BALANCE

My birth sign is Libra - the sign is also one of balanced scales.

If the image of one born under that sign is that of continually striving to achieve balance - my actions in both my personal life and my blog writings may leave something to be desired.

Then again, I might have been born under the sign of Delaney's Morning Star Inn - a allegedly historical local bar & hotel situate very close to my last Forest Hills, Pa. residence.

And perhaps next year at this time I may adopt the recent theory that our birthsigns are inaccurately assigned, become a Scorpio, and tell you what I really feel.

The Occupy movement has been one that continues to present varied degrees of contrasts such as enthusiasm, disgust, and potential.

Because it represents something - even if we're not sure what - it may not always collect the normal amount of balance between praise and criticism we Libra's might opt for.

Some folks are appalled by the disheveled participants who appear to have disdained soap for soap boxes. Others have a vicarious reaction to the movement. They are hoping it will help.

However, many are either unable or unwilling to physically join the protesting masses as they, you see, have jobs to go to and incomes to make in order to support their loved ones.

Some find the movement distasteful. Some empathize but their idea of ideological 'camping out' differs.

For many, it has to include a Embassy Suites well stocked wet bar, large flat screen TV, room service and a place to connect their laptop.

Then, and only then, may they opt to concern themselves with the adequacy of the showering system and the size of the soap.

Empathy perhaps - but only if accompanied by comfort.

Therefore, a recent piece on the op-ed page of the USA Today by Jon Picoult, founder of a Connecticut- based business advisory firm -was one that this Libra guy found interesting.

Picoult's theme initially appeared to be one that was critical of the lack of consistancy with those identified places of wealth in front of which the members of Occupy have chosen to protest.

It questions why some places were apparently overlooked by the
99% protesters" whose opposition seems to be "companies and their moguls - for what's perceived as their never-ending avarice, their disregard for the middle class and their extravagant lifestyles".

Among those listed by Picoult were apparently overlooked targets such as the NBA offices located on 5th Avenue extremely close to their known Wall Street sit-ins.

Other targets listed as oversights were Hollywood, Yankee Stadium, and Kim Kardashian's house.

He asks, "Where is the outrage toward those 1%-ers who sport hourly wages that can make some bank CEO's look like welfare cases?"

Unlike most editorial or opinion writers, Picoult answers his own question and seems to strike a 'balance' in doing so.

His analysis is that "The value we assign to things is influenced as much by emotional considerations (how it makes us feel) as it is by rational ones (whether it's a fair price)".

He repeats his real message that, if we feel entertained, inspired, or moved we're less likely to be critical of the fortunes companies amass.

His inclusion of companies as varied as Apple, Google, Disney, and Johnson & Johnson as positive recipients of acceptance, seems to enhance his argument.

It is true that his "feel good" analysis speaks mightily about how we react to people as well as businesses.

We can often overlook the over intoxicated idiot in a bar, and his tasteless jokes if we get a laugh when retelling these same jokes at the office.

To quote Picoult, "People's perception of the value you deliver, and their tolerance for the rewards you reap,is inevitably colored by how you make them feel."

Hmmm, many may think, "Sounds a lot like marriage."

Picoult concludes by using a modified version of my theme, "What is it they don't get?" - by implying this is a phenomena that should be reviewed and adopted by Wall Street.

Southwest Airlines "no bag fees" policy, while raising fares for their jam packed planes, suggests some agreement.

Yet, it still is possible that Bank Of America's recent barrage of advertisements telling us they are continually responding to the financial needs of small business may not yet be ready to pass a litmus test.

The USA Today article is enjoyable because it would appear Picault is willing to articulate examples of simple human nature behavior without any apparent axe to grind.

Okay, there is that tiny thing about what people in his chosen profession do for a living.

But, then again we don't want to get carried away in our pursuit of this whole "balance" thing.