(Readers: Please note this blog is constructed as a story. While not all chapters are linked, I think the story will be more meaningful by starting at the beginning. Read one or two segments each day and you will catch up quickly.)

Scene: JC and Jordan a few days later. Jordan’s Office.

Jordan: “JC, nice to see you again. Good couple of days?”

JC: “Are you going to say hello to Ralph? I thought you had better manners.”

Jordan: “Good morning, Ralph. Nice to see you again, too. Now, what about a plan.”

JC: “Yes, I have a plan. But you cannot put me in charge. That’s not my expertise. I won’t do it.”

Jordan: “I promised to get someone else to run the program you developed. When we finish this conversation, I need to get your perspective on something.”

JC: “Perspective on what?”

Jordan: “Let’s wait and first address helping the pound dogs.”

JC: “Jordan, don’t call them pound dogs, please.”

Jordan: “OK. But what do we do with these kids without parents or homes? What ideas did you come up with?”

JC: “The approach is old school and we talked about it briefly last time we met. After a lot of teeth gnashing, it seems like the best idea — boarding schools with room, board and an education program. And lots of emphasis on education, academic and social. Sort of modern orphanages.”

Jordan: “OK keep going,”

JC: “The boarding schools would be scattered throughout the country, trying to keep kids in areas where they grew up and/or have relatives.”

Jordan: “What about foster parents? The idea of a group homes seems so cold and less family like.”

JC: “I thought the same thing at first. But then I did some research. Group homes…really boarding schools…when managed properly, can create a family atmosphere.”

Jordan: “Better atmosphere than foster homes?”

JC: “Not in every case and under ideal circumstances probably not in most cases. But the situation we’re in is not normal. We have large numbers of kids and a small percentage of families willing to take in foster children. It is a big mismatch. Plus we have very few qualified social workers to help screen foster parents and manage the system.”

Jordan: “Society is now paying the price for many states cutting back on funding social programs and staff to support the programs. You’re right. Seems as if we have no choice but boarding schools. What else do you have?”

JC: “I’ve got some more details that I can share with whoever is going to head up this project. And, Jordan, remember your promise — I am not going to run this program.”

Jordan: “I remember the promise. I have some contacts to recruit a manager. My sister-in-law being one. She’s been involved with social services for more than 20 years. She must have a boatload of contacts.”

JC: “Good. I have another topic to discuss — education.”

Jordan: “OK but we need to start that conversation tomorrow morning. And, I know, start late morning. Little JC needs her sleep. I really do want to hear your thoughts.”

JC: “Let’s go Ralph. C’mon boy.”

(Readers: Please note this blog is constructed as a story. While not all chapters are linked, I think the story will be more meaningful by starting at the beginning.)

Scene: A few days later as Cleo and Queeny are working to create a company.

Queeny: “OK Cleo, how are we going to make this company work?”

Cleo:  “First thing is to get some help. Let’s call some of the people Caesar laid off. You, know, I should not call him Caesar…but the name fits.”

Queeny: “We can use our house as an office. Who knows when King George III will be released by the patriots? Could be days…or even months. Old King III needs to quit resisting and join the new world.”

Cleo: “Caesar is getting better about the new world but still backtracks. Actually it is kind of nice without them second-guessing our decisions.”

Queeny: “When they were around, we kept getting comments from the peanut gallery.”

Cleo: “More like the boiled-peanut gallery. How can people eat boiled peanuts? Yuck.”

Queeny: “Before we start calling people shouldn’t we have a general plan for what we want to do?”

Cleo: “You’re right. Let’s lay out some guidelines. Ya’ know, this is going to be fun.”

Queeny: “At first I thought we might be too old to participate in the revolution. Then I thought about Ben Franklin. He was in his 70’s wasn’t he?”

Cleo: “I’m sure he was older than we are. Let’s get started.”

Queeny: “First principle. I think the organization should treat fairly the people that work there, the suppliers and the customers. The company should also allow people to grow and learn.”

Cleo: “#2.  Management needs to recognize there are different types of people…not just stuffy old white guys.   #3.  The company should have a pay scale that everyone understands. It’s OK if the CEO makes more but some CEO’s are paid outrageous salaries…and for what?”

Queeny: “#4,  The company and the CEO should pay their fair share of taxes. Some of these companies and CEO’s pay less tax than people that work for them. Why is that? I do not understand.”

Cleo: “#5,  The company should also help support the community. And not just monetary support but encourage people to spend time helping the community.”

Queeny: “I remember when King George III and I used to be part of a company like that. We were proud to be involved.”

Cleo: “When Caesar started, his company was like that too. People were proud to work there. Then people started to get greedy, a little bit at a time. And, I am ashamed to say, so did we.”

Queeny: “Tell me about it. Once we got some nice things we had to have more.”

Cleo:  “And more…and more. Now we have three houses, an apartment and an airplane. Can you believe it, an airplane? What do we need an airplane for?”

Queeny: “Enough of what we’ve done. I cringe thinking about it. Let’s get back to the revolution.”

Cleo: “We know what the company feels like. But what does it make or do?”

Queeny: “What does the country need right now? Factories producing products. Distribution centers for those products. Updated telecommunications. Government officials who care about doing the right thing, whether in Washington, at the state level or here in town.”

Cleo: “Between us we know people in industry and who can help government. Let’s make a list of contacts that can help us.”

Queeny: “Then we’ll ask them to attend some type of workshop on developing solutions to problems facing the country.”

Cleo: “Our role now is bringing key people together and then let them come up with solutions.”

Scene:    A week or so later, Queeny and Cleo have assembled a workshop.)

Cleo: “We want to welcome everyone. Thank you for your commitment to save the United States from self destruction.”

Queeny: “As you know, we are spearheading this effort without the support of our husbands…at least so far. One is coming around a bit and the other seems to be going backwards.”

Cleo: “Maybe they will finally come around. So, let’s get started. You were asked to attend because we believe you understand the problems the country faces and have ideas how to fix them.”

Queeny: “What we offer is bringing you together and a reminder the solutions need to be simple and easy to understand.”

Cleo: “Look, no one would ever accuse either of us as being the brightest Crayon in the box. So whatever solutions you come up with, you need to bounce off us. If we understand, then the public will understand.”

Queeny: “I like to use the old adage, KISS. Keep it simple, stupid.”

Cleo:  “There are 54 people here. We are going to break into six groups. The number on your name tag indicates what group you are in.”

Queeny: “Two people in each group have administrative tasks. These people know who they are. One person will be the moderator and help manage the flow of the conversation. The other person will take notes. That leaves seven of you to identify problems and develop solutions.”

Cleo: “Problem solving will be 3 hours or so with a working lunch. Then we will reconvene. Each group will have 30 minutes to present the problem and recommended solutions. During the presentation, everyone else will be able to ask questions and critique the proposal.”

Queeny: “We’ll then compile a report with key points and email to you tonight. We hope not too late.”

Cleo: “Tomorrow, same routine but the groups will refine the plans based on questions and critiques from others. By the end of tomorrow we should have the framework for implementing practical, understandable solutions.”

Queeny: “Dinner tonight. You are on your own. We know many of you have to address issues from your day jobs. If you can, mingle with others, especially those in other groups. Spend some time after dinner over coffee.”

Cleo:  “If no questions, then let’s breakout into the works groups. We’ll be around if you need anything.”

(Readers: Please note this blog is constructed as a story.  While not all chapters are linked, I think the story will be more meaningful by starting at the beginning, Entry #2.) 

Scene:    Caesar enters Pigeon Hollow Country Club and finds Jordan.

Caesar: “Jordan, glad I found you. I’ve changed my mind and want to join you. I’m converting to your religion…as it were.”

Jordan: “Heard you were coming. What prompted the change? By the way, it’s nice to have another convert. You can no longer be conservative, which leaves you reform or orthodox. I’d choose reform.”

Caesar: “OK, I’ll be reform.

Jordan: “Now, let’s get serious. Cleo and Queeny need some help. They pulled together a good work team to identify and solve major problems but the two of them lack management experience.”

Caesar: “They’re good at managing husbands and kids but not large staffs.”

Jordan: “Speaking of husbands, where is King George III? Still cleaning toilets?”

Caesar: “Yes and I’m concerned he’ll not come around. He keeps fighting the rebels and is especially upset with you.”

Jordan: “Why upset with me? I should be upset with him. He never understood how his management team tried to make the company better and make him more money in the process. His behavior still baffles me…and a lot of people. Let’s hope he comes around.”

Caesar: “Enough of King III. What do want me to do?”

Jordan: “Hang out with me for a day or two and get an idea of the operations. Let me know any ideas on how we might improve. The revolution has good people but we are short of high-level management experience.”

Caesar: “I’ll stay with you for a few days, then what?”

Jordan: “Help Cleo and Queeny begin implementing the ideas from the workshop. The workshop will produce good ideas but we need someone to manage the implementation.”

Caesar: “Have you talked to Cleo and Queeny about me helping? They like to be in charge.”

Jordan: “They have done a great job of pulling the workshop together. But you and I know that implementing those ideas is beyond their pay grade.”

Caesar: “Let’s hope they think I can help.”

Jordan: “We’ve got problems here at HQ.”

Caesar: “Enjoying using Pigeon Hollow as HQ?

Jordan: “As a matter of fact, I am. The club did a nice job preparing for the PGA tournament.”

Caesar: “Sorry about the snide remark about Pigeon Hollow.  I need some time to make the transition from bad guy to good guy. What is the #1 problem at HQ?”

Jordan: “Counting and coordinating arms and ammunition. I never realized how many guns and how much ammo were in private hands.”

Caesar: “You know, my nephew owns…or at least did own… a gun shop. The shop had record sales every year for the last decade. Started when whackos elected Obama.”

Jordan: “Careful Caesar. Those whackos, as you call them, are now the revolutionaries. Our patriots.”

Caesar: “I’ll tell you what’s even more troubling to me. Many of the good ol’ boys in the south who voted Republican and hated Obama have joined the revolution.”

Jordan: “And we’re glad to have them because those former Republicans have been the source of most of the guns and ammo. What I find ironic, and almost humorous if it weren’t so serious, is how the Republicans kept insisting the 2^nd Amendment allowed individuals to own large caliber semi-automatic weapons. We’re using those weapons in the revolution.”

Caesar: “Who is teaching these guys how to shoot properly? One thing to shoot at a target on a range or shoot bambi. One uses a different set of skills in the military. Big difference between the two.”

Jordan: “I’m helping with instruction for now. Dusted off my old drill instructor’s uniform and started teaching the basics of marksmanship by military standards. We need some help. I really don’t have time for the classes. I know a Navy SEAL who can help. I’ll call him.”

Caesar: “What’s next on the agenda?”

Jordan: “What’s next is the big problem every revolution faces – how to run the country.”

Caesar: “I agree. I’ve only been involved in the private sector, helping reorganize companies. Putting together the plan was easy compared to trying to implement it and run the company.”

Jordan: “Caesar, you’ve been through major reorganizations a couple of times. Maybe that should be your role. Help set up the organization that can function after the revolution is over.”

Caesar: “Most of the organization is probably in place. We don’t need to start from scratch and create a constitution, or the legislative, executive or judicial branches. But we do need to fix some serious imbalances.”

Jordan: “And, if you think about it, the imbalances resulted from the checks and balances getting out of whack. One group gained too much power. That group gained too much wealth and everyone else got the shaft.”

Caesar: “Since Bastille Day when you and your buddies broke up our little celebration, I’ve been thinking about your comment that in the US a revolution occurs every 50 years or so. While the appearance of each revolution has been different, the underlying cause has been the same.”

Jordan: “And the cause is?”

Caesar: “An imbalance of power with one group effectively controlling another. Sometimes the control was physical, sometimes emotional and sometimes financial. But always one group effectively controlled another.”

Jordan: “I’ll tell you what scares me about this revolution. The potential for bloodshed. We have all these high-powered rifles in the hands of people who have been brought up on video games. Other than a few, they have no experience in the military, and no real idea how ugly warfare can be.”

Caesar: “I agree. Let’s create a plan to complete the revolution and minimize the bloodshed.”

Jordan: “Unfortunately, some bloodshed seems inevitable given the number of weapons and the lack of training but let’s minimize it. Caesar, you just got yourself a job. You are now in charge of homeland security and department of defense. Welcome aboard.”