ECONOMICS: John Perkins - Economic Hitman

EASY READ: "Overcoming Setbacks"

BY: Michael Bucci

In business, as in life, we are often taken aback by unexpected events. Sometimes these events are beneficial and help us achieve our goals. However, more often than not, we face challenges that have the potential to permanently derail us from making our dreams come true.

A setback can take any form and come at any time. It may be a large client who takes his business elsewhere or your wife filing for divorce. It may be a natural disaster that is out of your control or the corporation laying off people to cut costs.


Control your reactions

No matter what the setback, there is one thing that you can control at all times: your reaction. That's right: If you are having a bad day at the office, there is no need to be a sourpuss and make life miserable for everyone around you. Suck it up and carry on as if all were well.

Whatever the problem may be, you will need to address it quickly and come up with a solution. The best way to do this is by remaining calm and levelheaded. Emotion will cloud your judgment, so keep it in check, or a small problem can quickly escalate into a big one.


Temporary failure

For most people, especially ambitious and competitive ones, setbacks are not always easy to swallow. By our very nature, we do not like to fail. The first time you rode a bike, you probably fell off after five seconds. Did you just quit and go back to sucking your thumb? Of course not. You got back on that thing and tried until you could ride it around the block!

Do you still handle failure in the same gung ho manner today? Suppose you were up for a promotion and did not get it because the boss thought that schmuck from finance was a better pick. Would you sulk and be grouchy for the next three months? Would you have a big chip on your shoulder and start slacking off on the job? If so, that may be why the boss picked the other guy instead of you.

The first thing you need to keep in mind if you fail at something is that failure is nothing more than a temporary setback. Upon seeing failure in this light, you will come to realize that failure is not so bad after all, provided you keep trying until you get it right.


Tomorrow is a new day

Now that you know that failure is nothing more than a temporary setback, here's another great way to quickly get back on track. Always keep in mind that tomorrow is a new day. If we have a rough day and fail at something, it isn't easy to keep our game face on and keep working through the day at full capacity. This is normal.

However, what separates the truly successful from everyone else is that they take their medicine, absorb the pain for that one day, and then come back re-energized and ready for full-out war the next day. They do not let the previous day's defeat hold them back from achieving their goals. They do not complain or sulk, because that would only waste more time -- time they could be using to make money.

Don't dwell on the past

Successful people are able to rise above the fray because they focus on the task at hand and on how they can improve themselves. They learn from their past mistakes; they do not dwell on them. What's done is done and cannot be changed. Successful people know this and don't waste time or energy beating a dead horse.

The past is useful if you use it as a lifeline. That is, use it to learn from, and don't repeat past mistakes. This alone will make you a better person. Avoid using the past as an anchor; it will weigh you down and hold you back. Don't keep your entire past in active memory, because it will keep you docked for life, and if you don't get out to sea, then you won't catch any fish.

If your mind is busy going over past decisions and actions all the time, it does not have time to work on current problems and future plans. Without planning, no one can be a success.

Clear mind, clean execution

If you miss the game-winning shot one day, you must come to terms with it quickly and move on. If you do this, you'll have a clear mind and will perform better. If you want to hit a home run, you must go to bat with the same mind-set you had the last time you hit a home run.

If you step up to the plate thinking about how you struck out the last two times at bat, then you'll likely add another strikeout to your box score for the night. Leave the last at-bat in the past where it belongs; focus on hitting the ball.


Be a duck

Ducks are graceful creatures. When you see ducks swimming in a pond, they look as if they are floating along quietly, not moving a muscle. However, if you look underwater, you'll discover that they are "paddling" furiously in order to move forward.

The point is that you must also be able to look serene and keep your game face on, even if your mind is racing along at 1,000 mph and your heart rate is only slightly slower. Take failure in stride by dusting yourself off, getting back up after a short breather and starting the battle anew the next day. Every day is a new day -- a potentially great new day.

ECONOMICS: Fidel Castro kicks U.S. interests out of Cuba

CLASSIC DOCUMENTARY: The Corporation (2003)

ECONOMICS: The Immigrant Grind

• The immigrant work ethic that built America is not present in today's youth.
• The importance of family and friendships in business cannot be overstressed.
• Those who work that overtime now are the ones who will be rewarded down the road.

AUTHOR: Anonymous

When the paisans before me came from the old country, with only a couple lire in their pockets, they had the drive and determination to make it any way they could. It was almost impossible to get a job, let alone a decent antipasti, but they worked with sweat and tears to carve out a piece of America. Most of today’s youth generation either forgot or don’t bother to know how their ancestors made it up from the bottom. A hint: It wasn’t sleeping until noon and giving 60% in the workplace. The only ones who still understand the mentality of the hustle are the opportunistic people who come to this country with that same American dream and hardworking attitude. Forty hour weeks? Marone, they’ll find a way to fit 40 hours in a day if they have to. Fresh from the shores or from south of the border, immigrants today out-hustle and outperform the young stunads who were born Americano. And it’s only a matter of time before these lazy punks are replaced by the new kids on the block. Some advice for them: Try a little immigrant hustle of your own.

The underdog mentality
We all know some stunad who walks around like he has something to prove, but in certain instances, that mentality is what leads to success. Immigrants today are coming in as the Davids in a world filled with Goliaths. They’re the underdogs, and with everything they do, they’re trying to prove they have the traits of a big dog. It’s the right kind of chip to have on your shoulder. Most kids today don’t have that mentality. They’re trying to prove that you can get by in life without putting forth all your efforts. If a guy has the balls to walk into my office with that frame of mind, he’ll be lucky to get a gig switching out the urinal cakes.

Stronger relationship with families
In my line of work, family is everything. Not only because blood is thicker than water, but because family values extend outside of the close-knit circle of relatives. Kids coming to this country today have the strong familial ideals I talk about, representative of the immigrant hustle. They understand the need to respect their elders and care for the ones who need caring for. They also know the importance of their name. I tell my men: you were born into this name, strive to make others born under that same name proud. Respect those before you, stay loyal and know your responsibilities -- they’re traits lost with the youth.

Willing to do the work
You want to work a 9-to-5 job? Get a mop and broom -- those are hours for the chumps. Every job worth having requires more than the normal punches on the clock. Immigrants today understand these demands. They have the reputation for working the shifts the primo uomo turn away. It’s not because they’re desperate; they’re just smart enough to realize you have to pay your dues to make the right wages. Nowadays, you ask a kid to pull overtime on a Friday and he calls his union delegate. Marone, they’ll be in their mid-level positions until the day they die. Their bosses will be the kid who punched out at midnight.

A sense of community
Whether you’re picking up a box of cannoli on Mulberry Street, or a pint of lo mein in Chinatown, the feeling stays the same -- community. Immigrants continue to understand that it’s a game of “I scratch your back, you scratch mine.” It’s the truth in business and in life. You work together, you yield better results. The same immigrant kids who are forming after-school study groups grow up to form successful businesses; they’re always looking to help one another. On the contrary, American kids are stuck in the rut of an individualistic mentality. Me, me, me, me. My crew and I got to where we are today because we worked together. If it was any other way, we’d be in the obituaries instead of making headlines.

As these hardworking kids come to the shores of America, the lazy cafones who’ve been here since birth will continue to complain. “They’re taking our jobs, they’re taking our money.” Guys go ubatz with every new arrival. But the truth of the matter is, the immigrants are the only ones who remember what the American dream really is. You have to work hard to play hard. It’s about more than just you, and it’s about more than getting by. My advice: Follow the lead of your new neighbors before it leads to them taking over your job.

ECONOMICS: 6 Ways Corporations Profit from War

1. Control of strategic resources. Gold, silver and slaves (defined as property not persons) used to be the preferred resources of pillagers. Today oil, natural gas, and other physical resources (water in the future) are the aim of business corporations to either control or gain access to. US- and UK-based transnational energy corporations initiated the drive for war in Iraq for oil and in Afghanistan for natural gas. It’s hardly surprising that Exxon-Mobil, Chevron and other energy corporations have enjoyed record profits over the last several years.

2. Building weapons. Plans, tanks, guns, bullets, food, and bases are among the many items supplied to governments by Lockheed Martin, Boeing, General Dynamics and other military contractors to wage wars and indefinitely occupy foreign countries. Military contractors benefit from “cost-plus” contracts – contracts that guarantee a certain percentage profit. The more expensive the military item, the greater the profit.

3. Waging wars. No longer are government-paid troops the only soldiers waging wars and occupying cities and villages. The Iraq war saw an explosion of business corporations receiving US government contracts to hire soldiers. Paid mercenaries provide an ever-increasing role in fighting “enemies” and protecting people and property.

4. Reconstruction. After corporate-made bombs blow up buildings, governments pay other corporations, such as Bechtel corporation, to rebuild buildings. Sometimes it’s the same corporations (i.e. Halliburton corporation). This cycle is akin to those who criticized some New Deal depression-era programs of paying people to dig holes and then to fill them back in. The military economic prime-pump equivalent, however, is no myth but is much more lethal and expensive.

5. Debt. Waging wars costs more money that what governments have in their treasuries. This requires taking out loans. This takes the form of selling government bonds that are purchased by central banks (the Federal Reserve in the case of the US) and private banks. The government allows banks to literally create money out of thin air to purchase US Treasury notes. Governments are on the hook for not only the principle of the loans but interest. Thus, banks profit from receiving interest payments and whatever principle may be repaid for money they never had to begin with. This is profit of glorious proportions to banking corporations. Wars, thus, create government dependency to banks – which explains why throughout history banks have encouraged Kings and other royalty to war with each other. Governments lose sovereignty when they lose their ability to shape their own budgets. More of our federal budget goes to debt service each and every year. Not all of US debt is war-incurred – the trillions for bank bailouts is another major cause. But the truth remains the more money set aside for war that can’t be paid for yields more debt…and bank profits. This was the reason President Lincoln scorned British and US banks and created interest free US money, called Greenbacks, to pay for the Civil War – saving billions in interest payments that would have been paid to banking corporations.

6. Privatization/corporatization of domestic public assets. Greater public debt eventually leads to an inability to fund domestic needs. Governments are left with two choices – raise taxes or sell off public assets to fill budgetary holes. If debts soar due to further war spending and too-big-to-fail bank bailouts, we can expect to see a massive sell off of public assets to business corporations – with massive corporate profits and loss of public control. The drive to “privatize” social security and Medicare are likely to intensify as our federal debt explodes. Financial corporations eager to invest our retirement savings in the market and insurance corporations more that willing to set up private health savings accounts would be huge winners.

TALK: Michael Parenti - The U.S. War on Yugoslavia

ECONOMICS: Top 10 Richest Men of All Time

NUMBER 10: Carlos Slim Helu (1940 - ) $60 Billion

The Mexican communications industry and other interests have been kind to Carlos Slim, to say the least. It’s said that between 2005 and 2007, Slim’s worth has doubled. In that period, his fortune grew around $27 million -- daily. The reason is simple: he owns everything in Mexico. Over 200 companies are under his thumb, ranging from the aforementioned telecom to transportation, and from cigarettes to soft drinks. He’s dismissed the title of “world’s richest man” with indifference, claiming that designation isn’t his kind of competition. Whether he wants it or not, he has been designated as one of the world’s richest men.



NUMBER 9: Warrent Buffet (1930 - ) $62 Billion

Like many who can afford to do so, Warren Buffett doesn’t mind pursuing new acquisitions when the economy is tanking. His latest was a joint effort with Mars for a $23 billion buy of Wrigley. Still, you might get the impression that he’s not in all this for the same reasons as others. This is the man who appeared before Congress last fall and warned of the rise of “dynastic wealth,” stressing the importance of the estate tax. Buffett also earmarked $31 billion for the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Only the richest men of all time can donate billions.




NUMBER 8: Sam Walton (1918 - 1992) $62.1 Billion

Sam Walton’s passing in 1992 came too soon for him to see the full potential of his Wal-Mart empire, though he was certainly successful in his lifetime. Much of it came from offering things that we take for granted today: good variety and convenient store hours, for example. He also set the stage for efficient, cost-effective central warehousing of merchandise, extending his competitive reach into smaller markets and well beyond his first store in Arkansas.



The difference between $62.1-Billion and the Net Worth of NUMBER 1 is 261.3-Billion. FIND OUT WHO THE 7 RICHEST MEN OF ALL TIME ARE HERE.

INSPIRING: Jay-Z's Billionaire Breakfast

Jay-Z at Gracie Mansion breaking bread with Michael Bloomberg (Mayor of New York City), Mikhail Prokhorov (Owner of New Jersey Nets) and Bruce Ratner (Arena Developer). Probable topic of discussion: bringing the NETS to Brooklyn, NY. Ambition, Vision, Purpose, Determination, Willpower, Faith, Success.

"I always say Brooklyn is where legends are made and dreams come true, and no one proves it more than this man, who, as he famously said went from Bricks to Billboards, who is famous from Marcy to Madison Square and beyond" - Marty Markowitz (Brooklyn Borough President)

"I'm way too important 2 be talkin' bout extortin. Asking me for a portion is like asking for a coffin. Broad daylight, I'll off your on-switch. You're not too bright, goodnight, long kiss. Bye bye, my reply: bla bla. Blast burner than pass burner to Tah-Tah. Finish my breakfast, why? I got an appetite for destruction and you a small fry" - Jay-Z, Success (feat. Nas)

ECONOMICS: Devastating "Free Market" Reforms Imposed on Serbia

by Gregory Elich (Global Research)

Nine years ago, neoliberal political forces took power in Serbia, promising a radical transformation of the economy. Today, deep into that transformation, Serbia is foundering from its effects exacerbated by the worldwide economic downturn. Industrial production has fallen 15 percent compared to the average of last year, while unemployment remains high.

The outcome for those who work at enterprises that undergo privatization has been all too predictable. Companies privatized in accordance with the 2001 privatization law have shown a decrease of 45 percent in employment over the first two years of private ownership. Those companies that are privatized based on the 2003 law dropped just 15 percent by the end of the first year, but this apparent difference was only because of the extensive downsizing that these firms must undergo prior to sale, in order to make them more attractive to investors. The textile industry has been particularly hard hit, with steep job losses and falling performance. As the Privatization Agency reveals, "the performance of privatized companies is worse than the performance of the sector as a whole," an interesting admission.

Inevitably, it is working people who bear the brunt of privatization. Unemployment in Serbia steadily grew since 2000, when neoliberal political forces came to power, quickly reaching 32 percent within four years. After that there was a modest economic recovery, due in part to the short-term influx of cash from the sale of enterprises through privatization. Unemployment dropped to 16 percent by April 2009, but this apparent improvement is illusory, having to do mainly with the recent adoption of the current American model for calculating unemployment. Under this method, workers who are not regularly and actively seeking jobs are counted as "discouraged," and "out of the job market," and therefore not belonging to the ranks of the unemployed. If one adds back in the number of workers who are classified as "inactive" but who profess both the ability and the desire to work, then the unemployment rate increases to 25 percent. In real terms, then, there has been no meaningful improvement in the unemployment rate. To put this in perspective, at its peak in 1933, unemployment during the Great Depression in the U.S. reached 25 percent, a figure that was then not calculated to exclude a significant portion of workers. Today Serbian workers are enduring their own Great Depression, but one that has been imposed through adoption of the neoliberal economic model. For those who lose their livelihoods, there is little hope. Nearly two thirds of the non-discouraged unemployed have been without work for a year or longer, sometimes much longer. They are society's discards.
FULL ARTICLE


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