DME: Are You Dizzy Yet?

If you've been in the industry for any decent amount of time, then you've been in an industry going in circles. Are you dizzy yet? After reading this blog you might end up dizzy if you're not already, but read it anyhow.

Political Correctness
When I talk about political correctness, I mean it as it pertains to "the quality of conformity to social expectations," not this "avoidance of expressions or actions that can be perceived to exclude or marginalize or insult people who are socially disadvantaged or discriminated against" or this "Of, relating to, or supporting broad social, political, and educational change, especially to redress historical injustices in matters such as race, class, gender, and sexual orientation."

I'm talking about the political correctness that makes you feel compelled to curtail your own freedom of expression. To me, that's not correctness; that pressure to conform and that pressure to not utter anything that might offend or cause controversy is incorrect.

I've heard people decline to comment on something or decline to respond fully to something because their points of view wouldn't be "popular," or might "hurt someone's feelings." Or, worse yet, they fear being ostracized by those in "leadership" and their mindless minions.

So? Why is it acceptable to you to have to edit yourself or hide your true thoughts and feelings on a topic because you might offend a few? How is that appropriate? It's not.

I'm not an advocate of rudeness. There is very little that's attractive about someone who has no discretion at all. You can express yourself in a manner that isn't deliberately offensive; using basic good manners doesn't mean that you can't be honest and open.

The pressure to do otherwise is a fraud perpetrated by a few on the masses. Political correctness sprang into being during the Reagan years, and has become a hydra that bullies the masses into silence about one's own convictions. I find this unacceptable and infuriating; I am not of the current flock-of-sheep mentality, and refuse to let people I think are idiots tell me what I can think and what I can say. I can live with a lack of popularity because my thoughts and feelings and viewpoints are no less important than those who are trying to hold them hostage.

They're like dictators or tyrants in a way. If they were confident of their abilities and motives, they wouldn't fear the expression of opposing views and beliefs. But here's the thing: dictators and tyrants are only successful because they have the sanction of their victims. If you don't tell them to go to hell, and if you conform, they win. They need your permission to do what they do.

A perfect example of what I'm talking about is when George W. Bush decided to invade Iraq. At that time, if anyone publicly disagreed with that move or the reasoning of the Bush administration, that person was sliced and diced. A dissenter was practically branded as a traitor!

Though I was for the invasion of Afghanistan, I was very opposed to invading Iraq. Did I express it at the time? Of course. Did my view fall in with the public hysteria and manic flag-waving? No, and I got told about it by many. Did that bother me? No. Because my convictions are my own, and I have as much right to express them as those who were mindlessly drinking the kool-aid at that moment in time.

Fast forward to today. We know that we were lied to; we know now that Bush's reasons for invading Iraq were fiction and that he knew it.

What's my point? Going along with what's currently politically correct doesn't make you right, and it doesn't make you honest, and it doesn't make you smart, and it often doesn't get you good results.

Republican, Democrat, Independent, or Other?
I hate to be pigeon-holed. Of the above choices, I pick the "other" category.

I don't ascribe to one political ideology. No single political party has all the answers and, to be perfectly candid, I put absolutely no faith in politicians (neither those who already are nor those who want to be). I think they're all a bunch of liars and crooks out for themselves.

If you're a Republican (and I mean "you" in a general sense, I don't mean "you" specifically), you need to be ultra-conservative, and I don't want a politician's religion influencing my life. I can make my own religious choices (thank you very much), and I'm of the firm opinion that every legislator needs to keep his (or her) religious beliefs out of my life; those people aren't welcome to inflict it on me via legislation. We have a theoretical separation of church and state in this country, and I want it kept that way. I don't much care how a legislator feels about topics like abortion; the supreme court permits it, and Joe Representative's views on it aren't relevant.

Here's what I say to those opposed to something like abortion: Don't get one. But don't violate the rights of those who do support it.

If you're a Democrat, you need to like to give pots of money to anyone with a good sob story and you don't really have a cohesive strategy. A democrat won't shove his religion down my throat, but he's not terribly organized or convincing.

If you're a member of either party, you like to bash the other. The partisan politics in Washington make me sick; it's not why we sent those (overpaid) people to D.C. You know why they do it? Because we don't insist that they cut the crap and actually work. They work for us; it's up to us to rebuke them and set acceptable terms for their collective behavior. Instead, they act like grand-standing, posturing, big-mouth jerks. They embarrass me.

I've heard some people say that Independents are just Democrats in disguise. I don't think that's true, but Independents end up having to take one side or another because alone they have no standing. Our two-party system is corrupt and really doesn't work anymore. Whose fault is it? Ours. We let it happen.

These are the people who represent you in Congress. These are the people who employ young aides who determine a legisltor's position on the DME industry. The vast majority don't know who you are or what you do (and how it pertains to healthcare because they don't understand that either), but they're making decisions about you and your future.

The good news is that we can fix what's wrong in Washington. We need to put the fear of us into them by deciding to send all-new representation to Washington, and if that group doesn't serve well, do it again until they all get the message. And then keep an eye on what they're doing, because their activities will have an impact on you.

You really can't complain if you don't get involved. It's like not voting and then grousing about who got elected. A candidate wins an election one vote at a time. If you didn't make the effort to vote, then you got what you deserved.

The same holds true for the condition of the DME industry. If you aren't involved, then you're getting what you deserve. You can't sit on your backside and say that "someone should do something." You're someone. Do something!

DME As Microcosm
A microcosm is defined as "a miniature representation of something, especially a unit, group, or place regarded as a copy of a larger one."

DME is a great microcosm of what's so wrong these days. I'll elaborate:

Bad or ineffective leadership -- No real progress or change has been made for the industry by its "leadership" in more than 10 years. Your "leaders" keep trying the same approach and basically getting nowhere. While they haven't done any damage (unless you consider not accomplishing anything as damage, which I do), they certainly haven't made any progress or done anything useful.

What has done damage is the splintering of the industry, and the current "leadership" embraces anyone who comes along. They say we need unity, and then they support the do-nothings who have suddenly awakened and are trying to convince everyone through non-stop press (press that they shamelessly pursue) that they're going to make a difference.

Nice that they show up to close the barn doors once the horse is already out, huh?

I'm talking to you, AAHomecare, VGM, and NEMED. Your opportunism and (or) desperation is showing.

Apathy -- There always have been more providers moaning that someone should do something than there are those actually doing something. Those people are as bad as the ones who don't vote but then complain about who got elected and just as useful.

The Lords of the Silent -- There are those who agree with virtually everything I've had to say, then don't speak up. They don't want to "make waves" or offend anyone. I don't know about you, but I'd be damned offended by ineffective tactics and the continued risk of losing my business. If it hasn't worked in more than a decade, what are the chances it's going to work today or tomorrow? If you aren't happy with the way things are going, stand up, say something, and demand change, especially if you're a dues-paying member of an organization. They work for you just as the legislators work for you. If they're not doing what needs to be done, throw the bums out!

A Revolution?
Why not? It worked for our founding fathers, and you're not needing to accomplish nearly what they did. Where did the fighting spirit go that shaped this country? Were George Washington and crew concerned about political correctness? Of course not. They rolled up their sleeves and tackled monumental tasks no matter how unpalatable they were to the "leadership" of their time. They went against the current and won.

Your goal is to change what's happened to and is happening in the industry, not found a new country.

It's an election year. It's the time to contact legislators, tell them what your issues are, and tell them in no uncertain terms that if they're not willing to do the job you expect them to do that you'll support their opponent. Contact the opponents and find out what their stand is on competitive bidding. Become an informed, responsible citizen. And vote, for crying out loud.

Don't vote the party, vote the candidate. Just because you consider yourself a member of a certain party doesn't mean that the candidate your party is offering you is a good one. Look past the labels and dig into the issues that are important to you. Then, when all is said and done, stay informed, stay involved, and maintain a dialogue with the legislator. It is your right; it is your responsibility.

You'd hold an employee at your company accountable for mistakes, behavior, etc., would you not? A legislator is no different. A legislator works for you. Hold her (him) accountable, because that person is, in the long run, going to have a more profound impact on you than your company employee will. Why are your standards lower for legislators than employees?

What's wrong on a national level is wrong in the DME world; this is why the industry is such a microcosm. You might not be ready to tackle huge issues, but you can and should tackle the ones that are staring you in the face.

Are There Any Solutions?
Sure there are. There is a solution for every problem. But some things take longer to solve than others and some things are more difficult to work out than others. That doesn't mean you shouldn't try.

What it does mean is jettisoning what (and who) doesn't work. What it means is trying new, different things until something works. Don't let the current "leadership" tell you that they disagree or don't think something new will work. I rarely take advice from someone who hasn't managed to make their approaches work for years; they may want you to think they're qualified to be in control, but for me the proof is in the pudding. Judge them by their accomplishments, not by the masks they wear or the images they cultivate.

Make your own inroads and cut your own path. If you can find someone in whom you have confidence, who inspires you, and who you think will be able to lead you effectively, pursue that person. If he (or she) can serve your interests and coordinate your efforts with those of others, then move forward. Am I advocating more splintering? No. I'm advocating the rejection of the status quo and the organizations that are (and have been) failing you. I'm advocating that you support the organizations that truly make a difference to you; if you have one already, continue your patronage and encourage others to do the same. You're supposed to be on the same team after all, aren't you?

Stop being led in circles. Your future is at stake! Don't just sit there silently nodding your head, comment! Respond! Step up and speak your mind and then act on it!