This Discussion Is Off The Table

H

oney, we've been
through this. We
talked about it; we
discussed the issues and we
reached a decision. It's time to
move on. What's the point in
having the discussion if each
time the topic comes up we
rehash the issues over and over
again as if we haven't reached
an agreement? It's Groundhog
Day every single day for every
single decision:'
This is a common discussion
in every household between
adults as well as between par-
ents and children. It is also a
frequent discussion among
business partners and manag-
ers at the implementation stage
of decisions made.
For the last three years, we've witnessed
the same discussion play out, month by
month, when it comes to Republicans and
Democrats addressing the Affordable Care
Act and the debt limit.
The "rehash-decisions-made problem"
is a serious impediment to progress.

The "rehash-decisions-
made problem" is a serious
impediment to progress.

Worse yet is the common
problem of people refusing to
acknowledge when a problem
exists, and then once it is rec-
ognized, refusing to address it.
All three of these situations
give rise to stagnation. In the
context of relationships, it
means problem go unsolved.
For a person's or couple's finan-
cial situation, it means that
the necessary positive changes
don't happen.
I often encounter what
should be a successful business faltering
and unable to keep pace with its obliga-
tions because the owners fail to recognize
and address problems.
Then, as absurd as it sounds, after
going through a painstaking process of
identifying the problem and solution, they

"rehash" the issue rather than effectuate
the changes.
For the couple that continues to carry
excessive credit card debt, the conse-
quences are fewer dollars down the road
for retirement. For the business that
refuses to implement change, in virtually
every instance, the business will fail — it
is just a matter of time.
So how about our nation? The deficit
and immigration are issues that have not
been resolved. A women's right to choose
was resolved by Roe v Wade in 1973, but
it remains in the "rehash" bucket.
The healthcare issue was identified
and resolved when Congress passed the
Affordable Care Act, which was signed
into law by the president on March 23,
2010. Now, three years later, for the 43rd
time, the Republican-controlled Congress
has tried to pass legislation to repeal or
defund the Act in an effort to undo what
has been agreed through our Democratic
process.
So let's recap progress.
On two of the issues (immigration and
the deficit), we have no resolution, and on
the other two (choice and healthcare), we

have a resolution, but one side continues
to try and rehash and renegotiate the law.
If our nation is like a business, then,
based on my experience, the future is
bleak. Our elected officials must adhere to
a higher standard of conduct in discharg-
ing their responsibilities. Rehashing the
law of the land is simply not an option.
On a personal note, the "honey, we've
been through this" relates to a current
domestic debate in our house relating to
the care of Macy, our dog, while we are
out of town. It is obviously not a matter of
national concern, and if the issue contin-
ues to be rehashed a few more times, no
great loss will ensue other than perhaps
my sanity! Time will tell.
On another note, if you follow this col-
umn from month to month, I'm pleased
to say that (as of press time) my New Year
predictions for the Tigers winning the
World Series and the Lions winning the
Super Bowl were still plausible.
The other one, that Congress would get
their act together, is off the table.
Big surprise!

❑

Ken Gross is an attorney with Thav Gross and
host of the Financial Crisis Talk Center show
that airs weekly at 8:30 Saturday mornings on
WDFN 1130 AM, "The Fan" and 11 a.m. Sundays
on MyTV20.

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October 10 • 2013

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