Tag: business

  • Understanding the Consequences of Voting Decisions in America

    Understanding the Consequences of Voting Decisions in America


    I wrote this in November. It was posted on Facebook. The feedback I received was positive. It was at the suggestions from those that appreciated the post that I started this blog.

    Read. Enjoy. Bare with it. I have not edited it from it’s first posting. state.


    It is truly amazing. Every day, more people realize they screwed themselves. They did not do even basic research before voting.

    So, lets help out the remaining few so that in the future (2026) some of these insane wrongs can be corrected).

    1) Tariffs are fees levied against imports, with the actual fee being paid by the consumer.

    Example: A TV from China costs $200.00. A tariff of 25% is added to the cost of the TV. The cost of the tv to the distributor is now $250.00. The distributor still needs to make money, so they charge the store $300.00, keeping their $50 of profit. The store needs their $50.00 profit, so they now sell the TV for $350.00. The consumer who was only going to have to pay $300.00 is now paying $350.

    End result – the US Consumer pays the 25% tariff that was placed on China.

    (FYI.. Based on the Tariff treaty of 1974, the president can only increase a tariff by a maximum of 15%. It can only be imposed for 150 days unless extended by Congress. Should not take 150 to see the crippling effect higher tariffs will have on the average American or the US economy)

    2) Immigrants account for 68% of the farm workers in the US.

    Immigrants account for 29% of the construction work force in the US.

    Immigrants account for 21% of the food supply work force in the US.

    Immigrants account for 19% of the total workforce in the US.

    Undocumented Immigrants account for $96.7 BILLION dollars are year in federal taxes collected.

    Immigrants average a year salary of $37,585.

    There are not enough “other” people to fill the gap. Current salary offerings do not offset the deportation of 11,000,000 immigrants.

    The cost of a onetime mass deportation of immigrants would cost the US over $350B.

    (Other people being American Citizens, especially white people. You cannot find a teenager working in fast food place now at $17 an hour, you will not find one in a filed shucking corn for $10)

    Add the deportation cost of $350B to the loss of $96.7 billion in collected taxes and the US would be out over $446.7 BILLION.

    That’s simple math. You would have to back out the savings of not providing services to undocumented immigrants to get the final number. The rough estimate would be a loss of well over $200 Billion.

    3) With 19% of the total work force eliminated, 68% of the farm workers, and not having people in line to replace them at what works out to be $10.74 cents an hour, production would go way down for consumer items such as eggs, dairy products, fruit, vegetables. Demand for those products would remain high, supply would be reduced, and the cost would then go WAY Up.

    Example: 10 people need a dozen eggs. There are only 3 dozen eggs available. The value of the eggs would increase up to 1,000%. Why? No reason to sell something for $2.00 when desperate people would pay $20 for the same thing.

    4) Projected tax breaks for corporations, the top 1% of earners, the elimination of over-time taxes, the elimination of taxes on tips, the tax cost by the removal of 19% of the work force and an additional reduction of 1,000,000 well-paying government jobs, the increase costs of food and other items due to supply and demand and the added consumer burden of paying a 25% tariff, the bottom 99% would see an out of pocket increase in yearly expenses of over 15K a year, minimum (The current international tariffs treaties, etc. save the average American $7,000 a year. That savings goes away, clearly)

    5) With a lack of workforce, more business close, adding to the unemployment line. With the number of workers out pacing the number of jobs, salaries and wages go down, while the cost of living goes up (everything from housing, food, clothes, entertainment, etc. will see substantial increases).

    Your total costs go up 30%, your salary goes down 30% you are now pretty well screwed. Say goodbye to your home, your car, our insurances. Say hello to Good Will, shelters, park benches and dumpster diving.

    6) When welfare programs are cut (Medicare, Medicaid, unemployment, food stamps, house subsidies, etc.) additional cost burdens fall on the heads of the consumer. These cost burden will lead to greater poverty, homelessness, and push current non-profits to the brink of closure. No one will be safe from being hungry or sleeping outside.

    Health care related costs are already the leading cause of personal bankruptcy in the US. The number of people that end up bankruptcy will only increase.

    7) With more poor people, big ticket items will not be selling at current rates, if they sell at all. Fewer American made items being sold, means fewer American made items being made, means another reduction in America jobs. No company will keep on a workforce that cannot pay for itself through productivity and sales.

    Higher taxes, higher costs, lower wages, reduction of services …

    The only thing that will trickle down is poverty.

    These are just a few of the painfully obvious concerns every American should have. Even the most obtuse can understand these simple facts.

    Does not mean any or all of these things will happen. It just means that there is a good probability that they may. Just means that far too many Americans voted with their hate, not their head and certainly not their heart.

    So what happened on election day due to the lack of individual education and people following their hate?

    * Legal immigrants voted to have their families and friends exported.

    * People in poor health voted to have their care reduced or eliminated.

    * Average Americans voted to increase their financial burden so that the top 1% could become the top .05%.

    * People with middle eastern roots voted to have Gaza leveled and a people eradicated.

    * People voted to have individuals in-charge of their wellbeing who they would not want as neighbors (known felons, sexual predators, con-men, racists)

    * Americans voted to have their mothers, sisters, daughters, nieces suffer neglect and prejudices not seen for over 150 years.

    All because the price of eggs was too high (They are not).

    All because the cost of gas was too high (it is not, especially on the world scale and the US does not set fuel prices so people voted for things other countries control)

    All because the LQBTQ communities were being treated with the barest minimum of respect, their contributions acknowledged and narrow-minded people could not accept pro-nouns.

    If you want to dispute this, do not. Showing your stupidity will not do you any favors. I will not waste my time trying to educate you about things you can easily learn yourself; even if it took you three times to pass the GED.

    I had a discussion with someone tonight. They let their hate and intolerance flag fly under the guise of “I know what prejudice I’ve faced, and I am sick of being called white”.

    Everyone has faced a degree of prejudice at one time or another, white, black, brown, straight, gay, trans, tall, short, fat, smart, stupid, fast, slow, wear glasses, don’t wear glasses, is in the band, not in the band, plays a sport, doesn’t play a sport, so on and on.

    The only way that ends if we all decide that we do not want others to feel as we were once made to feel because of something that made us appear to be different on the OUTSIDE.

    Life is not complicated. Just because you are unhappy or were once a “victim” of a bad break a time or two does not mean you heal by treating others worse than you think you were treated.

    Voting to destroy your own life and the lives of others was not the solution or the “gottcha” you think it was. In the end, you won’t be better off and you will be even more bitter. You will also be out of people to blame – well, except for putting blame where it belongs – yourself.

    Congratulations, America. You became the world’s lowest common denominator.

    You do not like it? Read a book (before they get banned)

  • Understanding Rule Enforcement in Common Ownership Communities

    Understanding Rule Enforcement in Common Ownership Communities

    Enforcement:
    The act of compelling observance or or compliance with a law, rule or obligation.

    Common Ownership Communities are flush with rules and regulations. Community governing documents should clearly outline the rules that owners and residents must adhere to.

    Before buying a home in a Common Ownership Community, the community gives the new owner a copy of their bylaws. The new owner also receives all other governing documents.

    The new owner, as part of their buying agreement, commits to following the rules established for the community. Everyone in a community lives under the same regulations. Yet in every community there are those owners that elect not to live by the rules.

    For whatever reason, some think the rules do not apply to them. Well, they do.

    The challenge in a Common Ownership Community and its rules is enforcement. Are the rules upheld consistently, fairly, and timely?

    The answer in most cases is no. It is that inconsistency that creates community discord.

    Why don’t communities do a better job of consistently enforcing their rules and regulations? There are several reasons.
    1. No dedicated volunteer staff
    2. No 24 x 7 monitoring, especially important for parking issues
    3. Lack of community awareness of the rules and regulations
    4. No enforcement process
    5. Bylaws, rules, and regulations that are outdated, no longer reflecting the realities of the community
    6. Bylaws, rules, and regulations that are not clear with the rule
    7. Owner apathy
    8. Board of Director frustration with consistently non-compliant owners

    Roads have speed limits. We see drivers speeding. Only 1% of drivers get pulled over each year. Why? Because enforcement officers cannot see every infraction, every day.

    Common Ownership Communities are the same. We all have rules that are being broken almost daily in our communities. Enforcement does not or cannot seem all. Enforcement may not even know about rules being broken. Without seeing something or knowing something, enforcement becomes a catch as catch can situation.

    How can community rule enforcement be improved?
    1. Review and update all governing documents on a regular basis
    2. Have clear enforcement processes and procedures, including who will be responsible for enforcement and when
    3. Impose fines for each rule infraction
    4. Revoke rights or privileges
    5. Take legal action

    If you see a rule violation, report it.
    If you are sited for a rules violation, review your community documents and deal with the issue.
    Try to be more understanding. The rules apply to everyone, but not everyone will always be caught when there is a violation.

    You live in a Common Ownership Community. You owe it to your neighbors and yourself to be a good steward.

  • The Impact of Poor Customer Service on Business

    The Impact of Poor Customer Service on Business

    I currently reside in the city where “Hospitality has gone to die”.

    Sure doesn’t make much of a license plate quote, but it sure is accurate.

    But I don’t think it’s just here. I think the customer is a problem is a wide spread issue.

    I bought my home almost 4 years ago. Since then, I have required the services of electricians and plumbers. I’ve also needed A/C, washer, and dryer repair people. I have also needed delivery people, movers and landscapers. Honestly, if I gave it more thought I am sure I could add to that list. Exterminators, trappers, pond maintenance, roofers, painters, and the list does go on.

    Sadly, I had scheduled appointments with 30 or 40 people or businesses. Only a small percent showed up on time. I would estimate just 15% were punctual.

    You know what all 15% of those businesses have in common?

    They were all hired. All of them. They now have my money.

    You know what the other 85% have in common? Two things. None of them have my money. None of them have my recommendation.

    Why is it that the consumer is not the problem? When did the consumer become the bane to success?

    I always thought that without customers, business would fail.

    Business sure don’t seem to see it that way any more. Even as more and more of them fail.

    How did that happen? Why would anyone allow it? From a business perspective, communication is the EASIEST thing to offer your customer or potential customers.

    If you are running late, call the customer. If you can’t come as scheduled, call the customer. If you decided you don’t want the job, call the customer.

    Promise the customer something, live up to the promise or at the very least have a conversation with the customer. Just communicate.

    A friend of mine was in need of having a fence pushed over. To big a job for her and I, but a very easy task. Total time to do the job 3 minutes.

    She posted the job. She shared the scope of the job, time frame, and what she was going to pay. Several companies said they would do it. She went with the first one that called.

    4 days later and 2 missed appointments, she is re-posting the job. The company she hired elected not to show up. They didn’t call her. She called them. They rescheduled for a time that worked for them. She made it work for her.

    They didn’t show up.
    They didn’t call.

    They won’t be getting her money. They won’t be getting her recommendation.

    Sure, this was a contractor job for a home. The job won’t take long. The Job isn’t going to make this business a fortune.

    Poorly treating a customer will cost them. Not living up to their word will cost them. Failing to communicate in even the simplest forms, such as calling, texting, or email, will cost them.

    In the same place she posted the job she will be sharing her most recent experiences. She will share nothing but facts. She will let people know her experiences share better options than the company that devalued her business.

    This quality of customer disrespect happens all over. Grocery stores, retail of all kinds, restaurants and bars.

    Somehow the consumer has become a nuisance not a partner.
    The customer as been from from valued ally to inconvenience.

    I have written hundreds, if not thousands, of reviews based on my experiences the past 7 years. If I go some place, chances are they are getting a review. My reviews do talk about quality of food or product. But many of my reviews end up taking a customer service .

    Customer service can make a bad product not as bad, especially in restaurants. A good experience can salvage bad food.

    But nothing can overcome bad customer service. You love the car you bought, but the sales person is the reason you will not be recommending the dealership. Customer service.

    The easiest thing any business can do is provide quality customer service. The easiest way to provide quality customer service is to communicate.

    Greet you customer.
    Listen to your customer.
    Understand your customer.
    Live up to the commitments you make to your customer.
    If something changes, talk to your customer

    The rest is of the business is just filler.

    You want my money. Do what you said you were going to do and keep me informed.

    Communicate with respect or fail.

    It’s just not complicated.





  • Technology, who needs it?

    Technology, who needs it?



    For thousands of years humanity was able to function without computers.

    There is no question that technical advances have helped the world evolve. The evolution includes advancements like the wheel and running water. We’ve progressed from horse and buggy to automobiles and from steamboats to cruise ships. We’ve moved from handwritten letters to instant messaging. The world has become smaller.

    Yet, this is not a good thing in all cases.

    Yes, it is great to be able to carry around a computer in your pants’ back pocket. Having the ability to call anyone at any time from anywhere is great. To be able to take a picture without carrying extra gear is wonderful. Doing complex math or signing documents from the comfort of your office’s bathroom is a treat.

    But when is enough enough? What transactions should not be automated? What is the cost of total reliance on technology?

    Note that I hate online banking and do not use my phone for such transactions. I do not use apps to pay bills. I do not count on my phone to be a safe place for financial information. I had 3 different banking accounts hacked in 3 months. These were accounts from two banks. I do not trust that the banks can keep online information safe and secure. I do not trust them to safeguard my money either.


    Stadiums are going to cashless transactions. You cannot show up at a baseball game and buy a ticket with the MLB App on your phone. Want a beer? Better have a cash app because even vendors are not taking cash. It is a world that discriminates against people that do not use tech, can’t afford tech, don’t trust tech or rather just use cash.

    The destruction of communication, education, common sense and critical thinking can be directly attributed to technology.

    In war, countries first attack their enemy’s communication channels.  Those that control messaging control the world.

    Our world is handing power over to servers buried in mountains, operated by nameless, faceless people that the consumer knows nothing about.

    We are being asked to trust anyone that knows C++ simply because they know how to use 0s and 1s.

    Yesterday I had to download Venmo to make a purchase. To know one’s fault but my own, I sent payment to the wrong phone number.  After 24 hours of trying to rectify the situation, using AP supplied help pages, nothing is getting done. Why? Their technology is not functioning. I called Venmo cutomer support . No one was there. Technology that wasn’t working was.

    A consumer used to make a mistake. The consumer would make a call and talk to a human being. They would communicate the issue, and the issue would be resolved.

    Now when something goes wrong, technology must notify other technology. We are left to hope that this technology can do its job.

    When technology cannot or will not fix a problem, the consumer that technology was designed to help gets left holding the bag. Companies left holding our money.

    The value of technology only goes so far.

    The value of people, communication, thinking, and problem solving is being dismissed.

    And that is why we are where we are as a society.

    Misinformation, errors that screw the consumer, technology that rewards companies for half assing their responsibilities and enables greed.

    I will take people over technology anyway.

    As soon as I get this Venmo situation fixed, my account will be deleted. It will sit next to my Bank of America and Pay Pal apps in the trash bin on my phone.

    Venmo is being deleted not because of my mistake,but deleted because of the inability of technology to be anything more than a power surge away from wiping out everything as we know it.