Whether you be man or woman you will never do anything in this world without courage. It is the greatest quality of the mind next to honor. – James Allen
The secret of the true love of work is the hope of success in that work; not for the money reward, for the time spent, or for the skill exercised, but for the successful result in the accomplishment of the work itself. – Sidney A. Weltmer
Our destiny changes with our thought; we shall become what we wish to become, do what we wish to do, when our habitual thought corresponds with our desire. – Orison Swett Marden
People are much more alike inside than they are on the surface. – Verne Burnett
Education makes a people easy to lead, but difficult to drive; to govern, but impossible to enslave. – Henry Brougham
Imagination disposes of everything; it creates beauty, justice, happiness, which is everything in this world. – Pascal
There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world, and that is an Idea whose time has come. – Victor Hugo
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Darkly Comical Quotes
People forget how fast you did a job—but they remember how well you did it. – Howard W. Newton
Flash powder makes a more brilliant light than the arc lamp, but you can’t use it to light your street corner because it doesn’t last long enough. Stability is more essential to success than brilliancy. – Richard Lloyd Jones
Most powerful is he who has himself in his own power. – Seneca
Measure your health by your sympathy with morning and Spring. If there is no response in you to the awakening of nature, if the prospect of an early morning walk does not banish sleep, if the warble of the first bluebird does not thrill you, know that the morning and spring of your life is past. Thus you may feel your pulse. – Henry Thoreau
Failures are divided into two classes – those who thought and never did, and those who did and never thought. – John Charles Salak
In spite of the fact that the ladder tapers to one-man rungs at the top, the roomiest part is farthest up. – Charles R. Gow
Most of us, swimming against tides of trouble the world knows nothing about, need only a bit of praise or encouragement – and we’ll make the goal. Say, “Thank you!” whenever you think about it. Say, “Nice job!” to that workman who put extra effort into his task. Say “Atta boy!” to the fellow who is struggling through in the face of odds. You’ll get a whale of a lot of joy out of life that way. And people will love you. – Jerome P. Fleishman
Flash powder makes a more brilliant light than the arc lamp, but you can’t use it to light your street corner because it doesn’t last long enough. Stability is more essential to success than brilliancy. – Richard Lloyd Jones
Most powerful is he who has himself in his own power. – Seneca
Measure your health by your sympathy with morning and Spring. If there is no response in you to the awakening of nature, if the prospect of an early morning walk does not banish sleep, if the warble of the first bluebird does not thrill you, know that the morning and spring of your life is past. Thus you may feel your pulse. – Henry Thoreau
Failures are divided into two classes – those who thought and never did, and those who did and never thought. – John Charles Salak
In spite of the fact that the ladder tapers to one-man rungs at the top, the roomiest part is farthest up. – Charles R. Gow
Most of us, swimming against tides of trouble the world knows nothing about, need only a bit of praise or encouragement – and we’ll make the goal. Say, “Thank you!” whenever you think about it. Say, “Nice job!” to that workman who put extra effort into his task. Say “Atta boy!” to the fellow who is struggling through in the face of odds. You’ll get a whale of a lot of joy out of life that way. And people will love you. – Jerome P. Fleishman
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Darkly Comical Quotes
Waste no tears over the griefs of yesterday. – Euripides
Undertake something that is difficult; it will do you good. Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow. – Ronald E. Osborn
Our definition of success is unorthodox. We claim that any man who is honest, fair, tolerant, kindly, charitable of others and well behaved is a success, no matter what his station in life. – Jay E. House
Executive ability is deciding quickly and getting somebody else to do the work. – J.G. Pollard
You may be deceived if you trust too much, but you will live in torment if you do not trust enough. – Dr. Frank Crane
It is better to create than to be learned; creating is the true essence of life. – Niebuhr
Thinking is the talking of the soul with itself. – Plato
Undertake something that is difficult; it will do you good. Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow. – Ronald E. Osborn
Our definition of success is unorthodox. We claim that any man who is honest, fair, tolerant, kindly, charitable of others and well behaved is a success, no matter what his station in life. – Jay E. House
Executive ability is deciding quickly and getting somebody else to do the work. – J.G. Pollard
You may be deceived if you trust too much, but you will live in torment if you do not trust enough. – Dr. Frank Crane
It is better to create than to be learned; creating is the true essence of life. – Niebuhr
Thinking is the talking of the soul with itself. – Plato
Monday, April 27, 2009
Darkly Comical Quotes
Think all you speak but speak not all you think. Thoughts are your own; your words are so no more. – Patrick Delany
Our best friends and our worst enemies are our thoughts. A thought can do us more good than a doctor or a banker or a faithful friend. It can also do us more harm than a brick. – Dr. Frank Crane
The sense of humor is the oil of life’s engine. Without it, the machinery creaks and groans. No lot is so hard, no aspect of things is so grim, but it relaxes before a hearty laugh. – G.S. Merriam
Well done is better than well said. – Benjamin Franklin
Salesmanship consists of transferring a conviction by a seller to a buyer. – Paul G. Hoffman
All the strength and force of man comes form his faith in things unseen. He who believes is strong; he who doubts is weak. Strong convictions precede great actions. – J.F. Clarke
I think luck is the sense to recognize an opportunity and the ability to take advantage of it. Every one has bed breaks, but every one also has opportunities. The man who can smile at his breaks and grab his chances gets on. – Samuel Goldwyn
Our best friends and our worst enemies are our thoughts. A thought can do us more good than a doctor or a banker or a faithful friend. It can also do us more harm than a brick. – Dr. Frank Crane
The sense of humor is the oil of life’s engine. Without it, the machinery creaks and groans. No lot is so hard, no aspect of things is so grim, but it relaxes before a hearty laugh. – G.S. Merriam
Well done is better than well said. – Benjamin Franklin
Salesmanship consists of transferring a conviction by a seller to a buyer. – Paul G. Hoffman
All the strength and force of man comes form his faith in things unseen. He who believes is strong; he who doubts is weak. Strong convictions precede great actions. – J.F. Clarke
I think luck is the sense to recognize an opportunity and the ability to take advantage of it. Every one has bed breaks, but every one also has opportunities. The man who can smile at his breaks and grab his chances gets on. – Samuel Goldwyn
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Darkly Comical Quotes
It is amazing what ordinary people can do if they set out without preconceived notions. – Charles F. Kettering
It is a fine thing to have ability, but the ability to discover ability in others is the true test. – Elbert Hubbard
Without consistency there is no moral strength. – Owen
Few enterprises of great labor or hazard would be undertaken if we had not the power of magnifying the advantages we expect from them. – Johnson
So long as new ideas are created, sales will continue to reach new highs. – Charles F. Kettering
The prizes go to those who meet emergencies successfully. And the way to meet emergencies is to do each daily task the best we can; to act as though the eye of opportunity were always upon us. In the hundred-yard race the winner doesn’t cross the tape line a dozen strides ahead of the field. He wins by inches. So we find it in ordinary business life. The big things that come our way are seldom the result of long thought or careful planning, but rather they are the fruit of seed planted in the daily routine of our work. – William Feather
One of the strongest characteristics of genius is the power of lighting its own fire. – John Foster
It is a fine thing to have ability, but the ability to discover ability in others is the true test. – Elbert Hubbard
Without consistency there is no moral strength. – Owen
Few enterprises of great labor or hazard would be undertaken if we had not the power of magnifying the advantages we expect from them. – Johnson
So long as new ideas are created, sales will continue to reach new highs. – Charles F. Kettering
The prizes go to those who meet emergencies successfully. And the way to meet emergencies is to do each daily task the best we can; to act as though the eye of opportunity were always upon us. In the hundred-yard race the winner doesn’t cross the tape line a dozen strides ahead of the field. He wins by inches. So we find it in ordinary business life. The big things that come our way are seldom the result of long thought or careful planning, but rather they are the fruit of seed planted in the daily routine of our work. – William Feather
One of the strongest characteristics of genius is the power of lighting its own fire. – John Foster
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Darkly Comical Quotes
There is no royal road to anything. One thing at a time, and all things in succession. That which grows slowly endures. - J.G. Holland
Five great enemies to peace inhabit with us. Viz., avarice, ambition, envy, anger and pride. If those enemies were to be banished, we should infallibly enjoy perpetual peace. – Petrarch
The pursuit of truth shall set you free—even if you never catch up with it. – Clarence Darrow
Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely. – Rodin
The practical effect of a belief is the real test of its soundness. – Froude
In this world it is not what we take up, but what we give up, that makes us rich. – Henry Ward Beecher
The essential element in personal magnetism is a consuming sincerity—an overwhelming faith in the importance of the work one has to do. – Bruce Barton
Indecision is debilitating; it feeds upon itself; it is, one might almost say, habit forming. Not only that, but it is contagious; it transmits itself to others. Business is dependent upon action. It cannot go forward by hesitation. Those in executive positions must fortify themselves with facts and accept responsibility for decisions based upon them. Often greater risk is involved in postponement than in making a wrong decision. – H.A. Hopf
To me—old age is 15 years older than I am. – Bernard M. Baruch
Business is like a man rowing a boat upstream. He has no choice; he must go ahead or he will go back. – Lewis E. Pierson
Five great enemies to peace inhabit with us. Viz., avarice, ambition, envy, anger and pride. If those enemies were to be banished, we should infallibly enjoy perpetual peace. – Petrarch
The pursuit of truth shall set you free—even if you never catch up with it. – Clarence Darrow
Nothing is a waste of time if you use the experience wisely. – Rodin
The practical effect of a belief is the real test of its soundness. – Froude
In this world it is not what we take up, but what we give up, that makes us rich. – Henry Ward Beecher
The essential element in personal magnetism is a consuming sincerity—an overwhelming faith in the importance of the work one has to do. – Bruce Barton
Indecision is debilitating; it feeds upon itself; it is, one might almost say, habit forming. Not only that, but it is contagious; it transmits itself to others. Business is dependent upon action. It cannot go forward by hesitation. Those in executive positions must fortify themselves with facts and accept responsibility for decisions based upon them. Often greater risk is involved in postponement than in making a wrong decision. – H.A. Hopf
To me—old age is 15 years older than I am. – Bernard M. Baruch
Business is like a man rowing a boat upstream. He has no choice; he must go ahead or he will go back. – Lewis E. Pierson
Friday, April 24, 2009
Darkly Comical Quotes
Simplicity of character is the natural result of profound thought. – Hazlitt
Never give up on a man until he has failed at something he likes. – Lewis E. Lawes
We cannot hold a torch to brighten another’s path without brightening our own. – Ben Sweetland
Three men were laying brick.
The first was asked: “What are you doing?”
He answered: “Laying some brick.”
The second man was asked: “What are you working for?”
He answered: “Five dollars a day.”
The third man was asked: “What are you doing?”
He answered: “I am helping to build a great cathedral.”
Which man are you? – Charles M. Schwab
The thing that impresses me most about this country is its hopefulness. It is this which distinguishes it from Erurope, where there is hopeless depression and fear. – Aldous Huxley
Someone has well said, “Success is a journey, not a destination.” Happiness is to be found along the way, not at the end of the road, for then the journey is over and it is too late. Today, this hour, this minute is the day, the hour, the minute for each of us to sense the fact that life is good, with all of its trials and troubles, and perhaps more interesting because of them. – Robert R. Updegraff
Absence diminishes little passions and increase great ones, as wind extinguishes candles and fans a fire. – La Rochefoucald
Nothing is ever lost by courtesy. It is the cheapest of the pleasures; costs nothing and conveys much. It pleases him who gives and him who receives, and thus, like mercy, is twice blessed. - Erastus Wiman
I do not understand what the man who is happy wants in order to be happier. – Cicero
The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials. – Chinese Proverb
Never give up on a man until he has failed at something he likes. – Lewis E. Lawes
We cannot hold a torch to brighten another’s path without brightening our own. – Ben Sweetland
Three men were laying brick.
The first was asked: “What are you doing?”
He answered: “Laying some brick.”
The second man was asked: “What are you working for?”
He answered: “Five dollars a day.”
The third man was asked: “What are you doing?”
He answered: “I am helping to build a great cathedral.”
Which man are you? – Charles M. Schwab
The thing that impresses me most about this country is its hopefulness. It is this which distinguishes it from Erurope, where there is hopeless depression and fear. – Aldous Huxley
Someone has well said, “Success is a journey, not a destination.” Happiness is to be found along the way, not at the end of the road, for then the journey is over and it is too late. Today, this hour, this minute is the day, the hour, the minute for each of us to sense the fact that life is good, with all of its trials and troubles, and perhaps more interesting because of them. – Robert R. Updegraff
Absence diminishes little passions and increase great ones, as wind extinguishes candles and fans a fire. – La Rochefoucald
Nothing is ever lost by courtesy. It is the cheapest of the pleasures; costs nothing and conveys much. It pleases him who gives and him who receives, and thus, like mercy, is twice blessed. - Erastus Wiman
I do not understand what the man who is happy wants in order to be happier. – Cicero
The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials. – Chinese Proverb
Thursday, April 23, 2009
Darkly Comical Quotes
If any man seeks for greatness let him forget greatness and ask for truth, and he will find both. – Horace Mann
Though we seem grieved at the shortness of life in general, we are wishing every period of it at an end. The minor longs to be at age, then to be a man of business, then to make up an estate, then to arrive at honors, then to retire. – Addison
Business is never so healthy as when, like a chicken, it must do a certain amount of scratching for what it gets. – Henry Ford
Circumstances are the rulers of the weak; they are but the instruments of the wise. – Samuel Lover
If things are not going well with you, begin your effort at correcting the situation by carefully examining the service you are rendering, and especially the spirit in which you are rendering it. – Roger Babson
Most business men generally are so busy coping with immediate and piecemeal matters that there is a lamentable tendency to let the “long run” or future take care of itself. We are often so busy “putting out fires,” so to speak, that we find it difficult to do the planning that would prevent those fires from occurring in the first place. As a prominent educator has expressed it, Americans generally “spend so much time on things that are urgent that we have none left to spend on those that are important. – Gustav Metzman
We sometimes speak of winning reputation as though that were the final goal. The truth is contrary to this. Reputation is a reward, to be sure, but it is really the beginning, not the end of endeavor. It should not be the signal for a letdown, but rather, a reminder that the standards which won recognition can never again be lowered. From him who gives much—much is forever after expected. – Alvan Macauley
Have confidence that if you have done little things well, you can do bigger things well, too. – Storey
Though we seem grieved at the shortness of life in general, we are wishing every period of it at an end. The minor longs to be at age, then to be a man of business, then to make up an estate, then to arrive at honors, then to retire. – Addison
Business is never so healthy as when, like a chicken, it must do a certain amount of scratching for what it gets. – Henry Ford
Circumstances are the rulers of the weak; they are but the instruments of the wise. – Samuel Lover
If things are not going well with you, begin your effort at correcting the situation by carefully examining the service you are rendering, and especially the spirit in which you are rendering it. – Roger Babson
Most business men generally are so busy coping with immediate and piecemeal matters that there is a lamentable tendency to let the “long run” or future take care of itself. We are often so busy “putting out fires,” so to speak, that we find it difficult to do the planning that would prevent those fires from occurring in the first place. As a prominent educator has expressed it, Americans generally “spend so much time on things that are urgent that we have none left to spend on those that are important. – Gustav Metzman
We sometimes speak of winning reputation as though that were the final goal. The truth is contrary to this. Reputation is a reward, to be sure, but it is really the beginning, not the end of endeavor. It should not be the signal for a letdown, but rather, a reminder that the standards which won recognition can never again be lowered. From him who gives much—much is forever after expected. – Alvan Macauley
Have confidence that if you have done little things well, you can do bigger things well, too. – Storey
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Darkly Comical Business Quotes
Perfectionism is a dangerous state of mind in an imperfect world. The best way is to forget doubts and set about the task at hand. – If you are doing your best, you will not have time to worry about failure. – Robert Hillyer
It is never safe to look into the future with eyes of fear. E.H. Harriman
A quiet conscience makes one so serene. – Byron
Laziness grows on people; it begins in cobwebs and ends in iron chains. The more one has to do, the more he is able to accomplish. – Sir Thomas Buxton
Four things do not come back – the spoken word, the sped arrow, the past life, and the neglected opportunity. – Arabian Proverb
Those who give too much attention to trifling things become generally incapable of great ones. – La Rochefoucauld
If you believe in the Lord, He will do half the work—but the last half. He helps those who help themselves. – Cyrus H.K. Curtis
Forty is the old age of youth; fifty is the youth or old age. – Victor Hugo
Three things too much, and three too little are pernicious to man; to speak much, and know little; to spend much, and have little; to presume much, and be worth little. – Cervantes
To do anything in this world worth doing, we must not stand back shivering and thinking of the cold and danger, but jump in, and scramble through as well as we can. – Sydney Smith
It is never safe to look into the future with eyes of fear. E.H. Harriman
A quiet conscience makes one so serene. – Byron
Laziness grows on people; it begins in cobwebs and ends in iron chains. The more one has to do, the more he is able to accomplish. – Sir Thomas Buxton
Four things do not come back – the spoken word, the sped arrow, the past life, and the neglected opportunity. – Arabian Proverb
Those who give too much attention to trifling things become generally incapable of great ones. – La Rochefoucauld
If you believe in the Lord, He will do half the work—but the last half. He helps those who help themselves. – Cyrus H.K. Curtis
Forty is the old age of youth; fifty is the youth or old age. – Victor Hugo
Three things too much, and three too little are pernicious to man; to speak much, and know little; to spend much, and have little; to presume much, and be worth little. – Cervantes
To do anything in this world worth doing, we must not stand back shivering and thinking of the cold and danger, but jump in, and scramble through as well as we can. – Sydney Smith
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Darkly Comical Quotes
We work day after day, not to finish things; but to make the future better – because we will spend the rest of our lives there. – Charles F. Kettering
To cultivate a garden is to walk with God. – Bovee
The men who build the future are those who know that greater things are yet to come, and that they themselves will help bring them about. Their minds are illuminated by the blazing sun of hope. They never stop to doubt. They haven’t the time. – Melvin j. Evans
Don’t let yourself say or even think “I am busy,” “I haven’t the time,” “I am tired.” That makes you feel busier or more rushed or more tired than you actually are. – William B. Given, Jr.
No man ever sank under the burden of the day. It is when tomorrow’s burden is added to the burden of today that the weight is more than a man can bear. – George MacDonald
A really great man is known by three signs – generosity in the design, humanity in the execution, moderation in success. – Bismark
Pay as little attention to discouragement as possible. Plough ahead as a steamer does, rough or smooth – rain or shine. To carry your cargo and make your port is the point. – Maltbie Babcock
Five minutes, just before going to sleep, given to a bit of directed imagination regarding achievement possibilities of the morrow, will steadily and increasingly bear fruit, particularly if all ideas of difficulty, worry or fear are resolutely ruled out and replaced by those of accomplishment and smiling courage. – Frederick Pierce
To cultivate a garden is to walk with God. – Bovee
The men who build the future are those who know that greater things are yet to come, and that they themselves will help bring them about. Their minds are illuminated by the blazing sun of hope. They never stop to doubt. They haven’t the time. – Melvin j. Evans
Don’t let yourself say or even think “I am busy,” “I haven’t the time,” “I am tired.” That makes you feel busier or more rushed or more tired than you actually are. – William B. Given, Jr.
No man ever sank under the burden of the day. It is when tomorrow’s burden is added to the burden of today that the weight is more than a man can bear. – George MacDonald
A really great man is known by three signs – generosity in the design, humanity in the execution, moderation in success. – Bismark
Pay as little attention to discouragement as possible. Plough ahead as a steamer does, rough or smooth – rain or shine. To carry your cargo and make your port is the point. – Maltbie Babcock
Five minutes, just before going to sleep, given to a bit of directed imagination regarding achievement possibilities of the morrow, will steadily and increasingly bear fruit, particularly if all ideas of difficulty, worry or fear are resolutely ruled out and replaced by those of accomplishment and smiling courage. – Frederick Pierce
Monday, April 20, 2009
Darkly Comical Quotes
The power of imagination makes us infinite. – John Muir
The man who can put himself in the place of other men, who can understand the workings of their minds, need never worry about what the future has in store for him. – Owen D. Young
Iron rusts from disuse; water loses its purity from stagnation and in cold weather becomes frozen; even so does inaction sap the vigor of the mind. – Leonardo da Vinci
What we see depends mainly on what we look for. – John Lubbock
To be what we are, and to become what we are capable of becoming, is the only end of life. – Spinoza
What is the recipe for successful achievement? To my mind there are just four essential ingredients: Choose a career you love, Give it the best there is in you, Seize your opportunities, And be a member of the team. In no country but America, I believe, is it possible to fulfill all four of these requirements. – Benjamin F. Fairless
Live your life each day as you would climb a mountain. An occasional glance toward the summit keeps the goal in mind, but many beautiful scenes are to be observed from each new vantage point. Climb slowly, steadily, enjoying each passing moment; and the view from the summit will serve as a fitting climax for the journey. – Harold V. Melchert
Life is like a game of cards. Reliability is the ace, industry the king, politeness the queen, thrift the jack. Commonsense is playing to the best advantage the card you draw. And every day, as the game proceeds, you will find the ace, king, queen, jack in your hand and opportunity to use them. – Edward Howe.
True enjoyment comes from activity of the mind and exercise of the body; the two are ever united. – Humboldt
The great composer does not set to work because he is inspired, but becomes inspired because he is working. Beethoven, Wagner, Bach and Mozart settled down day after day to the job in hand with as much regularity as an accountant settles down each day to his figures. They didn’t waste time waiting for inspiration. – Ernest Newman
The man who can put himself in the place of other men, who can understand the workings of their minds, need never worry about what the future has in store for him. – Owen D. Young
Iron rusts from disuse; water loses its purity from stagnation and in cold weather becomes frozen; even so does inaction sap the vigor of the mind. – Leonardo da Vinci
What we see depends mainly on what we look for. – John Lubbock
To be what we are, and to become what we are capable of becoming, is the only end of life. – Spinoza
What is the recipe for successful achievement? To my mind there are just four essential ingredients: Choose a career you love, Give it the best there is in you, Seize your opportunities, And be a member of the team. In no country but America, I believe, is it possible to fulfill all four of these requirements. – Benjamin F. Fairless
Live your life each day as you would climb a mountain. An occasional glance toward the summit keeps the goal in mind, but many beautiful scenes are to be observed from each new vantage point. Climb slowly, steadily, enjoying each passing moment; and the view from the summit will serve as a fitting climax for the journey. – Harold V. Melchert
Life is like a game of cards. Reliability is the ace, industry the king, politeness the queen, thrift the jack. Commonsense is playing to the best advantage the card you draw. And every day, as the game proceeds, you will find the ace, king, queen, jack in your hand and opportunity to use them. – Edward Howe.
True enjoyment comes from activity of the mind and exercise of the body; the two are ever united. – Humboldt
The great composer does not set to work because he is inspired, but becomes inspired because he is working. Beethoven, Wagner, Bach and Mozart settled down day after day to the job in hand with as much regularity as an accountant settles down each day to his figures. They didn’t waste time waiting for inspiration. – Ernest Newman
Sunday, April 19, 2009
The Three Percent Solution
Six issues in the news last week struck me:
*Large banks are too big to fail and received massive infusions of cash via the TARP program.
*Banks are kicking foreclosures into high gear.
*Banks are getting funds from the federal reserve at 0% to ¼% interest rates.
*Large banks reported record profits for the quarter.
*The U.S. government wants banks to loan but banks have changed the rules for giving loans. This disqualifies many people, including many people with good credit.
*The economy still sucks and desperately needs money to flow.
And so I suggest the 3% solution:
Our government needs to bypass the banking industry because banks are not helping. Banks are harming our country. Banks are impeding the economy and our future. Banks contributed to the problem and are now taking advantage.
If you are a current home owner holding a mortgage, any home owner holding any mortgage (no matter what your credit), you may present your mortgage to the government, sign a note and replace your current mortgage with a non-assumable 15 or 30 year mortgage with a three-percent interest rate. That’s right, you can burn your old mortgage. That’s right, you don’t have to qualify. You just have to have a mortgage. It doesn’t even have to be up to date. If you are a homeowner and hold multiple mortgages, you can get multiple new mortgages from the government.
All foreclosure proceedings are stopped in their tracks (Disclaimer - We are current on our mortgages and have never defaulted on a loan of any type)
I guarantee that this will piss off the banks and get the economy moving within three months.
Home owners don’t have to take part in the process, but if they do then they are responsible for the entire balance on their mortgage. If your house is under water (like one of our mortgages), that’s tough. You’re responsible for the entire balance.
If you miss three payments, you’re out. No questions asked.
The three percent solution is what our country needs. Now.
*Large banks are too big to fail and received massive infusions of cash via the TARP program.
*Banks are kicking foreclosures into high gear.
*Banks are getting funds from the federal reserve at 0% to ¼% interest rates.
*Large banks reported record profits for the quarter.
*The U.S. government wants banks to loan but banks have changed the rules for giving loans. This disqualifies many people, including many people with good credit.
*The economy still sucks and desperately needs money to flow.
And so I suggest the 3% solution:
Our government needs to bypass the banking industry because banks are not helping. Banks are harming our country. Banks are impeding the economy and our future. Banks contributed to the problem and are now taking advantage.
If you are a current home owner holding a mortgage, any home owner holding any mortgage (no matter what your credit), you may present your mortgage to the government, sign a note and replace your current mortgage with a non-assumable 15 or 30 year mortgage with a three-percent interest rate. That’s right, you can burn your old mortgage. That’s right, you don’t have to qualify. You just have to have a mortgage. It doesn’t even have to be up to date. If you are a homeowner and hold multiple mortgages, you can get multiple new mortgages from the government.
All foreclosure proceedings are stopped in their tracks (Disclaimer - We are current on our mortgages and have never defaulted on a loan of any type)
I guarantee that this will piss off the banks and get the economy moving within three months.
Home owners don’t have to take part in the process, but if they do then they are responsible for the entire balance on their mortgage. If your house is under water (like one of our mortgages), that’s tough. You’re responsible for the entire balance.
If you miss three payments, you’re out. No questions asked.
The three percent solution is what our country needs. Now.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Darkly Comical Quotes
The more noise a man or a motor makes the less power there is available. – W.R. McGeary
Success is never final and failure never fatal. It’s courage that counts. – George F. Tilton
Beware prejudices. They are like rats, and men’s minds are like traps; prejudices get in easily, but it is doubtful if they ever get out. – Lore Jeffrey
The easiest thing of all is to deceive one’s self; for what a man wishes he generally believes to be true. – Demosthenes
Life’s greatest achievement is the continual re-making of yourself so that at last you know how to live. – Winfred Rhodes
The Golden Rule is of no use to you whatever unless you realize that it is your move. – Dr. Frank Crane
The man who has accomplished all that he thinks worth while has begun to die. – E.T. Trigg
The best executive is the one who has the sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it. - Theodore Roosevelt
An executive is a man who decides; sometimes he decides right, but always he decides. – John H. Patterson
True wisdom lies in gathering the precious things out of each day as it goes by. – E.S. Bolton
Success is never final and failure never fatal. It’s courage that counts. – George F. Tilton
Beware prejudices. They are like rats, and men’s minds are like traps; prejudices get in easily, but it is doubtful if they ever get out. – Lore Jeffrey
The easiest thing of all is to deceive one’s self; for what a man wishes he generally believes to be true. – Demosthenes
Life’s greatest achievement is the continual re-making of yourself so that at last you know how to live. – Winfred Rhodes
The Golden Rule is of no use to you whatever unless you realize that it is your move. – Dr. Frank Crane
The man who has accomplished all that he thinks worth while has begun to die. – E.T. Trigg
The best executive is the one who has the sense enough to pick good men to do what he wants done, and self-restraint enough to keep from meddling with them while they do it. - Theodore Roosevelt
An executive is a man who decides; sometimes he decides right, but always he decides. – John H. Patterson
True wisdom lies in gathering the precious things out of each day as it goes by. – E.S. Bolton
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Darkly Comical Quotes
My clearest recollection of a long-ago interview with Thomas A. Edison is of a single sentence that was painted or hung on a wall in his room. In effect, the sentence was: “It is remarkable to what lengths people will go to avoid thought.” That is tragically true. Some of us think, more of us think we think, and most of us don’t even think of thinking. The result is a somewhat cockeyed world. - Pollack
The long span of the bridge of your life is supported by countless cables called habits, attitudes, and desires. What you do in life depends upon what you are and what you want. What you get from life depends upon how much you want it—how much you are willing to work and plan and co-operate and use your resources. The long span of the bridge of your life is supported by countless cables that you are spinning now, and that is why today is such an important day. Make the cables strong. – L.G. Elliott
When possible make the decisions now, even if action is in the future. A reviewed decision usually is better than one reached at the last moment. – Wm. B. Given,Jr.
The inlet of a man’s mind is what he learns; the outlet is what he accomplishes. If his mind is not fed by a continued supply of new ideas which he puts to work with purpose, and if there is no outlet in action, his mind becomes stagnant. Such a mind is a danger to the individual who owns it and is useless to the community. – Jeremiah W. Jenks
The question for each man to settle is not what he would do if he had means, time, influence and educational advantages, but what he will do with the things he has. – Hamilton Wright Mabie
He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper. – Burke
The long span of the bridge of your life is supported by countless cables called habits, attitudes, and desires. What you do in life depends upon what you are and what you want. What you get from life depends upon how much you want it—how much you are willing to work and plan and co-operate and use your resources. The long span of the bridge of your life is supported by countless cables that you are spinning now, and that is why today is such an important day. Make the cables strong. – L.G. Elliott
When possible make the decisions now, even if action is in the future. A reviewed decision usually is better than one reached at the last moment. – Wm. B. Given,Jr.
The inlet of a man’s mind is what he learns; the outlet is what he accomplishes. If his mind is not fed by a continued supply of new ideas which he puts to work with purpose, and if there is no outlet in action, his mind becomes stagnant. Such a mind is a danger to the individual who owns it and is useless to the community. – Jeremiah W. Jenks
The question for each man to settle is not what he would do if he had means, time, influence and educational advantages, but what he will do with the things he has. – Hamilton Wright Mabie
He that wrestles with us strengthens our nerves and sharpens our skill. Our antagonist is our helper. – Burke
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Darkly Comical Quotes
The Secret of being tiresome is to tell everything. – Voltaire
Will is character in action. – William McDougall
‘Why’ and ‘how’ are words so important that they cannot be too often used. – Napoleon
They who give have all things; they who withhold have nothing. – Hindu Proverb
The world has a way of giving what is demanded of it. If you are frightened and look for failure and poverty, you will get them, no matter how hard you may try to succeed. Lack of faith in yourself, in what life will do for you, cuts you off from the good things of the world. Expect victory and you make victory. Nowhere is this truer than in business life, where bravery and faith bring both material and spiritual rewards. – Preston Bradley
Nothing is cheap which is superfluous, for what one does not need, is dear at a penny. – Plutarch
Man is not born to solve the problems of the universe, but to find out what he has to do; and to restrain himself within the limits of his comprehension. – Goethe
Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important. – Janet Lane
Do little things now; so big things come to thee by and by asking to be done. – Persian Proverb
A man’s life may stagnate as literally as water may stagnate, and just as motion and direction are the remedy for one, so purpose and activity are the remedy to the other. – John Burroughs
The man who works for the gold in the job rather than for the money in the pay envelope, is the fellow who gets on. – Joseph French Johnson
Will is character in action. – William McDougall
‘Why’ and ‘how’ are words so important that they cannot be too often used. – Napoleon
They who give have all things; they who withhold have nothing. – Hindu Proverb
The world has a way of giving what is demanded of it. If you are frightened and look for failure and poverty, you will get them, no matter how hard you may try to succeed. Lack of faith in yourself, in what life will do for you, cuts you off from the good things of the world. Expect victory and you make victory. Nowhere is this truer than in business life, where bravery and faith bring both material and spiritual rewards. – Preston Bradley
Nothing is cheap which is superfluous, for what one does not need, is dear at a penny. – Plutarch
Man is not born to solve the problems of the universe, but to find out what he has to do; and to restrain himself within the limits of his comprehension. – Goethe
Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important. – Janet Lane
Do little things now; so big things come to thee by and by asking to be done. – Persian Proverb
A man’s life may stagnate as literally as water may stagnate, and just as motion and direction are the remedy for one, so purpose and activity are the remedy to the other. – John Burroughs
The man who works for the gold in the job rather than for the money in the pay envelope, is the fellow who gets on. – Joseph French Johnson
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Darkly Comical Quotes
The man who wins may have been counted out several times, but he didn’t hear the referee. – H.E. Jansen
When no new thoughts fill the mind—when no new horizons beckon—when life is in the past, not the future—you are on your way to uselessness. – Dr. Frederick K. Stamm
A man with a surplus can control circumstances, but a man without surplus is controlled by them, and often he has no opportunity to exercise judgment. Harvey S. Firestone
Our most valuable possessions are those which can be shared without lessening—those which, when shared multiply. Our least valuable possessions, on the other hand, are those which, when divided, are diminished. – William H. Danforth
Fires can’t be made with dead embers, nor can enthusiasm be stirred by spiritless men. Enthusiasm in our daily work lightens effort and turns even labor into pleasant tasks. – Baldwin
A gentleman is one who it too brave to lie, too generous to cheat, and who takes his share of the world and lets other people have theirs. – Hoffman
I have seen boys on my baseball team go into slumps and never come out of them, and I have seen others snap right out and come back better than ever. I guess more players lick themselves than are ever licked by an opposing team. The first thing any man has to know is how to handle himself. Training counts. You can’t win any game unless you are ready to win. – Connie Mack
The object of living is work, experience, happiness. There is joy in work. All that money can do is buy us some one else’s work in exchange for our own. There is no happiness except in the realization that we have accomplished something. – Henry Ford
When you talk about your troubles, your ailments, your diseases, your hurts, you give longer life to what makes you unhappy. Talking about your grieances merely adds to those grievances. Give recognition only to what you desire. Think and talk only about the good things that add to your enjoyment of your work and your life. If you don’t talk about your grievances, you’ll be delighted to find them disappearing quickly. – Thomas Dreier
Never take counsel of your fears. – Andrew Jackson
When no new thoughts fill the mind—when no new horizons beckon—when life is in the past, not the future—you are on your way to uselessness. – Dr. Frederick K. Stamm
A man with a surplus can control circumstances, but a man without surplus is controlled by them, and often he has no opportunity to exercise judgment. Harvey S. Firestone
Our most valuable possessions are those which can be shared without lessening—those which, when shared multiply. Our least valuable possessions, on the other hand, are those which, when divided, are diminished. – William H. Danforth
Fires can’t be made with dead embers, nor can enthusiasm be stirred by spiritless men. Enthusiasm in our daily work lightens effort and turns even labor into pleasant tasks. – Baldwin
A gentleman is one who it too brave to lie, too generous to cheat, and who takes his share of the world and lets other people have theirs. – Hoffman
I have seen boys on my baseball team go into slumps and never come out of them, and I have seen others snap right out and come back better than ever. I guess more players lick themselves than are ever licked by an opposing team. The first thing any man has to know is how to handle himself. Training counts. You can’t win any game unless you are ready to win. – Connie Mack
The object of living is work, experience, happiness. There is joy in work. All that money can do is buy us some one else’s work in exchange for our own. There is no happiness except in the realization that we have accomplished something. – Henry Ford
When you talk about your troubles, your ailments, your diseases, your hurts, you give longer life to what makes you unhappy. Talking about your grieances merely adds to those grievances. Give recognition only to what you desire. Think and talk only about the good things that add to your enjoyment of your work and your life. If you don’t talk about your grievances, you’ll be delighted to find them disappearing quickly. – Thomas Dreier
Never take counsel of your fears. – Andrew Jackson
Darkly Comical Quotes
The most difficult thing in life is to know yourself. – Thales
Much has been said about the relative value of happpiness, but write it on your heart that happiness is the cheapest thing in the world—when we buy it for someone else. – Flemming
One man with courage makes a majority. – Andrew Jackson
A good laugh is sunshine in a house. – Thackeray’
One well-cultivated talent, deepened and enlarged, is worth 100 shallow faculties. The first law of success in this day, when so many things are clamoring for attention, is concentration—to bend all the energies to one point, and to go directly to that point, looking neither to the right nor to the left. – William Matthews
Faith is not trying to believe something regardless of the evidence: faith is daring to do something regardless of the consequences. – Sherwood Eddy
You seldom get what you go after unless you know in advance what you want. Indecision has often given an advantage to the other fellow because he did his thinking beforehand. – Maurice Switzer
Guard within yourself that treasure kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meaness. – George Sand
The forty-four-hour week has no charm for me. I’m looking for a forty-hour day. – Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler
Help thy brother’s boat across, and lo! Thine own has reached the shore. – Hindu Proverb
Facts mean nothing unless they are rightly understood, rightly related and rightly interpreted. – R.L. Long
Much has been said about the relative value of happpiness, but write it on your heart that happiness is the cheapest thing in the world—when we buy it for someone else. – Flemming
One man with courage makes a majority. – Andrew Jackson
A good laugh is sunshine in a house. – Thackeray’
One well-cultivated talent, deepened and enlarged, is worth 100 shallow faculties. The first law of success in this day, when so many things are clamoring for attention, is concentration—to bend all the energies to one point, and to go directly to that point, looking neither to the right nor to the left. – William Matthews
Faith is not trying to believe something regardless of the evidence: faith is daring to do something regardless of the consequences. – Sherwood Eddy
You seldom get what you go after unless you know in advance what you want. Indecision has often given an advantage to the other fellow because he did his thinking beforehand. – Maurice Switzer
Guard within yourself that treasure kindness. Know how to give without hesitation, how to lose without regret, how to acquire without meaness. – George Sand
The forty-four-hour week has no charm for me. I’m looking for a forty-hour day. – Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler
Help thy brother’s boat across, and lo! Thine own has reached the shore. – Hindu Proverb
Facts mean nothing unless they are rightly understood, rightly related and rightly interpreted. – R.L. Long
Massacres - Nothing Darkly Comical
57 Dead in Eight Mass Murders
"The American dream is a nightmare, and the land of opportunity is but a cruel joke," said James Alan Fox, of Northeastern University, who has been dubbed the "dean of death" for his analysis of mass murders. "The economic pie is shrinking to the point where it looks more like a Pop Tart and some feel all they're getting is the crumbs. There's a combination of feeling despair and hopelessness at the same time as a certain degree of anger and blame."
Other crime experts caution against drawing such conclusions.
Who are these “other crime experts” and who are they trying to kid?
The support systems in our country have been eroded until there is little or nothing left. No extended family. No unions. No government support. No help for many if not most. No place to turn. But most of all — no hope.
“Most of these mass murderers share one trait: a traumatic event such as a layoff, divorce or separation that sets off an internal rage and a desire for revenge.”
“Consider the case of Bruce Jeffrey Pardo, a 45-year-old electrical engineer whose life swiftly turned sour last fall. His wife divorced him and he lost his job and his beloved dog, Saki. On Christmas Eve, Pardo dressed as Santa Claus for a holiday party hosted by his ex-wife's parents at their home at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac in a Los Angeles suburb.
Pardo rang the bell, swung open the door and opened fire on the party guests with a semiautomatic handgun before dousing the home with gasoline and setting it ablaze, authorities said. He killed nine people, including his ex-wife, before taking his own life.”
This was an obvious act of insanity. The act of a man pushed beyond his limits, his limits of endurance.
It’s easy to blame weapons, but they’re just the tools. We have to go after the cause.
There are two factors that have to be resolved.
1. Before the economic crisis more and more of the assets of America were being held by a smaller percentage of people. More and more of our citizens were slowly being pushed to the edge of the abyss. Our government, thanks to Bill Clinton, even fudges the unemployment numbers to obfuscate the true depth of our nation’s problem
Once the economic crisis hit, a huge number of our people were pushed into free fall. Pushed beyond their endurance. And many have no place to turn. No place to land.
2. When people are hopeless, they become desperate to salvage something. Anything. And at times it can be their 15 minutes of fame. We may not think we’re glorifying these mass murderers, but anything put on a mass media (most especially television) is being glorified.
Where does this end?
Jessie Jackson is calling this pattern, “Domestic Terrorism.” Why doesn’t he call it what it truly is? A cry for help. There are lots of people, more every day, who are reaching this breaking point. Most don’t snap. Most soldier on and accept their fate.
If we don’t stop it, I guarantee the next step is open class warfare. Why should the mass of people who have been run over by the bus of demorcracy and capitalism even play this game.
How long will they play?
What percentage of our population have to stop playing the game to destroy America?
People will quit the game and attack the system when they don’t believe they have any hope of surviving.
In your mind extrapolate eight mass murders into 8,000. 80,000. Where would it end?
The solutions?
1. Reach out and help someone. Anyone. It’s time for random acts of kindness. Food banks everywhere need support. Let’s stop the barbarity and refuse to bail out the bankers and insurance companies that are running roughshod over our world. Let’s bailout the people who are living in tent cities. Let’s bail out the people who are about to lose their homes. Let’s bail out any American who’s hungry. Not because these people have guns. Let’s do it because it’s the right thing to do.
2. Mass murder is an act of insanity. Do not put acts of insanity on television (or any mass media, even the very blog article you’re reading is guilty of this). If we televise infanticide that’s what we’ll get. If we televise terrorism that’s what we’ll get. Let’s televise random acts of kindness. Let’s televise people in tent cities getting their homes back. Let’s televise Americans getting jobs. Let’s televise hope.
"The American dream is a nightmare, and the land of opportunity is but a cruel joke," said James Alan Fox, of Northeastern University, who has been dubbed the "dean of death" for his analysis of mass murders. "The economic pie is shrinking to the point where it looks more like a Pop Tart and some feel all they're getting is the crumbs. There's a combination of feeling despair and hopelessness at the same time as a certain degree of anger and blame."
Other crime experts caution against drawing such conclusions.
Who are these “other crime experts” and who are they trying to kid?
The support systems in our country have been eroded until there is little or nothing left. No extended family. No unions. No government support. No help for many if not most. No place to turn. But most of all — no hope.
“Most of these mass murderers share one trait: a traumatic event such as a layoff, divorce or separation that sets off an internal rage and a desire for revenge.”
“Consider the case of Bruce Jeffrey Pardo, a 45-year-old electrical engineer whose life swiftly turned sour last fall. His wife divorced him and he lost his job and his beloved dog, Saki. On Christmas Eve, Pardo dressed as Santa Claus for a holiday party hosted by his ex-wife's parents at their home at the end of a quiet cul-de-sac in a Los Angeles suburb.
Pardo rang the bell, swung open the door and opened fire on the party guests with a semiautomatic handgun before dousing the home with gasoline and setting it ablaze, authorities said. He killed nine people, including his ex-wife, before taking his own life.”
This was an obvious act of insanity. The act of a man pushed beyond his limits, his limits of endurance.
It’s easy to blame weapons, but they’re just the tools. We have to go after the cause.
There are two factors that have to be resolved.
1. Before the economic crisis more and more of the assets of America were being held by a smaller percentage of people. More and more of our citizens were slowly being pushed to the edge of the abyss. Our government, thanks to Bill Clinton, even fudges the unemployment numbers to obfuscate the true depth of our nation’s problem
Once the economic crisis hit, a huge number of our people were pushed into free fall. Pushed beyond their endurance. And many have no place to turn. No place to land.
2. When people are hopeless, they become desperate to salvage something. Anything. And at times it can be their 15 minutes of fame. We may not think we’re glorifying these mass murderers, but anything put on a mass media (most especially television) is being glorified.
Where does this end?
Jessie Jackson is calling this pattern, “Domestic Terrorism.” Why doesn’t he call it what it truly is? A cry for help. There are lots of people, more every day, who are reaching this breaking point. Most don’t snap. Most soldier on and accept their fate.
If we don’t stop it, I guarantee the next step is open class warfare. Why should the mass of people who have been run over by the bus of demorcracy and capitalism even play this game.
How long will they play?
What percentage of our population have to stop playing the game to destroy America?
People will quit the game and attack the system when they don’t believe they have any hope of surviving.
In your mind extrapolate eight mass murders into 8,000. 80,000. Where would it end?
The solutions?
1. Reach out and help someone. Anyone. It’s time for random acts of kindness. Food banks everywhere need support. Let’s stop the barbarity and refuse to bail out the bankers and insurance companies that are running roughshod over our world. Let’s bailout the people who are living in tent cities. Let’s bail out the people who are about to lose their homes. Let’s bail out any American who’s hungry. Not because these people have guns. Let’s do it because it’s the right thing to do.
2. Mass murder is an act of insanity. Do not put acts of insanity on television (or any mass media, even the very blog article you’re reading is guilty of this). If we televise infanticide that’s what we’ll get. If we televise terrorism that’s what we’ll get. Let’s televise random acts of kindness. Let’s televise people in tent cities getting their homes back. Let’s televise Americans getting jobs. Let’s televise hope.
Friday, April 10, 2009
Darkly Comical Quotes
I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve. – Dr. Albert Schweitzer
No man can tell whether he is rich or poor by turning to his ledger. It is the heart that makes a man rich. He is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has. – Henry Ward Beecher
The test of tolerance comes when we are in a majority; the test of courage comes when we are in a minority. – Ralph W. Stockman, D.D.
Minds are like parachutes—they only function when open. – Lord Thomas Dewar
A great leader never sets himself above his followers except in carrying responsibilities. Jules Ormont
Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do when it has to be done, whether you like it or not. – Huxley
No matter how much madder it may make you, get out of bed forcing a smile. You may not smile because you cheerful, but if you will force yourself to smile, you’ll end up laughing. You will be cheerful because you smile. Repeated experiments prove that when man assumes the facial expression of a given mental mood—any given mood—then that mental mood itself will follow. – Kenneth Goode
The secret to being tiresome is to tell everything. – Voltaire
Beaten paths are for beaten men. – Eric Johnson
On the clarity of your ideas depends the scope of your success in any endeavor. – James Robertson
No man can tell whether he is rich or poor by turning to his ledger. It is the heart that makes a man rich. He is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has. – Henry Ward Beecher
The test of tolerance comes when we are in a majority; the test of courage comes when we are in a minority. – Ralph W. Stockman, D.D.
Minds are like parachutes—they only function when open. – Lord Thomas Dewar
A great leader never sets himself above his followers except in carrying responsibilities. Jules Ormont
Perhaps the most valuable result of all education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have to do when it has to be done, whether you like it or not. – Huxley
No matter how much madder it may make you, get out of bed forcing a smile. You may not smile because you cheerful, but if you will force yourself to smile, you’ll end up laughing. You will be cheerful because you smile. Repeated experiments prove that when man assumes the facial expression of a given mental mood—any given mood—then that mental mood itself will follow. – Kenneth Goode
The secret to being tiresome is to tell everything. – Voltaire
Beaten paths are for beaten men. – Eric Johnson
On the clarity of your ideas depends the scope of your success in any endeavor. – James Robertson
Thursday, April 9, 2009
The Dark Politics of Lobbying
February 17th I posted an entry on lobbying and our housing crisis. Lobbying is back in the news. The next five paragraphs were taken from my previous entry.
Bribe: noun. Anything given or serving to persuade or induce. Verb. To influence or corrupt by a bribe.
Lobby: n. A group of persons who work to conduct a campaign to influence members of a legislative body. V. To solicit or try to influence members of a legislature.
Lobbyist: A person who tries to influence legislation on behalf of a special interest.
If money is given to a political candidate or an office-holding politician before, during or after being contacted by a lobbyist for that organization, then the candidate or elected official has been bribed for services rendered or some service implied to be rendered in the future.
If an individual or organization gives money to both political parties or candidates running for the same office then they are, by caveat, guilty of bribery.
It’s been reported that some large corporations in this country spent hundreds of millions lobbying successfully for a tax break enacted in 2004 and got a 22,000-percent return on that investment -- proof that for those who can afford it, hiring a lobbyist can pay handsome dividends.
Figures compiled by professors at the University of Kansas offer a picture of how lobbying is undermining our democracy. It offers a glimpse of how the lobbying business works, and why.
President Barack Obama has vowed to control lobbyists' influence, but the industry is booming.
Companies and interest groups spent $3.42 billion lobbying Congress and the federal government in 2008, the last year for which such figures are available, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. That's a 14 percent jump from the previous year.
And why do they spend this money? Because companies are getting what they pay for when they hire professional lobbyists.
Hui Chen of the University of Colorado, David C. Parsley of Vanderbilt University and Ya-Wen Yang of the University of Miami found that, on average, a company's income rose by more than a half-percent for every 10 percent more it spent on lobbying. That translates into many millions of dollars for a large firm.
The Carmen Group, a midsize lobbying firm that has lobbied for private companies like HealthSouth as well as local governments, hospitals and universities, among others, markets itself as an outfit that brings clients an "extraordinary" return of investment of 100 to 1 or better, according to its Web site.
"We play a decisive role in realizing projects that deliver value ranging from hundreds of thousands all the way through billions of dollars," the site says.
Our elected officials are taking money for their decisions. This is wrong. Your representatives were elected to represent their constituents, not major American corporations.
“Companies are "spending big money, but ... it pales in comparison to the potential profit they can reap if they're successful," said Sheila Krumholz of the Center for Responsive Politics, which tracks money in politics. The nonpartisan group recently released a study comparing the amount spent by bailed-out banks on political contributions and lobbying with the amount of money they got from the Wall Street rescue fund, known as the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). The results produced eye-popping rates of return, an overall 258,449 percent for the $114 million they spent on campaign donations and lobbying.”
Senator Richard Selby (R-Al) accepted $565,000 in contributions from the financial services industry (2007-2008).
Representative Barney Frank (D-Mass) accepted $948,000 over the same period from the financial-services industry.
These two politicians rant and rave on television against companies in the financial service industry, but then they vote for these massive bailouts.
When will we as citizens understand it’s not what politicians say that matters it’s what they do. And how they vote.
Where does this behavior end?
Bribe: noun. Anything given or serving to persuade or induce. Verb. To influence or corrupt by a bribe.
Lobby: n. A group of persons who work to conduct a campaign to influence members of a legislative body. V. To solicit or try to influence members of a legislature.
Lobbyist: A person who tries to influence legislation on behalf of a special interest.
If money is given to a political candidate or an office-holding politician before, during or after being contacted by a lobbyist for that organization, then the candidate or elected official has been bribed for services rendered or some service implied to be rendered in the future.
If an individual or organization gives money to both political parties or candidates running for the same office then they are, by caveat, guilty of bribery.
It’s been reported that some large corporations in this country spent hundreds of millions lobbying successfully for a tax break enacted in 2004 and got a 22,000-percent return on that investment -- proof that for those who can afford it, hiring a lobbyist can pay handsome dividends.
Figures compiled by professors at the University of Kansas offer a picture of how lobbying is undermining our democracy. It offers a glimpse of how the lobbying business works, and why.
President Barack Obama has vowed to control lobbyists' influence, but the industry is booming.
Companies and interest groups spent $3.42 billion lobbying Congress and the federal government in 2008, the last year for which such figures are available, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. That's a 14 percent jump from the previous year.
And why do they spend this money? Because companies are getting what they pay for when they hire professional lobbyists.
Hui Chen of the University of Colorado, David C. Parsley of Vanderbilt University and Ya-Wen Yang of the University of Miami found that, on average, a company's income rose by more than a half-percent for every 10 percent more it spent on lobbying. That translates into many millions of dollars for a large firm.
The Carmen Group, a midsize lobbying firm that has lobbied for private companies like HealthSouth as well as local governments, hospitals and universities, among others, markets itself as an outfit that brings clients an "extraordinary" return of investment of 100 to 1 or better, according to its Web site.
"We play a decisive role in realizing projects that deliver value ranging from hundreds of thousands all the way through billions of dollars," the site says.
Our elected officials are taking money for their decisions. This is wrong. Your representatives were elected to represent their constituents, not major American corporations.
“Companies are "spending big money, but ... it pales in comparison to the potential profit they can reap if they're successful," said Sheila Krumholz of the Center for Responsive Politics, which tracks money in politics. The nonpartisan group recently released a study comparing the amount spent by bailed-out banks on political contributions and lobbying with the amount of money they got from the Wall Street rescue fund, known as the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP). The results produced eye-popping rates of return, an overall 258,449 percent for the $114 million they spent on campaign donations and lobbying.”
Senator Richard Selby (R-Al) accepted $565,000 in contributions from the financial services industry (2007-2008).
Representative Barney Frank (D-Mass) accepted $948,000 over the same period from the financial-services industry.
These two politicians rant and rave on television against companies in the financial service industry, but then they vote for these massive bailouts.
When will we as citizens understand it’s not what politicians say that matters it’s what they do. And how they vote.
Where does this behavior end?
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Darkly Comical Quotes
You can only govern men by serving them. The rule is without exception. – Victor Cousin
Worry is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained. – Arthur Somers Roche
Everyone has his superstitions. One of mine has always been when I started to go anywhere, or to do anything, never to turn back or to stop until the thing intended was accomplished. – Ulysses S. Grant
Decision is a sharp knife that cuts clean and straight; indecision, a dull one that hacks and tears and leaves ragged edges behind it. – Gordon Graham
Many do with opportunities as children at the seashore; they fill their little hands with sand, and then let the grains fall through, one by one, till all are gone. - T. Jones
It is surmounting difficulties that makes heroes. – Louis Kosuth
It is the peculiar quality of a fool to perceive the faults of others and to forget his own. – Cicero
Many a man never fails because he never tries. - Norman MacEwan
Praise, like gold and diamonds, owes its value to its scarcity. – Johnson
The most difficult thing in life is to know yourself. - Thales
Worry is a thin stream of fear trickling through the mind. If encouraged, it cuts a channel into which all other thoughts are drained. – Arthur Somers Roche
Everyone has his superstitions. One of mine has always been when I started to go anywhere, or to do anything, never to turn back or to stop until the thing intended was accomplished. – Ulysses S. Grant
Decision is a sharp knife that cuts clean and straight; indecision, a dull one that hacks and tears and leaves ragged edges behind it. – Gordon Graham
Many do with opportunities as children at the seashore; they fill their little hands with sand, and then let the grains fall through, one by one, till all are gone. - T. Jones
It is surmounting difficulties that makes heroes. – Louis Kosuth
It is the peculiar quality of a fool to perceive the faults of others and to forget his own. – Cicero
Many a man never fails because he never tries. - Norman MacEwan
Praise, like gold and diamonds, owes its value to its scarcity. – Johnson
The most difficult thing in life is to know yourself. - Thales
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Darkly Comical Quotes
Music is the only language in which you cannot say a mean or sarcastic thing. – John Erskine
A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities; an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties. – Reginald B. Mansell
It is right to be contented with what we have, never with what we are. – Mackintosh
Many men owe the grandeur of their lives to their tremendous difficulties. – Spurgeon
I believe the recipe for happiness to be just enough money to pay the monthly bills you acquire, a little surplus to give you confidence, a little too much work each day, enthusiasm for your work, a substantial share of good health, a couple of real friends, and a wife and children to share life’s beauty with you. – J Kenfield Morley
Some men give up their desires when they have almost reached their goals; while others, on the contrary, obtain a victory by exerting, at the last moment, more vigorous efforts than before. – Polybius
You will become as small as your controlling desire; as great as your dominant aspiration. – James Allen
A man has generally the good or ill qualities which he attributes to mankind. – Shenstone
It is better to give than lend, and it costs about the same. – Sir Philip Gibbs
The four cornerstones of character on which the structure of this nation was built are: Initiative, Capt. Edward V. Rickenbacker
A pessimist is one who makes difficulties of his opportunities; an optimist is one who makes opportunities of his difficulties. – Reginald B. Mansell
It is right to be contented with what we have, never with what we are. – Mackintosh
Many men owe the grandeur of their lives to their tremendous difficulties. – Spurgeon
I believe the recipe for happiness to be just enough money to pay the monthly bills you acquire, a little surplus to give you confidence, a little too much work each day, enthusiasm for your work, a substantial share of good health, a couple of real friends, and a wife and children to share life’s beauty with you. – J Kenfield Morley
Some men give up their desires when they have almost reached their goals; while others, on the contrary, obtain a victory by exerting, at the last moment, more vigorous efforts than before. – Polybius
You will become as small as your controlling desire; as great as your dominant aspiration. – James Allen
A man has generally the good or ill qualities which he attributes to mankind. – Shenstone
It is better to give than lend, and it costs about the same. – Sir Philip Gibbs
The four cornerstones of character on which the structure of this nation was built are: Initiative, Capt. Edward V. Rickenbacker
Monday, April 6, 2009
G.O.L.F.
I’ve tried golf. It’s okay. I have friends who are addicted. I agree with Mark Twain’s observation—golf is a good walk ruined.
In honor of Master’s Week:
The original acronym – GOLF
G. Gentlemen
O. Only
L. Ladies
F. Forbidden
I wonder how long it will be before we have to change the sports name?
In honor of Master’s Week:
The original acronym – GOLF
G. Gentlemen
O. Only
L. Ladies
F. Forbidden
I wonder how long it will be before we have to change the sports name?
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Darkly Comical Toilet Brushes
My wife and I decided we were going to do the right thing for the United States, the economy and the world—we put aside our fear and went shopping. And yes, we live on far less than Ken Lewis, the president of the Bank of America, spends on his bathroom at work.
Where did we go? Well, it’s still a free country so we went to the Super Walmart. Our goal—help our son shop for his new apartment in Orlando.
Shopping is what I don’t love to do on a Thursday evening. Anything but shopping.
Anyway, we were in housewares and had just popped a $15 toaster in the cart, when we spotted the toilet accoutrements section and one of our quarries—a brace of toilet brushes.
When we moved in for the kill, I was shocked to discover that toilet brushes, in the housewares department, were more expensive than the toaster we had just bagged. At this point, I took a stand. I told my son I refused to pay more for a toilet brush than a toaster.
We abandoned the housewares department and our dreams of matching toilet bowl brushes on our son’s mantel. I brushed the bitter taste of over-priced toilet accessories from my mouth and we moved on to the grocery department.
About the time my bile had returned to normal levels, we got to the back of the store and there mixed in with brooms and the cleaning supplies were substantial toilet brushes in their own cute little sanitary holders for $3.30. At first I thought it must be some Walton family trap and so we circled, then sent in a scout, and finally, we parked our cart a safe distance away and I allowed myself to be stunned by the reasonableness of the price and we bought two.
I’m sure you can buy toasters for $11,000 and toilet brushes for $15,000, but I’m a regular guy who never even thinks of toilet brushes unless I’m washing the car. And yes, I wash and wax my own car. And yes, I’m that cheap. And no, I don’t feel guilty. And yes, even buying $3.30 toilet brushes I live a high quality life and happiness pervades.
Where did we go? Well, it’s still a free country so we went to the Super Walmart. Our goal—help our son shop for his new apartment in Orlando.
Shopping is what I don’t love to do on a Thursday evening. Anything but shopping.
Anyway, we were in housewares and had just popped a $15 toaster in the cart, when we spotted the toilet accoutrements section and one of our quarries—a brace of toilet brushes.
When we moved in for the kill, I was shocked to discover that toilet brushes, in the housewares department, were more expensive than the toaster we had just bagged. At this point, I took a stand. I told my son I refused to pay more for a toilet brush than a toaster.
We abandoned the housewares department and our dreams of matching toilet bowl brushes on our son’s mantel. I brushed the bitter taste of over-priced toilet accessories from my mouth and we moved on to the grocery department.
About the time my bile had returned to normal levels, we got to the back of the store and there mixed in with brooms and the cleaning supplies were substantial toilet brushes in their own cute little sanitary holders for $3.30. At first I thought it must be some Walton family trap and so we circled, then sent in a scout, and finally, we parked our cart a safe distance away and I allowed myself to be stunned by the reasonableness of the price and we bought two.
I’m sure you can buy toasters for $11,000 and toilet brushes for $15,000, but I’m a regular guy who never even thinks of toilet brushes unless I’m washing the car. And yes, I wash and wax my own car. And yes, I’m that cheap. And no, I don’t feel guilty. And yes, even buying $3.30 toilet brushes I live a high quality life and happiness pervades.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Darkly Comical Quotes
Think as you work, for in the final analysis your worth to your company comes not only in solving problems but in anticipating them. – H.H. Ross
The toughest thing about success is that you’ve got to keep on being a success. Talent is only a starting point in business. You’ve got to keep working that talent. – Irving Berlin
There are two things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want; and, after that, to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second. – Logan Pearsall Smith
Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task. – William James
All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain. – Epictetus
Industry, economy, honesty, and kindness form a quartet of virtue that will never be improved upon.
James Oliver
Suspicion is far more apt to be wrong than right; oftener unjust than just. It is no friend to virtue, and always an enemy to happiness. – H. Ballou
A panic is a sudden desertion of us, and a going over to the enemy of our imagination. – Bovee
We live in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not figures on a dial. We should count time by heart throbs. He most lives who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best. – Philip James Bailey
The true meaning of faith is to vigorously prepare.
It is better to give love. Hatred is a low and degrading emotion and is so poisonous that no man is strong enough to use it safely. The hatred we think we are directing against some person or thing or system has a devilish way of turning back on us. When we seek revenge we administer slow poison to ourselves. When we administer affection it is astonishing what magical results we obtain. – Thomas Dreier
The toughest thing about success is that you’ve got to keep on being a success. Talent is only a starting point in business. You’ve got to keep working that talent. – Irving Berlin
There are two things to aim at in life: first, to get what you want; and, after that, to enjoy it. Only the wisest of mankind achieve the second. – Logan Pearsall Smith
Nothing is so fatiguing as the eternal hanging on of an uncompleted task. – William James
All philosophy lies in two words, sustain and abstain. – Epictetus
Industry, economy, honesty, and kindness form a quartet of virtue that will never be improved upon.
James Oliver
Suspicion is far more apt to be wrong than right; oftener unjust than just. It is no friend to virtue, and always an enemy to happiness. – H. Ballou
A panic is a sudden desertion of us, and a going over to the enemy of our imagination. – Bovee
We live in deeds, not years; in thoughts, not figures on a dial. We should count time by heart throbs. He most lives who thinks most, feels the noblest, acts the best. – Philip James Bailey
The true meaning of faith is to vigorously prepare.
It is better to give love. Hatred is a low and degrading emotion and is so poisonous that no man is strong enough to use it safely. The hatred we think we are directing against some person or thing or system has a devilish way of turning back on us. When we seek revenge we administer slow poison to ourselves. When we administer affection it is astonishing what magical results we obtain. – Thomas Dreier
Friday, April 3, 2009
Darkly Comical Business Quotes
Our destiny changes with our thoughts; we shall become what we wish to become, do what we wish to do, when our habitual thought corresponds with our desire. – Orison Swett Marden
Undertake something that is difficult; it will do you good. Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow. – Ronald E. Osborn
Take the course opposite to custom and you will almost always do well. – Jean Jauques Rousseau
If you can’t get enthusiastic about your work, it’s time to get alarmed—something is wrong. Compete with yourself; set your teeth and dive into the job of breaking your own record. No one keeps up his enthusiasm automatically. Enthusiasm must be nourished with new actions, new aspirations, new efforts, new vision. It is one’s own fault if his enthusiasm is gone; he has failed to feed it. If you want to turn hours into minutes, renew your enthusiasm. – Papyrus
It is better to create than to be learned; creating is the true essence of life. – Niebuhr
By the street of By-and-By, one arrives at the house of Never. – Cervantes
Happiness comes to the capacity to feel deeply, to enjoy simply, to think freely, to risk life, to be needed. – Storm Jameson
To find a career to which you are adapted by nature, and then to work hard at it, is about as near to a formula for success and happpiness as the world provides. One of the fortunate aspects of this formula is that, granted the right career has been found, the hard work takes care of itself. Then hard work is not hard work at all. – Mark Sullivan
Chance favors the prepared mind. – Louis Pasteur
Undertake something that is difficult; it will do you good. Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow. – Ronald E. Osborn
Take the course opposite to custom and you will almost always do well. – Jean Jauques Rousseau
If you can’t get enthusiastic about your work, it’s time to get alarmed—something is wrong. Compete with yourself; set your teeth and dive into the job of breaking your own record. No one keeps up his enthusiasm automatically. Enthusiasm must be nourished with new actions, new aspirations, new efforts, new vision. It is one’s own fault if his enthusiasm is gone; he has failed to feed it. If you want to turn hours into minutes, renew your enthusiasm. – Papyrus
It is better to create than to be learned; creating is the true essence of life. – Niebuhr
By the street of By-and-By, one arrives at the house of Never. – Cervantes
Happiness comes to the capacity to feel deeply, to enjoy simply, to think freely, to risk life, to be needed. – Storm Jameson
To find a career to which you are adapted by nature, and then to work hard at it, is about as near to a formula for success and happpiness as the world provides. One of the fortunate aspects of this formula is that, granted the right career has been found, the hard work takes care of itself. Then hard work is not hard work at all. – Mark Sullivan
Chance favors the prepared mind. – Louis Pasteur
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Fighting Against Evil Oppressors
We went to the movies this afternoon and smuggled in our own candy. Even in the face of signs that said we could not bring outside food into the theater. Audacity. Audacity. Ever audacity!
What’s the deal? Have we lost the freedom to carry our own candy bar when we pay a fee to enter a movie theater? Is there some new law that says if you bring your own candy you’re a dangerous movie terrorist?
And what if they catch you smuggling in your own chocolate or an illicit Charleston Chew? What’s the worse that will happen? Castigate you in front of the other movie patrons? Give you a harsh warning? Tell your mother? Throw you out?
You can close your mouth, I never said castrate.
Or is there some secret offshore movie theater penitentiary where they hold you wrapped in thick unbreakable chains made of stale popcorn on sewing thread where you don’t ever get to see even a rerun.
I am a candy smuggler. I’m proud of it. I’m admitting it right here in print. Right in a public published media (and the three of you who read this better not squeal).
I smuggle candy in and when the lights go way down, I quietly rip open the wrapper and my candy tastes better because it’s contraband.
And if I spot the movie deputy I shove the whole bar in my mouth for fear I’ll be spotted and hauled to the pokie. At the end of the movie I dump my wrapper in their garbage can just to show them what I’ve done, and that I’m not a litter bug.
And why do I feel justified breaking their rule?
Because when I’ve paid for my movie and the lights go down do I see my movie in peace? No. They show you not only previews (which I enjoy because they get me in the mood for the movie) but also a whole reel of commercials for everything from new television shows to commercials for the National Guard. I have nothing against the National Guard but the theater isn’t donating their time, these are paid advertisements we’re forced to watch.
Where does it end?
What’s next? Heaven forbid they start putting products on the screen during the movie. It makes me shudder to think or perhaps it’s just high blood sugar.
What’s the deal? Have we lost the freedom to carry our own candy bar when we pay a fee to enter a movie theater? Is there some new law that says if you bring your own candy you’re a dangerous movie terrorist?
And what if they catch you smuggling in your own chocolate or an illicit Charleston Chew? What’s the worse that will happen? Castigate you in front of the other movie patrons? Give you a harsh warning? Tell your mother? Throw you out?
You can close your mouth, I never said castrate.
Or is there some secret offshore movie theater penitentiary where they hold you wrapped in thick unbreakable chains made of stale popcorn on sewing thread where you don’t ever get to see even a rerun.
I am a candy smuggler. I’m proud of it. I’m admitting it right here in print. Right in a public published media (and the three of you who read this better not squeal).
I smuggle candy in and when the lights go way down, I quietly rip open the wrapper and my candy tastes better because it’s contraband.
And if I spot the movie deputy I shove the whole bar in my mouth for fear I’ll be spotted and hauled to the pokie. At the end of the movie I dump my wrapper in their garbage can just to show them what I’ve done, and that I’m not a litter bug.
And why do I feel justified breaking their rule?
Because when I’ve paid for my movie and the lights go down do I see my movie in peace? No. They show you not only previews (which I enjoy because they get me in the mood for the movie) but also a whole reel of commercials for everything from new television shows to commercials for the National Guard. I have nothing against the National Guard but the theater isn’t donating their time, these are paid advertisements we’re forced to watch.
Where does it end?
What’s next? Heaven forbid they start putting products on the screen during the movie. It makes me shudder to think or perhaps it’s just high blood sugar.
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