THE ENTERPRISE—"THE SUN WILL COME OUT, TOMORROW"
Lyrics from the song from ANNIE
The sun'll come out
Tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar
That tomorrow
There'll be sun!
Just thinkin' about
Tomorrow
Clears away the cobwebs,
And the sorrow
'Til there's none!
When I'm stuck a day
That's gray,
And lonely,
I just stick out my chin
And Grin,
And Say,
Oh!
The sun'll come out
Tomorrow
So ya gotta hang on
'Til tomorrow
Come what may
Tomorrow! Tomorrow!
I love ya Tomorrow!
You're always
A day
A way!
WHEN A BAD STORM OF ANY KIND COMES THROUGH
It eventually passes, but sometimes leaves serious damage. Remember the Hurricane Katrina? The Tsunami? The last great California earthquake? Mt. St. Helen's eruption. All wreaked havoc. All were done and finally, the sun came up. But it shone on damage that took months, years or longer to repair. The loss of lives was irreparable. This is a good metaphor for the recent recession. Sings of recovery are showing, but the question is whether they are the brief glimpses of sunshine before another wave of the storm hits. Nobody knows. All we know is that eventually, hopefully sooner rather than later, "tomorrow" comes. Even if you don't know when "tomorrow" is coming, will you be ready for it when it finally comes?
THE ONLY QUESTION IS WHEN IS TOMORROW ARRIVING?
This wonderful song from the Broadway show "Annie was proposed to me as a title and theme for an edition of THE ENTERPRISE, and I never miss a chance to take a good suggestion. My wife keeps asking me: "Is the recovery really started?" My answer usually is, "It's getting less bad, and maybe we are at the bottom and poised to come back--but it will be a long, slow and spotty climb out." But yes, "the sun will come up tomorrow"--one of these tomorrows. Inventories are being worked down. Layoffs are slowing, even though rehiring will take a long time to begin. After going through the pain of cutting, employers will do everything they can to keep payroll costs down before rehiring in any meaningful numbers.
EVERYTHING IS RELATIVE
When we say the economy is down 5%--which is a big number--what we didn't say is that 95% of the economy is still there, chugging along. Somehow, that gets lost in the gloom and doom talk. When we see the 4Q of 2009 outperform the 4Q of 2008, we will be happy, but must remember the 4Q of 2008 was UGLY, and we still won't be up to the 4Q of 2007. Human nature rules and in good times, we are too optimistic; in bad times we are too pessimistic. Both of these create problems--boom, then bust--then recovery. The big questions, which no one can answer with much confidence is how much recovery, how fast, and in how long a time? Most economists are betting "soon," but "slow" and "over the next 18-24 months or more."
THE RECESSION WILL END--TECHNICALLY--SOON
It is likely that the 3Q of 2009 will signal the end of the recession as technically defined--a decline in the GDP. That's the good news. But just like hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and tsunamis, the damage left afterward will remain a problem. There will be millions of houses either in foreclosure or on the brink of it. The unemployment rate, now at 9.4% will probably creep past 10%, but actually there are more like 16-17% of Americans unemployed (the difference is those who gave up looking for a job), and another 5% "underemployed." These people found jobs, sometimes two of them, but not close to earning what they earned before. Retirement portfolios, while much better than the start of the year, are still way down, leaving postponed, distressed near-retirees. But with all that, "the sun will come up, tomorrow." Improvement will happen, even if in fits and starts. That means the smart Americans will be ready and try to capitalize on the recovery, whatever its trajectory.
A GREAT PIECE OF PERSPECTIVE
Again, from a reader, this is an important paragraph to read--twice or three times--(my emphasis added).
Just reviewed the BLS data again. There are twice as many Government workers as manufacturing workers 22m vs. 11m. There are only 140m employed Americans. 14.1 m unemployed, and 81m who aren't employed or unemployed. (many are discouraged workers - not on unemployment) The largest non-governmental service job sector is retail employment at 14m - still smaller than government employment. Education & Health Services is at 19m still less than government employment. So simple math tells you - we will never, ever be able to pay for our government unless we start creating more non-government jobs to tax. We have to chop or build - just like any business.
HOW DO WE CREATE JOBS?
1) Small companies create jobs, far more effectively than big ones. This is why we hope the government's frantic spending spree doesn't lead to a frantic taxing spree that will cripple our best job creation engine--small business.
2) Exports also create jobs, so it is important that the government's efforts to protect American workers and jobs doesn't turn into a trade war that stifles exports. America still has a lot to offer the rest of the world.
3) Finally, and perhaps most important of all, innovation creates jobs. Innovation is best done in the private sector, not in government bureaucracies.
But, companies must be "in business" to create jobs, so the first priority is to survive, then succeed. Somehow, get through the storm. And this is an area where the government is NOT helping and many of its initiatives are actually HURTING small businesses.
MAKE CAPITAL AVAILABLE AND/OR FORGIVE SOME LOANS OR DECLARE INTEREST MORATORIUMS FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
If the government wants to really jump start the economy it will help small businesses (and not just with tax breaks--they have precious little in profits, so tax breaks are small). Give small businesses access to capital that is too risky for shell-shocked banks to handle. The vehicle is in place: the Small Business Administration. Forgive some loans, or offer interest moratoriums on existing loans. Relieve some of the most difficult regulatory restrictions that were meant for recalcitrant big business--not the mom and pop shops. Is there anyone is positions of influence in Washington who was ever successful in operating a competitive business? I'm waiting to hear the name(s).
PUSH EXPORTS BY WORKING WITH AND HELPING BIG EXPORTERS
And push exports by offering some kind of incentives to the largest exporters--and those are big businesses who will know how to use tax credits and other government programs. Think of Boeing, Caterpillar, and firms of this type, who can export products all over the world. That creates US jobs, and helps our balance of payments--both.
FUND INNOVATION IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR
Don't race to the moon or Mars. Race to Energy Independence. Don't waste time and penalize companies with Cap & Trade. Electric/hybrid cars may use less gas, but they'll suck up lots more electricity. Fuel their efforts with incentives to develop "Cleaner coal--because nobody knows how to do really 'clean coal' yet. Use more natural gas for transportation. Push for new, safer and smaller, and faster into operation nuclear power plants. It's clean, it's efficient and even with its waste disposal issues, it doesn't pipe the waste up into the air we breathe. Provide incentives for better Solar Energy technology. The Sun is the best source of energy--it's free and it's always on. Find ways to harness it--more economically than before. With abundant solar energy, many other breakthroughs are possible, like desalination plants to provide water to the dry thirst west--before the Colorado River goes completely dry. Every one of these can spawn large and small businesses, and every one of them.
AND FOR THOSE GOVERNMENT JOBS THAT WASHINGTON IS DESPERATE TO CREATE
I'm fundamentally against government job creation because 1) they do it poorly; 2) they take money from the private sector to do it; and 3) they compete with the private section and if they can't win, they cheat. Given that, there are some things the government could "spearhead:"
Improve the Power Grid in the USA. It has been on the brink of disaster for years.
Upgrade the Air Traffic Control System and put some new GPS satellites up there to support it--the current ones are getting old. Fix our Interstate system.
Find ways to put high speed trains in densely populated areas, to reduce both air traffic and ground traffic. Even if they are "short runs" they will help. Run them in the right of way of the Interstates if property access is a problem.
Test the feasibility of Tidal Power generation. As long as the moon is up there, the tides will move in and out every day. Why not harness some of that energy for densely populated coastal areas.
Fund a massive "contest" to find the best, biggest, most practical, fastest to implement and most cost effective form of solar power generation. Call it "The Race to the Sun!"
AM I ALONE IN THINKING UP THESE THINGS? I SURE HOPE NOT.
There you have it my friend. Perhaps the best one is to truly focus (pun intended) our attention on solar energy using every kind of technology imaginable. Energy will be the all-consuming issue of the next half century--because nothing works without it. Think about it. Turn off all the power and what do you have? Nothing, zip, nada,—but a dark, unpleasant, defenseless country. If we do this maybe, just maybe, "the sun will come out, tomorrow" and we can all enjoy it in more ways than one.
Lyrics from the song from ANNIE
The sun'll come out
Tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar
That tomorrow
There'll be sun!
Just thinkin' about
Tomorrow
Clears away the cobwebs,
And the sorrow
'Til there's none!
When I'm stuck a day
That's gray,
And lonely,
I just stick out my chin
And Grin,
And Say,
Oh!
The sun'll come out
Tomorrow
So ya gotta hang on
'Til tomorrow
Come what may
Tomorrow! Tomorrow!
I love ya Tomorrow!
You're always
A day
A way!
Check out the lyrics again, Because the sun WILL come up tomorrow--whenever that tomorrow comes. And it can solve our energy problems. BUT, WHEN THE SUN COMES UP, TOMORROW, WHAT KIND OF AMERICA WILL IT SHINE ON?
Best, John
=====================
PS: IF YOU DON'T THINK YOU ARE BEING MANIPULATED BY OUR PRESIDENT AND HIS POLITICAL ALLIES, YOU JUST AREN'T HEARING ABOUT IT. THIS PIECE SHOULD OPEN YOUR EYES. SPERAD IT AROUND!
Hello All,
By now you have probably heard that President Obama came to Montana
last Friday. However, there are many things that the major news has not
covered. I feel that since Bill and I live here and we were at the
airport on Friday I should share some facts with you. Whatever you
decide to do with the information is up to you. If you chose to share
this email with others I do ask that you DELETE my email address before
you forward this on.
On Wednesday, August 5th it was announced locally that the President
would be coming here. There are many groups here that are against his
healthcare and huge spending so those groups began talking and deciding
on what they were going to do. The White House would not release ANY
details other than the date.
On about Tuesday Bill found out that they would be holding the "Town
Hall" at the airport. (This is only because Bill knows EVERYONE at the
airport) Our airport is actually located outside of Belgrade (tiny
town) in a very remote location. Nothing is around there. They chose to
use a hangar that is the most remotely located hangar. You could not
pick a more remote location, and you can not get to it easily. It is
totally secluded from the public.
FYI: We have many areas in Belgrade and Bozeman which could have held a
large amount of folks with sufficient parking.
(gymnasiums/auditoriums). All of which have chairs and tables, and
would not have to be SHIPPED IN!! $$$$$
During the week, cargo by the TONS was being shipped in constantly.
Airport employees could not believe how it just kept coming. Though it
was our President coming several expressed how excessive it was,
especially during a recession. $$$$$
Late Tuesday/early Wednesday the 12th, they said that tickets would be
handed out on Thursday 9am at two locations and the president would be
arriving around 12:30 Friday.
Thursday morning about 600 tickets were passed out. However, 1500 were
printed at a Local printing shop per White House request.
Hmmmm......900 tickets just DISAPPEARED.
This same morning someone called into the radio from the local UPS
branch and said that THOUSANDS of Dollars of Lobster were shipped in
for Obama. Montana has some of the best beef in the nation!!! And it
would have been really wonderful to help out the local economy. Anyone
heard of the Recession?? Just think...with all of the traveling the
White House is doing. $$$$$ One can only imagine what else we are
paying for.
On Friday Bill and I got out to the airport about 10:45am. The groups
that wanted to protest Obama's spending and healthcare had gotten a
permit to protest and that area was roped off. But that was not to be.
A large bus carrying SEIU (Service Employees International Union)
members drove up onto the area (illegal)and unloaded right there. It
was quite a commotion and there were specifically 2 SEIU men trying to
make trouble and start a fight. Police did get involved and arrested
the one man but they said they did not have the manpower to remove the
SEIU crowd.
The SEIU crowd was very organized and young. About 99% were under the
age of 30 and they were not locals! They had bullhorns and
PROFESSIONALLY made signs. Some even wore preprinted T-shirts. Oh, and
Planned Parenthood folks were with them.....professing abortion rights
with their T-shirts and preprinted signs. (BTW, all these folks did
have a permit to protest in ANOTHER area)
Those against healthcare/spending moved away from the SEIU crowd to
avoid confrontation. They were orderly and respectful. Even though SEIU
kept coming over and walking through, continuing to be very
intimidating and aggressive at the direction of the one SEIU man.
So we had Montana folks from ALL OVER the state with their homemade
signs and their DOGS with homemade signs. We had cowboys, nurses,
doctors, you name it. There was even a guy from Texas who had been
driving through. He found out about the occasion, went to the store,
made a sign, and came to protest.
If you are wondering about the press.....Well, all of the major
networks were over by that remote hangar I mentioned. They were
conveniently parked on the other side of the buildings FAR away. None
of these crowds were even visible to them. I have my doubts that they
knew anything about the crowds.
We did have some local news media around us from this state and Idaho.
Speaking of the local media...they were invited. However, all questions
were to be turned into the White House in advance of the event.
Wouldn't want anyone to have to think off the top of their head.
It was very obvious that it was meant to be totally controlled by the
White House. Everything was orchestrated down to the last detail to
make it appear that Montana is just crazy for Obama and government
healthcare. Even those people that talked about their insurance
woes........the White House called our local HRDC (Human Resource and
Development Committee) and asked for names. Then the White House asked
those folks to come. Smoke and mirrors...EVERYTHING was
staged!!!!!!!!!!!
I am very dismayed about what I learned about our current White House.
The amount of control and manipulation was unbelievable. I felt I was
not living in the United States of America, more like the USSR!! Bill and I have been around when Presidents or
Heads of State visit. It has NEVER been like this. I am truly very
frightened for our country. America needs your prayers and your voices.
If you care about our country please get involved. Know the issues. And
let Congress hear your voices again and again!! If they are willing to
put forth so much effort to BULLY a small town one can only imagine
what is going on in Washington DC. Scary!!
Kathy
Bozeman, Montana
=====================
From THE Soviet news agency PRAVDA no less...
The World is changing, that’s for certain…
The irony of this article appearing in the English edition of Pravda (Russian State Newspaper) defies description.
American capitalism gone with a whimper
It must be said, that like the breaking of a great dam, the American descent into Marxism is happening with breath taking speed, against the back drop of a passive, hapless sheeple, excuse me dear reader, I meant people.
True, the situation has been well prepared on and off for the past century, especially the past twenty years. The initial testing grounds was conducted upon our Holy Russia and a bloody test it was. But we Russians would not just roll over and give up our freedoms and our souls, no matter how much money Wall Street poured into the fists of the Marxists.
Those lessons were taken and used to properly prepare the American populace for the surrender of their freedoms and souls, to the whims of their elites and betters.
First, the population was dumbed down through a politicized and substandard education system based on pop culture, rather than the classics. Americans know more about their favorite TV dramas then the drama in DC that directly affects their lives. They care more for their "right" to choke down a McDonalds burger or a Burger King burger than for their constitutional rights. Then they turn around and lecture us about our rights and about our "democracy". Pride blinds the foolish.
Then their faith in God was destroyed, until their churches, all tens of thousands of different "branches and denominations" were for the most part little more then Sunday circuses and their televangelists and top Protestant mega preachers were more then happy to sell out their souls and flocks to be on the "winning" side of one pseudo Marxist politician or another. Their flocks may complain, but when explained that they would be on the "winning" side, their flocks were ever so quick to reject Christ in hopes for earthly power. Even our Holy Orthodox churches are scandalously liberalized in America .
The final collapse has come with the election of Barack Obama. His speed in the past three months has been truly impressive. His spending and money printing has been a record setting, not just in America 's short history but in the world. If this keeps up for more than another year, and there is no sign that it will not, America at best will resemble the Weimar Republic and at worst Zimbabwe .
These past two weeks have been the most breath taking of all. First came the announcement of a planned redesign of the American Byzantine tax system, by the very thieves who used it to bankroll their thefts, loses and swindles of hundreds of billions of dollars. These make our Russian oligarchs look little more then ordinary street thugs, in comparison. Yes, the Americans have beat our own thieves in the shear volumes. Should we congratulate them?
These men, of course, are not an elected panel but made up of appointees picked from the very financial oligarchs and their henchmen who are now gorging themselves on trillions of American dollars, in one bailout after another. They are also usurping the rights, duties and powers of the American congress (parliament). Again, congress has put up little more than a whimper to their masters.
Then came Barack Obama's command that GM's (General Motors) president step down from leadership of his company. That is correct, dear reader, in the land of "pure" free markets, the American president now has the power, the self given power, to fire CEOs and we can assume other employees of private companies, at will. Come hither, go dither, the centurion commands his minions.
So it should be no surprise, that the American president has followed this up with a "bold" move of declaring that he and another group of unelected, chosen stooges will now redesign the entire automotive industry and will even be the guarantor of automobile policies. I am sure that if given the chance, they would happily try and redesign it for the whole of the world, too. Prime Minister Putin, less then two months ago, warned Obama and UK 's Blair, not to follow the path to Marxism, it only leads to disaster. Apparently, even though we suffered 70 years of this Western sponsored horror show, we know nothing as foolish, drunken Russians, so let our "wise" Anglo-Saxon fools find out the folly of their own pride.
Again, the American public has taken this with barely a whimper...but a "freeman" whimper.
So, should it be any surprise to discover that the Democrat controlled Congress of America is working on passing a new regulations that would give the American Treasury department the power to set "fair" maximum salaries, evaluate performance and control how private companies give out pay raises and bonuses? Senator Barney Frank, a social pervert basking in his homosexuality (of course, amongst the modern, enlightened American societal norm, as well as that of the general West, homosexuality is not only not a looked down upon life choice, but is often praised as a virtue) and his Marxist enlightenment, has led this effort. He stresses that this only affects companies that receive government monies, but it is retroactive and taken to a logical extreme, this would include any company or industry that has ever received a tax break or incentive.
The Russian owners of American companies and industries should look thoughtfully at this and the option of closing their facilities down and fleeing the land of the Red as fast as possible. In other words, divest while there is still value left. The proud American will go down into his slavery without a fight, beating his chest and proclaiming to the world, how free he really is. The world will only snicker.
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"Government is supposed to work for the people; not vice versa."
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John L. Mariotti, President & CEO, The Enterprise Group, Phone 614-840-0959 http://www.mariotti.net http://mariotti.blogs.com/my_weblog/
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