The Absent Uncle: Unintended consequences

Over the years we have all made decisions. Whether they be made because the choices are forced on us, or because of factors beyond our control, or when they are voluntary – an opportunity arises, a great “deal” we just can’t pass up, or relationships pull us one way or another.

As much as we think through the decision, making sure we do the right thing considering all the ramifications of the direction we take, it is quite possible we will fall prey to unintended consequences. 

It is not that we didn’t think through the decision and make it based on solid evidence of the expected outcome, but, even after that rational reasoning unintended consequences can pop up. And not just pop up, they can become significant obstacles to the way forward. 

So that brings me to the intended subject of today’s column. Not so much about my personal decisions, but more about the decisions being made today by our country’s leaders and whether or not the serious consequences we are seeing frequently are intended or not intended. 

Part of the public perception is accepting the consequences as a result of the actions made by those that don’t agree with decisions of the leaders. Still another group in the public see it as an unfortunate result, completely unintended, and then for the most part – accepted. 

But the feeling is growing, by event after event, that the result is intended, not by accident, but random by circumstance and totally predictable. 

My heart goes out to those that suffer the personal loss. An unexplained, and often exaggerated circumstance with suggestions of wrongdoing that is unsubstantiated. 

Always though – the unintended consequence is lurking as an explanation, a way out, regardless of the facts. And with the events happening so rapidly we just don’t have the opportunity to focus on what happened, who is to blame, and is that person being actually held accountable. 

It all moves too fast – too disjointed – and unfortunately swept away – under the rug, to be never seen up close again. Unintended or not, it is definitely a consequence.