Digital TV

I was pleased to hear that Barack Obama and his incoming Administration is going to quickly push for a delay to the conversion or transition to digital TV.  I think this is good for American and the millions of Americans who are unable to afford a new digital television, cable or satellite.

The economy has hit us all hard and having additional time will be a benefit to all.

I am one of those Americans who still uses over the air tv and recently requested a converter box coupon and have yet to receive it.  Unless it comes in soon, and there isn’t a delay, I will be without a television.  While I don’t watch much, I do believe that I should get more time and not be without access to the world of new and entertainment.

I only recently started to see television commercials pushing and informing us that the transition or conversion was upon us.  The industry waited much too long to start an all out information push.  Part of that I believe was an effort to push people to cable and satellite.

Congress also underestimated the number of Americans wanting help with a converter box.  I found it interesting the number of 2nd, 3rd and 4th televisions that many Americans had.  Further when you consider that cable and satellite tv companies charge for each additional tv (especially for cabling and equipment), some households use over the air and cable/satellite, because of the additional expense.

I am hopeful that the Congress will delay the transition.  While the current talk is for 4 to 5 months.  I would like to see the delay go until the end of 2009, with some milestones in place, with regards to the number of people who have access to the new digital signal.  We need the industry to make proactive efforts which to date has been limited.

For those looking for more digital tv information, resources and equipment, check out antennatv.org.  If your looking for a new tv, why not buy a new energy efficient TV?  Watch television and save energy.

Senator Caroline Kennedy Schlossberg

At first when I heard about Caroline Kennedy wanting to become Senator from New York I felt outraged.  How could someone with money and a famous name, just stand up and say, ‘I’ll take it’.  Someone who hadn’t fought in the political trenches.  Someone who had never held political office, nor had a established public role.

As someone who lived the first 18 years of my life in upstate New York, this was another example of someone using their power and money to get what they wanted without a true passion or understanding of the responsibility this positions requires.  ‘Oh my staff’ can do the work, I’ll just show up for votes and let my voice be heard.’  ‘I’m a Kennedy.  I lost my father, this is owed to me.’

After much thought and reflection, I am now ok with Caroline Kennedy being appointed to the position of Senator from New York.  In considering the recent political problems by the Governors of New York and Illinois, a Senator from Alaska.  A member of the House in Louisiana and many many others.  I changed my opinion.

Perhaps Caroline Kennedy would make a good hardworking, ethical member of Congress.  Someone who understands that public service is about doing what is right and good for America.  Maybe she understands that it is about representing the views of her constituents, about making good laws and about changing bad ones.

Caroline is a trained lawyer, mother and published author.  A wife and daughter who has suffered many tragedies in her life, along with many joys.

I have always felt that a person needed a certain level of life experience prior to being an effective elected official.  How could someone represent my interest, who hasn’t experienced life.  Caroline Kennedy has experienced life.

I think someone with a famous name, while it gives them a certain level of privilege, it also comes with a certain level of responsibility.  As Senator, Caroline will be considered a ‘rock star’.  Her every action and statement will be dissected for meaning and purpose.  Her life and career will be chronicled more than any other potential member of Congress.

Yes, there other well-qualified persons capable of being Senator from New York.  I would be ok with many of the persons who have asked to be considered for the appointment.  Should Caroline Kennedy be consider among that group.  I believe so.

Cutting 401(k) Matching Contributions

In New York Times today, there was an article about large companies cutting 401(k) retirement plan contributions.  The companies are doing this to reduce expenses so that they can improve their financial performance in this economic downturn.  Improve performance to help benefit the stockholders and lenders to the detriment of the employees and their families.

In many companies, when an employee contributes money to their 401(k) retirement savings plan, the company will match some portion of it.  Sometimes, the company will even make a flat percentage contribution each year to the plan for the employee, as a profit sharing contribution.

During the 80′s and 90′s there was a movement in corporate America away from defined pension plans towards 401(k) plans.  The responsibility for saving, for a time when one could no longer work, shifted from the company to the individual.  Workers were told that they could no longer count on a pension plan but, that the employer would ‘contribute’ to the long term savings of the employee.  It would become a partnership.

Will this match/contribution ever come back?  Was this the only savings that was left to make?  Was reducing, rather than eliminating the contribution considered?  Was the corporate jet sold, were all executives told to travel coach?  Were all company perks eliminated like the subsidized corporate cafeteria and country club memberships.  Were the salaries of the top 10% of executives in the company cut?

For myself, up until recently, I worked for several large corporations and participated fully in their 401(k) plan, making the maximum contribution.  The company made a point of telling me that their contribution was a part of my ‘total’ compensation and that the company was putting in money as a way to help me save for my future.

Now for many, that is gone, at least for now?  I have a hard time believing that it will be put back into place, that the company will take on the extra expense, when they have already proven that they didn’t need to have if for people to work there.

This is another example of corporations taking the easy road towards improving company performance.  Some might say that this was a much better option than cutting more jobs and I agree.  However, where are employees to go if they are not happy with this reduction in their compensation?  How are employees going to be able to one day stop working?  How are they going to be able to save for the day when they can no longer work?

This is very troubling.  I would feel better if I knew that all the ‘fat’ was cut out of companies…. and if this were done, I would feel better because it would be about saving jobs.  However, I don’t believe that is the case.

Gas Prices Going Up

I have had numerous conversation with my mother, a woman in her 60′s and she is aware that prices for gasoline are going up.  The recent decision by OPEC to reduce daily production by over 2 million barrels will make this happen much more quickly than we would all like.

In response to this, my mother recently purchased several 5 gallon containers to enable her to buy gas at today’s lower prices for use in the future as prices increase.  This was a very interesting idea.  However for the small amount of savings she is going to achieve, it may not have been worth the effort.  In addition, there are some risks in storing and transporting it.

The important thing to me was the fact that she is taking action.  Being proactive to be smart about her gasoline usage and realizing that the momentary reduction in prices is just that.

While I believe my mother would like to purchase a more energy efficient vehicle.  The additional expense is prohibitive due to the fact she is on a fixed income.

We all need to be proactive in our gasoline usage.  Plan our trips, drive at slower speeds and have routine maintenance done so that our vehicles are operating at peek performance.  Eventually we all need to move to alternative and renewable fuel vehicles.  However, until then… we all need to be proactive like my mother.

Rights for All

I have a friend who recently wrote the following short essay and sent it in to move0n.org.  He wrote it in response to a request to ‘tell his story’ as part of their request for membership opinions/input.

It should be noted that he is an extremely successful professional who had his own practice prior to taking a job with the State of California.  He created jobs and opportunities for people.  He paid his taxes, took out his trash, kept his yard neat and clean.  Today he works for the State of California providing care for wards of the State.  Needless to say, he has never collected government assistance, he has never been to jail, he reads the paper and votes.  He is a good son, brother, uncle and friend.

When you read the essay below, you will learn one other thing, that he just so happens to be gay.   Prior to knowing this, you were probably thinking that he seems like a good member of society, deserving of every right afforded to Americans across the land.  However you should know that is not the case.  As a gay American, in California, he is not afforded equal rights.  The passing of proposition 8 banning gay marriage was just the latest injustice that he has suffered.  This is troubling, this is wrong.

“I wish people who think being gay is “a CHOICE” would tell me at what point in their lives they decided to be heterosexual – As if that was something you can consciously choose. I tried for years to will myself to be attracted to the opposite sex so I could fit in. Being taunted and tormented for being different is nothing anyone would choose if they could. Who you are attracted is something you sense, not something you choose.

I think it’s important that people have the same rights whether they are gay or straight, white black yellow brown or purple. We each have experienced injustice, been treated unfairly for something which is not our fault, and we should all be outraged at the rights of a group being taken away just because they are different.

The supposed moral or Biblical reasons people cite against Gay Marriage are a thin smokescreen for their bigotry. If they read the Bible, they would see more preaching against injustice, lying, cheating, stealing, defrauding the innocent than they can find against same sex marriage. In fact, same sex marriage is never addressed at all. This is not surprising: the Bible has been used to justify slavery, polygamy, racial purity, the KKK and other forms of one group victimizing another. But the real message is of love and inclusion.

The greatness of a society is shown by how the least members of the society are treated. We each never think we will be the disadvantaged, but unfortunately at some point we all may be. It is in the common interest to ensure the same rights for all.”

Throw a Shoe!

I read yesterday about the Iraqi journalist throwing a shoe at the President to show his displeasure with US and the current state of affairs in his country.  While think his act of civil disobedience was unjustified, I wish more people would throw shoes, rather than use more violent forms of protest.

In many places around the world, as we saw recently in India, people use bombs, guns, bullets to kill and destroy people and property.  On 9/11/01, people even used several planes in an attempt to get their message out.

I wish the world would throw more shoes, slippers, high heels shoes, maybe even a boot or two.   Our leaders would learn to duck and move more quickly.  In arguments around the world, you might think twice about getting mad and losing a shoe in the snow and rain… and talk out our differences, or just agree to disagree.

We would have to be careful that people don’t go around wearing big heavy clogs or steel toed boots… those might really hurt if you got hit in the head, especially if the recipient wasn’t paying attention and couldn’t get out of the way.  I believe that is a risk I’d be willing to take.

So I say to the world, no more guns and bombs.  No more killings over ideas and religious.  Express yourself, show your unhappiness.  Throw a shoe!

UAW Needs to Make Concessions

The other day the United Auto Workers (U.A.W) came out against additional wage and benefit concessions, as part of winning approval for loans for the big 3 automakers; Chrysler, General Motors, and Ford. The Unions basically said that don’t believe making cuts at this time was the right thing to do, that their contracts will be up in 2011 and at that time they could renegotiate wage and benefits.

This was a huge mistake. The automakers are facing bankruptcy. Yet, the U.A.W. is banking on the fact or belief that the Federal government will loan the automakers money with or without concessions. They are playing ‘chicken’ with the lives, families and careers of millions.

The automakers may get concessions, however, many people believe that the Unions are primarily to blame for the trouble the automakers are experiencing. As I have written in another post, I believe that the management teams are partially to blame…along with the Unions.

The Unions must change their position and partner with the automakers to help them become more flexible and competitive. While the loans may help with them meet their short term needs for cash, unless the automakers become more competitive in the global economy, they will continue to be in peril.

It was recently announced that India’s Tata Motors, Ltd, will be building a ‘people’s car’. It is expected to cost $2,000 and will be large enough to fit an entire family. I would have to guess, but it was probably over 30 years since a $2000 car was on the market in the United States.

With the wages and benefits being paid to auto workers, it would be nearly impossible for automakers to compete with this. Now is the time for the U.A.W. to partner and help the automakers to be successful in the global economy.

The lack of support by the UAW is extremely unfortunate. I know many people who are hoping that the automakers are forced into bankruptcy. They are hoping that a bankruptcy judge throws out the union contract and forces on the Union, wages and work rules which will allow the automakers to be more competitive.

The UAW must change its position. The union must partner with the automakers to become more competitive… for the good of the union members, the automakers, consumers and all Americans.

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Cutting Jobs is for Cowards!

Today, several companies announced that 14,000 jobs were being eliminated nationwide.

As I have previously written, I lost my job several times during re-organizations, layoffs and mergers.  So you might say that I am biased when it comes to cutting jobs and the impact it has on the employee and their families.  To put it bluntly, I think it should be the LAST resort, and only used when all other alternatives have been exhausted.

Company executives must make hard choices to keep a company profitable for the stockholders, lenders, suppliers, customers and employees.  However, I believe executives ‘just’ throw out numbers to reduce payrolls without truly understanding the impact on people’s lives.  It is a quick fix.

Cutting jobs is easy.  ‘Lets cut 10, 15, 20 percent of employees’.  ’2, 3, 4, 5 thousand jobs.’  Executives will throw out a number, make an estimate of the savings and then force their managers to ‘make due with less’.

Executives will rarely even consider all the alternatives.  This is why I believe cutting jobs can be cowardly.  Cutting jobs takes little effort.  The people handing out the pink slips are usually never the people who decide on who gets cut.  Those making the decisions don’t have to look the former employee in the face and tell them they are being cut, so that they (the executive) can maintain their high standard of living.

Negotiating better terms and prices with suppliers, takes work.  Cutting executive perks and allowances will make the executives feel some pain.  Eliminating and/or delaying pet projects can impact an executives legacy.  Redesigning products and negotiating better terms with resellers and agents takes time and effort.  Reallocating resources to focus on new market opportunities is risky.   Hard work, painful and risky.

One of the hardest things to do is ask existing employees to take a pay or benefits cut.  I have rarely seen this done.  An across the board pay cut would create some tensions, good employees who can find better paying jobs might leave.  Many many things should be considered and explored well before systematic layoffs occur.

I am not some bleeding heart who thinks we should be guaranteed life long employment, I just believe it should be the last resort…not the first option.  Company executives should constantly be evaluating ways to reduce costs, expand markets and focus on where they can be successful.  I believe company executives should be making decisions which will help the company and at the same time the larger macro economy.  It is their duty, it is their responsibility.

We need heroes not cowards.  We need company executives that will tackle challenges head on and not run for the easy and quick fix.

Don’t touch your 401(k) or IRA!!

If you have 10 or more years until retirement, do not touch your 401(k) or IRA.

I have a friend who is 52 and she panicked last week.  Her father, who is in his early 80′s, had been pressuring her to sell all of her mutual funds and she did it.  She had been invested in moderately safe investments and like the entire market were significantly down.

The problem with her decision was that she locked in her losses.  With only about 15 years until she will need to start withdrawing the money, it will be very difficult for her to make back the money she lost and then on top of that, obtain a decent return on her money.

I had been encouraging my friends and family to continue contributing to their 401(k) and individual retirement accounts.  The market, while in total turmoil, is extremely cheap.  Investments at these low prices will pay off in the long run.

I feel very bad for my friend, in addition to locking in her losses, she has discontinued to contribute to her 401(k).  I have tried with no luck to get her to change her mind.

For those of you with 5 to 10 years until retirement, my suggestion is to leave your money where it is… and as much as you can, continue to contribute.  I firmly believe your combination of new money, invested at these low prices, along with a rebounding market will enable you to grow your retirement account.  This is all assuming you have a well diversified portfolio… and not all invested in bank or auto stocks.

If you have 5 or less years until retirement, or until you have to start withdrawing money, I would strongly recommend you seek out professional advice before you do anything.  I would recommend that you speak with someone who can analyze your entire net worth, the equity in your home, personal property and anything else you own of value.

These are very trying times we live in.  If you feel like your panicking, STOP, seek out professional advice.  Don’t allow your emotions to direct your very important financial decisions.

If you need help finding a financial adviser go to www.adviserfinancial.com or you can go to www.advisorinvestment.net.

Oil Prices Hit New Low…. and going back up!

On Friday December 5, 2008, Oil prices hit a new 4 year low.  A barrel of crude oil closed the day at $40.81.

On December 17th, OPEC will be meeting to again reduce production as a means of driving up prices.  They have stated their desire to have the price of a barrel of oil be at a minimum of $75.  Some countries even want it as high as $90.

We must all realize that oil and gasoline prices will go back up.  We will be paying over $4.00 a gallon for gas again in the near future.  And perhaps even more as China and India further develop.

We must all seek out ways to reduce our reliance on foreign oil; we must demand more energy efficient cars and trucks.  We must all support the development of alternative and renewable fuel vehicles.

High fuel prices contributed to the financial crises that is going on all around us.  We must not allow that to happen again in the future.  We must get to the point where we are energy independent.  We must power our nation with the resources within our borders.

For alternative energy information and resources go to www.energyalternative.org.

Find political news and information at www.allaireWilliams.com.