The Sad State of American business

I am always baffled by the ineptitude some company's are capable of displaying. I have some long stories but they are so tiresome for me to think about that I will try to be brief.

We just did a house swap in Florida. The home had service with Direct TV. I called them to initiate service at my new Florida address. I currently have Direct TV at my home in Illinois as well. The order was placed and everything seemed to be under control. Then the installer shows up...he was lost. He failed to get one of the boxes to work and indicated he would return to fix it the next business day. The next day came and went and we never heard from him. When we get home to Illinois there is a message on the answering machine that the Direct TV installer is sitting in our driveway and he's wondering if we will be home so he can get the satellite box authorized. The problem...the guy on the message was sent by his idiot company to our home in Illinois; the box in question 24 hours away by truck....unbelievable. Obviously it took additional shenanigans to get the box in Florida fixed. One other interesting thing...several of the satellite boxes installed by Direct TV are refurbished units, sold for the same price of new units. They told me that the refurbs are actually better than new units. I hope the Direct TV people merge with CarMax and try to pull that crap. What they are doing is a deceptive trade practice; plain and simple. If you want Direct TV, buy your boxes at Best Buy. They will be new and they are the same price. Total bullshit. I thought this company was better than Comcast. Now I rate them as an equal and I think Comcast is useless.

Speaking of the Comcastic ones...I needed to get them to reactivate cable internet at my new home. I had to make 3 calls to them to get to a customer support person that actually said it could be done. The two other reps had no clue as to what to do. None. Nada. I'm glad that I just kept calling. The 3rd guy got a guy out the next day and we had internet. The first two used two different reasons why service could not be scheduled for a couple of weeks...If I was stupid enough to own stock in this company, I would give it to Al Queda. It would serve them right.

This is the quote that sticks with me..."You don't have to be different to be great, being good is different enough." Amen

Conversation Stoppers

Some of these actually happened...

What do you think of our new President, Barack Hussein Obama....next

I think professional wrestling is awesome...oops gotta run I'm late for my root canal

Well, my house was on the market for quite a while but then Jesus sold it for me...one question before I run away, was he wearing a yellow Century 21 jacket...just curious....bye

Well, all rich people have no morals, are greedy and dishonest...excuse me?

Same sex marriage is not natural...well I guess people who think like you should be sterilized...deal?

Me - I'm going to vote for the best candidate available
Response - Why would you do that?
Huh

Why should I vote for a tax increase for schools, my kids are all grown...you must think that way because school was lost on you...gotta go

I love Rush Limbaugh...were you just at the WWF smackdown? What I meant to say is "can I smack you down?"

Have you found Jesus?...no but I heard he works for Century 21 Realtors

I hate __________ (this is a fill in the blank)
golf
sports
rock music
the way Eric Clapton plays his guitar. Its noise to me.
you
pizza
kids
dogs
cats
people that drink alcohol
summer
that movie you just told me you saw and really kinda liked

Ok...we're done

I love ______________

Abba
your wife
my toupee
the Jonas Brothers
Dick Cheney
George Bush
Barry Manilow
Politics
Pine Nuts
Lawyers

Outta here...

You've got a friend

Something happened recently that I had some trouble processing.

A business colleague that I hadn't worked with since 1985 or so passed away and I hadn't seen her or talked to her in about 10 years. She was 61 years old and working in Arizona. She apparently contracted some type of terminal cancer. She was not someone that you would call "warm and fuzzy". On first blush,, she seemed cold. I had worked with her for about 10 years at several different firms. I got to know her and, on a personal level, this woman had a great sense of humor once you broke through with her. Flat out, I like her; she made me laugh. Her personal life was somewhat of a shambles; I know she was married and divorced at least 3 times; she never had any children.

When I was informed of her passing, I went online and signed one of those newspaper guestbooks expressing my condolences at her passing and making a point of saying how I appreciated her sense of humor. I never did go back and check the guestbook.

Several weeks later I received a notice that the guestbook was going to be closed unless I wanted to extend it. I clicked through to the guest book and was mortified that mine was the only comment that had been left. I felt an instant pang of hurt for Madeline. Was she really that alone? I hope not. Maybe people just didn't find the guestbook. In any event, it made me a little sad to think that she might have been this alone. May she rest in peace and somehow know that while we were not close, she was my friend and someone that touched my life.

I am so thankful for my friends and family. You should be too.

To all my friends and loved ones, I love you more.

My "economy" post or people suck

Something happened today with some of my former employees that makes me want to take back everything I said in my last post. Not really. That post is a theory and probably has as little application in the real world as the economic theories that led us to the mess we're in today.

Let me say this though...people really can suck sometimes. People can do things to make you travel to places you don't want to go. OK, longtime employees you made things complicated. You "thanked" me and "appreciated" me while doing me at the same time. Just screw me...don't patronize me. You insult my intelligence. I respect your right to do what you feel is right for you but I don't have to agree with you or deny that you cut me deeply. My former colleagues I am sorry and certain you made a mistake on many levels.

I'll get over it but it is no wonder families are splintered, religions blow each other up and there is so much other discord in this world. These folks were like family. Cancel Christmas.

Follow up ... Okay so maybe I was a little emotional when I wrote this. I don't apologize for letting my feelings out even if they are clouded by the heat of the moment. Suffice it to say that things were not as they seemed. Everything has calmed down and regular uninterrupted sleep has returned. I'm sorry for letting my emotions boil over but I thought that my blog was a great place to vent and work my way back to dealing with the problem that arose in a calm professional manner. I did get there. Christmas is back on.

Is there something wrong with the economy?

I have to get this off my brain.

There are a number of fundamental problems with large numbers of American businesses. These problems can only be fixed from the inside out. The government can prod businesses and regulate but it is really up to the business community to make their way out of a lot of the messes they have created.

Some are going to read this and call me a socialist or an idiot, or worse yet, an idealist; call me anything you want. For the record, the only one of those three I have not been is a socialist.

Most of the businesses in this country are run for the benefit of stockholders. I don't have a problem with that idea at all. In the simplest of examples, if the stockholders are risking their investment to start the business, they should reap an equitable reward for taking the risk. If that relationship doesn't exist, we will lose the risk takers. Not a good thing...

The problem comes in how many businesses prioritize the components essential to running a successful business. This is the way it has worked for us. This is the thing that makes me extremely proud of what we have done over the last 20+ years.

Priority 1 - Employees and their families
Priority 2 - Customers

Simple. You take care of your "families", they will "go to war" for the company. Again, simply put, if you make your employees feel the "love", your customers will also feel it. Treat them with respect, Happy customers equals happy owners (stockholders).

This is the ideology or framework, there are obviously a lot of details in constructing a useful business. If you use this ideology to create a business for which there is no market, you may be great to your employees but there are no customers...big problem. Recognizing the need for your product or service is an example of one of the important details.

If you are not being equitable to your employees, the lack of equitable treatment will extend to your customers and it follows that your stockholders are also at risk of being cheated. Is there any chance that a business run like this is good for the community? adds value to society? has a chance for long term success?

While I have used the word "simple" several times, I have not used the word easy. This is not easy. Competing is not easy but we are not afraid of competing. I just think that competition does not mean that you have to give up the qualities that make you a good citizen of this world and in fact, I don't think sustainable success is achievable without contributing to furthering the greater good on some level.

Update on Gerard

Well, the Melancon euphoria didn't last long. Gerard wrote back and told me he no longer makes left handed guitars. He wasn't making enough lefties and decided not to hold on to the tools that he needed. Oh well it's not meant to be.

I do have a lead on another custom guitar maker (Suhr Guitars) and I think I am going to take the plunge. I've decided on the specs...now I just need to "stimulate the economy".

The only thing that is constant is change...

Guitar update

Back in May of 2007, as many of you know, four of my guitars were stolen. If you are interested in details, posts about the incident are still available on my blog. One of the guitars that I really missed was the first custom made guitar I ever bought. It's pictured here. It was made by Gerard Melancon of Thibodaux, Louisiana. I was unable to make contact with Gerard at the time and I figured his shop was another victim of Katrina. I was right. On a whim, I tried to contact him with an email yesterday and he responded! His records were destroyed so he does not have the specs on the guitar but I think with the information I have and his talent, we are gonna build Jim's Melancon II.

I'm ecstatic. The police in my hometown were useless in recovering our stuff. The states attorney, who was a college friend, was no help. They had one of the kids red handed and absolutely nothing happened. It was a very disappointing experience with law enforcement and justice. The thought of replacing one of the precious items that was taken by the worms that did this is a small, unexpected victory for me.

Congratulations

My personal congratulations goes out to Barack Obama on being inaugurated as our president tomorrow. It's official...I believe we are getting our country back. I hope President Obama is able to fulfill the promise and solidify his message of hope for America and the world. The task at hand is mind numbing. That said, I like our chances. Let's get this journey started...

Travel safe, Barack

Summary

My nose is running faster than Usain Bolt. I have no television service. It's -4 F outside. The kleenex feels like medium grit sandpaper. I hate colds. OK...I'm done with my silent pity party.

Numbers

Hello 2009.

Are there still 99 bottles of beer on the wall?

I still have a grandmother that is alive at age 96 or 97 or whatever...no one really knows for sure.

My mom is 77 years old.

I shot a 68 at Pebble Beach on my honeymoon.

My best score on a par 72 golf course is 67.

I belong to a golf club that only has between 50 and 60 members. Lucky.

I'm 55 years old.

I have loved the music of the Beatles for 45 years.

My wife is 29, 39, 49, 50,51,52,53 years old...I'm confused so it's impossible to put this in the right spot here.

I have been out of high school for 38 years.

I graduated from college 33 years ago and did it in 4 years. It was a miracle.

I have been working full time for 33 years although there are many that would dispute that.

I have a total of 5 great children in my life. Three of my own and two step children all between the ages of 29 and 21.

I had my own business for 21 years. 21 has always been my lucky number (except in Vegas where I specialize in 22).

I think they should make the drinking age 18 in this country. If you can fight the bad guys for your country, you should be able to have a beer.

We have 15 employees so we figure we helped take care of 15 families on some level. They are family and you all know how complicated that can be.

I've seen Eric Clapton perform at least 12 times. Paul McCartney 6, BB King 3, Bon Jovi once but it seemed like a million times (wacky experience to say the least)

I have had 4 hole in ones or is it holes in one?

I have traveled to Italy 3 times. Food, wine and history are a great combination.

I have 1 wish for everyone on the planet. Peace.

2 all my friends and loved ones, I love you more.

Things I would like to do

My last post was a meme about things I had done...this is about things I would like to do. I guess this is my version of a "bucket list".

1. See Niagara Falls

2. See the Great Pyramids

3. Leave Chicago for most of the winter

4. Play my guitar well enough to perform

5. Go to Scandinavia

6. See New Zealand and Australia

7. Spoil a grandchild

8. Shoot a 66 or better on a regulation golf course

9. See Alaska

10. Meet Sir Paul McCartney

11. Read a comment from one of my daughters

12. Feed the world...okay this is big but if I start with one and go from there and I can get anyone to join me, it just might make a difference.

13. Write a book...I have some ideas but I just can't get going

14. Meet Barack Obama

15. Bring my splintered family back together before it's too late

16. Take Michelle to Paris

17. See Jimmy graduate from college

Things I have done (the sequel)

In addition to the things in the previous post there are some things that I've done that I wanted to mention. Sometimes I can't believe I did some of these things...

1. Was part of the Olympic games...I ran in the Olympic torch relay for the 1984 LA Olympics. Anyone who has seen me knows that I am build more like a fireplug than a runner. It was a very cool experience and has connected me to the Olympics forever.

2. Met Count Basie...in a sporting goods store! I was floored when he walked out of the elevator by himself. He was quite old at the time and I have always wondered what he was doing there. A new tennis racket? A new pair of running shoes? No clue. The sporting goods store was in Chicago and it was called Morrie Mages which was some 7 or 8 stories and boasted that it was the largest in the world.

3. Bought some men's cologne from a princess...in Monte Carlo. Princess Stephanie had a store at the time and we went in out of curiosity. She was working the register! I just had to buy something so I could "interact" with royalty. I still have the cologne. She was absolutely stunning.

4. Started a successful business when I was 35 years old...part guts...part insanity. I am so fortunate that this worked out. It provided me with some financial security and I did it "My Way".

5. Got married in Vegas...yes there was an Elvis involved but no Brittany. It was an absolute gas. Short, sweet and incredible....

I may think of some more but these came to mind and I thought I would right them down...

Things I have done

I lifted this from one of Barb's blogs. Kinda fun. Feel free to copy and post. Please let me know if you do so I can have a look. The idea is to put an asterisk next to those activities that you have done.


*1. Started your own blog
*2. Slept under the stars
*3. Played in a band
*4. Visited Hawaii
*5. Watched a meteor shower
6. Given more than you can afford to charity
*7. Been to Disneyworld
8. Climbed a mountain
9. Held a praying mantis
*10. Sang a solo
11. Bungee jumped
*12. Visited Paris
13. Watched a lightning storm at sea
14. Taught yourself an art from scratch
15. Adopted a child
*16. Had food poisoning
17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty
*18. Grown your own vegetables
*19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France
20. Slept on an overnight train
*21. Had a pillow fight
*22. Hitch hiked
*23. Taken a sick day when you're not ill
*24. Built a snow fort
25. Held a lamb
*26. Gone skinny dipping
27. Run a marathon
*28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice
*29. Seen a total eclipse
*30. Watched a sunrise or sunset
*31. Hit a home run
32. Been on a cruise
33. Seen Niagara Falls in person
*34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors
35. Seen an Amish community
36. Taught yourself a new language
*37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied
38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person
39. Gone rock climbing
*40. Seen Michelangelo's David
41. Sung karaoke
42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt
43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant
44. Visited Africa
*45. Walked on a beach by moonlight
46. Been transported in an ambulance
*47. Had your portrait painted - drawn I think that counts!
48. Gone deep sea fishing
*49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person
*50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris
*51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling
*52. Kissed in the rain
*53. Played in the mud
*54. Gone to a drive-in theater
55. Been in a movie
56. Visited the Great Wall of China
*57. Started a business
58. Taken a martial arts class
59. Visited Russia
60. Served at a soup kitchen
61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies
62. Gone whale watching
63. Got flowers for no reason
*64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma
65. Gone sky diving
66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp
*67. Bounced a check
68. Flown in a helicopter
69. Saved a favorite childhood toy
*70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial
*71. Eaten Caviar
72. Pieced a quilt
*73. Stood in Times Square
*74. Toured the Everglades
*75. Been fired/laid off from a job
*76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London
*77. Broken a bone
*78. Been on a speeding motorcycle
*79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person
80. Published a book
*81. Visited the Vatican
*82. Bought a brand new car
83. Walked in Jerusalem
*84. Had your picture in the newspaper
*85. Read the entire Bible
86. Visited the White House
87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating
*88. Had chickenpox
89. Saved someone's life
90. Sat on a jury
*91. Met someone famous
92. Joined a book club
*93. Lost a loved one
94. Had a baby
*95. Seen the Alamo in person
96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake
97. Been involved in a law suit
*98. Owned a cell phone
*99. Been stung by a bee
100. Seen Mount Rushmore in person
*101. Learned to play an instrument
102. Kissed the Blarney Stone
103. Ridden a camel
104. Been arrested
105. Visited someone in jail

*106. Flown a Kite

107. Been surfing

*108. Had a broken heart

*109. Wished on a star

110. Fell off a horse

A Day Late but Thankful Nonetheless

Ok...so I didn't get to my annual Thanksgiving post. I ate too much and we ended up at a friends house and it got late. Lame excuse if you ask me.

But these are some of the things I am thankful for:

I am thankful for:

My family - top of the list. I love my kids more than can be measured. Unconditional as it comes...my sibs...again unconditional but more difficult at times...my nieces and nephews are awesome. My step kids are amazing too...well, maybe not Jen.

My partner, wife, business partner, best friend - thank you, thank you, thank you. All wrapped up in one...amazing

My sister Suze gets special mention for all she does for our mother. Thanks Sue, I can only handle so much of Rosie...it's how I cope. Without you, she'd be a lot less fortunate.

Music - Tonic, poetry, soul soothing

Health - It's all ya got. Mine is not perfect but it will do and I appreciate that I am a lot more fortunate than many.

My financial success - There is a lot of truth in the verse that "the more you give, the more you receive". I am living proof. Financial success is not something that defines me and that's why it found me. I got to do it my way and on my terms and I am comfortable that I didn't have to sell my soul to the devil to get where I am. I sleep great.

My sense of humor -I love making people laugh and sometimes I actually do it!

For the time I have had and I am hopeful for a lot more

For the dedicated employees that help us make our company the success it became

Selling my company - I'll be retired soon and I am looking forward to this new adventure. I only hope I can help make our retirement interesting and worthwhile.

All my parents "tried" to do for me. They were kids when they loaded themselves down with 5 banshees. They did the best they could. One can't ask for more.

Computers - I don't know where I would be without all the assistance that this singular tool provided for me. Business, pleasure, convenience, knowledge...what a cool tool.

America elected Barack Obama - what a moment for the world! I hope that he fulfills the promise. I think its cool that he's the first half white man ever elected. Made me proud of my country again...I have a feeling he may be able to evoke that emotion a few more times before he's through.

Two members of my family that decided driving drunk was a good idea and survived to regret the decision. You know who you are...don't do that again or I will kill you. Too many people love you for you to risk your lives and the lives of others. To any of my loved ones, if you ever need a ride, call me or pay for one. I promise I will pick you up or pay the tab. I'm selfish. I want you around.

The Beatles - you planted the seed in me and fostered what has become a great love of mine

Forgiveness - without it there is no relationship with my parents and just about every other human in the world. We all make mistakes and we all deserve forgiveness...it's a big part of loving and being loved.

I'm not thankful

This is my third annual Anti Thanksgiving post. Some of these will be repeats because we still haven't gotten things right...

I am not thankful for:

greed - bailouts, robber baron executives, money schemes...it's ugly

Dick Cheney - War criminal, greedy bastard, wrong Dick...way wrong.

terrorism - uncivilized behavior; wild animals behave better

racism - see "terrorism" above. I witnessed a lot of "closet" racism in the presidential election. I'm grateful that thinking people out voted ignorance. That might be 1 in row!

hungry children - feed the world dammit

my digestive system - it makes the list again because the discomfort it causes me a good 20% of the time is debilitating. I will fight it but man do I hate feeling lousy. I am tired of it.

the guy who thought of cigarettes - I hate you but unfortunately I seem to love your work

stupid drug laws - Tommy Chong put in jail for selling bongs! Boy, I feel a lot safer now. C'mon spend our money getting vicious criminals...like Dick Cheney. Marijuana is not more dangerous than alcohol. This is a free country right?

drug commercials - so, I can get a drug that can stop me from frequent urination but one of the side effects can be fatal. First off, I'm glad I don't have that problem at this point but if I did I'd rather pee my pants thank you.

my "lost" family - a family feud took place years ago and I have been estranged from two aunts and two uncles and countless cousins. I regret the time lost and have yet to do anything about fixing the problem. I guess I'll just wait until we are all dead...seems reasonable. OK maybe not.

my lost friend the doc - look up miserable in the dictionary and you will find his picture there. Wallows in misery and won't do anything about it. I can't help him and he needs help. His wife can't help him. Very intelligent guy but he's no very smart. He's missing any joy that can be squeezed out of this tragedy called life...his life is a tragedy. Sad.

that I can't make everyone I love have all that it is they want.

that I don't have a "happy" switch for those who need it but can't seem to find it when they need it. Other switches that would be good: peace, kindness, companionship, loneliness be gone...

Tomorrow I go positive and give thanks for all that I am so blessed to have

I need rubber walls....stat!

After being in business for over 21 years, my wife and I, after much consternation decided to sell our business. The sale closed in early September. Every business counselor we presented the terms to told us we'd be fools not to take the deal. It did provide us with a continuation plan for our employees. It also provided a way for us to get the value of the business out of the business for our retirement and for our family. Win Win. Not so fast...

Our employees are bouncing off the walls. The change has jarred them. We fully recognize that change is unsettling. I can tell you that we believe that we sold our company to an organization that comes close to providing the kind of culture that we successfully created for our employees. We did the best we could. By all measures, the transition is going as well as can be expected. The new company has bent over backwards to accommodate our staff. They still have great jobs and have not lost any benefits of note. They are still bouncing off walls.

There is pressure on us as well which I really underestimated. We have signed up for "change" as well. We have two year employment agreements and after that retirement. In other words, the unknown! We are both cool with the idea but combined with the angst our employees are exhibiting, it definitely has been working on us. So, now we are all bouncing off walls.

We'll get through this but I never expected the anxiety levels to reach these levels. I needed to write this just to relieve some pressure. We humans surely know how to amp up the drama level of anything.

In a crazy sort of way, I think being in the middle of this process will make the whole retirement thing very attractive. You wanna bounce off walls, go ahead bounce away. I'll be pleasure traveling or reading for pleasure or playing my guitar or making gourment food for us to eat while we still have teeth, or golfing or laying by the pool or watching a movie or sipping on some wine or golfing or golfing or golfing. Did I mention golfing?

Repairing the damage

The following is a comment I copied from this site. The photos on the site are great. "Fred" gets it. This historic election has helped this country in so many ways already. I hope that we build on this momentum and lead our great country and the world back from the quagmire our current "unleadership" left us stewing in.

The sentiment here from those of us outside of the USA appears to follow a common theme.

Our disdain and distrust of the US has changed to optimism for the future.
It has been a painful 8 years watching a respected nation wallow in borderline fascist self destruction. I actually decided that if I had the opportunity to visit every country in the world, I would have avoided the US.

Now that has changed.

Thank you to those that made this happen. If the future is even half as bright as what we all hope, it will be a finer future for all.

This is an amazing time.

Hope doesn't come from calculating whether the good news is winning out over the bad. It's simply a choice to take action. - Anna Lappe

We did it!

I wish I could forecast football games as well...

My wife summed it up for us tonight. She said "I've never cared so much." Bingo. This is the emotion Barack Obama can elicit. This country will be better for it. We needed an attitude adjustment and I think we just hired the adjuster in chief.

I have never been more proud of my country. This truly is the greatest country in the world.

Now the hard work begins...I'm ready.

My Election Prediction - VOTE!

History will be made today. The Obama / Biden ticket will score a decisive victory today.

Get out and vote. That is the key to making this prediction a reality. However, I would like to excuse some folks from the "burden" of having to vote today.

Anybody voting against Obama because he's a Muslim, please stay home today.

Anybody voting against Obama because he has some black heritage, please stay home today. By the way, Barack Obama is has as much white heritage and why the hell does this matter to anyone anyway?

Anybody voting against Obama because he's a socialist, please stay home today.

Anybody voting against Obama because he's dangerous, please stay home today.

Anybody voting against Obama because he's going to federalize health care, please stay home today.

Anybody that votes against Obama because of something Joe the Plumber said, stay home today.

Anybody voting against Obama because he's going to take "all your money and give it to people that don't work", please stay home today.

Anybody that votes against Obama because he is the anti-Christ, please stay home today.

Why? My mother lives in a retirement community. I was talking to her the other day and she started going on about Obama. I mean, she gets it. Then, and this will come as no surprise to anyone that knows my mom, she tells me " One of my girlfriends told me she was going to vote for McCain. So I told her you are too stupid to vote."

I don't agree with her very often but she may have hit the nail on the head this time.

Nice idea; bad execution

I really intended to participate in NoBloPoMo again this year; posting every day for a month. I missed it! I absolutely forgot about it until yesterday. Great start. Well, I have a lot of travel scheduled this month so it would have been nuts anyway. I like the idea of the challenge of having to write regularly. I'm just not good on the follow through.

I guess my limited readership discourages me a little and the fact that only one loyal cyber friend regularly leaves comments (thanks Barb). Maybe I should just send her emails and have my conversations that way. I know there are more of you out there. Your silence is deafening.

History will be made tomorrow. I have to travel tomorrow afternoon so I am missing my daughters election night party which bums me out. I think it would be fun to share this moment in history with them. I will be communicating with them throughout the night as we watch the election from our hotel room in San Francisco.

Free association....

racism = ignorance

war = barbarianism

partisan politics for the sake of partisan politics should go the way of the Flowbee

hoping for better is never wrong

I'm addicted to this election and I think it has a lot to do with the sense that I have that this country desperately needs a course correction.

M & I regular park ourselves in front of the TV and watch the talking heads on CNN. See, addicted...

If we, as Americans, do what I think we are going to do tomorrow, it will make me as proud of being an American as I have been in a long time.

Vote you monkeys!

Go Barack!