First 100 days
There is nothing in our laws that require national and local leaders to account for their first 100 days in office. But everybody is talking about it, and it seems that our officials consider it mandatory to brag about their achievements in such a very short period of time. Honestly, 100 days is not enough to create a lasting impact on the lives of the constituents, and most, if not all, are for publicity purposes only.
Where did the practice of reporting accomplishments for the first 100 days in office originate? Why do we talk about it in the first place?
We copied this practice from the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt, who became President during the great depression. Roosevelt was known for his breathtaking scope of bold and new legislative and regulatory actions during his first 100 days in office that set the bar so high.
Roosevelt’s radical actions were unprecedented, such that presidents were evaluated for their performance in the first 100 days.
Mayors, governors, and the President have a fixation on laying their scorecards on the table. The current economic situation worldwide may be a little closer to Roosevelt’s time, but our current officials’ actions are nothing close to Roosevelt’s. Most actions during the first 100 days are based on regurgitated plans and recycled ideas that never worked in the past. Some newly elected officials make themselves look good by unearthing their predecessors’ sins.
In these trying times, bragging about accomplishments for the first 100 days that have no real impact on the people is like rubbing salt that exacerbates the pain from the wounds of poverty. To all our politicians, if the things you have done during the first 100 days are not bold and new, don’t brag. Just keep these to yourselves. Your silence is better than your bloated ego.