Everybody Loses, Except the House

Don't lead the horse to water, simply spike the stuff that he's already drinking. (p. 94)

When ... caught up in the madness of the crowd, we no longer feel individually responsible for our emotions or actions. (p. 109)

That's all coercion really is, after all: convincing a person to lie to himself by any means necessary. (p. 190)

[Eventually, after hitting bottom] we may choose to
take the time to distinguish between what we're told and what we really want.
We might even find a way to think for ourselves.
(p. 264)

It's as if we have surrendered
to a set of systems that coerce us as a society. As a result, we are suffering a collective confusion: a culture-wide inability to make decisions in a rational way.
(p. 270)

Everyone loses but the house.
(p. 205)
Successful Coercion: those deceived never saw it coming, and may never.

Members of the RGSC believe in their hearts that they are independent thinkers who thoroughly understood and carefully weighed the options, deliberated and chose the 'best' option. And their perception is their reality. (As with all victims of coercion. And who among us can say for sure that we've never been a victim?)

It's only by looking at the bigger picture: timelines accelerated, research not done, and options dismissed, that a clearer picture emerges of what may have happened as the RGSC strove to "Save EJRP", help the Rec Directors, come to an amiable consensus, etc.

One meeting attendee reported that a member of the RGSC who didn't agree with others at first about the STD option was told the June 1 meeting wouldn't adjourn until unanimity was reached. To some, that would appear to be a bullying tactic that our schools, ironically, spend a great deal of time trying to prevent among their young charges.

Decide in Haste, Market at Leisure

Since selecting the STD option this spring, RGSC has continued to meet into the fall to find ways to justify a decision made in haste, to research data to build their case, and to polish their pitch (including heart-tugging videos) to voters.  Members continue to boast about how many times they've met, hoping you'll forget they took just a few hours to do the months of study assigned them.
"The more sacrifices people make to maintain their commitment ...
the more committed they become."
(p. 227)
Some of the people who set up the RGSC's "decision" remain cloaked in secrecy.  Others appear guilty by association. Still others have personal needs for EJRP's childcare and other essential services that may have clouded their better judgment.

If they pull off this coup in December, expect more "fuzzy math" from where this STD came.