Like a lot of others, I am frustrated by the news coming out of Washington. Someone needs to take away the credit cards in DC. But the GOPs really have not leg to stand on. They did not exactly lead by example when they were in charge. I think that it supports everything that I have been saying since this blog began. If the Republicans want to clean house, they need to begin with their own house.
That brings me to the possibility of Shurtleff taking on Bennett for the GOP nomination for US Senate in 2010. It is a long way off, but to me, Bennett's offer is not that much different than what happened in the State Treasurer's race not to long ago. Bennett's office should be ashamed.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Hurray for Mark Shurtleff!
http://www.ksl.com/index.php?nid=148&sid=5703170
Mark Shurtleff has admitted that he is considering challenging Bennett for the GOP nomination for the Senate in 2010. It may iffy at this time, but to me it is significant. Why? Because it is only February of 2009. And the state Attorney General is the 3rd ranking state officer in Utah. It is significant that such a high-ranking Utah Republican is putting his name out so early in the cycle. This sort of thing doesn't happen until November-December.
It is just another sign that it is time for Mr Bennett to retire.
Mark Shurtleff has admitted that he is considering challenging Bennett for the GOP nomination for the Senate in 2010. It may iffy at this time, but to me it is significant. Why? Because it is only February of 2009. And the state Attorney General is the 3rd ranking state officer in Utah. It is significant that such a high-ranking Utah Republican is putting his name out so early in the cycle. This sort of thing doesn't happen until November-December.
It is just another sign that it is time for Mr Bennett to retire.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Bennet's story
Bob Bennett has said that his tax problems were an oversight by a business partner. Who is buying it? But the headlines have dissipated from the SL news, for now.
Now, on to this super-huge stimulus package. President Obama wanted bi-partisan support, and he did not get it. We the people have forgotten that bi-partisan means only one thing...compromise. The democrats give a little and the republicans give a little and meet somewhere in the middle. There was very little GOP input on this bill. Even if more republicans vote for it, that alone does not make it bi-partisan.
Make no mistake, the democrats are in charge now. They can do whatever they want and will get a lot of mileage blaming things on the Bush administration. And they will get a lot of mileage out of casting the wall-flower republicans as do-nothings.
The GOPs in congress need to come up with their own substantive plans and proposals. And if Shawn Hannity and Rush Limbaugh are the only media members that will give them the time of day...so be it.
Now, on to this super-huge stimulus package. President Obama wanted bi-partisan support, and he did not get it. We the people have forgotten that bi-partisan means only one thing...compromise. The democrats give a little and the republicans give a little and meet somewhere in the middle. There was very little GOP input on this bill. Even if more republicans vote for it, that alone does not make it bi-partisan.
Make no mistake, the democrats are in charge now. They can do whatever they want and will get a lot of mileage blaming things on the Bush administration. And they will get a lot of mileage out of casting the wall-flower republicans as do-nothings.
The GOPs in congress need to come up with their own substantive plans and proposals. And if Shawn Hannity and Rush Limbaugh are the only media members that will give them the time of day...so be it.
Monday, February 9, 2009
Do you hear what I am saying to you!
Latest news from KSL:
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=5544948
Please, please retire Bob!
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=5544948
Please, please retire Bob!
Sunday, February 8, 2009
The Big Stimulus a bi-partisan effort.
One of the eleven democrats who voted against the huge stimulus bill in the house was Utah's Jim Matheson. So far, the entire Utah delegation has voted it down even though it will add about 1 billion to our badly strapped state budget. I think that even when the house and senate differences are ironed out, our state delegation will still be 5 to 0 against. I don't hear our governor or any state legislature members complaining about that. Why? This is the sort of thing that is a loose/loose situation for our well-managed state, especially for a governor who's star is on the rise.
I just filed my 2008 taxes. Because I am working on a Masters degree and my wife is working on a Bachelors degree, our entire tax liability was wiped out by tax credits. We have three children. There was a little 2000 withheld from my pay checks this year, and I am getting over 5000 in return. I am going to say no to extra 3000 that I am getting from the Federal government this year just because I am a fiscal conservative? I am saying a prayer of gratitude to my grandchildren...the ones who are actually pay for this.
Then no, I am not going to condem the state or the governor for the 1 billion that they are getting from the federal government. I'm certain, however, that if Mr. Huntsman becomes the GOP nominee for president in 2012, it will come up. But what would Jesus do? Let him who is without sin cast the first stone. In 2012, that will be very few of us.
Finally, there is something that I wanted to say to all the conservatives who stayed home on election day because the wanted to teach the GOP party a lesson. Thank you. The joke is on you now. Do you really think that John McCain would have pushed a trillion dollar stimulus package through congress? Do you think that John McCain would have allowed your federal taxpayer dollars to support abortion overseas? Do you think that John McCain would have allowed the mastermind of the USS Cole bombing to go free and then apologize to the families of our dead sailors the next day? Do you think that John McCain would have cancelled the Afghanistan troop surge? Do you really think that John McCain would have put America's overseas image ahead of your safety? Do you think that John McCain would have built a frisbee golf course in Austin and called it economic stimulus? So if you are unhappy now, don't blame me...I voted.
I just filed my 2008 taxes. Because I am working on a Masters degree and my wife is working on a Bachelors degree, our entire tax liability was wiped out by tax credits. We have three children. There was a little 2000 withheld from my pay checks this year, and I am getting over 5000 in return. I am going to say no to extra 3000 that I am getting from the Federal government this year just because I am a fiscal conservative? I am saying a prayer of gratitude to my grandchildren...the ones who are actually pay for this.
Then no, I am not going to condem the state or the governor for the 1 billion that they are getting from the federal government. I'm certain, however, that if Mr. Huntsman becomes the GOP nominee for president in 2012, it will come up. But what would Jesus do? Let him who is without sin cast the first stone. In 2012, that will be very few of us.
Finally, there is something that I wanted to say to all the conservatives who stayed home on election day because the wanted to teach the GOP party a lesson. Thank you. The joke is on you now. Do you really think that John McCain would have pushed a trillion dollar stimulus package through congress? Do you think that John McCain would have allowed your federal taxpayer dollars to support abortion overseas? Do you think that John McCain would have allowed the mastermind of the USS Cole bombing to go free and then apologize to the families of our dead sailors the next day? Do you think that John McCain would have cancelled the Afghanistan troop surge? Do you really think that John McCain would have put America's overseas image ahead of your safety? Do you think that John McCain would have built a frisbee golf course in Austin and called it economic stimulus? So if you are unhappy now, don't blame me...I voted.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Princess Pelosi's new math.
This video speaks for itself...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVl2nqjLVeA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fVl2nqjLVeA
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Sam Jackson uninformed
Sam Jackson would not call Mormons un-American, but he would call them uninformed instead. Perhaps is is Mr. Jackson who is uninformed. If Mormons can really make a difference in the Prop 8 battle, they can make a difference in the failure or success of a film where Samuel L Jackson has his name in the credits. IMHO--the reason that many Hollywood ventures are a failure is because actors like Sam Jackson are uninformed about the makeup of their audience. Why is it that some many blockbusters don't win Oscars and why so few Oscar winners are blockbusters? There is a real disconnect between the filmakers and the audience.
I can't speak for all Latter-day Saints, but I happen to like the work that Sam Jackson has presented on film. I find his comments about us...uninformed. And dissapointing. I am sorry for all of the people out there that were offended by the passing of Prop 8 in California. But it is the law of the land now and let's move on from here. If Sam Jackson comes to Utah, I would love to personally take him on a tour of Temple Square and other sites in Salt Lake and hopefully we will all have a better understanding of each other.
I can't speak for all Latter-day Saints, but I happen to like the work that Sam Jackson has presented on film. I find his comments about us...uninformed. And dissapointing. I am sorry for all of the people out there that were offended by the passing of Prop 8 in California. But it is the law of the land now and let's move on from here. If Sam Jackson comes to Utah, I would love to personally take him on a tour of Temple Square and other sites in Salt Lake and hopefully we will all have a better understanding of each other.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Now is not the time for profits.
That is what President Obama said on Thursday. Talk radio was all over that comment today. I am going to give the new prez the benefit of the doubt, this time. I'm certain that he mis-spoke and meant to say bonuses. Of course any time is the time for companies to have profits. Corporate profits are a good sign that the company is turning around. Profitable businesses hire people. Profit means new jobs. One of my professors in college described corporate taxes as involuntary profit sharing. If corporations do not have profits, then the government gets less tax money from them and investors will take their money elsewhere. We want profitable businesses. Profit means federal surpluses and not federal deficits.
Some of the bonuses paid to employees and executives, on the other hand, need to be looked at. When the company is not profitable, when the stock price is flondering, when you are handing out pink slips without cause and when you are driving to Wahsington to ask Uncle Sam for a hand out you should not be giving out bonuses. It is unethical and sends the wrong message to employees, customers and investors about what is and who are the prioritites of your company. Would you want to work for, invest in or partner with a company that does this?
One of the problems we have with business today is that so many corporate leaders have forgotten about who they are in business for and who makes it happen. Of course, I understand that you do not get a Harvard MBA just to scrape by on a measly six-figure income...forever. But corporate leaders need to be the ones to sacrifice. If it comes between your bonus and someone's job, please give up your bonus and keep the employee on the payroll. Goodwill is an asset that your company can not put in the bank, and you can not buy but it does collect interest. Once spent, it is harder to earn back than real money. Pink slips and bonuses spend goodwill.
If you have to lay off an employee, there is a right way to do it. If things turn around for the company, you may want that person back. Here is how it is done right...and should be done every time, don't use lack of proftis as an excuse. Out of my three lay-offs, this is the way it was best handled.
1. Provide a letter to the employee stating that the termination was not by cause. This will help the employee get a new job and will also help if the employee needs to negociate with creditors.
2. Provide both emotional and financial counseling. Help the employee and his family emotionally and help the employee keep his credit.
3. Employ a professional outplacement firm to help the employee find a new job. Many hands make light and quick work.
4. Keep the employee on salary for 60 to 90 days afterwards. Keep health benefits active for that amount of time as well. It will help the employee if there are not "pre-existing conditions" when new insurance is bonded.
5. Offer tuition assistance or a scholarship if retraining is needed.
6. If needed, pay relocation costs.
The more quickly and easily the employee transitions to a new company, the less he will gossip about the old one. And if this program sounds expensive, it is. But it is much easier than getting back Goodwill.
Some of the bonuses paid to employees and executives, on the other hand, need to be looked at. When the company is not profitable, when the stock price is flondering, when you are handing out pink slips without cause and when you are driving to Wahsington to ask Uncle Sam for a hand out you should not be giving out bonuses. It is unethical and sends the wrong message to employees, customers and investors about what is and who are the prioritites of your company. Would you want to work for, invest in or partner with a company that does this?
One of the problems we have with business today is that so many corporate leaders have forgotten about who they are in business for and who makes it happen. Of course, I understand that you do not get a Harvard MBA just to scrape by on a measly six-figure income...forever. But corporate leaders need to be the ones to sacrifice. If it comes between your bonus and someone's job, please give up your bonus and keep the employee on the payroll. Goodwill is an asset that your company can not put in the bank, and you can not buy but it does collect interest. Once spent, it is harder to earn back than real money. Pink slips and bonuses spend goodwill.
If you have to lay off an employee, there is a right way to do it. If things turn around for the company, you may want that person back. Here is how it is done right...and should be done every time, don't use lack of proftis as an excuse. Out of my three lay-offs, this is the way it was best handled.
1. Provide a letter to the employee stating that the termination was not by cause. This will help the employee get a new job and will also help if the employee needs to negociate with creditors.
2. Provide both emotional and financial counseling. Help the employee and his family emotionally and help the employee keep his credit.
3. Employ a professional outplacement firm to help the employee find a new job. Many hands make light and quick work.
4. Keep the employee on salary for 60 to 90 days afterwards. Keep health benefits active for that amount of time as well. It will help the employee if there are not "pre-existing conditions" when new insurance is bonded.
5. Offer tuition assistance or a scholarship if retraining is needed.
6. If needed, pay relocation costs.
The more quickly and easily the employee transitions to a new company, the less he will gossip about the old one. And if this program sounds expensive, it is. But it is much easier than getting back Goodwill.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Report on cause of economic downturn...GW Bush not to blame.
The Brookings Institute is one of the leading economic analysis firms in the World. They have a report out about the cause of the current economic crisis. They are not blaming the now former president.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/01/29/economic.crisis.explainer/index.html?eref=rss_topstories
Now knowing what caused it, we know how to fix it? No there are no suggestions there. I guess we just have to ride this storm out. And use good common-sense lending principles. Back to the basics.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/01/29/economic.crisis.explainer/index.html?eref=rss_topstories
Now knowing what caused it, we know how to fix it? No there are no suggestions there. I guess we just have to ride this storm out. And use good common-sense lending principles. Back to the basics.
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
A Big Thank You
I have to send out a big...
Thank You
...to all three members of Utah's House of Representatives delegation for voting against the "porkulus" bill. It took much more courage, however, for Jim Matheson to vote against his party. But at least he did not vote against the wishes of his constituents.
Thank You
...to all three members of Utah's House of Representatives delegation for voting against the "porkulus" bill. It took much more courage, however, for Jim Matheson to vote against his party. But at least he did not vote against the wishes of his constituents.
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