In this posting, I am going to share some leadership lessons I have learned from Barack Obama. If you have read my other postings to this blog, you no doubt have noticed that I do not consider Barak Obama a great leader. So why would I write a posting touting leadership lessons I have learned. The answer is simple, we can learn from someone else’s accomplishments as well as their mistakes.
The first lesson I have learned is that leaders must be decisive. The generals in charge of the war in Afghanistan have requested additional troops but the President has not made a decision yet. While he is acting indecisively in making this decision, the enemy is killing and injuring our troops. The lesson learned here is that in life and death situations, leaders must be decisive.
Another lesson I have learned from Barack Obama is that leaders cannot do everything themselves but they are responsible for everything. They, therefore, must be careful to surround themselves with competent people. When leaders fail to do this they can quickly find themselves involved in a scandal that is not their doing. Since the leader is responsible for the actions of their subordinates, they may incur some legal liability. However, even if the leader escapes any legal liability, his or her involvement will be an embarrassment causing the constituents to loose faith in the judgment of their leader.
When President Obama began selecting his cabinet, they failed to thoroughly vet people and appointed individuals with questionable backgrounds and even tax delinquencies. For example, Tim Geithner, Obama’s selection for Treasury Secretary owed back taxes for work he performed as a contractor. There is no withholding of taxes for contract labor so it is the responsibility of the taxpayer to report it as income on their tax return and pay the appropriate amount of tax.
Mr. Geithner claimed he was not aware he was required to report this as income and that it was just an oversight. However, when he was hired for this position, he was informed in writing of his responsibility to report it as income. Since Mr. Geithner will have oversight of the Internal Revenue Service, this became an embarrassing situation for the President and caused his constituents to begin doubting his judgment.
However, the most valuable lesson I have learned from President Obama is the importance of being honest. The administration has claimed to save and create thousands of jobs through the stimulus program. They even published information about these jobs on the website www.recovery.gov. An example of the information on the website claimed to have created jobs in the 15th congressional district of Arizona.
I live in Arizona and know that there are only eight congressional districts in Arizona so I want to know the name of the representative for the 15th district. This is only one of many examples of jobs created in fictitious congressional districts. The administration claims that this was an error and even if it was it raises doubts as to validity of the information this administration gives to the public.
I want to encourage voters to assess candidates for their abilities as a leader. It is our responsibility as voters to select leaders who are decisive, use good judgment in selecting their subordinates, and are honest with the public. President Obama has failed in these three areas thus far. Either he now has to improve in these areas or the voters will need to replace him in the next election.
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Economic Threats
The economy continues to struggle. There are signs of recovery (e.g. the stock market going up) but unemployment continues to rise and home foreclosures are increasing. However, the Congress is currently working on healthcare reform and will begin working on the cap and trade legislation the first of next year. Instead of helping the economy, these two pieces of legislation will do more harm.
I have written extensively about the danger of the healthcare reform under proposal as well as offering a viable alternative. This information is available at www.althealthcareref.blogspot.com. The bill is currently under debate in the Senate so I urge everyone to contact their senators and urge them to vote against this economically dangerous legislation.
The other piece of legislation that will be under consideration next year is the cap and trade legislation. This legislation will place limits on energy usage in an effort to curb global warming. Besides the additional taxes and fees this legislation will place on already struggling industries, the legislation is based on fraudulent information.
I will be conducting research on this legislation and issue as well and will be publishing that information on the web. I will provide a link to this report on this blog when it is completed.
As the economy struggles, the last thing we want to do is place additional taxes and regulations on the private sector. Job creation does not come from the government but from the private sector. Government policy can either encourage or discourage economic growth. Our congress needs to quit wasting time with damaging legislation and begin working on legislation what will encourage economic growth. Either the current members of congress can change the direction of legislation they will propose or the voters will replace them with leaders who will. The power is in the hands of you the voter.
I have written extensively about the danger of the healthcare reform under proposal as well as offering a viable alternative. This information is available at www.althealthcareref.blogspot.com. The bill is currently under debate in the Senate so I urge everyone to contact their senators and urge them to vote against this economically dangerous legislation.
The other piece of legislation that will be under consideration next year is the cap and trade legislation. This legislation will place limits on energy usage in an effort to curb global warming. Besides the additional taxes and fees this legislation will place on already struggling industries, the legislation is based on fraudulent information.
I will be conducting research on this legislation and issue as well and will be publishing that information on the web. I will provide a link to this report on this blog when it is completed.
As the economy struggles, the last thing we want to do is place additional taxes and regulations on the private sector. Job creation does not come from the government but from the private sector. Government policy can either encourage or discourage economic growth. Our congress needs to quit wasting time with damaging legislation and begin working on legislation what will encourage economic growth. Either the current members of congress can change the direction of legislation they will propose or the voters will replace them with leaders who will. The power is in the hands of you the voter.
Be Thankful For
Thanksgiving is tomorrow and for many this has been a rough year. In times like these, it is often difficult to be thankful. However, as Christians we have much to be thankful for.
John 3:16 tells us that God loved us so much that he sent his only Son to die for our sins. God did not have to do this. He could have let us die in our sins. Aren’t we glad he did not do this but instead chose to give us a pardon.
We may experience trouble in this world but James 1:2 tells us to consider it joy when trouble comes our way. This seems like bad advice unless we know we have eternal life through the death of Gods Son.
If you do not have this assurance of eternal life, I urge you to gain that assurance now. Romans 10:9 tells us that if we will confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord of our life and believe in our hearts that God raised him from the dead, we will be saved. After praying this simple prayer, I urge you to click on the link to Calvary Community Church. Click on the button “How to Know God” and select the “Your Decision” selection. Fill out the form and some information about your decision will be sent to you. You need not worry for you will not be put on any mailing list and no one will hound you for money. We simply want to inform you about the life changing decision you have just made.
We all have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, so have a happy Thanksgiving.
John 3:16 tells us that God loved us so much that he sent his only Son to die for our sins. God did not have to do this. He could have let us die in our sins. Aren’t we glad he did not do this but instead chose to give us a pardon.
We may experience trouble in this world but James 1:2 tells us to consider it joy when trouble comes our way. This seems like bad advice unless we know we have eternal life through the death of Gods Son.
If you do not have this assurance of eternal life, I urge you to gain that assurance now. Romans 10:9 tells us that if we will confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord of our life and believe in our hearts that God raised him from the dead, we will be saved. After praying this simple prayer, I urge you to click on the link to Calvary Community Church. Click on the button “How to Know God” and select the “Your Decision” selection. Fill out the form and some information about your decision will be sent to you. You need not worry for you will not be put on any mailing list and no one will hound you for money. We simply want to inform you about the life changing decision you have just made.
We all have much to be thankful for this Thanksgiving, so have a happy Thanksgiving.
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Beware of Political Groupthink
This week saw the release of Sarah Palin’s new book Going Rogue and the political firestorm has begun. Liberals say she is just a joke while conservatives believe she may be the conservative leader they have been waiting for. Only time will tell who is right. However, in an interview with Rush Limbaugh on Tuesday, Mrs. Palin gave an interesting answer to one of Rush’s questions.
I am not sure exactly what the question was but it had something to do with what she felt the Republican Party needed to do to win the next election. In her answer, Mrs. Palin stated that the Republican Party needed to have rigorous debate over the issues facing the nation. This answer made me think of something that happens in organizations causeing them to become irrelevant. This something is called groupthink.
When an organization ceases to allow the consideration of conflicting ideas it falls prey to groupthink. Since conflicting ideas are no longer allowed, only the ideas of the elite in the organization are even considered. Anyone not going with the groups ideas is kicked out. The organization soon stagnates, looses touch with the real world, and becomes infatuated with the ideas of the elite in the group. The interesting thing is that groupthink is anything but thinking since any rogue thoughts are quickly eliminated from consideration.
As we look at the Democratic Party today, we see a party dominated by the agenda of Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid. Any Democrat who dares go against their agenda is threatened with lack of support for re-election and since politicians generally crave power, these rogues soon give in or go away. The declining approval ratings of both the Congress and the President are evidence that their groupthink is causing them to loose touch with the electorate.
Mrs. Palin’s call for rigorous debate by Republicans was a call to allow consideration of all ideas in the primaries so that the party can choose the candidate that best supports what is important to them. If the Republican Party follows Mrs. Palin’s advice, the electorate will see them as the party that is in touch with their desires. This is how Ronald Reagan won two landslide elections and is how the Republican Party can take back control of both the Congress and the White House.
So, let the rigorous debate begin.
I am not sure exactly what the question was but it had something to do with what she felt the Republican Party needed to do to win the next election. In her answer, Mrs. Palin stated that the Republican Party needed to have rigorous debate over the issues facing the nation. This answer made me think of something that happens in organizations causeing them to become irrelevant. This something is called groupthink.
When an organization ceases to allow the consideration of conflicting ideas it falls prey to groupthink. Since conflicting ideas are no longer allowed, only the ideas of the elite in the organization are even considered. Anyone not going with the groups ideas is kicked out. The organization soon stagnates, looses touch with the real world, and becomes infatuated with the ideas of the elite in the group. The interesting thing is that groupthink is anything but thinking since any rogue thoughts are quickly eliminated from consideration.
As we look at the Democratic Party today, we see a party dominated by the agenda of Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi, and Harry Reid. Any Democrat who dares go against their agenda is threatened with lack of support for re-election and since politicians generally crave power, these rogues soon give in or go away. The declining approval ratings of both the Congress and the President are evidence that their groupthink is causing them to loose touch with the electorate.
Mrs. Palin’s call for rigorous debate by Republicans was a call to allow consideration of all ideas in the primaries so that the party can choose the candidate that best supports what is important to them. If the Republican Party follows Mrs. Palin’s advice, the electorate will see them as the party that is in touch with their desires. This is how Ronald Reagan won two landslide elections and is how the Republican Party can take back control of both the Congress and the White House.
So, let the rigorous debate begin.
Phantom Job Creation or More Lies.
It is puzzling to me that while unemployment is rising to 10.2%; the administration is telling us that the stimulus package is creating jobs. What puzzles me even more is why the unemployment numbers are not going down with all of the new jobs. This week the administration provided us with a probable answer. The jobs created are phantom jobs.
On the website, www.recovery.gov individuals can track the stimulus money and how many jobs it has created. In Arizona, they claim to have created jobs in both the 10th and 15th congressional district. The only problem is that Arizona only has eight congressional districts so any jobs created in the 10th and 15th district must be phantom jobs.
It never ceases to amaze me the links this administration will go to in order to justify their failed policies. Now they expect us to be stupid enough to believe in phantom job creation in phantom congressional districts. I for one am not going to buy the lie.
Join me in supporting candidates for office that will be honest with the American People. It is time to throw these lying SOB’s out of office and replace them with people we can trust.
On the website, www.recovery.gov individuals can track the stimulus money and how many jobs it has created. In Arizona, they claim to have created jobs in both the 10th and 15th congressional district. The only problem is that Arizona only has eight congressional districts so any jobs created in the 10th and 15th district must be phantom jobs.
It never ceases to amaze me the links this administration will go to in order to justify their failed policies. Now they expect us to be stupid enough to believe in phantom job creation in phantom congressional districts. I for one am not going to buy the lie.
Join me in supporting candidates for office that will be honest with the American People. It is time to throw these lying SOB’s out of office and replace them with people we can trust.
Miraculous Provision
In the movie the Ten Commandments we see a depiction of the miraculous deliverance if Israel from Egyptian slavery. In the movie, we see the plagues of Egypt depicted climaxing in the death of all of the Egyptian first born. We also see the army of Pharaoh drowned in the Red Sea.
Not mentioned in the movie, however, is how God provided food and clothing for the Jews during their 40-year journey through the wilderness. In Deuteronomy 8:3 God reminds them that he fed them with Manna during their journey. This Manna was something no one had ever seen before or since. Deuteronomy 29:5 also tells us that even their clothes and shoes did not wear out while walking in the desert for 40 years.
These are examples of how God will provide for his people when they have need.
Our present economic recession has left many with severe financial needs. However, many are turning to the government to provide these needs. I want to challenge those of you reading this that have needs to turn to God instead of the government to meet their needs. The same God who took care of his people in the wilderness for 40 years is available to you today so ask Him for His help. He is listening and waiting to hear from you and provide for your needs.
Not mentioned in the movie, however, is how God provided food and clothing for the Jews during their 40-year journey through the wilderness. In Deuteronomy 8:3 God reminds them that he fed them with Manna during their journey. This Manna was something no one had ever seen before or since. Deuteronomy 29:5 also tells us that even their clothes and shoes did not wear out while walking in the desert for 40 years.
These are examples of how God will provide for his people when they have need.
Our present economic recession has left many with severe financial needs. However, many are turning to the government to provide these needs. I want to challenge those of you reading this that have needs to turn to God instead of the government to meet their needs. The same God who took care of his people in the wilderness for 40 years is available to you today so ask Him for His help. He is listening and waiting to hear from you and provide for your needs.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Please Call it What it is
We were all shocked upon hearing of the shootings at Fort Hood in Texas. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and families of those brutally murdered and wounded in the incident. However, when we began finding out more about the alleged gunman, we realized that this was more than just an unfortunate tragedy it was terrorism.
Many who worked with Major Hasan knew something was wrong. For example, even though he checked no religious preference on his enlistment papers, he was a devout practicing Muslim. In fact, there were even complaints from some of his patients that he tried to convert them to Islam. There is nothing wrong with being a Muslim in our country but we must ask ourselves why he felt it necessary to lie about his religious preference. Is he not proud of his beliefs? Did he have something to hide?
The most alarming fact is that this attack was preventable. Investigators were prohibited from launching a full-scale probe into Major Hasan’s emails sent to a radical Imam. These investigators were told this would be a violation of his First Amendment rights. I do not believe this is what they had in mind when they added the First Amendment to the constitution.
What they had in mind was that the newly formed nation would not become tyrannical like the government from whom they had just gained independence. To prevent this from happening, the founders wanted to guarantee an individuals right to speak out against government policy when they disagreed with it. However, this was not the case with Major Hasan. The emails in question were to an Imam of terrorists, including the 9/11 terrorists, who are enemies of this nation. In order for this nation to protect our security, we must look at emails from an officer of our military to individuals with ties to enemies of our nation.
In addition to this, others who worked with Major Hasan had concerns but were afraid to voice their concerns out of fear of being branded a racist. It is interesting that no one seems to be concerned about their First Amendment right to express these concerns.
After the attacks of 9/11, the citizens of this nation were urged to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity. This vigilance has kept us save for over eight years and been instrumental in foiling many potential terrorist attacks on our soil. Are we now going to put the nation at the same level of risk that existed prior to 9/11 by placing a gag order on citizens who witness suspicious activity?
The bottom line is that our nation is now in the same position it was on September 10, 2001. Back then, our intelligence services were not allowed to share information with each other. Because of this limitation, the terrorists of 9/11 were able to carry out their acts resulting in the deaths of thousands of Americans while the bloated intelligence bureaucracy could do nothing.
The incident at Fort Hood exposed weaknesses in our national security. Unless we repair these weaknesses, it is just a matter of time before some terrorist group attempts to exploit these weakness and commit another 9/11 type of attack. We as a nation need to wake up and realize we are at war with terrorism, we have enemies that want to kill us, and our government needs to be free to do everything possible to prevent it including sharing and investigating suspicious activity.
I invite your to comments on this issue.
Many who worked with Major Hasan knew something was wrong. For example, even though he checked no religious preference on his enlistment papers, he was a devout practicing Muslim. In fact, there were even complaints from some of his patients that he tried to convert them to Islam. There is nothing wrong with being a Muslim in our country but we must ask ourselves why he felt it necessary to lie about his religious preference. Is he not proud of his beliefs? Did he have something to hide?
The most alarming fact is that this attack was preventable. Investigators were prohibited from launching a full-scale probe into Major Hasan’s emails sent to a radical Imam. These investigators were told this would be a violation of his First Amendment rights. I do not believe this is what they had in mind when they added the First Amendment to the constitution.
What they had in mind was that the newly formed nation would not become tyrannical like the government from whom they had just gained independence. To prevent this from happening, the founders wanted to guarantee an individuals right to speak out against government policy when they disagreed with it. However, this was not the case with Major Hasan. The emails in question were to an Imam of terrorists, including the 9/11 terrorists, who are enemies of this nation. In order for this nation to protect our security, we must look at emails from an officer of our military to individuals with ties to enemies of our nation.
In addition to this, others who worked with Major Hasan had concerns but were afraid to voice their concerns out of fear of being branded a racist. It is interesting that no one seems to be concerned about their First Amendment right to express these concerns.
After the attacks of 9/11, the citizens of this nation were urged to be vigilant and report any suspicious activity. This vigilance has kept us save for over eight years and been instrumental in foiling many potential terrorist attacks on our soil. Are we now going to put the nation at the same level of risk that existed prior to 9/11 by placing a gag order on citizens who witness suspicious activity?
The bottom line is that our nation is now in the same position it was on September 10, 2001. Back then, our intelligence services were not allowed to share information with each other. Because of this limitation, the terrorists of 9/11 were able to carry out their acts resulting in the deaths of thousands of Americans while the bloated intelligence bureaucracy could do nothing.
The incident at Fort Hood exposed weaknesses in our national security. Unless we repair these weaknesses, it is just a matter of time before some terrorist group attempts to exploit these weakness and commit another 9/11 type of attack. We as a nation need to wake up and realize we are at war with terrorism, we have enemies that want to kill us, and our government needs to be free to do everything possible to prevent it including sharing and investigating suspicious activity.
I invite your to comments on this issue.
10.2% = Economic Recovery
In the sci-fi movie Time Cop, science has perfected time travel. With this new technology, rules were put in place to prevent individuals from gaining an advantage such as knowing who will win the Super Bowl or what stocks will go up in the future. To enforce these new rules a new police force of time cops was formed. During the movie, we were warned that if you traveled in time and met up with yourself, you had to be careful not to touch the other you. The rule was that “the same matter cannot occupy the same space”.
This leads us to the question of how 10.2% unemployment and economic recovery can occupy the same space. My guess is that this is possible as long as you measure economic recovery solely based solely on success of Wall Street.
The stock market has been rising in recent days and this is good news, especially for those with money in the market. Experts tout that this equates to success in corporate America since it is a reflection of rising stock prices for the companies listed in the stock exchanges. However, it fails to take into account the plight of small companies that are not listed in the stock exchange. Since these small to medium companies make up a majority of the workforce, contraction of these companies results in rising unemployment. Therefore, by ignoring the plight of Main Street, you can declare an economic recovery.
However, those unemployed workers from Main Street still vote and they will vote in the next election with their pocket books. The recent elections in New Jersey and Virginia are signs of the growing economic discontent on Main Street. Politicians declaring an economic recovery in the midst of 10.2% unemployment need to beware. The truth is that 10.2% unemployment and job security for politicians claiming economic recovery cannot occupy the same space.
I invite your comments on this issue.
This leads us to the question of how 10.2% unemployment and economic recovery can occupy the same space. My guess is that this is possible as long as you measure economic recovery solely based solely on success of Wall Street.
The stock market has been rising in recent days and this is good news, especially for those with money in the market. Experts tout that this equates to success in corporate America since it is a reflection of rising stock prices for the companies listed in the stock exchanges. However, it fails to take into account the plight of small companies that are not listed in the stock exchange. Since these small to medium companies make up a majority of the workforce, contraction of these companies results in rising unemployment. Therefore, by ignoring the plight of Main Street, you can declare an economic recovery.
However, those unemployed workers from Main Street still vote and they will vote in the next election with their pocket books. The recent elections in New Jersey and Virginia are signs of the growing economic discontent on Main Street. Politicians declaring an economic recovery in the midst of 10.2% unemployment need to beware. The truth is that 10.2% unemployment and job security for politicians claiming economic recovery cannot occupy the same space.
I invite your comments on this issue.
Living Free From Worry
I spite of all the negative political and economic news in the media today, it is possible to live a worry free life. This does not mean that all our problems miraculously disappear but that we do not need to worry about them. The Bible tells us in Matthew 6:33-34:
33 and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.
34 "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.
NLT
Living worry free means not committing our lives to our finances but unto God. This is difficult to do because secular teaching teaches us to focus on our careers, working hard and earning lots of money. This does not mean that these things are not important but they are not to be the primary focus of our lives. Worry free living means having ones priorities straight with God on top.
As a benefit of seeking God first we have our needs met and can live worry free lives. Our blessed worry free life glorifies God and its witness will lead others to want a relationship with Christ. Therefore, as you go about your tasks this week, remember to have the Kingdom of God as your primary focus. It is only then that everything else will fall in place and we can have peace in our lives.
Until next week and may God bless you.
33 and he will give you all you need from day to day if you live for him and make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.
34 "So don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today's trouble is enough for today.
NLT
Living worry free means not committing our lives to our finances but unto God. This is difficult to do because secular teaching teaches us to focus on our careers, working hard and earning lots of money. This does not mean that these things are not important but they are not to be the primary focus of our lives. Worry free living means having ones priorities straight with God on top.
As a benefit of seeking God first we have our needs met and can live worry free lives. Our blessed worry free life glorifies God and its witness will lead others to want a relationship with Christ. Therefore, as you go about your tasks this week, remember to have the Kingdom of God as your primary focus. It is only then that everything else will fall in place and we can have peace in our lives.
Until next week and may God bless you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)