Forms

My parents recently decided that they no longer wanted to handle their routine finances so they turned everything over to me. This is a fairly common occurrence in families and most of the people in my generation have already had this happen to them.

My parents are a progressive pair. All the paperwork for this and future family needs was already in place. I’ve been signing on their checking account since the mid-nineties when they started traveling extensively.

Although I was a signer on the checking account, I wanted online banking access so I took my power of attorney form in and asked that my name be added to the account. What a can of worms that opened. Seems that having power of attorney is not enough. I had to have a Declination to Act form in which my parents said that they were unwilling to do the banking and had, in fact, passed that responsibility to me.

My parents immediately got the necessary forms. Everything is now as they want it. In addition, the attorney is aware that these forms will be required by this particular bank, even though the forms are not required by state law. She will be able to advise other clients who use the same bank. I don’t argue with the bank's special requirements. They are in place to protect its older customers from senior abuse and, sadly, such abuse is a real problem.

Why do I tell this story in a blog about communications? Because I realize again how important it is that we communicate with each other. This incident involved a very large bank. It would be helpful if attorneys had knowledge of this requirement so their clients would be prepared. The bank needs to communicate with the bar associations.

In addition, families must discuss their wishes for their futures. We will all grow older and may not wish or be able to handle things - particularly as life gets more complex. Fading eyesight, trembling hands, or unwillingness to drive in bad weather are all good reasons for passing the banking reins to someone else and have nothing to do with mental capacity. Paperwork should be in place and all family members should be in agreement on what will or should take place.

This is not new advice. I repeat it because I just learned again how important good communication is.

American Greed

Can you believe it?  There is a television program on CNBC titled “American Greed.”  I ran across it in the TV listings while searching for something else. 

I could write an entire posting about greed as an American affliction but many have already done that.  Since I focus on communication in this blog, I am more interested in what this program, or its existence, is communicating.

• First, if one is greedy enough, one will be featured on a television program devoted to the behavior.
• Second, greed is so prevalent in our society that the producers feel there is an audience for this programming.

Searching for more information, I learned that the program is a six-part series produced by Kurtis Productions.  Bill Kurtis is a Chicago journalism legend and is well-acquainted with political greed.  Now he is focusing on monetary greed. He is undoubtedly fascinated by what drives these people (primarily men) to lie, cheat, and steal their way to fortune and fame.  Since all great societies have suffered from the illness, I am not surprised that we have succumbed but I leave it to the sociologists to analyze why success breeds greed and why great nations ultimately become so avaricious that they create their own downfalls.

The network program directors and the producers of American Greed could claim this program is a deterrent. They might also say they are attempting to understand the behavior. I don’t buy that. All television programming is designed to attract viewers and thereby earn advertising dollars.  Bottom line, they are in for the money.  By itself, that is not a bad thing.  Like any other businesses, television programming provides jobs and income for those associated with it.

However, in a sense, those who produce and air American Greed are as greedy as the men they showcase.  In electing to celebrate the behavior, don’t they condone it and subsequently reward it?

What does that say about them...and those of us who watch? 

Taking Chances

Mega-spectacular movies filled with lots of explosions and car chases, buoyed by some kind of super hero, fill our screens with pictures that make millions at the box office but have little to say. Please don’t misunderstand.  I like Bumble Bee as much as anyone. Sometimes, however, I like films that ask me to think about things a bit.

I see it this way.  I read both Sherlock Holmes and biographies of historical figures. One is purely for entertainment; the other can be inspirational and educational.  I write mysteries and I wrote a non-fiction book.  Both serve their purpose. I treat movies the same way.  Die Hard was great entertainment.  Lewis and Clark: The Journey instructs.

I took a chance on Taking Chance.  I knew little about the film but any movie starring Kevin Bacon is apt to get my attention. I brought it home.

"Reflections" is about communication so I am writing about a film that did exactly that.  It spoke to me on many different levels, something that hasn’t happened with a movie in a very long time.

Kudos to Ross Katz, the director, who knew the importance of the long shot, giving me time to absorb the scene and react to it.  Praise to the editor who cut from one tight close-up to another, moving the audience between alternating points of view without jarring it out of the spell cast by the scenes.  Congratulations to Bacon, who conveyed more with his body than could be said in pages of dialogue. And finally, a special thank-you to Katz, the writer, whose bare-bones script said what needed to be said…and no more.

There are several significant messages in this film.  Although I think they are important for all of us to consider, the reason I recommend you watch Taking Chance is not just its thought-provoking story.  I advocate this film because of its artistry and the skill the cast and crew used to bring it to you.  This film tells its story in a whisper. 

This movie really communicates.