Windfall for America

From Industry Week

The tragic events in Japan could trigger some short-term changes in automotive market share over the next few months — potentially opening doors for the likes of Ford and GM.

That’s the view of Craig Giffi, vice chairman and U.S. automotive practice leader for Deloitte LLP, who believes supply chain disruptions caused by the disaster could cause a “blip” in the availability of “popular high-mileage vehicles” produced by Japanese automakers such as Toyota.

If that turns out to be the case, and gasoline prices continue to rise, American consumers who favor Toyota and other Japanese brands for fuel-efficient vehicles might turn to domestic brands such as the Ford Focus and Chevy Cruze, Giffi says.

“American consumers have proven over and over again to be amazingly fickle in their car choices,” Giffi asserts. “Gasoline prices go up, they stop buying trucks. Gasoline prices drop a little bit, they start buying trucks. And it turns on a dime.”

Consider the other products manufactured in Japan. Canon Camera makes its products in Japan, China and Singapore, depending on the part or model. Sony has a chip manufacturing plant in Nagasaki, Japan. Panasonic makes some of its products and components in Japan including LCD televisions and some of its laptop computers. Bio Ionic, the professional hair care products company imports its ReTex system product in bulk from Japan.

The outcome is likely to be at least a temporary resurgence in American manufacturing. This could result in some long term benefits to U.S. manufacturers.

Obama Health Care Failed

While I agree that Obamacare is a mistake the Republicans have not offered an alternative. The reason I opposed Obama’s health care plan is that it did nothing to control costs.

Just today David Lazarus wrote an article in the Los Angeles Times about a woman who has an outpatient surgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles. The surgery began at 10:40 a.m. By 3 p.m., she was on her way home. The cost for this event was $65,000. Fortunately she had insurance.

[http://www.latimes.com/videobeta/d5592c27-fd83-4490-bbc3-a0a0ac4f7397/Business/Why-would-a-short-hospital-stay-cost-so-much-]

Why would a four hour simple procedure cost that much money? Mr. Lazarus does not have an answer.

Top 10 Ways to Start Living the Frugal Life

By Erin Huffstetler, About.com Guide

1. Befriend the Library

Buying books and movies gets expensive, and even renting can add up. Take a trip to your local library; and you’ll find all of the latest books and movies available free of charge. Still like the idea of renting? Then, give Redbox a try. Rentals are just $1 a night, so the damage to your budget will be minimal

2. Clip Coupons

Take the time to clip coupons for the grocery items that you buy regularly, and shave an easy 25% off of your weekly grocery bill. Want to save even more? Find a grocery store in your area that doubles coupons, and make that your store of choice.

3. Eat Out Less Often

Eating out is fun, but far more expensive than eating at home. Challenge yourself to eat at home more often – even if it’s just once more a month, and watch your bank account grow. Then, find ways to minimize the cost of eating out when you do decide to treat yourself.

4. Switch to Online Bill Pay

Save yourself a stamp, and avoid late fees by paying your bills online. You can pay direct to your creditors, or set up automatic bill pay with your bank; and take yourself out of the equation entirely.

5. Group Errands

Reduce your gas bill by grouping your errands and only driving when you need to. For even more savings, consider biking or walking when you don’t have far to go.

6. Make Your Own Cleaners

Homemade cleaners work just as well as store-bought cleaners and at a fraction of the price. Stock up on basic cleaning agents like vinegar and baking soda; and you’ll be ready for any cleaning task that comes your way.

7. Seek Freebies

Freebies are fun and budget-friendly. Look online for a wide-array of free offers, and enjoy a mailbox bursting with goodies. Like to try new products? Then, this is a particularly good savings strategy for you.

8. Wash in Cold

Cut your electric bill substantially by washing your laundry in cold water. Your clothes will still come out clean, and your hot water heater won’t have to work nearly as hard.

9. Flip a Switch

Reduce your electric bill even further by turning off lights and other electronics when they aren’t in use. It may seem like a small thing, but you’re sure to see the difference on your next electric bill.

10. Change Your Own Oil

Skip the quick lube, and change your own oil. You’ll reduce your tab to the price of oil and a filter, and maybe even save time too – quick lubes aren’t always as quick as the name suggests.

America’s Jobs – Part 1

The Great Recession resulted in the loss of 8 million jobs in the United States. Since the recovery started 1 million jobs have been added to the national payrolls. Neither the Republicans nor Democrats have enacted a single piece of legislation that is likely to bring back those lost jobs.

Why aren’t U.S. corporations hiring?

Actually, many of them are. They’re just not hiring Americans. The reason is that most Americans corporations have become global in their operations. U.S. corporations have slashed their American payrolls by 500,000 jobs since the start of the Great Recession. At the same time they have hired over 700,000 workers overseas. Those new hires are not just in Asia. They are in Mexico and other Latin American nations too. Technicolor’s DVD/CD production facilities were in three locations in the United States but are now in Monterey, Mexico. That one company alone employed more than 3,000 Americans before the move. In 1992 53% of Ford Motor Company employees were in the United States and Canada but today that number has declined to 37%.

The reason is very simple. The cost of labor in Mexico is one fifth the cost in United States and Canada. Chinese workers assembling computers, iPads and other electronic devices are earning less than $400.00 per month (Foxconn, a Taiwanese company is the primary supplier for both H-P and Dell as well as Apple). Foxconn is expanding to other countries. Just today there are reports that the company will be opening an assembly facility in Brazil.

Unless there are tariffs put in place this situation will not change.

Film legend Elizabeth Taylor dies at age 79

DAVID GERMAIN

From Associated Press

March 23, 2011 11:30 AM EDT

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Elizabeth Taylor, the violet-eyed film goddess whose sultry screen persona, stormy personal life and enduring fame and glamour made her one of the last of the old-fashioned movie stars and a template for the modern celebrity, died Wednesday at age 79.

Read this well written biography here.

America Lacks a Policy to Address Dictators

Kings and other leaders of Arab nations are seeing uprisings. The people in those countries want to be rid of corruption and obtain a piece of the growing world-wide prosperity. President Obama wants Mumar Gadhafi of Libya “to go” but the real issue is the leaders of Syria, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, and Yemen. Those leaders are firing on their civilian populations. How does the President square his “no fly zone” and “Gadhafi must go” words with the shootings in other Arab nations?

The problem is there is no policy on dealing with dictators and tyrants where ever they are. Regardless of their assumed titles these potentates believe they have the right to rule and it appears they are prepared to kill their own citizens to sustain their power.

Even talk show hosts friendly to the president cannot explain America’s policy regarding dictators. I fear the United States is headed towards some very difficult times.

March 23, 2011

Two well written columns on the Libyan/Middle Eastern adventures of the United States.

Robert Scheer on the West’s Attack on Libya
“Be Consistent—Invade Saudi Arabia“

William Pfaff on Libya and the West
“The Libyan Question: Now What?“

Like Congestion? California is the Place for You

Newsweek published this Daily Beast survey that was no surprise to me. The list of the top 10 cities with the most congested roads. I live in Los Angeles so none of this is news. Actually between U.S. 101 and the I 5 the congestion extends from Tijuana, Mexico to Vancouver, British Columbia. California led the list holding three of the top ten positions.

1. Los Angeles, California

2. Honolulu, Hawaii (now this is a surprise)

3. San Francisco, California

4. Washington, D.C.

5. New York, New York

6. Austin-Round Rock, Texas

7. Bridgeport, Connecticut

8. Seattle, Washington

9. San Jose, California

10. Chicago, Illinois

The American Empire Strikes Back

What is the reason?

It is obvious to me that President Barack Obama learned American history very well. I suspect he was particularly impressed with the idea of “Manifest Destiny”. Recall that the words were used in the July/August 1845 issue of the United States Magazine and Democratic Review in an article titled “Annexation.” The contention was that God intended the United States to occupy all of America from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. It was a justification for the Mexican War and the insistence that the northern boundary of the United States be at 54-40. I remember learning that there were those who said “54-40 or fight”. In 1844, James K. Polk was elected president using that slogan.

Unfortunately Michael Medved, conservative radio talk show host, in one of his special holiday programs was espousing this same belief that God meant for America to be the world power that it has become. I wrote about America’s Manifest Destiny and Rick Santorum’s belief that the United States is the hand of God.

I have always said that America only goes to war for one of two reasons. They are economics and politics. There is no economic justification for participating in a war in Libya so it must be politics. The belief in an American mission to promote and defend democracy throughout the world, as expounded by Abraham Lincoln and Woodrow Wilson, continues to have an influence on American political ideology.

No report I have seen at this time explains the justification for interfering in Libya. Politically, if the Libyan attack ends quickly and the world is better off then Obama will have one more feather in his cap for an easy re-election. If this adventure fails the Republicans will have one more arrow to shoot. Worse yet, America’s reputation in the world will be seriously tarnished.

Part Time Jobs

These are better than no job. Whether you need the money or just like the camaraderie, these positions fit the bill.

From AARP, October 13, 2010

1. Librarian Assistant/Aide

The nitty-gritty: Duties might include fielding questions, shelving books, helping patrons check out, tracking overdue material and sending notices, as well as cataloging and keeping an eye out for lost and damaged items.
The hours: Schedules vary widely. Big libraries, or those on university campuses, tend to keep the doors open 24 hours a day, while small, local libraries might offer limited day and evening hours.
Median pay range: Small libraries can be cash-strapped and rely on volunteers, but at colleges, large city locations and specialty niche libraries, pay can range from $7.69 to $17.82 per hour. Those figures can more than double, depending on experience and where you live. Qualifications: Experience working in libraries is desirable, as is an undergraduate or master’s degree in library science. Larger libraries favor research skills using library resources, databases and other tools, along with the ability to get along with the various denizens of the library. Some skills that will help: Knowledge of word processing, data entry and online searching, ability to keep accurate records, understanding of library operations and general secretarial skills. Love of books is a given.

2. Bookkeeper

The nitty-gritty: In small businesses, bookkeepers handle a full sweep of financial recordkeeping. You might take care of purchasing office supplies and processing payroll. Other duties can include establishing and maintaining inventory database systems, tracking accounts receivable and accounts payable, maintaining checking and savings accounts, producing financial reports, following up on delinquent accounts, and overseeing audits and reviews.
The hours: Vary by business. Frequently limited to one week mid-month and one at the end of the month for invoicing or bill-paying functions.
Median pay range: $10.23 per hour to $24.25; $50 or more is possible depending on advanced training/degrees and location.
Qualifications: A degree in accounting is desirable. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification is best. Relevant experience or formal training in accounting/auditing services is a plus. Other key skills: data entry, detail-oriented, and adept with financial and related computer software. Handy with a calculator.

3. Personal and Home-Care Aide

The nitty-gritty: You typically help elderly, ill or disabled people with everyday activities ranging from bathing and getting dressed to running errands. Other duties might include light housekeeping, companionship, grocery shopping, meal preparation and medication monitoring.
The hours: If you’re working at someone’s home, three or four hours a day, two or three days a week, might be all they require. These jobs are often booked through a home-care agency. You might opt for a part-time position in an assisted living facility or hospice. A word of caution: Some positions require lifting patients and lots of time on your feet. If you have physical limitations, ask about the requirements of a specific client before signing on.
Median pay range: There tends to be a lot of turnover, so job openings are plentiful, especially helping the elderly in-home as well as at assisted-living and hospice facilities. Expect $7.36 per hour to $12.45; $35-plus depending on experience and certification.
Qualifications: Some employers may require a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) certification. CPR training and a driver’s license are helpful too. Good bedside manner is a must.

4. Handyman

The nitty-gritty: If you tackle this as a self-employed fix-it-up service, figure on a smorgasbord of odd jobs that range from tightening loose door handles to repairing running toilets. It can be a toss-up of woodworking, plumbing, electrical and even painting projects. There are more structured opportunities in this arena with building owners who hire part-time workers to perform basic maintenance. This is one job, even on a part-time basis, that requires a certain level of fitness and stamina.
The hours: If it’s your own business, you can call the shots, even working weekends-only. Part-time schedules for building maintenance will depend on the owners’ needs. Some might prefer to have a handyman on call for emergencies, while others might like to have you on-site and available to residents during specific hours.
Pay range: $10 to $20 an hour, and up to $50 for certain custom work.
Qualification: Be competent in various aspects of home improvement, have your own tools, be self-motivated and have good customer-service skills. Be on a first-name basis with the manager of your local hardware store.

5. Medical Assistant

The nitty-gritty: Administrative tasks in doctors’ offices are usually the bulk of the workload. In essence, you’re performing front-office duties, such as checking in patients, verifying insurance information, answering telephones, scheduling appointments and typing. You may also be the one who maintains supplies. Some assistants help physicians with procedures and prepare medical records. If you have the training, you may perform direct patient care such as conducting an EKG, specimen collection, wound care, medication administration and checking vital signs.
The hours: Varies by practitioner, but generally weekdays.
Pay range: $9.98 to $19.21 per hour; $25-plus depending on location and experience.
Qualifications: Some employers permit you to learn on the job, but a certificate of training from a nationally recognized Medical Assistant Program or National Certification as a Certified Medical Assistant is preferred. Related experience can sometimes serve in lieu of formal training and/or certification. Knowledge of medical terminology is useful. The sight of blood shouldn’t make you squeamish.