DOWNGRADE!!!

Well when you thought it could not get any worse it just did! S & P Rating Agency just downgraded the credit rating of the U.S. from its coveted AAA rating to AA+. Now a lot of you probably don’t really know what this means to you and your everyday lives and we will get you up to speed on that. What we ought to talk about is how we got here.
According to the S & P the main reason for the downgrade was the political brinksmanship played by both Democrats and Republicans in full view of the world over a procedural vote of raising the debt ceiling. What is so astonishing about this downgrade is that the S & P like the rest of us watched in horror as our so called political leaders behaved like children and still did not get the work done that was necessary to avoid the downgrade.
If I were to go further with this issue and it speaks to us as a people in this still great nation is that we are still not doing what we are supposed to do. How many of you when you go out and vote do so with the heart and not the mind? As a marketing professional I do understand the matters of the heart and what we call emotional appeals. Unfortunately this is where an emotional appeal and politics do not mix. The reason why our political leaders behave like children is because we behave like children when it comes to the political process. We absolutely must stop this behavior as it is going to destroy us all. If you don’t believe what I am talking about then you need to take a look at what is going on around you.
As I was watching the talking heads try to report this news and yes they were all looking for the silver lining. I could not help but to perk up to an analyst which said that it is time for our leaders to grow up into the positions that they now have. He also said that the political candidates running for president right now missed a golden opportunity to actually do something positive here and offer assistance to correct the problem. Instead we got more of the same where the candidates offered criticism rather than solutions. Speaker Boehner threw mud at the Democrats and Reid threw more mud at the Republicans which is self-fulfilling and justice for the S & P’s decision, don’t you think?
There is plenty of blame to go around here, American consumers have lived beyond their means and are still doing so, our politicians are reflections of the shortsightedness and arrogance of the American people, eight years of President Bush and his absolutely incoherent policies, and now President Obama where the shadow of his transformational leadership has fled. Yes, I too am to blame as I am just as responsible as everyone else because I have not done enough to educate, warn, educate, and speak about these issues that affect us all.
As a result of this it is time to come up with solutions and here is what I will offer up to the American people and perhaps our political leaders too if they even desire to listen. First of all folks try to get yourself out of debt. The reason why the federal government is in so much debt is because we are in so much debt. We spend way too much money and live beyond our means. We are so easy to take, take, take but never offer anything of value it is time for this to happen. Secondly, and I have been talking about this for years now, start your own business. It is so easy to start a business these days and with little to almost no capital. We have to remake ourselves here and entrepreneurship can get us there. My next point of advice is a true measure of success for the human race, sustainability! If you are going to start this business of yours think along the lines of an enterprise that is sustainable. Get onto the Internet and type in sustainability and business and play with the terms a bit I am sure something will come up that interests you. My last point, at least for this article is start to save and invest more in yourself in the form of education in the math and sciences, invest in your children and invest in America. Quit taking and start giving more and if you invest more you will undoubtedly get more back that should be used in a sustainable way.
Charles Darwin once said that it is not the strongest of species, nor is it the most intelligent that staves off extinction but the one that can adapt quicker to change. Let’s just hope that we can adapt to this rapidly changing environment and make it better for us all. Pray also if you want to we need all the help we can get but prayer without action is useless.

COLLAPSE

I have noticed that the Dow Jones Industrials Index is down more than 300 points in midday trading. I have also seen that there have been a flurry of comments and blogs seemingly blaming either Republicans or Democrats for a poor and sick economy here at home. What these writers fail to realize is that the blame does not fall on just one group of people but to all of us. First of all the U.S. economy is interconnected with every other economy and they to us so the economic malaise is global and for the most part needs a global solution.
First of all let’s point the finger squarely where it should be if we are going to blame anyone for the lack of jobs here in America. I would squarely put it on the American consumer. Think about it when you go out to shop for anything you usually demand the absolute best price you can get and this best price is usually the lowest price. Well if this is the case what do you think happens to the companies here that used to provide those products for you; they cannot compete especially if their competitors move their operations to; say China or India? You get the picture! Those American companies that were here now have to move offshore just to compete. There goes the jobs and by the way they are not coming back! Lower prices, better living, Wal-Mart. What they should really be telling you is; lower prices no jobs for you.
Look, this is just the tip of the iceberg and if you draw this out the whole economic system is unsustainable. Human beings just consume way too much of everything and I mean everything. The planet’s resources cannot keep up with us as a species on this present consumption path. We demand infinite growth in consumption on a planet that has finite resources so what do you think is going to happen… What is going to happen is that the species is going to collapse and there is nothing you can do about it when that happens but just survive, more on this later.
As for our government and all other governments elsewhere they are too focused on the old paradigm of consumption and this only compounds the problems of unsustainable growth. We as citizens demand that the idea of infinite growth continue and this just cannot happen. Which means, our political leaders are part of the problem because of our shortsightedness we will vote for those politicians that subscribe to the same shortsighted policies of yesterday that just does not work anymore. Now here is where it really gets interesting, we have competing views of the same outdated paradigm of consumption and when they are so polarized about an outdated view of economic growth (not sustainable) then nothing gets done. No jobs of any kind, no real growth of ideas for the new paradigm and well how can I say it no progress whatsoever. So if this is the case then economic, population, and total collapse is inevitable. Right?
Wrong; I don’t believe that perhaps because of my infinite optimistic demeanor. Here is what you can do now; first of all start your own small and sustainable business. If you type these key words into your browser/search engine all kinds of cool ways to get started in a new and exciting business will come up you are sure to find something that will fit your skill set. As a consumer we need to close our economic circuits, grow your own food (organic only), get your power consumption off the electric grid by installing solar panels and a wind turbine if the zoning allows. Your home can become totally self sufficient in terms of energy. Recycle, reuse, and redo, and hand them down’s always worked when I was a kid and because we were poor we knew how to stretch a dollar and Americans need to get back to those roots again. This kind of behavior is sustainable and the benefits to you could be immediate in cost savings, you can invest more in you and your community. With this kind of action you can have a closed economic system that is sustainable.
To close, I don’t look at these dire economic times as a problem I look at it in such a way that could get us on a sustainable path. In the long term this is what is best for all of us. I also know that a large number of humans are not going to do as I suggest and unfortunately these folks are going to fall by the wayside and if you are an elephant that is in a herd that is too large you will be culled. It is called natural selection; I intend on being here in the new paradigm making a difference, I am going to do my best to build sustainable wealth for my family and my community and that is the new paradigm. Charles Darwin once said, “It is not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change”. How responsive are you going to be to the new paradigm?

CHAOS AVERTED!!??!!

Well it seems the idiots in Washington DC can actually work together afterall. of course I am being obtuse here. let's face it the only reason why these fools have even come to an agreement is becuase the American people put the pressure on them. Is it bad enough that so many millions of people are out of work right now and then they have to listen to these children (Congress) whine about their principles. By the way I am talking abou the Tea Party fanatics. Listen I understand the whole idea of sticking to your principles but in the wake of a sluggish global economy don't you think that at some point you will have to GOVERN!!!
I am glad that the leadership has come to an agreement but we still have to get all of them (Congress) and the rank and file to vote. Let's just hope they don't screw it up!!!!!

Debt Ceiling Woes

I did not want to believe it but it has happened the United States Federal Government has sunk to a new low. Here it is Wednesday and we still don't have an agreement on the reduction of the deficit and the raising of the debt ceiling. It is really funny I had a colleague catch me this morning and he wanted to blame President Obama, (this is not all on the President) for us not having a deal on this artificial crisis. That is right I said artificial crisis. After all President Bush was able to raise the debt ceiling 7 times without incident so why are we here now when something that is a matter of routine usually now has the whole country and the world poised on another financial collapse. Most economists agree that the United States of America is still going to lose its prized AAA rating because of the political posturing going on in Congress and the White House.
I do believe that it is true what they say about our political leaders they are completely clueless about what the American people really want. Both Democrats and Republicans and I really mean Republicans are soooo clueless. These leaders, (that is if you want to call them leaders) would rather see the country collapse than to give up a position or their Congressional seat. I am so disgusted with Washington right now that I believe they should all be removed from office.
I watched a documentary yesterday with my students and the person being interviewed in the film plainly said that it does not matter which political party you are from if the whole country collapses from financial and economic ruin. So why pray tell are we having this discussion about the debt ceiling, smaller government and reduced spending? These are things that all Americans can agree on reduce the debt, revise the tax code to raise some revenue and keep it moving by raising the debt ceiling. How difficult is this to do? Oh I forgot we have a whole bunch of selfish jerks in Washington that would rather further their own personal agenda then do what is right for the country!!
Here is my solution, All Americans whether you vote or not call your local Congressman, Senator, and the President and demand they increase the debt ceiling so we can focus on something more important like adding jobs and commerce to our ailing economy. I have had enough!!!!!!!!!

The jobs report past Friday was dismal to say the least and now everyone wants to jump down the throat of the President of the United States. I hat to be a bearer of bad news everyone and perhaps this is what needs to be said to the American eople to help them put things in perspective. One, need I remind all of you that it was the American consumer along with Wall Street tat got us into this mess in the first place. How many of you bought homes that you could not afford? How many of you took out secnd and third mortgages on thse homes to go out on frivilous spending sprees? How many of you paid off your 6,7, and 8 credit cards with a second and third credit card only to run them up again? Before you start throwing stones at the easiest target out there (The President) you need to look in the mirror first!!! My second point is this it is the President that is going to hire you business and industry is responsible for that and besides in a economic climate such as this I would not hire anyone either!! It is going to take every soul in this country to get us out of this mess. Consumers will have to reduce their debt loads, invest more and start your own business. The key to growth is entrepreneurship, not only our country's growth but your personal growth. The onus is not on the President to get you the stability that you need that responsibility resides with you and you alone. I have 7 streams of income coming into my household, that is right 7 and I am going to covet those streams with my life because the economy dictates that I do that it is about time the American people understand that.
I just wished our politicians had the courage to tell you the truth as I had right now.

Christopher & Scott LLC

Entrepreneurship is the great equalizer. Get some today!!!!!

Working Class America: Are They Irrelevant Now?

I just recently read an article on Yahoo Business and the article highlights the pessimism of white working class America. If you are not sure who classifies in this all important demographic; they are white, middle class usually middle middle class to lower middle class workers. They make anywhere between 40K to 80K a year or less. The key variable for this group is that they have never went or finished college and they are also usually male.

As I read the article there was a comparison to those of African and Hispanic Americans and their attitudes towards their prospects as well; these two groups were generally upbeat in terms of their economic prospects. There are reasons for this optimism; an increasingly diverse country with access to immigrant populations from Central and South America as well as the islands and Africa have given these groups greater opportunity in jobs and especially entrepreneurship opportunites. Another reason is that these two groups are growing in population and by 2050 or sooner these ethnic groups combined would out number whites as the dominant majority in the U.S.

Now that we have the facts out of the way let's really explore the rub for white working class America. The rub is globalization but this trend was inevitable and it is now time to learn how to operate within our new and robust global economy. I have read some of the comments after this compelling article and what I read was a lot of complaints for thier plight but there were no solutions added to improve their situation and because there were none I will offer up some solutions for you right now. One, have you wondered working class America why you lost you job in the first place? It is because that business that you worked for has to compete in a global marketplace right now. Both large and small businesses are feeling the pinch of competition everywhere and quite frankly this is a wonderful thing. Because of this increased competition we will be able to always buy better, more innovative products and services at a really competitive price. Two, becuase of this competition these businesses have to become leaner and meaner and as a result of this they are going to go where the labor force is highly motivated, educated, and will work for less. You should actually be thankful that American businesses are still here hiring American workers! This what I mean by that last statement. Did you know that it is not usually the pay that businesses here are concerned with it is the benefits and overhead that kills them and makes them less competitive. Did you know that when a business here outsources some of their activities it is becuase a small business owner could do that activitiy for half of what that business can do it for. Also these activities are not always ousourced overseas, they are outsourced to small American businesses here at home.

If there is one thing I know about this country it was built on the blood, sweat and tears of the entrepreneur. What is happening is that this model has been our greatest export and now all of the world is practicing this greatest of all economic philosophies. If you want to survive in today's marketplace it dictates that you should become an entrepreneur. The model of getting a job and working at the same place and getting the gold watch for retirement is long gone and has been dead for over 30 years. The problem is working class America is stuck in the time warp of this long gone era. If you want to survive working class America you have to start your own business and you already have to skills to do so. This is what America is all about and this is what made America great. You just have been in this employee stupor so long that you have forgotten all about it.

There is one comment that really struck me at the end of the article it was from an I.T. professional and he was complaining about being over qualified for a lot of I.T. positions becuase of all the certifications that he had gotten in his field. he was going on and on about his qualifications but said nothing about starting an I.T. consulting business. Hello!! My friend you are all ready to go and you have all the tools necessary at your disposal to market your business with social media marketing! The reason why I bring this up and the reason why this article angered me so is that most Americans from this group don't even know what is at their disposal to become all they can become and they will never need to worry about being laid off, downsized, or outsourced. You are the master of your own domain now and you can go as far as you want to by owning your own business.

I will wrap it up this way and this is going to ruffle some feathers I am sure. Being successful with just a High School education is just not going to cut it anymore. you will need some college education and I suggest you get it in Entrepreneurship. Those groups that I was telling you about that is optomistic are getting a college education and they are starting their own businesses. they are the ones getting those businesses to cut cost by outsourcing those operations to them and making a fortune doing so while you are on the sidelines compalining about the way things are and wishing for the days of yore. THEY ARE NOT COMING BACK!!

The legacies that you wished you still had has become irrelevant becuase we are all part of a global economy that are filled with well educated, highly motivated, and will do anything to get ahead people of color. This is today and will also be tomorrow and if you want to compete you will have to come up with a new way of doing business which by the way was the old way of doing business and that is to become an entrepreneur! Trust me you will still be relevant if you practice this philosophy.