Some may argue that Americans make too much of sports. [Academics on campuses certainly do at budget time, ignoring the fact—in the case of LSU—that the athletic department is self-sustaining and gets no state funds.] But it would be hard to argue that sports is not the American pastime. As fans, we certainly do invest much of our time and money in enjoying watching our favorite teams or athletes compete. It gets the heart pumping.
Think about it: How exhilarating was it to watch the New Orleans Saints pull out an overtime victory against Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings to win the NFC championship? And then, to top that, the thrill of watching our Saints—who struggled for much of their 43 years—finally compete in the Super Bowl against the Colts for the championship and win!
As they say, “It don’t get no better.”
That can certainly be said for the Who Dat Nation and the city of New Orleans. I have never seen a bigger pick-me-up or extended celebration for any city in my life than the 23 days spanning the NFC Championship Game through Mardi Gras [Feb. 16] in New Orleans. It was crazy. It was a love fest. Attitudes, spirits and aspirations have never been so high or so positive as those in the city of New Orleans. And they needed it. Folks believe! They are inspired! And it is infectious.
For a city that has been struggling during the four years since Katrina—in a state that has often been put down and laughed at for being last on the list—it feels so good to have your city’s and state’s team recognized as No. 1 and the best in the world. Look at us now. We’re champions! You just can’t dispute that it feels so good to win! Our pride is showing.
Some will say, “This is only a metal sports trophy we’re talking about and just a one-year reign—what about our public schools?” First, don’t rain on our parade. No one said the Super Bowl would make all our challenges disappear. But second, to those people who have been struggling for years to accomplish their dreams, this triumph represents the reward of perseverance—and evidence you can make it if you don’t quit. The Saints didn’t quit. They got a coach and a quarterback who believed and were willing to lead and take risks, but also commit the time to be excellent. And the rest is history.
It is inspiring, and the lesson here is far greater than just a football story. It can be applied to the life of a teenager, a single mom, a college grad or a business CEO. The Saints’ 43-year journey to the Super Bowl Championship has lessons for us all.
In much the same way that the NFL allows our cities and states to compete, the Olympics allow nations to battle for the honor of being the world’s best and the pride of taking home the gold. We send our best and they send theirs and we go head-to-head. Much like the New Orleans Saints 43-year journey to the mountain top, there are many wonderful and inspiring life stories of those at the Winter Olympics who have overcome great odds or spent their entire lives preparing and training for the next 10 minutes—or 10 seconds. Their dedication, discipline, determination and focus are amazing. It is what sets them apart and gives them even a chance of being the best in the world.
I was mesmerized last week watching the intense competition as each athlete pushed to the edge [even risking their lives in some situations] in their pursuit of their lifelong dream—Olympic gold—and leaving all they had on the slope or the ice. It was inspiring.
A couple of lessons for all to take away: 1] Competition brings out the very best. [Faced with a great time by teammate Julia Mancuso, Lindsey Vonn had to go all out at 65 mph down the mountain in her last run to capture the gold in the women’s downhill by half a second. She did it.] This point holds true for athletes, teachers and executives. 2] The difference between gold and bronze can be just that little extra. In the men’s downhill, the three medalists were separated by less than one total second. Many things could have altered the outcome. Execution of the plan is everything.
Sure, the NFL and the Olympics are “just” sports, but the important lessons they can teach us and the inspiration they provide are certainly real.
Health-care debate rages on
Thanks to the election of Scott Brown in Massachusetts, “Obamacare” got sidelined and the country spared from disaster. But President Barack Obama, Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi did not go away. No doubt they’ll try something else as they see the prospects of losing seats in the Senate and House looming this fall.
One of the solutions that often gets overlooked—as if there is nothing the government can do—is eliminating fraud, waste and abuse in the Medicare and Medicaid system. It is out of control and little is being done.
It would seem there would be bi-partisan support for such a solution. Is there anyone who doesn’t think we should cut down on the $70 billion-$120 billion lost annually to health-care fraud? The CBS News program 60 Minutes last fall put the figure at $60 billion, and other sources have it even higher. Even President Obama mentioned “hundreds of billions of dollars in waste and fraud” in his speech to Congress last September.
Will anyone at the president’s Feb. 25 summit address this issue? This should be a top priority, along with tort reform. Addressing these two issues could have a dramatic effect on the cost of health care—without raising our taxes.
Newt Gingrich and his Center for Health Transformation has a number of ideas on how to reduce fraud and abuse. Check out his site at www.healthtransformation.net.
PAR is wrong
Jim Brandt and the Public Affairs Research Council came out with their position on post-secondary education governance last week, stating “don’t abolish Regents.” They are opposed to the Post-Secondary Education Review Commission recommendation of merging the four higher-ed management boards into a single board overseeing four-year institutions. The Louisiana Community and Technical College System board would remain to manage the two-year community colleges and technical schools. The folks at PAR are confused; they need to get outside their stuffy offices and breathe some fresh air.
Having served for six years on one of those current four boards in question [LSU], I know how they work and the politics involved. Members of all four boards are currently appointed by the governor.
Keep it simple. Keep it clear. Have one body provide budget, policy and institutional discipline. We need one state united on the value, focus and coordination of higher education. It will pay dividends for our flagship university and for every other university, every business, every jobseeker and every taxpayer.
Twenty years ago, former Gov. Buddy Roemer came within one vote of passing a single board in the state Senate, with opposition coming from then Sen. Bill Jefferson and Edwin Edwards in the back of the chamber. Now it comes from PAR.
When Roemer heard about PAR’s recommendation last week, he said, “Well, compare two states in the past 25 years: North Carolina and Louisiana. North Carolina made the change to a single board a generation ago. Louisiana kept its multiboard, tribal system with no one in charge but the governor. Look at the results.”
