Are You Flailing? How to Refocus.

Tips from Mastering Online Marketing by Mitch Meyerson though I think this applies in any industry. His books are well known to those setting up e-commerce businesses. Which is a great side hustle by the way. 

First, it all starts with your brain. We don't need to have all of the answers, we just need to be willing to ask questions. Solutions will appear - and that's not just New Age-speak. Regardless of what happens after this economic downturn (whether it manifests as a recession or depression or near total collapse is still undetermined) it's going to be those of us who are resourceful that will best ride this out. (Hey I'm trying to motivate myself as I write this too!)

10 Personality Traits of Accomplished People

1. Conscientious and reliable (don't be a flake)

2. Altruistic and considerate (there's always somebody worse off than us)

3. Flexible (think rubber ball)

4. Able to give and receive constructive feedback (take good advice)

5. Passionate and enthusiastic (gotta have a reason to get out of bed)

6. Optimistic (always thinking the sky is falling sucks)

7. Committed to life-long learning (education is so much more than school)

8. Tenacious and persistent (be like a dog w/a bone)

9. Balanced in mind, body and spirit (woo..this is challenging but it's key)

10. Focused on the long term (the sacrifices of today pay well into tomorrow)

photo credit

Psst....Guess What? The Government Isn't Going To "Save" You!

Now this isn't a dismissal of the Obama feel good pep talk. Right now everyone's so antsy or downright depressed it feels good to have sun on our faces and a little boost. Plus going down the list from former Presidents to pundits to financial advisors, they don't want PBO to be so blunt. That's too bad because the alarm should be ringing!! So it's down the rabbit hole and being distracted by shiny happy people. Fine. Now that we've been "allowed" to have our dessert first there's still vegetables on our plates. 

We can't ignore certain realities. The national unemployment rate is hovering around 8% (for Blacks it's the highest and closer to 13%). This of course only counts the recently unemployed - not those already in that leaky boat. In California the jobless rate just jumped to 10.1%, sales tax will be increased 1% and personal income tax goes up 2.5%. So yes, we need to plug the hole and steady the boat, but it's been drifting offshore for quite some time. 

We need a lifeline, bucket or paddle to pull ourselves back to the mainland. So the government will step in with its stimulus attempts, but if history shows us anything is that it's limited in its scope for getting to everyone who actually needs help. It's always been people that have been the catalyst that has propelled society forward, either others stepping in or our own survival skills. We are always our greatest advocates. 

It has been the lack of ethics that has caused this huge global financial deterioration. Reaganomics has been a complete and utter disaster. Will the Republican party get that? The decisions we make now will have a long-term impact for our future generations and may determine if we get a future period! I've heard people say they don't care what happens in other countries and are only concerned about the United States. They might care when they realize the bulk of jobs that have been outsourced by US corps to foreign nations support a dubious infrastructure that's collapsing. The impact of what one nation does can have worldwide repercussions for years.

To hear the pundits and some economists, this is all a mere "blip" (give or take a few trillion and a couple of years) and then we can go back to business as usual. Where's my buzzer? NO! Part of the Obama plan for reducing the deficit is to cut back on militarism. How long do you think it will take for another "conflict" to pop off because the war profiteers aren't going to just fade into the background? It's great that PBO wants to show us a written account of how much "our way of life" actually costs by releasing the amounts spent for the Iraqi occupation, but I don't think people understand what is actually going on. There's a deliberate media obfuscation at laying the biggest portion of blame on the 3 Trillion + spent on destroying/rebuilding/stealing resources in Iraq.  It was never about "freedom" for the people.

I went to a Massive Attack show six years ago where they craftily employed a little policy reality check by listing all of the military spending by Western countries on a huge projector. The US outspends the entire world by as much as 8 times the amount. $720M per day. A few weeks of that would wipe out the California deficit. We could resolve homelessness!  I could get into priorities and analysis, blah blah blah. The bottom line is despite some who think we've elected a hippy, the domination/annihilation tactics of this country isn't going to change much. It might be pulled back at best if diplomacy/threats will work. Otherwise it's going to be business as usual and China will own another 10% of the United States.

So I sorta fell off of what my planned original post which was supposed to be about women and our relationship with money but this all ties together. Knowledge is power and  the more we know the better our lives will be. Wednesday's episode of Oprah highlights a Lisa Ling investigative report, "Tent Cities" on the explosion of the homeless population in Sacramento and Northern California of formerly middle class white families (amongst others). Some of the people interviewed talked about trying to keep up with the American dream (aka rampant materialism), not planning for a future and thinking "they" would always be okay no matter what. It was difficult to watch. It's easy to feel vulnerable to despair these days but we need to keep focused on navigating our way through this challenging time instead. 

If you have a job you might want to consider cutting back on everything absolutely not necessary. If you live in an apartment building perhaps you and a neighbor could share wireless service or speak to your building manager about setting up a network. Learn to garden. Barter services in exchange for other goods. Don't pay to see a movie without buying discounted tickets and waiting two weeks. If you're un(der) employed go to a food bank, find out if you can volunteer your skills in exchange for something you need and consider applying for 2-3 pt jobs.  Perhaps you can take in a boarder or move into a home that an owner needs help paying their mortgage (as featured on Oprah). I haven't seen this downturn (collapse) affecting most of the people I mingle with online but I know of several people who've lost jobs. Perhaps now is the time to start a business! This is the time to go for broke....since we're going broke anyway.....

Here's an interview on Canadian television with Suze Orman from last year who made some timely statements:

• We get very emotional about money - the value we attach to it.
  
• Women don't think about money until something catastrophic occurs.
  
• We say "Yes" out of fear instead of saying "No" out of love (for ourselves).

This is especially true for some Black women, who thanks to the ABIT (American Black Indoctrination Technique) buys into thinking we are responsible for rescuing everybody else and that carrying the weight of the "Black community" is somehow noble and Christ-like even. Except that we're not Messiahs on a mission of redemption for the masses. We're just women with free will to either make choices that will benefit us or...not. We can take steps to save ourselves or perish.

The entire interview was good but pay very close attention to 1:34-4:09 and 7:08-8:14. It's all a wake up call. We can survive and thrive despite all obstacles as long as we learn to maneuver, shadow box, bob and weave or knock somebody out if necessary. Being prepared is key. 

If the Non State of the Union Speech Was A T-Shirt What Would It Say?

Five weeks into his first term and President Barack Obama addressed both houses of Congress and the world for a big giant pep-talk and assurance that "everything's gonna be alright". I have to admit I was feeling pumped up after listening. I heard the sense of urgency in his voice and the way he almost stumbled over his words, he was so determined to get us to hop on the Hope Train. It was so nice seeing our FLOTUS, Michelle Obama take her seat and to watch Barack proceed down the aisle like the heavyweight champion of the world. Nancy Pelosi was lit up like a Christmas tree and I can imagine some people were basking in the glow of all things #44. 

Not everyone was so enthused. One Republican member was busted on camera doing a cross-word puzzle. I can't wait to have this idiot publicly identified. How disrespectful! Even if you don't share the policies of your Commander-In-Chief isn't it protocol to at least pretend to pay attention? I was watching C-Span 2 to avoid all of the political punditry but they interviewed various members afterwards to get their take on the speech. 

No surprises with the Republicans focusing on the potential "debt passed along to future children" spiel though they were very careful not to openly attack the President, just the House Democrats and to whine about lack of bi-partisanship blah blah blah. Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal gave the official rebuttal but it really had nothing to do with the speech. Even Fox News panned his response - yikes - and people have been making fun of his delivery. I might have had sympathy except the state is losing 430 jobs daily and he claims he'll refuse the stimulus money to the detriment of his own constituents. If he's going to be the GOP's Great Brown Hope they'd better put him back in the oven 'til he's done! His t-shirt would read: "I'm With Stupid"

I paid close attention to Barbara Lee and Maxine Waters who did stop to offer analysis. They both took the time to discuss agendas for their districts, particularly Lee who went into detail about things she wanted to see transpire. I can't help but think of Waters' comments on Real Time With Bill Maher last week. She mused that Attorney General Holder needed to remember his position and how he couldn't speak plainly in light of it. This was in response to his comments on race. 

I thought it was refreshing much in the vein of Rev. Wright, but you know most whites have a hard time hearing about their privilege bluntly, though Holder did include others in his critique. So I suppose that's why he was sent to the "undisclosed location" instead of another member of the senior staff. That was a total dunce-cap-sitting-in-the-corner move but oh well. 

Despite all of our imperfections, the obstructionists and the doubters there are people focused on helping others and achieving. One is 14 year-old student Ty'Sheoma Bethea whose school has deteriorated to slightly better than 3rd world status and had written a letter begging for help. 

"We are just students trying to become lawyers, doctors, congressmen like yourself and one day president, so we can make a change to not just the state of South Carolina but also the world," Obama read. "We are not quitters."

Some of the agenda laid out is very bold (i.e wanting to cure cancer, jump starting the healthcare initiative and reducing the deficit by half) and will require the participation of all of us to get it passed in some semblance that will help. One caveat to the speech was PBO's misstep in implying the United States invented the automobile. Nope - that honor goes to France and Germany. We perfected the assembly line  - h/t to brownfemipower for catching that and posting it to Twitter. I really liked his call for citizens to accept responsibility for taking advantage of all future opportunities. It's good advice to follow!

Are We Being Prudent or Overly Critical With Obama & the Economy?

I voted for Obama, and I am very hopeful about what he can do, but right now, people are judging Bush’s results against Obama’s intentions. The work is only beginning. - Guy Kawasaki

I saw this in a thread I linked to from Twitter. His statement stopped me cold. I had to pause and let it sit in my brain for awhile. Have I been worrying and expecting a doomsday scenario? Will the administration weather any potential storms and I can look back and gently chide myself for being concerned? Is the economy going to prove to teeter on the brink of, but not fall into collapse? There's an entire blog dedicated to giving us a rather perfunctory reality check. 

Should I just not even talk about this anymore? I think it depends on your circumstances. If you are in a comfortable position with liquid assets available and wilderness skills - and have currency on hand and a back-up food supply - then you'll be okay. If you are solely relying on good intentions, goodwill and people doing the "right" thing - no. If things hit the skids the Mexican border is a few hours away and I'm certain I'd be a fast learner for weapons training. 

We are shaped by our perspectives and the traditions we've been taught to believe. Changes in patterns require a lot of reflection and a shift in thought processes. We also need to have something else to put in its place. That's enough of the pop psychology angle. From a practical standpoint we have to be realistic. If things deteriorated in this country to a certain point I could get across the border in a few hours. I'm telling you, reading Atlas Shrugged has me longing for a secret society I can escape to - but I'm not certain how anyone would avoid detection due to all the satellites, spy planes and technology today. I'm sure there's a way though.

I think Guy has a point though, we do have Bush failure on the brain (even those that would vehemently deny it) but we see how letting things go escalated into a clusterfuck of major proportions. The thing is some people actually voted for Bush based on his promise of bringing honor and integrity to the White House. Remember that? His administration was anything but when he - by virtue of a partisan Supreme Court - stole the election. 

Despite that some people (and I'm specifically talking about Blacks) voted for him the second time because the Black men they let interpret their religious beliefs told them to. People were not making sound political choices based on research. In fact it was another Black man in OH who blatantly disenfranchised voters in 2004. I wondered how people could just sit idly by and be used so thoroughly considering the stolen and denied votes from 2000. Nobody did anything about it but complain about it after the fact.  So I shudder to think about those that jumped on the Obama train because he looked good on paper as well as those that oppose him because of their internalized self-hatred. Disagreeing with his policies are one thing - absorbing and using white supremacist rhetoric is another. 

I will always remember New Orleans and Katrina and how it was a majority of (poorer) Black people who relied on the benevolence of their government, assumed other people would be competent enough to take care of things if they got rough and didn't prepare for the worst case scenario. They were left to fend for themselves - and a lot of them died because of it. It wasn't the wealthy. It was the sick, the elderly and the poor(er) folks that became collateral damage over saving the offshore oil or a former Rep's house. Isn't this why those that survived the Holocaust keep talking about it and vowing to never let it happen again? Collectively most of the people displaced have not and will not be able to return to NOLA as there's a concerted effort in keeping them out. So I may be overemphasizing these things, but I have to look at it without emotion from a critical perspective.

I was having an chat with someone on Twitter a few days ago where I mentioned how disappointed I was with the PBO capitulation to the Republicans to garner support that never came and how bad it looked despite the passage of the stimulus package. Another person sent me a message asking why I was being so critical after only three weeks. Well I wonder if things will be this contentious the next 3.95 to 8 years. Somebody's gotta wear down eventually. It's why I question who the real allies of PBO are and whether he's ready to show some righteous fire.

Did the Republican factions against Clinton wear down during his tenure in office? No. In fact they were aided by the corporate media in presenting a biased viewpoint. How would it have looked for those hypocrites to be revealed trying to expose Clinton for his personal failings while they were engaged in the exact same thing? Going back to NOLA for example, they have a new Congressional Representative who took over after William Jefferson was busted for stealing money and voted out of office.  

Rep. Cao got buzz for being the first Asian elected official for that district. He's a Republican who promised to do right by his constituents, despite being from an opposing party and an immigrant. He even wanted to join the Congressional Black Caucus because his district is primarily Black. Well he was part of the Political Wall of Opposition that voted against the stimulus. Now who in their right mind would turn down money to rebuild NOLA? A FOOL! So we can judge him by his actions and see he is going to be even more useless than the greedy Jefferson was and he's only been in office a short time. Things went from bad to worse. 

Which brings me back to PBO. It's not that his intentions may not be good, but what will his actions show us? How will opposition forces shape his administration? Look at the policies Clinton implemented that were harmful to those Blacks (and others) on the lower economic pendulum. Three strikes, harsher sentencing for crack vs. powder cocaine and welfare-to-work are just some examples.  Yet Blacks were touting him as an honorary Negro. 

When Reagan was in office he lowered the tax rates for the wealthy and started the assault against regulating the financial markets. Some people loved it, but if you trend the national debt it spiked and has been climbing ever since. Oddly enough it was Clinton who managed to lower it slightly before it jumped to its present heights now. That debt isn't going to level off either. It took nearly three decades to balloon and will take a long time to be paid off - if it ever is. 

Californians were supposedly sick of Gray Davis and wanted "change". He was trying to get the Enron millions they'd bilked from us - whose top executives were incidentally Bush supporters. So the Republicans thought they try a little experiment and pull a Sarah Palin on the voters by using an attractive, verbally-challenged candidate with star power and sex appeal. See how we led the pack years in advance? That brought us Arnold Schwarzenegger. He's just as unqualified and just as dangerous. Look at the $42B deficit and a stalled budget since last July as proof of his failed leadership and failed Republican policies. Now the plan is to fire state workers - that just so happen to be SEIU members. It's blatant union-busting tactics. I wonder how many of them fell for the con and voted for the Governator. People got caught up and didn't check under the hood. Now that we're reaping what's been sowed people aren't going to want to live on ramen noodles if they were feasting off filet mignon - albeit on borrowed money and overvalued assets. 

So I guess I'll reserve making any definitive statements but I will continue to monitor things as they go. I can't jump on the hope train oblivious to major shifts in PBO's agenda nor will I yell fire in a crowded room. The idiocy in California makes it even more challenging to not react harshly to the idiocy coming from Washington. The time to be diligent and prepare is now. There are still plenty of people who are in fact doing just fine. I just need to go make some new friends and find some allies for that secret society!

The Stimulus Plan Passed: Where Do We Go From Here?

Happy Valentine's Day! I hope everyone reading this can spend some time amongst loved ones and be grateful for receiving love and support. 

After much wrangling, compromising and machinations, PBO has been declared the "winner" - at least for this round - against the obstructionists from both major parties who opposed the passage of the stimulus bill. Yes it does add more debt and that isn't a good thing. No it will not solve this economic crisis on its own. It's too soon to tell what benefits will be gained and how many people it ends up helping. Those unemployed will see an immediate relief with an extension of benefits and a slight increase. The National Endowment for the Arts has funding again after years of neglect. People who have enough funds to buy new cars and a home will see a discount. Students will get a few hundred extra out of the PELL grant finally. Tax credits abound (if you can wait an entire year more power to ya). 

I would've liked to have seen a provision specifically for renters getting emergency aid to cover payments for 1-2 months, particularly those facing evictions due to job losses without any repayment requirements. Here in California thanks to the idiot unqualified actor and the $42B debt we will be facing a state income tax increase as well as a sales tax increase. If you're on the lower economic end that adds up to a few thousand dollars per year so all those breaks from the federal stimulus plan just got knocked out. 

We know the President has other plans in the works to try to jump start the dead battery aka our economy, but we need a critical assessment of the overall picture and most of us have no clue. Not even the so-called experts. Last year the Fed stopped a run on the banks that would've wiped us out for good. This problem hasn't been resolved - let's be fair to #44 and know he won't be able to do anything about it permanently either - but PBO will be assigning an additional $2 trillion to the banks. Those banks aren't required to loan any money and as we know there was no oversight and nothing preventing them from doling out bonuses to the tune of $20B either. That salary cap is loosely worded in the stimulus package and really how is it going to be enforced? 

Here's the video from C-Span where Rep. Kanjorski, the Capital Markets Subcommitte Chair discusses how we're 2 hours away from collapse. Who cares about the Octo-Mom or the Grammys under these circumstances?

The problem is the continued generation of tax breaks and policies that create a class of the uber-wealthy minority at the expense of the masses which creates a majority of individuals whose incomes deteriorate while costs for necessities increase faster than can be replicated. It's the hedge fund manager pulling in $10M whose company will only pay an assistant $40K per year in a major city where rents may have jumped to $2000K per month. You might be educated and you might be working but you'll always be broke unless you can either earn more money, marry and get an additional income, take a second job or have your expenses lowered. That's a lot to ask of a person. Plus that manager has had their taxes lowered, has more loopholes available and is going to be catered to by the government no matter what. We're expected to believe we have "freedom" and unlimited choices but in real life application we are in a box with limited room for movement. 

The United States already is in the red for $50 trillion and counting so what's another few billions to the pile - although our current public debt is listed at "only" $10 trillion that's not counting EVERYTHING. All of the focus on the Republican turncoat who stepped aside from his Commerce Secretary nomination was a distraction. PBO needs to act like he's the friggin' President and stop trying to make friends out of those who've declared themselves enemies. It's very frustrating to watch these appointments bite the dust quite frankly - all reasonable arguments aside.  The next Census is very important and should never have been even hinted at being left in the hands of someone opposed to supporting business development by the non-whites in this country or wanting to thwart the correct allocation of districts.

The real focus should be on the Comptroller General and the Government Accountability Office. Yeah, I know it's hard to believe there is one. Seen any articles of the corporate media about this office? Me either. It's supposed to be the tax-payer's friend. Gene Dodaro may be the current position-holder but my eyes are on his predecessor David Walker who's been very vocal about the Fiscal State of the Union  for nearly 2 years and why we're still in deep doo-doo. Here's his interview with 60 Minutes from late 2007. I wish I'd been paying attention.

The other elephant in the room is whether PBO's other plans will be implemented and whether they'll be structured in a way that actually helps those that truly need it. When he caved so quickly to demands for tax breaks and gave a much higher percentage than what was absolutely necessary (see my renter not getting funds to stave off an eviction vs. homebuyer getting a discount) you can see where the priorities lay. A homebuyer is already entitled to certain additional tax breaks and could certainly do without the funds imo. It's a need vs. want scenario and since it's all borrowed money why not put it to its best usage?

Who are the real allies of Barack Obama? I keep asking on various political blogs and have yet to receive a definitive list. As I go down the list of his appointees, those he's added to his staff and his political "friends" I can't find any. Remember there are no permanent friends only permanent interests. So what happens when PBO's agendas are of no interest to those that can do him the most damage politically? I see people who were and would continue to be just fine without him. They were already established in their careers and/or have connections to other politicians/factions/governments. It seems he needs them more than than they do. 

Look at how some of his nominees have bitten the dust. The vetting process was weak. The BBC has an article questioning whether he was unlucky or naive? I have concerns and am not liking what I've seen so far. You can still be supportive of the President and be critical. Look at the voters and why they did - or didn't support his candidacy. I see declared enemies working at his right hand. Perhaps I just don't get it, but Bush ruled with an iron fist. Yeah he sounded dumb on tv, but the Republicans obeyed and the media followed. He was in charge. He didn't ask - he took. Cheney is scary. We saw the emergence of the Blue Dog Democrats who are really just Rethugs who infiltrated the opposition party to help it implode on itself. The biggest turncoat Lieberman has been allowed to keep all of his plum committee appointments. Hillary Clinton is Secretary of State. All the enemies and obstructionists got rewarded. 

That's just messed up in my book under any circumstances. I still don't like it and it's causing a pit of apprehension just thinking about it. I wonder when the rug is going to pulled out from underneath us on all levels. I wonder if enough people are working together in a concerted effort to help level the playing field. Electing one person isn't enough. Now due to the vast economic upheaval many are in a fight for basic solvency which removes them from that particular battle. That may be the intention as this is a multi-tiered spiritual/political/personal war going on in this country and around the world. 

I am doing my best to be prepared but it requires a lot of effort and being vigilant. That's very tiring when all you want to do is celebrate symbolism and bask in the glow of hope. We can't afford to leave things to others to take care of for us. The alternative is to be left behind in the wake of another pending catastrophe that you weren't aware of but we can't claim ignorance of potential disasters anymore.   

Career Reinvention Tactics

Check out: Entrepeneurship Week at Stanford University 

Just because some of us may be hurting doesn't mean everyone is - insert Wall Street CEOs with a side eye. So you may need to retrain for a different career than the one you've held or perhaps this is the time to step into what you've always wanted to do. Starting February 18th Stanford University is offering one component that's part of a National Entrepeneurship Week USA (as well as a Global initiative). So check your local school to find out if they're participating. It's geared towards students as well as the general public - people who wish to be innovative and adapt 21st century tactics. 

This is especially important because the United States no longer manufactures products like during the Industrial age and post-WWII. We are consumers and borrowers of large amounts of debt - which is why we're in this economic mess. Oh and let's not forget the Military Industrial Complex. 

I want to explore looking for solutions and taking actions to force inertia and not giving in to negativity and worry. Here's a few sample programs that look very interesting.

2/24 Tuesday
"Startup 101" Job Fair
Noon-4:00 PM, Tresidder Union

Explore job opportunities with over 101 startups and larger companies looking for entrepreneurial talent. Employers represent a wide range of industries, from Web 2.0 to cleantech, medical devices, and biotech. Raffle prizes will be given away throughout the event.

Employers should register here for an exhibition space. 

Host: A partnership of several student entrepreneurship groups on campus and The Career Development Center

Entrepreneurship Mixer

5:00-7:00 PM, Graduate School of Business (GSB), South Building, Lower Arbuckle Lounge

Network with students, entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, and other members of the entrepreneurship community, while enjoying complimentary hors d'oeuvres and beverages. This loosely structured event will help ensure that you get an opportunity to talk to others in your field of interest.

Host: GSB Entrepreneur Club

Creativity Challenge: James Bond Casino Caper

7:30-9:30 PM, Top Secret Location

Dress as your favorite James Bond character (or not) and join us for a glamorous soiree while mingling with the stars and enjoying Blackjack, Craps and other casino favorites. Sometime during the evening your entrepreneurial spirit will be put to the test, and you may just be blown away. Come armed with your creativity and sense of adventure. Space is limited to the first 35 people.

Host: Stanford Technology Ventures Program (STVP)

2/25 Wednesday

Annual GSB Entrepreneurship Conference

11:00 AM-4:00 PM, Graduate School of Business

This intensive session addresses practical issues associated with creating sustainable businesses. It features speakers and panels for aspiring and early stage entrepreneurs. There is a fee for this event, and registration is required (http://www.econference.org/).

Host: Center for Entrepreneurial Studies, Graduate School of Business

"The Next Big Thing": A special presentation of the Entrepreneurial Thought Leaders Lecture Series

4:30-6:00 PM, Kresge Auditorium

Featured Speakers:

Tim Draper, Founder and a Managing Director of Draper Fisher Jurvetson

Tony Perkins, CEO, AlwaysOn

Michael Moe, Founding Partner, ThinkPanmure, and Author (Finding the Next Starbucks: How to Identify and Invest in the Hot Stocks of Tomorrow)

As part of the Entrepreneurship Week closing finale, find out what the hot entrepreneurial opportunities are today and tomorrow, as three of the most forward-looking and insightful thought leaders in Silicon Valley weigh in. They'll debate, argue and discuss their way through an analysis of where technology is going and where to start placing your bets. An audience Q&A will follow. We'll also announce the winners of the 2008 Bike Safety Invention Challenge and feature special highlights from throughout Entrepreneurship Week.

Host: Stanford Technology Ventures Program (STVP) and Business Association of Stanford Entpreneurial Students (BASES), the Stanford Biodesign Program

Some Light At the End of the Tunnel (?)

So it looks like this stimulus package might just eek out with around 61 Senators. Apparently as many as 3 Republicans may decide to buck the "Block Obama Train" and actually try to assist those they represent so it can pass. Not all Democrats are supporting their party leader by the way. Since I haven't seen it yet I can't offer my two cents on its merits. It will not be a panacea and to insist that one person be able to undo all the damage and chaos a group of people did wouldn't exactly be fair. Of course we know that life isn't always situated thusly. Here's a thought - all those states whose representatives blocked this response and attempt to address things should NOT GET ANY OF THE MONEY! How ya like me now! The kiddies will eat their vegetables and they're gonna like them, darn it. I guess if people can sing and dance on inline skates at the same time we can do our part to "fix" the economy. 

Obama Calls Out the Contrarians: Will They Listen?

I just watched PBO's press conference where he presented his Economic Policy Advisory Board. He also reminded the politicians that the people demanded change and not a continuation of the same failed policies. Nice to see him getting out in front of the message even as the Republicans have mounted a full-on public relations attack with a great assist from the corporate media. We still don't know what the stimulus package will contain in the end, but I agree with his assessment that blanket tax breaks are not going fix anything and that the situation is going to deteriorate further before it can begin to level off (if it does). 

I engaged in some feedback with readers about my post where I asked if the agendas of the Obama Presidency are derailed how prepared are the people that voted for him, specifically (non-elite or wealthy) Blacks for the fall out. I posed this question on one of the more popular Black political blogs and was largely smacked down. I supported the candidacy of PBO but I never considered myself one of the kool-aid drinkers. I also don't quite get how so many people are behaving like overly optimistic (blind sheep) thinkers who should know better. I've adopted a pro-active stance of preparing for the pending flood. 

We need to continue flooding the Capitol with calls, emails and faxes about passing this stimulus package, realizing it will NOT be a panacea to the economic meltdown but a place to start to rebuild. In the meantime, I will not be stuck on a roof expecting the government to come rescue me because I couldn't imagine being left to perish. I hope everyone is preparing accordingly as well.

President Obama's Weekly Address

This should be subtitled the Good News/Bad News Scenario.

Well he's letting us know the economy is in the crapper! He's saying he showed up on Day One with things worse than ever. He's telling us things will deteriorate before they level off. We've been warned. This address is total CYA for him and putting those politicians that would try to thwart his plans on notice. 

I recall the Republican talking points up until their Convention from their candidate John McCain stating the fundamentals of the economy were strong (and still claiming it mid-September when the ish started hitting the fan). I remember #43 telling us it was just a hiccup, a slow down. Mistakes are one thing, but they were lying and dumped everything onto Obama. I shudder to think what would be happening right now if it was McCain/Palin in office. No matter what Obama does - or doesn't do - the bar has been set so low a mediocre Obama would still run circles around #43. Isn't that just pathetic!

I'm all for accountability, but I find it very telling that a real plan for destruction and disruption that the Republicans and their infiltrators (agenda traitors) in the Democratic party are planning is fully present and visible. If the horse has run off and is heading towards a brick wall how can you claim you're controlling it or that it's not loose. Once the horse has been corralled and someone else has the reigns how can you then claim you have ideas about how to lead that horse to water? You had free reign for 8 years! If you couldn't figure it then what makes you think ANYONE will believe you have any idea what you're talking about NOW?! Too much greed, too much spending and living beyond our means has brought us here.  

Everything Obama's saying about wanting to mend what I'm calling, The Great Big Financial Catastrophe sounds good. Unlike the Depression in 1930's wealthy people today have made sure to modify the laws to protect their financial interests by and large. So the majority of people going down will be the working class. The working poor are already screwed. 

At least he's speaking to the people directly instead of mumbling about abstractions to the press and claiming unqualified appointees are doing a "heck of a job". I do believe that #44 wants to do the right thing. I haven't seen any evidence that Obama is personally motivated by greed, avarice or ideology. If he didn't think he could do the job he would not have run. 

I just don't underestimate the obstacles we'll all have to climb to get over to the other side. If enough people want real change they will make personal modifications and adopt a shift in attitude. Everyone is not going to be helped in the way they want. That American Dream fantasy was always a lie. People have to stop spending money they don't have and live with less. Of course that will affect consumer-based retailers and other companies that depend on us buying every new gadget annually. It was never necessary and it needs to stop. Nor will I dismiss those shifty tendencies of  shady politicians looking to line their pockets or those easily influenced by evil. We're watching. 

Why Are So Many Companies Going Under?

Can we got some detailed explanations from economists WTH is going on with the economy?! I do NOT understand why all of these companies from Circuit City to Yahoo to the friggin' Postal Service are reporting millions - and billions - in losses! What have they been doing the past 8 years? This isn't all about bad mortgages and bank mergers either. I suspect this is the result of rampant greed that went unchecked and false religiosity cloaked in ideology by a lot of dishonest people.

It's no coincidence these companies are hitting the bricks right at the beginning of the new Democratic Administration. You know #43 and his cronies and lapdogs have been hiding all the crap under the floorboards, way back in the closet and the levees are about the break (again). Why should #44 be considered a failure for not being able to waive a magic wand over all of this?! It's a no-brainer that infrastructure should be part of the economic relief package because it's BROKEN! You can't build on quicksand. 

Tax breaks for the wealthy will do nothing for those of us on Main Street....or the Alley. This is so far from over it's down right frightening. I sincerely hope all those blocking solutions because of partisan politricks get voted out of office. **Ah-nold still hasn't managed to get his Rethug legislators in line to agree on a budget for California either. No state grants for school or tax refunds. It must be nice to be really wealthy but so divested from concern about the average wage-earner. Ah, but the let them eat cake motto led to a revolution.

Unfiltered Views on the (Latest) Middle East-Related Conflicts

I don't expect to see this being critically examined on my nightly news. Dismiss it if you will but this is definitely food for thought. Particularly in light of the economic instability spending $9B + annually on military aid for other nations is costing US taxpayers. Amongst other expenditures. We are responsible for allowing our gov't to do things in our name - especially as it begins to negatively impact a large portion of its citizens. 

There are some people who won't get overly emotional about taking a viewpoint one way or the other. As a Black person of American descent I'd like to ask what's in it for me and mine? What alliances have been negotiated that proves worthiness for my support? If I was in need of serious help and a place of refuge who and want entity could I count on? There's many citizens around the world who need assistance - some from my very own gov't! We should be the priority.

Some think a foreign country who wants to engage in armed conflicts should be paying for it themselves. Anything that important with those type of ramifications should be engaged very carefully. Especially considering yesterday's friend is today's enemy and such. I'd like to see an end to the rhetoric and double-speak and definitely the blank checks. It's nothing personal. We are seeing what happens when we leave our futures to the whims of others. We don't necessarily have the same interests and to pretend otherwise for a grand gesture will not clothe or feed us when things hit the skids.

Ron Paul discussing political fall-out from gov't meddling.

Israeli solider discussing his disagreement with his gov't and why.

So Now the Rethugs Are Concerned About the Budget?!

It's day 8 of the Obama Administration. He was sworn-in approximately one week ago. The President wants a huge stimulus package to make it's way through Congress so he can sign it into law. The economy is in the toilet. While politicians want to add pork and hem and haw over semantics they are still being paid or come from family money. That does nothing for the ever-growing list of unemployed as more companies lay off workers and try to stay solvent. 

When the Bailout plan was initiated last fall, people were rightfully outraged. It was falsely rebranded as a "Rescue" package. As we see the only thing that happened was large corporations and their lobbyists got a very generous parting gift from Shrub. None of that money went to the people. President Obama is using diplomacy and perhaps "begging" all members of Congress to vote for his bill. He isn't threatening martial law - unlike #43. 

So why aren't the Republicans getting on board with this economic recovery plan? Why am I hearing the same rhetoric of how Democrats are "tax and spend" - minus the Republican motto of "fiscal conservation"? Well, they can't claim it anymore. Shall we do the math? The costs of the world domination agenda is very pricey. Iraq has cost us at least 1 Trillion - and counting.   Add to that the Republican-led deregulation efforts of the banking industry and you see why we are here in this mess. 

Yes, individual people overextended themselves and need to clean up their financial messiness. But you couldn't spend on credit unless you were given credit to begin with. The financial institutions made a fortune putting as many people into as much debt as possible. They set the prices for homes and intentionally over-inflated their value to bundle the mortgages and sell them. They offered those shady mortgages. It was the two-fold punch of exchanging paper with no real value, spending all the money in the piggy bank on war mongering and borrowing money from Saudi Arabia and China. 

Oh the Dumbocrats have to take their share of the blame as well, but the rampant disregard for any common sense or sound fiscal principles lay solely at the feet of the political party large and in charge for 8 years. I want to keep a list of all the members of Congress who support and don't support Obama's plan. Don't try to hold it up because you don't want a woman to have access to birth control pills or want $3M for a toilet. If it passes and is successful then President Obama has his first victory; if they can kill the bill on the floor it will be a setback. These politicians are forgetting something in their political posturing: their constituents are going down the toilet. They will not forget who stood in the way of them getting relief. Relief that had been promised by the last Administration but was not delivered. 

If the Rethugs (from Senator John McCain to Rep. Dave Camp) were so concerned about the budget and debt where we they nine days ago? One month ago? One year ago? They stood by and did nothing. So I don't want to hear any of their BS now! Just sign off on the bill. If it doesn't work it will be egg on the President's face and he can fail all on his own. Of course I don't think Obama would put a grossly flawed plan together. I would not underestimate him or rule out him playing hardball. He's not quite the Magic Negro some may think. 2010 and 2012 is not that far away and they need a reminder they may not be in office if they keep this up! 

I urge everyone to contact their elected officials and gently remind them who they're supposed to be working for! We need an additional extension of unemployment benefits, students need their financial aid for school, free clinics must remain open, the banks are supposed to be lending money freely again! It's time to get with the program. He won - now move on!  

Update: From The Field blog: How Obama is setting up a GOP Fall.

Reuters photo of the President, Speaker Pelosi & House Minority Leader John Boehner 

Sunday Morning News Roundup

CBS: Offered commentary on the meaning of the Bush years. We don't need to review this now do we? They sucked. People rolled over and look at the mess we're in. There will be NO REVISIONIST HISTORY!!

PBS: Washington Week doesn't have video up for the latest show, but you can download a podcast. Gwen Ifill discussed the stimulus plan, the continuing Roland Burris/Senate spectacle and Obama's CIA pick. Nice but they need to step up with the technology.

ABC: No embeddable video directly from the site - what's up with these news orgs? Can't they get this is why they're losing viewers. That and the surplus of white hosts. 

The President-Elect met with the blatantly partisan Clinton stan Snuffleupagus to discuss his economic plan amongst other things. If George would stop trying to interject himself and pose gotcha questions Obama would be able to finish his point. I found myself yelling during the replay for George to just shut-up! I cannot recall any such fervor over the failed Bush policies during the past 8 years. It was old skool Oprah's Favorite Things "you get a tax break, you get a rebate check" to keep that Hope Train chugging away. 

With the promise of 4 million jobs it sure sounds good. I wonder however if this plan is going to implemented in a way reminiscent of trickle-down theory which was fairly useless to the average or below-average work force. Let's face it, people who make 6-figures are much more likely to recover from this economic slump than say a former coffeeshop employee or ex-felon trying not to re-offend. The higher earner may have more debt but proportionally would be in a better position to address repayments than someone who was living paycheck to paycheck. 

Still Obama hasn't given specifics - nor do I expect him to at this time. It seems members of his own party are the biggest problem magnets right now. Makes me want to re-register as an Independent! We will soldier on without all the trouble-makers and naysayers, but still hold our elected officials accountable and vote them out when necessary.

NBC: The only network that offers a video player that works consistently (the fail to play sweepstakes goes to CNN).

On "Meet the Press" Marshmallow (white, all fluff no substance) moderated a roundtable discussion about what they think the Obama economic plan. Feel free to skip at your leisure. The second half (around 23:00) was much more interesting. Bill Cosby, Alvin Poussaint, Adrian Fenty and Maxine Waters discussed the quality of life for Black folks - after shooting down Marshmallow's "sucks to be Black" diatribe. As if all Blacks share the same class status - they don't. Cutbacks hurt more people across economic lines than race, but the race of certain people is adversely affected. Waters thinks a rising tide will lift all boots and fixing the infrastructure will address a lot of these issues. Let's hope so.

Buying While Black

This looks to be an interesting project. The Ebony Experiment is the effort of one Black family to invest their discretionary income in Black-owned and operated businesses. They will document the results on their web site. With Black spending power estimated to be more than $950B annually but the net worth averaging $12K - yes $12K - compared to white families' net worth of $110K we have a serious problem! 

The high unemployment rate that goes unreported because only new filings are counted. The number of people in and out of prison. The entire bling bling culture when we now know those rap artists are renting the goods they flash in their videos. This can't all be about white privilege, racism or oppression. Don't we have control over how we spend our money and where we decide to put it? Well, we don't act like it!

I think the great failure of Civil Rights was the focus on integration without reciprocity as if being around more white people (and others) was supposed to automatically make everything fair and balanced. Not to mention the failure to acknowledge the work of the Black women that resulted in it's success. There were hundreds of Rosa Parks! As soon as mass amounts of Black people could leave for white neighborhoods and buy freely from white companies they did, taking the infrastructure created by segregation with them. 

There is the sense of want that I think has killed the Black community. I think I should also specify that I'm referring to the working class not the wealthy elites who always find a way to do well no matter who's in office as most wealthy people tend to. Some want the quick fix, some want to justify the argument of the perpetual boogeyman that is the sole cause for all that ails the community. 

There is almost no examination of our individual choices, personal responsibility or thinking of the future. That needs to change. Although I'd love for our first Black President to outperform Superman I think a more realistic outlook would be to hope he does more than the last Democratic President. If you actually review the records and stats you will see the bar is actually not set so high, it's just better than when a Republican is typically in office. Though oddly enough Richard Nixon saw to it that Black-owned radio stations flourished during his term. 

Here's an extended excerpt from a discussion on poverty, government, religion and personal choices at The Roundtable on Religion & Social Welfare Policy:

The Roundtable:

The federal government has held trainings and offers some capacity-building grants to let smaller churches increase their ability to do government contracting. Do you feel that it's getting down to the level that it needs to get to?

Rev. Dr. Sampson:

It's the government's philosophy locked into the faith-based philosophy: "the poor you shall have with you always." There's no plan. Where is the plan for young people to have serious summer jobs, to produce what? Where is the plan for seniors who have ... got this time, energy and creativity? Where do they go for the quilting company that they could put together? The government doesn't see poor people as new markets.

The Roundtable:

Do you think that the faith-based community sees them that way?

Rev. Dr. Sampson:

No. they don't have a plan. There's been no economic conference with the mortgage bankers. It wasn't until we had Richard Nixon - he said, for the first time, "Black Capitalism." That was the time more blacks, more construction companies, more on-the-job training programs, more mortgage companies were created and more homes were built, more senior citizens developments. More went on under the Nixon Administration, for Black Capitalism, than at any moment before or (since).

Because it's easy to keep the poor with you always, rather than develop economic initiatives.

We all were poor once and we became middle class. We did it because we were responsible for something, to something. Those initiatives are drying up, because there is no plan.

The Roundtable:

What do you think needs to happen? And who needs to do it?

Rev. Dr. Sampson:

My argument about "Crucifixion Christianity" and "Resurrection Reality" is saying that as long as we stay with Ezekiel 37 -- scattered bones means scattered economy -- and we don't see that people have the capacity to rise from the holes that the government, with the church, puts them in, if that happens, we're still going to have the plight of the poor.

I want people to go back into the resurrection story, because the fact of the matter is that the power of being able to rise up and produce under the conditions is what makes humanity, humanity. How did our people in the African American community produce a George Washington Carver -- slave, orphan, he discovered 300 goodies out of a sweet potato and a peanut. How could that happen?

I'll tell an interesting story about Popeye -- he was my guy as a kid. I always encouraged him when he was getting beat up to get the spinach. I was young, I didn't know that television characters didn't talk back. "Eat the spinach, Popeye." My momma said, "I want you to eat spinach, come eat your spinach, so you can be as strong as Popeye."

But the interesting thing is, I never saw Popeye give Olive Oil spinach. Somebody didn't want her to be strong.

In our community we have restaurants now, franchises -- a Popeye's franchise, chicken and biscuits -- but no spinach. Somebody does not want us to be strong. When you go and work with the farmers who work with spinach, it's to make people strong. So you have to have what I call this "Resurrected Reality" -- that people can get resources and be strong -- over allowing a system to crucify them with the sign on the cross -- "the poor you shall have with you always."

The Roundtable:

My question is, who do you think has to do it? Is it the people, the churches?

Rev. Dr. Sampson:

According to the story, it ultimately rests in the hands of the people who do not have a poverty of spirit. And you might find some governmental leaders that don't have a poverty of spirit.

Your question is a "rich young ruler" question. You're familiar, I assume, with the story of the rich young ruler who came to Jesus and said, "I would like to have an eternal policy on being rich, young and a ruler." And Jesus said, "Well, let me do an assessment of your capacity to handle that. What have you done?" "Well, I've been with Moses and I've kept all the commandments." Jesus said, "But Moses is dead now, I'm alive ... what I'd like you to do is develop your assets that you have for the poor." And the scripture said that he went away sorrowful, because his emotions were tied to his assets. And then he became a liability because he did not want to put up the risk.

In the New Testament gospels, you get three things lost in the stories that Jesus tells: One is the woman that loses the coin, which is our assets. The other is the loss of the sheep, which is our economy. And the other is the loss of our humanity - the prodigal son. Now the problem is the story (of) the prodigal son. The prodigal son says, "I've been having some midnight conversations with my elder brother. I'd like to get my inheritance now that you're alive, Daddy." He goes out and flings his resources from his father. He's down with the pigs. The father every day kept looking out the window for his son. Ultimately he finds the son and he says to the son, "Great, we now can fix you a thanksgiving dinner. You get a robe, you get a fatted calf." The eldest son comes to the daddy and says, "You know you never gave me a thanksgiving dinner; I've been with you all the time. Why didn't I get equal opportunity?" The father says, "Because you never went to look for your brother."

You never went to look for your brother. So you have nothing coming. And the problem is, if we don't go look for our brothers and our sisters, we have nothing coming.

So we have to find people who are willing to be in the Father's house, taking the resources from this great earth, and go find our brothers and our sisters and bring them to thanksgiving dinner.

Vision of Change Comes From Me

Well I have to say how pleased I am that Obama is having almost daily press conferences to let the American people (and the world) know that he's not going to sleep at the wheel! Particularly in light of this current administration's incompetance where every week Henry Paulson announces how yet another 'rescue' plan has failed  - but claims this is the time they're gonna get it right. It'll just cost another $20B here or an additional $300B+ there. 

I made this off-the-cuff comment about Bush getting in his last acts of vengeance against the American people before he leaves office in another post. That doesn't seem so far-fetched anymore if you look at the state of the economy, the criminal actions of those in gov't and how hated we are. 

Where are they getting this money? Monopoly is a fun game but that paper has no real value. The US dollar is not being backed up by gold anymore and flooding the markets with it only devalues it further, but I'm not an economist so what do I know?

Now Obama has to do something bold because once he's inaugurated it's all on him. Never mind that it took 9 years of focused sabotage to create this mess. Both political parties are responsible - but it has been the expressed goal of the Republicans since the time of Reagan to get rid of all regulation and protections. Not to mention union-busting. Add to that the cost of war mongering (which goes far beyond national security) and can anyone still doubt how things got so messed up? 

So I really like the idea of an outside economic advisory board. I like the idea of a President having people who don't rubber-stamp and say yes to everything he/she wants. If our current President had been more humble and less theocratic the country would be in a much better place. Obama seemed to be making a statement to progressives and political bloggers to stop the hand-wringing over former Clinton appointees and see the big picture.  Hence the title of today's post. He's in charge!!

I am all for accountability and being diligent and as agents of change for ourselves we should take care to do so. What we don't need is either blind allegiance or overreacting to every move by Obama while he's in office. He's going to need time to fix a lot. We have no idea how bad things really are. He's only going to get a 25-day grace period before the bill becomes due though. I'd hate for him to end his term looking 20 years older with a broken spirit or for his wife and daughters to feel they've been neglected. I'm sure they'll work that out. We can do our part by getting involved, being knowledgeable and making sure we've learned our lesson!

h/t Talking Points Memo

Grandmaster Flash Had It Right

Although I feel like I have to cover my ears and say lalalalala over most of the popular songs that pass as hip-hop/rap nowadays I can always listen to old skool (and indie) music.

Don't push me cuz I'm close to the edge

I'm trying not to lose my head 

It's like a jungle sometimes

Makes me wonder

How I keep from going under

I think more and more people can relate to these lyrics. Bush signed a Federal extension for unemployment benefits so we won't have to knock off the Salvation Army jingle janglers for money this holiday. Before we think wow what a great thing, remember Bush is going to push through all sorts of nefarious legislation and pass out pardons to his war criminal cronies as his last act of vengeance against the American people. 

This is the real cost of the war folks. With every state running in the red, every city cutting vital services and every sector taking a hit this is the legacy of the Bush administration and both the Democrat and Republican politicians that assisted him. We closed our eyes after 9/11 and said, let somebody else take care of this. Wall Street gets a bail-out, the Big 3 Automakers may be next and all we have is a lousy t-shirt. Ugh!  

California's unemployment rate for new claims has jumped to 8.2%. Since that doesn't include those already receiving benefits I'd say we could likely double it for a total population count. Bush signed a similar extension back in 2003, so this country has been bleeding jobs for years. The housing bubble only masked it. I have no idea what the Obama administration has planned but I know that sticking a bandage over a gaping wound won't work. I hope we'll be able to hang on until a solution has been implemented. On the other hand we still have our lives. Which brings me back to the song.