I think the best way to benchmark progress is first by your own goals, and second by competitors. You should always try to set high goals and work to achieve them before comparing your own achievements to others (even if it's South Carolina).
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Cameron James
4/13/2014 11:31:21 pm
I think it is ridiculous to benchmark progress against your competitors because those competitors are the same one's who are failing to meet the needs of the people within their own states. You cannot measure failure against failure. Being able to say, "Well at least we're are failing less than South Carolina.", would be an absurd comment to make. The best way to benchmark progress within the state would be by setting our own goals. If you are able to meet your own goals of progress then betting your competitors should be a breeze because you should always hold yourself to a higher standard than your competition.
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Adam Goho
4/14/2014 12:16:59 am
I disagree with Gov. McCrory's statement because goals should not be to solely beat a competitor, but to be the best in any area, whether it is in business, politics, athletics, etc. While a friendly rivalry between states can be fun and entertaining at times, McCrory's concern should be with serving the people of North Carolina, and if this happens to push North Carolina past South Carolina, then great, but if not, at least things are still improving for NC citizens.
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Jill Euchner
4/14/2014 06:40:59 am
In Governor McCrory's statement, it is quite obvious that he is making an informal remark regarding the goals he has set for North Carolina. Sometimes, comedy helps connect with an audience, and it seems to me that McCrory is utilizing this technique. If the goals for North Carolina align with that of South Carolina, then it only makes sense to measure the progress in each in order to define success. As long as McCrory's duties benefit our state, a little humor in his delivery should not undermine his entire message.
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Laura Parrish
4/15/2014 01:16:15 am
I agree that competition can be a very productive way for fueling progress and change in an institution, and perhaps to some extent competing with South Carolina will help decrease unemployment in North Carolina; however, the problems occurring in North Carolina government are very social, and strongly affect the people of the state, causing much unrest in the social aspects of our State government. I recently attended Governor McCrory’s presentation in Statesville, NC and was only slightly impressed. Although he did speak of leaps and bounds he plans to make in order to “fix things,” I found it ironic that there was a group of protestors outside (it occurred on a Monday…Moral Monday) speaking for the people of the state. It would have been more impressive in my mind if he had addressed them, and would have spoken to them, not just the business owners inside. I feel like the issues we are dealing with in North Carolina should be focused on without concerning neighboring states, first fixing the problems under our own roof.
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Mary Wells Ruth
4/21/2014 03:59:43 am
I don't think that comparing yourself against your competitors is the best way to measure your own progress. In this case, the Governor isn't setting a comprehensive goal for North Carolina, but is setting a minimum standard that he will accept. That is not an effective way to progress in any way, especially as the state of North Carolina. This quote makes me disappointed in Governor McCrory for a few reasons. First, as the leader of our state, he should respect the other states and try to work collectively to become a better nation, rather than insulting South Carolina. Second, he should create positive, identifiable goals for North Carolina, not measure the progress of our state against the progress of others. The governor should be concerned with fixing NC's problems, not comparing NC to other states in the race to be the best state.
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Alison Puzia
Senior public relations major from Charlotte, N.C.
Megan Carroll
Senior public relations major and Spanish minor from Cary, N.C.
Jordan Carmichael
Senior public relations major from Charlotte, N.C.