May 9, 2006Wink, Wink, Nod, Nod
There is a stretch of interstate north of Chicago that frustrates me. The speed limit is 50 MPH…but the flow of traffic is about 75. I don’t mind going a few miles over the speed limit, but I am very uncomfortable going 25 miles over the speed limit, even if the traffic flows at that pace. Clearly the law is not enforced, but I couldn’t be sure that they wouldn’t decide to start enforcing it with an out-of-stater like me. I broke the law and went with the flow of traffic.
It appears the speed laws on that interstate don’t mean what they say. Like the immigration laws. A friend mentioned that the term illegal immigrant rights sounded like an oxymoron. Despite the fact I believe everyone has rights, I understand what she is saying. But like the drivers in North Chicago, the immigrant situation we face is the consequence of laws that don’t mean what they say.
I am not advocating immigration nor am I advocating protectionism, but I am a big advocate of meaning what you say. Saying one thing and doing another may be convenient to those who like to drive fast but don’t want to deal with changing the speed limits. Saying one thing and meaning another may appeal to those who like cheap labor but don’t want new voters or to those who know how to play the system and inconsistencies to their advantage. The end result, however, is people are force to decide if they will observe the stated meaning or the implied meaning of the law.
Do you have any areas in your life where you say one thing and mean another? Do you state that something is unacceptable but you accept it? Where you say something is expected but you ignore it when you don’t get it? Perhaps you say you insist on honesty, but ignore lies. Perhaps you say you expect people to do what they say they will and let it go unmentioned when they don’t. If you do, go for clarity. If you don’t mean something…if you don’t intend to back your words up with action…don’t say it. That way, when you do say something, people will know you mean it and your words will have power.
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Thanks for your thoughts, it’s true.
Comment by Diana Reid — May 17, 2006 @ 12:54 pm
Thanks for your thoughts, there true.
Comment by Diana Reid — May 17, 2006 @ 12:54 pm