Larry D. Lauer

Everyone understands the importance of body language.  We know that how we look (facial expression, gestures, dress, etc.) when we make a statement either reinforces the message, cancels its credibility, or sends a completely different secondary message. This is true for institutions, and for individuals.

This week the Texas Legislature failed to pass the bill authorizing the state budget before the close of the regular session. The culprit was a Senator’s filibuster protesting dramatic cuts in public education.  The governor immediately called a special session, which brings into play a whole different set of voting rules.  Members can now start over on a new bill, or pass the entire current bill by a simple majority.  They can also revisit and change elements of the bill that were blocked during the regular session by the minority.

The ultimate consequence is that a bill which cuts a whopping $4 Billion from public education, putting thousands of teachers and others out of work, is now likely to pass.

I understand that many think this super drastic action is necessary in these hard economic times. Others feel just as sincerely that the economy can be rebuilt with a more balanced approach. My “communication” concern here is that many of the victors this week in Texas “looked” so self-satisfied about winning.

The legislature by majority vote is now likely to bring enormous pain to countless Texas families. And instead of demonstrating compassion and empathy about the eventual consequences, they focused on looking happy about the victory.

At both the state and federal levels, it is worrisome to think about what body language might be telling us about so many of our current political leaders.