THE ENTERPRISE
WHAT HAPPENED?
There has been plenty said and written about the elections' outcome. Here's the summary: Democracy worked. The majority of the voters did not like the directions and actions taken by many incumbents, so they elected different ones. Time will tell whether the wave of new (more conservative) Democrats in Congress can make a difference when the key committee leadership spots are filled with the older, more liberal party members. It makes me nervous--but hopeful.
MISBEHAVIOR AND HUBRIS GOT WHAT WAS DESERVED
When legislators don't "walk the talk" and get power hungry and self-serving, they get thrown out. Some good ones (GOP-ers) went down with the ones who deserved it. (e.g., OH Sen. Mike Dewine) The Bush administration's new found attitude is about 2 years late; replacing Rumsfeld after the mistakes in Iraq became apparent would have been more timely, albeit more difficult then. Bush "stayed the course" too rigidly and too long. He gets an A in fortitude and an F in relationship building--domestically and internationally. President Bush's economic plan (cut taxes) worked, but his failure to veto runaway spending was deplorable. Now he is humbler. Let's see if he is wiser.
WHAT TO DO NOW?
What should Republicans do now? Learn humility and learn how to govern without the majority. Earn respect again. An old (wise) friend of mine always told me that the US works better with a Democratic Congress and a Republican President--one who's not afraid to use his veto pen. We'll see if he's still right. At least the initial talk is refreshingly positive. I wonder how long before it deteriorates to a trench fight again. I sure hope they ALL mean it when they say they want to collaborate and find common ground to deal with America's problems.
NEGATIVITY & MONEY--RICHEST AMERICANS=DEMOCRATS
The negativity of the political campaigns certainly turned off many voters. Perhaps it will be a turning point, and future candidates will advertise to tell us what they stand for and plan to do instead of slinging mud at their opponents. On the topic of wealth, expect tax increases on the wealthiest Americans--but ironically, those are Democrats more often than Republicans. Check it out for yourself if you don't believe that. Start with George Soros and Warren Buffett.
THE BEST THINGS I READ "POUND FOR POUND"
Many people have asked what I read or where I get info, and this topic is particularly suitable as publishers are offering deals that let people sign up friends at discount rates.
Here are my "pound for pound" favorites for busy people:
--Kiplinger Forecasts http://www.kiplingerforecasts.com/ comes weekly, either in paper or on-line. It's a bit pricey but full of good content--arguably the best I get--and well worth the cost.
--The Week http://theweekmagazine.com/ which is sort of a "Readers Digest" of current affairs across the board. Just enough of differing perspectives on a wide array of topics and very thin, so it won't overload the briefcase when traveling.
FOR DEPTH AND BREADTH
Some people favor the New York Times, but it is still too liberal for my taste. I prefer the Wall Street Journal, which is somewhat narrower in content (and more conservative). I get all my sports news on-line anyway. (Entertainment and celebrity news is so pervasive, I get it everywhere, whether I want it or not.) For business topics, Fortune still wins. Its writers are better and its fact checking is solid. (Unlike Business Week, which has great features and marginal side stories that are often full of flaws, and Forbes, which is uneven in its content and quality--one week great, one week awful.)
FOR FUN AND INFO
Stratfor http://www.stratfor.com is a great source of deep "Intel" at $100/yr. Fast Company is fun, sometimes insightful, often irreverent or visually "spicy," and a bargain at a $10 subscription price. Business 2.0 is variable in quality--one issue is great, the next hits the wastebasket quickly. After those, only "specialty" magazines make it for me--Consumer Reports (what to buy, or not), Automobile (I love cars), Popular Science (far out stuff, but fun), and Cowboys & Indians (I love the Southwestern US and long for the simpler times). Golf World is hands down the best golf magazine--few tips to confuse me--just great news and stories for serious golf enthusiasts. Bottom Line-Personal is full of useful snippets. And of course, MacWorld...for us Mac users.
ELECTRONIC MEDIA
Fox News still gets my vote for most times, but Glenn Beck on CNN (and on the radio--when he isn't getting too wild), and Joe Scarborough on CNBC still get my attention. Tim Russert is arguably the best network-affiliated news person today--sometimes biased, sometimes not--but always incisive and insightful Other network news: forget it.
FIVE ELECTION-TIME LESSONS FOR BUSINESS AND LIFE
There are profound lessons for business and life from the recent political arena.
First, "do your homework--diligently." I've had this one bite me every time I didn't prepare. Bush certainly had it bite him, with Iraq and several other issues (e.g., Dubai port management).
Second, "surround yourself with the best people--but seek dissenting viewpoints--and listen up." Getting mired in the "we're right and everyone else is wrong" mentality is a sure way to fail miserably.
Third, "Do the right thing, no matter how hard, whether anyone is watching or not." Everyone is a leader, by their actions if not by their words (or role in life or work). Somebody is always watching and eventually, you will get caught. Make sure you get caught doing the right things.
Fourth, Remember that "what goes around, comes around." The Bible says (paraphrasing) 'he who is last shall be first and he who is first shall be last." When you are on top, there is only one way to go--down. And when you go down, hope you behaved well when you were on top, because everything in your future will depend on that.
Finally--Help others and see the best in others.
Click on this link or load it into your browser and watch this.
A MUST WATCH VIDEO: <http://www.teachermovie.com/>http://www.TeacherMovie.com
I hope THE ENTERPRISE helps you. Have a great week.
Best, John
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