Candidate’s Message

America is losing its way. Our economy is fragile. The gap between rich and poor is widening. The middle class is being squeezed out, as good jobs are exported by the thousands. Illegal immigration is polarizing the country. Education is suffering. Health care costs are soaring, while millions remain uninsured, many of them children. All the while, the federal debt has grown to astronomical heights. In short, the symptoms of Bush-Bonner's politics of failure are all around us. And there's no end to it.

Moreover, our standing in the world has been diminished. We are at war on two fronts with no end in sight, as the President doggedly pursues go-it-alone policies that have cost us the respect and cooperation of much of the world. Even our steadfast allies have grown leery of America's judgment and global leadership. Meanwhile, here at home, our civil rights are being abused increasingly in the name of homeland security.

The politics of Bush-Bonner ideology put us in this fix, and partisanship - left and right - threatens to keep us there. We need change! With your vote, we can start by replacing Jo Bonner's "my President, right or wrong" brand of politics with Congressional representation that reflects the interests of all the people of the First District not just the special interests of Bush-Bonner.

My intent is to be a bridge between the ideological extremes that get in the way of the people's business. With Ben Lodmell, you get what you see - a lifelong Democrat and a pragmatist with a social conscience and a commitment to fiscal responsibility. My priorities are the people's priorities -

  • Fiscal restraint;
  • Affordable healthcare;
  • Improved education;
  • Energy independence;
  • A stronger middle class,;
  • More and better jobs;
  • An improvement in America's standing in the world.

So, when it comes time for your to vote, ask yourself if you are better off with Jo Bonner in Congress. Then cast your vote for Ben Lodmell - and vote for change.

Executive Coaching DC - Dealing with feedback, positive and negative

From the perspective of executive coaching, dealing with negative and positive feedback is really an important task, complex and difficult to take personally - if it is received or delivered. In general, the feedback mechanisms are developed to meet early in life, and consolidated as they are used and useful through the use and early adult relationships. However, bad habits or simply expressions of behavior are still unknown into their interviews, or supervisory reporting relationships, employee, or the interactions of human resources, or any other business or personal interactions - and really do not find out until it's too late - executive coaching degree.

In this article by DC Executive Coach James Bowles (jamesbowles.com), the concept of eliminating negative habits is discussed. James Bowles is one of Northern Virginia and the leading experts in Washington DC metropolitan area in Executive Coaching, Human Resources and Human Capital Management performance.

Bad habits creep into our behavior over time. Many successful people are convinced that their bad habits are the strengths and points of pride, and even more difficult habits to break. People are promoted because of the skills, performance and luck, but often are eventually derailed by poor interpersonal habits. There are many bad habits in the areas of communications and competitiveness, but there are many others.

So, what are your bad habits, such as an executive, manager, supervisor, employee?

The discovery and acceptance of comments on your bad habits is by far the most difficult challenge in the process. Nobody really wants to hear or accept negative feedback. Even if you are the freest in the world, receiving criticism is painful. Even when we ask for information, there is a part of us that wants to immediately defend or explain our behavior. And because we do not get negative feedback, we feel bad for giving negative feedback to others. The managers feel an enormous amount of stress to give negative feedback, even when part of their work.

The culture of corporate America and its promotion executives, human resources and capital management processes also do not give value in the comments. People are conditioned to "not make waves", "not burn bridges," "deal with the devil you know". When was the last time you saw someone rewarded for giving their negative opinion leader? Many companies and HR departments have failed to do exit interviews, as even the unhappiest employee has learned to let go, not on the record with the bad things to say about the company for fear of reprisals, even when the chances of returning are 1 in 1000.

Therefore, the information paradox is that it is critical to identify and eliminate bad habits. But I do not really want. And nobody wants to give you, at least in person, not anonymously (to receive information via anonymous comments on blogs and other social media is a different issue to be discussed in future articles). So how do you know what your bad habits are? Here are four possible ways to obtain.