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Archive for the ‘Politics’ Category

Remembering 9/11

Posted in People, Politics, tagged on September 11, 2011 | 1 Comment »

I’m about to board a flight to London from SeaTac Airport. Ten years ago today, I was living and working in London when a staff member told me that a terrorist had flown a plane into a building in New York City. I brushed it off as misinformation or a possible accident as I was rushing off for a sales presentation. By the time I had gotten to my appointment the full reality of 9/11/2001 hit me right in the gut.

For the next few days my wife and I were mesmerized in front of the tele at David Lloyd’s Fitness Club in South Kensington (we had tried to live without a TV in London but that immediately changed). I remember the feeling of guilt being away as tragedy strikes your home. Now, I know why some of my Syrian and Libian friends were anxious to try to go home during the unrest in their respective countries. But there were plenty of people to commiserate with as all of London went into morning with most of the rest of the world. On the tube, in Covent Garden, on the buses, everyone was sympathetic, appalled, depressed. People provided support for one another.

Then, I got an email from a friend telling me about his friend who was stuck in London and couldn’t get home although his colleagues were affected by the terrorist attack. My wife and some friends met with him and we encouraged one another. Just recently, he found me again on Facebook and thanked me for those days together.

Throughout Europe, there was a minute of silence planned. I left my office not wanting to be emotional in front of my employees. As I stood outside in the London streets, I saw the street cleaners, the bus drivers, road workers and everyone else bow their heads in a moment of silence. It was the most connected I’ve ever felt with so many people. I knew then that the world was in this together.

That was a defining day for a lot of people and for our nation and for the world. For me, I realized how connected we are were throughout the world, that while a few want to disrupt world order, humans stand together when tragedy hits humanity.

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Advocating Single Six-Year Terms for Politicians

Posted in Politics, tagged , , on April 19, 2011 | 5 Comments »

So, it’s a “belated” tax day this year. Hope everyone was able to get their tax finished and submitted. Our government needs everyone’s money!

This is a good opportunity to discuss the US government’s deficit and all the issues surrounding it. Throughout this blog, I advocate optimism and living a positive life. However, such an outlook on life needs to be in the context of reality as well. There’s a clear line between productive optimism and delusional thinking.

All that to say that our nation’s current deficit problem cannot be fixed under the current political system. As long as we have a two-party system where extreme special interest groups from each side can hold the majority hostage, our politicians will not be able to adequately address the fiscal issues.

Our current politicians cannot make compromises and create a “win-win” situation as they are beholden to the extremists in both parties. They are constantly having to position themselves for re-election that keeps them from doing the difficult, pragmatic things to fix our nation’s debt problems. One compromise can doom a politician from re-election because of the potential attacks from special interest groups within his/her party.

The solution is somewhere between (or a combination) of the Republican and Democrat budget proposals. But politicians are so worried about the impact of the  extremists of their constituents on their re-election that common sense never wins out.

It’s not so much the politicians’ fault as it is a broken system. If we had all politician serve a six-year single terms, then I believe the politicians would be bolder and make better decisions that would leave a more favorable legacy of their work in office… but that won’t ever happen.

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Family Gathering, A Reminder To Support The American Dream

Posted in business, entrepreneur, lifehacks, Politics, tagged , , , on December 30, 2010 | 2 Comments »

Holidays bring families together. For me, we had Christmas in Las Vegas with my in-laws. The parents and all five of their children along with each of their families rendezvoused in Vegas from five different cities.

My wife’s family is a Korean immigrant family, that came to Chicago in the late 1960′s. With five children, the parents started various small businesses and worked extremely hard to make ends meet. There were not much discretionary funds, so they ate mostly at home together, thankful for what they did have.

At the Christmas dinner this year, the mother shared how she regretted not being able to take the children even to MacDonald’s when they were young. She gave money to each of the children, now adults, from some gold she sold as a way of making up for that regret. The grown children, for their part, only remember good times as youngsters, such as the family vacations in a rented RV, ice-skating with their father, or the family holiday dinners. They had never regretted the lack of material wealth.

The fact is, as adults, each of the children have done well in many ways and can afford a better life. That’s because of the drive that most second-generation immigrants harbor from watching their parents sacrifice.

Their story is similar to that my own, and many other immigrant families. Our generation feel a sense of guilt from our parents’ sacrifices. We are generally passionate defenders of the “American  Dream”. We do not feel entitled, but rather grateful for our opportunities. Our parents lived and worked for us and that is a burden that constantly drives us.

One of America’s greatest assets is the brain gain phenomenon. The access to capital and the general environment of meritocracy keep the American Dream alive for all. More than 57% of all ventured-backed companies in the last decade was founded or co-founded by someone born outside the US. What a tremendous advantage!

Yet, we continue to make it more difficult for immigration. First, with the short-sighted policies of the Patriot Act that made it difficult for motivated foreign students to attend US Universities, and now the US Senate recently has rejected the House-backed immigration act to offer a path to citizenship to young undocumented immigrants who attend college or enroll in the military.

The American Dream still lives — not just for immigrants, but for all.  However, in focus groups, we’ve learned that there is a huge difference in the perception of what this means between immigrant youths versus those from more traditional American families. The immigrants are clearly more positive and optimistic. We need them to continue to drive our Dream and lead the rest of the society to see what a great opportunity it can be to be living and doing business in the United States. That is our America, and it’s okay to disagree with the likes of Sarah Palin even if her family got here before us. In fact, I insist that we do.

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The Journey from Martin Luther King to our new President Barack Obama

Posted in Politics, society, tagged , , , , , , , on January 19, 2009 | 2 Comments »

Meet Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  Not much I can really say that has not already been said.  

He steadfastly advocated peace while championing an explosive social issue of the time in civil rights.  He stood against an unjust politicans’ war in Vietnam at the risk of losing many of of his civil rights supporters. He spoke up for all the poor and disenfranchised regardless of race.  He made people believe in a nation’s  future when despair abounded.

He was prophetic in predicting that he would not be of this world when much of his dream would come true.  Many see President-elect Barack Obama’s inauguration tomorrow as the symbol of completion to  Dr. King’s dream.  It’s not.  I’m sure he would be championing many modern issues should he still have been alive today.  So much more to do.  

Nonetheless, Barack Obama’s road to becoming the first African-American president in America was paved by Dr. Martin Luther King.  A little known fact is that Dr. King had predicted in 1965 an African-American President within 25 years. He had confidence that such an occurrence would happen.  He was again prophetic, although it took America a little longer than he had thought.  

It’s an exciting time from today’s celebration of Martin Luther King Day to tomorrow’s inauguration of Barack Obama.  It’s a good time to be an American.  

And I will be continuously praying that the security forces be extremely diligent around our new President.  Sadly, our country has had a history of losing great national heroes to internal American assassins: From Lincoln to the Kennedy’s to Martin Luther King.  We cannot afford another.  The enemies of our celebrated progress are more marginalized and desperate than ever.  They actually scare me more than the terrorists from abroad.  Long live our new President.

Here is a wonderful tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King that ties in tomorrow’s inauguration (by “hotsidechick“ on vimeo). You will have to click through to vimeo since I don’t know how to post the video directly on WordPress. Sorry :( .  Watch in full screen.

 

Click here to watch video on vimeo

Click above to watch video on vimeo

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Poor, Poor Blagojevich… is a Block-Head

Posted in Politics, tagged , , , , , , on December 19, 2008 | 5 Comments »

Poor Rod Blagojevich

Poor Rod Blagojevich

 

Meet Rod Blagojevich, a true American patriot who is being persecuted by evil, but powerful forces.  Poor Rod, a political lynch mob is after him, and for no good reason either.  Everyone’s out to get him.  People in his own Democratic party, and the Republicans too.  TOGETHER, they are trying to lynch him.  But never fear, Rod will fight, he will fight, he will fight to his last breath.  Oh, poor, poor Rod.

Go on Rod, and tell everyone how you did nothing wrong.  After all, it’s been a long tradition in Illinois politics to leverage one’s position for personal advantage… uh, personal gain.  You scratch my back and I’ll scratch your back, right?  So what that you wanted something back for appointing the “right” person to President-elect Obama’s vacant senate seat.  Sheesh, come on.  After all, not all governors get an opportunity like this.  It’s like you said, “(The Senate seat) is a [expletive] valuable thing, you just don’t give it away for nothing,”  You’re no fool, Rod. No one wants a fool for governor.

Anyway, tell everyone how hard it is to maintain a young “celebrity governor-on-the-rise-to-eventual-white-house” life style.  It takes [expletive] money.  And lord knows, you deserve to have more money.  With all that you do as a public servant, you definitely are ENTITLED to more money.

After all, you are not just an ordinary Joe.  No, you are Rod — Rod Blagojevich.  Damn, you can even swear with the best of them.  In fact, your wife can even swear with the best of them too.  Wow, what a golden couple!  Illinois is so lucky to have such a celebrity-type couple in its state mansion.  Oh, oh, wait, that’s right.  The little capital city of Springfield was not cool enough for the Blagojeviches.  That’s right, they had decided to stay in Chicago instead.  Wow,  such amazing mavericks.  

You did nothing wrong Rod.  You’re dying to show everyone the proof that will exonerate you.  But you’re showing great restraint by not divulging it now.  You don’t want to play the game of 30-second sound sites like those in the lynch mob.  Way to take the higher ground, Rod.

Why are you being persecuted?  Everyone is against you.  You did nothing wrong. Come on, Rod, forget restraint and show everyone your proof.  You wouldn’t really use words like “political lynch mob” without proof, right?  You wouldn’t quote Rudyard Kipling’s poem, “if” without proof, would you?  By the way, great delivery on the poem.  You da man!  Way to have it memorized.

Show everyone Rod…  come one…  show everyone…  show everyone what a block-head you are.  Stand in front of the cameras and ramble about nothing.  And lie.  Just lie.  If you say it with enough conviction maybe someone will believe you.  Personal integrity?  Oh yeah, you have no idea what that means.  

Rod, you are a narcissist, incapable of empathy.  It’s all about you, I know.  Hey, wake up Rod.  Look behind you, in front of you, next to you, no one believes you.  You’re a block-head.  

76-page affidavit against Blagojevich

Blagojevich press conference on CNN

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Leadership at US Auto Makers Must Go

Posted in business, Politics, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on December 6, 2008 | 3 Comments »

carsLet me re-introduce the three stooges of Detroit:  Richard Wagoner (CEO, GM), Alan Mulally (CEO, Ford), Robert Nardelli (CEO, Chrysler).  You’ve met them on a previous post.

They came back to Washington DC last Thursday in hybrid cars, rather than private jets, asking again for a government bailout.  They prepared a more detailed plan for how such a bailout loan would be used to help the three struggling US automakers get through their financial difficulties.

While the public sentiment has not showered them with a lot of smypathy, it appears that the US auto makers will get some sort of a bailout loan, most likely money from a fuel efficiency research program.  It’s funny how the government can find billions of dollars in their programs.  The recent report that showed some 500,000 Americans have lost their jobs has definitely softened the resolve of some unsympathic politicans. 

After watching Curly, Larry and Moe during the saga, I still think a change in leadership should be mandatory as part of the bailout package.  These three men are embedded in a system that has taken the once most powerful auto makers into near obsecurity.  Their first trip in private jets is an example of how out of touch they are with reality.  They have a sense of entitlement that is worse than that of UAW.  We need fresh perspectives, real change in the industry.  

Let me state for the record that I’m not very optimistic about the bailout.  Any bailout now would not be a result of a compelling business plan that outlines a likely turnaround for these companies.  Rather, any bailout would be approved only because politicans are fixated on the declining job market.  

While we do need to keep America working, the fundamental issues behind the US auto makers’ plight must be fixed first and foremost.  That means having labor agreements that are competitive with their competitors.  That means having dealer structures that are competitive.  That means having a vision for the future.  That means having “Apple -like” understanding of consumers.  Why would any of us think that this leadership, with its track record, be capable of accomplishing such changes? 

Despite the cumbersome process of a bankruptcy, it would allow for a clean slate to come up with new ways of thinking.  Filing for Chapter 11 does not mean all workers will lose their jobs.  The companies will continue to operate.    

Regardless of my opinion, the government will pass some sort of a bailout plan.  The three stooges then will have a slightly longer lease to fail again.  I hope I’m wrong.

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Three Stooges of American Auto Industry Need to Go Before Any Bailout

Posted in business, Politics, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on November 20, 2008 | 2 Comments »

Meet the three stooges of the American Auto Industry:  Richard Wagoner (CEO, GM), Alan Mulally (CEO, Ford), Robert Nardelli (CEO, Chrysler).

Maybe this is piling on, but how can three “accomplished” CEOs lack such basic common sense?  Hello?  Did they really fly in private jets to Washington DC with a tin cup asking for a handout from the government?  Yes, they did.  Have you ever walked past a pan handler counting a wad of cash?  I have.  It does NOT conjure up a lot of sympathy.

Right now, the three auto stooges have one important job:  Salvage their companies with a bailout loan from the government.  They should be conjuring up as much sympathy as possible from the politicians and their constituents.  I thought these were smart people.  Maybe they really are completely out of touch with the real world.  They looked truly dumbfounded when confronted by Rep. Gary Ackerman, D-New York about the private jets. The only lame excuse was by the companies’ spokespersons, saying that these men travel in private jets for security reasons.  Really?  Come on.

In one of the most embarrassing American moments ever, Rep. Brad Sherman, D-California, pressed the private-jet issue at Wednesday’s hearing, asking the three CEOs to “raise their hand if they flew here commercial.”

“Let the record show, no hands went up,” Sherman said. “Second, I’m going to ask you to raise your hand if you are planning to sell your jet in place now and fly back commercial. Let the record show, no hands went up.”

It is estimated that each CEO’s flight cost around $20,000. 

Now, the media is having a field day, and the politicans are shaking their heads.  Maybe they really are clueless in Detroit.   Later, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid reversed plans to hold a test vote on the measure because it obviously would fail. 

My question is why would we trust Curly, Larry and Mo to change the state of the three US auto makers’ fate with taxpayers’ money?  They seem too ingrained in a bad system that has gotten them into trouble in the first place. Get rid of the three stooges and start changing the ridiculously lavish, inefficient culture within the US auto makers.

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Obama is the Right Man at the Right Time

Posted in Politics, tagged , , , , , , on November 4, 2008 | Leave a Comment »

Meet Barack Obama, the next President of the United States.  The voters have spoken.

Most already know that he will be making history as the first African-American US president.  I believe he also will be the first ever head of state of a G8 Nation. 

President elect, Barack Obama

President elect, Barack Obama

Although breaking through such racial barriers is certainly noteworthy, he embodies much, much more for America.   

Today’s world is converging whether people like it or not.  Go to Beijing and it’s hard to miss the KFC restaurants or the Starbucks coffee shops.  In Moscow, BMW automobiles cruise up and down the streets.  Young Koreans meet for dates at a variety of French bakeries.  Many American teenagers prefer sushi over hot dogs in the West Coast and elsewhere.

The English language today has almost 550,000 words, five times more than when Shakespeare was writing his prose.  Much of those words are borrowed from other languages.  Yet, in America, the most powerful and rich nation in the world, some of our people are afraid of change.  And like many times before in history, a nation of insulated people who do not embrace progress and change, will surely be left behind.

Did you know that there are more honor students (25% of the top students) in China than there are children in the US?  We can either participate in these exponential times or not. Be forewarned, however, that decision will forever impact our future generations.

Barack Obama was born to an international couple of a Kenyan father and a white American mother.  While the couple divorced when Obama was only two years old, his dual-cultural background impacted him deeply.  Later, he was raised in Indonesia until the age of ten after his mother remarried.  Thereafter, he was raised by his maternal white grandparents in Hawaii from the fifth grade through high school graduation.

Barack Obama understands the complexities of the multi-cultural, multi-ethnic world in which we live.  Yet, he is first and foremost an American, greatly influenced by his maternal grandparents and the American education system.  He represents today’s America, and the future hopes and vision of how America will succeed in a changing world.  Did you know that China will be the largest English speaking country in the world?

For the past eight years, our country’s leadership has incorporated a foreign policy of bullying.  We weren’t interested in building world-wide consensus in our actions in Iraq.     

I was living in London on September 11, 2001 when our nation was savagely attacked by terrorists.  I was moved when people in Europe cried with us, and then stood by our sides as we invaded Afghanistan.   But I also saw what American military bullying looked like from the outside when we unilaterally decided to attack Iraq without justification.

There is nothing that we Americans, through Barack Obama’s leadership, cannot fix in our relationship with the rest of the world.  He will help us participate in the new world order through humility, diplomacy and business acumen.  He will not allow our reactionary sector to flex our military muscle recklessly. 

These are exponential times indeed.  We need someone who is in tune with world economy, technical innovations and alternative energy sources.  The internet, the airlines, and the interdependent capital markets have made our world that much smaller.  That is why I embrace the change in America’s leadership. God bless our new president.      

 

Young Obama with mother Ann Dunham

Young Obama with mother Ann Dunham

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Wassup???? 8 Years Later

Posted in Politics, tagged , , , , on October 25, 2008 | Leave a Comment »

Meet the “Wassup” boys eight years later. These bud beer commercials were hugely popular in mainstream American. Now, eight years later, a sobering perspective of the state of affairs.
Another example of how Obama dominates the messaging on the internet.

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Obama, The Most Popular Twitter

Posted in Politics, tagged , , , , , , , , , on October 21, 2008 | Leave a Comment »

 

 

Meet Barack Obama, the most followed person in the world — on Twitter.  As of today, the US presidential candidate has 103,234 followers.  Despite his tremendous popularity, Obama’s campaign doesn’t use the service very aggressively with only 236 updates (tweets).

Most of his updates have been notifications of where Obama is speaking and a link to watch the events live.  I would have thought that the Obama campaign would be more engaged on Twitter with so many followers, employing some creative micro blogging techniques. They could be providing links to favoring blogs, re-inforcing the negative advertisements about opponents, or playing off of his popular persona.  Rather, the Obama campaign is taking the safe route right now.  Personally, I’d love to see something more risky, controversial and engaging.  Come on, it’s more than 100,000 followers waiting for his insights.

The second most followed person on Twitter is Robert Scoble, a popular tech blogger from the Bay area.  He has 36,553 followers and a whopping 14,682 tweets.

Barack Obama’s US presidential election opponent, John McCain, has 3,657 followers (not sure if this is run by McCain’s campaign group, although it appears that way).  He has 21 tweets.

 

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