What to do now that Obama has won

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MC Yogi

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I really like this video.

href=”http://mcyogi.com/

Compensation drives behavior

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Even in my limited years of business experience, I know one thing that holds true about money, it drives behavior. So when my company looks at compensation plans, I always look at what results I want and method I would like them achieved before I put together a compensation plan. For example, if I want my team to give more focus on selling a certain product, I will put in tangible incentives if they achieve a high water mark, and I also put in penalties if they don’t achieve a low water mark. This way there is both a carrot and the stick approach. I also make sure that I set expectations on how they are allowed to achieve the goal, what the exact metrics for success and when their work will be audited so that there is less chance of failure all around. Sometimes I get it wrong, but most of the time this method gets the results I am looking for.

This bailout package defies conventional logic of a free market economy and in my opinion is a sham of global proportions. The “free market” is a carrot and stick model. If you build a business that does well, you earn money, and if you fail, you loose money, thus driving people to succeed. I know this I probably oversimplified but if the government rewards the individuals (note that a corporation is legally seen as its own entity) who have failed, then why would these individuals change their behavior? Why wouldn’t they just find yet another way to engage is high risk, high yield ventures that have short term success? I would gamble all the time if tax payers would just payoff my bad debts. The markets will not correct unless companies who are unsuccessful are allowed to fail. It shows poor judgment on both Obama and McCain for voting for this bailout.

The real crisis that should be addressed is that sound businesses can’t short term loans from each other. This is root of our current crisis. When companies can’t borrow money for a few weeks to cover payroll, then we have a true disaster. This is now in discussions and it should actually help, so why the bailout package?

Terrorism only works if

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If we let it work. Terrorism is just a fear tactic. We all have the choice to let anti-social behavior like violence or the possible threats of violence shape our lives. It is just my opinion that Freedom should never be deterred by the threat of violence.

So it is not surprising that some small minded people would try to kill Obama in hopes to change the political landscape. But I am not sure what it says about our country that home grown extremists would try to kill Obama. I mean anyone who has been here or even in the world has to feel the level of harm that Bush has already inflicted upon us. It will take decades to recover from his administration’s policies. Though as much as I dislike the Bush administration and am counting the hours till his stint in office ends, I am proud that no American has tried to take his life (short of maybe Robert Pickett though he was a loon just shooting at the white house with a pistol while bush was in office).

But the most interesting thing is that the Bush administration has continually used fear, like terrorists, to manipulate Americans and further their political and personal agendas. Shame on you!

Date to remember: January 20, 2009!

Martin Luther King Day

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Martin Luther King Day always makes me proud to be an American. Although I may never truly understand oppression and effects if has on people as a white man in America, I do appreciate and understand the need for freedom, equality and social justice. As Americans, we are more alike from coast to coast than most politicians would have us believe. OUR country is great through empathy and understanding that unites all Americans. As the election time grows near, I have found that I have been inspired like I have not been before by a politician, a leader, Barack Obama.

I would like to share a bit of Barack Obama’s speech on Martin Luther King Day:

“King inspired with words not of anger, but of an urgency that still speaks to us today: ‘Unity is the great need of the hour’ is what King said. Unity is how we shall overcome…

“Brothers and sisters, we cannot walk alone.
In the struggle for peace and justice, we cannot walk alone.
In the struggle for opportunity and equality, we cannot walk alone
In the struggle to heal this nation and repair this world, we cannot walk alone.

“So I ask you to walk with me, and march with me, and join your voice with mine, and together we will sing the song that tears down the walls that divide us, and lift up an America that is truly indivisible, with liberty, and justice, for all.

From: http://my.barackobama.com/page/invite/mlkvideo

He inspires hope that we can unite this great country. Find Hope this election year by being involved to unite this country. Your voice makes a difference. Please, regardless of you beliefs, be involved and vote.

Voter registration here:
http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_vr.htm