No Stimulus in The Package...

Welcome Back!

Another great week is upon the horizon!

So far, I am busier than ever this year - even busier than last year after returning from the Writer's Strike. I would relish a normal, peaceful year where everything was calm,relaxed and under control (Ah, this is my typical transcendental demeanor) - in general, I enjoy being detached from tumult.

As I repeatedly exclaim to friends, family, associates and others (Now you), "Don't need to know the nitty-gritty, just the end result".

Speaking of nitty-gritty and end results, we have a number of events transpiring this week on both fronts, on the Political (Economic Stimulus) to Entertainment (The Academy Awards).

Stimulating The Stimulus
I have received a number of emails (I am told) asking my thoughts about the state of the Economy which leads me to respond, perhaps I have not said enough?

The bottom line is that yes we are all affected in some way. On this side it is most noticeable in the negotiation - terms are not as flexible, advertisers are more conscious of buying decisions and media spending (Which in turn may directly impact the budget of a production).

Further, every dollar spent has to provide an accountable return. For this is true (Or, should be) for every Corporation (Particularly where it is the money of the taxpayer providing the funds).

Taxpayers should be treated like Shareholders and Investors where an Executive Summary, Corporate Earnings reports, and Financial statements should be clearly available to all parties involved.

Even more, a schedule of return in the form of dividends and or payments should be provided as well.

If you have ever received a bank loan (Or, any type of commercial loan), the process involves in-depth diligence of your ability to repay the requested amount: Income, occupation, your down payment, collateral, debt to income ratio, history and several additional requirements depending on the type of loan (ie. appraisal, business plan, etc.).

Banking, Automotive and Financial institutions (Particularly where it is the money of the taxpayer providing the funds), should also be required to provide the same rigorous details that they impend on borrowers.

Say Hello To Your New Boss - The Taxpayers
Having said, I fully comprehend the reasons of risk assessment. However, before we hand over our money - let us have the same reassurance of YOUR ability to repay including a schedule of monthly payments and interest to be repaid.

I have yet to hear details of when, how, and to whom the repayment will commence. Taxpayers are not a generic organization - this repayment idea (According to recent report, Bankers have promised repayment) needs complete strategy and logic, not unrealistic idealism.

Furthermore, there will be some other new rules and it is a good time to finally arrive in 21st Century - As follows:

No More Cars
Auto Industry, you will now be manufacturing cars with a minimum of at least 100 miles per gallon. Also you will now make non-fuel dependent vehicles (Saltwater, Solar, or magnetic propulsion - see me about this later).

There will be consolidation; This may be an unpopular comment, however there are too many brands and products. Eliminate Chrysler, Dodge, GMC, Hummer, Pontiac, Lincoln, Mazda, Oldsmobile, Buick, Saturn, Hyundai, and Subaru - WE NEED PROFITS - think Toyota/Nissan/Honda.

Your choice is now Chevrolet or Ford and you can have any color you like as long as it is in Black!

Wait, there's more...Automated repair facilities (Everything should be contained on a chip why do we still need dirty oil and fluids), and reduced gas prices - this has been out of control without reason for more than a year. Fuel dependent vehicles will be scheduled for obsolescence within 5 years, all new 'One Car' vehicles will cost less than 10k (Options will be standard).

There will also be some changes in the Banking industry - you will now be open 24 hours a day / 7 days a week for our needs (No more closing on the weekends and only open during plum hours when I am at the office - this never convenient), you will also use more efficient processes and faster service when lines are excruciatingly time consuming.

One other major item to add to your list Banking Associates...Paper money will be scheduled for obsolescence within 10 years. You will need to incorporate 'One Card' technology - similar to a Debit, funds will be electronic and it will be used for all purchases and activated by a series of numbers.

Well, do not feel bad. Here is a bit of advice my parents used to impart upon us kids when we were teenagers: If you choose to live in my house, you will abide by my rules. I moved out a month after graduation --smile--.

While I am thinking about it, the Post Office will be required to be open 24 hours as well - I am preparing for your bailout, next.

My Final Recommendation...Because You Need One More
As previously mentioned, everything should be operated as a corporation.

If you have ever been the CEO or the employee of a corporation, you clearly understand the required protocol, discipline, and socialization (Team work) that is necessary to sustain the operation of a functioning entity. More than a business, a corporation is an economic being that must support the lives and jobs of the people within the organization and in the community.

Everyone and every decision must be held accountable or be subjected to consequence and/or ridicule by the 'Stake Holders'.

When I was in the Dot com industry in early 2000 devising revenue models, I surmised that it takes $1 Million dollars to sustain roughly 8 full-time employees (Subjective to several optimal conditions such as geographic location, economic climate, cost of living, salaries, benefits, overhead and operations). Let us say, for intents and purposes, a CEO's moderate bonus is $30 Million (Within before mentioned industries) - that equates to approximately 240 employees.

In this case, there would be a great deal of dismissal transpiring in the upper ranks of the mentioned troubled organizations and with the money we save from not having to pay ridiculous bonuses, gold shower curtains and million dollar private office renovations, we could actually keep the actual people who do the actual work...Amazing!

Alright, be back later to talk it up about the Oscars later this week - Stay Tuned!