Attended My First TEA Party

Handing off taxpayer dollars to the failed banks was the wrong thing to do. Regulation was what kept our economy from the "Boom and Bust" cycles we have experienced every 15 years since the 1700's. The Great Depression brought us Regulations. The "Boom and Bust" cycle was over. Finally, we could invest, spend, innovate, create with trust. In the 1980's we began to loosen some regulation requirements. The S&L failure was born. More reductions in regulations birthed 'cooking the books" in an Enron style of financial reporting. Then we experienced the fraudulent mortgage lending bringing the banks in an insolvent status. All because we bought this idea of "TOO BIG TO FAIL".

TEA Parties across the nation were attended by concerned citizens. "Leave our children and grandchildren's money alone" "Balance Budget" "Spend Less" "Stop tax increases" "Stop spending my future" "Fair Tax" "keep out of my piggy bank" "Don't tax me, bro" "Next time READ THE BILL" "Term limits"

Can a Check for $600 Stimulate the Economy?

The US economy is in the tank. Our Washington D.C. leaders are scrambling to get money in the hands of American Taxpayers. Their answer....$600.

Our leaders are so far removed from civilization. They believe that by sending checks to American citizens will encourage Americans to spend hence, boost the economy. But what will you do with your $600? Most people I know will take their $600 and pay down debt. Or they will use the money to pay the heat bill or gasoline for their car. I know of no one that will buy an unnecessary electronics, clothing or any other type of item. America has been suffering economically for quite some time. They have curtailed their run away spending habits of the 1990's since the 9/11 attack. Since the turn of the new century, American wages have been stagnant. Cost of milk and gasoline has risen over $3 per gallon. We are no longer the 'consumer nation' we once were. Corporations that were made great and world known by the works of American laborers have separated from the nation to become multi-nationalists that have no loyalties to one nation, but rather to the beloved buck. They go and grow where their money will get them the cheapest labor in the world.

I do not believe the economy can be stimulated by taxpayers. I believe it will take government regulations to bring back the jobs that were sent overseas. And to regulated the banking and mortgage lenders. Regulation works.
What do you think?

Will Increased Work Visas Provide Competitive Advantage?

The IEE-USA, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers – United States of America, and the SIA Semiconductor Industry Association, have joined forces to lobby Congress for an increase in H-1B visa cap and in Green Card issuance to foreign born US University educated. They claim, this will allow the improvement of America’s competitive position in the global economy. But will it?

Unsafe Products from US

US Congressman Mark Kirk sent me a survey concerning the unsafe products from China.

Given problems with poison pet food, dangerous toys and other defective products from China, please tell me what you think Congress should do to protect the American people: (Please check all policies that you agree with)

Send US Food and Drug Administration inspectors to China

Send US Consumer Product Safety Commission inspectors to China

Increase fines on importers who bring unsafe food or products into the US

Establish user fees to pay for new inspections of food and goods from abroad

Ban companies who violate US standards from the US market for five years

Ban companies who violate US standards from the US market forever

Shut down all trade with China

I found none of the items in the list as realistic fixes. So, I added my own comment

"The importing company must be responsible for bringing in the unsafe products. Mattel is washing their hands of responsibility because they say they are simply a brand, not the manufacturer. This con should not be acceptable in our great nation.
Companies that opt to outsource services and products must be held responsible for the services and products they place their name on. Corporate responsibility is a must.
Perhaps if the US companies are held to a higher standard they will demand higher standards from the companies they outsource work to be done. "

What are your thoughts?

Hire Americans, Not Lobbyists

CNBC Power Lunch asks the question, "How does the US need to change immigration policy to allow more high tech workers into the country?" They welcome your opinion at the following email addresses:
powerlunch@cnbc.com
youropinion@cnbc.com

My Answer
Perhaps employers need to be making changes. Rather than hiring lobbyist to seduce Washington D.C. representatives, why not spend the money on providing the "skills"to the people in the US? This way, you can fill these jobs with local candidates. The US Immigration policy would not be an issue for you. And your company would earn and the American people would earn. This is a win/win.
For 4 years, I moaned about the US Immigration policy. I moaned about the fact that the IT Industry favored professionals from overseas. During those 4 years, I could not find work. I decided that rather than expecting others to change (US Immigration Policy and Employers insatiable hunger for young foreign talent that will work for less than Americans) I would stop seeking employment in the IT Industry and look toward other Industries. To make a long story short, I am employed, in the Chemical Industry. It's a win/win for me and my employer.

What do you think?

Stella Got Her Groove Back

And so did I

I haven't posted since Oct 2005.
In 2006 I accepted a full time permanent job position. Not in IT any more, but that's ok.
Working for a small business. I miss the money from IT, but I don't miss the stress of IT. No longer do I suffer from fear of company down sizing, frustration of working in an under staffed operation, and required to put in overtime hours. In my new job, I am paid for all 8 hours I am there each day. Yup, even my lunch hour is paid time. Added to this, the company buys the lunch.
It's good to be making money again

Survived another Year

2006 arrived quietly, though with very much anticipation. See, I am one of the individuals whose life is influenced by the calendar.
Experiencing 5 decade of life on earth, I have noticed a pattern undeniably motivated by where certain events appear on my life's time-line.

In a nutshell, I fair much better at the butt-end of the decade oppose the the head of the decade.

I graduated in the late 70's. Employed, but not gainfully until I took some chance in the middle 80's.
I became a parent in the late 80's.
Experienced financial difficulties and relational difficulties in the early 90's ( though the relational and financial stresses were not related).
I was able to crawl out from under the oppression of debt and fear in the late 90's.
I had a job I loved and the job paid well too. It was too good to last, and it did indeed come to an end in 2001.
Since the loss of that fabulous job, I have been able to land only 'tempie' gigs and low paying jobs.
This is why I am thrilled to welcome 2006! It holds a promise for me of "BETTER DAYS".