Is President Obama Doing Too Much...Too Fast...Not Really!

Wow, the critics are at it again! The media and the politicians are now stating that President Obama is doing too much during his first 100 days. The skeptics believe that President Obama should just focus on one thing at a time and not try to make a lot of key decisions at this present moment. At first, I must say that I did think the President was moving on too many key issues a little too fast. Then I started to really think about what this president was up against. I also had a pretty "comical" view of the situation and also a realistic opinion of how and why this president was "moving at the speed of lightning". So let's begin with the comical view. First of all the president is a highly intelligent young man, who understands constitutional law, walks around with a blackberry, plays basketball and is able to multi-task as was shown during the time he was running for the presidency. In other words this man has a lot of energy. Remember when he was running for president of the United States , I used to wonder how he was able to do it and still stay so focused. In other words this man hasn't changed. What is so funny is that the senate and the house and everyone else in government is probably having a hard time keeping up with him. This maybe a little tiring for them. They are used to getting together and probably worrying about major decisions ever so often. Now to my realistic opinion, no other president in my lifetime has ever had to deal with so much at one time. Imagine a house is burning up on one part of town and then another fire starts at another home. Should you only put out one fire, let the other house burn down and everything else around it? The president is just putting out the fires that were neglected and unfortunately there was a lot of neglect. The president isn't doing anymore than his title commands of him. Maybe we aren't used to seeing a very active president in the office since Clinton and Reagan Every time I think about what all this president has to contend with all that I can say is, WOW! Maybe the next time that the president want to get together with the republicans and democrats to talk about decisions he want to make, don't have a meet and greet along with a "why can't we all get along "gathering. Get these politicians on the basketball court and talk politics then. I can guarantee you that they will either be too tired to keep up with him or either they will stand up to the challenge. Either way, I would love to be on the sidelines with my digital camera, popcorn and soda. That would truly be a "Kodak moment".

Keeping Your Eye On The Prize....Entrepreneurship

Okay, so much for the economic gloom and doom. Now is the time to think about creating your own economic success. Do you know that even during these times, you can actually start your own business. Seriously, this is a great time to start thinking about creating your own wealth. If you already have a business think about ways that you can increase your financial wealth. Let's talk about some of the ways that you can actually start your own business with little money. First of all, you have to start thinking positive. In the past I have read a lot of great motivational books that has been extremely beneficial and thought provoking. In other words, you have to change the way you think about creating wealth. Some great books that I have read were from people such as Napolean Hill, Tony Robbins and others. There is one book in particular that I read and I can't think of the title at this moment, but it was totally awesome. It was about a woman who was literally broke and she had 90 days to become a millionaire. Guess what, she did it! Now, after we have been motivated to make a difference in our lives, then let us now proceed to how we are going to start our own business. I read one book in particular many years ago and the author said that it is a good idea to start several little part time businesses that can generate income for you. Example, we have all heard about Ebay. Take a tour of Ebay, find out as much as you can about it. Go to the Sellers Central area, find out what is selling and what isn't. Ebay has a wealth of information to help someone launch their own business. Look through your house, you probably have items that you could sell on Ebay. Maybe you are able to go to the dollar stores and purchase a couple of things and sell on Ebay. In other words, you can start this business for under $25.00. Another business you could start, create your own website where you can sell your products or services on the internet. This is another business you could start for under $100.00. Have a monthly yard sale, after a while you could even sell items for others at your yard sale, this is also a business you could start for under $100.00. Millionaires have been made through Ebay, and you can definitely generate enough income from the other businesses that would allow you the type of financial freedom that you would like to have, even during these times. Why, because there will always be someone willing to buy what you are selling. If you get a chance go to www.entrepreneur.com and explore all of the possibilities. Remember each and every day that you are the navigator as it relates to your financial stability. Isn't it time that you become the CEO of your own finances. Now is the time...try it...you might like it.

What Does The Chimpanzee Have To Do With The Stimulus Bill

Approximately two weeks ago, an editorial cartoonist for a New York publication depicted a full illustration of a chimpanzee being shot by police officers and the officers stating that basically that was the end of the stimulus bill. If you haven't seen the cartoon, check it out! While you are reviewing this cartoon, just take 10 minutes and write down everything that you see or how does it make you feel when you look at this cartoon illustration. When I first reviewed it, I definitely had mixed feelings, the first being racist. Secondly insensitive and third...stupid! For the past week I have listened to the different cable news media networks talk about this cartoon editorial. One evening I was listening to Lou Dobbs with CNN interviewing Al Sharpton. Al Sharpton gave his views about how this editorial wasn't good and how he felt that the news organization should do a better job as it relates to it's obligation to the community. You could easily tell that they had different viewpoints in how they depicted the cartoon and how to handle the situation as it relates to the news organization. But it was definitely known from both that this wasn't done in "good taste". When an artist creates something, you have to understand his mindset at the time. I would have loved to had the opportunity to ask this artist, "What were you thinking about"? Another question, "What does the chimpanzee have anything to do with the "Stimulus Bill "and "Why did you use police officers in this cartoon"? If you happen to be an african american, you are probably used to the several stereotypes that have been depicted in this illustration. If you happen to be an animal lover, this is definitely not a laughing matter. If you are a police officer, this definitely doesn't show your profession in a good way. I guess that since so many news print organizations are either filing for bankruptcy protection or closing it's doors for good those that are left will every now and then do something to get that "spike" in news stand sales. Should we hold these artists more accountable who happen to be employed by these news organizations or these news organizations as a whole, that allow these types of editorial depictions? Oh, I almost forgot...Freedom of Speech and Freedom Of The Press, these news organizations do have their rights. But I have always truly believed that there is always a price of some sort for freedom. An artists work lives forever, a writers work live forever. That is why it is always important to think about what you are doing before you do it and understand the consequences of the decisions that you make...because it could impact you for a lifetime!

Dear Mr. and Mrs. Media ....Let The President Do His Job

Mainstream media....Why Now? I have never in my entire life seen a president go through so much media scrutiny. President Obama has just been in office for only thirty days and the media ( majority of them ) are just having a field day, with every move this president makes. I wouldn't care if the president was a republican...this is just pathetic. Okay, now I will take a deep breath and get back to what is fact and what is perception. Every single day there are media outlets that have dedicated hours scrutinizing the president, even to the stupid point of, " Who will be able to text the president on his blackberry. This isn't media worthy. Then you see these polls and surveys being conducted weekly on the performance of the president. Daily discussions on the different media outlets about the negatives and a little about the positives of the "stimulus package" or the "spending package", just depends on how you want to spin it. Bottom line, the government has always spent money. I wonder what people thought when social security was first administered and so shortly after the depression. President Obama has enough on his desk, this man has the United States of America and the whole world to think about. It amazes me when I hear the different media outlets talk about the "liberal media". Ask any sensible minded person, if they think that the media is being "Fair and Balanced. Speaking of "Fair and Balanced", you may want to read the first post that was published July 2008. President Obama incurred an economical fiasco, he didn't create this, so stop trying to make him pay for something he didn't create. Where was all of this media scrutiny when we started wasting money after we had just come out from a presidency where there was a "surplus". For many years, the media never questioned every dollar and cent that was being spent or wasted. The only other president that was scrutinized often, but definitely not as much was, President Clinton, remember the president, who left us with the "surplus". We didn't hear about the the first round of TARP money that was distributed under the former president's administration on a daily basis. I still don't know how that money was distributed, in fact I know so much about what this president is doing more than any other president's of the past. Personally, I am going to stay focused and positive, and start looking at more family oriented programming. but I would like to send this request to mainstream media.... Dear Mr. and Mrs. Media....Could you please be the bearer of good news, I am pretty sure with as many people we have living in this country, there has to be great and wonderful things happening to someone each and every hour, it would make us all feel so much better. I hope this isn't asking to much of you....Mr. and Mrs. Media, thank you and have a blessed and wonderful day.

America Are We Facing Another "Great Depression"

Have you heard the news lately? We are in a "Recession", according to some leading economists. I know these highly educated, well written individuals have studied the numbers and have studied the history of how the economic stability of this country has been affected by several key indicators, which in turn allow them to base their "scholarly conclusions". I truly believe that we are already in a "Depression". We just haven't heard the media and the economists say that we are. But I guarantee you that once you hear that dreaded word, then people will begin to say, " We are in a depression". Think about it, politicians are saying that we need to do something immediately as it relates to a "stimulus plan". When I hear the word immediate, that sounds like, if you don't do anything quickly then it is an automatic eminent catastrophe. Ask anyone who has lost their job and home if they think that they are in a "depression" and most likely they will not say, that this is just a minor setback. Anyone that is facing a financial crisis is emotionally depressed. So, I guess the millions of people that are without employment is in a depression. What does it take for economists to say that we are in a depression ? What are the key indicators for which they base their findings? When you hear about the "Great Depression", you often hear about the soup lines, people pawning anything to make an extra dollar, suicides, bankruptcies, foreclosures and more. If, I am not mistaken we have already heard those stories lately. Americans that have lost their jobs, homes and any other financial investments are in a depression, and those that are still employed and don't know the future of their employment and financial situation is in a recession. Another factor to take into consideration, this country is facing a global war on terrorism, global economic crisis and more. The "Great Depression" was quite different, read your history. If you really want to see the state of employment and economy in this country, click on to the U.S. Department of Labor-Bureau of Labor Statistics http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.nr0.htm . Oh, but there is a silver lining in all of this, it is called entrepreneurship and becoming more self sufficient and more responsible in how we spend, invest and save our finances. Haven't we always been told that you can't always depend on someone else to fix "your problems". Whether we are in a depression or a recession, don't allow your self to be overwhelmed in self pity as it relates to your financial situation. Start today and think about how you are going to be the winner at the final end of all of this.....as the old saying goes, "This too shall pass".

Corporate America In Need Of Governement Assistance

August 26, 1996...President Bill Clinton signed the "Welfare Reform Bill", that ended a guarantee on federal aide. The measure imposed a five year limit on benefits, which required individuals that were able to work to find employment. President Clinton's idea was to overhaul the federal welfare system as we knew it. Many titles were given to individuals that were receiving welfare in the past, such as "Welfare Queens ". You also had those individuals that would constantly make racial or insensitive comments anytime they saw or heard anything that related to welfare and who it affected. Does this sound familiar, " I don't like it that my tax paying dollars are taking care of someone that is sitting at home, having all of these children and won't work. "Where are the fathers"? "If I can get out and work, so can they"! Well, guess what......while everyone is watching the " little man", corporations have been receiving government assistance for just as long as these welfare recipients. Under President Clinton's "Welfare Reform Bill", many former welfare recipients were looking for employment and many of these people had a hard time trying to find something that would give them hope. Back then $7.00 an hour on a job was great for those individuals, they accepted it and tried to hold their head up. Have you ever actually spoken with someone that was caught up in the welfare system. I knew of an older married couple and their two children in the early 1980's that was spending over $400.00 a month to live in the housing projects. I asked one day, why were they paying so much for rent , they told me the reason being was that both of their incomes equated to them paying higher rent. Then my next question was, "Why don't you'll try to move into an apartment?" They stated,"Because we don't make enough to qualify for an apartment". All I could do was shake my head in disbelief. In the meantime companies have been receiving government grants and all types of federal funding. This corporate bailout isn't anything new. Think about it, even the private educational institutions receive some type of federal assistance, many major companies that move into a city or state receive some type of "stimulus package". Companies are given incentives all the time. It appears that some of these companies have their hands out too! Why do you think corporate america have lobbyists? On a positive note, if it wasn't for a lot of these companies, a lot of people would not be employed. Corporate America has been great for millions of Americans. September 2008, President Bush signed a bill to release $350 billion (TARP) to help failing companies. I agree, if we had not tried to help these companies, more people would have been standing in the unemployment line. Just the same way that many individuals abused the welfare system, their has also been many companies that have abused not only the tax payers dollars, but also the shareholders and employees of those companies. When Enron failed, we should have been taking a closer look at how companies were being managed or mismanaged. Just like many individuals had to get out and be responsible under President Clinton's " Welfare Reform Bill". Maybe our government should pass the "Corporate Welfare Reform Bill" !

Do You Have A "Stimulus Package"..What About Your Future

Okay, the House passed the President's $819 billion stimulus plan, with no Republican support. We have heard from the Republican party as well as some Democrats that their is a lot of "pork" in this stimulus package to jump start the economy. The bill sounds and looks impressive until, I had a chance to review the "Housing Area". The question I want to know is why isn't there more. Why don't we take about a couple of million out of each of these areas and help the homebuyers that are in distress now. If I am not mistaken, the housing market was a "cancer" that spreaded to other areas. This economy is in shambles. It appears that the every day American really don't know if they will have a job, keep their home or small business, family or be able to afford health care. Ask yourself this question......do you feel secure in your job? Do you think that your small business will be able to succeed in another year? Statistics have proven that a lot of businesses fail within the three to five year period during a start up. Honestly, we truly can not blame the government totally for our problems. So many people are so quick to blame the government for everything. The government are individuals just like we are. They have wasted money and so have we. How many times have you heard the expression " Buying steaks with hamburger money". The problem is that we as Americans waste too much money on things we don't need. Example, you are late on your bill, but you would rather buy a carton of cigarettes than to pay your bill. Many years ago I read a book talking about how little Americans save. We are so focused on appearing as if we "have it all" and many of us hardly have $100.00 in our savings or checking account. If you talk to someone who has been through the depression, you can learn a lot from them. Do you see them being as worried. It is a sad day, during these times that we are living from paycheck to paycheck. Now we hear about consumer confidence is low. Consumers aren't buying enough to keep the economy going. What has happened that we have been so "happy go lucky" in our spending for such a long time Retailers and other businesses have depended on our spending habits. True, there has been a lot of corporate greed And let's not talk about how the government has spent the tax payers dollars. The bottom line, many hard working Americans didn't ask for these economic times. Suggestion....Start saving more if you can. Pay close attention to what bills are being passed. Be more responsible in your future and last but not least create your own "Stimulus Package".