Catching Up

Life happens. I hope everyone is doing well this Christmas season. Thanks to the downturn I am working two full time jobs and free time to blog is as limited as can be. So this is a generic look see at the last month.

For starters I oppose the .gov bailouts. So long as we have small business owners hangin on by the skin of their teeth then big business needs to suck it up. I work for a sixty something year old guy who is the nicest person I've met in a long time. He is killing himself trying to hold his business together. No bailout for him even though he's been a community icon for almost 30 years.

Even though my resume is updated, I don't have the heart to quit this guy. He is holding on secure in the hope that things will improve. He's basically conservative both fiscally and socially but is willing to give Obama a chance. Above all, he cares about the five of us working for him. We've made cuts, because the simple fact is that sometimes you have to man up and do what you have to do.

So, for the top execs of the banking and auto industries..... It's time for you to lead by example. I don't begrudge anyone getting rich. But it is hard to feel sympathy for a millionaire who gets a bonus for driving his company into the ground.

This also goes out for the unions as well. Guys, I imagine that some of you are sincerly trying to protect your workers. But right now you appear to be like the pit bull that won't let go of the bone. No one had any sympathy for the oil companies who made money and didn't ask for any. Very few are going to feel sorry for workers who appear to be overpaid. Appearances may not be reality. But appearances can have an effect on public opinion. And right now you appear to be selfish and greedy. I suggest that you tie your wages/benefits and union dues/union employee compensation to the fortunes of the company. If profits go up, so do your fortunes. If profits are down, then you take a proportionate cut.

To Congress: This is mostly your fault. Sorry guys but your committees made the conditions that led to the banking issue. Your regulations led to the auto industry being non-competitive. The domino effect is in progress and throwing money at the problem won't save it. Get rid of CAFE unless you are going to restructure it as an incentive. Get rid of your interference with labor and management. Stick to the enumerated powers and stop using the commerce clause as the one-size-fits-all excuse for meddling.

And, finally, just in case I cannot find the time....... Merry Christmas