Recently I was invited to participate in a dialogue with students at my Alma Mater, Howard University.  I have never used that term, Alma Mater, before now, I guess because it means nourishing mother in latin and it seemed like an overstatement to refer your college as your mother. Anyhow, I digress.

So at the end of a very rewarding conversation, one of the students asked me this question, “At this point in your career, What is the one thing that you would say to someone like me, who is aspiring for great success in life.”  I thought for a moment and said this…”The one thing that I think is most important, that I continue to struggle with even until this day, is getting yourself to perform at higher and higher levels when nothing in your environment compels you to do so.”  I went on to explain that in many cases we are surrounded by mediocrity and low expectations. Also, many of us are plagued by lethargy and poor habits.  When you are in this situation, then you have to hold yourself to a standard and performance level that no one around you expects. 

And to make matters worse, sometimes people will even speak against your aspirations and goals, or attempt to undermine you, or break your confidence in yourself. When it all these forces comes together, the internal resistance and the external resistance it, becomes tough to succeeed.  This is the challenge that never goes away. This is what buries most aspirations and dreams.  And for most there is no easy way out. 

So how do you get yourself to do what it takes to succeed? To read that book.  To wake up on time. To work a little longer.  To be more sociable. To try harder.

Or to do what ever is necessary for you to grow and evolve toward your ideal.  You have to……..Check the next blog posting.  Put your email address in the feedburner box to the left of this posting and receive all the updates in your inbox as they occur. Thanks for reading. Pass on to others.

This is a brief hint to the wise with much more to come.  As winter draws near, what should we be doing with our money?  My quick advice to most of us, conserving, saving, and increasing our income.  And if we are really good at it, investing wisely. But the reality is that on the other side of the holiday season are some really difficult economic times for the country.  Yes, worse than it is now.  It cannot be overstated.  I will be writing on this subject extensively in the coming months and years, as the country’s bleak economic reality will be the driving force in society for years to come.  So get ready. And get smarter. Because in the coming years fortunes will be lost and made. 

Those who are actively engaged in controlling their financial future through good decision making, hard work, and study will be fine.  Those who live beyond their means, refuse to improve their incomes and their financial literacy, and who leave their financial matters to those who are unworthy, will be big time losers. It’s a personal decision, but the challenge lies before us all.  We will not be able to sit this one out. 

If there is one thing that we have all learned from the past 6 years or so, it is that what goes on in politics and in the economy will eventually affect us all.  

So prepare yourself mentally and financially because its game time!   

Has this ever happened to you when you were a child?  You are out playing with some friends and you find yourself really hungry for a snack and you are keeping the hunger to yourself.  Then someone shows up with some food and immediately one of your friends says “I want some” and they get it.  So does the next person, and the next, and the next, then you come up and say “me too.” Well maybe there was some left, but maybe not. You may have waited too late.

Right now Congress is mulling over the option of bailing out the U.S automotive giants, Ford, Chrysler, and GM.  This comes in the aftermath of the bailout of many Wall Street firms and investment banks, and the mortgage behemoths Fannie Mae, & Freddie Mac.  The line is growing for free money for ailing companies and industries that have always held the philosophy of “free market.”  “The market is intelligent & requires virtually no regulation and very little oversight,” they claimed. Now with globalization, imprudent management & and a multitude of unlikely occurrences it seems that the big boys now want what the unemployed and the poor have always wanted, a little government assistance. 

Should they get it?  Maybe as a loan, with another smaller amount as a grant.  No more checks without stipulations.  See, even so called welfare queens have to qualify for a check. There are conditions that must be meet to demonstrate a path toward self-sufficiency.  This is crude language but these are the necessary terms for bailing out the automotive industry.  A bailout that consists of a combination of government loans and grants, 80% and 20% respectively, that is accompanied with a sound repayment plan and an iron clad contract with reasonable contingencies.  In essence the three car companies need to produce a sound business plan, which demonstrates they can repay the loan.   This is rather generous given the circumstances.  “Why offer the help?”one may ask.  Consider these facts provided for me by a friend who works in the automotive industry.

The automotive industry is responsible for driving America to economic strength thru most of the 20^th century so there is some loyalty due to the industry.  But also consider these facts…

U.S. Auto Industry Facts

EMPLOYEES – DEALERS – RETIREES

•          732,800 Employees in the U.S. auto industry

•          740,000 Employees in U.S. brand dealerships

•          775,000 Retirees and surviving spouses

•          2,000,000 Recipients of health care benefits

FACILITIES – INVESTMENT – PURCHASING

The domestic auto industry is the largest U.S. purchaser of: steel, aluminum, iron, copper, plastic, electronics and computer chips

•          105 Assembly and component plants in 20 states (including CA, KS, TX, MD, and LA)

•          $156 Billion in purchase of parts, materials, and services in all 50 states

•          $12 Billion in R&D spending in 2007 (2nd to semiconductor industry)

CUSTOMERS – RETAIL SALES – TAXES

•          40 MILLION Americans purchased a GM, Ford, or Chrysler vehicle in the last 5 years

•          $10 BILLION in taxes annually generated by auto vehicle retail sales

•          20% ($690 BILLION) of U.S. retail sales are auto related

•          $21.1 BILLION in annual Social Security contributions by auto employees

•          $24.7  BILLION in personal income taxes paid by industry employees

See www.gmfactsandfiction.com for more details.

With these facts in mind, and since the federal government appears to have no shame in the accumulation of debt, then let’s not forget the automotive industry.  Offer them some financial aid with 80% being loans and 20% being grant funds. This is the plan to be offered.  So get it done. After all I do drive a Chrysler.            

Otherwise just let the Chineese buy the three companies since they are buying up the government debt anyhow.

I imagine this is the way it has felt for the many millions of Americans who have watched America select a President every four years who looked like them, thought liked them, and acted like them. “I like basketball too President Obama”. It feels good to relate to the Commander in Chief of The United States of America.  It is a subtle identification, which I’m sure has contributed to a sense of confidence and pride that buoyed those millions of Americans in their personal lives.

Well for the first time I can say I’m feeling some of that right now. I have a little political swagger.  I voted on Tuesday Nov 4, 2008 for a Black man for President of The United States and he won.  (That’s my hand you see in the picture. I am actually in the booth voting for Obama.)  It is terrific feeling, when you feel that you are represented.

Do I think President Obama is the Savior of the country?  Not quite, but closer than one might think, because his election came just in the nick of time.  In an instance, apathy, cynicism, distrust, economic dissolution, polarization, and waning global support have been replaced with optimism, hope, engagement, belief, and global enthusiasm. How powerful is that. The country now has an opportunity to pull itself back from the abyss as a result of widespread public engagement and support.  Thru appropriate policy measures and proper utilization of the public will, President Obama and the American people can now collectively restore equity in this nation after it has been depleted and robbed of it’s finances, reputation, and its values. Sorry if I’m getting a little too politico-preachy.

It is an immense challenge but if his campaign is any indicator…then Yes we can!