What if ? ? ?

We've all played the "what if" game throughout our lives. Watching the news of the globe unfold this past week I couldn't help but wonder what if in many current scenarios.

In Chile this week the world watched as 33 men were winched to the surface in an unprecedented rescue effort. The success was the result of international cooperation on a scale never witnessed before. Chile's president, Sebastian Pinera, said last night his country's successful rescue operation had given a good example to the world of "commitment, courage, faith, hope and unity."

But, "what if" he had listened to some of his advisers who had told him not to do the things he did. The outcome may not have been as joyous. We'll never know.

With the mid-term elections looming in just two weeks, "what if" every registered voter went to the polls and voiced their opinion with a ballot? That would be a true election of the people not just by a minority of the electorate. 

In these harsh economic times, "what if" the first budget cuts were not from the very areas the money is needed most such as education, public safety, assistance to the poor and elderly. Rather they came from bloated projects that could well be put on hold. Such projects might include signage that could weather another year or two or new furniture for government offices.

In the private sector the "what if" game could continue. "What if" companies increased their advertising budget to steer more people towards their products and services rather than cut this expense first and cut in other areas that may be unpopular such as corporate hotel and car rental expenses? Instead of booking rooms at a four-star hotel downgrade to a less expensive property, or rent an economy car instead of a mid-size one.

The list could go on and on. Such as listening to members of the military when they say a particular weapons system is not needed instead of listening to the members of Congress pandering for votes and spending the unneeded money.

It's true we live in a world where political correctness seems to be the rule. And, many are content to simply shrug their shoulders and let others speak and act for them.

In this One Person's View, I can't help but wonder "what if" we were all pro-active and worked to make our world a better place? To use the example of Chile's disaster and success and make our priorities unselfishly human instead of feeding ego and greed.