Be afraid, be very afraid

In the short time the Obama administration has been at the helm, my fears about his total inexperience have only mounted. He and his bunch of tax-evading cronies do not seem to understand Economics 101.

Once upon a time, I might have said that people in pay grades much higher than me know better than me how to solve the current economic crisis. Given the current situation at the federal level and nearly every state level of government in America, I no longer believe that.

I think it’s pretty low-level economics to understand that if this president’s administration keeps spending trillions of dollars – seemingly every day – it won’t take long for the U.S. dollar to have absolutely zero value. We might as well all start printing our own money at home. Neither will have gold or other collateral backing them up but who cares!

I hope soon someone helps them recognize that this is not the way to fix things. We all need to follow basic financial principles: at home, in business and in government. In government, that sometimes mean cutting services because revenue, i.e., tax dollars, is down. At home it might mean cutting cable T.V. out of the family budget because Mom no longer has a job.

It’s not the 21st Century American way I know. But the model we closed the last century with, doesn’t work too well.

Back to their roots

Another newspaper down. This time in Colorado. My heart goes out to those journalists and others across the country who fear for their jobs. And to all those in nearly every industry right now who feel constant uncertainty…job security is now an oxymoron.

 

But I am starting to feel that newspapers were all too slow in changing their business model. Now in this crisis situation, thoughtful decision-making may not happen. Kind of like buying a car because yours broke down and the absurd repair bill makes it more sensible to buy another. Here you are without wheels, and places to go! You buy the first good deal you find; no research, no shopping around and sometimes you end up with a lemon.

 

I think it’s time the papers—and the public—make the dramatic paradigm shift we all need. Our “brick and mortar” world is shrinking as more and more of us function online. Case in point: this week I clothes-shopped online at three different stores. I’m not the kind of shopper who needs to walk around a mall to feel satisfied. If I can get right to what I need/want efficiently, I am satisfied. Luv the Internet!

 

Same with news. There are so many sites with 24/7 news offerings, we can stay in the know without buying papers. Personally, I still prefer to read a paper, but I also go to several online news sources during a day.

 

For those online news sources to be reliable, journalists and writers with ethics who want to validate facts before going public and who, generally, remain unbiased, must staff them. (Something most young journalists need to work on, in my opinion.)

 

That leads me to paying for service. Perhaps it is time to tax Internet use. We all pay to use the Internet already because we need an Internet Service Provider (ISP), in my case Comcast. I’m not an economic analyst, but let’s say every ISP customer pays an extra $5 a month; $60 a year. With an estimated 3 million U.S. population (http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/00000.html), that means $1.8 billion in revenue to fund news sites. Maybe the ISPs match that amount, something they cannot pass onto their customers.

 

As I blogged about before, I think it’s time for the local papers to become weeklies…again. Back to their roots. Sunday papers sell because they include a feature, often investigative in nature, the local feel good stuff like weddings and anniversaries, along with the stores’ sale circulars. They can cut costs and pool resources so not every brick and mortar shop has print and production resources. Regionalize that aspect of the business.

 

It’s time; it is past time, for all industries and all of us as individuals, to tighten up. Working together, sharing resources, paying reasonable fees for things we use means we access the services and products we need, we can trust the providers of those services and our country is more solvent because of it.

 

Not saying that single change is the answer to all our economic woes. Wouldn’t it be nice if it was that easy? <sigh> But I believe it’s a good place to start and provides a model other industries could consider.

MIA

Kooper--ready for some foooootball!! Jan 31, 2009

 

 

Kooper has really cut into my writing time over the past month. Who is Kooper, you ask? New boyfriend? New boss? Baby?

 

Kooper is our new puppy. Since it’s been 13 years since we Nikki, our late Bichon, was a pup, I had completely forgotten just how much like infants/toddlers they are. And my husband and I just started dating when I got Nikki so he wasn’t involved much in the training of her so this is a real “trip” for him!

 

Like children, puppies are wonderful for the soul…despite the sleepless nights. The same characteristic I love in children, I am enjoying with Koops. Seeing the world through young eyes means everything around is a new adventure. A leaf blowing across the lawn, a hawk soaring overhead, balloons, bands playing at a local block party, a motorcycle roaring up the street, every person we see—all of it!

 

Watching the world in motion is a pastime of mine as a writer, but Kooper has given me a fresh lens with which to observe. And his spirit changes the way I engage with the world around me. More than just watching, we explore. It takes me back to my childhood and the fun of discovering new things and places.

 

Most of what Kooper and I are discovering aren’t really new to me, but they feel new when I see his reactions. Each day he gets a little braver and approaches each new thing a bit more eagerly. But often at not quite four months old, he is still a clumsy, cautious and adorable pup.

Is retro really nouveau?

I’m no economic expert, but like many, as I hear about all the economic woes in the U.S. and globally, I want to be part of the solution. A recurring thought for me is that perhaps our 24/7society has come full circle and we now need to try some “retro” approaches.

 

For example, newspapers – the actual print paper – cannot completely disappear. We need them. There is a lot of information in a paper that may be on the Internet, but in a single paper, is much easier to find.

 

But…do we need daily papers? Perhaps it’s time for them to go back to weekly publication. A nice, big Sunday paper with all the stores’ sale circulars, calendar of events, investigative stories and of course ads because those dollars are the bread and butter of a paper.

 

What about stores? Do they all really need to be open 6 a.m. to midnight (slight exaggeration there)? The great majority of us work Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

Why not close one or two days a week? On the weekdays when you’re open, cut your hours to 12 noon to 7 p.m. Stay open longer on the weekends when consumers have time to shop.

 

For those of us who cannot work around your store hours, there is Internet shopping. The 24/7 store.

 

Wouldn’t that beat bankruptcy and shutdown? Isn’t it better to make use of what we have then continue to add empty, neglected buildings and warehouses to the American landscape? Let’s prevent sending more people to the unemployment lines.

 

For other service-oriented operations – including government – cut to four days a week. Doesn’t even have to be a three-day weekend, although that might be a nice benefit for your employees. In today’s economy most people would take a four-day paycheck over no paycheck. You cut your operating expenses as you weather this financial hurricane.

 

Americans are creative survivors so I have no doubt we will get this turned around. I’m tired of the panic, and especially tired of mainstream media’s push to fuel that panic. Let’s stop whining, pointing fingers, crying “woe is me” and get clever about how to fix it. Look to the past to find models that can work in 2009.

Yo no habla espanol

http://www.comcast.net/articles/news-general/20090123/Nashville.English.First/

 

I respectfully disagree with Nashville voters; and voters in other cities that have already voted down “English first.” Once again Americans demonstrate that they do not understand moderation. We are an all or nothing society.

 

Having one language as the official and “first” language in our country (or city) does not make us exclusive. If I travel to another country, let’s say Italy and finally achieve my long-time dream, I fully expect I better have some command of their language. By the way, that would be Italian.

 

Just like if they visit here, they know our language is English and they prepare for that. The difference is that other countries are much better at teaching their citizens—and by citizens I mean children—more than one language. If more Americans were more multi-lingual, the language would not be a barrier.

 

Our country was founded on the English language, just as it was founded on the Christian faith. Maintaining those principles does not lessen our inclusive nature. If I invite you to my home and we have a dog but you don’t like dogs, you’re not going to feel excluded because I won’t turn my dog out while you’re there. You may exercise your right to cut short your visit, but you won’t let that difference stand between us.

 

I believe the same is true with language. If we speak different languages, there are some limitations to how we communicate. But it is possible. We could – crazy notion alert! – work together, teach one another bits of the language and forge friendship and education in one easy swoop. But here in America we need to stand firm on our foundation; it is what separates us from the rest of the world.

Sasha and Malia dolls

Did Mrs. Obama miss her husband’s announcement about open government? It went something like, “we are no long on the side of withholding information but making everything open.”

 

Apparently a new concept in federal government, but certainly not in many states, including Florida where “open government” reaches extremes. Where even state employees’ home addresses are available to anyone who asks, unless they have specific exemption under the law.

 

That aside, does she really believe as First Family they are “private citizens”? Sorry, Mrs. Obama, I believe you gave up that option back on Nov. 4, 2008. That means your daughters, too, are public sector…public servants, if you will.

 

I do not believe true professionals in media or other industries will exploit your children. There is no purpose or honor in that. Nor do I believe manufacturing dolls named after your daughters is anything but positive so I am disappointed in your comments to the media. (see link)

 

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/01/24/michelle-obama-inappropriate-to-use-daughters-to-sell-dolls/

 

In my opinion this is another way your family’s influence filters down to the people. Think of all the little girls playing “White House” with those dolls. Imagine the dreams for themselves that play will conjur. And as you well know, thoughts and dreams help create habits and actions that lead to achievement.

 

 

 

I hereby resign…

Daily Thought from www.RealSimple.com
December 29, 2008

For peace of mind, resign as general manager of the universe.  — Anonymous

This quote hit my Inbox just in time for New Year’s resolutions. I hadn’t thought about “peace of mind” as a resolution, but I sure do think of myself as “general manager of the universe.”

 

Not really in conscious terms but reading that quote forced me to admit I try to manage my universe—and of course that includes my circle of family and friends. I have no doubt they will tell you in a heartbeat that I like to micromanage.

 

Here’s the thing. It doesn’t work. The universe doesn’t want me managing it, and doesn’t respond really well to management. I am not in control and shouldn’t be.

 

I know and have experienced that when I am open to the universe to send the things I want and need my way, it answers. It sends them and my universe flows easily. Why do I forget that sometimes and try to push it?

 

It’s that Type A-Virgo-oldest child in me, I believe. This week a coworker told me I’m “a lady who gets things done” and I took that as a compliment. Given the laws of physics that means there is an equal reaction for that action of getting things done: it is that I push and I drive and I sometimes force.

 

So in 2009 I want to continue to be a lady who gets things done, when the universe sends them to me. Along the way, I wait and remain open to my universe. I hereby resign as…general manager.

Merry Christmas

My Christmas Day draws to a close as I write this. I had a great Christmas and I hope you did, too.

This is definitely a year when the wrapped gifts did not make Christmas. My husband and I stopped exchanging gifts a few years ago, partly because of finances then. Now instead of gifts we do things together, put our money toward creating shared memories. We are blessed because our needs and our wants are met.

So this year we enjoyed a quiet day together with plenty of good food. We shared part of the day with a new friend, who is going through a rough time. Together we all saw Marley & Me (which by the way is not a family movie…if your children are under 17, no need for them to see it. Great movie, but it’s for adults!) Then we enjoyed dinner and lively conversation at our house.

As this day ends, I remind myself that as a Christian, Christmas begins today and ends Jan. 6, the day of the Epiphany. I’ll keep up my holiday lights and decorations and continue to enjoy holiday music. And I hope this year, I hang onto the Christmas spirit all year long.

Holiday travel

I know it stinks to travel right now with bitter cold temps and massive amounts of snow clogging all methods of travel. But I hope everyone remembers that not one of us controls the weather. It is up to God (or your higher power of choice). So please be kind to the airline, train or bus staff who are trying to help you. Be patient with other drivers and do your best defensive driving.

It is the holidays after all so spread some holiday cheer, even in those difficult, uncomfortable situations. If all else fails, stay home. You don’t have to travel for the holidays. It’s a privilege. Sometimes it’s just not possible.

Whatever you decide to do, I hope you will spread tidings of great joy wherever you are, to all you meet.

Merry Christmas!

Get your girl the right gift

There are two things a girl–and by girl I mean any adult woman, any age–should always splurge on. Professional hair color and designer perfume.

Stacey and Clinton of “What Not to Wear” fame won’t agree with me but I don’t think the expense of designer clothes is always necessary. But for a few classic pieces, women’s fashion changes too often so don’t spend the money on something that lasts only a season.

But designer perfume, in the scent that complements you, is a timeless investment. Each one smells different on each woman depending on our body chemistry. Here are some of my favorites:

• Black by Kenneth Cole–classy, elegant
• Be Delicious by DKNY–perfect for spring/summer
• Red Delicious by DKNY–heavier than the above so great for fall/winter
• Tresor by Lancome–another elegant scent, more floral than Black

Guys, you can’t go wrong buying your lady designer perfume. Get a gift receipt just in case the fragrance doesn’t mix well with her personal chemistry. Then…pay attention to what she gets so you can replace it when it’s gone or work with the sales counter rep to select something like it.

Don’t want to do that? Buy a gift certificate to her hair salon. Or one your female coworkers recommend if she doesn’t yet have a favorite salon. Professional hair services, either color or highlights make a difference. They tell us we can duplicate the look at home on our own, but we can’t. And it’s a pain. Make her life easier. Give her the gift of self-indulgence.