I have been reading a lot about the economy lately and finding that economically speaking things are starting to get better. The one area that is least desired is the job market and economic and political pundits from the right and the left are blaming each other for the numbers being too high. Yes, it is true that the unemployment rate is as high as I have ever seen it and yes it is true that it could go even higher. However, what is going on is that we in this country are missing the proverbial point.
This message is for the American people only and the message is get off the duff and become an entrepreneur. It just does not make any sense to complain about your situation because that job that you had 3 months ago is probably not coming back. What I will tell you is this your job probably went to an entrepreneur that can do it better, cheaper, and more cost efficient to your former employer. That entrepreneur is probably in China, India or even in Canada and the fact of the matter is this you have become complacent and lazy and expected to get everything you want for nothing simply because you are an American. Let's face facts the world has changed and we must change with it. the changes that are happening is that competition has become even more fierce than ever before and a lot of those jobs you once had are going elsewhere and they are going to motivated educated people.
How is your education portfolio? I guess that just being an American is just not enough anymore. that is good becuase where ther is pain there is change and change means innovation. I don't know about you but this recession has been the greatest thing that has ever happened to this country of ours. It has made us uncomfortable and that is when real action happens. Those of you who are unemployed, underemployed, or worried about your job you must think ouside of yourself and become an entrepreneur. This is where the real action is and you could be right in the middle of it. Believe me this is the best decision you could make in a time like this and the best time to become one is now!
Monday, March 8, 2010
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
To Afghanistan Or Not To Afghanistan
There has been a lot of press about the rhetoric of whether or not President Obama should send more troops to beat back the insurgent Taliban. There has been reports that the American people are beginning to tire of the fight in Afghanistan and in fact are calling it a worthless war. I feel that it is necessary to explain to the American people that the attack on the World Trade Center in New York was launched from Afghanistan. However, that is not what I want to convey to you here, we all know that Osama Bin Laden and his band of blood thirsty thugs must and will be hunted to the ends of the earth.
I just want to share with you a story that I heard from one of my professors when I was in graduate school back in St. Louis. First of all my professor was a woman that was from eastern Iran and had relatives that lived in Afghanistan. My professor had such a unique perspective of what it was like to live in Iran during the Iranian Revolution and was close enough to her family in Afghanistan to vicariously share their stories with us back in the states. There was a discussion of the Taliban in our class as we were studying the region and its history after the Soviets were kicked out in the late eighties. Of course we being naive praising the Taliban and their fight against oppression summoned the wrath of our soft spoken professor.
She commenced to tell us a story about the Taliban and their rules outlawing the idea of sports and competition among other things as well. Her demeanor changed as she told us about the Taliban softening their position on sports and advertised a soccer match. As you may well imagine the citizens of Afghanistan were excited about the prospects of being able to see and cheer on their favorite team in a long awaited soccer match. As our professor came to a crescendo in her story we became even more excited about our Afghan brothers and sisters getting the chance to see a soccer match and in a way to become human again.
However, our story teller changed the tempo and our hopes just like those in the stadium awaiting the match were crushed in an iron fist of oppression as the Taliban commenced showing brutal executions of those that opposed them. They beheaded their enemies in public display for all to see and to send a message to those in the stadium and beyond that their power (the Taliban) was absolute.
I do not need to tell you that after that story I felt sick and I was emboldened to oppose any affront to freedom where-ever I see it. If there is an affront of freedom here at home or in Afghanistan we as Americans must oppose it no matter where it is. Mr. President I am a citizen of this country and as a citizen I fully support your decision to send more troops to oppose the Taliban. Just like Al Quida the Taliban is nothing more than blood thirsty criminals. I liken them to a gang of thugs that must be stamped out and deadly force is the only way to do it. I trust you will do the right thing President Obama and as far as I am concerned there should be no debate to send more troops at all, send them and I will support the Afghan people in their fight for freedom no matter how long it takes.
I just want to share with you a story that I heard from one of my professors when I was in graduate school back in St. Louis. First of all my professor was a woman that was from eastern Iran and had relatives that lived in Afghanistan. My professor had such a unique perspective of what it was like to live in Iran during the Iranian Revolution and was close enough to her family in Afghanistan to vicariously share their stories with us back in the states. There was a discussion of the Taliban in our class as we were studying the region and its history after the Soviets were kicked out in the late eighties. Of course we being naive praising the Taliban and their fight against oppression summoned the wrath of our soft spoken professor.
She commenced to tell us a story about the Taliban and their rules outlawing the idea of sports and competition among other things as well. Her demeanor changed as she told us about the Taliban softening their position on sports and advertised a soccer match. As you may well imagine the citizens of Afghanistan were excited about the prospects of being able to see and cheer on their favorite team in a long awaited soccer match. As our professor came to a crescendo in her story we became even more excited about our Afghan brothers and sisters getting the chance to see a soccer match and in a way to become human again.
However, our story teller changed the tempo and our hopes just like those in the stadium awaiting the match were crushed in an iron fist of oppression as the Taliban commenced showing brutal executions of those that opposed them. They beheaded their enemies in public display for all to see and to send a message to those in the stadium and beyond that their power (the Taliban) was absolute.
I do not need to tell you that after that story I felt sick and I was emboldened to oppose any affront to freedom where-ever I see it. If there is an affront of freedom here at home or in Afghanistan we as Americans must oppose it no matter where it is. Mr. President I am a citizen of this country and as a citizen I fully support your decision to send more troops to oppose the Taliban. Just like Al Quida the Taliban is nothing more than blood thirsty criminals. I liken them to a gang of thugs that must be stamped out and deadly force is the only way to do it. I trust you will do the right thing President Obama and as far as I am concerned there should be no debate to send more troops at all, send them and I will support the Afghan people in their fight for freedom no matter how long it takes.
Friday, September 4, 2009
The Educated Masses or Brainwashed?
I just heard the most absurd story about President Obama going on the air to speak to students about the importance of education and reasons why they should stay in school. Bravo to you Mr. President bravo to you that you care enough about the education of our children, our future. I know what you are thinking, what is so absurd about that? Well my friends that isn't, what is absurd is the response of those that oppose the President's agenda.
Our brothers and sisters on the right or in other circles they are called Republicans fiercely oppose this address because they believe that President Obama is trying to mount a campaign of brainwashing our children and to turn them into mindless slaves to his so called socialist agenda. You have got to be kidding me; our President is just trying to enforce the thought that all of us should have and that is the importance of education. You mean to be telling me that Republicans don't agree with this very agenda? That I refuse to believe but look at what has happened in the past 8 years of (No Child Left Behind) where students aren't really taught anything but there is a great emphasis on graduation rates at all cost. Perhaps this is what the right stands for, just a Vail of education where there is no real progress with the system where we in this country turn out truly gifted educated students of all races, creeds, ethnicity's, and so.
You want absurdity, that is absurdity where we just give our students an education. They are not earning their education that is the Republican way. Perhaps it is not absurd after all when you truly take a deep educated look at the Republican position where there is the rich and privileged and then there is the rest of us. That is the absurd view that does not take into account that this country of ours is sliding down a slippery slope. We are losing ground in so many areas, such as business, geopolitics, economics, technology, and yes education.
So I ask you; do you want the Republican way of looking at education or do you want your children to succeed in their education? I would hope that it is the latter and if so you would want your President encouraging our children to stay in school and not only that but attack it with vigor. That is what you want if you consider yourself a responsible parent that believes in the future and believes in the promise of this country. Education is that one key that will unlock that promise. What is so absurd about that?
Our brothers and sisters on the right or in other circles they are called Republicans fiercely oppose this address because they believe that President Obama is trying to mount a campaign of brainwashing our children and to turn them into mindless slaves to his so called socialist agenda. You have got to be kidding me; our President is just trying to enforce the thought that all of us should have and that is the importance of education. You mean to be telling me that Republicans don't agree with this very agenda? That I refuse to believe but look at what has happened in the past 8 years of (No Child Left Behind) where students aren't really taught anything but there is a great emphasis on graduation rates at all cost. Perhaps this is what the right stands for, just a Vail of education where there is no real progress with the system where we in this country turn out truly gifted educated students of all races, creeds, ethnicity's, and so.
You want absurdity, that is absurdity where we just give our students an education. They are not earning their education that is the Republican way. Perhaps it is not absurd after all when you truly take a deep educated look at the Republican position where there is the rich and privileged and then there is the rest of us. That is the absurd view that does not take into account that this country of ours is sliding down a slippery slope. We are losing ground in so many areas, such as business, geopolitics, economics, technology, and yes education.
So I ask you; do you want the Republican way of looking at education or do you want your children to succeed in their education? I would hope that it is the latter and if so you would want your President encouraging our children to stay in school and not only that but attack it with vigor. That is what you want if you consider yourself a responsible parent that believes in the future and believes in the promise of this country. Education is that one key that will unlock that promise. What is so absurd about that?
Monday, August 17, 2009
Coming out of the recession?
Over the week-end we heard a lot of economists from various nations say that we are coming out of the recession. I guess that is a good thing but I am a bit confused, soon as the U.S., France, Germany and now Japan has disclosed this lukewarm good news the markets around the globe have plummeted today. If this is good news I think I'd rather have our economic leaders say nothing at all! In all seriousness, I am relieved that the numbers are starting to show some promise but there is one number that is not pointing up and that is consumer confidence. consumers still remain skittish to say the least and households in the U.S. are far from becoming buy happy despite the enticements of their favorite retailers. Here is the advice I would give consumers all over the globe; save your money and cut back your spending especially if you are unemployed or underemployed. It does not make sense to your bottom line to go out there and spend what you do not have. The market is starting to right itself and there is no need for you to help it along. Stay the course of reduced spending and pay down your debt if you can and pay cash for the item you need not the one you want. As for those of you who still have income coming in whether it is through a job or your own business let's be prudent with our income, our investments and our business operations. Remember, the progression to wealth does not always happen over night, in fact it is a slow and steady process for most of us and the key to this growth is wisdom. Beware of greed and of excess, these two wild cards will eat up your wealth before you can say Enron. I would like to hear from you and what are some of the things you are doing to put your finances back in the black?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)