162,000 New Jobs! Not!!!

Last week I wrote a blog that identified the fundamental flaw at the core of Health Care Legislation—FREEDOM! This week I’m compelled to write a blog that identifies not only the fundamental flaw at the core of all economic stimulus efforts to date, but the one game changing idea (for the better) that is now being discussed at the White House and beyond. This initiative and public support for it are so important that I urge all readers of this blog to share it with others and to voice support.

The title of this blog “162,000 New Jobs! Not!!!” exemplifies the fault of all economic stimulus efforts to which I speak, in its absolute entirety—INTELLECTUAL DISHONESTY!!! An administration and a media that suggests that the U.S. economy has turned a corner as demonstrated by a jobs report that encompasses temporary jobs, created by the government, funded by deficit spending, is engaged in cognitive dissidence, at best, and outright intentional deception at worst. And for those who are not as familiar with the specifics of this report as I, let me just point out the most obvious—48,000 Americans have been employed temporarily to take the U.S. Census.

Problem solving is a function of truth. Politics, self-interest, and ego are abhorrent to the problem solving process and must not be present if absolute answers are to be found. To date the problem solving process that has been utilized, with respect to the most recent collapse of the U.S. economy, has been completely polluted with the three previously mentioned toxins. Imagine the damage a small business could do to itself if it were to spend money on capital improvements believing that the economy had indeed turned the corner as reported—it could be a deathblow. The current administration would do itself and the country a service if it were to simply tell the truth—the stimulus, to date, has not worked. The baseless prediction that unemployment would top out at 8% was wrong. There’s no shame in being wrong and moving on. Problem solving, by definition, is a matter of trial and error. If President Obama would just say the truth, not bother with endless rationalizations, and tell the American public what he plans on trying next, the public would support him—I suggest this highly!

So what’s the good idea? The administration is considering legislation that would reduce capital gains on investments into small businesses to ZERO. Now that’s a good idea. If the intention is to redistribute wealth, and the American economy does suffer from an over concentration of wealth in too small a percentage of the population, the way to deal with this is by investment incentive. President Reagan would be the first to agree—investors make money, but business owners make more, which leads to the logical conclusion that investment in small business not only creates wealth, it redistributes wealth in accordance with the conventions of capitalism. Can you imagine the boon to small business this would be? Can you think of a better way to motivate Wall Street to invest in Main Street? I can think of a few nice supplements, but make no mistake about it, this stimulus will work and it will work where our country needs it the most.

The reason I am usually against government intervention of any kind is the law of unintended consequences. Generally, those charged with making decisions at this level do not possess the intellectual prowess to understand what they are setting into motion. I mean no offence to our elected officials, but the stark reality is that a good many of them vote on legislation they’ve never bothered to read. But in the case of lowering the capital gains rate to zero for small business investments the unintended consequences could be incredibly favorable. The one that comes to mind first and foremost, is that to gain access to Wall Street level capital, small businesses will have to present business plans—AND TO THEIR OWN DETRIMENT SMALL BUSINESSES USUALLY DO NOT HAVE A BUSINESS PLAN!

When I step into troubled companies and implement a turnaround strategy, I always begin by writing a new plan. The Chairman or CEO or both always want the results, but have no patience for the process. However, I always insist, because in every case I have ever dealt with, the turnaround of the company converges with the writing of the new business plan. It warms to think how much better every small business in America will be if access to equity financing from Wall Street becomes available and a well thought out business plan is necessary to obtain it. On this one the administration has it right…

STAN LERNER’S BOOKS ON SMASHWORDS .COM

“STAN LERNER’S CRIMINAL”

HOLLYWOOD BOOK FESTIVAL GRAND PRIZE WINNER

An intense page-turner based on the author’s true-life experiences.

“Stan Lerner’s Criminal” is the graphic and shocking account of the rise to power of the world’s most calculating and dangerous criminal…Sam Noah.

Sam Noah was handsome, intelligent, and charismatic. He came from a good family, had the perfect girlfriend, and attended UCLA where he ranked at the top of his class.  Noah could have made anything he wanted to out of his life. But crime came naturally to him.

The story begins in 1984. The Cold War is at its height and the CIA is looking for still more funding for its covert operations around the world. Powerful men decide that there must be a go to guy. A man that will do whatever is necessary to finance the wars that Congress cannot be made aware of.

Sam Noah takes a job at a popular nightclub where he runs a smalltime ticket scam — and he begins to recruit the ruthless men that will help him build a narcotics empire.

When the FBI becomes a gathering threat to Noah, he forms an alliance with the CIA. His innovations — the crack house and the drive-by shooting — not only bring an unprecedented level of violence to the streets of America. They assure the powerful men who have engaged his services that Noah is indeed capable of doing the unthinkable.

The sale of cocaine makes him rich. His willingness to commit murder ensures that he will remain so.

Not since Hannibal Lecter has there been such a horrifying yet engaging mastermind of evil.

“Stan Lerner’s Criminal” transports the reader into the darkest of all places: the criminal mind.  This is an unforgettable journey into the psyche of Sam Noah — the man behind some of the most brutal sins against humanity.

By the end of this unflinching tale, what may shock the reader the most is how he or she will ultimately identify with and root for this ruthless but brilliant “Criminal”.

To sample or purchase “Stan Lerner’s Criminal” please visit:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/7628

“IN DEVELOPMENT”

“In Development” is a hilarious account of a day in the life of Stan Peters—Hollywood’s most powerful and scummiest producer.

The day begins like any other day—a superlative, five-star breakfast at The Peninsula Hotel. However, the shocking news that there has been a change at the very top of the studio means that the perfect world of Stan and his closest associates could come to a sudden end—especially with a movie like “Two Jews and a Blonde Psycho” in development. The subsequent call from Brad, the new studio boss, confirms their greatest fear—their movie is in danger of being put in turn-around. A day of sex, manipulation, lying, betrayal, blackmail, and murder ensues — otherwise known in Hollywood as a happy ending.

To sample or purchase “In Development” please visit:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/7633

BLAST

To sample or purchase “Blast” please visit:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/8050

IMPACT

To sample or purchase “Impact” please visit:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/8271

GET CHICKS 101

To sample or purchase “Get Chicks 101” please visit:

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/8281

GET THE RIGHT GUY

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http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/7846

NINETY- NINE POSTS

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Stan Lerner is an award winning-author whose diverse credits include the novels “Stan Lerner’s Criminal”, “Blast”, “In Development,” and the children’s book “Stanley The Elephant.” Stan Lerner is also the creator of the Las Vegas music spectacle “Night Tribe” and the writer, director, producer of the hit motion picture “Meet The Family.” Mr. Lerner was born in Montebello CA and has lived in downtown Los Angeles for the last fifteen years.

For more information about Stan Lerner please visit his author profile at: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/stan

2 thoughts on “162,000 New Jobs! Not!!!”

  1. My Dear Stanley —
    Despite the support you undoubtably receive from your cadre of like-minded admirers, these jeremiads you are posting are doing you a disservice. You are an excellent fiction writer and your “local color”, human interest, profile and autobiographical pieces are likewise worthy. Your recent mainstream critical acclaim, which adds to your growing literary reputation, is wonderful. Being known as a polemicist author of political op-ed can only damage your reputation and diminish your market for your fiction. Unless, of course, your true ambition is to be a writer of book-length polemics (perhaps with an eye to television punditry). Your already good blog writing is getting better and — as entertaining as I find the national political discussion — I hope you can see this suggestion as it is intended — for the benefit of a friend.
    All Success in Your Endeavors,
    Alej

  2. I appreciate the comment alejhombre, but every now and then I think it’s good to step out. Perhaps as soon as next week I’ll begin work on my next major work of fiction (novel), so try and enjoy my politics while you can!LOL

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