...because we've got a double-shot of irony -- Alanis Morrisette would be thrilled.
Today's ironical contribution is from the GOP. Before I go any further, let me say that I'm a registered Republican and that given any of the Presidential choices this past November, Ron Paul would have been my guy. His stance on Constitutional politics is not terribly popular with his fellows, but that's not surprising -- people in power want to do what it takes to stay in power -- not to make things better.
So while I'm not a fan of the government increasing in size or becoming a larger bureaucratic and social-state than it is currently, and while I'm not 100% certain that a bailout investment in the car companies or the economy is the right way to fix things, I'm also certain the Republican's protestations and proselytizing about smaller government and how they're going to "fix" things the right way (which they've screwed the pooch on for the last 8 years) are the most bitter ironic pill I've seen them try to force the American public to swallow.
Add to the irony the claims that President Obama is not attempting to keep his non-partisan approach to governing -- especially from the lips of John McCain -- and you've got a recipe for another song (except this time with real irony). Obama reached out, made trips to discuss the bills and their caveats, reached out to specific Republican Senators and House members for the past 2 weeks -- he's asked them to come to the table for a real debate and to present a better solution -- and none of them would. They hemmed and hawed about several minor pieces of the bill (several of which should have been removed before presenting the bill -- shame on the Dems for even trying to push some of that pork through!) -- instead of just coming together and stripping out the worthless stuff and putting together a bill that they could feel would benefit the most people in the most definite ways. Instead, they gave up their opportunity to do something noble and useful for the American public -- and the REPUBLICANS tried to keep us even more in this crapper we've found ourselves in. Thanks. I'll be one of millions re-contemplating my party status come the next election, boys and girls of the gOp -- grumpy OLD party.
To his credit, Ron Paul (Sir Ian McKellan impressions notwithstanding) made an attempt to convince the country that now was the time for a smaller government and to try to steer the helm of the Republican party back to his Liberty concepts. I laud him and all those who continue to fight the good fight, especially in the face of distressing odds -- but this was a bill that could have been even more beneficial (since it was obvious it was going to pass) -- having more creative input and direction for the bill and made it better for all of us. THAT's the definition of bipartisan.
Now if we can only get these Senators a dictionary or two...
In response to http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/15/obama.gop.stimulus/index.html
Monday, February 16, 2009
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Alanis Morissette got Ironic wrong...
Post in response to: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/05/fiorina.pay/index.html
It's ironic that Carly Fiorina of all people would be up talking about CEO malfeasance and doing the "right" thing... she was one of the CEOs who got it wrong and knows exactly how NOT to do things!
Case in point -- when HP/Compaq were in the process of merging and thousands of layoffs were occurring and profits were way down (mostly due to mismanagement -- not necessarily due to the merger itself), Carly and her executive team were still flying around in their executive jets. There were very few jobs available for internal HP employees who were about to be axed (or who feared their division might be next) to transfer to that were considered safe... but the one that caught many an eye -- a host/hostess position available to stand by and be ready to serve on the corporate jets, paying $50,000/yr.
So, Carly, please continue to lecture us on how responsible corporate American is being and how we should let the markets continue to ruin us... but don't expect us to listen.
I will say that several of the other posters here have hit on a few salient points -- CJ's points on the proxy voting is excellent -- but I guess it drives home a point that we have been allowing the foxes to guard the hen house, and if we're going to "invest" and "own" a stake in a company, then we should stand ready to be there for the meetings and make our voices heard -- because otherwise, much of the culpability falls on our shoulders as well. The trend for investing solely for profit and day trading are also to blame for the fiscal fiasco we find ourselves mired in.
A good example from recent history -- there was unrest at the Walt Disney Company. People were justifiably unhappy with the performance of then CEO Michael Eisner. Mike had had a decent tenure and had done a number of positive things for the Disney company, but his time had come, and he was unwilling to remove himself from the post for reasons best left unsaid. But the stakeholders had enough, and led by majority sharedholders Roy Disney and Stanley Gold and a very well engineering majority, a no-confidence vote was held (non-binding, but very visible) and Mike Eisner vacated his seat shortly thereafter.
When we take the responsibilty that being an "owner" comes with -- and not just the privilege of profit -- we can make a difference. The blame cannot rest entirely on the shoulders of the CEOs, their companies or the government. We, too, must take our medicine and change the way we behave in order to make a lasting difference and to move to a new era of stability and transparency, where all can find success when they do the right thing.
It's ironic that Carly Fiorina of all people would be up talking about CEO malfeasance and doing the "right" thing... she was one of the CEOs who got it wrong and knows exactly how NOT to do things!
Case in point -- when HP/Compaq were in the process of merging and thousands of layoffs were occurring and profits were way down (mostly due to mismanagement -- not necessarily due to the merger itself), Carly and her executive team were still flying around in their executive jets. There were very few jobs available for internal HP employees who were about to be axed (or who feared their division might be next) to transfer to that were considered safe... but the one that caught many an eye -- a host/hostess position available to stand by and be ready to serve on the corporate jets, paying $50,000/yr.
So, Carly, please continue to lecture us on how responsible corporate American is being and how we should let the markets continue to ruin us... but don't expect us to listen.
I will say that several of the other posters here have hit on a few salient points -- CJ's points on the proxy voting is excellent -- but I guess it drives home a point that we have been allowing the foxes to guard the hen house, and if we're going to "invest" and "own" a stake in a company, then we should stand ready to be there for the meetings and make our voices heard -- because otherwise, much of the culpability falls on our shoulders as well. The trend for investing solely for profit and day trading are also to blame for the fiscal fiasco we find ourselves mired in.
A good example from recent history -- there was unrest at the Walt Disney Company. People were justifiably unhappy with the performance of then CEO Michael Eisner. Mike had had a decent tenure and had done a number of positive things for the Disney company, but his time had come, and he was unwilling to remove himself from the post for reasons best left unsaid. But the stakeholders had enough, and led by majority sharedholders Roy Disney and Stanley Gold and a very well engineering majority, a no-confidence vote was held (non-binding, but very visible) and Mike Eisner vacated his seat shortly thereafter.
When we take the responsibilty that being an "owner" comes with -- and not just the privilege of profit -- we can make a difference. The blame cannot rest entirely on the shoulders of the CEOs, their companies or the government. We, too, must take our medicine and change the way we behave in order to make a lasting difference and to move to a new era of stability and transparency, where all can find success when they do the right thing.
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