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!

The Economy In Review...

Well Hello!

Sooo, I have been meaning to catch-up but have been largely occupied with hands in a number of things over the past few weeks (More on this later).

Much has happened since our last visit. We are well into a good season of Winter programming, Awards season is also off to a great start, and of course our most notable event is that "Change" has taken office (Nice work Oprah).

Change is Good...

If you have been viewing news reports as of late, you may have been hearing the less than positive reports about pretty much everything related to the economy - Jobs, Banking & Finance, Automobile, Health, and any other type of industry.

Basically, according to media reports THE SKY IS FALLING...I do not mean to be despondent, I am simply not convinced such a dramatic turn of events is clandestine - After all, we allegedly have all of the top IVY League Harvard, Columbia, Yale minds allegedly running the Economy and years of data, research and models - why should there be a problem?

Incidentally, I spent a few years in commercial broadcast news during college and found it to be closer to negative sensationalized political smack for my interest (Although Sports reporting was quite enjoyable).

A Solution or The Solution?

Alas, under most normal circumstance my hiatus is November through February, however there are a number of decisions and deals to be made/closed for economic reasons - cut short in other words.

My point, we have to keep the economy moving here in Tinsel Town and will more than compensate for the lack of rest later in the year.

On a number of previous occasions, I have expressed interest in the subject of Economics. I will not get into tirade about the state of the economy on this entertainment destination (Smile), but feel inclined to mention my 'priceless' solution for the economy (People actually pay me for big ideas - but, this one will be complimentary courtesy of Yours Truly).

Ready? Here it is: 1) PRINT MORE MONEY and 2) RUN THE COUNTRY LIKE A CORPORATION

My 10th Grade Economics teacher and I had a number of spirited debates around my proposed solution. However, nearly 20 years later - I still arrive at the same conclusion only in different terms. Now, I refer to the concept as 'Capital Infusion'.

When I had finally seen the movie Wall Street as an adult (I was too young to see it at the time it had been released in theaters) - I was filled with utter joy as I had been exclaiming the idea since 12 years of age in various debates.

Yes, I realize that it may sound incredible (As in not), but I steadfastly believe the problem from which I have concluded is "Not Enough To Go Around" - for this should be an easy solution.

Perhaps Not...

According to my Economics teacher (I will protect his identity by calling him "Mr. Jones"), my practical theory would not work due to the fact that it would imbalance the economy and ultimately undermine the value of the dollar.

Well "Mr. Jones", I think we are already realizing the very circumstance you proclaimed would ensue as a result of my theory - without my proposed theory.

I refer to the above as the "Mr. Jones theory" and it is simply a theory because it has never been proven true (Except by nefarious counterfeit perpetrators).

Quite frankly, the reason of my theory is simply due to the fact that private citizens are not the correct source from which to fund Government bailouts. In the current model, the burden always rests on private citizens - for this reason it will never be enough to suffice the deficit and is ultimately a "Zero Sum" game.

I am suggesting that rather than trying to make it work with the same re-occurring strategies (Which do not appear to work - EVER) as tax cuts for middle class, increased tax on the rich, cut government spending, create stimulus packages (Does anyone really understand how these work?) - simply fund the deficit with new money.

Ah, but wait...Welcome to Accountability.

"Okay, so let me get this straight, you want me to loan YOU money so that you can loan ME money - is that right?"

- Banks and Financial Institutions would receive newly minted funds on the condition that it must be completely lent to private citizens (No Hedge funds, pensions or corporations).

- The Automobile industry would also receive funds based on the condition that they focus on fewer models and make smaller, stylish, quality vehicles that achieve a minimum 100 miles per gallon AND develop non-fuel dependent vehicles AND work to install appropriate facilities at service stations (Ethanol Pumps, Electric Chargers).

- Health care industry must provide high-level programs and low cost medicine to EVERY citizen. Should any of the above fail to comply, they will lose the funding (Paid as annual annuity pending review). There is no FREE lunch, Babes.

So, you say you need $10 Trillion to cover the ever growing and mysterious unclear never ending deficit?

Provide me with a detailed business plan, executive summary, financial projections, measurable milestones and collateral and if approved, it will be satisfied in a week...Of course, the Treasury is going to need a loan to cover the cost of more ink and more paper in which to print more money, however the good news is that this can be factored into your principal balance and interest payment!

That's MY light-hearted version of a stimulus package that could actually work...