Last week’s annual conference of Western Association of Chamber Executives was packed with invaluable guidance through the white waters of our current economy. Of the many gifted speakers, Richard Weiss, executive vice president and chief investment officer for City National Bank, reminded us that this recession is part of a natural process.
“What goes up, must come down.”
“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven…” (Ecclesiastes 3:1).
Officially declared last November, this recession began as early as December 2007. Mr. Weiss suggests that the economy will bottom out near the end of the second quarter and begin to rise at the end of the third. In mid-2010, we should experience expansion once again. His predictions agree with other sources, including 200 years of history.
But history also demonstrates the harmful results of interference with a natural occurrence. In a full-page ad of the February 9th Wall Street Journal, 250 members of the Cato Institute disagree with President Obama’s insistence that only a recovery plan by our government can jumpstart the economy.
The prestigious Cato panel points out: “More government spending by Hoover and Roosevelt did not pull the United States economy out of the Great Depression in the 1930s. More government spending did not solve Japan’s ‘lost decade’ in the 1990s…
To improve the economy, policymakers should focus on reforms that remove impediments to work, saving, investment and production. Lower tax rates and a reduction in the burden of government are the best ways of using fiscal policy to boost growth.”
Supply-side and laissez-faire approaches require courage, patience, and maturity. Giving in to fear and panic leads to rash decisions of deficit spending, affecting generations to come.
And shame to those who use these temporary unfortunate circumstances to advance self-interest and greed! Consider the recent mishandled bailouts, the present Congressional “stimulus” packages laden with hidden social agendas, and irrevocable tax increases without sunset clauses.
The sky is not falling! For the moment, it’s best that we weather the storm. By the time what little “stimulus” revenues actually reach main street, the economy should be on the way to recovery… naturally.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
Principle-Centered Leadership
It is curious that we celebrate the tenth annual Leadership Clovis Day this month in the midst of this most intense economic downturn and the aftermath of this particular Presidential election.
However in the confusion and distractions, the principles studied in my own two-year Leadership Clovis internship guided me through. Principles cannot be manipulated and, therefore, never change. They are our moral compass giving clarity.
President-elect Barack Obama was not my choice as a leader of this great nation. With college records and birth certificate sealed, we know very little of a seemingly guarded past, void of sound accomplishments prior to very short tenure as a United States Senator.
And on the campaign trail, not only did he move from the far left to the center for mass appeal, but he either dropped or denied radical associations as well. All this spun with the help of the media, internet, fellow politicians, and Hollywood, a president-elect was created. Sadly, we know very little about him.
With this said, through the election process created by the wisdom of our country’s founders, we shall transition peacefully and seamlessly from one leader to another.
The inauguration this January is of historic value. For the first time in over 200 years since our Nation’s founding and its struggle for racial equality, we will be lead by a person of color. This in itself is a reason for an incredible celebration.
May our moral compass guide us to unite behind him with our support.
Unlike the shameful treatment towards President George W. Bush on display to the world, I pray that we grant our new leader the respect that the highest office in our Nation deserves and that he grant us principle-centered leadership.
However in the confusion and distractions, the principles studied in my own two-year Leadership Clovis internship guided me through. Principles cannot be manipulated and, therefore, never change. They are our moral compass giving clarity.
President-elect Barack Obama was not my choice as a leader of this great nation. With college records and birth certificate sealed, we know very little of a seemingly guarded past, void of sound accomplishments prior to very short tenure as a United States Senator.
And on the campaign trail, not only did he move from the far left to the center for mass appeal, but he either dropped or denied radical associations as well. All this spun with the help of the media, internet, fellow politicians, and Hollywood, a president-elect was created. Sadly, we know very little about him.
With this said, through the election process created by the wisdom of our country’s founders, we shall transition peacefully and seamlessly from one leader to another.
The inauguration this January is of historic value. For the first time in over 200 years since our Nation’s founding and its struggle for racial equality, we will be lead by a person of color. This in itself is a reason for an incredible celebration.
May our moral compass guide us to unite behind him with our support.
Unlike the shameful treatment towards President George W. Bush on display to the world, I pray that we grant our new leader the respect that the highest office in our Nation deserves and that he grant us principle-centered leadership.
Bring it on, 2009!
A week into the New Year and I’m still toiling over a general plan for 2009. Post traumatic shock from the last few months has blocked my creativity and enthusiasm as I strive for a theme to carry me through. “Gonna do fine in 2009”…”Rise and shine in 2009”…”Toe the line in 2009”…
Unfortunately, the bleak economic predictions are not inspiring. The economy is like that point in the movie “Titanic” when the engines moaned and groaned to a halt, the lights on deck went black, and the momentary stillness was broken by panic as passengers and crew members ran about chaotically for quick safety of flimsy lifeboats.
Such are the quick-fix schemes of bail outs and stimulus packages that put the nation - and its people - into deeper debt indefinitely. Increased taxation with a potentially negative impact on commerce, results in diminished returns for all.
The mess is so complicated that there are no simple, short-term solutions. Finding answers will take time and wisdom. They must be mutually beneficial, taxing to no one, most of all our children, our future generations.
We must face this pivotal time rationally and unselfishly. Drop the game-playing of finger pointing and whose name will go on the bronze plaque. Let’s just get it done.
Bring it on, 2009!
Unfortunately, the bleak economic predictions are not inspiring. The economy is like that point in the movie “Titanic” when the engines moaned and groaned to a halt, the lights on deck went black, and the momentary stillness was broken by panic as passengers and crew members ran about chaotically for quick safety of flimsy lifeboats.
Such are the quick-fix schemes of bail outs and stimulus packages that put the nation - and its people - into deeper debt indefinitely. Increased taxation with a potentially negative impact on commerce, results in diminished returns for all.
The mess is so complicated that there are no simple, short-term solutions. Finding answers will take time and wisdom. They must be mutually beneficial, taxing to no one, most of all our children, our future generations.
We must face this pivotal time rationally and unselfishly. Drop the game-playing of finger pointing and whose name will go on the bronze plaque. Let’s just get it done.
Bring it on, 2009!
Season brings out the best in us
What a roller-coaster ride this year has been! Stock markets are rising and falling. Foreclosures have reached historic highs as the inflated housing market is bottoming out, providing first-time buyers opportunities for homes.
“There’s a hold up in the Bronx,
Brooklyn’s broken out in fights.”
The world’s developed economies have slid into financial crisis and are expected to slip lower in 2009. As if unnoticed this past year, a recession was officially declared last month!
Congress and the White House are legislating a bailout for The Big Three auto makers, to be administered by a Car Czar – the same Feds that sponsored Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac!
“There’s a traffic jam in Harlem
that’s backed up to Jackson Heights.”
U.S. Troops and the people of Iraq and Afghanistan achieved stable democratic government. In between national remembrances of 9/11 and Pearl Harbor, radical terrorists attacked the peaceful nation of India.
“There’s a scout troop short a child,
Kruschev’s due at Idlewild…”
As I write this, Governor Blagojevich was arrested for attempting to sell the president-elect’s vacant U.S. Senate seat to the highest bidder. (Imagine that, in Illinois of all places.) Oh, and OJ is finally behind bars!
“Car 54, Where Are You?”
Through all this tumult, including nasty elections nationally, the refrain “Car 54, Where Are You?” began echoing in my memory. (For those unfortunates born too late, google “Car 54, Where Are You?”)
Last Saturday, I recalled the entire theme song while ringing the Salvation Army bell under the clouded morning sky at the Sierra Vista Mall. I began laughing to myself, realizing how important it is to look for the lighter side for relief from the constant barrage of doom and gloom.
During these challenging days you have to search for the positive side. For this issue of the Clovis Chamber News, we received 34 pieces of good news, including the record crowds at One Enchanted Evening in Old Town.
This season brings out the best in many people. While bell ringing, I was privileged to meet some of them, from the six-year old with the toothless smile who dropped a fist full of change into the bucket to the couple who handed me pair of black knitted gloves insisting that I needed them against the chilled morning air to the sweet elderly woman who has contributed to the Salvation Army in memory of her husband for each of the 27 years since his passing. Most everyone seemed determined to make the best of this chaotic year as they rushed about.
And so, focus on what you can immediately affect…you, your family and community. Whatever you celebrate, may you find laughter and good news, and a prosperous and healthy new year!
“There’s a hold up in the Bronx,
Brooklyn’s broken out in fights.”
The world’s developed economies have slid into financial crisis and are expected to slip lower in 2009. As if unnoticed this past year, a recession was officially declared last month!
Congress and the White House are legislating a bailout for The Big Three auto makers, to be administered by a Car Czar – the same Feds that sponsored Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac!
“There’s a traffic jam in Harlem
that’s backed up to Jackson Heights.”
U.S. Troops and the people of Iraq and Afghanistan achieved stable democratic government. In between national remembrances of 9/11 and Pearl Harbor, radical terrorists attacked the peaceful nation of India.
“There’s a scout troop short a child,
Kruschev’s due at Idlewild…”
As I write this, Governor Blagojevich was arrested for attempting to sell the president-elect’s vacant U.S. Senate seat to the highest bidder. (Imagine that, in Illinois of all places.) Oh, and OJ is finally behind bars!
“Car 54, Where Are You?”
Through all this tumult, including nasty elections nationally, the refrain “Car 54, Where Are You?” began echoing in my memory. (For those unfortunates born too late, google “Car 54, Where Are You?”)
Last Saturday, I recalled the entire theme song while ringing the Salvation Army bell under the clouded morning sky at the Sierra Vista Mall. I began laughing to myself, realizing how important it is to look for the lighter side for relief from the constant barrage of doom and gloom.
During these challenging days you have to search for the positive side. For this issue of the Clovis Chamber News, we received 34 pieces of good news, including the record crowds at One Enchanted Evening in Old Town.
This season brings out the best in many people. While bell ringing, I was privileged to meet some of them, from the six-year old with the toothless smile who dropped a fist full of change into the bucket to the couple who handed me pair of black knitted gloves insisting that I needed them against the chilled morning air to the sweet elderly woman who has contributed to the Salvation Army in memory of her husband for each of the 27 years since his passing. Most everyone seemed determined to make the best of this chaotic year as they rushed about.
And so, focus on what you can immediately affect…you, your family and community. Whatever you celebrate, may you find laughter and good news, and a prosperous and healthy new year!
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