A Happy Marriage after 39 years, the excitement of a new granddaughter, enjoying the time in your life when your time is your own and your passions fill your days . . . It is the happy endings of novels and the fade to black scenes in movies and it seems Michael Shearer was living that moment we all wait for, all the while holding the hand of his beloved Kathleen . . .
An Engineer by trade and a "Lawn Enthusiast" by choice Michael and his wife (Kathleen) had just moved into their dream home in Dover, NH; a house with the river view that they always wanted. The best part for Michael it seems was that there was a new lawn to perfect and he spent the day of September 10th 2001 seeding his new lawn. The plan it seems was that while he and his wife took a trip to California to visit their new granddaughter, the lawn would take hold and they would return to a paradise of green grass and that amazing river view. Another fade to black moment seems to be what they had in mind.
As we all know the fade to black moment that took the lives of Michael and Kathleen Shearer happened early on September 11, 2001 as the flight they boarded in Boston took a detour that would forever change the lives of their family and friends, total strangers like myself and inevitably our nation.
I cannot fathom the anguish that their family must have felt, though it seems there were some small moments of comfort that I hope today can bring them some peace as another anniversary comes to pass. A quilt that had lovingly been made by a doting grandmother and feared lost was found safe and sound at their home. Perhaps in that rush to get out the door and to the airport, which we have all experienced, it was just accidentally left behind. For whatever reason a daughter and a granddaughter will have a forever reminder to hold on to. But more than a quilt to wrap yourself in I hope that as their granddaughter grows that her family will find comfort in seeing the best parts of their parent's living on. (After all it is inevitable that the generations following us will be genetically linked to us for better or worse.) My hope for a fade to black moment today is that a daughter looks into the face of the living legacy of her parents, their granddaughter, and that she sees her father's smile . . .
*Information obtained from http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2001/memorial/people/1575.html
http://legacy.com/Sept11/Story.aspx?PersonID=91709
Friday, September 11, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
I'm Moving . .
Please make note. My blog will be moving to a new address. Please make note and keep following!!
http://sgspursuit.wordpress.com/
http://sgspursuit.wordpress.com/
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
"We're only poor until October 1st"
Of all the things I can say about our business and yes there are many, the one thing I can assure you of is that there is never a dull moment . . For instance this past week has been spent working with one of our biggest clients (you'll never guess who!) on when they can pay their bills for services already provided.
Now I understand that the economy is still in recovery mode, though I do remember hearing last week someone saying the recession was over . . who was that? Oh that's right it was our biggest client. I should be more specific. Our client is an agency of the tax & spend crowd . . I don't want to names but their money comes from that magical place called the Fed . .
I'm getting off track again so let me refocus here . .
We provide health care workers for "our clients" project. Don't get me wrong this is a very worthwhile project and one we are happy to be part of, however, we are a small business and actually require payment to fund things like our employee's payroll, for example. Keep in mind we invoice for services rendered so we are out of pocket until we get paid, like most small businesses.
So after haggling back and forth, getting the run around, today I finally get the whole story. The problem is that "our client" runs their fiscal year from Oct-Oct, while most everyone else in, oh say the private sector is on a Jan-Jan schedule. The truth of the matter is that "our client" paid invoices for service year 2008 in 2009, because they paid late and didn't pay until after October 1st last year . . . So they have applied those payments against their budget for this fiscal year and now they have no more money . .
Apparently our method of accounting is just crazy . . because typically when we go to pay our bills we pay them with the money allotted for that service or expense, we don't take from next year's money just because we paid in a different accounting period. We are at an impasse because I can't grasp the complicated accounting system under which "our client" participates . .
So now we are stuck as a small, family owned business with deciding to fight this, as it a 5 digit loss we would be taking, . . We certainly don't have their resources, it could cost us future business (hard to believe I know) and for all intensive purposes they are broke until October.
My question is, "What happens on October 1st?" Amazingly the money trees in your privately owned bank will produce money you don't have to begin with? Perhaps we should all adopt this accounting method around, I don't know . . April 15th . .
-Nichole, in constant pursuit of life, liberty & happiness . . .
Now I understand that the economy is still in recovery mode, though I do remember hearing last week someone saying the recession was over . . who was that? Oh that's right it was our biggest client. I should be more specific. Our client is an agency of the tax & spend crowd . . I don't want to names but their money comes from that magical place called the Fed . .
I'm getting off track again so let me refocus here . .
We provide health care workers for "our clients" project. Don't get me wrong this is a very worthwhile project and one we are happy to be part of, however, we are a small business and actually require payment to fund things like our employee's payroll, for example. Keep in mind we invoice for services rendered so we are out of pocket until we get paid, like most small businesses.
So after haggling back and forth, getting the run around, today I finally get the whole story. The problem is that "our client" runs their fiscal year from Oct-Oct, while most everyone else in, oh say the private sector is on a Jan-Jan schedule. The truth of the matter is that "our client" paid invoices for service year 2008 in 2009, because they paid late and didn't pay until after October 1st last year . . . So they have applied those payments against their budget for this fiscal year and now they have no more money . .
Apparently our method of accounting is just crazy . . because typically when we go to pay our bills we pay them with the money allotted for that service or expense, we don't take from next year's money just because we paid in a different accounting period. We are at an impasse because I can't grasp the complicated accounting system under which "our client" participates . .
So now we are stuck as a small, family owned business with deciding to fight this, as it a 5 digit loss we would be taking, . . We certainly don't have their resources, it could cost us future business (hard to believe I know) and for all intensive purposes they are broke until October.
My question is, "What happens on October 1st?" Amazingly the money trees in your privately owned bank will produce money you don't have to begin with? Perhaps we should all adopt this accounting method around, I don't know . . April 15th . .
-Nichole, in constant pursuit of life, liberty & happiness . . .
Monday, August 17, 2009
A Town Hall, A Spider Bite & Health Care Reform
I attended Senator Corker's town hall meeting today. Media worthy? Not so much . . A lot of the same old, same old. Don't get me wrong I am a supporter of Senator Corker's and do believe that he has common sense, morals and integrity but at the end of the day he is still a politician. Did I learn anything new? No. Did I see angry people wanting their voices heard? Absolutely. Did I get bit by a spider? Yes.
No this isn't one of my wordy metaphors, I really did get bit by a spider in the town hall meeting. That's the story I am sticking with otherwise I would have to tell you how their was this scary, liberal reporter standing near me and she could have injected me with any number of things . . But that would just feed the liberal conspiracy machine so for the purposes of this blog we are going with the spider theory.
Luckily for me I am already allergic to everything known to man . . trees, grass, dogs, cats, manual labor . . you name it I am allergic to it and so I was medicated with my daily Sam's brand "Benadryl". No, I don't buy it because I am cheap or don't have insurance, in fact I have the exact same insurance as Senator Corker. Do we pay the same premiums? I am going to go with no as we are a small business of under 50 employees . . he works for the nation's largest employer . . You do the math . .
But the fact is that I am very considerate with the benefits I have. They are quite expensive, believe me I write the check every month, but I stop to think before I whip out the old insurance card for something like a spider bite. Because every time I use that card I risk my premiums and those of all of our employees rising, we risk being able to pay less of their premiums or allocating more funds to insurance premiums and less to creating jobs. I am not sure Senator Corker and his colleagues have that same concern but it is one that many small business owners and self insured individuals face.
When we talk reform I hope that government will remain out of the way and allow private insurance carriers to allow small businesses and self-employed individuals to join together, under their own accord and without penalty, to create our own cafeteria plan for the life blood of this country, the small business. Perhaps with a plan such as this I will be able to write a smaller premium check each month and more paychecks. Perhaps with a plan like this a spider bite wouldn't be worth talking about . .
No this isn't one of my wordy metaphors, I really did get bit by a spider in the town hall meeting. That's the story I am sticking with otherwise I would have to tell you how their was this scary, liberal reporter standing near me and she could have injected me with any number of things . . But that would just feed the liberal conspiracy machine so for the purposes of this blog we are going with the spider theory.
Luckily for me I am already allergic to everything known to man . . trees, grass, dogs, cats, manual labor . . you name it I am allergic to it and so I was medicated with my daily Sam's brand "Benadryl". No, I don't buy it because I am cheap or don't have insurance, in fact I have the exact same insurance as Senator Corker. Do we pay the same premiums? I am going to go with no as we are a small business of under 50 employees . . he works for the nation's largest employer . . You do the math . .
But the fact is that I am very considerate with the benefits I have. They are quite expensive, believe me I write the check every month, but I stop to think before I whip out the old insurance card for something like a spider bite. Because every time I use that card I risk my premiums and those of all of our employees rising, we risk being able to pay less of their premiums or allocating more funds to insurance premiums and less to creating jobs. I am not sure Senator Corker and his colleagues have that same concern but it is one that many small business owners and self insured individuals face.
When we talk reform I hope that government will remain out of the way and allow private insurance carriers to allow small businesses and self-employed individuals to join together, under their own accord and without penalty, to create our own cafeteria plan for the life blood of this country, the small business. Perhaps with a plan such as this I will be able to write a smaller premium check each month and more paychecks. Perhaps with a plan like this a spider bite wouldn't be worth talking about . .
Thursday, August 13, 2009
A Letter to Myself on My 32nd Birthday . . .
So Nichole you made it to 32. 32 . . This is by far the hardest number so far . . . I know 40 is the new 30, blah, blah, but I just can't help but wonder what the Republic will look like in 8 years, a year, a month . .
I have always said there will be more time. More time to travel, more time to make the hard decisions I avoid, more time to fit in my skinny jeans, more time to open my heart to someone else . . In a sea of "this year I am going to . . ." I find myself hoping and praying for more time . .
They say a crisis is one of those moments that makes you evaluate everything about your life and see it in more clarity then ever before and they may be right. (Well unless you are Rahm Emanuel .. but that's another story for another day). Suddenly I feel that every day is about playing catch up for all those "more time" days I have had, that the moment for it all is now. I honestly feel more alive than I have in a long time because I am making those decisions of who I am and what I believe. I am finding me and in turn I see only great things ahead . .
I see my plan to do my 1/2 marathon as a way to find peace within myself and a way to honor the body that God gave me . . I see moments with my family as more than blurs of the same thing day after day (we own a family business , enough said) . . . I see that the best me might be the me I see right now because I am taking control of my destiny, as are 1000's of others out there..
I am not sure how many tomorrows there will be to do all the things on my bucket list. But I do know that all of the hard work I see like minded individuals partaking in around the country gives me a much better chance at telling my future children about the time Americans all over our nation joined together and saved their Republic . .
I have always said there will be more time. More time to travel, more time to make the hard decisions I avoid, more time to fit in my skinny jeans, more time to open my heart to someone else . . In a sea of "this year I am going to . . ." I find myself hoping and praying for more time . .
They say a crisis is one of those moments that makes you evaluate everything about your life and see it in more clarity then ever before and they may be right. (Well unless you are Rahm Emanuel .. but that's another story for another day). Suddenly I feel that every day is about playing catch up for all those "more time" days I have had, that the moment for it all is now. I honestly feel more alive than I have in a long time because I am making those decisions of who I am and what I believe. I am finding me and in turn I see only great things ahead . .
I see my plan to do my 1/2 marathon as a way to find peace within myself and a way to honor the body that God gave me . . I see moments with my family as more than blurs of the same thing day after day (we own a family business , enough said) . . . I see that the best me might be the me I see right now because I am taking control of my destiny, as are 1000's of others out there..
I am not sure how many tomorrows there will be to do all the things on my bucket list. But I do know that all of the hard work I see like minded individuals partaking in around the country gives me a much better chance at telling my future children about the time Americans all over our nation joined together and saved their Republic . .
Monday, August 10, 2009
An Open Letter to DC From America's Largest Special Interest Group ...
To All Career Politicians, Their Lackeys and the Status Quo,I respectfully request your attention and know that you will be willing to listen, comprehend and act on my behalf as I am a member of this nation's largest special interest group. Which group you may ask? Though I belong to several . . I am a small business owner, daughter of a mother who is reaching retirement age, a business owner with a stake in the health care sector (we own a health care staffing firm) and a fiscal conservative among others. But the one you need concern yourself with is that I am an American, Voting, Taxpaying Citizen . . . a card carrying member of this Nation's Largest Special Interest Group.I and the millions of other members are the voice you should be hearing, loud and clear. We are the ones who have entrusted you with the most sacred of our possessions, our voice and our vote. Our vote and our tax dollars have given you unimaginable power and privileges and in turn you have run up an unpayable debt and are leveraging away the very things that make us all American. Somewhere along the way you began to believe you were given a blank check and Cart Blanche to do as you wish. I personally accept responsibility for these problems as I have let you believe that you had in fact been afforded rights that are in no way afforded to you. I have let you sell your campaign promises away to the highest bidder and have said little, but no more. We are the ones who have given our voice to you, most of you for far too long, and we are the ones who are now taking our voice back.We have funded your reign of spending and enabled you to be unaccountable, we have in fact created our own worst nightmare. That is no longer feasible, to take a term from the Washington playbook. You have taken something that people all across the world die for, a chance to be part of a democracy, and tarnished it until the restoration you have left with us is both too expensive and too hard to fathom. But make no mistake this is one journey we will gladly undertake for the sake of our Republic. It has now become a choice you must make, to stand with us for what is right and just or to continue on your current path of the status quo. That choice is yours to make but know this . . Your choice is now of little concern. We your largest special interest group are no longer willing to sit silently. You have broken our trust and you seem to be working tirelessly to break the spirit of what makes this country great. Instead of listening to those of us who endowed you with the greatest of position you believe that you know better than we what is best for ourselves, our families, and our communities. You have chosen to believe the American dream is expendable but we know better. The only things expendable are your careers in Washington.The Washington way you have grown accustomed to is no more. I have lost my voice over time, believing that one person could not make a difference. You continued on believing that my voice would make no difference. We were both wrong and no longer will I remain silent and no longer do you have the luxury of not listening.For if those we have elected to be our voice can not showcase the basic principles of what our Founders foresaw for us, then it is time for us to make you accountable. I am not asking that you agree with my viewpoints, that you vote my way on every issue or even that you respect my opinion because none of those things are required under our Constitution. However, you are required to hear my voice, to let me speak without fear and to know that you do owe me the truth of your decisions and choices. If you want to continue to be a leader of the greatest nation on Earth then you will start to act like a representative worthy of the honor.A leader by its very definition is someone who inspires us. From where I stand now the real leaders are far and few between. In their place I see career politicians, not public servants, who think in election cycles. Towing the party line is your status quo, not honoring the will the of the people and certainly not inspiring a nation.You have taken our money and our trust for far too long without question and the time is now that we unite in a single voice that you will not be able to ignore. Political parties are being put aside, as this is no longer an issue of opinions or ideological beliefs. This is much larger than any one issue that could divide us; this is our freedom, our liberty and our voice. From this moment forward our vote is no longer one you count on. Beginning now you will earn the votes you seek with honesty, integrity and respect for the offices you serve. If you cannot earn my vote there are many people who will find the call to public service that will earn that vote. Please consider this notice duly served and remember that no lobbyist or special interest group in America is more powerful or more important to you than that of the American, Voting, Taxpaying Citizen . . .Sincerely Yours,Nichole-In constant pursuit of Life, Liberty and Happiness . . .
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Unless You're Dead, Dying or Bleeding . .
Dear Mr. President, White House Staff, DNC, ACORN (and all of its many affiliates), Moveon.org, Organizing for America, the Apollo Project, GE . . . (okay this is going to take to many words so I am just going to cover anyone and everyone promoting the WhiteHouse Agenda), you know who you are,
I know that in the face of adversity to your agenda that you are forced to make tough choices to make sure your message is heard, and dissenting opinion is crushed, and that in order to do that you need your legions on the ground to report any dissent to you ASAP. Forget that little thing called the Constitution and that pesky 1st Amendment right to free speech .. .
I am not sure if you are aware of this or not because it is a theory I taught during my illustrious and impressive teaching career .. (2nd grade, inner city, Dallas, TX) but it truly worked wonders when dealing with issues of what I, the leader of the classroom, much like you the leader of the "free" world, needed/needs to know. Instead of turning in your friends for anything and everything. . . i.e. "He broke my pencil", "She called me a name", "They disagree with my health care policy and must be stopped at all cost", "She called my friend's socialist", well you get the idea. These are all things you or I in a leadership position don't need to know and really don't need to concern ourselves with since we are the leaders of a much bigger domain.
So to get to the point I would ask that you lead by example and share this with your network so that they can have clarification on what is imperative for them to report. Instead of collecting all the small stuff, the things that all citizens are allowed to say under that pesky 1st Amendment Right, you should only ask for information if someone is or is in danger of being "dead, dying or bleeding." Otherwise you don't need to know . . . Otherwise you are encouraging a nanny state where you encourage 2nd grade behavior and you allow a division of a classroom/nation over things that don't matter and are frankly none of your business . . .
Your maturity and leadership in this matter are greatly appreciated,
Sincerely,
-Nichole, in constant pursuit of Life, Liberty & Happiness . .
I know that in the face of adversity to your agenda that you are forced to make tough choices to make sure your message is heard, and dissenting opinion is crushed, and that in order to do that you need your legions on the ground to report any dissent to you ASAP. Forget that little thing called the Constitution and that pesky 1st Amendment right to free speech .. .
I am not sure if you are aware of this or not because it is a theory I taught during my illustrious and impressive teaching career .. (2nd grade, inner city, Dallas, TX) but it truly worked wonders when dealing with issues of what I, the leader of the classroom, much like you the leader of the "free" world, needed/needs to know. Instead of turning in your friends for anything and everything. . . i.e. "He broke my pencil", "She called me a name", "They disagree with my health care policy and must be stopped at all cost", "She called my friend's socialist", well you get the idea. These are all things you or I in a leadership position don't need to know and really don't need to concern ourselves with since we are the leaders of a much bigger domain.
So to get to the point I would ask that you lead by example and share this with your network so that they can have clarification on what is imperative for them to report. Instead of collecting all the small stuff, the things that all citizens are allowed to say under that pesky 1st Amendment Right, you should only ask for information if someone is or is in danger of being "dead, dying or bleeding." Otherwise you don't need to know . . . Otherwise you are encouraging a nanny state where you encourage 2nd grade behavior and you allow a division of a classroom/nation over things that don't matter and are frankly none of your business . . .
Your maturity and leadership in this matter are greatly appreciated,
Sincerely,
-Nichole, in constant pursuit of Life, Liberty & Happiness . .
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
If Small Business Ran the Federal Government . .
This week we have probably had 20 sales calls into our office. As a staffing company we don't try to reinvent the wheel and stick with the tried and true. We are always interested in hearing what's out there but honestly we probably take 10% of what we look at, while it seems there is always a politician looking to buy whatever the next salesman (lobbyist) is selling . .
I understand in this economy that everyone is trying to make a sale and as a small business owner I am more than empathetic but we have set a strict budget for the year and are sticking to it, not only as a matter of survival but as a way of getting back to basics and focusing on what makes us money.
Like hundreds of others like us we have had to make the hard decisions to restructure ourselves for life in a recession and the uncertainty that comes with it. Instead of 5 job boards at $20k a pop we are working with 2, who after some report generating we discovered accounted for about 85% of placements made through those sources. It's amazing the things you don't cut out when the times are good. The perks that our travel nurses had come to expect are becoming sparse as their endless demands of the past few years are becoming replaced with the basics as travel nurses far outweigh the positions available. Yes, even the health care sector has taken a hit.
But as we start to emerge into a better picture in our sector and we aren't in a daily financial hell we are finding that we are in fact running much better in our streamlined mode. Just like a plane can only hold so much weight in order to get off the ground safely, it seems we are actually flying higher with less.
Of course there are always things we find we could do better but that is one thing I do know to be true about the small business owner . . we learn from our failures, our mistakes and our triumphs because at the end of the day we succeed or fail on our own terms . .
Which brings me to that other sector . . you know the one that is failing miserably and continues to ignore the simple rules of business . . the federal government.
Out of touch doesn't even begin to describe the colossal mess that is the Federal Government.. if they were a business they would be out of business. If their leaders were CEOs or COOs or CFOs they would be fired and possibly charged with criminal wrongdoing . . If they fell under SEC Regulation they might be sitting next to Bernie in a prison cell.
However, if they were operated like small business they would be able to make the hard choices for the good of their employees, the nation, because that is what is expected when you run a company. You work everyday towards making the bottom line the best it can be. If they were a small business they would take ownership for the decisions that they make and acknowledge that those decisions were just not made with the pain and fear of today but with the hope and promise of tomorrow.
So I suggest we have a week where small business will run the world . . well the United States at least . .
First of all we will have to start with our employee's salaries and benefit packages. Since our business is effectively broke and in need of quick, massive and sweeping restructuring . . for the good of the collective of course. We'll start with a pay cut, nothing major but since you only "work" about 200 days a year, and I think that's pretty generous we are going to move you to an hourly rate (commuting not included, though the actual reading of what you're voting on is both welcome and encouraged) and you will be punching in and out each day, just like your constituents. In addition only 50% of your medical benefits will be covered by your employer (as most small businesses do) and we will deduct the rest from your check.
As for benefits, well that lifetime pension thing . .. that just isn't going to be sustainable so we will start you a 401k or a Roth IRA you can pay into. As we are working hard to get that balance sheet in the black right now we won't be able to do any sort of matching for you but as soon as we turn a profit we will be offering a 3% match... Besides you'll have Social Security to fall back on ..
Now for staff . . . We understand that every one's office's require ample staff to do your job for you but in these lean, cost cutting times we are going to allow you 3 staff members who will be paid in accordance with the going rate in the private sector for a clerical worker. These workers will be paid out of your yearly office operating budget. Now don't get too excited . . this budget will be based on real world numbers that can help to effectively meet our goal of getting that budget back to black . . . In addition your yearly operating budget will cover any travel, office supplies, business lunches, haircuts, etc. And as with all businesses, the IRS likes to see those receipts . . .
Also those private planes you have been using to fly back and forth home on . . That isn't going to work . . If bankrupt auto companies can't do it, and I can't do it because it isn't in my small business budget, well then you can't be doing it either (because again in case you didn't get the memo) you're broke . . As part of your travel budget (in your yearly operating budget) you can arrange for transport home via commercial means (the VP takes Amtrak after all), which would give you a great opportunity to spend some time with your constituents as well, military transport could also be an option. Another bonus . . think of how much smaller your carbon foot print will be. The gas pump in the basement, yeah, it's gone too . . it just didn't seem very practical with all of you being so green, it probably wasn't even being used. . . so your driver/chief of staff (that operating budget will require you to consolidate positions) will have to pay at the pump like everyone else . . (don't forget the receipt).
So now that your offices are streamlining (and being more productive I bet) we are going to have to make some even harder decisions and it is going to be up to you to explain them to your constituents. First off, pork projects (actually pork, turtle, horse, moose, any animal, vegetable or mineral project) are going to have to go to the way side. We just can't afford to repopulate the mouse population right now as we have no money . . Also those pesky lobbyist who are always selling you something . . . (I know you do what they want just to support the little people) you're going to have tell them no, in fact you are going to have to tell them not to contact you until things improve financially . . .
Now onto all those super important government agencies we have . . You are going to have to help them get their departments in order as well. You will have to not only lead by example but actually stop enabling all the waste that got you in this mess...
For example the USPS . . . not making money for you (kinda of like Hummer for GM) so you will have to sell it off .. let FedEx or UPS buy it, you know someone with experience in the field and a balance sheet that isn't bleeding red . . I know that means you can't be all involved in the new USPS but it will allow capitalism to thrive in this country (you know the American Dream hard at work) . . and yes that is actually what the majority of constituents want . . Also Social Security is going to have to go . . You are going to have to give many friends the pink slip and potentially file criminal charges after you audit those books.. but in the spirit of do as I do you are going to have to end the biggest Ponzi Scheme in our nation's history . .
Also Medicare . . . it too is broken . . . and it must be fixed. So those plans for socializing health care are going to have to wait as here in the world of small business we don't start new projects until we can pay for what we have, because in case you haven't noticed our bank lines of credit have been cut, don't even get me started on American Express, and you don't have any money . . so, just put the health care bill in the file cabinet under wishful thinking . .
Then there is the thing about those consultants/friends you have been hiring under the cover of darkness . . I think you call them Czars . . . Unless they are private sector consultants in how to get out of debt they are going to have to go . . As we discussed before we don't have any money for transforming our nation . . we're going to have to do it the old fashioned way . . with hard work, determination and passion for what makes our nation great.
This is just a start but for one week I think this is a vast improvement over what you have been doing . . and is a great start on the restructuring of our Federal Government and the return of our Republic as it was intended . . . Next week we will start work on the IRS, Welfare and Government Bailouts.
I understand in this economy that everyone is trying to make a sale and as a small business owner I am more than empathetic but we have set a strict budget for the year and are sticking to it, not only as a matter of survival but as a way of getting back to basics and focusing on what makes us money.
Like hundreds of others like us we have had to make the hard decisions to restructure ourselves for life in a recession and the uncertainty that comes with it. Instead of 5 job boards at $20k a pop we are working with 2, who after some report generating we discovered accounted for about 85% of placements made through those sources. It's amazing the things you don't cut out when the times are good. The perks that our travel nurses had come to expect are becoming sparse as their endless demands of the past few years are becoming replaced with the basics as travel nurses far outweigh the positions available. Yes, even the health care sector has taken a hit.
But as we start to emerge into a better picture in our sector and we aren't in a daily financial hell we are finding that we are in fact running much better in our streamlined mode. Just like a plane can only hold so much weight in order to get off the ground safely, it seems we are actually flying higher with less.
Of course there are always things we find we could do better but that is one thing I do know to be true about the small business owner . . we learn from our failures, our mistakes and our triumphs because at the end of the day we succeed or fail on our own terms . .
Which brings me to that other sector . . you know the one that is failing miserably and continues to ignore the simple rules of business . . the federal government.
Out of touch doesn't even begin to describe the colossal mess that is the Federal Government.. if they were a business they would be out of business. If their leaders were CEOs or COOs or CFOs they would be fired and possibly charged with criminal wrongdoing . . If they fell under SEC Regulation they might be sitting next to Bernie in a prison cell.
However, if they were operated like small business they would be able to make the hard choices for the good of their employees, the nation, because that is what is expected when you run a company. You work everyday towards making the bottom line the best it can be. If they were a small business they would take ownership for the decisions that they make and acknowledge that those decisions were just not made with the pain and fear of today but with the hope and promise of tomorrow.
So I suggest we have a week where small business will run the world . . well the United States at least . .
First of all we will have to start with our employee's salaries and benefit packages. Since our business is effectively broke and in need of quick, massive and sweeping restructuring . . for the good of the collective of course. We'll start with a pay cut, nothing major but since you only "work" about 200 days a year, and I think that's pretty generous we are going to move you to an hourly rate (commuting not included, though the actual reading of what you're voting on is both welcome and encouraged) and you will be punching in and out each day, just like your constituents. In addition only 50% of your medical benefits will be covered by your employer (as most small businesses do) and we will deduct the rest from your check.
As for benefits, well that lifetime pension thing . .. that just isn't going to be sustainable so we will start you a 401k or a Roth IRA you can pay into. As we are working hard to get that balance sheet in the black right now we won't be able to do any sort of matching for you but as soon as we turn a profit we will be offering a 3% match... Besides you'll have Social Security to fall back on ..
Now for staff . . . We understand that every one's office's require ample staff to do your job for you but in these lean, cost cutting times we are going to allow you 3 staff members who will be paid in accordance with the going rate in the private sector for a clerical worker. These workers will be paid out of your yearly office operating budget. Now don't get too excited . . this budget will be based on real world numbers that can help to effectively meet our goal of getting that budget back to black . . . In addition your yearly operating budget will cover any travel, office supplies, business lunches, haircuts, etc. And as with all businesses, the IRS likes to see those receipts . . .
Also those private planes you have been using to fly back and forth home on . . That isn't going to work . . If bankrupt auto companies can't do it, and I can't do it because it isn't in my small business budget, well then you can't be doing it either (because again in case you didn't get the memo) you're broke . . As part of your travel budget (in your yearly operating budget) you can arrange for transport home via commercial means (the VP takes Amtrak after all), which would give you a great opportunity to spend some time with your constituents as well, military transport could also be an option. Another bonus . . think of how much smaller your carbon foot print will be. The gas pump in the basement, yeah, it's gone too . . it just didn't seem very practical with all of you being so green, it probably wasn't even being used. . . so your driver/chief of staff (that operating budget will require you to consolidate positions) will have to pay at the pump like everyone else . . (don't forget the receipt).
So now that your offices are streamlining (and being more productive I bet) we are going to have to make some even harder decisions and it is going to be up to you to explain them to your constituents. First off, pork projects (actually pork, turtle, horse, moose, any animal, vegetable or mineral project) are going to have to go to the way side. We just can't afford to repopulate the mouse population right now as we have no money . . Also those pesky lobbyist who are always selling you something . . . (I know you do what they want just to support the little people) you're going to have tell them no, in fact you are going to have to tell them not to contact you until things improve financially . . .
Now onto all those super important government agencies we have . . You are going to have to help them get their departments in order as well. You will have to not only lead by example but actually stop enabling all the waste that got you in this mess...
For example the USPS . . . not making money for you (kinda of like Hummer for GM) so you will have to sell it off .. let FedEx or UPS buy it, you know someone with experience in the field and a balance sheet that isn't bleeding red . . I know that means you can't be all involved in the new USPS but it will allow capitalism to thrive in this country (you know the American Dream hard at work) . . and yes that is actually what the majority of constituents want . . Also Social Security is going to have to go . . You are going to have to give many friends the pink slip and potentially file criminal charges after you audit those books.. but in the spirit of do as I do you are going to have to end the biggest Ponzi Scheme in our nation's history . .
Also Medicare . . . it too is broken . . . and it must be fixed. So those plans for socializing health care are going to have to wait as here in the world of small business we don't start new projects until we can pay for what we have, because in case you haven't noticed our bank lines of credit have been cut, don't even get me started on American Express, and you don't have any money . . so, just put the health care bill in the file cabinet under wishful thinking . .
Then there is the thing about those consultants/friends you have been hiring under the cover of darkness . . I think you call them Czars . . . Unless they are private sector consultants in how to get out of debt they are going to have to go . . As we discussed before we don't have any money for transforming our nation . . we're going to have to do it the old fashioned way . . with hard work, determination and passion for what makes our nation great.
This is just a start but for one week I think this is a vast improvement over what you have been doing . . and is a great start on the restructuring of our Federal Government and the return of our Republic as it was intended . . . Next week we will start work on the IRS, Welfare and Government Bailouts.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
"All of a sudden he just started acting strange. . . I guess I was just sober"
Back in those wonderful days of college . . when we lived free and without a care in the world (where did those 10 yrs go?), my roommates and I found ourselves using this line a little too often . . You all know what I mean, everything looks better after a few drinks, everyone seems funnier and their ideas seem brilliant. . . but then the morning and the hangover come.
I find the same is coming true for the Obama Administration and his legions of "drunken admirers." Because like with any relationship people were way too eager to put their best foot forward when Obama came courting, not asking the hard questions right away. (Of course when you are drunk on the kool-aid their campaign was selling, I imagine it must have looked like a beautiful relationship). I mean asking Obama "Are you sure your a moderate democrat?" or "What does redistribution of wealth mean?" or "Didn't your mother tell you that you were known by the company you keep?"would be like breaking the cardinal rule of dating . . as told to me by my mother by the way, "If you give him the milk for free he won't have to buy the cow." (Do I give away my southern roots? And can I just ask where our grandparents came up with sayings like this and why our parents felt the need to use them?) Anyway. . .
Millions of Americans found themselves being courted by their "Dream Date/Politician" and like all of us on a first date (and some more of that magical kool-aid), they had hope and the promise of sweet nothings in their ears to keep the romance going, through what seemed a never ending campaign. Here was a man who always said the right things, had the right look and was promising us that he would change our lives forever. And every day he just got better and better . . . sending thrills up the legs of his millions of admirers. He even got Republicans and Independent voters to cheat on their party, he was a Lothario with a bank account big enough to wine and dine his legions every night. America was on the first date of its dreams . . We just knew he was the one. .
And so on that fateful day in November millions of Americans decided to give it up to their "Dream Guy" and made his and their dreams come true. The drunken stupor of months of the "Chosen One" were all it took. So much for mom's advice . . the damage was done. And like the guy who doesn't call the next day or who becomes the Dr. Jekyll to the Mr. Hyde who wooed us the average American who voted for his sweet whispers of hope and change now find themselves, waiting for the man who promised he wouldn't be like all those before him . .
Suddenly 7 months later you find yourself seeing what you refused to see . . . that you were nothing more than a vote in the ballot box, a demographic to stand behind him at political rallies, a means to an end . .a notch on the bedpost. Yes, America unless you were a lover of our President before the campaign you have been dumped . . Replaced with those types he always returns to . .. You know Socialist, Marxist, Communist, Radicals, etc. . . None of the things you are.. You should have known such polar opposites could never be more than you were, that it was a relationship doomed to fail ...that he would only break your heart in the end.
So for those of you with morning after remorse . . who have woken to find your "Chosen One" acting strangely . . doing things that don't sound at all like your guy . . deal with it. . . the ones of us not wearing beer googles told you so. .
I find the same is coming true for the Obama Administration and his legions of "drunken admirers." Because like with any relationship people were way too eager to put their best foot forward when Obama came courting, not asking the hard questions right away. (Of course when you are drunk on the kool-aid their campaign was selling, I imagine it must have looked like a beautiful relationship). I mean asking Obama "Are you sure your a moderate democrat?" or "What does redistribution of wealth mean?" or "Didn't your mother tell you that you were known by the company you keep?"would be like breaking the cardinal rule of dating . . as told to me by my mother by the way, "If you give him the milk for free he won't have to buy the cow." (Do I give away my southern roots? And can I just ask where our grandparents came up with sayings like this and why our parents felt the need to use them?) Anyway. . .
Millions of Americans found themselves being courted by their "Dream Date/Politician" and like all of us on a first date (and some more of that magical kool-aid), they had hope and the promise of sweet nothings in their ears to keep the romance going, through what seemed a never ending campaign. Here was a man who always said the right things, had the right look and was promising us that he would change our lives forever. And every day he just got better and better . . . sending thrills up the legs of his millions of admirers. He even got Republicans and Independent voters to cheat on their party, he was a Lothario with a bank account big enough to wine and dine his legions every night. America was on the first date of its dreams . . We just knew he was the one. .
And so on that fateful day in November millions of Americans decided to give it up to their "Dream Guy" and made his and their dreams come true. The drunken stupor of months of the "Chosen One" were all it took. So much for mom's advice . . the damage was done. And like the guy who doesn't call the next day or who becomes the Dr. Jekyll to the Mr. Hyde who wooed us the average American who voted for his sweet whispers of hope and change now find themselves, waiting for the man who promised he wouldn't be like all those before him . .
Suddenly 7 months later you find yourself seeing what you refused to see . . . that you were nothing more than a vote in the ballot box, a demographic to stand behind him at political rallies, a means to an end . .a notch on the bedpost. Yes, America unless you were a lover of our President before the campaign you have been dumped . . Replaced with those types he always returns to . .. You know Socialist, Marxist, Communist, Radicals, etc. . . None of the things you are.. You should have known such polar opposites could never be more than you were, that it was a relationship doomed to fail ...that he would only break your heart in the end.
So for those of you with morning after remorse . . who have woken to find your "Chosen One" acting strangely . . doing things that don't sound at all like your guy . . deal with it. . . the ones of us not wearing beer googles told you so. .
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
My Dogs Go to Daycare with Socialist. . . .
I was pulling into the drop off area, as I do every Monday and Friday morning to leave my dogs for a day full of fun and play . . . Yes I am one of those "crazy dog people" who takes their 4 legged children to school, deal with it. But I am getting off topic, there really is a point to my story . . .
As I start to get out of the car I notice that I am surrounded, literally by Obama bumper stickers. Now everyone is free to show their support for anything or anyone they choose . . I proudly display my Nobama 08 Bumper Stickers . . I should stay sticker as my other 2 have mysteriously gone missing . . but it has just dawned on me that my boys are spending an average of 16 hours a week with not like minded dogs.
I have found that my boys are smarter than a lot of people I know so I find myself wondering, do they know I leave them with people who aren't like their people (you know "you people")? I do notice that the boys tend not to socialize with the dogs who arrive in the code pink cars or the have you hugged a tree today hybrids but still I wonder do they know they are different from the other dogs?
I am considering seeking government funding to conduct a study on this phenomenon as it appears there is plenty of federal funding available for animal loving projects out there, I think this is as important if not moreso than the sea turtles or wild mustangs. I mean we are talking about domesticated, socially elite animals . . By studying the habits of dogs with different political ideologies and their patterns of community organizing (you know how they break into packs, isolating & bullying those who aren't like them) I am certain that we can not only make immeasurable social science breakthroughs (and Obama specifically said science needed to come back to the forefront) but I also feel strongly that we can create or save untold jobs with this super important pork project, research study . . .the name of the project isn't important as long as we can get a Czar to oversee it . . how about the guy one who wants to give cows attorneys?
-Nichole-in constant pursuit of life, liberty and happiness . . .
As I start to get out of the car I notice that I am surrounded, literally by Obama bumper stickers. Now everyone is free to show their support for anything or anyone they choose . . I proudly display my Nobama 08 Bumper Stickers . . I should stay sticker as my other 2 have mysteriously gone missing . . but it has just dawned on me that my boys are spending an average of 16 hours a week with not like minded dogs.
I have found that my boys are smarter than a lot of people I know so I find myself wondering, do they know I leave them with people who aren't like their people (you know "you people")? I do notice that the boys tend not to socialize with the dogs who arrive in the code pink cars or the have you hugged a tree today hybrids but still I wonder do they know they are different from the other dogs?
I am considering seeking government funding to conduct a study on this phenomenon as it appears there is plenty of federal funding available for animal loving projects out there, I think this is as important if not moreso than the sea turtles or wild mustangs. I mean we are talking about domesticated, socially elite animals . . By studying the habits of dogs with different political ideologies and their patterns of community organizing (you know how they break into packs, isolating & bullying those who aren't like them) I am certain that we can not only make immeasurable social science breakthroughs (and Obama specifically said science needed to come back to the forefront) but I also feel strongly that we can create or save untold jobs with this super important pork project, research study . . .the name of the project isn't important as long as we can get a Czar to oversee it . . how about the guy one who wants to give cows attorneys?
-Nichole-in constant pursuit of life, liberty and happiness . . .
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Citizenship for Sale. . .
Okay . . Let me just get my own opinions on immigration out here now . . I believe that like our ancestors before us coming to America is an incredible gift and I welcome those who come here the right way. By the right way I mean that you get in line, go through the process and come when your number is called. I understand and appreciate the reasons why people want to live here but find that more and more of those coming into our country are doing so illegally and are reaping untold benefits at the expense of our nation.
In addition we run a health care staffing company and are constantly working with physicians, who are desperately needed in this country who cannot obtain citizenship or find a sponsor for their visa and must return home. The limited number of "spots" available for health care workers is not nearly enough to cover the need and if we cannot produce the trained, health care staff in our country then we have to get them from somewhere. (I could go on about this for hours and probably will later on as it is a complicated issue but I just want to say that I believe you should get in line and that you should go home until your number is called.)
With this in mind I was flipping through the new issue of Fortune Small Business at lunchtime today and came across a small article that caught my attention. The title was "Cash Without Borders", which right away screams immigration at me. I maybe slow on the boat for this one but this piece of legislation is news to me . . .
There is a program called the EB-5 Visa Program. I consider myself a pretty knowledgeable source on visa programs and issues just from dealing with them in our business but this one has never come up. According to the author, Lisa Lerer, "The program grants temporary visas to foreigners who invest at least $500k in distressed areas. If an investment center creates at least 10 jobs for American workers, the temporary visa can become a permanent green card . . . Distressed areas that win "regional center" status from the U.S. government can market local ventures to overseas investors who become equity partners. Today there are 46 regional centers scattered across the country, offering investments in everything from Napa Valley vineyards to ethanol plants."
This in itself make my head spin around . . How about some tax incentives for Americans to invest in "distressed areas"? Aren't we supposed to be all about building communities and community service? Maybe this too is the new way of community service . . selling the most sacred thing we have, our American citizenship for money? Now before you say this money is helping "distressed areas", blah, blah, blah . . let me lay this out for you further.
A quick search turned up some interesting points that the article had somehow not mentioned.
1. The first site I came across, www.E5visa.com, whose tagline by the way is "Invest Your Way Into America". And here I thought capitalism was dead . . but just when you thought so here comes Senator Lehay (D-VT) to save the day (YEA! WARM FUZZIES) . . "WASHINGTON (Wednesday, July 8, 2009) – The Senate Wednesday adopted an amendment sponsored by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) to make permanent the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Regional Center pilot program. The amendment was added to the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act. " Look more legislation hidden in another bill . . oh and P.S. "Earlier this year, Leahy secured a six-month extension of the successful EB-5 Regional Center pilot program in the Omnibus Appropriations Act. He has introduced legislation in previous Congresses to make the program permanent. Since it was first created in 1993, the pilot program has attracted millions of dollars in foreign investment in the United States, and created thousands of new domestic jobs. There are 22 Regional Centers across the country, including a successful center in Vermont, with new applications pending at the immigration agency. Unless Congress permanently extends the program, it will expire in September."
You will be happy to know that Vermont has its very own Regional Center . . just a coincidence I am sure. And so you don't think I am a crazy Republican out to blame this on the Democrats I just want to point out that this is bipartisan legislation, which was added as a 2nd amendment to an amendment sponsored by Senator Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) to make permanent an employee verification system. FYI: "Leahy and Sessions are the Chairman and Ranking Member, respectively, of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which considers immigration-related matters". . . oh and guess what? Alabama has it's own Regional Center also . . the crazy coincidences just keep on coming. . but i am getting ahead of myself as you must be asking what a Regional Center is? Well just let me tell you . .
2. The United States Immigration and Citizenship website has issued an updated list of Regional Centers which includes multiple locations in CA, a couple in Chicago, Hawaii, New Jersey, Louisiana . . . don't forget Vermont, Alabama and Florida. As I scrolled through the list I started noticing that a lot of these "Regional Centers" are in fact private businesses, with several being LLCs. That seemed odd to me as why would the Federal Government be running LLCs? Our company is an LLC and isn't affiliated with the government and we are certainly not on the Immigration and Citizenship Website for someone to contact for the E5-Visa program.
There had to be more . . so I continued to scroll . . . until something jumped out at me. There are many fine links on this site but one of the most fascinating was one I found in Louisiana. "The New Orleans Mayor's Office Regional Center", www.nobleoutreach.com. This strikes me as an odd name for a government program . . but then again with community organizing becoming the new framework anything is possible. . .
I don't want to misquote them so I am going to paste the site's own description of its purpose and service . . "NobleOutReach (NOR) helps foreign nationals and Immigrant Investors:
Invest in America through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor program, and
Diversify risk and gain access to United States immigration benefits.
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor program was Congressionally approved into law and created by the United States to attract and invest foreign capital into The New Orleans Regional Center (RC). The New Orleans Regional Center provides foreign investors and their families with a means of obtaining permanent U.S. residency through a green card. NobleOutReach, through its private equity investment funds, is focused on investing in profitable businesses along the coastal areas of the Gulf of Mexico in the United States, affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. NobleOutReach was awarded the exclusive 30-year contract with New Orleans, Louisiana (NOLA) to perform all of the operational and financial aspects of the EB-5 investment activities."
After my head stopped spinning, it is possible that I was for once speechless. .
This is citizenship for sale . . . forget give us your poor, your tired . . the new mantra of immigration is give us those who can donate $500k+ to our Regional Centers. Yes, ladies and gentleman for the price of $500K you can book passage to U.S. Citizenship through the Regional Center of your choice. Many have their own legal staff to help with any problems you might encounter. And as I read on and on I discovered that this $500k covers not only you but your immediate family, including children up to the age of 21. If you happen to have a child who has passed that age, don't worry you can gift them citizenship with a gift in their name of $500k.
This is such a great deal, I can't believe I haven't heard of this before! Foreigners can invest in our communities (receive dividends and profits) and then after an extremely long wait of 2 years they can obtain Permanent Residence Status and can cash out their investment . . I am thinking since CA has so many Regional Offices (18 I counted) why don't they just sell more visas to shore up their debt? According to many sites there are 10,000 of these visas available with not even 10% of them being used each year. I'm just thinking out loud here but why don't we give those to I don't know maybe someone with a usable skill . .
I know I have been blinded to what has been going on for a long time but this has been happening since 2002 and I am amazed that I did not know about this. This could be great for my business . . "Dr. Z, don't worry that you are in debt up to your eyeballs coming out of medical school, just get $500k together and we can buy you citizenship. No sponsorship worries for you. Would you like to invest in a winery, or New Orleans, ethanol perhaps. . no I know what would be perfect for you . . Hollywood."
Since Hollywood is truly one of the most disadvantaged places I can think of it is only fitting that
they receive as much assistance as possible . . Luckily some investors were able to step in to keep the lights on . . . "The next Los Angeles Film Regional Center project is now open. It is a project that will be a $100 MM loan to Time Warner Inc. to finance a portion of the $200 MM production costs they will spend in the next two years. Time Warner is the world’s second largest media and entertainment conglomerate, with major operations in film, television, publishing, Internet service and telecommunications. This project is projected to create more than 3,250 indirect jobs, allocating 16-17 jobs per investor.
Please see LosAngelesFund.com for more information"
By the way what is an indirect job? And if Obama needs to prove job creation why aren't he and Biden shouting exciting news like this from every media outlet? Just asking . .
And in case I didn't mention this, you don't even have to create jobs you can just invest in one of the funds and then you can live anywhere you want in the United States, heaven forbid the buyers of US citizenship . . I mean "investors" would have to live in a "distressed area."
If this is the case and this is the way we are going, why do we need stimulus and bailouts? Just sell some more citizenship. . .
It is also worth mentioning that Ohio just received permission to build a Regional Center, the first one to be built in a state that someone on the Committee wasn't a representative of . . . Again I am just saying . .
This bill is in committee and could be voted on at anytime. I intend to let everyone I can know about this legislation and the bill it is buried in . I ask if you read this to spread this to everyone you know. I know that we are all calling and emailing every hour for something else but this legislation cannot stand, tell your Senator's that America is not for sale! Small business, really any American business, in this country is under attack from many sides and there is no assistance in sight . . Many American run businesses would be happy to be in all of these "distressed" areas if they were offered tax incentives, returns on their investment, etc. All I can say is it feels like the American Dream is for sale . . and honestly that is the saddest thing I think I have ever heard.
-Nichole, in constant pursuit of life, liberty and happiness
In addition we run a health care staffing company and are constantly working with physicians, who are desperately needed in this country who cannot obtain citizenship or find a sponsor for their visa and must return home. The limited number of "spots" available for health care workers is not nearly enough to cover the need and if we cannot produce the trained, health care staff in our country then we have to get them from somewhere. (I could go on about this for hours and probably will later on as it is a complicated issue but I just want to say that I believe you should get in line and that you should go home until your number is called.)
With this in mind I was flipping through the new issue of Fortune Small Business at lunchtime today and came across a small article that caught my attention. The title was "Cash Without Borders", which right away screams immigration at me. I maybe slow on the boat for this one but this piece of legislation is news to me . . .
There is a program called the EB-5 Visa Program. I consider myself a pretty knowledgeable source on visa programs and issues just from dealing with them in our business but this one has never come up. According to the author, Lisa Lerer, "The program grants temporary visas to foreigners who invest at least $500k in distressed areas. If an investment center creates at least 10 jobs for American workers, the temporary visa can become a permanent green card . . . Distressed areas that win "regional center" status from the U.S. government can market local ventures to overseas investors who become equity partners. Today there are 46 regional centers scattered across the country, offering investments in everything from Napa Valley vineyards to ethanol plants."
This in itself make my head spin around . . How about some tax incentives for Americans to invest in "distressed areas"? Aren't we supposed to be all about building communities and community service? Maybe this too is the new way of community service . . selling the most sacred thing we have, our American citizenship for money? Now before you say this money is helping "distressed areas", blah, blah, blah . . let me lay this out for you further.
A quick search turned up some interesting points that the article had somehow not mentioned.
1. The first site I came across, www.E5visa.com, whose tagline by the way is "Invest Your Way Into America". And here I thought capitalism was dead . . but just when you thought so here comes Senator Lehay (D-VT) to save the day (YEA! WARM FUZZIES) . . "WASHINGTON (Wednesday, July 8, 2009) – The Senate Wednesday adopted an amendment sponsored by Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) to make permanent the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Regional Center pilot program. The amendment was added to the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act. " Look more legislation hidden in another bill . . oh and P.S. "Earlier this year, Leahy secured a six-month extension of the successful EB-5 Regional Center pilot program in the Omnibus Appropriations Act. He has introduced legislation in previous Congresses to make the program permanent. Since it was first created in 1993, the pilot program has attracted millions of dollars in foreign investment in the United States, and created thousands of new domestic jobs. There are 22 Regional Centers across the country, including a successful center in Vermont, with new applications pending at the immigration agency. Unless Congress permanently extends the program, it will expire in September."
You will be happy to know that Vermont has its very own Regional Center . . just a coincidence I am sure. And so you don't think I am a crazy Republican out to blame this on the Democrats I just want to point out that this is bipartisan legislation, which was added as a 2nd amendment to an amendment sponsored by Senator Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) to make permanent an employee verification system. FYI: "Leahy and Sessions are the Chairman and Ranking Member, respectively, of the Senate Judiciary Committee, which considers immigration-related matters". . . oh and guess what? Alabama has it's own Regional Center also . . the crazy coincidences just keep on coming. . but i am getting ahead of myself as you must be asking what a Regional Center is? Well just let me tell you . .
2. The United States Immigration and Citizenship website has issued an updated list of Regional Centers which includes multiple locations in CA, a couple in Chicago, Hawaii, New Jersey, Louisiana . . . don't forget Vermont, Alabama and Florida. As I scrolled through the list I started noticing that a lot of these "Regional Centers" are in fact private businesses, with several being LLCs. That seemed odd to me as why would the Federal Government be running LLCs? Our company is an LLC and isn't affiliated with the government and we are certainly not on the Immigration and Citizenship Website for someone to contact for the E5-Visa program.
There had to be more . . so I continued to scroll . . . until something jumped out at me. There are many fine links on this site but one of the most fascinating was one I found in Louisiana. "The New Orleans Mayor's Office Regional Center", www.nobleoutreach.com. This strikes me as an odd name for a government program . . but then again with community organizing becoming the new framework anything is possible. . .
I don't want to misquote them so I am going to paste the site's own description of its purpose and service . . "NobleOutReach (NOR) helps foreign nationals and Immigrant Investors:
Invest in America through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor program, and
Diversify risk and gain access to United States immigration benefits.
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor program was Congressionally approved into law and created by the United States to attract and invest foreign capital into The New Orleans Regional Center (RC). The New Orleans Regional Center provides foreign investors and their families with a means of obtaining permanent U.S. residency through a green card. NobleOutReach, through its private equity investment funds, is focused on investing in profitable businesses along the coastal areas of the Gulf of Mexico in the United States, affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. NobleOutReach was awarded the exclusive 30-year contract with New Orleans, Louisiana (NOLA) to perform all of the operational and financial aspects of the EB-5 investment activities."
After my head stopped spinning, it is possible that I was for once speechless. .
This is citizenship for sale . . . forget give us your poor, your tired . . the new mantra of immigration is give us those who can donate $500k+ to our Regional Centers. Yes, ladies and gentleman for the price of $500K you can book passage to U.S. Citizenship through the Regional Center of your choice. Many have their own legal staff to help with any problems you might encounter. And as I read on and on I discovered that this $500k covers not only you but your immediate family, including children up to the age of 21. If you happen to have a child who has passed that age, don't worry you can gift them citizenship with a gift in their name of $500k.
This is such a great deal, I can't believe I haven't heard of this before! Foreigners can invest in our communities (receive dividends and profits) and then after an extremely long wait of 2 years they can obtain Permanent Residence Status and can cash out their investment . . I am thinking since CA has so many Regional Offices (18 I counted) why don't they just sell more visas to shore up their debt? According to many sites there are 10,000 of these visas available with not even 10% of them being used each year. I'm just thinking out loud here but why don't we give those to I don't know maybe someone with a usable skill . .
I know I have been blinded to what has been going on for a long time but this has been happening since 2002 and I am amazed that I did not know about this. This could be great for my business . . "Dr. Z, don't worry that you are in debt up to your eyeballs coming out of medical school, just get $500k together and we can buy you citizenship. No sponsorship worries for you. Would you like to invest in a winery, or New Orleans, ethanol perhaps. . no I know what would be perfect for you . . Hollywood."
Since Hollywood is truly one of the most disadvantaged places I can think of it is only fitting that
they receive as much assistance as possible . . Luckily some investors were able to step in to keep the lights on . . . "The next Los Angeles Film Regional Center project is now open. It is a project that will be a $100 MM loan to Time Warner Inc. to finance a portion of the $200 MM production costs they will spend in the next two years. Time Warner is the world’s second largest media and entertainment conglomerate, with major operations in film, television, publishing, Internet service and telecommunications. This project is projected to create more than 3,250 indirect jobs, allocating 16-17 jobs per investor.
Please see LosAngelesFund.com for more information"
By the way what is an indirect job? And if Obama needs to prove job creation why aren't he and Biden shouting exciting news like this from every media outlet? Just asking . .
And in case I didn't mention this, you don't even have to create jobs you can just invest in one of the funds and then you can live anywhere you want in the United States, heaven forbid the buyers of US citizenship . . I mean "investors" would have to live in a "distressed area."
If this is the case and this is the way we are going, why do we need stimulus and bailouts? Just sell some more citizenship. . .
It is also worth mentioning that Ohio just received permission to build a Regional Center, the first one to be built in a state that someone on the Committee wasn't a representative of . . . Again I am just saying . .
This bill is in committee and could be voted on at anytime. I intend to let everyone I can know about this legislation and the bill it is buried in . I ask if you read this to spread this to everyone you know. I know that we are all calling and emailing every hour for something else but this legislation cannot stand, tell your Senator's that America is not for sale! Small business, really any American business, in this country is under attack from many sides and there is no assistance in sight . . Many American run businesses would be happy to be in all of these "distressed" areas if they were offered tax incentives, returns on their investment, etc. All I can say is it feels like the American Dream is for sale . . and honestly that is the saddest thing I think I have ever heard.
-Nichole, in constant pursuit of life, liberty and happiness
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Confessions
In all fairness of disclosure to those of you are following along I feel there are some things I must confess and get out of the way. (Just in case my blog becomes bigger than Timothy Geithner's ears.)
So let's just get all the deep, dark secrets out of the way now. . .
1. I love my dogs more than some people like their children . . .
2. I used to work for the government, in all fairness it was the state of Texas but still . . .
3. The IRS and I have a love/hate relationship. I hate that I didn't put aside enough money to pay them on time and they love to charge me penalties and interest every month. (The hardest part about being a small business owner). It is most upsetting when I am pretty sure government officials don't pay loan shark rates every month. . .
4. I constantly find myself wondering if the dollar failed would Chanel handbags be valuable in a bartering environment? I can see it now . . . Limited Edition 2.55 bag (retail price more than a scooter but less than a Kia) for ammo . ..
5. I have one of those "Cadillac" Health Insurance Policies they keep referring to . . . and we offer it to all of our employees . . and we pay the Employee portion. . . of course did I mention that right now we have a limited employee count . .
6. I am training to run a half marathon . . it isn't because I love to run or that I am health nut . . it is precisely because I am not a health nut and I sit behind my desk all day . . . just in case extra poundage becomes outlawed or a criminal offense. . .
7. My first career goal was to be a lobbyist. . . though I am convinced that the small business owner is truly the largest special interest group there is and we should position ourselves as such . .
8. I am stockpiling FIJI water . . . that seems wrong, but bottled water storage is in every survival/doomsday scenario book out there . . but with the horrible economy it is now the same price as the bottled Detroit River Water, yes there is bottled water whose source is the Detroit River.
9. I am living with my mother right now. . . not as pathetic as it sounds .. well I guess it is, but since I have no life outside of work it works . . . the sacrifices we make to keep a family business running . .
10. American Express took my platinum power away. . . and not it wasn't because I didn't pay the bill. . . I am no longer their ideal card holder, though I am not sure who makes those decisions since I couldn't even get a straight answer out of them as to whether or not they were a bank (they are). So now it is my debit card and I against the world . . . Somehow I think we will make it just fine . .
11. I am tired of the RNC sending me "time sensitive" surveys to gather my opinion on "crucial issues" and then hitting me up for $500 at the end of the survey. . . I always wonder if I don't donate does my survey go in the trash?
12. I do not and will not apologize for what I have or don't have. My family (my mom, brother and I) have worked very hard for what we have and like all small business owners we are proud of what we have built and are free to join those rewards.
I think that about covers all my deep dark secrets, give or take a few indiscretions in college (thank god I was in college before facebook and myspace) and some crazy commitment issues, otherwise my life is a pretty open book . .
I am working on something that as a small business owner in the health care sector, not to mention as an American, has sent me over the edge ( I will post what I come up with) . . good thing I have that "Cadillac" policy with a mental health benefit . . .
-Nichole, in constant pursuit of life, liberty and happiness. . .
So let's just get all the deep, dark secrets out of the way now. . .
1. I love my dogs more than some people like their children . . .
2. I used to work for the government, in all fairness it was the state of Texas but still . . .
3. The IRS and I have a love/hate relationship. I hate that I didn't put aside enough money to pay them on time and they love to charge me penalties and interest every month. (The hardest part about being a small business owner). It is most upsetting when I am pretty sure government officials don't pay loan shark rates every month. . .
4. I constantly find myself wondering if the dollar failed would Chanel handbags be valuable in a bartering environment? I can see it now . . . Limited Edition 2.55 bag (retail price more than a scooter but less than a Kia) for ammo . ..
5. I have one of those "Cadillac" Health Insurance Policies they keep referring to . . . and we offer it to all of our employees . . and we pay the Employee portion. . . of course did I mention that right now we have a limited employee count . .
6. I am training to run a half marathon . . it isn't because I love to run or that I am health nut . . it is precisely because I am not a health nut and I sit behind my desk all day . . . just in case extra poundage becomes outlawed or a criminal offense. . .
7. My first career goal was to be a lobbyist. . . though I am convinced that the small business owner is truly the largest special interest group there is and we should position ourselves as such . .
8. I am stockpiling FIJI water . . . that seems wrong, but bottled water storage is in every survival/doomsday scenario book out there . . but with the horrible economy it is now the same price as the bottled Detroit River Water, yes there is bottled water whose source is the Detroit River.
9. I am living with my mother right now. . . not as pathetic as it sounds .. well I guess it is, but since I have no life outside of work it works . . . the sacrifices we make to keep a family business running . .
10. American Express took my platinum power away. . . and not it wasn't because I didn't pay the bill. . . I am no longer their ideal card holder, though I am not sure who makes those decisions since I couldn't even get a straight answer out of them as to whether or not they were a bank (they are). So now it is my debit card and I against the world . . . Somehow I think we will make it just fine . .
11. I am tired of the RNC sending me "time sensitive" surveys to gather my opinion on "crucial issues" and then hitting me up for $500 at the end of the survey. . . I always wonder if I don't donate does my survey go in the trash?
12. I do not and will not apologize for what I have or don't have. My family (my mom, brother and I) have worked very hard for what we have and like all small business owners we are proud of what we have built and are free to join those rewards.
I think that about covers all my deep dark secrets, give or take a few indiscretions in college (thank god I was in college before facebook and myspace) and some crazy commitment issues, otherwise my life is a pretty open book . .
I am working on something that as a small business owner in the health care sector, not to mention as an American, has sent me over the edge ( I will post what I come up with) . . good thing I have that "Cadillac" policy with a mental health benefit . . .
-Nichole, in constant pursuit of life, liberty and happiness. . .
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