For Sale: United States Senate seat

It’s almost as bizarre as it sounds. Who could believe that someone would try to sell a Senate seat? A senate seat that belongs to a recently elected President of the United States. And, not just a President-elect, but a President-elect who happens to be the first African-American elected to hold that office.
Now, how insane or plain pompous can anyone be to think that they can sell a United States senate seat? I must admit, that when I first heard that the governor of Illinois had been accused of doing such, I thought that it was a joke. A bad joke nonetheless. Something of that sort, you’d expect to find in emails that only crooks could make up.

When you think Alaska’s Governor Palin putting the governor’s plane on Ebay, now it would not surprise me if this guy tried to sell the vacant US senate seat on Ebay. Sounds ridiculous? Nothing does after this scandal. It is so outrageous that it is comical. When a governor attempts to sell a United States senate seat; that, has go to be the mother of all political corruptions. No stained blue dress, no Watergate tapes, no Katrina or frozen money could possibly top this one. This governor’s reported actions make President Nixon look like a pussycat; the states of New Jersey and Louisiana can claim to be transparent states. As a matter of fact, both those states now can be absolved. Just imagine how a powerful individual you must be, when you hold a United States Senate seat in your hands and auction it.

Really now, does the public need to ask the governor to resign? Shame.

The federal government has had to step in and hand out money to keep private institutions afloat, broke companies fail to see that flying in private jets is excessive and is bad PR, people are losing their homes left and right, consumption is so excessive that people can’t pay their bills, young girls walk around barely dressed, there is extreme level of violence in many of our cities, there is a high level of high school drop out, politicians hide money in freezers, These excesses are alarming.
Where did morality go?

Recipe for a dental emergency

Ever wonder what to do during emergencies? Where should I go? Who should I call? What will happen and what should I do? These questions always seem to puzzle my mind. Well, aside from dialing the 911 telephone numbers for life and death situations, even those of us who can carry “many hats” have limited assortment of ideas as to what to do during some non-life threatened emergencies.

Spilling red wine on your beige or off white carpeting calls for emergency administration of some expert help. Someone once told me if that were to happen to pour as much salt as possible on the carpeting, then vacuum the carpeting then, repeat until after all the wine has been absorbed with salt. Someone else told me, "Never serve red wine if you have off white or beige carpeting". Two different recipes for a similar situation. I’m sure both work and one works better than the other of course, it depends on the individual.

Red wine on a rug is not as painful on the body as a toothache however. So, if you should find yourself sitting in a dentist’s chair in agonizing pain screaming bloody murder while your dentist pulls an impression off your upper jaw? Only to realize that the pain was real when the look in your dentist’s face confirms that one or two of your teeth got yanked out in the process? Or one or two of your teeth, got knocked out “avulsed”, do you ever wonder what you would do? First of all, I can attest that a tooth avulsion is brutally painful. The physical pain can send you near panic.

What to do? Ask the dentist. I’d assume that the dentist should know what to do. Not in every case that your dentist will immediately react positively. The dentist may also panic after he/she has yanked a tooth out a patient’s mouth without anesthesia. If the tooth or teeth cannot be re-implanted, you may have to ask your dentist to do something immediately for a temporary replacement. Is it because the dentist does not care, or is it the dentist is afraid of being sued that he or she acts as deers do when they’re caught in the headlight of a moving vehicle? Information, as always, is one of the ingredients in the recipes for a good life. If you don’t know, just ask.

If you’ve had a non-life threatened emergency or a tip on how to deal with one, please feel free to contact me or share the recipe on how you handle your non-life threatened emergency.

Economics and Marriage

Marriage is a social and legal union. It is a legal contract and it creates legal obligations.

When two people marry, they enter into a contract that creates both social and legal obligations. They enjoy love, companionship and mutual finances. Marriages can last a life time, end naturally or can be legally terminated. Traditionally, a legal union offers monetary and legal benefits that are enjoyed throughout the marriage or offers provisions should the marriage end or when one party dies. Without a legal and enforceable contract, those who can’t marry or enter into a legally enforceable contract, are barred from the legal and economic benefits that a marriage or legal union offers.

From the definition of marriage or legal union, it is common sense to conclude that, barring some couples or same sex couples from legalizing their relationship is denying them the rights of the economic benefits of marriage, such as: tax releif, social security benefits, legal gaurdianship, life and health insurance and other legal protection enjoyed by two people who are in a union.

I have a feeling that non-traditional couples want the benefit of the econmics of marriage and not an acceptance of their personal relationships. Unless society sees that difference, we will conrinue to waste energy and time with this mundane issue. It is such a misuse of resources.

Silence is a recipe for acceptance/ Crimes and Communites

I have no relationship with this child yet I got goose bumps when I read an Associated Press headline “ Boy’s body found on Chicago’s West Side”. Whether it is Jennifer Hudson’s nephew or not, this discovery should touch the heart of every human being. It would be exceptionally difficult for Ms. Hudson whose mother and brother were killed just a few days ago. No one should have to suffer so much in such a small time frame. My heart goes out to her.

Unfortunately, Jennifer Hudson is not the only person who has had to suffer because of rampant crime. In many communities, violent crimes are just a part of life. They are the norm and residents seem to have gotten accustomed to such. Most people say nothing as if to allow room for all of it. It is a quiet acceptance of crimes. Families live and raise their children in such communities. Many are victimized yet the silence continues. Many see no end; they resign to it while some simply flee giving in to further decay. A silent community becomes demoralized, gets swallowed and reinforces the vicious killing circle.

I do hope that Ms. Hudson’s tragic loss helps to bring light to what appears to be a disease in many communities. Obviously, the police force alone cannot and should not do it all. The community has to be a part of the remedy. No one can afford to be tolerant anymore. It will not go away by itself.

What I despise is that these tragedies too often go silent. A community intimidated, a police force unaided and left alone to play God is the perfect recipe for rampant crime. It is obvious that none of them can be successful without the other. I hope they cozy up.

If any community doubts that their hesitation to get involved in their own lives, to redefine the roles, the set the boundaries, their silence will no doubt continue to thicken the circle to their peril. I hope that Ms. Hudson’s celebrity status forces entire communities to re-examine, to feel and to see the reality of how silence is partly responsible for the killing spree disease that many American communities experience. Talk Jennifer, talk loudly Jennifer.

Recipes for Dictatorship

Recipes for Dictatorship

Indefinite political terms are recipes for dictatorship.

Sometimes, someone can be so charming, that many folks lose all common sense. The fear of something new or of innovation brings such discomfort, that many of us would prefer not to proceed for fear- of perhaps what we might discover.

Imagine if Thomas Edison were perfectly content with just candlelight. Imagine if Christopher Columbus had chosen to live his life just within the boundaries of Portugal, if Alexander Bell had not given us the intrusion of telephones. Envision Louis Pasteur, Mahatma Gandhi, Winston Churchill and Golda Meier. Today, thanks to Bill Gates, we simplify tasks with Windows. Mr. Gates’s billions now plant seeds in many places. Imagine our lives had it not been for those few yet important changes and how they’ve impacted our world. Yes, there is always room for improvement. Progress is good and no one should impair advancement.

Political term limits are also good. They open the door for challengers to bring in new ideas and to make continued progress. Political term limits are set forth for valid reasons. We should not amend them just to suit any particular individual. Term limits restrict the number of terms politicians can serve in a particular office. Term limits prevent indefinite terms, protect against dictatorship and ensures political challengers. Term limits are not reserved for politicians that are not liked.

When we remove term restriction on the number times a politician can stay in a particular office we invite corruption, complacency and we exclude challengers. When we do it on a personal request, we undermine the democratic system- the very core that the restriction is set forth to protect. Most importantly, the removal of political term restriction is undemocratic and it is the perfect recipe for dictatorship.

A term limit self-corrects and it is inclusive, it prevents dictatorship, abuse and complacency. Everyone should advocate for restrictions on the number of terms that politicians can remain in office. The world has enough Fidel Castros, Hugo Chavez and Russian style government. Political term restriction is not only for politicians that we do not like; no one should be excused

The marriage of Citi and Wachovia

Not even the ploy of the Mcain/Obama campaigns can overshadow the mortgage crisis. Citicorp and Wachovia bank have been the key players for the last few days. It’s a “hell has no fury over a” bank deceived.

Citicorp, jilted by Wachovia, took its case to court. Citi is trying is to keep Wachovia from continuing a deal that it entered with Wells Fargo while under a signed “exclusivity” agreement with Citi. Worst of all, City is asking for punitive damages for in the billions that will likely bleed Wachovia to death and before Wachovia has a chance to go bankrupt. http://online.wsj.com/public/resources/documents/citicomplaint20081006.pdf
In a country, where fast food and consumerism reign supreme, the combination of Laws and Regulations is a perfect recipe to ensure fairness and justice even in the competitive world of business.

It is no news that Wachovia would have failed had it not been for its last minute deal with Citi. Clearly, Wachovia used Citi. Wachovia’s move kept the bank afloat while it shopped for and got a better deal from Wells Fargo. it was a smart but deceptive move. In reality, Wachovia got itself a bridge loan from Citi that not even Wells Fargo was willing to extend at the time that Wachovia needed it to avoid certain death. That was not fair. And yes, for those of you who say that fairness has no place in business and in law, think again. Fairness is why there are laws and regulations. Ethics and trust must again matter.

If Wachovia is allowed to get away with this tactic, then people will lose faith.
Wachovia signed an agreement and accepted money as part of that agreement, Wachovia approved Citi’s public announcement of their deal, then Wachovia is bound.
As the mortgage mess plays yoyo with the market, it appears that many people have not learned anything. Where do we draw the line between taking risks and Gambling?

Body Perfect Recipe

Body Perfect Recipe

If you’re like most people in the United States, you’re either trying to lose weight, trying not to put on weight or concerned about your weight.

Many of us are overweight and it is becoming too obvious. Some of us claimed hereditary problems, some of us acknowledge that we eat too much and some of us deny eating much at all although we pack on the pounds. What many of us are guilty of doing is that most of us are as stationary as the furniture in our homes. We sit down on the table to eat, we sit in the car to order out, we eat in the car to eat as we drive, we sit on the couch to eat, we sit and snack, then we sit again and then, finally, we go to bed. Our poor bodies must be screaming for help. We eat lots of food and we eat often.

Last Saturday, I went to a local post office to drop off a package. To my surprise, the parking lot was full. In front of the mailbox outside of the post office, a line of cars waited in line. As one car moves in the line, the others follow as the driver rolls down the window, stretches the left arm and drops their mail into the mailbox, then drives away. It was such a beautiful day I just could not understand why people chose to stay in the cars. They forfeited an opportunity to move their bodies. At a point, there were so many cars in line that people were forced to park their cars and walked the few feet to the mailbox drop and the post office; a marathon to many of us. Yes, some people had to walk out of their cars. Perhaps they were too tired to get out of their cars and walk a few feet. Many people give up on their weight and don’t realize that changing their lifestyle is key to maintaining a healthy body.

It’s sad when our bodies begin to get fat and start to adjust into the shape of the task that we usually perform during the day. Some of us bend our necks for several hours a day just to adapt to the screen of our computers and keyboard. We end up looking like ducks. I know because I’m one of the culprits and potential victim. Throughout the day, I must constantly remind my self to stretch a bit or my neck will bend forward permanently and make me appear a few inches shorter that I actually am, and someone might mistakenly take me for one of these pesky Canadian geese. I also realize the next thing that will happen is that I will start growing love handles as replacement for my waistline. It’s a fight that I plan to win. Do you plan to win yours?

One of the best weapons to use in the war against obesity is to keep the body moving. Of course, eating less and staying away from all the fried food and fast food is a winning ingredient. Should the urge to eat such occur, eat as little of it as possible. Then, go for a walk. Whether you’re overweight or not, keeping the body mobile, is one the Recipes For a Good Life.

UNSC Membership inquiry

A few days ago, I posted the following question on a public board.

Do you think, any of the former republics of the USSR, should dispute Russia’s assumed succession as Permanent Member of the United Nations Security Council?


Of the answers that I've gotten so far, some gave a few reasons as to why Russia assumed that role. But can those reasons be challenged?



Following the dissolution of the USSR in 1991, Russia, as one of the former republics, assumed succession as a permanent member of the UNSC. Is is because Russia has nuclear arms, it is because its capital is Moscow, is it because the other parts of the failed republics did not know they too could assume that role, could they have managed the role? At least can any of those former soviet countries challenge Russia to share the role of Permanent Member of United Nations Security Council?


So far, I've gotten a few interesting answers. I'm curious to see if people are interested in the current Russian's government's behavior in view of its domestic and international affairs.



What about you? What do you think?

Rebuilding Wall Street

Once upon a time, one of my sisters on saw a man selling “stereos” in the street. The man was selling the “stereos” at a bargain. A fraction of what they are actually worth and sold for in stores, the man told my sister. The man had an actual stereo on the ground which he used as display. Next to the displayed stereo, stood two boxes. Both “stereos” were packed in boxes and ready to go.

Without hesitation, my sister decided to buy one. “What if it does not work?” I asked her. “It works” she replied with confidence. “Maybe he stole them”, I told her in my effort to keep her from buying. “He’s selling them in the street, I don’t think he stole them” was her reply.

Needless to tell you, that my sister got herself into what we’re calling today the mortgage mess. When we got home, we opened the package. To my dear sister’s surprise, inside the box, she found pieces of bricks wrapped around newspaper and tissue paper.

If you ask me what happened to the “stereo” that she paid for, I’ll tell you that you’ve missed the point. If you’re getting the gist of this, keep reading.

Before I even dare mention Deregulations, Regulations, too little of this, too much of that, I think of the people who decided to buy these “mortgage” backed “securities”. Why not? Why would anyone buy a box without knowing what’s inside of it? Theories, politics, Demagoguery and Rhetoric are plain barriers. Don’t buy it if you don’t know what it is, provided that you’re buying a lottery ticket. By now, it is redundant.

The second point is, lack of common sense. Why would anyone buy something for which they can’t pay? Ok, speculators, flippers or investors buy with the hope of turning a quick profit if the price goes up. Now, the price went down, that’s their problem. They took the risk and they have to learn to live with it. In a way, it is capitalism and it is fair. No one should bail you out if you gamble and lose. If you can’t weather the storm, best to evacuate.

The third point is an issue of making informed decisions. Many homeowners are too stupid to know that they can’t afford it; some are addicted to buying so they buy. Some have no clue and have a way to buy so they buy not knowing what they are actually getting into. We live in a country where too many people buy on credit and don’t think that they will eventually have to pay for what they buy. That group would benefit from basic financial education and basics budget. The Treasury Department should include financial education for the general public as one of the steps to remedy this situation.

On the hand, there are those who lose their jobs, become ill or lose their financial means-they, must be in everybody’s mind.

Who’s to blame? Who made the wrong decisions? Who just brought for the sake of buying and a making a fast buck? While resolving problem is of primary importance, no one should try to shove the dirt under the rug.

In all of this mess, there are questions of ethics and basic financial literacy.

Almost everyone who bought into this mess relied on the independent, objectivity and assessment of rating agencies. Rating agencies’ job is to provide a rating system that helps investors evaluate the risk associated with making investing be it in a specific company, investment market or instrument. In order for the information to be reliable, Rating agencies must remain objective, independent as not to allow their clients to interfere with their jobs, credible as to their capability to assess value on a timely basis and transparent to discourage any subjectivity or conflict of interest. If you were to ask me that if a client pays you to rate its merchandize and if after you do, the client accepts your evaluation, then the information is most likely fair. Should the client go to another rating agency because the client is unhappy with your rating then get another evaluation, I’d say something is wrong with that scenario. Now, if we were talking about cosmetic surgery, I’d have given you a different answer. Some folks work on commission.

To return to the first point, relying too much on questionable and unverifiable information is a poor choice. Someone somewhere should have realized, that there is no way possible, that any company could review mortgage applications and credit histories for millions of mortgages to assess their worthiness over and over and over. Now, you either had a lot faith, had never heard of pyramid schemes, enjoy a little bit or Russian roulette or hoped that it would not blow up on your clock.

Of the necessary solutions, should the first call be for actual neutrality?

Wall Street and Main Street

When it comes to politics, commonsense often gets pushed aside so politicians can appear as if they are doing the right thing. Winning over voters has become all too important. It is almost the only reason why many politicians run and manage to keep their elected offices.
The commitment to do the job takes the back seat especially in time of re-election and general elections. I have a feeling that most politicians either don’t have a clue or simply don’t care about the responsibilities that come with their jobs. It is tragic when public trust is mused. It appears that the current situation on Wall Street, The mixture of asphyxiating accounting regulations and the government’s unrestrained desire to help, is proven to be a recipe for a massive coronary. I wouldn’t dare bring up those folks who actually brought boxed gifts with pretty bows without knowing what those boxes contain. Even an eight-year old would want to open the box to see what is inside or even it there is anything inside of it. Just because it is in a little blue box, it is not necessarily from Tiffany’s. Yes, those who bought boxed gifts should be ashamed for having been so excessive naïveté.

Normally, with such major failure, you’d expect a decisive application of relief. Unfortunately, with the elections approaching, most of those who hold the key to undo and prevent further damage, can’t afford to risk the possibility of losing the support of the voters from Main Street. The appearance of the wrong move of “bailing out Wall Street”, may cost many politicians too many votes, in which case, they, as well as their many constituents, who will be unemployed should big old Wall Street fall flat on its face, will lose the elections and become unemployed. Of course, most politicians would not want to lose their elected offices and become unemployed. Think about it.

Rather, than do what’s right, many politicians leisurely and carefully evaluate making important decisions against winning elections and party politics, then decide which is more important. As time passes, it become more costly to repair damages expensive, but that does not take precedence- winning votes is key. In all fairness to politicians, many employees, for fear of losing their jobs would not address necessary concerns with their bosses. Get the job and keep the job at all cost mentality or get another job while you still have a job seems to be widespread.

It is not simple hatred for Wall Street or excessively paid Chief Executive Officers. As grotesquely overpaid CEO’s are, there is no Main Street without Wall Street. Main Street and Wall Streets are the recipes for a successful society.