Power Words

Buzzwords. Words about Power.

I've been reflecting on how some buzzwords are meaningless. For example, "bipartisanship." The definition of this is the idea that in the two-party political system, the two parties will somehow work together. I'm not clear about the origin of the two-party system, as I probably tuned out most of Civics class, but having two bandwagons of people with solidified, opposing viewpoints forever at each others' throats does not seem like the most pleasant or efficient way to run a country.

Usually people use the word "bipartisanship" to theoretically mean "unity," when what they really mean is, "let's cooperate by having the opposing party do what we want." The trouble with bipartisanship is that people are still partisan, they are still on a ship [of fools] and they are still headed for the same iceberg in the end.

The new buzzword at work ["Mountain View"] is "teamwork." There's a new Sheriff in town, the streets are not safe, and the number of CNA's on the floor has been reduced so there can be three Unit Managers, an Evening Manager, and a Wound Manager.

Why the person doing the job which in other facilities is called "Treatment Nurse" and in the last facility I worked at, was filled by a long-standing soul of the utmost sweetness, skill, humility and perseverance, is called a "wound manager" is beyond my comprehension. In this facility, they ought to be managing wounds, but in fact seem to be managing the rest of the staff instead. And in the case of the current Wound Manager, not in a way that makes me feel respected.

Most of these new managers share one quality in common. Not long and varied experience; not the quality of leadership which inspires people to look up to them and follow their lead; not a well-organized mind; not an engaging, friendly personality. The quality which most inspired these people to apply for and be hired for the manager position seems to be merely an inherent bossiness.

It's true that I lack the quality of bossiness, and can't fake it. As the youngest child of five, I identify too much with the underdog. I really hate telling people what to do, because I loath being told what to do. I lead from behind, by worshiping the ground the CNA's walk on and helping them whenever I can. But the situation we find ourselves in at Mountain View is having too many people bossing around too few.

In any case, I have discerned that whenever they wave around the word "teamwork," it doesn't mean everyone pulling together and helping each other. It just means, "do what we say."