THE Secret to Prosperity

Economic Truth and Economic Fallacy in the United States

In this article Tor Dahl, the productivity expert presents the reality of success in business and economies. We try to cheat in this regard, but we always end up paying. Productivity gains are the silver bullet, if there is one.

His criticizm of six sigma is particularly refereshing. We have become a completely risk averse culture and are paying dearly for it. Six sigma, among other phenomena play a big part in it. When you focus completely on preventing failures and errors, as important as that is, you lose the ability to take rational risks for big productivity gains. You think you have too much to lose.

Tor doesn't put it this way, but a little dose of roughneck American Cowboy attitude is sorely needed. Read it and wake up to a reality you can work with. The answers aren't in D.C.

Retail Sales Rose 1% in January - WSJ.com

Good Economic News in Spite of Everything

Hard to believe, but retail sales are up 1% in January along with very slightly reduced jobless claims, according to this WSJ story.

While this doesn't mean that all is well, this is an indicator of Americans getting a grip on the realities of their situation and making adjustments in spending. The sky is falling reports have been overblown, and Americans are realizing this and spending slightly more.

The challenges remain, particularly in the automotive, housing and financial segments of the economy. Add the additional long-term economic stress of the "Porkulus" bill, and it remains to be seen just what the future holds.

Power, politics, gossip on daily call - John F. Harris - Politico.com

Politics Obliterates Objective Journalism Once More

Here's an open letter I've written to the folks at ABC and Disney:


I am troubled by ABC News reporters participating in daily phone briefings of the White House Chief of Staff.

Much of the value of news reporters and news organizations is in their credibility. Without that, even the most well connected and gifted reporter is suspect. I believe you do ABC News and the American people a great disservice by not clearly dealing with the obviously compromised objectivity of George Stephanopoulos. While I am not surprised by his bias given his history, I am greatly disappointed in the manner the issue has been dealt with and the apparent lack of concern of ABC News management.


Assertions of this type of behavior were leveled at other news outlets during the Bush years, but were of course unfounded. Ironic that this is occuring at ABC now. This is yet more evidence that the proud history of traditional American media is being trampled, along with it's business viability - by itself!

Alas all things must pass. I suppose that includes ABC News. Very sad...
Dave Mason



Click on the link at the top to review the full story on The Politico. Sad indeed.

Zero Hedge: How The World Almost Came To An End At 2PM On September 18

Media ignores another historic, catastrophic story!

Thank goodness we have the Internet, talk radio and other alternative media. Otherwise we'd never know that on September 18th, we nearly had a complete economic collapse and no one in the mainstream media is covering it. The evil alternative media that our national political leaders want to shut down is exposing the truth, at least for the time being. Click on the link to read the story and view the CSPAN video of a Democratic politicians discussion of the event. Frightening. Not so much that it occurred, but that it's gotten no coverage in the conventional media. And we have no idea who did it or why it happened. We must have transparency and accurate coverage of the facts or we will be unable to hold our politicians feet to the fire. Believe me, until that happens we are at their mercy, and whatever economic, political and cultural destruction they continue to railroad into law will occur without our consent, but will occur. And then be blamed on Conservatives...

It is becoming incredibly difficult to continue to be optimistic in light of what is going on right now. The porkulus bill passed in the Senate yesterday and now the Democrats are excluding the Republicans in all conference discussions today. So much for bi-partisanship, huh?

We simply MUST wakeup and give 'em heck in DC. Our livelihoods, freedom and indeed, the existence of America as we know it are at risk. Call, fax and email the President and your representatives now or else!!