A recent Op-Ed in the NYTImes- Start-Ups, Not Bailouts made me smile(go read it now). I get so frustrated as of late listening to politics back home. The conversation so often sounds like the American people are hopeless and not able to do anything for themselves. That companies who fail mean the world will end. Bullshit. Entrepreneurs can be the change we need to address  the problems of today.

I have a friend who once told me when Northwest was about to go bust for the hundredth time, “Let ‘em”. Contrary to all those people around us saying that if we did the economy would suffer and jobs would be lost. He just laughed at this. He theory and one which I now ascribe to is that when a vacuum is created by one company failing, others will spring up from it’s roots and faster than you might expect!

I think he’s right. The bank bailout, what a joke. I know many say that we had to do it, but in the end if we hadn’t bailed them out, we would have saved ourselves the trouble of doing it later on. Culling the herd one might say. The sick and infected companies, ones who’s inner-workings are corrupt with management structures that have more in common with cancerous growths than with good business practices, will be quickly replaced by a new generation of talent and ideas. They need to be cut out before they spread. Yes we may be a bit sore while  the wound heals, and we may have a scar left, but hopefully that will serve as a reminder to future generations. Don’t let the fact that the healing process maybe painful and take awhile stop us from curing the problem now.

Government is becoming a joke in the US. Recently while watching Robin Williams standup he suggested that congressmen wear jackets like in NASCAR with all the logos of companies who fund them. Great for a laugh, but it would seriously be a huge step towards fixing the government corruption. Maybe we need to cull the herd of Congressmen? What if we took a year and started from scratch. Could be fun to see what happened!

Anyways, back to my original point: We need to invest in the little guys, and when I say we, not the big banks, but you and me. We’re the ones without deep pockets, but we have the numbers. What if there was a KIVA for startups, or a micro lending scheme to help people set up new ventures, and test new models for business. I think it would be interesting, might even work. (there probably already is one)

All I know now though is that the system is broke in the US, and most people rather complain about it than actually try to fix it. Maybe voting doesn’t work because our congressmen have become unable to do anything without the cancerous companies helping them along. Which if true just means we need to dig in and do it ourselves. There has to be another way.

The thing though that scares me most is that we are currently putting money towards holding up broken institutions, and not to the things that actually make society stronger. Education, the only thing that can truly make a society stronger is getting beat up even further. America is becoming a joke around the world for education, health care, and public services. And sadly it’s only getting worse. Everyone complains about government, and big corporations, but they do nothing to change it. People like Bill O’Riely and Keith Olberman whine nightly about what is wrong, but from what I can tell, never do anything other than whine, and breed contempt.

Whiners get no where, and usually end up losing. At least that’s what I remember from grade school.

It’s time to stop ignoring the problem and start investing in the solution: Entrepreneurs and the Education system that will create more of them

’nuff said

Two things. First is this story below true, and if it is, I have to say it’s pretty cool. Need to head to snopes to figure it out I guess. Second: I received this as a chain email, passed on by my Grandma. And though I don’t expect my Grandma to start self publishing, I do wonder why I still get chain emails from people in a time when self publishing is so easy? Chain emails should go on Tumblr, or a blog, or twitter for that matter….amazing that I still get chain emails from friends and family. Annoying too….though I would like to see stories like the one below on my Grandma’s blog!

ARLINGTON CEMETERY – Jeopardy Question

On Jeopardy the other night, the final question was How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns —- All three missed it –

This is really an awesome sight to watch if you’ve never had the chance, Very fascinating.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

1. How many steps does the guard take during his walk across the tomb of the Unknowns and why?

21 steps. It alludes to the twenty-one gun salute, which is the highest honor given any military or foreign dignitary.

2. How long does he hesitate after his about face to begin his return walk and why?

21 seconds for the same reason as answer number 1

3. Why are his gloves wet?

His gloves are moistened to prevent his losing his grip on the rifle.

4. Does he carry his rifle on the same shoulder all the time and if not, why not?

He carries the rifle on the shoulder away from the tomb. After his march across the path,he executes an about face and moves the rifle to the outside shoulder.

5. How often are the guards changed?

Guards are changed every thirty minutes, twenty-four hours a day, 365 days a year.

6. What are the physical traits of the guard limited to?

For a person to apply for guard duty at the tomb, he must be between 5′ 10′ an d 6′ 2′ tall and his waist size cannot exceed 30.’ Other requirements of the Guard: They must commit 2 years of life to guard the tomb, live in a barracks under the tomb, and cannot drink any alcohol on or off duty for the rest of their lives. They cannot swear in public for the rest of their lives and cannot disgrace the uniform {fighting} or the tomb in any way. After two years, the guard is given a wreath pin that is worn on their lapel signifying they served as guard of the tomb. There are only 400 presently worn. The guard must obey these rules for the rest of their lives or give up the wreath pin.

The shoes are specially made with very thick soles to keep the heat and cold from their feet.. There are metal heel plates that extend to the top of the shoe in order to make the loud click as they come to a halt.

There are no wrinkles, folds or lint on the uniform. Guards dress for duty in front of a full-length mirror.

The first six months of duty a guard cannot talk to anyone, nor watch TV. All off duty time is spent studying the 175 notable people laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery .. A guard must memorize who they are and where they are interred. Among the notables are: President Taft, Joe E. Lewis {the boxer} and Medal of Honor winner Audie Murphy, {the most decorated soldier of WWII} of Hollywood fame.

Every guard spends five hours a day getting his uniforms ready for guard duty.

ETERNAL REST GRANT THEM O LORD, AND LET PERPETUAL LIGHT SHINE UPON THEM.

In 2003 as Hurricane Isabelle was approaching Washington , DC , our US Senate/House took 2 days off with anticipation of the storm. On the ABC evening news, it was reported that because of the dangers from the hurricane, the military members assigned the duty of guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier were given permission to suspend the assignment. They respectfully declined the offer, ‘No way, Sir!’ Soaked to the skin, marching in the pelting rain of a tropical storm, they said that guarding the Tomb was not just an assignment, it was the highest honor that can be afforded to a serviceperson. The tomb has been patrolled continuously, 24/7, since 1930.

I’m feeling pretty good living in a Socialist health care system as I watch the US debate about reform fall apart. The Dem’s have a majority but can’t come together to pass something useful. What a joke. Why is it the only health care in the US that works is Medicare, Vetran Health Care, and Congresses health plan: all of which are Social Health care systems; yet if you mention “social” anything people say we are all going to die! Sheeple wake up. The best health care systems in the world are all social systems, because we are “social creatures”. I’m sorry but this is just STUPID. Absolutely infuriating.

Seriously just leave a comment. What do you think? Why?

Robert Parker’s Bitch from Josh Hermsmeyer on Vimeo.