Flip-Flop (10-2-08)

The Palmetto Scoop today published this headline: Barrett flip-flops on bailout bill. I read the article and it appears to me that Barrett found new information that readjusted his opinion. Yet the author chose to call it a flip-flop. Why? Is it that the author does not like Barrett for some reason? Is the author supporting a Barrett opponent for governor (Barrett is said to be in the 2010 race)? Why prejudice the readers before they even read the article? Just as in push polls, I call this push journalism. So I fired off the note below to the comments section of the blog.
.........
Let's forget the issue for a moment; rather, let's address the theme of this article: Flip-Flop. There seems to be something magic in political circles about sticking to a position, period. Supposedly shows strength, resolve, determination. To change means weakness, lack of intelligence and vision, not versed at all on the issues.

If you are a general going into battle, you generally have a battle plan. Suppose you reach the battle zone, get new intelligence from your scout teams, and find that your plan is not sufficient. What do you do? Stick with the plan anyhow? Or create a new plan of attack? The answer is not hard to see. Or you are a business person with 1 year and 5 year plans. Later you find out a competitor is beating you badly in the market place. Or you run into an economy as we have here? What do you do?

So you are a politician, elected to make decisions about everything from the economy to the latest atom smasher. can you know it all? Immediately? Later? Sometimes initial opinions, gut feelings, immediate reactions are not a complete answer, if any part of a solution. As someone delves into an issue, he may find new information that can reshape his opinion and plan of action.

Would I want an elected official that never changed his mind on an issue once he has made a pubic statement? ABSOLUTELY NOT! If his faculties are too weak to recognize need for an opinion change, or his ego far too large, I want him out. We, as everyday citizens, constantly change our opinions and judgments of situations depending on what new and changing information we acquire. As businessmen, we do the same. Why, then, should a politician not change his opinion if he discovers new compelling information?

A politician that will not change (or flip-flop, as the media and opponents label it) in the face of compelling information is a dangerous politician indeed.

Now, back to the issue at hand........