Today's tip is very important for everyone. I want to share with you the importance of MOTIVES and the LIKELIHOOD of a plans success.

As the Government, if you present a case, you need to be certain that if the plan were inacted, it would successfully accomplish the goals and benefits. If there are obstacles in the way of success, have you overcome them?

For instance, if the Government team presents a case that one family should write a letter to President Bush requesting a policy change, that plan alone has obvious obstacles.

1) Bush reads very few pieces of his own mail! The White House staff does this.

2) The mail has to somehow stand out in the crowd if it is going to gain attention by the President's staff. Remember, he receives thousands of letters a day.

3) The President cannot pass laws, he merely signs laws passed by Congress. You'd have to present powerful arguments to persuade him to push the agenda in Congress.

If these obstacles are not overcome by your plan--- the plan will not possibly work (it lacks LIKELIHOOD) and the Opposition can easily claim victory.

Also, yes the debate is about "should" not "would"-- however, you still must provide a MOTIVE for someone to enact your plan. Most people do not care for asparagus. You must convince them that it is SO beneficial to eat that it is worth doing. You must motivate them by pointing out the nutritional value of asparagus, etc.

Some plans fail to consider the Motive of the group adopting the plan. For instance, if you said Company X should cut prices to make things more affordable to customers, on face value there is no motive. Why would Company X want to lose money by cutting prices? However, if you explain that the product is currently overpriced, and once the price is lowered SO many will buy it that they'll truly profit, then you've produced a motive.

A lack of motive also decreases a likelihood. If the Gov't team fails to persuade "the House" that they SHOULD do something--- that there is a motive--- then the House certainly WON'T do it, and not doing it means no benefits.

As the Opposition keep your eyes open for these things.... these tend to be weak points and good areas to attack and defeat the Government team!

I hope this helps everyone!
See you soon!
-Kristina