy. We have all paid a price. In a democracy, the rule is let the people decide.”

 

Washington DC Associated Press reporter Larry Margasak wrote on May 21, 2006:

“The public increasingly disapproves of the ways legislators behave. For the first time since the Abscam scandal a quarter-century ago, multiple lawmakers face criminal and ethics investigations that are tarnishing Congress. Already, public views of Congress are low, with bribery, conspiracy, corruption, misuse of public office and other scandals mounting in Republican leadership ranks.”

New York University professor Paul Light, quoted in Margasak’s article, noted, “It’s like members of Congress don’t have any shame! … It is as though an entire generation of Americans have grown up viewing congressmen in orange jumpsuits.”

WHAT’S LIFE LIKE IN THE POLITICAL ECOSYSTEM?

We have all heard the term “living in a fishbowl” as it refers to politicians living under the watchful eye of the public and the press, but there is a hierarchy to living in the political ecosystem as well. The front rows in both political parties have a pecking order and a spoils system that determine who is rewarded and who is punished. Party leaders who sit in the front rows of Congress and in our state legislatures determine which ideas get heard in the form of a bill, which ones go to committee and which ideas ultimately are voted on and become law.

It is the use of this front-row system, on each side of the political aisle, that the pecking order is decided. The humans living in the political ecosystem have one main objective: to be reelected. If the party in charge is not reelected, it changes which leaders can sit in the front row, which interest groups will be partners in writing legislation, and which political groups will be called upon to donate to the majority party in power.

….To continue reading this book, get your copy of “What Sex is a Republican in paperback or Kindle edition on Amazon.

About the Author:

Terri McCormick is an author, policy expert, educator, and former state representative to the Wisconsin State Legislature. Today, she offers her expertise in public and government relations through McCormick Dawson CPG Ltd., a trusted consultancy of independent contractors.

Ms. McCormick serves as president and CEO of the company, drawing from more than two decades of professional experience, a strong educational foundation, a host of industry-related publications, and a multitude of accolades, awards and formal recognitions. Holding a Master of Arts in administrative leadership from Marian University, and a Bachelor of Science in political science and public administration from the University of Wisconsin, Ms. McCormick received both degrees with high honors.

“What Sex is a Republican?” is sold on Amazon in both the paperback edition as well as Kindle editionRead reviews on Amazon here.


Terri McCormick honored for excellence in government relations by Cambridge's Who's Who industry experts