Leadership in Need of a Memory

I've been watching the "debate" about the President's economic stimulus package after its passage.

Let's see if I've got this correct. Not one Republican in the House voted for it AFTER the President bowed to their requests for tax cuts and removed a family planning provision that eliminated condom distribution.

Hmm...first, what's a better stimulus package than the one that contains a condom?!
Oh, perhaps they didn't realize that a U.S. company would actually have to manufacture those condoms and that having fewer pregnancies may be a good thing because there'd be less mouths to feed. Ok...perhaps that's WAY out into the future.
But, I couldn't help but laugh when I heard that condoms were eliminated from the stimulus! Don't condoms and stimulus go together?!

Now seriously...let's discuss the tax cuts. Hasn't anyone recognized the fact that the last administration made it a TOP priority to cut taxes, and look where it got us. Don't people have to have jobs in order to enjoy the benefits of a tax cut?

Tax cuts are one of those things that people can't put in their wallet NOW. It doesn't trickle down because greed gets in the way and most people would rather have the cash or at least the means towards getting some.

I also had to laugh when I heard those tired old words from Republican leaders that Democrats are doing their famous "tax and spend" thing and to watch out for "Socialism." Wait, no administration spent more than the last one. Or did more "Socialist" tactical approaches to the economy than the Bush group. Ok, so maybe they didn't tax and spend, they just spent. Now our children and their children will have to pay for it, most likely through taxes. Hmm...less income and more spending - who, in the last administration, thought of that!

No wonder things are so screwed up economically. Lemme see, spend on credit as a fiscal policy but tell the citizens that they should watch their credit spending. Do away with regulations on the banks, insurance companies and other corporations that directly affect the populace and then use the people's money to bail them out while those same regular folks are left holding the bags (both theirs AND the corporations).

Why do politicians have such short memories? Why do they twist things and not take responsibility for past actions? Why don't we hold them accountable, especially during interviews. If they don't answer...keep asking.

It's a dark comedy this political stuff. And the folks politicians try to leave in the dark are us. The U.S. is in terrible shape and yet we hear the same crap coming out of the mouths of our elected officials. The last eight years took us from prosperity to the dumpster and we should hold the people who put us in this position (and their policies) under a microscope and make them answer for their actions.

I know that many of the politicians in Washington, D.C. are in need of a memory...let's make sure we aren't.

Leadership that Listens

Tomorrow begins the first full week of President Obama's administration. It's been an amazing time, these past few days, to be able to witness the historic events of Tuesday and the way the President has worked since then. I just heard (on CNN) that he was working this weekend. That, in and of itself, is a departure from the past eight years.
And...one more thing that America and the world has seen - our new Head of State actually welcomes other people's opinions. Even from folks who disagree with him!
It's refreshing and uplifting to recognize that intellectual discourse has returned to Washington and that, from a large majority of our citizens, pride in our leadership has begun to return.
Congratulations Mr. President and congratulations America!

A new kind of leadership

I read the December retail sales results today and they were not pretty...not even for Wal-Mart.
So, what's it gonna take to bring leadership into the retail world.
Perhaps a person or company that has real compassion for the average consumer. One who understands the needs of the individual and business that struggles everyday to make ends meet.
Needs...not so much wants.
The company that shows leadership in that area will ultimately thrive.
Think about all the "stuff" that we're sold and how much of it is based on want, rather than need.
After reading the facts from the December report I recognized that folks have cut back spending on just about everything.
Once people have their needs met then, and maybe only then, will the vast majority of them starts spending on wants.
The company and/or entreprenuer that can create a culture that shows people they truly care and can devise a pricing structure for the consumers needs, based on a fair mark-up along with high quality will ultimately show leadership in helping to start the retail world up again.
I know it sounds simple, but take my word for it...as many of you know, I've been there (and it was during tough times as well), and it's not as easy (because of our culture) as it seems.

Happy New Year!

Wishing everyone a Happy, Healthy and Prosperous New Year filled with love, peace and joy!
I hope that 2009 turns out to be a great year for all of us.
And...that the leaders we depend upon (including ourselves) use wisdom, insight, kindness, and compassion, while making the choices necessary to create a better world.