THE ENTERPRISE--OBAMA'S "MAKING IT WORSE"
THE SECOND HALF OF OBAMA'S TERM IS HERE--NOW WHAT?
After throwing TRILLIONS OF $$$ of American taxpayers' money at the US economic problems, the recovery is lagging, job growth is still below what it takes just to absorb new work force entrants, and unemployment is "officially" (understated) at 9.1% and really closer to 10-15% depending on how you calculate it. More Americans are out of work, and for longer than ever since the great depression. The president who ran on a platform of remaking America is doing just that--HE'S MAKING IT WORSE!
Barack Obama spent his first year blaming everything on George Bush (some of which was honestly deserved, but far from all of it); he spent the next year burying America in a debt (deficit) so huge that no one is quite sure how to dig our way out. Now he wants to keep doing it. If Iraq was Bush's mistake, Afghanistan was "Obama's war:" How's that going? Not so well. Afghanistan is an unwinnable war; the US is negotiating with the Taliban (reportedly)--but that is not a bad idea. We need to get out of there except for a "watching post" to keep track of the Afghanis (Taliban too) and the Pakistanis who have proven to be incapable and untrustworthy at best, devious at worst.
CONTROLLING AMERICANS AND THEIR LIVES IS NOT MAKING THINGS BETTER
Obamacare is the crowning achievement of his first two years. It is a Byzantine mess, it is full of a mixture of good ideas, bad ideas and just simply expensive, unworkable ideas. That's why already 3 million of Obama's chosen ones have been granted exceptions. More will follow. The financial regulation act (Doddering-Frankenstein) is so large and inscutable that it will take yet another huge government bureaucracy to interpret it, enforce it, and revise it.
Government is notably lousy at managing business and no better at regulating it--refer to the Sarbanes-Oxley Bill which has cost "millions and billions" (an Obama term) to do what much simpler laws would have accomplished. I know about this having served on 3 corporate audit committees during its early years of existence. So here we are. Obama clearly plans to run for a second term--he's doing it now. REMEMBER: OBAMA PLEDGED TO CHANGE AMERICA AND HE'S DOING IT—HE'S MAKING IT WORSE!
THE CHALLENGE IS CHOOSING SOMEONE TO OPPOSE HIM--I SUGGEST THE US SENATE FOR A START
Taking control of the House has slowed the march of the Democratic/Obama "Making it Worse" machine. IF the GOP can take control of the Senate, this will further stop the decline, the insane deficit spending and the big government takeover of American lives. A viable candidate to oppose Obama will emerge in due time. For now. my motto is simple: "ABO!"—Anybody But Obama! Obama is making America worse. (In college football, we ask for the resignation of a Coach who does the wrong things.....how about in Government?)
Even Rahm Emmanuel, the newly elected Mayor of Chicago opened with a speech about how Chicago has to change its ways, curtail spending and seek to return to some semblance of fiscal sanity. Gov. Christie is doing it in NJ; Gov. Daniels has done it in IN; Gov. Kasich is doing it in OH; Gov. Scott is trying to do it in FL. These are living examples of how the right-thinking leadership can help "fix America."
THE OHIO STATE FOOTBALL "SCANDAL" & JIM TRESSEL
Now that I have read the Sports Illustrated article full of allegations about Ohio State's coaches and football players, I am ready to weigh in. Yes, Jim Tressel was wrong when he failed to report things he knew and then lied about it later. His career is ruined and he will pay the price for those errors. Yes, he probably practiced "plausible deniability" many times during his career. He was hired to coach a football team, and when that includes keeping track of and controlling the actions of boosters and approximately 100 adolescent football players, many from tough, poor, inner city backgrounds, that becomes an impossible task. That is why Jim Tressel now joins a long list of otherwise "distinguished" coaches who were "nailed" by the profiteers at the NCAA and the sensationalist journalists at some publication--notably Sports Illustrated.
SO NOW WHAT? CLEANING UP COLLEGE FOOTBALL WOULD BE DEVASTATING IF ANYONE REALLY DUG INTO IT
I lived in Oklahoma during Barry Switzer's glory days, then I lived in Tennessee for 11 years and saw the misadventures of a lot of (mostly black, mostly poor, mostly inner city) student athletes who got into all kinds of trouble. I saw (and knew) boosters who thwarted every rule in the book to "take care of" prized athletes and recruits. If SI is so righteous, it should investigate every major college football program in America. That will keep it busy for the next 5-10 years with the "dirt" it would find.
And maybe someone should investigate SI. At least two of the additional 9 players named in the article, backed by their parents, have vehemently denied the accusations--one threatens legal action against SI. Ultimately, the fault lies with the system, not the coaches and not the kids. The NCAA is a monopoly, and not at all a benevolent one. The BCS is not far behind it. To fix the problem, fix the system. Reform not only the system, but also the so-called "governing bodies"--the NCAA and the BCS, et. al.
IS IT FAIR TO FOOTBALL PLAYERS?
Everyone knows that college football is the minor leagues for the NFL. Basketball changed that a long time ago--not for the better, because now there are the "one and done" stars who come to college for the obligatory year and then jump to the NBA or some European league. But back to football. The real question is one of what are student athletes supposed to do?
They become indentured servants of the athletic program they choose. They get room and board, books and fees paid by their scholarships. But what else? Do they get an allowance for spending money? No. They have to squeeze that out of the meal allowance they receive (after their freshman year, when they often only get "swipes" of a card in university dining spots.) Do they get a clothing allowance to dress well? Nope. Do they get gas money for their car, or maintenance of the car, or even a car? Nope. Take the bus around the campus. When their parents are poor (which is at least half of the time), there is little or no money coming from home.
THEY DARE NOT ACCEPT HELP, OR SELL ANYTHING HAVING TO DO WITH THEIR FOOTBALL PROGRAM, NOR CAN THEY TAKE ANY MEANINGFUL "REAL JOB"
Why? Against NCAA rules. Even freebies like meals are carefully scrutinized. Selling anything, including their autograph is a no-no. Jobs are suspect because playing a major college sport at the highest level, and maintaining academics that are what college is supposed to be all about combine to occupy all of their time, except for personal free time in limited "off-season" periods. Then, if they are injured, that might be taken care of by the school, but the after effects and peripheral problems (mobility, class attendance, etc.) are their problem too.
Sound like as much fun as you thought? Not quite. It's fun for some, a ticket to the pros for others and a pressure-packed 4-5 years for most athletes. A very small fraction of college athletes make it in the pros. Their glory is derived from exploits during their college "career." No income. No long term benefits other than some recognition which fades quickly. Maybe even no degree!
SOLUTIONS? HERE'S ONE--PROBABLY ZERO CHANCE OF SUCCESS--BUT A GUTSY MOVE WHERE SOMETHING MUST BE DONE
South Carolina's head ball coach offered an interesting (yet far-from-feasible?) proposal Wednesday that would give 70 players a $300 stipend every game. Steve Spurrier acknowledged that the plan probably won't get very far at the Southeastern Conference's annual meetings or in the NCAA realm, but it could open the door for future dialogue on the issue of sharing millions in college football revenue with the guys who really make it happen.
Spurrier had done the math. And knowing that football coaches, especially those in Bowl Championship Series conferences, are making enough to foot the bill. He said the players could use the extra cash to give to their parents for travel, lodging and meals, or they could take their girlfriends out for dinner.
ROGER BLACKWELL IS BACK HOME (OUT OF PRISON), STILL CLAIMS HIS INNOCENCE, AND IS STILL AS INSIGHTFUL AS EVER
Many of you know about Dr. Roger Blackwell, the 40 year distinguished Marketing professor from Ohio State who was found guilty of obstruction of justice and being part of a conspiracy that led to inside trading (but not of insider trading).
Roger served almost 5 years of a incredibly harsh 76 month sentence (thanks to a mean-spirited judge who had a history with him, but refused to recuse himself). I won't go any deeper into the circumstances that led to this travesty of justice. Plenty was in the news about it back when the trial was going on.
My purpose in mentioning this was to point you to one of the most useful and interesting hour-long presentations you can find. Roger spoke at the Columbus Metropolitan Club recently and you can find the video of it on-line. Go to http://www.columbusMetropolitanClub.org, and click “Archive” tab on left and then click on “BlipTV” button in middle. Scroll down and you can watch Roger Blackwell's first significant speaking spot since getting out of prison. He is still a brilliant guy, and on target with so many of his thoughts.
GOP PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES?
If Obama's one line summary is HOPE & CHANGE—HE'S MADE IT WORSE then the next GOP Candidate's like must be "FIXING AMERICA--THE RETURN TO PROSPERITY"
2012 GOP Presidential Hopefuls 6/4/11 (Remember how inexperienced Barack Obama was and is?)
---Mitt Romney. He should have been the candidate in 2008. With a sharper message on overreaching bureaucrats and the economy, he’ll do better than in 2008. His health care baggage, his abortion flip-flops, and his Mormon religion are drawbacks. I liked him 4 years ago, and don’t fully understand his apparent lack of GOP primary voter appeal.
---Tim Pawlenty. Retired as Minn.’s governor, attractive to moderates and independents but not to conservatives. Solid, but not enough sizzle, no matter how hard he tries.
---Herman Cain—Name recognition low, but growing, as is his "stature." He's an experienced executive at Coke and Pillsbury, former CEO of Godfather Pizza, former Chairman of the National Restaurant Assoc., former Board Chairman of the Federal Reserve of Kansas City, (and a cancer survivor which is what took him out of public life for a while) and lately an Atlanta radio talk show host. He is the anti-Obama—a fiscal conservative, an experienced leader and manager, and an inspirational, articulate black man. Drawback: NO government experience as elected official.
---Ron Paul (again)—Fiscally conservative but too old, too Libertarian. Wants to influence the discussion. TOO OLD.
---Michelle Bachman—Tea Party favorite from a Northern Midwestern state. Maybe too polarizing a figure, but she will split the Palin base—big time—if she stays in.
---Jon Huntsman—Former Gov. of Utah, a rich, popular moderate. Just back from serving as Obama’s ambassador to China. Also a Mormon. Too soon to tell.
---Rick Santorum—former Senator from PA, who lost by double digits in his last Senate race? C’mon—find a better spot to run for.
---Rick Perry—Governor of Texas—not sure he’ll run. Doesn’t really want to, just like Chris Chrisie, Mitch Daniels, etc..
---Sarah Palin—She likes…being a celebrity and “king maker”…has a following but still lacks the “gravitas” and foreign affairs "chops" to be President in these tough times. Her negatives are just too great to be electable.
---Newt Gingrich. Hang it up! The former House speaker will struggle with fund-raising, and though his strident rhetoric will stoke the far right, it’ll alienate others. Nope! Plenty smart, great policy guy, but too much old baggage & “shoots himself in the foot” the first week out.
---HOW ABOUT A TICKET OF TWO PEOPLE WHO DO NOT WANT TO RUN?
Paul Ryan & Marco Rubio
(It's unusual for members of the House to even run for the Presidency, let alone get elected. Watch these two--even though neither wants to run!Z
THAT'S IT FOR TODAY.
Enjoy the summer; it's finally here.
Best, JOHN
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