Good Morning and welcome to something called Cyber Monday!

Yeah, we have to have names for everything now. We had Black Friday and now Cyber Monday. What's tomorrow, Take-out Tuesday?
This whole shopping thing is getting crazy. We are being inundated with information about shopping for the holidays. Now, if you go on any Web site, things pop up with special pricing today.
That's all well and good, but the money has to come from somewhere. Is this debit or credit? Well, in the end, it doesn't matter. Might as well make it Monopoly money.
So, get those cards ready. Spend. Spend. Spend.
While doing that, also check out some of those Tiger Woods stories from the weekend. As we are trying to figure out how to buy all that stuff, at least we are having a better weekend than Tiger Woods.
Which, is kind of nice for once.

Good Morning and welcome to Tuesday!

According to a report out there today, airlines may start offering 'Standing Room Only' tickets. Now, anybody who tries to walk on an airplane to just get to the bathroom knows it's not the easiest thing in the world. Now, you can buy a ticket where you stand (actually get strapped to a bar stool) during the whole flight.
Will there be first-class standing room where you still get the champaign, but not a seat? How about a business-class standing room (you know, more elbow room)?
Sounds kind or ridiculous, but there are a lot of ridiculous things going on in business right now.
For instance, why does every local television channel need to send a reporter to Los Angeles to cover the Michael Jackson tribute? Do we really need a local face (or whoever) to stand in front of the Staples Center and tell us what is happening?
Next comes word the Sci Fi Channel is changing its name to Syfy. Most likely a bunch of people got paid a bunch of money to sit around a conference-room table for months to come up with this idea.
Guess the economy is OK for some people.

Good Morning and welcome to reality!

You know, there really are two different worlds out there. One has normal people and the other has people who don't know what it's like to be 'normal.'
Here on the normal side, we work (and work and sometimes work some more) to try to keep ahead of our bills and still make life livable.
Those in the other world (OK, those with tons of money), have no trouble just doing whatever they want. Others don't matter.
Feel too much pressure? Just hop on a plane and chill out by the Mediterranean.
Feeling a little down? Jet off to Africa and adopt a child.
Put your company into bankruptcy? Give yourself a bonus?
Well, at least on this side we can smile:


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Good Morning and welcome back to the world of excuses!

So, New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez said he was 'young and stupid' when he was injected with steroids by his cousin. Meanwhile, General Motors had the gall to ask for billions in government aid while also saying they would cut 47,000 jobs. Chrysler also asked for the money and said they would cut 3,000 jobs. In California, the Governator sent out 10,000 layoff notices. Here in Pennsylvania, Gov. Rendell is talking state layoffs, cutting school funding and cutting funding for police.
There are, of course, plenty of excuses for all of this.
So, it's time for the rest of us to use these excuses. Just robbed a bank, hey 'I was young and stupid. Sorry.'
Can't pay the credit card bills? 'I need government aid and will quit my job. Just give me the money.'
Need good schools, forget about it. We don't need no education. There aren't going to be any jobs anyway.
How about this: Don't give any more money to big companies until they show they are willing to help out the country as a whole. If GM cuts one job, tell the big-wigs in the big office to pay for everything. If the state can't function, tell the Governor and state legislature to get to work until it can.
Enough is enough.


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Good Morning and here's hoping your car started this morning!

Read this story this morning about how beer sales were down in the third quarter this year. The brewer of Miller is blaming the economy. Orders fell 'unexpectedly' at then end of 2008.
Maybe it could have something to do with taste. Now that there are seemingly limitless choices in the beer store, why settle for something like Miller or Miller Lite or Coors or Budweiser or any other cookie-cutter beer.
Hey, if we barely have enough money to pay the bills, buying junk beer is the last thing on the list. Thanks to the economy, maybe we are starting to get a little more picky.
Why waste the money on colored water like Coors Light when you can get a case of Guinness for a few bucks more. Leave the Corona in the case and pick up some Dos Equis Amber for the same price and get more taste.
Beer, wine or any other 'adult beverage' is a little treat we can give to ourselves. If it doesn't taste good, what's the point? Just fill the glass with water, add some yellow food coloring and call it Bud Light.
Better yet, grab the case of Sam Adams and enjoy.
Or just enjoy one of the best beer commercials in history:


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Good Morning and welcome to the final lap before the end of the year!

It's kind of interesting that we are bailing out banks, bailing out Wall Street, bailing out the auto industry, but we aren't bailing out the exact place where a slow economy is being felt the most. We are not bailing out all of us.
Those who have thrown away millions on bad ideas and investments are getting a clean slate, meanwhile more and more of us are getting laid off. We are falling behind on bill payments. We are scaling down everything from food to travel.
Not that any of us are looking for a handout, but, hey, how about a little over here. The only way to get the economy back on its feet is to put the money in the hands of those who can actually use it.
Give me a million and I'll buy a new car. If everybody purchased a new American car with some bailout money, the auto industry would be saved. If we took that bailout money to the department stores, retail would be saved. Those retailers would then be able to advertise, which would save newspapers. If we got some bailout money and paid off the credit cards, the banks would be saved. If we grabbed some cash and traveled to New York City (or wherever), the hotel industry would be saved.
So, giving the money to those who would use it would be a win-win situation.
Of course, that would make too much sense. So, we keep throwing money on bad ideas, to bad people.
Then again, that doesn't get anybody elected, so our government will keep doing what they are doing. We will keep losing jobs, houses, cars.
Welcome to the cycle:


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Good Morning fellow owners of Wall Street!

That's right. It appears the $700 billion bail-out package is going to streamline through the government today.
Somebody much smarter than me forwarded an e-mail that broke down what really should be done with all this money (this breakdown when the talk was just the $85 billion for AIG):

To make the math simple, let's assume there are 200,000,000 bonafide U.S. Citizens 18+.
Our population is about 301,000,000 +/- counting every man, woman and child. So 200,000,000 might be a fair stab at adults 18 and up...
So divide 200 million adults 18+ into $85 billion that equals $425,000.00.
The plan is to give $425,000 to every person 18+ as a We Deserve It Dividend.
Of course, it would NOT be tax free.
So let's assume a tax rate of 30%.
Every individual 18+ has to pay $127,500.00 in taxes.
That sends $25,500,000,000 right back to Uncle Sam.
But it means that every adult 18+ has $297,500.00 in their pocket.
A husband and wife has $595,000.00.
What would you do with $297,500.00 to $595,000.00 in your family?
Pay off your mortgage - housing crisis solved.
Repay college loans - what a great boost to new grads.
Put away money for college - it'll be there...
Save in a bank - create money to loan to entrepreneurs.
Buy a new car - create jobs.
Invest in the market - capital drives growth.
Pay for your parent's medical insurance - health care improves.
Enable Deadbeat Dads to come clean - or else!
Remember this is for every adult U S Citizen 18+ including the folks who lost their jobs at Lehman Brothers and every other company that is cutting back. And of course, for those serving in our Armed Forces.
If we're going to do an $85 billion bailout, let's bail out every adult U S Citizen 18+!

So there you have it. I actually sent a version of this to U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak (D-7 of Edgmont) as well as Senators Arlen Specter and Bob Casey. Of course, none of them even took the time to answer my e-mail.
I forget, is this an election year or not?


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Good Morning Wednesday and let's keep the rain away!

So, despite warnings to the contrary, it appears the government is pushing ahead with its $700 billion bank bail-out plan.
Here's another idea: Take that $700 billion and pay off all the mortgages for everybody in the country making less than $300,000 a year.
That way, there would be more money to buy useless things and thus boost the economy as we head into the end of the year.
Imagine the gifts, big-screen TVs, cars, cameras clothes and food we could all buy if mortgage payments weren't taking us all down.
Suddenly, there would be a major influx of money into the system. Little companies wouldn't be struggling. The vacation industry would see a major uptick. All those who have been laid off thanks to the catch-all 'tough economic times' excuse would get their jobs back.
Hey, if our grandkid's grandkids are going to have pay for this folly, why can't we all benefit.
We would be a nation of happy people instead of people who are just fighting to get through every day.
We would be happy. Our children would be happy. Our businesses would be happy.
It's a win-win for everybody. I can't believe it hasn't been talked about down in Washington.
Tell you what, the political party that starts to push this plan would get a lot of votes. After all, that's what it's all about anyway.
By the way, here is some exclusive video of those big business CEOs after convincing the Government of its dire straits:


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Good Morning and welcome to another Wednesday!

Phillies Hall-of-Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt once said in Philadelphia you can experience the thrill of victory and the agony of reading about it the next day.
Schmidt, until he was at the tail end of his career, was no friend of the media. Much like other superstars, he hid after games, rarely talking.
Schmidt wouldn't be able to leave his house if he played today. The proliferation of sports talk radio has taken the fun out of the games. You can just watch the game and enjoy it for what it is, a break from normalcy. The next day, though, don't turn on the radio unless you want to hear about how bad it really was. Had it on in the car for about five minutes Tuesday and actually heard one of the hosts say the Phillies should cut or trade Ryan Howard in the offseason because he's no longer helping the team.
As someone says, 'Genius.'
Speaking of genius, how about the government giving $85 billion to AIG so the insurance company can stay afloat.
While we on the ground struggle with food prices, heating prices and the general overpricing of everything, these big companies are getting bailed out.
How about if I petition the government for money so I can remain solvent?
By the way, AIG's CFO Steven J. Bensinger took home a salary of $2.1 million last year. Meanwhile, former CEO Martin J. Sullivan got a $4.7 million severance package when he was forced out last year. Current CEO Robert Willumstad, who is rumored to be on his way out after the buyout, got an annual salary of $1 million, but took home a reported $21 million in bonuses and stock options once worth $36 million.
They need saving? How about this, instead of bailing out these companies make the greedy execs reinvest their money until the company becomes solvent. That's the way it works in the real world.


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Good Morning, Delaware County!

It's amazing the money being thrown out for professional athletes.
The 76ers are just the latest, giving forward Elton Brand 82 million reasons to leave Los Angeles for the East Coast.
Just last year, the Los Angeles Galaxy gave soccer star David Beckham $250 million to leave England for Hollywood.
In 2001, Alex Rodriguez was able to convince the Texas Rangers to give him a 10-year, $252 million deal.
You know, looking from here, it's all funny money. Except for feeding your ego, do you really need $100 million to play a game.
Sure, some players who get big deals stay in shape and help their teams win, but, more often than not it seems, that money goes to waste. Remember in 2002 when Jim Thome became the highest paid Phillie ever, taking a six-year, $85 million contract to jump away from Cleveland.
Sure, he hit some home runs and all, but the Phillies never won with Thome cashing his checks.
Back in the day, for those who remember back in the day, the Phillies actually started all this madness.
Early in 1979, the Phillies went out and gave Pete Rose (only the best hitter baseball has ever seen) a four-year, $3.2 million deal. OK, the first year the team didn't make the playoffs, but Rose stirred the Philies drink over those four years. They won three division titles, went to two World Series (of course, winning in 1980) and were a model other franchises followed.
Then the crazy money started. Philadelphia teams never seemed to be big players in this, which made the fans crazy.
Now, the 76ers are making a splash. Let's hope Elton Brand is the next Pete Rose.


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Good Morning, Delaware County!

Maybe it's just me, but I don't think so...
Anybody notice how we keep hearing about how high gas prices are getting, but we really aren't offered any solutions. Sure, we're told to cut down our driving, walk more, ride bikes or stay closer to the house. Really, though, how can we do that?
We have to get to walk. We need to stock up our kitchens. We need to get the children to the library, to the park or to the pool. We need to get around. It's not like the public transportation system offers much help. Have you ever tried to board a bus while only carrying a $5 bill? The driver doesn't even laugh. You have to find change somewhere.
It reminds me of the movie 'Falling Down' starring Michael Douglas. It's about a guy who is just fed up with everything. He takes matters into his own hands and just tries to get home. The ending ruins the better parts of the movie, but it might have been a little bit ahead of its time.
We're all getting fed up with high prices and the like. You shouldn't have to work three jobs just to make ends meet. If this truly is the 'Greatest Country in the World' as we like to say, then we need to get a handle on everything. The divide is getting too big. We need to take care of each other.


By the way, comedian George Carlin died Sunday. It's kind of tough to find a video of him without language that, well, would offend some.
It's not impossible, though, and here's a classic:



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Good Morning, Delaware County!

It's truly amazing and, maybe, a bit unbelievable.
We've become a nation built on fear.
There was a time, probably not so long ago, where we weren't cowering in our milk. We weren't hiding inside our houses. We weren't dreading the next day before this day even begins.
This, at least in one opinion, started back in 1999. Remember when we were told to hoard canned goods and water because, 'Y2K was going to crash all our computers and render us helpless.' Well, that passed, but at least we had canned goods and water.
The tide really turned Sept. 11, 2001. The terrorist attacks on New York changed everybody, one way or another.
We no longer were safe, so we were told. We couldn't expect things to be so rosy. We were going into an extended version of the dark ages.
Heck, many of those who actually voted for good ol' W in 2004 said they did so because they needed to feel secure. A change in administration somehow was going to lead to the downfall of civilization.
Now, it's all about the economy. Turn on any of those 24-hour news stations and you'll hear how bad things are right now. You'll hear about how we are approaching more dark times. You'll hear how the stock market is going to collapse. You'll hear about money woes for everybody.
Yesterday, CNN, with it's 'Issue No. 1' is at the forefront of the fear-mongering, actually had an 'expert' who said we needed to have a year's worth of our salary squirreled away in case of something happening. Without that, forget about everything.
Hogwash.
Yeah, the economy is bad. It's also hot outside in June and gets cold in December. Everything runs in cycles. It gets bad, it gets better.
My grandparents used to tell stories about the Great Depression. About how they had to walk three miles to work for pennies, then try to feed their families. You know what, they made it through. They lived happy lives and were always singing.
Here's an idea: Tune out the fear. Don't listen to these so-called 'experts.' Remember, they are getting paid to make it sound bad and to get you to panic. The more you panic, the more they get paid.


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GOOD MORNING, DELAWARE COUNTY!

OK, it's another 'HUGE' primary day where voters will go to the polls in Indiana and North Carolina and vote for Barack Obama or Hillary Clinton.
Still, no matter how it turns out, there will be another 'HUGE' primary day coming soon. Then another. Then a big convention where one of them will be nominated for president (and, in a likely scenerio, the other being vice president).
The latest rhetoric coming from the candidates, including GOP leader John McCain, is about suspending the gas tax for the summer to 'help out' people filling the tank.
OK, 18 cents is nice, but, really, is it going to make much of a difference? 18 cents. By the time our Government decides to make such a move, gas prices will have risen by about 50 cents, so that 18 cents does absolutely nothing. It sounds good, but it's not going to help when we are paying close to $40 to fill up a Saturn.
How about this: Don't drive.
Yeah, it's simple and it's been said before, but if we limit the amount of time on the roads and, say, make one trip to the store a week, that gas bill will no doubt go down.
Anyway, here they are worried about 18 cents a gallon when there are other wars out there, so to speak. Not even mentioning the joke in Iraq, how about the war on the streets?
If somebody can get a Chinese-made assault rifle to gun down police, there probably not going to think twice before taking your car or busting into your house.
Money is one thing, life is another. Are there any good uninhabited islands?


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GOOD MORNING, DELAWARE COUNTY!

OK, a couple of weeks ago (actually it was just over a week, but I can hope) we were inundated with the voices of Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. They were here, they were there, they were on TV, they were on the radio, they were in the newspaper. Then, the PA Primary happened and we haven't heard as much of the rhetoric.
Sure, it's still there, but the candidates are all in North Carolina, so we aren't beat over the head with their talk.
No, now, since there appears to be nothing else going on, we are hit again and again about just how bad the economy is out there. We hear about gas prices (like talking and yelling will lower the price anytime soon). We hear about food prices. We hear about a 'slowdown' which is actually a 'recession.' We hear about the Fed lowering rates, although it doesn't seem to have anything to do with our bottom line.
Do we need to hear the depressing news every day, every hour. The talking heads on TV seem to be happy to tell us it's horrible out there and we aren't going to survive.
Some nuts probably are starting to build bunkers in the back of their houses. Hey, it worked during the Cold War, why not during the Money War?
So, here it is, the economy stinks right now and we need to tighten our belts a little more. We'll all survive in the end. That's it on the economy.
Instead, think about this:
What sound does a grape make when an elephant steps on it?
None. It just lets out a little wine.
Or this:


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GOOD MORNING, DELAWARE COUNTY!

OK, so the government stimulus check is going to be in our bank accounts over the next few weeks. While extra money is always welcome (in fact, if anybody wants to send me some now, I'd be thankful), this round of 'stimulus' I don't think will offer much help to the economy.
Why? Well, it's simple, when people can barely make ends meet right now, no amount of extra cash will lead to extra purchases.
When you struggle to fill the gas tank on the way to work, that big-screen television isn't going to make much of a difference. The government, once again the money is great, would be better served making things more affordable for the everyday working person.
When a Saturn takes $36 to fill the tank, that's just too much. I can only imagine what kind of gas those big SUVs and pickup trucks go through.
When you add together gas for the car, home heating, and the regular bills, that stimulus check is going to disappear than a plate of chocolate chip cookies.
It's a help, but we need more. Now, I'm not looking for the government to come in and rescue us all by throwing more money out there.
Maybe we need to look at all our expenses and try to trim things down. The bad part of that, though, is when we spend less, companies lay off workers. That puts us all in a bad sort.
We should be going after big companies and banks and hold them accountable. When Exxon/Mobil is pulling in record profits and our cars are getting by on fumes, somethings wrong.


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GOOD MORNING, DELAWARE COUNTY!

Whether its sitting in the newsroom, getting a cup of coffee or walking down the street, I hear people say: "It's not like it used to be."
My reaction is always the same: "The world's not like it used to be."
Case in point, while growing up the first thing I did each morning was reach for the newspaper to see how the Phillies/Sixers/Flyers did the night before.
Now, all you have to do is turn on the television or click on the Internet to find out the answer.
The newspaper might still be on the front steps, but it's not the first place anybody looks anymore.
Hey, if you can grab your iPhone and get an entire report, including video, of late games or election results or traffic problems, than so be it.
Yeah, the world's not like it used to be.
Here's another thing, it used to be a community group (be it school or neighborhood) would band together to put on an event.
Schools had parent groups, but they worked in conjuction with the schools to put on dinners, plays, whatever. Neighborhoods got together for block parties, Christmas parties, Easter egg hunts. It was a chance to see everybody and, well, just talk.
Now, everybody stays cooped up in the house, then jumps in the car to head ... whereever.
The school thing really has me perplexed. Somebody I know has decided to help out with an event and needs just a minimal amount of help from teachers and administrators. Yet, helping out now seems to be a no-no.
Here's the biggest difference in the world. People used to have a stake in what was going on. You wanted to make things the best, be it work or play.
Now, it's easier to just sit around and complain. Clock in, clock out, go home.
To me, that's a sad thing.
We all wish for a simpler time:


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