It seems like the workers of yesteryear worked at their jobs for many years, maybe their entire career. They did this mainly because of loyalty. They were loyal to the company and the company was loyal to them.
Today, however, it seems like workers are stuck in their jobs with no escape. They want to leave but cannot. They are not loyal to the company and they know the company is not loyal to them.
I guess that is why many people only work in one place for around five years before moving on. People have jobs, not careers. Companies have workers, not dedicated employees.
Just my thoughts. What about yours?
June 28, 2007
June 25, 2007
Marry for Money?
Below is a letter sent to the editors of Money Magazine.
Dear Editors:
I was appalled by the mere title of Marlys Harris “article” titled “How to Marry a Billionaire” in the July 2007 issue of Money magazine. I thought it could have been some type of joke or something just to catch the reader. As I started to read the article I think the author(s) actually believed what they were writing and they were giving good advice as if they were doing a service to their readers!
That is crazy. This type of nonsensical article is not what I expect from a respected financial publication. Marriage is about a public lifelong commitment between a man and a woman. A marriage should be rewarding, fulfilling, and meaningful not just about how much money I can get my hands on.
The institution of marriage and family is the backbone of society. Without it our society will no longer grow. In fact, it will actually have a self-destructive effect as the generations experience less and less family ties.
Trying to be someone else just so you can marry them for their money and then divorcing them and taking up to half of their money is not good advice! The correct term for that is greed. That for sure sounds like the downfall of any society!
I hope Money magazine does not continue publishing and wasting several valuable pages with garbage like this!
Dear Editors:
I was appalled by the mere title of Marlys Harris “article” titled “How to Marry a Billionaire” in the July 2007 issue of Money magazine. I thought it could have been some type of joke or something just to catch the reader. As I started to read the article I think the author(s) actually believed what they were writing and they were giving good advice as if they were doing a service to their readers!
That is crazy. This type of nonsensical article is not what I expect from a respected financial publication. Marriage is about a public lifelong commitment between a man and a woman. A marriage should be rewarding, fulfilling, and meaningful not just about how much money I can get my hands on.
The institution of marriage and family is the backbone of society. Without it our society will no longer grow. In fact, it will actually have a self-destructive effect as the generations experience less and less family ties.
Trying to be someone else just so you can marry them for their money and then divorcing them and taking up to half of their money is not good advice! The correct term for that is greed. That for sure sounds like the downfall of any society!
I hope Money magazine does not continue publishing and wasting several valuable pages with garbage like this!
June 21, 2007
Personal Responsibility
Did you hear about this?
Indiana Weather Radio Bill
National Weather Radio Bill?
A child was killed when a tornado went though a mobile home park in 2005. The mother of the child believes if she were warned her son could be alive today. (Alerts were sent out, this lady just didn’t hear them.) She wrote to the political leaders of her state (Indiana) urging them to pass a law requiring Mobile Homes to be equipped with a NOAA Weather Alert radio.
Does anyone really need a law requiring this? Why should the government dictate personal responsibility? In fact, in the legislation, the mobile home installers will simply purchase a NOAA radio and plug it into an outlet! The $30 cost will be passed on to the consumer. You can purchase a weather radio at Wal*Mart for about $15.
I drive by Yellow Creek at least 5 days a week on route 422. It is possible to skid off the road right into the creek (highly unlikely, but possible). Therefore, I think I will write a letter to our governor to pass legislation that all cars that are sold and will be used on route 422 require a life vest to be installed under the seats. Sounds ridicules doesn’t it?
Personal responsibility lies with the person, not the government. People need to accept responsibility for their actions or their inactions.
Don’t get me wrong, anyone being killed by nature is a tragic event. But, if I lived in a tornado prone area I would be prepared. The same goes if I lived in a Hurricane prone area. In fact, in winter, we do prepare for winter storms! Again it is called taking responsibility and being prepared.
Indiana Weather Radio Bill
National Weather Radio Bill?
A child was killed when a tornado went though a mobile home park in 2005. The mother of the child believes if she were warned her son could be alive today. (Alerts were sent out, this lady just didn’t hear them.) She wrote to the political leaders of her state (Indiana) urging them to pass a law requiring Mobile Homes to be equipped with a NOAA Weather Alert radio.
Does anyone really need a law requiring this? Why should the government dictate personal responsibility? In fact, in the legislation, the mobile home installers will simply purchase a NOAA radio and plug it into an outlet! The $30 cost will be passed on to the consumer. You can purchase a weather radio at Wal*Mart for about $15.
I drive by Yellow Creek at least 5 days a week on route 422. It is possible to skid off the road right into the creek (highly unlikely, but possible). Therefore, I think I will write a letter to our governor to pass legislation that all cars that are sold and will be used on route 422 require a life vest to be installed under the seats. Sounds ridicules doesn’t it?
Personal responsibility lies with the person, not the government. People need to accept responsibility for their actions or their inactions.
Don’t get me wrong, anyone being killed by nature is a tragic event. But, if I lived in a tornado prone area I would be prepared. The same goes if I lived in a Hurricane prone area. In fact, in winter, we do prepare for winter storms! Again it is called taking responsibility and being prepared.
June 08, 2007
Here Comes the Sun Article
Below is a letter to the editor of SmartMoney Magazine regarding a recent article about solar energy.
**************************
I was eager to read Daren Fonda’s article “Here Comes the Sun” in the July 2007 issue of SmartMoney magazine. In particular I was interested in reading the “Crunching the Numbers” section.
To my surprise the numbers never were crunched! So I’ll do it for you.
According to your article, the cost of a solar system is about $30,000 and the system might last 25 years. So $30,000 divided by 25 equals a cost of $1,200 per year or $100 a month for electric. (This assumes the system will produce all of the electric you need, which it probably would not for me since I live in Southwest Central Pennsylvania.)
My average electric bill is about $80 a month from the electric company and it would be at least $100 a month for solar!
Therefore, when you crunch the numbers, solar is not a viable option for me or probably most people for that matter once you factor maintenance costs into the equation!
I even ran the numbers through the website you recommended (www.findsolar.com) and my breakeven point is 40 years (assuming no property value increase, 33 with property value increase) but the life expectancy of the system is only 25 years!
It doesn’t take an MBA to figure out those numbers. No thanks. Maybe the article should have been titled, “Here Comes the Sun (if you have the Green)!”
**************************
I was eager to read Daren Fonda’s article “Here Comes the Sun” in the July 2007 issue of SmartMoney magazine. In particular I was interested in reading the “Crunching the Numbers” section.
To my surprise the numbers never were crunched! So I’ll do it for you.
According to your article, the cost of a solar system is about $30,000 and the system might last 25 years. So $30,000 divided by 25 equals a cost of $1,200 per year or $100 a month for electric. (This assumes the system will produce all of the electric you need, which it probably would not for me since I live in Southwest Central Pennsylvania.)
My average electric bill is about $80 a month from the electric company and it would be at least $100 a month for solar!
Therefore, when you crunch the numbers, solar is not a viable option for me or probably most people for that matter once you factor maintenance costs into the equation!
I even ran the numbers through the website you recommended (www.findsolar.com) and my breakeven point is 40 years (assuming no property value increase, 33 with property value increase) but the life expectancy of the system is only 25 years!
It doesn’t take an MBA to figure out those numbers. No thanks. Maybe the article should have been titled, “Here Comes the Sun (if you have the Green)!”
June 07, 2007
Teacher Strikes
Here is a letter I sent to Rep. Dave Reed regarding legislation introduced in the PA House to implement penalties for teacher strikes. I will let you know his response.
In other news, Rep. Reed recently introduced legislation to implement a fingerprinting system for all Pennsylvanians on welfare. This is to help reduce fraud.
**************************************
I am writing today to inform you of recent legislation introduced by Rep. Todd Rock regarding teacher strikes titled “The Strike-Free Education Act” (House Bill 1369).
Teacher strikes do nothing but hurt the children, hurt the community, and it makes teachers look like greedy thieves to the public.
Don’t get me wrong, teachers play an important part in a child’s education and they should be compensated appropriately. As I am sure you are aware, when teachers do go on strike they are required to “make-up” those days due to the required number of days students must attend school each year.
When a union in the private sector strikes, the union members are not paid (or else they are minimally paid from union funds). Therefore, they have an incentive not to strike, but if conditions are real bad and they do strike, they have an incentive to get the labor disputes resolved as quickly as possible because they are not being paid. No such incentive exists for teachers. They currently make the same amount of money (on a yearly basis) when they strike.
I strongly urge you to review this legislation, even though the Pennsylvania State Education Association has probably contributed money to you, with the best interests of the community in mind.
Thank You.
In other news, Rep. Reed recently introduced legislation to implement a fingerprinting system for all Pennsylvanians on welfare. This is to help reduce fraud.
**************************************
I am writing today to inform you of recent legislation introduced by Rep. Todd Rock regarding teacher strikes titled “The Strike-Free Education Act” (House Bill 1369).
Teacher strikes do nothing but hurt the children, hurt the community, and it makes teachers look like greedy thieves to the public.
Don’t get me wrong, teachers play an important part in a child’s education and they should be compensated appropriately. As I am sure you are aware, when teachers do go on strike they are required to “make-up” those days due to the required number of days students must attend school each year.
When a union in the private sector strikes, the union members are not paid (or else they are minimally paid from union funds). Therefore, they have an incentive not to strike, but if conditions are real bad and they do strike, they have an incentive to get the labor disputes resolved as quickly as possible because they are not being paid. No such incentive exists for teachers. They currently make the same amount of money (on a yearly basis) when they strike.
I strongly urge you to review this legislation, even though the Pennsylvania State Education Association has probably contributed money to you, with the best interests of the community in mind.
Thank You.
June 06, 2007
Warning: Product Promotion
I don’t usually promote or recommend too many products, however the product I am mentioning today has really worked for me!
The product is called Phos-Flur and is manufactured by the Colgate-Palmolive company.
This is an anti-cavity rinse that you use once a day. It is to help prevent cavity and spots on your teeth. It is also good for general mouth health.
The Dentist recommended I use it for my teeth and gums. It was a little pricey (about $12 a bottle at Wal*Mart), but I thought I would give it a try. One bottle lasts about 45 days or so. I am now on my second bottle and I have notice a big difference. I had some receding gums on a few on my teeth. I could really notice it when eating sweets. The gums look as though they have stopped receding and actually healed (if that is possible). I have even noticed my gums and teeth look and feel healthier.
Your can read more about the product on their web site: Colgate
The product is called Phos-Flur and is manufactured by the Colgate-Palmolive company.
This is an anti-cavity rinse that you use once a day. It is to help prevent cavity and spots on your teeth. It is also good for general mouth health.
The Dentist recommended I use it for my teeth and gums. It was a little pricey (about $12 a bottle at Wal*Mart), but I thought I would give it a try. One bottle lasts about 45 days or so. I am now on my second bottle and I have notice a big difference. I had some receding gums on a few on my teeth. I could really notice it when eating sweets. The gums look as though they have stopped receding and actually healed (if that is possible). I have even noticed my gums and teeth look and feel healthier.
Your can read more about the product on their web site: Colgate
June 05, 2007
10 things I learned in Canada:
Ten things I learned on our recent trip to Canada:
- You don’t always need to answer your cell phone.
- Sony cameras from Asia are not the same as Sony cameras in America.
- It is difficult, but possible to communicate with someone without knowing their language.
- Watch out for obese people eyeing your ice cream.
- It takes more than an MBA to figure out the change you get back when spending American dollars.
- Strangers will take your picture for you and you should take their picture too!
- Cuban cigars are very expensive.
- Family style dinners are not fun, long lines are even worse.
- Canadians love American money!
- Security guards are bored and like to cause trouble for random people.
June 04, 2007
IT Workers need to know more than IT
Here is a brief letter to the editor of Computerworld Magazine. They haven’t published any of my negative letters, so I thought I would write a positive one and see what happens.
Frank Hayes got IT right in his Frankly Speaking column titled Reality IT (May 21, 2007). IT needs people who understand IT and the business world. I am an adjunct instructor at the local college and I encourage all of my students to not only learn IT, but to learn basic business skills and processes. I also tell them they will need to know something about the business they are working in. I often say the best IT workers can fill in for the regular workers when they are on vacation!
Frank Hayes got IT right in his Frankly Speaking column titled Reality IT (May 21, 2007). IT needs people who understand IT and the business world. I am an adjunct instructor at the local college and I encourage all of my students to not only learn IT, but to learn basic business skills and processes. I also tell them they will need to know something about the business they are working in. I often say the best IT workers can fill in for the regular workers when they are on vacation!
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