Some Speakers Are Better Than Others

With a full schedule, I awoke early this morning looking forward to joining the Commonwealth Club for breakfast at The Radnor Hotel. While I did run a little late, I was there in plenty of time as I was able to get myself a modest breakfast and easily find a seat about five minutes before the meeting began and the speaker was introduced. I even had enough time to introduce myself to the distinguished guest and hand him a bag from his niece that I was asked to give to him. It is interesting how you seems to have, if you look hard enough, an existing connection to everyone you meet (I even figured out the loose connection to Kevin Bacon).

The meeting began like all the others that I have written about in the past with a few words from the Party Chairman and the introduction of the presenter for the morning. However, only a few minutes into the former Governor, Senator, and Attorney General’s talk (yes, he held all of those positions in his career) you could tell that this candid conversation was much different from those for which we had previously been present. Maybe it was the fact that he is no longer active in politics (at least he no longer holds an official office) but it seemed to be much more than that.

With all that continues to swirl around Washington and the divide that seems to widen by the day among the voting public, having someone speak to the unity that is needed, unity in the pursuit of liberty and opportunity and the diversity of this country as a blessing rang a unique tone. Not because it is a goal and a message absent from the party but because it is coming from a man who has been the target of so many attacks from the opposition but remains true to the hope of a country which embraces freedom rather than the overburdened policies and legislation designed to limit opportunity and growth within each free individual.

Hearing those sentiments from John Ashcroft really made me wonder about how this party, my party, is viewed from the opposition and how wrong that pervasive opinion really is. I have seen the people and the actions of this party with my own eyes and know the inclusiveness that is woven into the ideals ad opportunities that we promote. However, I have seen the actions of individuals who do not embody these ideals, tarnish our work and our party. But we do not let that stop us, we continue to support individual liberty and responsibility as a means to unify all of us and open the doors of opportunity to improve the lives of everyone as well as our country as a whole because, in the end, this country does not belong to one party or another, it belongs to us all.

Instead of looking for answers, look for opportunity. Don’t rely solely on the words of others, seek the truth of the matter through your own efforts. And, like Attorney General Ashcroft, focus on what is right (or the letter of the law as the case may be) rather than what is popular. After all, the truths are self-evident if we just open our eyes and embrace the rights of freedom and liberty. The rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness should not be negotiated or compromised or regulated by government. We, as a people, must be united in this continued devotion to ourselves, one another, and our country. And finally, remember that the opportunity to embrace our rights should not be ignored or else we begin chipping away at liberty.  

Lincoln Stood Proud With His Party

Wednesday (yes, I'm late with this writeup) was another Commonwealth Club day but it was a little different this time around. It was nice walking into the room sure of myself and, for the first time since I joined, happy with my job. That factor really does permeate your life. If you doing like going to work it is going to be had to flick the switch when you go somewhere else.

And I will tell you it is a really good thing that I enjoy where I’m working again because I brought my new boss as my guest to the luncheon in the Lincoln Room at the Union League in Philadelphia. Can’t say that there were a lot of people at my previous PR firm that would have joined me in fact I can think of a couple who would have probably been standing outside with something written on a piece of poster board. But that is the past I am determined to enjoy the present and look forward to the future.

This is why I was particularly interested to hear State Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi speak. In the midst of the shutdown what is happening on the state level is made more difficult and some of the important items are overlooked by the same people it would impact the most including the state budget. There are many other items that are being discussed that the people of this commonwealth should be taking note of. Pay attention to what is happening on the local level, that is where the immediate impact is going to come from.

We are in a good financial state where new jobs are streaming in. Believe me, I know what it’s like to not feel that is the case but the commonwealth’s job growth is indeed a reality. Fiscal responsibility on the state level is what has minimized the impact of the shutdown and will allow for a solvent state beyond the capabilities of many.

After a very nice lunch and some wonderful words from the guest and hosts alike, it was time to get up and mingle. It was time to circle up with acquaintances which are slowly becoming friends and to introduce my guest to those I have gotten to know this past year. As in the past, everyone has proven to be genuine and friendly regardless of the position, occupation, race, gender, activism, etc of the person with whom they were speaking. It really was a lunch spent in the city.

Now I will simply wait for the next meeting which should be a more convenient night meeting. I am curious to find out who the guest speaker will be as well as hear the recap of the elections which are approaching fast and will surely be before the next meeting. Until then I will continue to yell at the radio, shake my head at the television, and berate the newspaper.

Busy Night Among Friends And Brothers

Thursday night was a long one but a good one. After running behind during the day, I was in a mad rush by 4:00 PM to get going and even then I wasn’t able to start getting ready until 30 minutes later. It was one of those situations when you get one task accomplished only to find that two other items popped up while you were getting the other one done.

The first stop of the night was at a Commonwealth Club reception in West Conshohocken to meet and hear Congressman Jim Gerlach speak. Unfortunately, Google Maps and I had a disagreement on the way over and so I spent an extra 20 minutes turning around and getting back in to the hotel parking lot. Anywhere else around here (with the exception of Philadelphia of course) would have taken five minutes. I made good time otherwise and so I was only a few minutes late upon arrival, still plenty of time to schmooze and have a drink before the Congressman stepped to the podium.

Not surprisingly, the talk was quite informal and to the point. While I have seen so many politicians waver on the hot topic(s) of the day, there was none of that happening that night. Everything was on the table including Syria, federal spending, IRS investigations, immigration, and other topics that were raised during questions. Immediately after the honest dialogue, I made my way up front, properly introduced myself to Congressman Gerlach who in turn introduced me to his wife, had a quick chat and politely excused myself as I had to get back on the road for my second engagement of the night.

Having lived on the Main Line for most of my life, I know many of the back roads to take to avoid traffic. I may not know the names of the roads making me useless when it comes to directions but I know where and when to turn when I am behind the wheel. This is why even though I left the reception 15 minutes late I was still able to get to the lodge with 30 minutes to spare. Finally, some time to relax.

Our stated meeting got started right on schedule as all the brothers made their way to their usual seats in the lodge. Although, there was one person that was not in their usual seat… me. The lodge Secretary asked that I sit next to the desk and take the minutes. I guess my training has officially begun.

I agreed a few weeks ago that I would take over the position as lodge secretary at the end of the year. I have a pretty good idea of what I am getting myself into but I am probably completely wrong. The question is how am I going to be able to juggle all the different commitments already on my calendar with the additional duties that I will have on my desk in due time. I am not sure how to answer that at the moment but I am confident that I will find a solution.

After our meeting and an excellent presentation by a couple of the brothers from Scottish Rite (I will be joining their ranks this fall), it was time for pizza and additional fellowship… but not before one more good deed. A man that had petitioned our lodge before the summer break was now experiencing some physical and financial difficulties and is now unable to pay for the necessary degree work to become a Mason. We all agreed that this is the last thing that should prevent a good man from becoming a mason so we began passing the hat and by the end of the evening we had nearly reached the half way point of the funds needed.

We have immediate plans to take care of the rest. This goes to show that this is indeed a brotherhood. We do what we can to take care of one another sometimes even before you officially become a mason.  Once a mason, always a mason. Once a brother, always family. This is what it’s like to be a part of something much greater than yourself. I couldn’t think of a better way to end my night.

I Think I Found The Elephants In The Room

Photo by Sean M. Teaford

As soon as I walked into the Radnor Hotel and checked in at the desk to get my name tag I was immediately welcomed not simply as a member but as a friend. I had been looking forward to last night’s Commonwealth Club event for months as it was not only a chance to meet Governor Corbett but also to catch up with my fellow members that I only have the opportunity to see every once in a while. It is indeed a great group of people with whom I share many common interests and points of view. I was also struck with a great sense of irony that I was attending this event the week after visiting Gettysburg because, as you may recall, this is the Party of Lincoln.

For many, those viewpoints are not at all agreeable but, for me, they are in sync with my point of view both personally and politically. You see, these events are not about trying to find the elephant in the room because we are a room full of elephants. In case that wasn’t clear enough let me put it simply, this was a meeting of contributors to the Republican Party of Pennsylvania. While the financial contributions vary greatly among the attendees we are all proud supporters of our party.

As someone who spent many years affiliated with the Democratic Party, I can say from personal experience that, contrary to coverage that you may read in the media, this is the party of change. I have had greater accessibility, more level headed discussions, and seen more diversity in local candidates in this party than I did in my previous youthful years. This is the change that I had always been looking for.

In my experience, you can go to just about any political event around, regardless of party, and hear someone speak about their positions I have experienced a greater prevalence of one on one discussion in this party as I did with Governor Corbett last night. Everyone’s voice was heard regardless of positions held or the kind and level of support they have dedicated to the party. We may differ in some of our views, in what we think are high priorities and what are not, and sometimes what may be the best solution to a problem but, in the end, we are all have an equal voice in our party.   

Photo by Richard M. Trivane

While I will not discuss specifics on this blog as I do not speak for the Governor, the Commonwealth Club, or the Republican Party in general and I do not pretend to do so I will say that a large variety of topics were covered including (but not limited to) education (both students and teachers), pension reform, economic issues, natural gas, the job market, the state budget, and taxes. Finally, I will leave you with this final aspect about the event last night in that while numerous issues and topics were discussed and certain stances on current events were mentioned at no point was any person or politician attacked. Even in a room full of supporters both of the party and of the Governor, and during a time when he will soon begin his re-election campaign, no negative rhetoric was heard coming from the Governor.

This is the party of unity and change not of partisan segregation and recycled polities. This is the party of the future not of immediate gratification. This is the party of discussion not of accusation. This is the party of common sense and reasonable solutions not of over accommodation and knee jerk reactions. This is not the ‘grand old party’, this is my party.

Change Is Good

(L-R) Rotarian Sean Teaford and City Controller Candidate Terry Tracy at the Union League during a meeting of the Rotary Club of Philadelphia (Photo by Assistant District Governor Richard Trivane)

On Thursday, for the second day in a row I was off to a Rotary meeting. The reason for my Rotary double down was to hear the guest speaker presenting at the Rotary Club of Philadelphia. Not only was I interested in what he had to say I was also the one who introduced him to the opportunity earlier in the year.

In Rotary, as many of you know, we do our best to remain neutral when it comes to politics. This is a rule that I respect and abide by no matter what my views are on a particular subject. However, I fully support the discussion of ideas and the sharing of opinions as to the best solutions for problems that we face both in our club and in the community. It is for this reason that I set up the date for Terry Tracy to open up a dialogue with my fellow Rotarians over lunch at The Union League of Philadelphia.

I met Terry a number of months back at a Commonwealth Club event in center city and was immediately impressed with his reasonable views and how his background would offer a unique perspective to the position of Controller in the City of Brotherly Love. As Rotarians we all bring different abilities and talents to the table to serve each other and the community and I believe that we should look for those same traits in those running for office. His experience running retail stores throughout North America for major multinational fashion brands grants him with exceptional ability to view the city through a lens of global appeal and appreciation for the creative management necessary to spur growth in tough times.

  

I can hear some of you commenting now about neutrality and party politics. Rest assured, Terry abided by the 4 Way Test throughout his discussion.

It is the truth? He stuck to the facts and was completely honest in his background and opinions.  

Is it fair to all concerned? He did not venture into conjecture and made no mention of party politics.

Will it build good will and better friendships? In a time when partisan politics is running rampant, the meeting ended with complements from Rotarians across the political spectrum.  

Will it be beneficial to all concerned? Regardless of location, the race for controller is often overlooked. This brought focus to a position that has a great impact on the health of the city but regularly receives little attention. All benefited from the awareness of this important position.

Just because someone is in politics and/or is a member of one party or another, it doesn’t mean that neutrality can’t be achieved. Ones personal views will always color your perspective but it shouldn’t prevent us from seeing both sides of a political race or a discussion in general. In fact, you could be surprise by what you see. Who knows, maybe your opinion will change. Maybe change is something we need.