Time Magazine’s The Curious Capitalist, Not So Curious

After a therapeutic but equally painful experience with my Physical Therapist in Park City (who will be my equestrian salvation come October when I am back riding my horse once again), I revisited just how scary and screwed up our country is right now.

To make matters worse, I get more breaking news across my Blackberry. The DOW has fallen over 100 points again due to continued debt ceiling stalemates (thank you very much Wall Street along with partner in crime D.C. Beltway) and durable goods orders are slipping again. The country consumes far more than it produces, has too many on welfare who aren’t paying into but receiving much of the Government’s spending, unemployment is at 9.2%, and U.S. GDP continues to sink into the negative.

To make matters worse, we are being spewed at by journalists such as Time Magazine’s Rana Foroohar that our concern with a runaway debt and the country’s hemorrhaging economy is foolish, unwarranted. And, if I’m not misinterpreting, Foroohar calls the proposed Balanced Budget Amendment (i.e., getting crazed Federal spending under control) “folksy politics” inferring that we Americans just don’t understand that in order to save the economy you have to borrow and spend still more. Really?! I live in Utah, own my own successful small business and still have a few clients but despite all of the borrowing and spending by the federal government, I wouldn’t describe things as getting better. But hey, that’s just folksy political me.

While Obama and his crew strategize on how to continue to keep the country in state of chaos, Foroohar supports the administrations unabashed spending spree by citing British economist Keynes’ theory as her premise for “no big deal, let’s raise the debt ceiling” and keep on spending. The Time’s reporter continues to condescend by pointing out macroeconomy versus microeconomy, explaining that families can improve by balancing budgets and saving but the Federal government unfortunately cannot.

Hmmm, maybe I am folksy at heart or maybe I am just a little bit more curious about how the American economy works than The Curious Capitalist (cited as a famous Dogar tribal member per Wikipedia). Last time I checked, Reagan and President Kennedy lowered taxes, deregulated markets, brought down the Soviet Union and guess what? The country thrived. Carter’s inflation nightmare dropped to 4% (this I know because I was in Europe at the time spending a strong American dollar). Federal surpluses that followed allowed President Clinton to finally balance the budget. Balancing the budget and paying down debt equals economic strength and power no matter how macro or micro, or how Democrat or Republican it may be.

Foroohar gets her last two digs in the final paragraphs: states have balanced-budget rules so the federal government should not in order to remain an economic stimulator (okay, really sighing right about now) and the final blow, the regurgitation of simple Keynesian wisdom: “If Enterprise is afoot, wealth accumulates, [whatever may be happening to thrift.]”

Unfortunately, what Foroohar lacks is not the ability to convey her journalistic superiority but the ability to see the forest through the trees: you can’t grow until you create an environment that fosters growth (cut taxes) and until you quit selling your soul for short-term fixes like some debt-hooked junkie. That means getting your house in order on behalf of all Americans. And yes, that includes the U.S. Capitol and The White House or D.C.’s Versailles which ever you prefer.

Forget the hoopla over the debt ceiling or balanced budget amendment, let them eat cake!

 

Elephant Under Glass On Quest to Debunk Myth: Conservatism Isn’t Cool

Once upon a time, there was a young girl born on March 17, 1963 in New York City. Oh, and did I mention born without a single drop of Irish blood running through her veins, which she was reminded of over the years by her wonderful Irish American friends. By the age of five, she and her family had moved to Boston. Settling in yet another blue state, she grew up in the lovely town of Wellesley, went to high school and then eventually left the nest kicking to attend Denison University located in picturesque Granville, Ohio. 

With hopes of becoming a writer, her dream of being the next, great investigative journalist dwindled fast when her freshman English professor (a kind but odd, older-than-God dude) assigned the semester reading list, which consisted of prose that made your eyes fall to the back of your head. With a mad dash to the registrar’s office, a new major was born: Sociology / Anthropology. Then, to make sure she wasn’t going to get completely lambasted by Dad (aka the financier), she declared Economics as her minor and the rest is history.

The girl? Me.

After four years, a junior semester abroad to Florence, Italy that changed my life (and waistline) and a bachelor’s degree under my belt later, I trekked back to Boston and was soon employed by a Boston-based publishing company (Park Street sound familiar? Any guesses?). Then it was off to graduate school. Hello London, England! In London, I finally (come hell or high water) got my master’s degree in Victorian Literature from King’s College, lived with a fun-loving American girl who kept things exciting, and met a few fabulous friends with two who stand out in my mind as very special: a fabulously interesting Welsh man who graduated with honors and is now the Director of an IB program at a prestigious prep school in England; and Iva, an Italian woman who eventually married an Italian doctor and was just super fun to be with regardless of subject matter (not to mention she took the time to cross the Atlantic in 1992 to be at
my wedding).

My life by age 25 in a nutshell.

With all of the twist and changes that took place, the one aspect of my life that never actually shifted was my fascination with and gravitation toward Conservative politics. Maybe it was Ronald Reagan in the 80s. My dad revered him, told me Reagan was a good and honest man. Told me he was a great president, maybe one of the greatest presidents of our time.

It appears now both Democrats and Republicans are fighting over who has rights to his legacy as they bicker over raising the debt ceiling. Honestly, neither party does or deserves to align themselves with this man’s legacy given Congress’ all time low approval rating. Anyone that knows Reagan, also knows he parted ways with the Democratic Party in the early 1960s and not because he wanted to but rather because the Democratic Party left him.

Reagan was my first presidential vote and I‘ll hang my hat on that one.

Since 1984, I have never skipped a general election or understood why anyone would renounce their right to vote. What’s even more incredible, I have always voted for the Republican…even when Bill Clinton was looking pretty good pre-Lewinsky. Turns out, Mr. Bill was not so squeaky clean or lucky in love. My political leaning is not hard for me to understand; the essence of the Republican Platform just feels natural to me as a born and bred American.

From the very beginning, I remember thinking conservatism was cool, in fact, it felt liberating. Maybe Reagan’s ideology, through the prodding of my dad, fostered my belief that conservatism was by definition synonymous with the idea that America was founded as a Republic not an unsustainable Democracy as so many children are taught today in the public and private school systems.

Regardless, I now find myself deeply fascinated with debunking the myth that conservatism isn’t cool. Personally, conservatism isn’t just cool by nature, it’s incredibly liberating if you really dig into the Founding Father’s intent.

Maybe I have arrived at this theory because I have lived in Utah for 20 years and now work closer with the Conservative (Mormon) caucus than ever before. Or, maybe it’s because I grew up in the very Blue State of Massachusetts. Either way, it doesn’t matter. What this theory does is forces my hand. I am now compelled like never before to hunt down the coolest and hippest in conservatism until I am vindicated in my “Conservatism is Cool” premise.

Speaking of cool and conservative, check out my first find and Elephant Under Glass' official Cool Conservative #1: Steve Crowder. Check out the video monologue and follow this hysterical Fox contributor and comedian on Twitter too at @scrowder. Crowder is cool and conservative but even better…he’s freaking hilarious and so right on!

On the Lookout for Character In 2012

As I slowly read my way through my summer stack of books, I find myself relishing the idea of character, what constitutes good versus bad character, and why for some people good character comes so seemingly easy and for others not so much.

Character, I have come to realize has little to do with money, fame or wealth. In fact, it’s almost the opposite. It feels like the harder people work to achieve their dreams and the tougher the obstacles, the more likely good character will immerge. As I flip through the pages of Peggy Noonan’s When Character Was King, the story of Ronald Reagan, I learn quickly why the widely respected president did what he did during his lifetime and presidency — for better (economy) and for worse (amnesty) — and why this kind man’s character today remains imprinted on so many Americans.

As Noonan explains, Reagan’s courage, his kindness, his persistence, his honesty, and his almost heroic patience in the face of setbacks are what set him so far apart from others throughout his lifetime. These qualities of character are timeless; they set apart the good from the truly great regardless of sex, race or skin color. Sadly, these same qualities seem to be not only sorely lacking in Washington D.C. but also seemingly among many of today’s Americans. I am not sure if today’s culture of corruption and confusion, remiss of the traits which make up good character, is systemic to just liberalism or not. I have seen and experienced the same disingenuousness in conservative politics too — power and control are undeniably enticing.

In 2011, the vitriol political environment fuels bad choices and back-room deals and Americans across party lines know this to be true. What’s best for Americans comes in blatantly second place. While many sit back and mock the increasingly popular Tea Party Movement without understanding the movement’s core mission and values, it will be IMHO one of the major guiding forces that filters out the Elite GOP from the true common-sense conservatives over the course of the 21st century. The Tea Party Movement can, as it becomes understood by younger generations, transform the Elite-centric Republican Party from perceived dorks (as Patti Reagan said as a child as she watched dad deliver one of the speeches of his lifetime) to cool but only if done right. Conservatism and hip in the same sentence, this elephant is surely dreaming.

A Must Watch: Reagan's Famous 1964 Rendezvous with Destiny Speech  

When American youth are finally educated on what it means to actually be Conservative, a newfound clarity will occur much like it did when Reagan took the state of California by storm in the 60s / 70s and America in the 80s as our 40th president. In other words, when Americans’ revisit what common-sense Conservatism stands for — for less government, for freedom, for more of the dollar in your pocket and less taken by government, and for less welfare and more self-esteem building independence — Washington and America will be heading down the
right road.

As a mom who has tried very hard to walk the walk, stay true to her beliefs, believe in the importance of her professional skills (with much help from my fabulous business partner and long-time friend Melissa Clyne), love her family without conditions and her friends with minimal conditions (come on, I am only human), I watch the bipartisan infighting and posturing which surround today’s debt ceiling crisis talks, demand for a balanced budget, immigration reform not excluding dire lack of border security, and the barrage of multiculturalism versus proud assimilation sucking the life out of this country.

On these occasions, my mind wanders: where is our 21st century Ronald Reagan hiding?

You know, Reagan was right…there is no left or right, only up and down. I vote UP! How about you?

Timing is everything when it comes to spending taxpayer dollars

As recently reported by national news outlets, it appears President Barack Obama will be celebrating his milestone birthday — the big 50 — at a Chicago fundraiser party where tickets will cost up to $35,800 each.

Obama and his campaign cronies are working ever so hard toward that billion dollar campaign war chest it seems. It’s a good thing too because Americans are ticked! Team Obama is going to need all the dollars they can get to spin the message in 2012 — just hope Washington GOP don’t make it easy on them.

I digress, back to party talk. What makes Obama birthday bash madness so much more painful is the fact that our fearless leader plans to hold the birthday party / political fundraiser on August 2nd, the day, as he stated so sternly to the press corp last week, our country will experience Armageddon if the debt ceiling isn’t raised and government can’t continue to spend, spend, spend!

Republicans are slamming the decision to have the party as “insensitive” — ya think?!

Obama said last Tuesday that he cannot guarantee that social security checks will go out starting August 3 unless a deal can be reached on raising the nation’s $14.3 trillion debt limit.

I don’t know about you but when the President can lavishly spend dollars on himself and in the same breath tells Americans they might not get the rightful Social Security funds they’ve paid into over the years, you know something is wrong in Gotham City.

I think GOP Congressman Louie Gohmert of Texas hits the nail on the head: “That’d be as crazy as setting up golf games in the middle of going after Osama bin Laden. I’m sure he wouldn’t do something like that – or maybe he would [did].”

Happy 50th President Obama!

Americans to the U.S. Fed: Time to Walk the Walk

So leading investment agency Moody's comes out and tells us today that the U.S. government's top credit rating is under review for a potential downgrade.

As if we didn’t already know there’s a political stalemate going on over increasing the nation's borrowing limit so that the United States can further wallow in debt. Please, it’s not like Obama isn’t holding a press conference every ten minutes on the subject while simultaneously threatening the military and elderly, Social Security checks and the rest of America for being too stupid to know better. America, this is called strategic dependency on government plain and simple. Just watch this quick news clip and then revisit your comfort level with this abject administration.

To add more salt to America’s wounded economy, Moody’s goes on to say: “The review of the U.S. government's bond rating is prompted by the possibility that the debt limit will not be raised in time to prevent a missed payment of interest or principal on outstanding bonds and notes. As such, there is a small but rising risk of a short-lived default.”

Will we really miss an interest or principal payment on August 2? Obama and his dream team are certainly ginning up the Social Security and military threats. More than $70 million in SS checks not sent out if we don’t go further into debt? You mean to tell me the Social Security trust fund, which U.S. citizens have been paying into since 1937, won’t be prepared to payout what it owes Americans next month?! I realize SS is likely going way in the near future if not fixed, but to threaten American citizens because you can’t spend more money that you don’t have is indubitably insane. Could this be Obama’s GOTSV “Get Out the Senior Vote” campaign?

So what if the United States under Obama’s leadership increases its risk of a first-ever default or even goes into default. Ouch, you mean we might have to balance the budget? People, the threats to Americans are getting uglier because both sides of the aisle are getting more desperate by the hour. This is primarily because Americans are listening and watching, watching closer than ever before and making politicians squirm. Balancing the Federal budget and living within your means is no different than managing personal finances, just exponentially bigger and very unwieldy at the moment.

If we do default on August 2, which isn’t likely, it becomes Obama’s Albatross and no one else’s for not listening to what 69% of what American want: lower debt and a smaller, less tyrannical government that listens to its citizens. As Michelle Bachmann and other commonsense GOP conservatives are stumping publicly now, there is no reason for the U.S. to default on its loans when all the Fed has to do is pay down interest. The bigger consequence if the debt ceiling remains fixed is that the U.S. might not be able to continue its global borrowing spree. No more limitless credit cards for Uncle Sam. The Fed must start leading by example to get its own house in order and get back on track with Americans to achieve trust, growth and sustainability (my "Green" term of the day).

When the POTUS stands at the press corp. podium and tells reporters such as CBS News’ Chip Reid that the citizens of the most exceptional nation on Earth shouldn’t be bothered with silly things like understanding the consequences of treasury auctions gone wild, that’s when you know the time has come for change. Just hoping McConnell and Boehner have the respective backbones to get it done right because 2012 is a lot closer than you think.

EVO’11 Swag Surpasses Expectations

I now know why Hollywood celebrities covet swag even though they can buy anything they want, anytime they want. It’s fun, free and provides instant gratification! Even better is when the swag is the stuff you love — all kinds of mom stuff. This was the case at EVO’11 at Park City’s Grand Summit Hotel.

No complaints from this mom.

Pairing a great educational social media conference of mommy blogger with majestic accommodations doesn’t get much better than this past weekend. My friend and business partner of more than 20 years stayed at a friend’s home in Park City that was…magnificent. I am quite sure one of the most beautiful homes in Park City. There, I was able to test drive my New Balance “True Balance” shaper shoes compliments of EVO’11 sponsor New Balance (@EvoConf and @newbalance). Thank you New Balance! I love my new shapers. In fact, the day I left the conference, I received compliments from an attendee on my toned legs as well as from a young dude who commented that he “loved the kicks” — score!

Bags, energy bars, coffee mugs, gift cards to Starbucks, McDonalds and Aveda. It was mom-swag worship from Thursday to Sunday. And that’s not all folks! Bush Beans (@BushsBeans) sponsored an incredible dinner Friday night at the Park City Resort (@PCski), McDonalds (@McDonalds) sponsored a healthy Asian salad lunch on Saturday and it was super tasty including the Paul Newman gluten-free Ginger vinaigrette salad dressing.

Okay, I guess from my post you can tell the EVO weekend was a success. While I will be the first to admit I left slightly overwhelmed and sometimes confused after workshops, the speakers and keynotes were incredibly accessible before, during and after sessions and even in the hallways. Thanks Scott Alder at Baby Center (@BabyCenter). The sessions were the perfect length, not too long or short. From Beginning Social Media to Growing Your Blog to Business of Blogging, there was something for everyone from the more experienced blogger to the newbie beginner like me.

Will I go next year, you betcha! I hear there might even be a super fun bowling party in 2012 at one of the chicest bowling alleys in Park City. Okay, who’s up for a “The Big Lebowski” look-alike contest in 2012? I am in!

Independence Day Affirmation: Remember Your Heroes Every Day!

No matter your label for what constitutes a hero, it's important to regularly remember those you admire and honor. Could it improve your life? Yeah, at least I think so.

It might be your dad, grandfather, husband, mother, children, or even historical figures you’ve only read about. Okay, here it comes, the first promotional plug for today: if you haven’t already read it, read Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand now…an incredible story about the 1930s Olympic track star Louis Zamperini. NYT reviewer David Murdock got it right when he said this true story of resilience and heroism is something out of Greek mythology. An inspirational summer read for sure!

Why is it important to remember those you admire every day? Because, remembering those you believe to be honorable will only serve to make you a better person, a more loyal person, a more consistently good person in your own life and with your own children. Everyone should strive to achieve an understanding of what it takes to acquire and maintain dignity and self-respect. In my humble opinion, achieving this understanding is the essence of navigating life from birth to death. It is also a very personal journey, which becomes crystal clear when associated with those whom have shaped your life and with whom you feel connection.

The act of creating connections comes in all shapes and sizes. No one knows this better than the renowned social researcher and public speaker Dr. Brene Brown who recently shared her thoughts on connection with Paper Coterie. As Dr. Brown mentions so eloquently, one great way to preserve, cherish and share those you admire is through photographic memories. Leave the words at a minimum and create picture stories that will last a lifetime. With this said, today’s the official last day of the Paper Coterie Heroes Collection promotion. How fitting that it falls on America’s birthday too! Just register at Paper Coterie and when you check out today using promo code MYHERO, you can make that book you dreamed of for “free” (up to $32) and share it with family and friends for years to come.

Happy Independence Day America!