So, how often have you walked into a store or a car lot and had an annoying salesperson try to push you into a sale that you were not sure of? They say all kinds of things to push the sale; it gets especially interesting when they are selling something you don’t need.

This year I have heard all kinds of scare tactics. “We must pass the stimulus bill in less than one day (without time to read and debate) in order to prevent unemployment from going over 8%.” “We must take action (read: destroy the economy) now to save the planet from environmental catastrophe.” And today, I heard that “we must pass the health care bill right now in order to keep the country from going bankrupt.” Is anyone besides me tired of the hyperbole? I’m tired of hearing about the swine flu too. Is it really any worse than the seasonal flu? Why the scare tactics? I’m getting numb to it, and I suspect you may be too.

When flying an aircraft, there are all kinds of things that can happen to you. Some things, like being shot at or an onboard fire, require immediate attention. Other things, like mission system malfunctions, can be carefully evaluated and possibly fixed in flight. Of course, a hydraulic or electrical malfunction may fall into either category. Regardless, a careful and meticulous execution of your procedures will get you through without making things worse. Screaming “we’re all going to die!” for every challenge that comes up is not only counterproductive, it quickly gets annoying. And, to switch metaphors…the boy crying wolf will eventually be ignored, or left on the ground.

No doubt, we have challenges. Can we do a better job of caring for the environment? Sure, but we don’t need to destroy the economy with a policy like Cap and Trade. Will the planet cool (1970’s style) into a catastrophic ice age or warm (2000’s style) into catastrophic rising seas? No, I don’t believe so. I believe the natural cycle will continue as it has in the past. Do we need to take a good close look at healthcare to see what can be done for those not covered who want to be without hurting the majority of folks who are happy with their medical care? You bet, but we don’t need to put further pressure on the economy to do it. The thought that not passing this expensive plan right now will bankrupt the country is patently false. If anything, this would speed the bankruptcy process because it will be expensive. (If you think healthcare will be free and more efficient with more choice and better care under government control…I disagree. Look at the track record with other industries, auto, banking, etc. Who is better off, Chrysler with the “help” or Ford without?)

The point is, there are lots of ideas and data out there to look at and consider on all these issues. Some issues need to be immediately addressed, especially some matters of national security. But there is never a need to rush a bill through without having the time to even read it. The only reason you would do that is if you are an unscrupulous salesman trying to sell something that is not needed. Or, you are a pure politician worried only about your own personal standing. My patience with this type of salesmanship is growing shorter by the day. If you are a pilot and you rush things, you’ll end up in a dire situation quickly. If you are Congress, spending hard earned tax money in a rushed and not well thought out way, you will steer the country towards hardship.

We need to replace these slick talking politicians with statesmen who know what it means to support and defend the Constitution. We need people who see and react to challenges with calm, meticulous…and most importantly, effective solutions.

We must resist pushing bills through without reading them or at least knowing the details of them. We must resist unscrupulous sales tactics and not be frightened by the hyperbole. Time must be given for those who want to know what they are voting on…for those who feel like knowing what is in these bills is an essential part of their job. Cool heads must prevail.