What do you think?

I have been listening to the news lately. With all the reports of people killing strangers, family and themselves I have a question.

Why is the world seemingly unraveling at the seams?

I have some ideas, but would like to hear from you and have a real conversation about this sad phenomenon. I think it is time for thinking people to spend time not only trying to figure out what the problem is, but also commit to finding ways to change things so that we can be safe again in our neighborhoods and even our homes.

Take time to think this question through, but once you have comment back and let’s start down this road together!

Thanks,

Dave

Radicals in America

I am shocked by the Department of Homeland Security report that says conservative people in America are potential extremists. I know that the report was not supposed to be released, but it is frightening to me that just because I believe in God, that I am to be considered a potential radical who might harm someone else for my cause.

The report goes on to say that American servicemen and women (who we know in great numbers vote for conservative candidates) are also to be considered as potential extremists. These are men and women who answered this countries call and served with honor and distinction and now the government that they defended has issued a statement that they might abandon all they stood for and attack the country they defended. Wow … where is the evidence of this?

The report says that there is conservative “chatter” online that shows these potential radicals are angry over the economy and the way our elected officials are handling things. I don’t remember seeing any reports of guns being fired or rocks being throw, or any elected officials being attacked in the capital.

I think that this kind of fear mongering is shameful. For the Secretary of Homeland Security to try to indicate that there is no political agenda here slays me.

I love this country and I love our system of government. No matter what my feelings are about the current administration or the current Congress, I would never consider anything that would hurt someone because I want my way. It is just sad to think that the divide in America is so great that our government would consider those who disagree with them might be radicals and extremists in disguise.

Sad thoughts … but that’s how I see it!

Living within your means!

I have been interested over the past few months as I listen to the debate among America’s elites about what the problem is with the economy and what can be done to fix it. Now remember that those in the debate are, for the most part, millionaires who are debating over how they can keep the money flowing so that other millionaires will keep getting what they deserve.

Now, before I go to far into this tirade let me make myself clear, I am a capitalist and as one I believe in the free market system. What I don’t much care for are those who have the money finding ways to “loan” those who don’t what they can’t afford to pay back and then whining when their foolish business practices come back a bite them.

I would love to succeed to the level that I didn’t worry from week to week about what would happen when unexpected things come my way. However, I, like many of you have fallen victim to the flim-flam men (and women) who are parading as financial professionals (bankers, investment counselors, etc.) who have convinced us that we will always have house payments, car payments, and that managed debt is the way to be “wealthy” in this country.

Are we to blame? Yes! We are to blame because we live such fast paced lives and we are so overtly influenced by flashy ad campaigns that we begin to believe what we are told about what we “deserve” in life. But, accepting that measure of responsibility, there is enough blame to go around. Advertisers do what they do to entice you to buy. Banks exist, not to give you a place to deposit and save your hard earned income, but to find ways to loan money to as many people as possible at interest rates that provide them with the more profits from your money than you will ever see. Politicians buy votes by establishing laws and rules that encourage/force banks to make shaky loans. So, while it is easy to blame everything on one party or the other (depending on where you are in the mix), there is more than enough to go around to everyone.

Is there a solution? Sure, there are actually many possible solutions (again depending on where you are in the mix). The government thinks that if we just prop up the banks with an infusing of borrowed or devalued dollars that they can lend more money to more people (that’s what got us in this mess!) Those who would be unaffected by it would like all the struggling businesses and industries to go bankrupt and renegotiate with all their debt holders. And the consumers who are drowning in the sea of debt are throwing up their hands and paying no one (and being called all kinds of names by those who are not effected by this down-turn).

Is socialism the solution. Absolutely not! Government doesn’t produce anything nor do they really understand how to run a successful business (just look at the new 3.6 Trillion dollar budget that spends more than a trillion dollars that it does not have.) I certainly don’t want them running American businesses.

Is capitalism the solution? Only if there are moral restraints that keep people from being greedy and taking advantage of those less capable than oneself. The rise of American capitalism was blessed because in its early days, the wealthiest spent much of their lives finding ways to use their wealth to benefit society. One of the greatest philanthropist of the early 20th century said something to the effect that you should spend the first half of your life making money and the last half giving it away. You see there was a sense of responsibility among the wealthy capitalist of days gone by that they should use their wealth to make the world a better place.

I personally know a multi-millionaire who keeps a loosing business open, because he promised his employees that as long as he was alive, that they all have jobs. Now, I know that everyone who owns a business cannot operate it in the red year after year, but the sense of responsibility that this man has toward those who work for him is striking in this greed filled world.

It’s time for sports figures, bankers, corporate executives, and former government figures now payed to lobby, who rake in multi-million dollar contracts to live in 2,000,000 homes instead of 20,000,000 homes and use their wealth to benefit society. (Not because the government makes them, but because they understand that with great blessings come great responsibility.) It’s time for them to sell off a couple of their million dollar vacation homes and use the proceeds to fund entrepreneurial ventures that will create jobs and strengthen our society.

It’s time for those who can to find apprentices again (not to use for commercial gain or TV ratings) and train a new generation of leaders whose focus is on serving society through the production of quality products and services AND through giving back every way they can.

Maybe the government and the financial sector should admit their complicity in the problems that exist and find ways to make it possible for people to repay their debt in a way that doesn’t cost them everything. Consumers need to pay-off their debt instead of walking away from it and in doing so learn the lesson of indentured servitude. People should not be labeled and placed in over-riding groups where they are locked out of the possibilities of success.

Societally we need to become a compassionate people again. Looking to the needs of others is a lost art for the majority of people. There is more money in the legitimate  economy of this country than reasonable people could spend year after year, yet we are watching this most powerful system of freedom and opportunity collapsing in on itself because of greed and corruption. It’s time to stop trying to vilify one group and justify another. It is time for real people to look to provide real solutions. Yes, everyone will have to give up something. But, isn’t that how real solutions come about?

My personal plan is debt elimination and then living well within my means. (Sorry car companies, electronic companies, clothing and apparel companies, etc.  Oh, and sorry VISA, MASTERCARD, AMERICAN EXPRESS, and DISCOVER) My part in this solution is to get my house in order and then to teach as many people as possible, in this the last half of my life, how to do the same!

As my debt is eliminated, my means will go up (even without an increase in income) and more people I know will see the benefit of my debt-free living. Remember, there is no such thing as a free lunch. The time of our “free lunch” society must come to an end!

Bailouts and Loss of Freedom

Well, here we go again. The politicians in Washington are attacking free enterprise once again. This time they pressured a publicly traded company to fire its CEO in order to get money to keep their company afloat. The government is also pressuring this company to change its approach to business to meet the methods the government thinks will work.

Doesn’t anyone see the danger in this? I know no one wants this huge company to collapse (which it won’t do under any condition), but to what degree do you and I want the government to instruct businesses as to how they ought to operate? I for one want business to be business and government to be government.

When government starts to try to operate businesses problems are sure to follow (can anyone say Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac). We need to remember that we are a country that was built on the backs of freedom loving  entrepreneurs who are willing to risk it all to invent, produce, and market their ideas, products and services. If they risk it all, they should be rewarded for the risks they take and the benefits that they bring to this society.

I am making no judgments of the company who request the government bailout. My concern is that we are quickly letting the camel in the tent. Once there he will never leave. This will not be good for any of us!

When will it end? What will trigger government take-overs of individual businesses or whole industries? What restraints are the foxes going to make on themselves as they pillage the hen-house?

Just thinking out loud …. What do you think?

A Prayer for Fargo

Having lived in North Dakota for more than four years “back in the day” and having suffered one of the state’s larger floods, I understand the fear and the pain that the people of Fargo are going through. My prayer is that the city will not only survive but will come back better after the flood waters recede. As the people of the city come together and help each other in this natural disaster my prayer is that they will be bound to each other and to the community. Once they see the desires in each other to help the city and its people through this tough time, maybe they will actively look for other ways to help each other in normal times.

While no one thinks that a disaster like this is a blessing, my prayer is that many blessings come out of it.

So to the people of Fargo, my prayers are with you. God bless you all and may you come out of this tragedy stronger than ever.

P.S. – to the folks living in Grand Forks and all the towns north of Fargo (the Red River of the North runs to the north) I am already in prayer for you as well.

A Poor-Man’s Revolution

Philanthropy is often considered the arena of the wealthy. People like Carnegie, Getty, and more recently Gates. They have lots of money to give and when used right their generosity  can do great things. However, even with all the money the great philanthropists of this country and the world have given to the needs that they hold dear, people are still hurting, disease is still rampant, and people still need more than the world is providing.

So … what can be done? Are the needs of people really a lost cause? Is the way it is, the way it has to be?

I don’t think so. I think it time for a poor-man’s revolution. Time for regular folks without a lot of means to look to the needs of those less fortunate than them. You may not have much to give, but what you have you should consider freely giving.

You may only be able to pass on some knowledge, or a kind word, or offer to help in some non-financial way. But, if you looked to the needs of others as a priority in your lives your philanthropy will rival that of the world’s wealthiest. What you will provide, no money can. You will provide hope, encouragement, and a sense of purpose to the people and lives that you touch.

Philanthropy simply means giving what you have so that through your gift someone’s life is enriched.

It is time for regular people to look to this kind of poor-man’s revolution. Time for us to count on each other and to find ways to meet each others needs one on one. If we accomplish this we will be able to turn life around for many and change the world we call home.

Just my thoughts ….

23 dead in Iraq

I just read a very sad and chilling news story that is getting all to common these days. It was a story about someone who felt an overwhelming need to make a political statement by murdering 23 other people and wounding more than 30 others. What makes this story so sad was that this horrendous act occurred at a funeral.

I know that I am a dreamer. I also that dreamers always believe that there is a solution to every conflict, but I cannot get it out of my head that such mindless acts only send this world cascading down a road from which there is no exit.

Now don’t get me wrong. I am pragmatic enough to know that wicked people (claiming all kinds of justification) do wicked things. I know that in a civilized society must deal with this kind of wickedness.

What saddens me is that the wickedness of the human heart has reached such levels that this kind of anger is seen more and more often. Mankind has been taught by science that we are just the highest members of the food chain. I am sure that this kind of thinking minimizes the condition of life and in doing so makes killing just another way to express one’s self.

Now before someone jumps on my thoughts about science, I also understand that religion has historically given as a reason for killing. People in power always looking for people to “convert” even if under the threat of death. However just because someone claims a religious belief doesn’t mean that God is acting with them or on their behalf. The hatred, in my view, finds its way back to the hearts of men.

I don’t know what can be done to change this downward spiral apart from a real consideration of God and his desire to bring all mankind into harmony. Until then, sadness will fill my heart when I see men acting in what they think is the only way to destroy “the enemy” while the real enemy (Satan) stands on the sidelines and cheers.

Just my thought …

A Couple Changes

I have made a couple changes in my blogs that I want to make you all aware of. First, this blog (www.davewellman.com) is changing. It is going to be a just my thoughts about stuff. I like the idea of having a place to “speak my mind” and this is going to be the place.

I hope that what I write will engender a lot comments and conversation because I believe the way to solve issues in life is for thoughtful people to talk about the possibilities. When thoughtful people talk to each other and think together, real solutions come to the forefront.

My business blog can now be found at www.davewellman.net. It will deal with the subjects that surround business success and innovation. Again, thoughtful conversation will be helpful to everyone who reads this blog.

Finally, I also have a blog about my faith in Jesus Christ. (www.davewellman.org) It will contain my thoughts about Chrsit, Christianity, and the life of a disciple. My intent is to challenge Christian people to carry the message of Christ to the world in which we live.

Hope you like what you read and that you invite your friends to join our conversations.

See you soon ….

Dave

A Recommendation and a Shout Out

The longer I am in this industry the more I am drawn to people who I think have the right views and the right intentions about what Network Marketing is really supposed to be.

I have a friend in Australia named John Counsel who is someone like that. I wanted to introduce you to him and invite you to take a look at his blog.

Now let me warn you up front: If you are a short term thinker; if you sponsor people indiscriminately with no concern for them or their success;  if you like “get rich quick” systems; if you don’t want to build long-term success in this industry; don’t look at his blog.

John has a basic principle that he calls the law of success. It is that you should always do the right thing for the right reason. When you follow that basic principle you will become a success.

So, if you feel like you need a “shot in the arm” from a great teacher, just jump on over to John’s blog and check things out there. Once you have had a chance to look around over there come back here and catch up on the posts you have missed here!

Don’t forget to leave a comment. I would love to see some REAL discussion begin around the subject of my posts.

Enjoy ….

The New Economic Realities

With the coming of the new year and more information about the global economic struggles, now more than ever we have to be prepared to become “self-sufficient” economically. I have not heard such dire economic news since the early 80’s when job layoffs and bad economic times made things difficult for most American families.

In times like these, there are really only a couple ways to go. You can either live in worry and fear day after day or you can choose to take advantage of hard times and find ways to secure your future for yourself.

I have chosen the latter and to be quite frank am looking for 12 people to bring along with me. My plan invovles work, learning, skills training, and above all a commitment to the end goal. The uniqueness of this plan is that everyones end goal will be personal and different from the others on the team. Each one will work in the areas of their skills, talents, and abilities.

The requirements to participate is this newly forming team are simple: Team members have to be committed to the overall cause. They must be committed to each other and to their own team members. They must share a common understanding of business. Finally, they must have a commitment to make a difference in their world.

I appologise in advance to those who would be offended at such a blatant attempt to “recruit.”  However, if no one knows what the plan is, no one will be able to make a choice about their possible role in the plan.

Whether you consider working with me in my crusade or whether you decide on something else that better suits you, choose success and effort rather than worry and fear. Remember nothing of value has ever been accomplished by worry and fear. The times may be worrisome, but the opportunities are endless.

Make this your year to step out of the crowd and be established in success principles. Good things come to those who take risks!

Just my thoughts ….

Dave

PS – If you want to know more about my crusade just click here!