Have you ever had to deal with a toxic coworker or community members? You know the kind: The glass is not only always 1/2 empty but it is broken into tiny shards. They always complain about it being Monday, cannot wait until Friday. But on Friday they are complaining about the horrible past week they just had and the forthcoming Monday. They never want to be where they are; the grass is always greener at home, or at a better job, or outside. They blame management and everybody else for their woes.

Over at Cultivate Greatness there is a great article on “Becoming a Non-Toxic Person” . It shows how toxic people are not unlike toxic chemicals. They should be kept in a safe place away from everybody and everything. There is a great sentence in the post that summarizes my feelings on the whole subject:

“People like you are the reason people like me need medication! – Your kid may be an honor student, but you’re still an idiot!”

Here is the link. Enjoy.

http://cultivategreatness.com/2007/02/20/becoming-a-non-toxic-person

Good afternoon readers (both of you). I am on the reoad this weekend in Dallas, Texas. The family is out and about so I decided to grab a paper and chill down in the hotel lobby. I am not one for politics, but I saw something in the paper today that really just made my blood boil.

So I am reading the weekends USA Today and over on the right hand side there is an articled title “Fliers’ misery stings JetBlue”. Wow. That sucks. I know it has nothing to do with jetBlue – it is called weather and it affected every mode of transportation. But hey… I’ve written off the press as irresponsible a long time ago.

OK. Then there is this subtitle “Congress reacts to hours-long delays”. Oh god no – please tell me my congressman is not wasting my tax money helping some whiny JetBlue passengers. Please please do not tell me that. I will just be beside myself with anger and frustration.

Yes. That is what it was.

The first four paragraphs go on and on about how various congressmen tore JetBlue a new one because of weather delays. W E A T  H E R   D E L A Y  S . And because the planes were stuck on the tarmac. And… whine whine whine on and on. Oh yes… it is time for the passengers bill of rights thing again. Once we have that all will be healed. This will never happen again. Passengers can do whatever the bill wants despite the safety issues and despite what the pilot decides is best for the people under his care. Remember him – the pilot in command? The one responsible for every thing and every person on the airplane. When you are in trouble on a plane the last thing you need is a bill of rights or a congressional speech. You need a good pilot.

Mr/Ms Congressperson: Please be quiet about things going on between private parties. You have no business there. This is not a federal/governmental matter, and it would best be served by you staying out of it and letting the two private parties handle it. Somehow the world will go on without the “Honorable Gentleman from the state of xyz”. It does not warrant your scolding. It not beg for more legislation. And you are one of the last people that should be getting involved. You are not the airline, you are not Mother Nature, you are not one of the passengers. There is not a thing you can do to help passengers delayed by weather. Nothing. Zero. Zilch. Nada. Not now. Not in the future. Ever.

I think that people sometimes think the solution to thier problem is to run to thier congressman and complain about it. That will make it better. S/He will get on the lectern and create sweeping change and force the private company to give them their wish. In reality what happens is you waste my money with issues that they should not be involved in.

Laissez-Faire government people. It is a phrase drilled into my head in high school.