In the last two weeks, I’ve had the privilege of discussing two significant addresses – the State of the State and the State of the Union — with a brilliant policy mind.  His take on our state and our country is marvelously filled with common sense, and he is well informed about the budget process, legislative dysfunction and the presidential candidates.  Importantly, he finds ideological zealotry irritating and is able to look at people without partisan labels.

He is 13.  He is also my stepson, so I am understandably biased about his knowledge and perspective.

ET (his nickname) has exams this week and didn’t stay up to watch the complete State of the Union address last night.  This morning on the way to school, we discussed it briefly.  I told him I was pleased with the attention paid to the D and to Michigan.  I also like the concept of a smarter, more efficient government; whether this tagline will be backed by action is another matter.

ET and I discussed the curious GOP selection for the delivery of their rebuttal to President Obama’s address.  I am not terribly familiar with Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels’ background, but he seemed like an odd choice to follow a charismatic speaker.  Quite frankly, he’s creepy.  (Sorry for dumbing down this post with that statement.  But did you watch??)

Back to the “smarter” government.  I frequently give government human qualities, sometimes positive and sometimes negative.  Based on our experiences working with public sector agencies at all levels of government, we have great ideas for procurement improvements.  Our clients’ experiences serve as the foundation for most of these… and most highlight the need for candor and transparency.

Taking off my B2G marketing hat and walking in others’ shoes… a few random thoughts…

• If I were a teacher in Michigan, I might argue the irony of making government smarter by cutting funding to public education.
• If I were in Congress and saw the rampant dysfunction around me, I would wonder how government can get more efficient when my branch of government won’t pass a damn annual budget.  (I’m still bitter about the continuing resolution cycle.)
• If I were a federal agency employee, I would feel bitter at the number of pending unfunded projects because of the inability of our elected “leaders” to create a freaking annual budget.
• If I ran a community college, I would be giddy at all of the attention.
• If I were the brand new head of OMB, I would be completely overwhelmed by having to create a 2,000 page budget draft.  And, I would be sad that my first budget will be one week late.
• If I were Michelle Obama, I would be irritated at the harsh criticism of my husband.  (Fair or not — it’s hard to hear negativity about the man you love without wanting to protect.)

The State of the Union address gave a glimpse at some priorities we can expect to see in the federal budget draft, due to be released on February 13.  Happy Valentine’s Day to me — that will be fascinating reading.  (I’m really not kidding.  I can’t wait.)

My next conversation with ET will circle back to President Obama’s attempt to humanize government and make it “smarter.”  I look forward to hearing what human traits ET sees in government, and I have every expectation that his perspective will be absent of the partison crap that dumbs down many policy talks.

And the discussion will be smart.