Yesterday one of my President’s staff really blew it. In one of his Facebook posts (Yes, I’m a “fan” of President Obama), he asked everyone to put the following in their Facebook status update for a day:

No one should die because they cannot afford health care, and no one should go broke because they get sick. If you agree, please post this as your status for the rest of the day.

And quite a few did post it. And I’m repeating it here. But why did it annoy me?

My first reaction was based on sales experience – Don’t tell me what the problem is – The customer is doing a perfectly adequate job of complaining. Don’t just repeat it.  Instead bring me a solution. That’s what competent managers do!

But what was Obama’s staffer doing here? Megaphoning the problem to a million drones who repeated it. Great! But I already know the problem – I was expecting a solution or at least a plan.

My second reaction was “So what?” If I had posted that status update and it was seen by an Obama supporter friend, he/she would have “liked” the comment but nothing would have changed. If my status update had been seen by an Obama hater, he probably would have ignored it or offered some colorful (?) response. Either way, I still don’t see how anyone has been helped nor what good it did. It certainly didn’t convert anyone.

I do love my President, and I admire his work ethic, style and especially his pragmatism. I think he’s a pretty smart guy. I also hope he’s smart enough to find out who the staffer was who posted that adult pablum and fire him.

Mr. Obama, I already know what my problems are. I’m hoping to hear what what my opportunities and solutions are!