Many people look to government to solve all of our problems. Business, such as those related to the economy or social, such as homelessness for example. Lets look at why this idea may not be the best idea.
Back in the 1980's George McGovern retired from politics after 30 years of public service. Upon his retiring him and his wife bought a small bed and breakfast. I believe it was either in Vermont or Connecticut. Two and a half years later the McGovern's business went bankrupt. Afterwards He was quoted as saying that he really had no idea what running a small business entailed. So, here was a man who for thirty years helped set business policies in Washington, first as a Congressman, then later as a Senator from South Dakota and he could not even make a success of his own business!
Almost universally all of our politicians in Washington have a background in law. How come we don't have elected officials with a background that is more suited for the job at hand. For example, say in academia for education or a background in business for economy related matters. From our elected public officials to the lobbyists and the great people that run PAC's, Washington is run almost exclusively by lawyers, Is it any wonder that 85% of the worlds lawsuits are filled right here in the good old United States!
As I read about all of the partsian infighting presently going on in Washington over the Obama administration's Two-Trillion dollar plus bailout package ( that's what it will cost after everything is said and done) The biggest accomplishment that ever seems to come out of that city is grid lock, bureaucratic red tape, higher taxes and pork barrel spending. Because of partisanship and the clash of huge egos who think that they always know what is the best for the rest of us why should we ever expect anything different? Lobbyists in particular, are only there to make sure that the interests of who they represent are heard and not for the working men and women who are responsible for building this county in the first place.
I believe that the problems that are business related should for the most part, be solved by business. Now I know that a lot of people would think that this idea is akin to letting the inmates run the asylum but what is the alternative? To have elected officials who have no clue such as George McGovern did to try to fix the economy! In order for such an idea to work however there would have to be a true performance based free market system where the accountability would have to come from within the business community itself. The folks at Enron for example would not have gotten as far as they did if there was not a massive amount of duplicity going on.
I am not encouraged that this counties problems are going to be solved anytime soon by the current administration.
Friday, February 13, 2009
Thursday, January 1, 2009
The Internet Revolution
Happy new year to everybody. Just a short time ago I was reading a news story on how at the turn of the last century we in Chicago had eleven daily newspapers and now there are only two! The Sun Times and the Tribune have both fallen on hard times and one of them might go bankrupt by the end of the year. One of the reasons for this happening is the way that people are getting their news these days, on line. Is there any aspect of our lives that is not being changed by the invention of the Internet?
A great example of this is how people work. My Grandfather had one job in his life which he got when he was 17. He retired with this company after 47 years of service! I think that people are finally beginning to realize that those days are gone forever and that the Internet is primarily responsible for this. I personally remember how we lived back in the 1960's and it is really amazing. Everything from the way we work, to the way we shop, to the way we get our news. to the way we meet people has gone though profound changes. This, I believe is only the beginning.
As revolutionary as most people think the Internet is, I think the true impact of it on our society is grossly under appreciated. In my opinion the Internet is one of the most important inventions of all time. The Internet is making potential business owners out of everybody and has effectively leveled the playing field of the business landscape all over the world. The global economy is a reality that America must face. It is coming down to one fact. Either learn it or be left behind.
Will the nine to five job soon become obsolete? It sounds like a ridiculous notion but is it really so far fetched? More and more services are being replaced by doing them on line. Just think about what is going to be possible say fifteen to twenty years from now! I hope that I have given people something to think about. Please visit one of my other blogs for more on this at http://www.reddog63personals.blogspot.com/ Again, peace and happy holidays.
Don (reddog63)
A great example of this is how people work. My Grandfather had one job in his life which he got when he was 17. He retired with this company after 47 years of service! I think that people are finally beginning to realize that those days are gone forever and that the Internet is primarily responsible for this. I personally remember how we lived back in the 1960's and it is really amazing. Everything from the way we work, to the way we shop, to the way we get our news. to the way we meet people has gone though profound changes. This, I believe is only the beginning.
As revolutionary as most people think the Internet is, I think the true impact of it on our society is grossly under appreciated. In my opinion the Internet is one of the most important inventions of all time. The Internet is making potential business owners out of everybody and has effectively leveled the playing field of the business landscape all over the world. The global economy is a reality that America must face. It is coming down to one fact. Either learn it or be left behind.
Will the nine to five job soon become obsolete? It sounds like a ridiculous notion but is it really so far fetched? More and more services are being replaced by doing them on line. Just think about what is going to be possible say fifteen to twenty years from now! I hope that I have given people something to think about. Please visit one of my other blogs for more on this at http://www.reddog63personals.blogspot.com/ Again, peace and happy holidays.
Don (reddog63)
Friday, December 12, 2008
Senate "kills" Auto Industry bail out
The Auto bailout bill died in the Senate Thursday due to GOP oposition. Some of the more influential Senators that are responsible for this are from states where foreign auto companies have there manufacturing plants. This should not be a surprise since the politicians so far have not rallied together to work for the good of all Americans. This is just one reason why we should not be optimistic for solutions to this counties economic problems to come out of Washington.
The politicians in Washington want to put the blame entirely on the auto industry but. the fact is that the auto companies were producing vehicles that Americans wanted and were popular. It makes sense that the they were not going to produce vehicles that would not sell. These vehicles (SUV's and mini vans) are by their very nature, expensive and fuel inefficient.
Who in there right mind thought that the American economy would deteriorate to its worst since the 1930's and that gas would increase to Four Dollars and Ten Cents a gallon? Clearly there is plenty of blame to go around.
What I find appalling is that the lawmakers are dragging their feet to help the auto industry with a LOAN, not a bailout, while the banks and mortgage companies practically got a blank check and they are the ones most responsible for this counties economic mess.
The government must intervene. GM alone has 100,000 retirees that depend on the industries pensions and health insurance. For these people to lose their benefits would be catastrophic to this country as it would also cause the loss of 2 million more jobs. Even the cost of gas back to 2003 levels has failed to do anything to stimulate the economy.
Lets hope that Washington can get its act together and do what it is that they need to do.
Don R. (red dog63)
The politicians in Washington want to put the blame entirely on the auto industry but. the fact is that the auto companies were producing vehicles that Americans wanted and were popular. It makes sense that the they were not going to produce vehicles that would not sell. These vehicles (SUV's and mini vans) are by their very nature, expensive and fuel inefficient.
Who in there right mind thought that the American economy would deteriorate to its worst since the 1930's and that gas would increase to Four Dollars and Ten Cents a gallon? Clearly there is plenty of blame to go around.
What I find appalling is that the lawmakers are dragging their feet to help the auto industry with a LOAN, not a bailout, while the banks and mortgage companies practically got a blank check and they are the ones most responsible for this counties economic mess.
The government must intervene. GM alone has 100,000 retirees that depend on the industries pensions and health insurance. For these people to lose their benefits would be catastrophic to this country as it would also cause the loss of 2 million more jobs. Even the cost of gas back to 2003 levels has failed to do anything to stimulate the economy.
Lets hope that Washington can get its act together and do what it is that they need to do.
Don R. (red dog63)
Friday, December 5, 2008
My introduction to the world
Hello to all you bloggers out there. My name is Don Reding. I am from Chicago Illinois and this is my brand new blog for business topics. I welcome you to blog me at anytime and post your comments, Until then peace and Happy Holidays !!!!
Don R. (red dog 63)
Don R. (red dog 63)
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