Originally  published 11/3/08

While I’m sitting in my office at 4:55 p.m. working myself into a flurry, I hear people talking outside of my office about the death of Obama’s grandmother. Even though I’m fighting timelines, I pause my work. Dazed, I pull up the news on-line, I read carefully as tears collect in my eyes. I look out of my window and give a moment to mourn with the Obama family. I fight to hold back tears because I’m at work and I don’t want anyone to walk into my office at this moment.

This hit me hard, it hit me deeply. My father was 57 years old when I was born. My mother was 28, a hot young red head with an attitude. Dad was the coolest cat this side of Central blvd, and a sugar daddy as he pulled a lot of weight for a Black man in those days. My parents divorced when I was 3. He told me after his passing (through prayer and meditation) that he wanted a son. Hence, my two older sisters, then me, then the divorce. Not that he left my mother after he had his son, but he let her go once he had me. He had little reason to fight her any longer.

Dad and I were close, given the fact that he was retired and financially secure when I was born he had all the time in the world for me. We spent countless hours on the golf course together, then to McDonalds. He’d run short on cash and we’d go back to the house so he could dip into the safe, then off we were again.

Born in 1913, my Dad was the quiet type. He was a track and field high jump and long jump star in high school until he dropped out to support his mother after his father passed away. He had already lost both his elder siblings in the flu epidemic of the 1920’s. My son is the last of the Harris bloodline.

I graduated college in the Spring of 1996. My dad was very ill with cancer, at the time and living in Oregon with my much older half sister. He barely had the strength but he flew back out one hot June day to see his boy graduate college. We were so proud of us that day. After my graduation, the family went back to my aunts house. My dad went to lay down in the bedroom, I followed. We spent hours just laying there. We didn’t say much, but the bond that we had required no words. He was the only man I ever feared. I never have had so much respect for another human being.

In July I was scheduled to take my stockbrokers licensing exams. The first one was the National test, it was tough. The second one was 3 weeks later, an easier California exam. One week after passing the national exam, I learned that my dad had passed away. I could not comprehend a sentence, let alone study or pass an exam. For two weeks I had many weak attempts of reading, but a could not read through the blurring tears. I don’t remember anything about the funeral except for my dad. It was like no one was there but me and his body. I remember shapes and I remember distant echos of voices.

I relied on the knowledge that I acquired studying for the first exam and I passed the second. My dad stayed alive to see me graduate. It was so important that I graduate for him, it was so important for him to witness that. Once that was done, he could not fight any longer. He had accomplished all that he needed to. On July 14th, 1996 my father left for home. Even though I fought the tears earlier, my face is drenched as I write these words. Some tears are for my father, some tears are for Madelyn Payne Dunham.

Plant the seeds and watch them grow, then you may pass with a content heart

Michael Steele Chair of RNC

The members of the Grand Old Party (GOP) are “Eating each others carcasses” in a power struggle to mount a platform to combat the “evil socialist movement” in the Whitehouse that threatens the status quo of exploitation for the sake of extravagant lifestyles.

Rush Limbaugh

During the 2009 CPAC convention, subtitled “Conservatism 2.0 Conference”, Rush Limbaugh address an audience of Standing Ovation happy republicans. He advised them that they deserved the wealth that they worked so hard to create for themselves, and no one, including President Obama who desires so much to be in that very class of people, should attempt to throw a guilt trip on them.

Under President Obama’s tax plan, a family earning $500,000 will see an increase of $11,300 in taxes this year. They either disregard this slight change or they feel that they are going to starve now. But the bottom line is, they worked hard for their wealth and the government is incapable and undeserving of their hard earned money, despite the purpose. Realistically, the class of people whose wealth is little affected by this crisis stands to benefit greatly if the current structure is allowed to go bankrupt. They can go on a wealth building run by buying assets and companies at a discount.

Want to see what real change looks like?
Well, here it is. Last week, President Obama unveiled his budget—his blueprint for America—and it’s ambitious, amazing, and unapologetically progressive.

10 things you should know about Obama’s plan:

1. Makes a $634 billion down payment on fixing health care that will go a long way toward paying for a more efficient, more affordable health care system that covers every single American.

2. Reduces taxes for 95% of working Americans. And if your family makes less than $250,000, your taxes won’t go up one dime.

3. Invests more than $100 billion in clean energy technology, creating millions of green jobs that can never be outsourced.

4. Brings our troops home from Iraq on a firm timetable, finally bringing the war to a close—and freeing up almost ten billion dollars a month for domestic priorities.

5. Reverses growing income inequality. The plan lets the Bush tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans expire and focuses on strengthening the middle class.

6. Closes multi-billion-dollar tax loopholes for big oil companies.

7. Increases grants to help families pay for college—the largest increase ever.

8. Halves the deficit by 2013. President Obama inherited a legacy of huge deficits and an economy in shambles, but his plan brings the deficit under control as soon as the economy begins to recover.

9. Dramatically increases funding for the SEC and the CFTC—the agencies that police Wall Street.

10. Tells it straight. For years, budgets have used accounting tricks to hide the real costs of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Bush tax cuts, and too many other programs. Obama’s budget gets rid of the smokescreens and lays out what America’s priorities are, what they cost, and how we’re going to pay for them.

We voted for change.  Part of that change also has to come from us.

Our problems stretch across so many industries because of the rapid business growth. Businesses are currently bigger than U.S. households can support with cash or credit. As long as households were spending beyond their cash holding, due to increasing property values, businesses grew. Now if the government supports the current business model of over heated overhead to stave off layoffs, we will not fix the problem, just delay the inevitable shrinkage. Especially given the fact that the American people need to take a financial management course that emphasizes the killing only what you can eat and saving a strong nest-egg. 

People are not spending money due to fear of lay offs, hence the consumer sentiment index is lower than it has been in its 41 year history. Unlike Reaganomics of the 1980′s, which gave concessions to the wealthy and businesses in order to give them a greater ability to provide jobs, Obamanomics is a term created by political pundits that places the concessions with the majority of the American middle class. Instead of top down politics, Obamanomics contemplates a bottom up approach where the vast majority of Americans are empowered to create their own opportunity as opposed to waiting on the slave owners to have money left over from yacht and personal jet purchases to throw us a bone.   $400 billion should go directly to households…

What if President Obama solidified Obamanomics into an ideology by making policy that allows businesses to collapse or shrink if households do not value the excess of products and services they attempt to brain wash us into believing we need. Through our vote at the cash register we the people may hold the power.  So we should coordinate a campaign to notify the people to be diligent with their spending dollar and not fret the loss of income, as $400 billion dollars will be used as an unemployment insurance supplement for anyone who loses their job due to layoff (not firing or quitting). The government will pay them additional funds over and above normal unemployment insurance to equal a total of 80% of what their average income was for the past 12 months. This 80% would decrease by 15% every 5 months. Remember our net (take home) income is only 75% to 85% of our gross income. The rest goes to taxes and benefits. Also the current unemployment insurance rules are different for each State. Yet California unemployment payments are the lower of 50% of lost income or $450 per week.  The payments continue for 26 weeks, or up to one year during a national crisis such as this one. Most households use from 40% to 60% of their net income to pay for housing. So the fear of losing your job is real, even with unemployment insurance many people could end up homeless.

Regarding the banking system who first failed the American people with sub-prime loans, and later with getting Federal funds and still not helping customers, the Federal government should cut all bailout assistance and allow these banks to fold and merge. The Federal Reserve bank should offer loans directly to the people. The surviving banks can buy existing loans from the Government just as they buy money from the Government to loan to households. Remember, with the income guarantee by the Government supplementing unemployment insurance, credit extension will be simplified with reduced risk of default.

Regarding the Auto industry, see my article on the Auto industry posted on December 11, 2008. I may add, if any of the three companies file for bankruptcy, the bankruptcy court should grant the Government the first right to purchase assets. The Government paid funds will go to paying auto industry supply chain. Yet at the back-end of this issue, the Government should sell all of the assets to the strongest U.S. Corporation that bids with a business plan worthy of the U.S. trust. This plan should outline top management, labor relations and Green modernization with U.S. ownership and operation. This is similar to what the City of New York did with the bidding to rebuild the twin towers. The bidding was not based on price, but aesthetic benefit to the people of New York.

Given the reduction of property values, layoffs and reduced spending, States are financially strapped as well. I’m in favor of Federal money to States immediately to stimulate job creation, reduce State layoff threats and to affect Green initiatives. I feel that part of the funds should go to States with good action plans for the funds with a caveat to trim fat in the long-run.

If embraced with income confidence, consumption may increase to sustainable levels where business revenue will return and reduce the need for layoffs and bankruptcies.  But do you think the money grabers will allow money to pass by the CEO bonus pool?  “We the people” with the power of the cash register vote, coupled with good money management dollars and sense, are in the best position fix this problem permanently.

His father left him before he was 2 years old.  His mother was a single mom, once on food stamps. At times he was raised by his “Big Mama”.  He is accomplished, distinguished and thoughtful hearted.  He is married to his “baby mama”. His qualities and ability to commit to something greater than he, has delivered to him a strong woman, loving children, a prestigious degree and control of the greatest country on Earth.  He has replaced our excuses with an example.  

God bless the Obamas and the United States of America…

I have been sickened to my stomach at the rapid pace of retail outlet openings over the past 3 years. We as Americans have only received a maximum of 5% per annum salary increases, yet Target, Walmart, Bed Bath and Beyond and entire strip malls pop up like mushrooms on my lawn. They increased as the housing boom took hold. Now that housing has slumped, thus too shall they follow. How did they expect us to spend more money to sustain their growing overhead cost? As homeownership was increasing the percentage of household income that was earmarked from rents to mortgage increased. This leaves less for retail expenses. Yet refinancing gave households a boost of “spendable cash” that transferred to revenue for retailers. The long term effect is a further increase in the percentage of household income to go to mortgages in the long run. In addition to refinancing, credit cards made it possible for households making $40,000 net income to actually spend $55,000. This also contributed to the first industry collapse, banks. Shit flows downstream and now retailers must pay the piper.

As a business manager, you must first understand your consumer, a part of which is to understand the source of the wealth that you are targeting. If the source is temporary, don’t build long term plans around that source. A better business decision would have been to take advantage of internet sales and by marketing technological advances in internet shopping. So when the market corrected itself, businesses wouldn’t be so heavily invested in a long term position. They would only have to layoff a small force of shipping and delivery personnel.

In the second quarter of 2009 it will be deja’vu, with the auto industry banging on the door again. I feel Congress and President Obama will force two of the big three American auto makers to merge. That will leave either Ford or Chrysler to fend for self or collapse. The surviving company(ies) will be forced by the Government to stop production on cars that are not ever going to sell above cost. He will then order the 18 month re-education of the entire company. GM University will eventually become the top producer of hybrid and alternative transportation fuel efficient and environmentally friendly technologies on the planet.

In quarter 3, President Obama, State governments and thousands of grass roots organization will begin the largest campaign in the history of the human race. This campaign will usher in a new way of thinking regarding our Earth and our priorities in the preservation of life and the pursuit of liberty for most people across the globe. Obama will enlist many countries to this crusade as it will continue to grow in mass, scope and effectiveness. Global warming will be reversed and world hunger will be addressed in a way that is closer to efficient then ever before.

In quarter 4 we will begin to reap the last of the bad seeds that have already been sown. We will see a sudden and drastic drop in the value of the dollar. Unlike the economics of today where if you don’t have a sub-prime mortgage and you are not in danger of loosing your job, you are relatively safe. Q4 will see an onslaught of hyper-inflation that only homeless hobos will dodge. If you have cash in your pocket, you will be affected. You should put your money into oil for the near run. For long run investing you should buy gold, energy stocks and fixed rate real estate. 2010 will be the humbling of the U.S., we may or may not hold the title of the worlds super power, this is why we need to make new friends as fast as we can.

This is just a mouth full of my own predictions. Who really knows? Good luck…

Auto industry:
I’d suggest giving a set amount of loans to Ford and GM. Restrict the use of funds to salaries of lower management and below employees. This will build an additional incentive for the labor union to compromise on salaries and layoff numbers. Those decision will shape how far the government loans will stretch. Everyone from the assembly line workers to the CEO were all overpaid at the big three. Instead of being more efficient and developing innovation that consumers can appreciate, they were busy paying each other. That must stop in order to be positioned as a viable option for the American auto consumer. Despite their international sales and fleet sales to government agencies, they still are unable to muster a profit.            

Jobs are our National interest within the auto industry. If the companies collapse next year or beg for more money, we want to rest assured that our tax dollars were spend on households, not luxury items for top management nor technology or raw materials that will be wasted if the company doesn’t make it another year. We need a domestic industry to remain competitive globally, if we were to put either of these companies up for sale, the chances of a more effective management team buying the assets and technologies are pretty high.

I’d hesitate on giving Chrysler any funds, but would consider it if the funds were restricted to to salaries.  Chrysler is a private company owned by a private equity firm (which is another name for a small number of very rich individuals) who I would not want to give a dime of my tax dollars to. Their plans have been to sell Chrysler as soon as they can, and if they do not get assistance it will force them to sell the company at a discount. As of lately Chrysler has improved demand substantially and I believe Chrysler will be a great buy for a management group who knows what they are doing.

Obamanomics:
I may be a little bias, but Obama has made all the right moves. His cabinet is stellar; he has not made too many large commitments due to the fact that he has 39 days until he is in the driver’s seat. In the mean time, he is working with all the players to design his position to be most effective come January. People still embrace the hope of him being a savior to this situation. So he wants a large impactful push so there is optimal effect in economic course change.

The information he has divulged is on par with effectiveness. By working with cash strapped States to create jobs is the best move possible to dig us out of this crisis. Job creation is a very important factor in changing consumer sentiment. This sentiment is what queues household spending. The down side of this plan is the slow way in which these projects began. Obama must get States and counties to streamline this process by eliminating the bid process in public works. On my 9 to 5, I insure architect, engineering and contracting firms all day long. Many of these firms are suffering due to the real estate crisis. If we reduce the long biding and planning process on straight forward projects, we can get blue prints, city permits and construction underway within 6 months as opposed to the normal 18 months. Within the 6 months, we can hire and train a quality workforce of construction, management, environmental and energy efficiency team employees to turn the economic wheels a little faster.

Real estate market:
The Government has tried to repair the banking system as it currently exists. It has not worked. Homeowners have suffered in the mean time due to investors being unwilling to take a loss. So let the banks have their profits. The government through their current organizations should refinance homes of foreclosing homes that are owner occupied. The banks will get their full amount and be very pleased as Senator McCain recommended during his campaign. Most citizens were against allowing the banking industry to get off scott free. In response, banks stopped lending due to uncertainty of their own balance sheets as well as the future income of customers. We need them to begin to lend to customers to lubricate this economy with credit transactions. As for the homeowners, they’ll have to qualify similarly to my first report on how TARP should work. Once the government has a large pool of loans, they can bundle them and sell them to just as the real estate industry did to get us in this mess. The difference is that the participating homeowners will be better qualified and the terms of the loan will not be predatorial in nature.

Two years from now the people who will benefit from the 2009 stabilization of the real estate market, namely the rich investors and mortgage lenders of 2007, will be displeased with the new tax code when it will be time to pay the piper.

The Future issue:
The problem of the future will be the devaluation of the dollar. By this time next year we may be in a hyper inflationary spiral due to the printing and release of this additional cash. The more money in the system, the less value each dollar carries, that is why we have continued hikes in the cost of living. In order to reduce this exposure, the Government must take back as much of the newly lent money as quickly as possible. This will prove to be a difficult balancing act. High inflationary pressure will be difficult to impossible to avoid.

The best thing we can do is to spend now to stimulate the economy. Create jobs and enhance the feeling of job stability. Yet as soon as we see light at the end of the tunnel, we should have a national initiative to save money. This will stave off inflation and show that America has learned its lesson of living off of 110% of its income. Companies and households alike need to learn to spend 80% and save 20%. So that the economy will not get over heated, while companies and households have no emergency funds to ride out future storms.

We have learned our lesson right? Right?

As a contributor-volunteer I was surveyed by www.barackobama.com. They asked the following questions – How would you like to see this organization move forward in the months and years ahead? And how would you like to be engaged as a volunteer and organizer?:

I would like Obama to have a new grassroots initiative every quarter that is publicized through news outlets and his web-site. These quarterly initiatives are fund raisers for a particular cause. This will be an alternative to higher taxation. It gives Americans an option to direct Government funds to the initiatives they want. Hence, if they don’t want their tax dollars used for a particular initiative, they will not participate. Those who want to help fund certain programs have the ability to donate a single or a monthly contribution. This will reduce taxes and the participation is in direct relationship to American’s interest in the resolution. It also puts to rest many conservative’s argument against income redistribution. Each initiative will have its own link from barackobama.com. Each link will have a program description as well as a monthly progress and results report with full transparency. News broadcasters may investigate the results as Americans help Americans willingly. To keep cost low, private industry may bid on certain functions as long as they meet community building parameters such as hiring from within the served community. The initiatives will also utilize volunteers and interested youth for paid internships to pay for higher education or student loan forgiveness. We should want all Americans to have contributed to at least one cause. This will enhance the effort to engage Americans in actively promoting social change. A common question among Americans will be, and the question I pose to you is “What’s your cause?”

The Television in the food-court in downtown was airing Colon Powell’s Obama endorsement as I walked in last week. My natural reaction was to pop my chest out. correct my posture and stride harder. I felt a sort of curl of confidence occur on my lips as I grin. At that moment I was hit with the reality not only of a potential Black president, but there is another highly respected and influential Black man being listened to regarding this event.

I’ve fought a very personal battle of self doubt due to my race, I’ve fought to ensure my son never will blame his race for any abuses he may experience. My intellect has battled with social injustices, and the weight that black people talk about to the dismay of white America. But let me tell you, even if white America has absolutely nothing to do with the internal baggage that Black people carry, I must attest to the fact that it is a real and live burden. It may only live in the collective minds of Blacks due to the struggles that were had by their elders and the mounting obstacles that many of us face. Even as a successful black man, I’ve left many of my childhood friends behind. 11/4/08 may be the best answer to the lifting of this cross that we bare. I welcome it with open arms, heart and mind.

Some white Americans may be swayed to heal the racist elements of their hearts if Obama can win and truly represent his creed despite his race. Some white (mid-western) Americans may drown in additional hatred as they state, “Those uppity nigga’s need to remember their place”. That same racial frustration felt by some whites is the closes comparative to the racial disparity that Black people have endured. The difference between the two frustrations are that white bigots may feel regarding Blacks, “They are unworthy”. Just as Black people have felt, “They think I’m unworthy”. They both are negative burdens that are carried within the heart that act as a weight of self mental oppression.

Despite any change in white America, I guarantee that Black people all across this country will feel different, better, stronger, less disenfranchised, included, heard and considered. I hope this change will not come at a cost of white America feeling slighted or robbed as if inclusion is a piece of a limited amount of pie that they had to give up to the enemy. Yet this pie can increase in size and scope without taking away from anyone. We should all get a slice and a cup of milk to accompany it. I hope this burden of hate and doubt can be lifted from us all.

Most historians say that Civil rights movement was well over by 1980. I could agree in the sense that Republican Reaganomics ruled the 80’s and that the 70’s were so hard on Black people that they stopped uniting and begin fracture into either the assimilated or the fallen by the waist-side. Blacks were too divided to fight a common battle. They were culturally exhausted from the civil rights movement, the sexual revolution and the drug epidemic. But just because they weren’t punching, bobbing and weaving doesn’t mean they were not still in the boxing ring. Black people have been oppressed in many corners of the world, and every time they obtain their independence, things get worse way before they get better. We saw it in the rapid deterioration of the Black family at the end of the Civil rights movement. We saw it in South Africa and in Jamaica. Black Americans must take this moment in history and learn from history to receive the greatest gain of this era.

Let us pray for peace of mind for all