Turn out the lights...the party's over...

In the Stone Age, it was survival of the fittest...and in the year 2011...it's high-tech survival of the fittest!  And if American's don't change their ways...we're all going to find this economy and society imploding from the inside if we're not careful, etc. 

I don't think Amercian's, necessarily, have a fear from the outside of America...but as the unthinkable events of 9/11...showed that the threats are still there!  Who is America's greatest threat? 

American's themselves! 

"Earth provides enough for every man's need...but not every man's greed."  Mahatm Gandhi

 It will be Americans themselves that will destroy the country (from within) because of attitude...with selfishness and greed leading the way! 

"Everybody's doing it...so it's okay!"  When it comes to selfishness and greed...it's NOT okay!  But, this is the donut-hole mentality that many American's practice....the follow-the-leader types...and those who can't think for themselves, etc.

Psychologists and social scientists are running around trying to find out why the divorce rate is still so high, and yet, the answer is so simple.    You don't have to be a rocket scientist to know the answer...selfishness!  When you get two selfish people bonding in matrimony...that's a toxic mix!  The selfish couple then produce a couple of selfish kids...and BOOM...and formula for failure, etc. 

Oh, sure...sure...the courts have a fancy name for the reasons for divorce in many cases..."irreconcilable differences," when in fact, it's selfishness on both sides!  There is NOT a person in the country, that is going to admit to being selfish...it's always somebody else who's selfish! 

Everybody knows how selfish kids can be.  I helped raised two kids for 19 years, and my family of ten kids and the older kids had to help raise the younger ones...so I know how selfish kids can be.  Kids want to be the boss of everything...they want to rule...they want to eat all the sweets and have all the toys they can get.  Yes...I know how selfish kids can be.

Nobody's going to tell me about what it feels like to lose a job, because over a decade or so, I have lost SIX jobs, and it has been stressful and depressing!  During my many job losses, I worked as a temporary employee, until something permanent came along.  During this time, I worked at over 25 different companies.  During this time, I have never seen so much negativity and attitude in the work place in my life!   Selfishness and greed...can lead to fraud and corruption, etc.  

Many years ago, my wife and I saw a movie called, "Wallstreet."  In the movie...the main character proclaimed, "Greed is good!"  And, that's what I see in this society today...selfishness and greed are good...for somebody!  And, when you mix in a little fraud, corruption, and "everybody does it...so it's okay" mentality...you've got another toxic mix, etc. 

The analogy I like to compare the economy in 2009, is a company I worked for after my first job layoff.  This was the worst company I have ever worked for, in bad attitude and everything else!  It was a plastic parts manufacturer, and made parts for things like sewing machines; vacuum cleaners; computers; televisions, etc.  With about 300 employees, there are no words that can describe the mentality and bad attitude of this company!  

Apathy; put-down of others; gossip; no respect; a fist-fight or two or three; manner-less; these were people who didn't care about anything but themselves!  Oh yes...I forgot selfishness, too!  The quality in this company was so bad, that I didn't know how this company could stay in business.  

The returns from companies began to pile up, as companies rejected truck-loads of parts that were not of quality.  Little by little, over many months, the pile of returns grew larger and larger.  I worked on the returns for over eight months, and words cannot describe what I saw in those boxes that were returned!

Burned parts; parts with no corners; parts that didn't fit; parts missing parts; parts with sinks; holes; half parts that didn't fill...how all this got through quality control is behond me.  The result?

One by one, the customers pulled their molds and quit as customers.  The biggest customer at the time was Eurika, the vaacum cleaner company, and when they pulled their mold...the company closed!  This company imploded from the inside...it was the employees themselves that, because apathy, defiance and uncaring, closed the company!  A big fat attitude problem!

Therefore, I see American's similar to this company...a BIG FAT ATTITUDE...WITH SELFISHNESS AND GREED LEADING THE WAY!  And, if the attitude of American's don't change...America could implode...just like this company imploded!

When I was a member of a singles club, I sat next to a woman at the bar one night.  And, for 30 minutes this woman went on and on...and all she talked about was herself; herself; her kids; her students; herself; herself; her kids; her students; herself; herself; her kids; her students...whew!  After 30 minutes of this, I got my drink and moved to another part of the club!  There are some people who are so selfish, that they can't even share a conversation!   What ever happened to sharing?  What ever happened to give and take?  Ever wonder why the divorce rate is so high? 

"It is greed to do all the talking, but not want to listen at all."  Demoeritus

To get out of this financial melt-down, American's are going to have to take some pretty awful medicine...and take it down NOW!

When you go to your hair-cutter, you get your hair thinned out, and then the rest of your hair will be strengthened and will get thicker and looks better, etc.  The same holds true , when the gardener thins out branches on the bushes; the plants and the trees, etc.  The plant grows thicker, will produce more and will thrive, etc.

Question: With respect to the economy and in business, what does the "thinning out process" mean?

Answer;  Taking out the weak players. 

For as long as I can remember, Albuquerque, New Mexcio (where I live) has had two newspapers, but the evening newspaper went belly-up about a year ago.  (2008)

There used to be three three large shopping malls in town of more than 200 stores each.  But, Winrock Center (Winthrop Rockefeller) went under and became a ghost town about five years ago!  (2005)

And, this is what's happening in the American economy...the "thinning out process,"  but it's going to be painful and many tears will be shed for a long time.   What do I think will happen with the economy, you ask?  

- two or three greedy auto-makers will go belly-up;  (poor babies; they've taken Americans for a ride long enough!)  

- two or three greedy airlines  will go belly-up; (sob-sob; the friendly skies no more?)

- several  dozen greedy retailers will go belly-up; (we'll miss them on Black Friday...the national day of greed!)

- dozens of greedy banks will go belly-up; (sorry, they were not happy with banker's hours...and now they have no hours at all) 

 - many greedy grocery stores will go belly-up; (don't sell all the tissue...you're going to need some)

- many greedy shopping centers will go belly-up; (the American people are sick and tired of dealing with these pirates!)  

- many greedy insurance companies will and should go belly-up; (you're in good hands with who?)

- many greedy hotel/motels will go belly-up; (you made your bed... sleep in it!) 

- dozens of gas stations, who are the greediest of all, will go belly up, to the delight of the American people; (looks like they're running on empty, too)

- many in the medical field will go belly-up;  ( Prescription: continue thinning out all those of miss-management and greed!)

- pharmaceuticals are up there with Big Oil as the greediest of them all; (too bad...this will be the mother of all pills to swallow) 

And because all of these pirates are so greedy...they deserve  to go under!  (sob-sob; boo-hoo/poor babies!)  I have no sympathy for any of these greedsters!

AMERICA...hot-dogs; apple pie; selfishness and greed...WOW...what a country!

MY TWO-CENTS CONTINUES...

Should the U.S. government bail out General Motors and others with taxpyer's dollars?  In my opinion...NO...General Motors and others are too GREEDY and have been miss-managed!   The government should let the car-makers go under, and American's will survive the ripple-effect of job losses that it causes! 

This is another example of what I call the "thinning-out process," as many companies will have to go under, including the arrogant General Motors!  Trust me...the world's not going to come to an end because General Motors goes under!  It's about time these people get a REAL job...they've been on the gravy-train much too long! 

America is much too fat...too bloated...the downsizing of America will continue and it will be painful for many!

It's going to be up to the U.S. Congress, to enact laws to keep companies in this country, so there will be more jobs for the American people! 

"Greed is a fat demon, with a small mouth and whatever you feed it is never enough."  Janwellem Van Wetering

The Future of America:
I see the future of America changing, as all this reckless and never-ending spending is coming to an end...replaced by saving wisely by the American people!  This important change in attitude and lifestyle will cause greedy corporations/stockholders (who don't care about the American people) to be thinned out and go out of business as we know it.  This important attitude and lifestyle change, will cause many work places to suffer as a result.  There will be substantial down-sizing in the future!  It won't take long to get rid of these pirates! 

Hats off and 'thumbs-up' to the American people who can save more for their futures!

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In sports...10...20...40...60 million dollars for a player...this is not greed...this is insanity...pure and simple!  There is NO athlete OR entertainer worth this kind of money...and who are the fools in all this.  The fans, of course, who buy the tickets, to pay these jokesters that kind of money! 

These sports and entertainment people are worth the 40-60 million dollars they get...they're all only worth the 60 million dollars worth of arrogance they display! 

These people are NOT worth what they get paid...and as a nation...we have left the Age of GREED and we find ourselves entering the...

AGE of INSANITY! 

The government and the American people can't have it both ways: 
The American people are part of the problem in the financial melt-down, because they are saving more, and I salute them for that.  When Americans save, they don't spend money on knick-knacks...not much is manufactured and people get laid off, etc.  

Historically, American's are the worst savors of all the industrial nations.  I saw a news story recently, whereby American's have gone from 1% savings to 6% savings, and good for them!  American's have to try to save more in a greedy society, caused by greedy corporations, who care nothing about the American consumer!

When I got my $300 rebate check from the government, I put it in my savings right away.  I'm not in the business of spending recklessly or creating jobs...I'll leave that to the politicians in Washington, D.C.  I applaud the American people who save...recession or no recession! 

The American people can't have it both ways, either...you either spend and create jobs...or you save and create job layoffs!  GREED has already entrenched itself into the fabric of America...hot-dogs; apple pie and GREED! 

Baseball used to be America's favorite past-time...now it's GREED...with greedy corporations/stockholders leading the way!

The headlines in the Albuquerque Journal dated March 9, 2009 reads, "Mayor Halts 'Double Dipping'  Drawing Salary AND Pension Will Go Out of Practice"

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I live in a one-horse town in Albuquerqe, New Mexico (USA) of about 500,000 population.  The President of the University of New Mexico, makes $585, 000 a year, which is a disgrace and he doesn't deserve it.  Recently, the President of the University and the Regents got a over-whelming "no-confidence" vote by the professors/facualty at the university.  The governor of the state is involved in this, because he appointed all the Regents.  Many vice-president positions created (by the President) at the University are making over $250,000 a year.  Suspicion has it, that all the vice-presidents are cronies of the governor!  (sounds like government as usual; screw the taxpayers!)

WANTED
(under-achievers)

In 2009, jobs are scarce...so if you want a job, you can apply for the following positions; (several positions will be available)

Position title: Puppet I; (entry level; for the governnor);

Requirements: Applicant MUST be an under-achiever and loyal to the govenor and his cronies;

Pay: ($250,000 per year);  the pay is low, so you will have to sacrifice;

Job description: Do nothing; (if you have a problem with this...don't apply); WARNING: if you're caught doing anything during your term...you could be fired!

Skills required: (Multi-tasking); under-produce or don't produce at all; able to rest all day; Yawning often will get you points with the governor; act like you're doing something;

Termination bonus: Upon leaving employment with the State, you will receive tens of thousands of dollars for doing nothing!  You will also receive a certificate of appreication from the governor, thanking you for your service and loyalty. 

And, this is what I'm talking about in America...a BIG, FAT ATTITUDE problem...cronyism; selfishness and greed...I'll scratch your back...if you'll scratch mine, etc.

*                         *                         *

World-famous "Pit"
In Albuquerque, New Mexico, I live walking distance from the world-famous "pit" which is University Arena at the University of New Mexico.  It's called the "pit" because, when it was built in 1966, it was carved out of the ground (hole in the ground)...meaning that all the seats for a basketball game are underground!  The basketball floor is several hundred feet underground. 

Later in the 1970's more seats were added (above ground), and the arena (or the "pit") now holds seats for more than 20,000 fans!

I had not been to the "pit" in more than 10 years, but in 2008, I decided to go to a New Mexico/BYU game for my birthday.  The tickets were $12.00 and I paid it and enjoyed the game.  It was an over-time thriller, with BYU winning!

This year, (2009) Utah came to town and New Mexico and Utah were fighting for first place in the conference!  I wanted to see this game more than anything, but when I called about tickets, I was told the tickets were now $19.00 each!  WHAT?

There's a line in the sand for everything, and I said, 'NO'...I will NOT pay $19.00 for a ticket, so I had to settle for listening to the game on the radio!  And...the GREED continues...and it doesn't matter whether it's corporate/stockholder greed...greed in schools and sports!  I'm not helping to pay those greedy coaches hundreds of thousands of dollars, which they don't deserve! 

Game results?  New Mexico beat Utah for a share of the lead in the conference, in front of a sell-out crowd. So I guess nobody missed me...oh well...I felt good about not going to the game and saving my money instead!  This is my way of saying that I'm not participating in all this greed!  (Go Lobos, anyway!)

Upon resignation, the football coach at the University of New Mexico, recently walked away with $677,000 and did nothing to earn it!  The American people and sick and tired of the greed of coaches in college and in the pros...and I won't contribute to these greedsters with my hard-earned money...not even #19.00 for a ticket, etc. 

*                               *                         *  

I received this email recently...

"You seem to have nailed it down pretty well.  Unfortunetely, we are already in the basket and it is up to speed on its way to Hades.  The question now is how do we stop it, or how do we depart the basket?  But then, what do we expect with a community activist for a leader, and a bunch of idiots for advisors?  Those who voted for him are strongly quiet these days."  Marion

 In the example of the company I gave earlier, it was apathy and defiance that brought down the company by the employees themselves.  In the economy today...it will be the attitude of selfishness and greed that will bring down the economy! 

"Hell has three gates; lust; anger and greed."  Bhagauad Gita

Selfishness/greed!
Everybody does it, so it's okay?

If American's don't change their ways and their attitude...we'll all go under...just like the company I mentioned... imploding from the inside...and selfishness and greed will lead the way!   

*                              *                             *

Prepare for the worst...and hope for the best:

Since I've had SIX job losses over a decade or so, I think I'm qualified to give a little advice.

1) Start preparing NOW!  Don't wait until the job layoffs start coming down and rush off to school to improve your skills. 

"Good things happen to those who hustle."  Anais Def

2) There's no free lunch!  When I was 43 years old, I completed three writing courses; the Writers Digest course; the National Writers Club course and a creative writing course at the University of New Mexico.  At the time, it cost me a couple of hundred dollars and took me about 18 months to complete.  If I'm a good writer in 2009, I went out and paid my dues!   This is one of the best things I've ever done for myself! 

When I was 48 years old, I completed my real estate broker requirements, which, in this state is 160 hours of classroom study.  At that time, I had no interest in getting into real estate, but I did it for my future. 

3) Computer courses; When I was 51 years old, I completed three computer courses, including Windows 3.1; Word 6.0 and WordPerfect 5.0.  (several tutorials)  This cost me about a hundred dollars (at the time) and took about 18 months to complete.  This gave my the much needed skills to get a job just about anywhere in the mid-90's. 

4) Flexibility; Because I worked for an engineering company, as a lab tech for over ten years, and I had office skills at the University of New Mexico, I could work on either side of the fence; a production line; assembly line work; OR put on a shirt and tie and work in an office environment.  The key for me was to get those computer skills.  Once I had those, I was on my way.

5) Take what you can get;  If you lose your job, and you work as a temp, don't be picky as to what types of assignments you get and take.  Take what you can get and don't fall behind on your monthly payments.  It might not be what you want, but at least you're bringing in some bacon to keep from falling behind.  The more types of work you do, the more experience you have so can fatten up your resume. 

"It doesn't take any ability to hustle."  Wade Boggs

6) Temporary employment resume:  Because of all my job losses, I was a temporary more than I would have liked.  Because of this, I decided to prepare a temp resume, which in addition to my regular resume, and that way the potential employer could see the type of work I did and the challenges I made.  It worked out well.  You might work at one place for months, and this is good experience to put on your temporary employment work resume. 

7) Don't be a crybaby!  Nobody wants to hear you whine or hear your sob story!   People are getting laid off all around you, and you're all in the same sinking boat.  Preparing yourself for the worst is the key!  My old boss would play cards at lunchtime everyday for years.  When the layoffs began to come down, he  rushed off to school, and there was no more cards for him!  DON'T DO THIS!  Do not wait until the layoffs come down...PREPARE  YOURSELF NOW!  As I outlined earlier, everything takes time, and you can blame nobody but yourself if you don't start NOW!  DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME! 

8) Avocation;  If you have an avocation like you paint; draw; pottery; ceramics; leather;  Make a seperate art/craft resume and list all your skills and achievements.  Do you want to hear how I got the job at the engineering company?  At the time, I had been a woodcarver for many years.  When I was a temp, I included my artistic resume in my application, and the engineering company saw this and they wanted somebody who was good with their hands, to work with delicate sensing devices.  I AM good with my hands and I got the job!  Interesting, eh? 

9)  Website:  If you have a website like I do, you can list and describe what it is about and I always included it in my artistic resume.  Your potential employer will be able to see your artistic talents and computer skills.  You can have an extented resume on your website where you have more space to work with, etc.  Should you want to see my website, you can go to the following;

http://humordoctormd.homestead.com

Over 150 colorful pages; over 300 graphics; Humor and creativity just seem to go together. 

10) Think postive:  Always have a positive attitude, and have confidence in yourself.  Negativism will get you nowhere!  Believe in yourself!  Never go over the line of arrogance...but have confidence in yourself.  People will notice it right away and it will be a big plus for you!  The more skills and knowledge you get...the more confidence you get in yourself. 

"What you lack in talent, can be made up with desire; hustle and giving 110 percent all the time."  Don Zimmer

11) Swallow your pride!  If you lose your job, and you need help from the state in the form of food stamps or welfare...take it...that's what it's there for...to help you until you get back on your feet, etc.   Swallow your pride...you MUST feed yourself and your family, and that's the most important thing.  I spent six weeks in a homeless shelter; six weeks in a soup line and I got food stamps for months!  I had to swallow my pride...and so can you!

And finally... know what it's like to lose your source of income...that awful, empty feeling in your stomach, etc.  I've been there...I've done that!  But, in a world economy and so much competition for jobs...it can be frustrating and agonizing to find another job, and your could have many sleepness nights!  My best advice...fatten up your resume...and prepare for the worst...and hope for the best and hustle like you never have before!  GOOD LUCK! 

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