I don’t like being handled

Posted by George Lippencott September 20, 2009 at 2:05 p.m.

As my life has progressed, the wife and I seem to be noticing a change in civic discourse. Yes, it is less civil but that is a different topic. Now, it seems that instead of seeking public input our governments instigate a campaign to manipulate public perceptions. I call that handling.

Mr. Lawhorn column is in my perception the latest in a series of efforts by the City of Lawrence to “handle” me. I am highly doubtful that our trusty reporter gathered that data on his own. I bet it came from a press release or some other city-instigated effort.

By focusing on the mil rate rather than on the tax take, we “handle” the citizenry. It sounds like the Lawrence government community is trying hard to not charge a lot of tax. In fact, when you factor in the relatively high property values we enjoy (?), the actual story is the reverse.

We just had a big editorial worrying abut the lack of business in our fair city. We had some articles not long ago about a livable wage and the need for many to live outside the city because they cannot afford to live here. Some blame it on leadership.

Could it be that our demands for services equivalent to the suburbs of Boston is causing the problem and out city fathers are trying to hide that fact by blowing sunshine where it doesn’t normally go. We have a great many special interests in this town. Why not just admit the costs of their demands instead of trying to manipulate the public into thinking our taxes are lower than many nearby jurisdictions.

Having survived what the press calls senior levels of government in Washington, maybe I am just too paranoid. Or am I?? What do you think?

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justbegintowrite (Ronda Miller) says…

I think I usually enjoy being handled, but in this instance I stand beside you.

I agree that whenever data is presented I want to see the information or evidence behind it. I believe transparency is key to government, ALWAYS.

"our governments instigate a campaign to manipulate public perceptions" this isn't new, George, but because of the rapid dissemination of news, ideas, even what our President speaks in a hushed voice prior to an interview, to the world, we are just much more aware of it.
September 20, 2009 at 3:46 p.m.
devobrun (anonymous) says…

Movies are about "Handling". They are meant to jerk you around.
Ditto TV.
Ditto Advertising.
Ditto press releases.
Ditto speeches of all kinds.
Ditto religion.
Ditto news conferences.
Ditto technical journals. Really? Yep, the productive researcher follows a script and makes friends with the right people, then makes sure that erudite information is changed in just the right direction and just the right amount. He must sustain the paradigm.
Ditto, doctor speak.
Ditto teacher speak.

Oh boy, you know I could go on all day. Welcome to the modern world where everything from twitter to parent-teacher conferences are all about jerking you around.

Electronic technology is a very visible result of all that research that went on in the 50s, 60s and 70s. At the same time, psychologists were developing techniques as powerful and useful.....only these techniques weren't quite so obvious. Make no mistake, everything you hear, see, taste, smell and feel is a result of a psychological study. From the color of the walls at Micky Ds. to the layout in the grocery store (ever notice that a clock is hard to find in a grocery store?).

My parenthetical question could be repeated over and over again in every place you go.

Ever notice that..........?

Jerked aroundedness is what we live, George. Our city government may not be as good at it as IBM, General Electric, or the federal government, but PR and jerked aroundedness is more important that the product. If you pay money to the government, what difference is it if it called: income tax, excise tax, fee, mil rate, and on and on and on.

It is the modern world, George. No one can speak plain stuff anymore. Everything is a jerk around. Thus, we get the fiascoes like lending practices, military excursions into asscanistan from a guy who was going to stop it. Don't be alarmed, democrats. There is plenty of bilge emanating from all political parties. And government. And corporations. And non-profits. An NGOs. Nobody is capable of simply telling the truth.
September 20, 2009 at 3:53 p.m.
Moderate (George Lippencott) says…

devobrun (Anonymous) says…

Now don't be shy!
September 20, 2009 at 4:38 p.m.
Boosh (anonymous) says…

devobrun says… "It is the modern world, George."

I say no, the Marketing Dept. has ruled the world since the beginning of organised religion.
September 21, 2009 at 10:50 a.m.
jimmyjms (anonymous) says…

"Get off my lawn, you whipper-snappers!"
September 21, 2009 at 11:03 a.m.
jonas_opines (anonymous) says…

I wonder if Devonbrun proclaims himself to be outside of it all, too.

chuckle
September 21, 2009 at 5:04 p.m.
altarego (anonymous) says…

Would anyone care to join me in handling some wangs and some beer at the new Hooters out on the SLT?
September 22, 2009 at 10:25 p.m.