The Economic Grinch who Stole Christmas

So I am watching the classic story of the "Grinch who Stole Christmas," and it seems eerily familiar.  Oh yes, old man economy has come and stolen Christmas from many whos this year.  All around us are stories of plants and businesses closing and people loosing their jobs.  Those who still have jobs are taking pay cuts or are hedging to save money for fear of uncertainty about the what the new year will bring.

There is one bright lining, though.  Just like in the story, many of the whos who have been victims of the economy are taking the downturn in stride and finding ways to celebrate the season sans the overspending and debt accumulation. 

If there is something to be learned about this grinch of an economy is that we are resilient and that we can make it through anything.  Our common humanity has the ability to lift us to heights we do not often realize we are capable.  Maybe I am thinking a little pie in the sky, but what I see for the most part is people coming together to take care of each other.  I hear about children who console their parents for the inability to provide over-the-top Christmas'.   I see people celebrating the little the things, like a smile and a thank you.

It may get worse before it gets better, but have faith and keep your head up . . . this too shall pass. 

Qualified

Okay, so I am paying attention to all this buzz about Caroline Kennedy's expressed desire to be appointed to Hilary Clinton's presumptive vacant US Senate seat.  The issue appears to be that she may not be "qualified."  If you will recall this same issue was raised about Barack Obama, and for the life of me I just do not get it.  Well . . . yes I do.  I get it, but I am angry about it.  We complain about the US education system failing our children and that our current system is far below the systems of other developed nations, yet we talk about and publish stories such as this, which are nothing more than misleading and plain wrong.  There are only three qualifications to be a US Senator, which are that "No person shall be a Senator who shall not have attained the age of thirty, and been nine years a citizen of the United States, and who shall not, when elected, be an inhabitant of that state for which he shall be chosen."  In other words, one must be 1) 30 years old, 2) a US citizen for 9 years, and 3) an inhabitant of the state where elected, when elected.  To my knowledge, Caroline Kennedy meets all of these qualifications.  

More important is the concept of a government of the people, for the people, and by the people. The fact that Caroline is not a "seasoned," politician is exactly what qualifies her for the position.   It is her fresh eyes and lack of ties to special interests that will allow her to excel at her job as Senator.  That she comes from a heritage of politics uniquely prepares her for the political ringer that she is about to be put through.

I am not a New Yorker, and will likely not have a vote or say in the next NY Senate race, but I do feel strongly that we need to stop "qualifying" and "disqualifying" potential candidates based on who we consider to be "next in line" because they have paid their "political due."  To continue this asinine practice only discourages the average, or not so average, citizen to do exactly what they should do, which is get involved.  If we keep holding out that House and Senate seats are reserved for a select few, we will become a country trapped in cycles bound to impede our movement towards evolution.  After all, didn't we learn anything from Barack Obama.

A House Divided

Do you remember about four months ago, when Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama were at each other's throat clawing to gain the Democratic Party nomination for president? Do you remember how the Republican Party reveled in the loud splintering of the Democratic party? Do you remember how the pundits waxed poetic about how the Democratic party would have to heal and become reunited after such treacherous campaigning, the greatest fear being that the Hillary supporters would jump ship and swim to John McCain's sturdy ship? Do you remember for a moment the air was sucked out of the atmosphere when John McCain picked Sarah Palin as his running mate and many Democrats thought their fears were being realized? Do you remember all this?

I do. And what I find amazing is that the house that is, and was, truly divided is the Republican house. Do not get me wrong, I am not happy about this but by the same token I am not surprised. I also think that the Republican party, while on shaky ground, would have survived a loss of the Presidency (they saw it coming) had it not been for Sarah Palin. One could say John McCain for picking Sarah Palin, but I would not and will not.

I think the Republican party should view this turbulent time as an opportunity to remake itself. The Republican party has splintered into not just two branches, the Bushes and the Palins, but many branches. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as long as no one loses sight of the roots. I have ideologically flirted with the Republican party but have always been turned off by the fact I do not see myself represented among the party. As a disenfranchised conservative Democrat, or right of center Independent (I'll accept both, but I lean Independent), the one quality that I feel is lacking in the Republican party is tolerance! As diverse/splintered as the Republican party is, one would think that there would be an appreciation, even celebration, of the differences that could prove to be the strength of the party. Maybe that is why certain minority groups who have traditionally voted Republican found themselves voting for a Democrat. Perhaps many left-leaning disenfranchised Republicans found a place to voice a difference, be heard and be appreciated for an opposing view.

Perhaps the party of Lincoln can take a cue from the President-elect and openly create a party of opposition where challenging views are met with curiosity and common sense to unite for a common good and solve more problems than are created. After all a house divided cannot stand.

Thoughts?

Level Setting Expectations II

I promise at some point I will blog about more than Obama, but right now I am in my Obamamania.

In a way I am starting to be very afraid for President Elect Obama. So many people have so many expectations. I heard a comment today on CNN from a commentator/pundit who remarked that if all of Obama's top picks (Sec of State, Treas Sec, Sec of Defense, not to mention Chief of Staff) were white guys then that (his election) was not much a change. Hmmm : This comment was in response to rumors that Governor Bill Richardson may be on a short list for Sec of State.

OK, so here are some realities to mull:

1. Health care will not be fixed the first year
2. Not every out-of-work American will be employed as of January 20, 2009
3. Not every out-of-work African-American will be employed as of January 20, 2009
4. The economy will not rebound because it too is drunk off the hope espoused by the election of Obama
5. Obama will not betray the voters if a lot of his appointments are white males (if they all are, well . . . I might have to raise my eyebrow)
6. The new administration cannot come to the aid of every ailing American industry. While the autos may get a shot in the arm (or electric shock to the chest) they still must find a way manage responsibly, become a friend to environment, and lift the community it sits weightily in

Just some things to think about

Level Setting Expectations

Can you believe it!!! I truly never thought that I would see a Black President in my lifetime. Call me what you want, and I am sure you will, but I really never had that much faith that the majority culture had the ability to trust the son of a people that they enslaved, and moreover fought to enslave a race of people. These words may seem harsh to the majority, white Americans, but they come from a place of honesty and history. I am not that person to blame racism for all the ills of the black community, I am that person who demands personal accountability no matter the skin you were born in, but my experience has been that for whatever reason many white people fear and distrust Black people. And, as a result, whites have been very discerning about who they allow in to take advantage of class fluidity, and how many, for that matter. I have to say that the fear and distrust that white people display against Black people has always baffled me, given that history would suggest that the fear and distrust should go in the other direction.

Beyond race, and hear me that I want to get beyond race and that I do not expect that the conversation about race will be stuck where it has been for the last 40 years, Barack Obama's election as the next President has set some very high expectations. There are many people who truly seek the second coming. There are people who expect that President Elect Obama has or will have all the answers to society's current and future woes. Obama inspired a nation to hope for the future and and not fear. Such inspiration carries the high price tag of expectations.

President Elect Obama made a most inspiring and profound victory speech last night November 4, he said that this election was about us and a win for us as a nation. Indeed what he was saying is we won this election to work together. In so many words he challenged us to ask not what our country can do for us, but what we can do for this country. No matter your political philosophy Obama is wise enough to see that our current situation can only be cured by us coming together and taking up for the least of these. He realized that it is going to take every single one of us coming together and lifting our country back to its greatness.

I believe that our voting for the best candidate, in spite of his race, is evidence that we are starting to see each other as fellow Americans. This new sense of solidarity will be the substance that we draw upon to come together and address and overcome our current difficulties. In the next four years, I hope that we can all think back to Barack Obama's words on November 4, 2008 when he said that this will be difficult and that he needs our help, our service and our sacrifice. In the next four years, when you desire to complain about what is being done and not done, remember Barack Obama's words and get to work, make a change and make this country better because Yes, We CAN!

Today is the Day

I am watching CNN and it is like slow death. That is not to say that it is bad, but that it is painful and excruciating to watch the results come in like a leaking faucet. I am baffled at how a state can be called with 0% precincts reporting. Go figure!

My goal today was to go around and see the excitement of the election. It turned out that I played stay-at-home mom to my out-of-school children. Instead, I planted myself behind my television and computer and let CNN provide the pictures of excitement.

I have only one real thought for today -- until the election is called -- and that is I think it is civically irresponsible not to vote. The country that we know and love was started as a result of the inability to vote. Several angry and inspired men decided to toss tea into the Boston Harbor, their battle cry "No taxation without representation." Three years later a nation was born.

For years after these momentous events, many people fought and died to ensure that the right to vote was not limited to a few, but to all Americans. To not vote today, or in any election, is to disregard the blood, sweat, and tears of so many brave and determined men and women.

The polls are closed now, and hope that all of you let your voice be heard. If you did not, I do not want to hear you until the next election!

Obama in Ohio

. . . Cincinnati that is! Ok, so tonight, I and thousands of other folks waited for a long time to see Barack Obama speak at the Nippert Stadium where the UC Bearcat football team plays. This was the first presidential political rally that I have attended since Jesse Jackson ran for president in 1988. This is the first time I have ever canvassed for a presidential candidate, and the first time I have volunteered for a presidential campaign since Bill Clinton's in 1991.

The feeling of excitement and anticipation was exhilarating. It was a moving experience to share with people you do not know and to whom you were never formally introduced. I have developed many thoughts about what it means to be an American and what it means to live in America. One thing I truly appreciate about Americans is the kindred spirit in which we gather. There are not many places where people of so many different races, colors, creeds, genders, cultures, and religions can come together for a common goal. While there is a deep and sordid history that continues to haunt us as a nation, it is amazing what happens when we come together with a shared purpose.

I was so moved by my experience tonight. I am ecstatic to have shared my evening with people seeking to bring about a change through the most basic right we all share as Americans.

PS - I also got to see Candy Crowley from CNN . . . I might have been just excited to see her as I was Barack.

Pictures coming soon; the event was at 9 PM, I gotta get some sleep.

TTYL

Wall Street Bonuses - Each One According To His Greed

Really! I have to say that I know people who work on Wall Street and realize how important their bonuses are in terms of their compensation. Wall Steet bankers chose to get the hell beat out of them daily on the hope that at the end of the year they will walk away with two times, or more, their base salary. Most, but not all, Wallstreet bankers are mentally sharp and driven by success. They have a will that seems to defy logic and they keep going when there is nothing left to go on. The question is whether these hard working folks deserve their anticipated bonuses . . . out of money that you and I as tax payers have unwillingly donated as part of a government bail-out.

This question is symptomatic of a larger issue, which is the promise of big bonuses. There is no question that greed and risky investments caused this mess. I have not heard one statement, let alone argument, to the contrary. Is it possible that continuing to feed these bonuses will continue to ecourage the "creative" thinking that drove us into this crisis? It is the endeavor of a big payday that inspires a stampede towards the possibility of personal gain. But, if you look really close most members of the stampede are moving as part of the herd, with no real reason or understanding as to the purpose of the frenzy. All these firms moved in the direction of a green light, one right after the other, and the leadership had no clue as to how these exotic finance vehicles worked. Should such stupidity be rewarded? Each one according to his/her greed?

If the argument is that the injection of bail-out money changed the position of the balance sheet and artificially proped up the income-statement, then the bonus metric should disregard any assistance by the federal government and the taxpayers.

I feel deeply for the ambitious folks who sacrifice the better part of their personal lives to their fulltime occupation. I get that the food chain in NY, and other financial districts, thrives on the Wall Street and banking machine. But on this one, I gotta side with the taxpayers. Accountability starts somewhere. And while I am not the ultimate decision maker in my firm, I assure you that when bad decisions are made I feel it in my bonus, or lack thereof.

5 days left

I am so excited for the election to finally come . . . and go. As far as I am concerned, November 4 could not get here faster. It almost feels like Christmas, you cannot wait for it to come, your excited for about 4 hours, and then its just a long day of eating and being trapped with your relatives. After all, the new President does not take office for over two months.

I am a little late in being excited to support my chosen candidate Barack Obama. Last night I purchased a ton of stuff off the campaign website. Win or lose, I figure this is one of the most historic elections I will ever experience. I am not sure beyond this pool of candidates if our country will ever be so excited to elect, or almost elect, a person who does not look like the predominant race.

Beyond the optics, though, I am so proud that as a country we got down to brass tacks and shunned the media's constant provocation to insert race. Amazingly, I really think the issues were the central theme of this election in a way that I cannot recall in past elections. This was an election where there seemed to be a daily crisis. From the Georgia-Russia conflict to the economic meltdown, the candidates have certainly had a platform to demonstrate their knowledge, temperament and leadership on real and pertinent issues.

As we wind down, or up, I hope that everyone will think critically about the issues and the candidates. I feel there are candidates that people can vote for and not just against. The next four years will be rough and will require a leader with intelligence, strength, diplomacy, integrity, and a great circle of advisers. I just so happen to think this person is Barack Obama.

Let me know whether you plan to vote and if you don't plan to vote, I would love to know why.