THE ENTERPRISE--LET'S STOP AND THINK ABOUT THINGS

THE ENTERPRISE--LET'S STOP AND THINK ABOUT THINGS

FINALLY A PRESIDENTIAL SPEECH I CAN AGREE WITH AND ADMIRE
I'll add my voice to the many who thought Obama (admittedly a talented speaker) "nailed it" at the Tucson memorial service--in spite of an immature and raucous audience.  This is the one speech he's given where I can find nothing to disagree with and was proud he was the President making the speech.  He is still pretty stoic, but whether he wrote a lot of it or not (it matters), it was a fitting tribute and an inspiring speech.  If only, in addition to "Gaby" opening her eyes, he would "open his eyes," and see the potential he has if he would just quite being a left wing, big government, wealth redistributing elitist.  But he won't.  He still gets credit for a great speech.  I knew it was great when the lefty talking heads on CNN were critical and the panel on Fox loved it.

My favorite line..."...what matters most is not wealth, or status, or power, or fame, but how well we have loved..." [those close to us]

A LARGE BUT UNINSPIRING CAST OF 2012 CANDIDATES
I started my own list a long time ago, seeking someone who I would like and who could beat Obama in 2012.  The list is long, and so are the odds of any of them emerging to challenge this talented speaker/campaigner, who promises hope and moderation and then does the opposite. (The curse of so many politicians).

My list as of now is:  Right now, I am underwhelmed by all but a couple of them (see ***)
Sarah Palin. She’ll draw the largest crowds but will also draw attacks from both within the party and outside it. Expect her to be one of the last to officially announce her candidacy, hoping to limit opportunities for criticism. Not for me.
Mitt Romney. With a sharper message on overreaching bureaucrats and the economy, he’ll do better than in 2008. He’s aggressively seeking support of local lawmakers in early primary states as well as social conservative groups. I liked him 4 years ago, not so sure now.  Still like his competency; wonder about voter appeal.

Mike Huckabee. With Palin in the mix, he’ll find it harder this time than last to rally conservatives around him. Plus money woes will dog him again. No thanks, would have been a good VP candidate in 2008.  Don't give up day job on FOX!

Ron Paul.  Again?  Please, not again.  Makes sense a lot but it too old, too libertarian, etc.

Newt Gingrich. Best of the "policy wonks, " but the former House speaker will struggle with fund-raising, and though his often strident rhetoric will stoke the far right, it’ll alienate others. Plenty smart, but too much old baggage.

***Haley Barbour. The Miss. governor is a fund-raising pro, likely to gather to him the GOP’s ace campaign operatives. But he’s barely known outside Dixie, tone deaf on racism at times. Maybe too Southern?  But a smooth savvy guy!

***Rick Perry, Governor of Texas. With a following and acceptable to Tea Partiers! Being Gov. of a big state is useful experience.  Smooth, accomplished, good looking, and from a big GOP state. Says he's not running; we'll see.

Tim Pawlenty. Retiring as Minn.’s governor this year, he’s Palin’s opposite, attractive to moderates and independents but not likely to inspire conservatives. Forget about him.  Dull.  No sizzle.

Mitch Daniels. The Ind. governor and former Bush budget director will position himself as a practical manager, pushing government reform and cutting the federal deficit…hardly an exciting sales pitch for the primaries. He’s the real deal but will the vote for a "not so flashy leader, so-so orator?"  I doubt it--but a possible VP?

Mike Pence.  Prominent GOP Congressman from Indiana. Not a household name.  Looks the part, but does he have the right stuff?

John Thune. ND Senator with little name recognition, uncertain popularity power.

Chris Christie. N.J.’s governor may run, but only to raise his profile with voters across the country for a more purposeful attempt down the road. A temporary fad—good ideas. But fat guys don’t do well in Pres. runs and he has plenty to do in NJ.

***Marco Rubio—the shining new face, but too new to rate—an impressive speaker…Best of the New Bunch?

Paul Ryan—the only one in the GOP with a real plan, but is he an aspiring candidate? The real thing on budgets.

Eric Cantor—a smart, competent Congressman, prominent in the GOP House, but a bit sharp-tongued.

John Kasich—OH Gov. spot was a big win—and he tried and failed once before, in 2000—lacks real sizzle—but very tough and bright.  Will gain in prominence if his OH plans work

Rob Portman—A bright new/old face who won easily in OH—Could be good VP choice in 2012 or 2016.

John Bolton—controversial UN ambassador—Forget  about it.  Few know him and many didn't like him all that much as UN guy.

Jon Huntsman—Former Utah governor, probably too moderate for current GOP, As Obama's Ambassador to China (now) he has more downside than upside in that role.

FINALLY--THE LAST TWO

***Jeb Bush--The best of the Bushes, but much more likely to run for Senate in 2010 (FL and win); could contend in 2016--especially if Obama is reelected, and there is no VP successor in the wings.  Perhaps the "third time is the charm!"

Herman Cain—African American, former CEO of Godfather's Pizza, talk show host, Baptist minister, motivational speaker and Tea Party favorite.  After Obama's rise from obscurity in 2008, and vote uprising in 2010, stranger things could happen.


LET'S SEE, IT'S WINTER AND THE WEATHER IS AWFUL--WHAT SHOULD I DO TODAY?
Whenever you wonder what to should do today....and nothing comes to mind, go to this list.  Try not to get arrested or committed.

To Maintain A Healthy Level Of Insanity
1. At Lunch Time, Sit In Your Parked Car With Sunglasses on and point a Hair Dryer At Passing Cars. See If They Slow Down.
2. Page Yourself Over the Intercom where you work. Don't Disguise Your Voice!
3..Every Time Someone Asks You To Do Something, ask "Do You Want Fries with That?"
4. Put Decaf In The Coffee Maker For 3 Weeks. Once Everyone has Gotten Over Their Caffeine Addictions, Switch to Espresso.
5. In the Memo Field Of All Your Checks, Write "For Marijuana."
6. Skip down the hall Rather Than Walk and see how many strange looks you get.
7. Order a Diet Water whenever you go out to eat; do it with a serious face.
8. Specify That Your Drive-through Order Is 'To Go'.
9. Sing Along At The Opera.
10. Five Days In Advance, Tell Your Friends You Can't Attend Their Party Because You're going to have a headache.
11. When The Money Comes Out The ATM, Scream 'I Won! I Won!'
12. When Leaving the Zoo, Start Running towards the Parking lot, Yelling 'Run For Your Lives! They're Loose!'
13. Tell Your Children Over Dinner, 'Due To The Economy, We Are Going To Have To Let One Of You Go.'
And The Final Way To Keep A Healthy Level Of Insanity
14. Pick up a box of condoms at the pharmacy, go to the counter and ask where the fitting room is.

THIS BRINGS BACK MY DAYS ON THE RAILROAD OR AT A COMPANY WITH SEVEN UNIONS
What's wrong with America these days?  Check out California!




THIS ONE WILL MAKE YOU GRIN--OR GRIMACE--AS NEWSPAPERS CHANGE IN NATURE AND INFLUENCE
Strange Demographics of U.S. Newspapers

1. The Wall Street Journal is read by the people who run the country.

2. The Washington Post is read by people who think they run the country.

3. The New York Times is read by people who think they should run the country and who are very good at crossword puzzles.

4. USA Today is read by people who think they ought to run the country but don't really understand The New York Times. They do, however, like their statistics shown in pie charts.

5. The Los Angeles Times is read by people who wouldn't mind running the country -- if they could find the time -- and if they didn't have to leave Southern California to do it.

6. The Boston Globe is read by people whose parents used to run the country and did a poor job of it, thank you very much.

7. The New York Daily News is read by people who aren't too sure who's running the country and don't really care as long as they can get a seat on the train.

8. The New York Post is read by people who don't care who is running the country as long as they do something really scandalous, preferably while intoxicated.

9. The Miami Herald is read by people who are running another country but need the baseball scores.

10. The San Francisco Chronicle is read by people who aren't sure if there is a country or that anyone is running it; but if so, they oppose all that they stand for. There are occasional exceptions if the leaders are handicapped minority feminist atheist dwarfs who also happen to be illegal aliens from any other country, or galaxy, provided of course, that they are not Republicans.

11. The National Enquirer is read by people trapped in line at the grocery store.

12. The Minneapolis Star Tribune is read by people who have recently caught a fish and need something in which to wrap it.
So, in which category do you belong.  There are probably others--like "four day old editions of any of the above, are read by people in laundromats waiting for their clothes to dry, or people who use certain public restrooms.

A POPULAR PASTIME IS SENDING AROUND STERN EMAILS ABOUT HOW THINGS ARE OR HOW THEY SHOULD CHANGE
The problem is that they are drafted by upset people who don't stop and think through the consequences of what they are proposing--or how they'd like it if it was done to them.  It's OK to be upset with Congress.  The way to deal with that is to communicate with them--directly and frequently--and then elect someone else if they don't listen and perform. 

I have added "my take" below each of these--think about what your reaction might be?
Proposed: Congressional Reform Act of 2010

1. Term Limits.
I heartily agree -- but it is so unlikely that they'll vote to limit their own terms, I don't hold much hope for it. This will only work if limits on staffers are also imposed.  They carry over from one politician to the other and are the "shadow bureaucracy/democracy."

   12 years only, one of the possible options below..

   A. Two Six-year Senate terms
   B. Six Two-year House terms
   C. One Six-year Senate term and three Two-Year House terms

2.  No Tenure / No Pension.
I don't agree with this.  They deserve  pension, since they leave their jobs, home, etc. to serve.  It should vest based on service, like everywhere else and be fully vested at 67% of their pay, after 24 years unless term limits pass and then it could vest at 50% pay after 12 years.

A Congressman collects a salary while in office and receives no pay when they are out of office. 
That's how it works now.  Isn't it?

3.  Congress (past, present & future) participates in Social Security.
Fine and just like some corporate systems, there is a compensation/offset vs. other pension plans so they don't exceed some level.

All funds in the Congressional retirement fund move to the Social Security system immediately.  All future funds flow into the Social Security system, and Congress participates with the American people.
Not practical in full.  Social Security doesn't pay enough especially if politicians do  only stay in office for 12-18 years.  They deserve a pension.  The good ones give up a lot to serve their country.  (The lousy ones we need to vote out.)

4. Congress can purchase their own retirement plan, just as all Americans do.
Most Americans have traditionally gotten this from employers.  Now that 401(k) plans are in vogue, then Congress could contribute and have it matched up to 5% of their pay.

5. Congress will no longer vote themselves a pay raise.  Congressional pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
Why "lower of?"  CPI is good enough.  "lower of" is just being nasty.

6. Congress loses their current health care system and participates in the same health care system as the American people.
Which is what?  There is none--not yet anyway.  If their employer gives them health care, what system does it use?  VA? Medicare plus supplements?  What?  Nice attempt at in your face, but not well thought out.

7. Congress must equally abide by all laws they impose on the American people.
Absolutely, but remember, "Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely."  They are still human and will do some bad things.  They should be punished (not just :"censured!"

8. All contracts with past and present Congressmen are void effective 1/1/11.
I don't even know what this means.
 

The American people did not make this contract with Congressmen.  Congressmen made all these contracts for themselves.
Of course.  The government is vested with the power to make laws.


Serving in Congress is an honor, not a career.  The Founding Fathers envisioned citizen legislators, so ours should serve their term(s), then go home and back to work.
I agree, and some do, but too many don't.  The reelection rate of incumbents is over 90%.  That's why term limits are a good solution.


A SOBERING THOUGHT TO CLOSE WITH--IT'S EASY TO THROW ROCKS AT THEM, BUT THEY DO "SERVE" FOR US
How about someone actually thinking about how they'd feel if they gave up everything for more than a year of their life as a candidate, endured mud slinging campaigns and then spent their nights sleeping in their offices in Washington, because as much as  a Congressman's salary sounds like, it is not enough to support a family and home back in the district AND rent an apartment or buy a condo in one of the most expensive cities in the country.  That fact is what tempts them to listen to and take goodies from lobbyists.

THAT'S ENOUGH RANDOM STUFF FOR ONE WEEK. 
Below I have posted a thought provoking "comic" piece about the sports choices of different levels of organizations.  Someone sent it to me and I grinned, than started thinking.

Best, JOHN

 
 
:


INTERESTING OBSERVATION



1. The sport of choice for the
urban poor is BASKETBALL.



2 The sport of choice for maintenance level employees is BOWLING



3 The sport of choice for front-line workers is FOOTBALL.



4 The sport of choice for supervisors
is BASEBALL.



5 The sport of choice for middle management is TENNIS.

and....


6 The sport of choice for corporate executives and officers is GOLF.


THE AMAZING CONCLUSION:


The higher you go in the corporate structure, the smaller your balls become.

 



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