THE DOG WHISPERER ECONOMY

Most people are familiar with Cesar Millan and his show, “The Dog Whisperer” that airs on the National Geographic channel. Cesar is a basic miracle worker when it comes to the canines. In a typical scenario, a dog owner has a dog that is out of control. It bites, barks, displays neurosis, attacks, chews, runs away or has a host of other problems from depression to over exuberance. At their wits end, the dog owner calls in Cesar to work his magic and that is exactly what he does. At the end of each show, pet and owner find peace and harmony.

There is a persistent theme at the heart of Cesar’s miracles. What is almost always revealed is that the root of the problem is not the dog, but the dog owner. Owners are found to lack authority, i.e. not the pack leader; over indulge or smother the animal in too much affection; give in to the pet’s demands; act in fear when confronted with other dogs or negative situations, and they generally have no control over the dog. All of these failings lead to the host of issues that make both dog and owner miserable.

So what the heck does this have to do with the economy? The most important bit of wisdom that Cesar imparts to his clients is that it is the pet owners “perception’ or mindset that creates the problem. The solution always rests upon the thoughts of the owner and not the acts of the dog. It is obvious to all that the U.S. and world economies are in a mess. Official recession was announced for E.U. nations, job losses are escalating, consumer spending is at all time lows, retailers are in a panic, mortgages are still collapsing, the auto industry is on the verge of bankruptcy, credit is stalled, and governments simply do not know what to do. The G8 has become the G20 and will probably become the G120 if things continue on their downward spiral.

The economy, represented by the corporate giants, has become the mad dog in need of taming. But what are governments doing? Just like Cesar’s clients, government is not the pack leader, over indulges, spoils and is fearful of the economy and those who have wielded economic power since the Industrial Revolution. Just as with the dogs, all that does is create more neurotic, selfish and out-of-control behavior. They are pouring billions of bones, i.e. dollars, into kennel of insatiable beasts and the negative behavior goes unchecked and exacerbated.
So what might Cesar suggest? The first thing would be that governments, but really the people, must become the pack leaders and assume authority and dominance over the beast. The people must change their mindset of fear and act with confidence. They must understand that the pet (economy) is not in control, they are. If we have seen nothing else from the economic debacle it should be that the state of the economy is ‘totally’ one of perception. People perceive the problem and according to the Law of Attraction, the problem grows because that is where the mental energy flows. In the book, “Polarizing Your Life Toward Perfection,” once the weeds are eliminated from your mental garden, you make room for new positive thoughts and realities to grow and flourish. With all of the news hype about consumer and investor confidence heading for the bargain basement, there is little wonder that things are getting worse.

If we follow the advice of Cesar Milan, we should see that consumers are now in a position to greatly alter economic, social, political and environmental policy. In the past, consumers have allowed economic forces, the dog, control our lives. The economy demanded and like “good’ pet owners, we gave. The result has been usurious interest rates, poor lending practices, mindless spending, over flowing landfills, environmental degradation and a life at the mercy of the economic elite. President-elect Obama knows the power of a people who take control of their lives. We have seen that if an enlightened public will asserts itself, change follows. The current pause in the economy is a wonderful thing. We are now given a chance to reassess our priorities and our lives. With what dollars we have, we can demand quality, eco-friendly, and green products and services. If we do not buy cars that are gas guzzlers, Detroit will have to produce better cars if they want our money. If we do not accept loans and credit cards at 19.9% interest, they will have to offer lower rates. If we demand an end to poisoning our children with plastic food containers, they will have to produce something better. If we do not indulge fast food chains that are ruining the health of our children, they will have to come up with something better. If we do not produce lasting products, we do not buy them. If they insist on using child labor to produce their products, we do not buy them.

The consumer can now become the economic “pack leader” and forever alter the course of the world. Consumers can demand that no money be given ‘unless’ economic change is part of the package. It is our money, our taxes that now controls the pack. Use this resource wisely and a new reality will be created in which the dog and its owner live in peace and harmony. I hope Cesar Milan is offered a post in the Obama administration!

SHARK INFESTED ECONOMIC WATERS

Just when you thought it was safe to read the economic news you discovered that these troubled waters are still under threat by ravaging sharks. As President Bush signs what many economists say is a waste of money, an anathema to economic theory; the news from the Street is not encouraging. In case you were busy this weekend, here are some of the headlines and quotes you may have missed:

“…investors believe the package will only be a baby step in the long road to economic recovery.”
"At best, we can hope that it stems some of the more intense risk from the credit crisis.”
“Brace yourself. The credit squeeze that almost every financial expert has warned about is here.”
Economy sheds most jobs since 2003, more cuts seen
Payrolls drop by most in 5 years; more pain ahead
THE LATEST: Employers slashed 159,000 jobs in September, the most in more than five years and the ninth month in a row of nationwide job losses.
Factory orders drop by 4 percent in August
…the credit strains began to hit manufacturing with full force.
Jobless claims pushed to 7-year high
Durable goods orders drop 4.5 percent in August
Stocks end lower amid worries after House OKs plan
Sting in the tail on US bailout day
NEW YORK (AFP) - US stock markets fell sharply Friday after the Congress passed a huge financial rescue plan
SEC short-selling ban to expire Wednesday night
Congress passes bailout, focus shifts to fallout
Stocks drop on economic concerns despite bailout
…the $700 billion financial rescue package may not unblock credit markets and stave off a U.S. recession.
Even with Congress' unprecedented $700 billion financial bailout, the faltering economy and the jobs market probably will get worse

The signing of the Bailout Bill is the equivalent of Economic Appeasement that will ultimately be compared to that of Chamberlain and the Nazis at Munich. Driven by fear, innuendo and out right lies, the majority of American politicians appeased the Wall Street threats of economic collapse. Like Hitler who kept saying, “One more, that is all and then I will stop,” Congress and the President have allowed Wall Street more “Lebensraum,” living space. Making a fear based and not a reasoned based decision, politicians have allowed the money forces to launch their final assault on the consumer in their efforts to control the entire monetary system.

What is being said now? The above quotes and headlines tell it like it is. The economists say that the bailout will have little effect on the credit crunch. There will still be foreclosures. Jobs will still be lost. Hiring will come to a standstill. Things will get worse. Reports also now indicate that until housing prices start rising, the bailout will not end the credit crunch. Banks do not want to make loans for cheaper houses. Pardon my ignorance but if homes are cheaper, are they not more affordable for more people? The ‘greenbacks’ are still dripping with ink and the refrain is that the bailout is not enough. How could so many politicians ignore the proper decision making process? Why did they not have hearings? Why did they not consult a broader base of experts? We are not talking thousands of dollars, but hundreds of billions of dollars. Is that not cause enough to pause, take stock and properly evaluate the alternatives?

Finally, for the moment, we have this wonderful news story: “An American member of al-Qaida pointed to economic troubles in the United States as proof that "the enemies of Islam" face defeat…” Not too long ago I wrote an article asking if the American economy was under terrorist attack. My assumption was that foreign elements were manipulating markets to cause havoc for the West. What I should have guessed is that the terrorists are not abroad, they are within our very borders and their name is Wall Street.

U.S. SENATE, MCCAIN, OBAMA SELL OUT!

Shame on the U.S.Senate and our presidential candidates for voting for the Wall Street bail out bill. Shame on them for adding $150 Billion to the $700 Billion for "pork barrel" projects. Those being foreclosed will be giving money to the very banks that caused the foreclosures. The bill that was passed is the same one rejected by the House; the difference being "sweeteners" aimed at buying off congressman.

While a registered Republican who voted for Bush, I will still vote for Obama since McCain and his "Joe six pack" (more on that later) running mate are not a viable option, I am deeply bothered that Obama did not have the 'profile in courage' to stand up to the monied interests of Wall Street. There is basically nothing in this bill that will end the current credit crunch that is choking both small and large companies. Even AT&T cannot get more than an overnight loan. The nation 's leading economists, while somewhat divided, oppose the Bail Bill. The former head of the FDIC opposes the bill. The minority head of the Senate Banking Committee opposes this bill. None of these people were asked to help formulate its provisions.

How can the Senate approve such an expensive piece of legislation without even a hearing and without consultation of experts that are not on the President's payroll? Does the fall of Rome come to mind? At one tine the Roman Senate was the keeper of the Republic. It decayed into corruption, in-fighting and special interests and as a result Rome under the thumb of ruthless and incompetent emperor's. Rome fell from within. The barbarians were only icing on the already rotten cake.

And now, the U.S. Senate, once one of the most admired institutions in the world, has fallen to the will of special interests and a president gone rabid. Did I mention Rome? While tax breaks for wooden arrows, mental health insurance, tax breaks for alternative energy and other issues may have merit, do they belong in a bill that the Bush said if it did not pass our economy would become toxic? The 'candy factory,' the American taxpayer, is running out of sweetener. We are running out of money. Many experts have offered many alternatives to this corporate giveaway. To say there is no time to talk and explore alternatives is just a ruse. Politicians know that if there is any serious discussion, the sham being fostered on Americans would be exposed for what it is; a plan that will truly lead us to economic ruin. Did I mention Rome? Surely, there are stop gap measures that could be taken to shore up the economy while a serious discussion occurs. Even now, the FDIC, working with the President and Treasury, have the power to insure "all" of the assets and deposits held by banks. Certainly short term and lower cost alternatives exist that would allow intelligent discussion. The 'toxic' debt is not going anywhere, they will still be around in a few months while proper debate is taking place. Certainly, there are less costly actions that can be taken to give American citizens confidence that their money is safe.

The burden now falls to the House. Will they have the courage and fortitude to put the skids on this bill that leads to nowhere? Will intelligence and reason win out ou will the Age of Reason officially come to an end? Did I mention Rome?