Thursday, August 30, 2007

A declining American Brand Value

Five years ago, 64 American brands were recognized among the world top 100 brand value. This year, only 52, according to Interbrand, an independent valuation company.

It is really scary to notice that Business Week dreams to save our declining prestige in the world, on the assumption that US policy and military action in Iraq will, eventually, be successful.

“Don’t Count Brand America Out”, article published, August 6, by Jack and Suzy Welch, has no place in a serious and non-partisan business magazine.

According to the two authors, such a victory would no doubt change a lots of minds about America’s brand. The two authors dare to write: “we would go from incompetent, arrogant bullies to brave, persevering heroes, in about the time it took to report the news”

The two authors insult the intelligence of the rest of the world, by having such a narrow-minded approach. Are they financed by the White House? Typical Bush, out of touch with reality, by writing that leaders in UK, Germany and France are US supporters. In each of those countries, more than 85% of the population have strong anti-american feelings, thanks to the present White House.

According to the two authors, the number of people trying to get into America has never been higher. The American dream, but for who? Who are those people? Where are they coming from? What expertise and education do they have? Are they coming from the upper classes in Europe, Asia, Canada? No. Are they coming here to take advantage of our system? Yes.

The two authors write that no foreign party has said that they are not dealing with an American company, because they are Americans. Mr and Ms Welch forget that foreigners are a little more polite and diplomat, qualities that are not in the vocabulary of the White House.

For the first time ever, Toyota is producing and selling more cars than General Motors. Macau is getting a bigger casino than Las Vegas. European and Asian companies are getting more competitive and more effective in strategic locations, including close to us, in Latin America, a market of 500 million people that we have neglected, because of our obsession with Castro and Chavez.

What is the position of our presidential candidates on that important economic matter? The Republicans are surely not the answer, with their narrow-minded, arrogant and unilateral approach. Exception: Ron Paul. It is more than time, for a few Democrat candidates to tell us what they are planning to do, to save or protect our future generation.

Still, a surprising and disappointing article from a so-called serious business magazine. Dreaming, and dissimulating the facts, are not the best way to reverse the trend. Can we expect Wall Street to follow the same path? Is Murdoch working for the interest of the nation, or for the Republican Party?

The Real World has seen our incompetence in managing an invasion, and a disaster like Katrina; our stupidity in supporting wrong people in foreign countries; our 45 million people who can not afford to be sick, and the 30 million below the poverty level; our decreasing moral values; the accumulation of incompetent sycophants in strategic functions; the government support for executives in conflict of interest at Fannie Mae, and others; a spineless Congress, etc. And we dare to waste billions in promoting democracy abroad.

The Facilitator.

Monday, August 27, 2007

A fair treatment for Vick and us

Michael Vick is a great football player, but a citizen with poor judgment. He deserves to be punished, not as an athlete, but as a citizen. How many other players in baseball, hockey, basketball, have been involved in reproachful conduct? Hundreds and hundreds, and we are not aware of all the others.

There is no benefit in penalizing the fans of the game. There is no benefit in sending Vick to jail. What should be done, in the interest of the fans, in the interest of the society as a whole, and as an example to future generations, is quite simple:

1) have Vick back in the game
2) take 50% of his salary of the first year,
33% of the second year, and 25% of the third year
3) give the proceeds to various associations of animals protection
4) make sure the said funds are well managed (not by the White House)

Drunk drivers are more dangerous to the society, than killing dogs. We still let them get out of jails, after a few hours, or a few days. Of course, if your name is Hilton, with a beautiful face, but empty head, and irresponsible parents, is a different justice....à la Gonzales, Bush and Cheney.

We should penalitze Vick, financially. Every one will benefit. We will also show the real world that we care for our people, our animals, and we can install a fair justice in our system, in comparison to the disastrous fiascos we have promoted in Guantanamo, Iraq and so many other countries that we have invaded, directly or via dictators we have installed, and/or supported.

The Facilitator