Aside from Frank's neglect of identifying more specifically what is behind the educational decline in America, especially in the area of critical thinking exhibited by Kansans and American's in the post GI-Bill era, an other weakness in his writing is related to his failure to dig in and identify which Kansans or progressive groups nationwide might be most willing to lead or help grow a .progressive movement focused on issues of social justice real and quality of life at this time or in the near future.
This is where business and public speaking professionals like Blanchard and Cathy fill in some gaps on religious America and Americans desire to live not only successful live but significant generous life-enhancing ones.
In reading through Ken Blanchard and S. Truett Cathy's (2002) THE GENEROSITY FACTOR, I would have to say that among readers of this sort of literature, which is targeted at Christians who want to make a difference and really help others, networks can be created where progressive movements can prosper. In contrast to Frank's book, FACTOR is a book targeted at liberal, moderate and conservative elites-rather than to the poorest classes; nevertheless, it brings insight for all readers as to who could be asked to join, support, and sustain a long term progressive movement in Kansas, in the USA, or around the globe.
How does THE GENEROSITY FACTOR approach its target audience? Well, it does so by providing a lengthy metaphor of people who are seeking a new way to deal with the world in which they find themselves.
Most of these are wealthy elites, but most of these elite characters have experienced a lot of hard-knocks and rejection as youth. Although, they have become wealthy through playing the great free market game, they are not satisfied by how the rules of behavior in the free market fail to support basic human concepts, such as love and living a significant life.
More importantly, these elites aren't satisfied with traditional standards for measuring performance in one's life activities. That is, being a Christian-oriented work, THE GENEROSITY FACTOR, rejects measuring success by using concepts or goals, like wealth, achievement, and status.
Instead, these authors steadfastly recommend that all leaders be more concerned with living out a life of significance measured by terms related to love and not achievement or acquisition. The authors define these three criteria as the most important ones for a businessman or manager to focus on in order to live a life of significance:
(1) generosity,
(2) service, and
(3) relationships.
If Thomas Frank would ponder these three foci a bit, he might concur that the last two criteria for focusing on living a significant life are exactly the areas where radical conservatives are successful carrying out their get-out-the vote one-issue campaigns in Kansas and other the nation.
These religious and conservative groups have created great supporting relationships-including online discussion lists and listservs. One issue campaign groups maintain these service relationships and march out to canvas neighborhoods in joy that they are doing a service and helping others.
This hyper focus on what is common by keeping campaigns at a simple OUR-WAY-OF-LIFE vs. THEM-whoever the fantasy "them" is-- keeps even the poorest of the organizers motivated. In this way, poor folk are, therefore, motivated to vote against their economic interests, i.e. providing tax breaks to the wealthy and putting tax burdens on the local community. These poorer American give generously of their own time and provide a service. Fulfillment or significance in life is discovered in the struggle-not in the victory for self or cause.
Frank contrasts the highly motivated approach to canvassers and organizers by right wing religious-mouthing candidates to the old schools of conservatives, moderates, and liberals in Kansas, particularly in Johnson County where the author grew up. The older generation of elites-liberal or not-prior to 2005 had appeared to just NOT get it.
Generosity in terms of wealth is not enough to run a campaign, especially when is facing off against a movement in the get-out the vote campaign led by the Religious-mouthing Right political leadership in the 21st Century.
TALENT, TIME, TREASURE, AND TOUCH
According to the authors of THE GENEROSITY FACTOR, there are always at least four ways in which an individual can be generous. They define these as in terms of 4Ts:
(1) time,
(2) talent,
(3) treasure, and
4) touch.
This is where business and public speaking professionals like Blanchard and Cathy fill in some gaps on religious America and Americans desire to live not only successful live but significant generous life-enhancing ones.
In reading through Ken Blanchard and S. Truett Cathy's (2002) THE GENEROSITY FACTOR, I would have to say that among readers of this sort of literature, which is targeted at Christians who want to make a difference and really help others, networks can be created where progressive movements can prosper. In contrast to Frank's book, FACTOR is a book targeted at liberal, moderate and conservative elites-rather than to the poorest classes; nevertheless, it brings insight for all readers as to who could be asked to join, support, and sustain a long term progressive movement in Kansas, in the USA, or around the globe.
How does THE GENEROSITY FACTOR approach its target audience? Well, it does so by providing a lengthy metaphor of people who are seeking a new way to deal with the world in which they find themselves.
More importantly, these elites aren't satisfied with traditional standards for measuring performance in one's life activities. That is, being a Christian-oriented work, THE GENEROSITY FACTOR, rejects measuring success by using concepts or goals, like wealth, achievement, and status.
Instead, these authors steadfastly recommend that all leaders be more concerned with living out a life of significance measured by terms related to love and not achievement or acquisition. The authors define these three criteria as the most important ones for a businessman or manager to focus on in order to live a life of significance:
(1) generosity,
(2) service, and
(3) relationships.
If Thomas Frank would ponder these three foci a bit, he might concur that the last two criteria for focusing on living a significant life are exactly the areas where radical conservatives are successful carrying out their get-out-the vote one-issue campaigns in Kansas and other the nation.
These religious and conservative groups have created great supporting relationships-including online discussion lists and listservs. One issue campaign groups maintain these service relationships and march out to canvas neighborhoods in joy that they are doing a service and helping others.
This hyper focus on what is common by keeping campaigns at a simple OUR-WAY-OF-LIFE vs. THEM-whoever the fantasy "them" is-- keeps even the poorest of the organizers motivated. In this way, poor folk are, therefore, motivated to vote against their economic interests, i.e. providing tax breaks to the wealthy and putting tax burdens on the local community. These poorer American give generously of their own time and provide a service. Fulfillment or significance in life is discovered in the struggle-not in the victory for self or cause.
Frank contrasts the highly motivated approach to canvassers and organizers by right wing religious-mouthing candidates to the old schools of conservatives, moderates, and liberals in Kansas, particularly in Johnson County where the author grew up. The older generation of elites-liberal or not-prior to 2005 had appeared to just NOT get it.
Generosity in terms of wealth is not enough to run a campaign, especially when is facing off against a movement in the get-out the vote campaign led by the Religious-mouthing Right political leadership in the 21st Century.
TALENT, TIME, TREASURE, AND TOUCH
According to the authors of THE GENEROSITY FACTOR, there are always at least four ways in which an individual can be generous. They define these as in terms of 4Ts:
(1) time,
(2) talent,
(3) treasure, and
4) touch.
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