By Jerry Riley

This idea came from a remark made during a County committee meeting when someone asked why something was done in a certain way.

Maybe we should look into why we are doing things the way they have always been done. Maybe we will find a good reason, maybe not. Maybe it is time to change some things to see if there is a better way. If not, we can always change back. You know, with campaigning and elections coming, maybe it is time to ask if we should keep doing things the same way?
During the meeting I thought back to the sitcom “8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughters” when someone asked why she cut the roast before she put it in the pan. “That’s what my mother always did.” Her Mother said her Mother did too. According to the show, the Mother talked to her Grandmother and the reason was because the roast was too big for the pan.
Circumstances sometimes dictate the way things work. Often it is just habit. As you are aware habits can be good, or bad.
As with the Force and duct tape, there is always a dark side. Sometimes people use the excuse “that’s the way they want things.” Yes, what a revoltin’ development this is! You have to decide.
As Anon said, “There is no sadder or more frequent obituary on the pages of time than “We have always done it that way.”

Jerry Riley is an occasional commentator for the News Bulletin. He is a retired telecommunications supervisor.
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