The U.S. Emperor Has No Clothes!
(By: Rene Velez Nov. 10th, 2008)
Congratulations! We The People have cast our vote and one candidate has won a vast majority of the votes. Barack Obama is our president elect! A historic moment by all accounts. What can I say? I am speechless. Moments like these are best savored and engrained into memory as a lifetime experience. I have on this blog expressed my concerns about Mr. Obama, but I wish him well and as a citizen will stand behind him. Or at least for as long as it works. Such is politics.
I am particularly proud of this great nation. I know that this race was not supposed to be about race. But, I am not one to stay quite when the emperor has no clothes. Hey, what do ya know….he’s an African American! My fellow countrymen have wisely seen beyond race. American democracy is suddenly just a bit more genuine and legitimate. Somehow, a vote for Obama has made us a just and better example of democracy, freedom and liberty. God bless us all!
A New Face on Race
Just as Obama has won a national election, I am both fearful and excited about what it all means. After all, this is an experiment of sorts. I fear that politics may deal a heavy blow to race or, it may help us be more harmonious or homogenious. If Obama does well in politics and he is able to bring about positive change and reform, he will be not only a role model for all African Americans, but it will help all minorities. If he becomes a failed president, like our outgoing president Bush, I fear that we may loose much ground and that tensions between races could befall us. It’s important to recognize this less we all fall victim of pundits and cynicism. Obama has the potential to draw many of the new generation into politics, social and public service and, grass roots movements. Obama may spur community involvement and activism the likes of which few presidents if any have been able to accomplish.
One profound thought comes to mind. No matter the outcome, no African American should ever feel they are a second class citizen. No African American should ever hold their head down because of their race. No African American should ever state, opportunity is less available to them because of their race than to any other member of our great nation. This election does not prove that racism is dead. Not at all. What I think it does show is that, it’s not as important as many of us have thought it to be. Race is not a barrier to success. It is not a glass ceiling. This should be truly inspiring to all of us who believe that this country is great, because we are all different.
Change In a Transitional Society
Obama’s win has many implications that are still as of yet unknown. And every indication is that only history will provide us insight. He did not win because he is African American. He won on Merits. Or did he? Is it possible to say he won simply because of the overwhelming dissatisfaction with President Bush? In part the answer has to be yes. Obama represents hope. He is young charismatic and vibrant and speaks to change. Specifically, is that change for the better? No one knows for sure just yet. But listen to the news and the profound implications of so many bailouts and failures. Listen to the grinding halt of a global economy and read the fine print and in between the lines of our global markets. The U.S. is a country in transition. If Obama can carry this country with his charisma, intellect, discipline and the very same grass roots, community organizing skills, we may well be onto something. We may well have a winning President for years to come. My intuitive guess is that Obama has the potential to understand and to use the psychological forces of leadership to guide this nation. But of course, as with all presidents, will he have the right cabinet and support.
The Opposition of Partisanship
Aside from the staggering issues we all face, Obama has before him the tempest of partisanship. Reading the NY Times today, already we have republican conservatives aiming to simply make Obama’s presidency a miserable one. It would appear that Newt Gingrich is the only one who has voiced concern over taking this position. Hurrah Mr. Gingrich. The country does not need division right now. We need leadership. The republican party would be better served to head the notice, voters have given and, find a way to move towards the middle and extend a hand to a President Elect that is well supported. I should also note that any potential backlash from partisanship bickering will go a long way towards drowning out the republican party from main street politics, and further away from the White House. After such a significant loss, the republican party must acquiesce to the will of the American people and simply plan for a fight another day. Mr. Gingrich, please tell our fellow republicans they have no clothes! It ain’t pretty either.
As Strong as the Roots
Anyone who enjoys plants will tell you that a plant is only as healthy as its roots. A tree is only as strong when the wind is howling as the roots are. Obama won this presidency by applying grass roots efforts and using skills of a community organizer. I would urge our new president to stick to his knitting as he develops his legacy. Be a president of the people, voted by the people, to serve your people. It would be a strategic mishap if Obama were to take on the Washington power structure head on. There really is no need to do so. I think Obama knows this. During his victory speech I was moved by his indication that he would need public support. Obama is a leader of concensus before judgment. If the elections is any indication, we should look at how he goes about winning his constituents to predict how he will faces the many challenges before him. In many ways he might well wind up being a Bill Clinton. President Clinton often tested the water and researched the polls before adopting any position. It assured him high marks as a sitting president. Although Obama’s presidency is much different in terms of the issues he faces, Obama I assume will do much of the same, with one difference. He will build and derive his power from the people through old fashion grass roots.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Thursday, November 06, 2008
Winning The Presidency via Economic Anxiety
Winning the Presidency via Economic Anxiety
(By: Rene Velez 10/15/08)
These days no matter where you turn your head the talk of the town is how bad the economy is. Driving along the city of Miami you can almost feel the fearful pause of a normally bustling city. Where the culture is often over the top on glamour, fashion and in showing your achievements through acquisition, now everyone is simply watchful of the dark clouds above us. Even in the sunny subtropical days that are common in south Florida, the mood is that of a raining day.
Judging by the news of sour profits, tight credit markets, government bailouts and that all too ugly word recession, the mood is somber at best all through out the country. If it were not for the repeated interruptions of news flashes of the presidential elections, I think some people might just be ready to jump out windows. This gloomy mood makes me ponder on the effects of our current economic situation on the elections. Not that this is new but I have some of my own thoughts on the matter.
The Art of Expression in Saying Nothing
All in all I like Obama, but I am not convinced he is capable to meet all the challenges before us. He has attracted many citizens to his side by virtue of having a gifted tongue. He is eloquent, rhythmic and able to captivate the masses. He is so god at his oratory work, I am surprised that he has not been called the coming antichrist. Not because I think he is or should be viewed that way, but his presence is somewhat unnerving. Yet for all his skill he’s not offered anything any 4 year economics student at a decent college couldn’t conjure up. Like all presidents he lacks substance in what he says. His track record as a community organizer hardly is a training ground for world politics and for being the leader of the free world. His track record on taking positions on senate votes is lackluster, mainly because he took no definitive positions on crucial votes. Although it’s not uncommon for presidential candidates not to take hard positions while campaigning, as a measured way of staying out of controversy, nothing he has said compels me to vote for him over John McCain.
Popular Support in an Economic Downturn
Lets face it, in the words of Bill Clinton; “it’s the economy stupid”. There is but one key law of physics during an election year when the economy is sour. “ The greater the economic downturn, the greater the propensity of voters to want to switch parties, candidates and to repel the forces of the current administration”. Bad news for McCain and good news for Obama. But why is it that the media doesn’t really say that. My guess is that by saying that people want “change” only because the economy is bad , is like saying that Obama really isn’t qualified. My gut feeling tells me that this race would be a lot more heated and the polls would show a much tighter race if the economy provided a more even playing field.
President by Default
Obama might very well win this election, yet he will live with the fact that the peoples choice was not because he was the better candidate but, rather because people wanted change more than they wanted him. Although this may sound like an undignified way to win the presidency, few candidates would shun the chance to win. However, in those early months as he takes the reins of power and is thrust onto the enormous problems this country faces, his choices better be as good as his oratory skills. I fear that anything short may cost him dearly in the way of political clout. I am not forgetting that we will also likely have a democrat controlled congress. In fact I will go out on a limb and say it may not matter that the democrats control congress. Judging by past performances, the democrats have a way of dividing instead of conquering political agenda. The economy, war, energy, unemployment, inflation, trade deficits, budget deficits and the like will be more than any president has had to handle in a long time. AT least since F.D.R.
Voting with Anxiety
In my mind voters are likely to vote their anxiety. In fact Wall Street may well be experiencing the ebbs and flows of an investing public voting or I should say trading their fears and uneasiness on the future with Obama. The disparity in trading values from day to day for the past few weeks is a tell tale sign of a very uneasy country. Of course many economist will argue this point with me. I should add any economist could well argue the point well against me. But I will offer you this to ponder. A large part of business is about management. And management owes a great deal to psychology. Then logically, the state of mind of a country in economic fear is to vote your anxiety.
McCain’s Timing in History
McCain’s timing is not only off given his ties to the republican party, but he has not shown the diversity and energy that would be required to roll with the punches that have been dealt him. I truly believe as a senior senator of great experience he could have derailed Obama. At minimum he could have turned on a more formidable defense by bringing to light a more comprehensive solution to today’s problems. He did not, and perhaps, he could not. It would be overwhelmingly difficult to up the stakes preceding an election and to take positions that may be contrary to your own parties decisions. Especially, at a time when the country is in such turmoil. This is the equivalent of giving a stick for your opponent to hit you. Although his timing in history is way off, the truth be told nothing convinces me more of our need for change all around. We need change in leadership, and change ideally should come from outside the current established political leadership. This is a plus for Obama.
From the Outside In
Most of my professional life, as a business manager, I have had to contend with bringing about change in business. In order to bring about efficiency and effectiveness change is often required. I have learned through many years people fear change. Change is a difficult thing. Reinventing oneself is not easy. We are after all creatures of habit. It is experience that’s helps make change agents better at what they do. It is the ability to see beyond the current situation and make those finely executed adjustments, through careful decisions that make change agents great. Therein lies my indecision with Obama. But there too begins his promise. His new vision together with the fact that he is a very intelligent and skillful politician, does not preclude effectiveness as a president. To this regard Obama is empirically a leap of faith. That is to say his track history does not precede him. Considering peoples anxiety and overwhelming discontent with congress and the current president, the general population seems to be okay with that. The notion of change coming from the outside is not only palatable, it is welcomed and sought. Obama will win simply because he has a limited amount of exposure to the establishment.
The New Political Landscape
I propose to all that we have a new political landscape. Fear, terrorism, anxiety and poor political governess will promote change and new leadership from outside the established norms of American Government. This is a periless and an exciting time in American politics. The American people will speak out in historic numbers to promote change. If we as a nation can stay charged, then we stand to bring innovation to the way we govern our nation. There is risk however. What happens if the opportunity for change and innovation goes sour? What if this transition point in American politics is trampled because of a few bad decisions and some unanticipated mishaps? What then? Will we have hope? Will the public still support change and innovation? I trust the American Public will. Innovation is a part of the American way of life whether we realize it or not. However, the most palpable driver behind the new political landscape is that the stakes are so high.
In Obama we will trust, and fear not!
(By: Rene Velez 10/15/08)
These days no matter where you turn your head the talk of the town is how bad the economy is. Driving along the city of Miami you can almost feel the fearful pause of a normally bustling city. Where the culture is often over the top on glamour, fashion and in showing your achievements through acquisition, now everyone is simply watchful of the dark clouds above us. Even in the sunny subtropical days that are common in south Florida, the mood is that of a raining day.
Judging by the news of sour profits, tight credit markets, government bailouts and that all too ugly word recession, the mood is somber at best all through out the country. If it were not for the repeated interruptions of news flashes of the presidential elections, I think some people might just be ready to jump out windows. This gloomy mood makes me ponder on the effects of our current economic situation on the elections. Not that this is new but I have some of my own thoughts on the matter.
The Art of Expression in Saying Nothing
All in all I like Obama, but I am not convinced he is capable to meet all the challenges before us. He has attracted many citizens to his side by virtue of having a gifted tongue. He is eloquent, rhythmic and able to captivate the masses. He is so god at his oratory work, I am surprised that he has not been called the coming antichrist. Not because I think he is or should be viewed that way, but his presence is somewhat unnerving. Yet for all his skill he’s not offered anything any 4 year economics student at a decent college couldn’t conjure up. Like all presidents he lacks substance in what he says. His track record as a community organizer hardly is a training ground for world politics and for being the leader of the free world. His track record on taking positions on senate votes is lackluster, mainly because he took no definitive positions on crucial votes. Although it’s not uncommon for presidential candidates not to take hard positions while campaigning, as a measured way of staying out of controversy, nothing he has said compels me to vote for him over John McCain.
Popular Support in an Economic Downturn
Lets face it, in the words of Bill Clinton; “it’s the economy stupid”. There is but one key law of physics during an election year when the economy is sour. “ The greater the economic downturn, the greater the propensity of voters to want to switch parties, candidates and to repel the forces of the current administration”. Bad news for McCain and good news for Obama. But why is it that the media doesn’t really say that. My guess is that by saying that people want “change” only because the economy is bad , is like saying that Obama really isn’t qualified. My gut feeling tells me that this race would be a lot more heated and the polls would show a much tighter race if the economy provided a more even playing field.
President by Default
Obama might very well win this election, yet he will live with the fact that the peoples choice was not because he was the better candidate but, rather because people wanted change more than they wanted him. Although this may sound like an undignified way to win the presidency, few candidates would shun the chance to win. However, in those early months as he takes the reins of power and is thrust onto the enormous problems this country faces, his choices better be as good as his oratory skills. I fear that anything short may cost him dearly in the way of political clout. I am not forgetting that we will also likely have a democrat controlled congress. In fact I will go out on a limb and say it may not matter that the democrats control congress. Judging by past performances, the democrats have a way of dividing instead of conquering political agenda. The economy, war, energy, unemployment, inflation, trade deficits, budget deficits and the like will be more than any president has had to handle in a long time. AT least since F.D.R.
Voting with Anxiety
In my mind voters are likely to vote their anxiety. In fact Wall Street may well be experiencing the ebbs and flows of an investing public voting or I should say trading their fears and uneasiness on the future with Obama. The disparity in trading values from day to day for the past few weeks is a tell tale sign of a very uneasy country. Of course many economist will argue this point with me. I should add any economist could well argue the point well against me. But I will offer you this to ponder. A large part of business is about management. And management owes a great deal to psychology. Then logically, the state of mind of a country in economic fear is to vote your anxiety.
McCain’s Timing in History
McCain’s timing is not only off given his ties to the republican party, but he has not shown the diversity and energy that would be required to roll with the punches that have been dealt him. I truly believe as a senior senator of great experience he could have derailed Obama. At minimum he could have turned on a more formidable defense by bringing to light a more comprehensive solution to today’s problems. He did not, and perhaps, he could not. It would be overwhelmingly difficult to up the stakes preceding an election and to take positions that may be contrary to your own parties decisions. Especially, at a time when the country is in such turmoil. This is the equivalent of giving a stick for your opponent to hit you. Although his timing in history is way off, the truth be told nothing convinces me more of our need for change all around. We need change in leadership, and change ideally should come from outside the current established political leadership. This is a plus for Obama.
From the Outside In
Most of my professional life, as a business manager, I have had to contend with bringing about change in business. In order to bring about efficiency and effectiveness change is often required. I have learned through many years people fear change. Change is a difficult thing. Reinventing oneself is not easy. We are after all creatures of habit. It is experience that’s helps make change agents better at what they do. It is the ability to see beyond the current situation and make those finely executed adjustments, through careful decisions that make change agents great. Therein lies my indecision with Obama. But there too begins his promise. His new vision together with the fact that he is a very intelligent and skillful politician, does not preclude effectiveness as a president. To this regard Obama is empirically a leap of faith. That is to say his track history does not precede him. Considering peoples anxiety and overwhelming discontent with congress and the current president, the general population seems to be okay with that. The notion of change coming from the outside is not only palatable, it is welcomed and sought. Obama will win simply because he has a limited amount of exposure to the establishment.
The New Political Landscape
I propose to all that we have a new political landscape. Fear, terrorism, anxiety and poor political governess will promote change and new leadership from outside the established norms of American Government. This is a periless and an exciting time in American politics. The American people will speak out in historic numbers to promote change. If we as a nation can stay charged, then we stand to bring innovation to the way we govern our nation. There is risk however. What happens if the opportunity for change and innovation goes sour? What if this transition point in American politics is trampled because of a few bad decisions and some unanticipated mishaps? What then? Will we have hope? Will the public still support change and innovation? I trust the American Public will. Innovation is a part of the American way of life whether we realize it or not. However, the most palpable driver behind the new political landscape is that the stakes are so high.
In Obama we will trust, and fear not!
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