In economic terms, why is "south" bad? There is really no reason why a downward trend should be perceived as negative when in fact it can be a good thing. We all would like unemployment trends to go down, inflation to go south, and the trade deficit to go way south.
Recent economic reports from Latin America are showing signs of significant growth in countries supporting private enterprise and foreign trade. The economy of the leading emerging power in the region, Brazil, grew by an unprecedented 7.3% last accoding to the World Bank. Other countries showed impressive growth as exports to places like China grew by figures not seen in decades.
Government austerity measures and a lack of dependence on the banking sector for financing of real estate for example also played a role in the turnaround of Latin American economies.
American business should take pause and analyze these trends “south” of the border to find ways of connecting with their success. Mexico is our second largest trading partner and is poised to surpass Canada in the future as the Mexican economy and population continue to expand. Chile has been a beacon of success for decades and continues to show impressive numbers in its diversified economy.
Opportunity awaits in the future for US businesses in places like Cuba, once the US embargo ends. (The elimination of the embargo took a big step forward with the approval of a House Agricultural Committee bill yesterday to ease restrictions on the 50 years old economic embargo.)
The US is in a unique position to reach “south”. The proximity to Latin America and the 50 million Hispanics who maintain economic, cultural, and emotional ties with the region, give us a huge lead which we have not fully taken advantage of. There is no reason why China should be Brazil’s largest trading partner. We ought to look at our back yard and see what our neighbors are doing and together forge a strong hemispheric economy.
The American economic should go “south” and expand our trade links with the countries of Latin America.
Thursday
Wednesday
Drivers get to know your car
The latest Toyota runaway story demonstrates how we’ve become a lowest common denominator society. A Prius with a stuck accelerator took its driver along a 30-mile high speed drive along a busy California highway. According to published reports, the driver had no idea what to do when faced with this horrifying spectacle. All he could think to do was call 911 for help. We should not accept this as the answer from drivers facing a crisis. We would not expect Capt. Sally Sullenberger to put a call in to the control tower asking for instructions on how to land his plane. We should expect more from drivers, including common sense and a basic understanding of how a car works.
Cars are complex machines driven in environments full of moving interferences and distractions. The electronic devices of today, much like the carburetors of the past, can have a mind of their own and do unexpected things. Brake systems, whether electronic or hydraulic, can fail. Ball joints can snap off like twigs, especially after a few potholes. Drivers should be expected to know what to do in case of mechanical failures. Most cars have backup systems to help drivers take control of the vehicle should an emergency arise. Drivers need to learn how to use them.
Our driver education classes woefully fail to teach drivers what to do in case of an emergency. Our drivers’ license exams are so basic that most drivers only need to know how to buckle up, turn on the ignition, and avoid stationary orange cones at 15 miles per hour.
A police officer, traveling at 90 MPH, should not be what it takes to tell a driver to turn the engine off to stop a runaway car. Drivers should take the time to learn the basics so that they know what to do in an emergency and practice, practice, practice. Common sense and knowing how a plane works allowed Capt. Sully to deal with the challenge he faced. Common sense and knowing how a car works can also help drivers land their vehicle and avoid catastrophe.
Cars are complex machines driven in environments full of moving interferences and distractions. The electronic devices of today, much like the carburetors of the past, can have a mind of their own and do unexpected things. Brake systems, whether electronic or hydraulic, can fail. Ball joints can snap off like twigs, especially after a few potholes. Drivers should be expected to know what to do in case of mechanical failures. Most cars have backup systems to help drivers take control of the vehicle should an emergency arise. Drivers need to learn how to use them.
Our driver education classes woefully fail to teach drivers what to do in case of an emergency. Our drivers’ license exams are so basic that most drivers only need to know how to buckle up, turn on the ignition, and avoid stationary orange cones at 15 miles per hour.
A police officer, traveling at 90 MPH, should not be what it takes to tell a driver to turn the engine off to stop a runaway car. Drivers should take the time to learn the basics so that they know what to do in an emergency and practice, practice, practice. Common sense and knowing how a plane works allowed Capt. Sully to deal with the challenge he faced. Common sense and knowing how a car works can also help drivers land their vehicle and avoid catastrophe.
Monday
Bankers need to play ball.
There's been lots of talk in and out of D.C on the best strategy to get us out of this recession. While there are lots of opinions, one thing that everyone seems to agree on is this; small businesses will undoubtedly play a key role in putting the economy back on its feet.
In the past, most of the jobs created in our economy were attributed to small to mid-size business expansion. Entrepreneurs finally turning the corner, small business growing as sales soared and small manufactures finding new customers drove the employment of American workers. Even with the loss of manufacturing jobs to far away lands, small businesses were able to create millions of jobs and keep the economy growing at record pace.
This historical fact can certainly serve as a blueprint for the future. But there is one serious obstacles in the way of small business expansion, the lack of capital.
Remember the old Westerns when the settlers (AKA the foreigners) circled the wagons to fend off the natives, the rightful owners of the land? Something akin to that is what we have now in the relationship between banks and small business. The proliferation of large banks and the demise of most community banks, left us with the equivalent of "banking" settlers, foreigners to our communities who pretend they know what's best for our neighborhoods. The reality is this, today's conglomerates take a cookie curter approach to lending practices in our communities, this simply does not work.
We need the banking industry to open the doors to business expansion and job creation by engaging in lending practices that reflect the strength and diversity of the communities they serve. Small to mid-size business have a right to expect the banking industry to provide the capital necessary to create jobs and ensure prosperity.
The American taxpayer saved the banking industry from collapse. It's now time for bankers to repay the favor. The banking industry has the capital to lend but they have instinctively circled the wagons. That's wrong and unnecessary. Small business are not running on the banks to take money. We are going to the banks in search of secured loans and lines of credit to expand and create jobs. We are ready to play ball with our entrepreneurial spirit and our sweat and tears. Bankers need to step up to the plate and play ball.
In the past, most of the jobs created in our economy were attributed to small to mid-size business expansion. Entrepreneurs finally turning the corner, small business growing as sales soared and small manufactures finding new customers drove the employment of American workers. Even with the loss of manufacturing jobs to far away lands, small businesses were able to create millions of jobs and keep the economy growing at record pace.
This historical fact can certainly serve as a blueprint for the future. But there is one serious obstacles in the way of small business expansion, the lack of capital.
Remember the old Westerns when the settlers (AKA the foreigners) circled the wagons to fend off the natives, the rightful owners of the land? Something akin to that is what we have now in the relationship between banks and small business. The proliferation of large banks and the demise of most community banks, left us with the equivalent of "banking" settlers, foreigners to our communities who pretend they know what's best for our neighborhoods. The reality is this, today's conglomerates take a cookie curter approach to lending practices in our communities, this simply does not work.
We need the banking industry to open the doors to business expansion and job creation by engaging in lending practices that reflect the strength and diversity of the communities they serve. Small to mid-size business have a right to expect the banking industry to provide the capital necessary to create jobs and ensure prosperity.
The American taxpayer saved the banking industry from collapse. It's now time for bankers to repay the favor. The banking industry has the capital to lend but they have instinctively circled the wagons. That's wrong and unnecessary. Small business are not running on the banks to take money. We are going to the banks in search of secured loans and lines of credit to expand and create jobs. We are ready to play ball with our entrepreneurial spirit and our sweat and tears. Bankers need to step up to the plate and play ball.
Wednesday
More than I deserve
An old colleague and I got together for a chat and this is what he came up with. Gracias Ezequiel.
www.nuevosiglonews.com/moxie/news/elio-montenegro-un-hombre.shtml
Tuesday
Day One
It all started back in Cuba in the 50's. Family lived fine on an island paradise, by most accounts. Then came the revolution. That's Chapter one. Chapter two is not finished.
One thing I'm good at is keeping my mouth shut in public. Good communications (public relations, media are synonyms) people learned early to say just enough and not commit to a position, unless you are being paid to have a position! I've always had to keep my opinions to myself lest I bite the hand that feeds me or insult those who think I support their views.
In this day and age of opinions 24/7, another opinion would certainly pile up in the trash files. What may have a chance is a bit of the old journalism trade, just some facts for other to decide.
I'm not a journalist, although I've played one on TV and radio, yes really. But I inherited that journalistic integrity and curiosity from my journalist parents. They have been on the radio on and off for over 65 years.
I will be all over the screen, from local topics to international issues. I get up early to read about the goings on in strange corners of the world. Then I drive to where the local news and stories are made, debated and spun.
Whether anyone reads this outside close friends is a toss up. If they do, will automatically become a close friend.
Elio de Jesus Montenegro Bravo
One thing I'm good at is keeping my mouth shut in public. Good communications (public relations, media are synonyms) people learned early to say just enough and not commit to a position, unless you are being paid to have a position! I've always had to keep my opinions to myself lest I bite the hand that feeds me or insult those who think I support their views.
In this day and age of opinions 24/7, another opinion would certainly pile up in the trash files. What may have a chance is a bit of the old journalism trade, just some facts for other to decide.
I'm not a journalist, although I've played one on TV and radio, yes really. But I inherited that journalistic integrity and curiosity from my journalist parents. They have been on the radio on and off for over 65 years.
I will be all over the screen, from local topics to international issues. I get up early to read about the goings on in strange corners of the world. Then I drive to where the local news and stories are made, debated and spun.
Whether anyone reads this outside close friends is a toss up. If they do, will automatically become a close friend.
Elio de Jesus Montenegro Bravo
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