Metro Rail Back On Track

Houston's Metro one rail has been award a 50 million dollar deposit that was taken away from them due a breach in it's contract with the federal government. Metro had secured a loan of 110 million back in 2010 with one of the stipulation being that in its expansion efforts the company would agree to buy all american parts. Well Metro breach this agree by making a deal for cars from a foreign manufacture, and as a result they were penalized and project was put on hold.

However just this week the decision to deny Metro the money was reverse. Metro was insured the 50 mill would be deposited into the companies bank account as early as the end on this week. Great news for the CEO of Metro, fans of the one rail, and right in time for Christmas. Ho! Ho! Ho!

Cyclical verse Structural

The following is a true story concerning cyclical and structural employment. The theory of tax break for the wealthy is a way to trigger job creation is clearly debatable, however this is a story I watched developed before my eyes so I thought I'd share it.

Jenny was a girl I encountered while ordering wings from the local Wings Stop as my wife and I habitually do. The reason I remember her so well because she seem to be a very faithful worker. What I mean is that she was always there running the cash register (which requires trust). Well one day I notice Jenny was not there any more so I thought, good for her. She's moved on. Well, I later learned that Jenny took another job in the neighborhood at the local automated car wash facility. She was the outside attendant which tends to be a cyclical position due to the decline in people getting car washes in the winter season.

Jenny survived the Summer as suspected, but once again I notice a vacancy where she would normally be standing here in November. Yet, instead of new personal, there was a machine where customers can feed their bills or swipe their card. Because these machines seem to instantly appear I can't help but to think that this was a plan set by the car wash well in advance. Jenny's job has been altered by structural change, so I doubt if I see her back there attending the car wash customers again. In fact, I have to applaud the wash facility.Now instead of paying a employee a monthly salary, they can just have quarterly services to their machinery (this is gest, of course).

Get ready. This is a pattern we will notice a lot in the future according to some of the top CEO's in the country. Also, best of wishes Jenny. I pray we all become more aware based on your circumstance.

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Moving On

Well since the recent coverage of the election the political tone seem to be changing a little in the country. In several interviews after republicans sweeping victory of the House the President has expressed his desire to work to get Americans back to work. However, he did also express his unwillingness to bend on the tax cut issue. The next few months will be interesting to see how Washington's Demo-Rep-Dem sandwich will work out for the American people.

Despite the Republicans' victory public support still appears to be optimistic for the President according to some media sources. His recent foreign trips have been plagued by mixed press and even speculation of future trade pretense for the country. Unfortunately the financial state of the country is sharing the spotlight with coverage of the Presidents plan to bring American troops back from Afghanistan as the countries pundunt wait their opinions in on how our leader should handle this task. Again, all this makes for a interesting last quarter in Washington.

Election Recap According to Ras

As I watch elections from my somewhat limited scope, I can't help but to wonder. Is our public officials concerned about the well being of their constituents, or is political offices a country club for control freaks. The reasoning for my statement is that I rarely see parties able to work together to create policies which would benefit the American people without insisting that they have as much control as they can possibly get. That's odd cause as children up to the point where we receive diplomas and degrees for academia the objective is to learn to work with guidelines and others. Anyway...

Here's the recap of last nights elections according to Ras (that mean the ones I found the most interesting).

Texas Governor Rick Perry becomes the longest servicing governor in Texas history with his comfortable defeat over Bill White (former mayor of my city Houston).

Sylvia Garcia lost to Jack Morman for County Commissioner of Precinct 2. This is odd for me for two reasons. One, I worked in Sylvia's campaign, and Two I don't know who Jack Morman is and now he represents me.

Harry Reid remain in the senate as major leader re winning his seat in Nevada, and the senate remains Democratically controlled.

John Boehner is soon to be the house majority leader with the House gaining over 60 seats to give the Republicans control.

This puts congress at a split and prayfully back to work to help fix the American economy, PLEASE.

A Pleasant Surprise

On Halloween Day I was out doing charity work in my old neighborhood. It's the 5ft Ward district here in Houston, Texas and my mother is still a resident here. A friend of mine was throwing a event he calls the Hip Hop Hope Fall Festival and the event was being held at the J Prince Complex on Jensen Drive. Well not only was I in the mood for charity, but it seem like Congresswomen Shelia Jackson Lee was as well. She showed up passing out candy to the kids and I was inclined to get a photo opp reluctantly (being I know she's a busy woman).

Well after a few minutes I said to myself, "you only live once", I then approached her aid and begin to ask him about talking with Sheila concerning an idea I have. He was very eager to listen, which I thought was unusual (it was a Sunday). I told him about a plan I have for an organization who's goal would be to drive young voters to participate more in the political process. He immediately called for Mrs. Jackson Lee who gave me a card and told me to contact her after the elections. Sheila's congressional seat rarely faces any serious challenge largely based on the district she represent ( the hood). She's an incumbent and would probably be fine without the aid of an organization like the one I'm posing. However, it wouldn't be strange for me to receive help from the woman who's represented me for a large proportion of my life. It's probably providence (so some call it). Wish me luck.

Mid Term Election

I have recently volunteered my time and efforts to Sylvia Garcia County Commissioners campaign in east Houston. She spoke to an Urban Politic class I'm taking expressing the fact she was enthusiastic about being reelected. Yet, she feared a weak voter turnout. Being a citizen in her district I personal can attest that she is highly respected and loved. However, that seem to be the problem. It seems that the less informed electorate are overlooking the fact that without their turnout we could wind up with another County Commissioner.

This is an issue with low stimulus election (such as mid terms and local election). Without the power of very large campaign donation and media, low stimulus election tend slide under the radar. I asked one of the campaign volunteer manager what were they doing to get the young voters in evolved. She rattle off twitter and facebook before that segment of our conversation quickly flat-lined. At that point, a part of me felt a good assurance for Garcia re-election, but a part of me was oddly sadden by the present condition of the electorate. With so much at stake for the future I believe the young people must become more actively involved. Holla

Interesting Fact

While watching television a couple days ago I saw a interesting fact (or I guess, I haven't did the background). Governor Rick Perry's campaign commercial stated that 850, 000 new jobs were created here in Texas over the last decade. The ad went on to state that 80% of the new job creation in the country all happen here in Texas. Now again I haven't done the background, and being a Houstonian, I ashamed to say I had no idea. I think that a great statement for the the state Texas. I my only question is "why these things only come out during election time"? If my facts are wrong please correct me. I want this blog to creditable which my comments on Senator Edwards a couple years ago still have me hanging my head. Weigh in please.

Round One (or is it?)

The fight for control continues to unveil as the Republican for-see themselves making a surge on congress this November. There's even talk about formulating policy that will allow legislators to nationally cut districts by means of gerrymandering to make future congressional races less competitive and more predictable. This movement is being backed by The Tea Party and according to news the logistics will be pure political (no public voting or authorization) and funded by the private sector. That as well as the discussion of privatizing Social Security has the public wondering is there future reasons to keep "United" in the "United States".

Opt Out

Yesterday my son came home with this weird little form I have only seen twice since I 've been alive. The form was a Student Opt Out Request sent home by the schools for parents who wish for their children not to attend the President's speak for students across the nation.

Now as far back as I can remember President's have always done this. Reagan, Clinton, even the "Peanut man", Jimmy Carter has made it a purpose to stray away from the normal political conflicts and speak encouragement to our students/future country leaders. Yet, for the first time in history schools are offering the parents the opportunity to let their children play with the logo blocks an extra hour rather than hear what our Chief Commander has to say. Now of course this is the first time a African American has every held the office. Yet, I won't go that route (although it's probably the fastest one to get to where I'm going). In stead I would rather take a minute to address the danger in the disrespect of authority.

Although we didn't see this type of behavior from the governmental system when George W. Bush was President, I still notice that people were not ashamed to call our former President any name that would get a laugh at the moment. Bush became the but end of every Late Night Talk Show hosts' joke. I personally thought that was very disrespectful and even confusing to foreigners and our own young minds who will inherent and become the diplomats of tomorrow.

A nation as great as America can't destroy from the outside. If our future is unpromising the threat will come from within. And despite what's being said by Capital Hill, it won't be debt, but more so lack of unity. President Barrack Obama attended and received valor from the top schools in our country. He came into office by a majority popular vote and he's our nations present leader. Though his views are not shared by everyone, respect for who he is and what he has accomplished should be. If we really are concern for the future of our children, let's start by teaching them respect for authority. And unfortunately that doesn't come by not letting them attend a African Americans speak, but it comes from the speak YOU make about your African American President. Peace Out!

Do I See Compromise?...NNuuhh...

For the first time in (let's just say a long time) a significant member of the GOP agrees with the President. House Minority Leader, John Boehner, agreed to support the President's decision to extend the previous Bush Administrations tax cuts. These tax cuts would only be beneficial to the American people earning $250K and over. This only makes up the top 3% of the country, but allegedly these are the people responsible for making jobs available to other Americans.

Boehner states that he has been pushing this issue for a while now as part of his idea of helping the economy recover. Boehner, like most members of the GOP, has been a harsh critic to most of the policy of the Obama Administration. Yet unlike alot of the members of his party, he has not been ashame to weigh-in his opinion publicly.

Although a significant amount of American would like to see more co-operation between the parties in Washington, there is suspicion that policy makers are still caught in the "us against them" mentality. This poses the question of the hour, "do law makers in Washington really represent the interest of the people?"...hmmm.

House Cleaning Time?

As labor day marks the beginning of election season for Congressional seats, the Republican party boast of an advantage to being able to take control of the House and possibly the Senate.

On the other side of the isle some Democrats concern for their seat are slightly beginning to push away from the President's coat tail. The opinion is that the public is getting uneasy about the change Obama promised in his initial campaign. That along with the unpopluar Health Care Bill (according to some critics) has democratic seatholders concern. Although the President has acted on numerous policies since his entry, the nation has come to a tortoise speed halt in its economic recovery.

Democrats and Republicans both agree that this seasons election may show a change in the public view of The Obama Administrations optimism.

Love and Life

We live to love. Lets just be mindful on what we choose to love. I try not to love anything uncapable of loving itself. That automaticly rules out things and automaticly qualifies people.

Trill

Life is good, but God is better. In my opinion you should have both. Accept the savior, Jesus the Christ.

RAS, ONE

God is Just

The eyes of God moves to and fro along the earth searching for those he can show himself strong through. During this process you can bet God see all the deeds of man. The hidden things, good and bad, never escape the eyes of God. With this in mind we should be challenged to trust him more. If you do something or doing something and you don't believe man is paying you your proper wages, or recognition, or respect. I encourage you to be patience and trust God. Any true reward comes from him, and if he isn't the rewarder then you haven't been rewarded.

It's easy to say you trust God because he is just. But what do your actions say....

Focus

I learn this weekend that when you lose vision, you lose life. This may not appear to be ground shaking for many people because they may not realize that death is a process. Death by loss of vision first starts by frustration. From that point you begin to make bad decision which ultimately lead you to the wrong path. This is what the bible calls transgression (it's a two part word; trans-switch, gression-movement). By lack of vision people trend to switch their movement from the right path to a alternate one. At that point your way gets hard, your lose your purpose in life, and there nothing left then but lost of physical existence. Hope is always found in Christ, but you may not realize that if you don't understand this process.

It may sound complicated, but it's not. We were all born with a purpose. Focus on your purpose is what we call vision. If you don't find it, you will die.

One, Ras

The New Year

The beginning of the race isn't started with a celebration but a gun shot. At the beginning is when you release all the your nervous energy into a fast pace dash to the finish. Don't get me wrong, I love to celebrate. I might be guilty of too much celebration (ask my wife). But I rather have something to celebrate. Now that the first is over, let's move into the next phase.

I'm glad we all made it to 2010, but let's prove God didn't make a mistake by letting us make it here. Let's get it.

One, Ras

Defense

Doe is a Defense;

I haven't blog in like forever and I won't bore you with any details.

Here the business. Wisdom is a defense, and money is a defense. The better is wisdom because it preserves the possee. Also it takes wisdom to keep money and use it as a defensive.

If you can, get both.

Ras, One

Patience my Friend

Just like our salvation, anything with a true reward attached to it takes time to achieve. This is why God instruct us that the race is given to those who endure. Patience is the ulimate test for true (pure) desire. Most things we get too fast, don't last, and aren't missed. Sad to say we live in a microwave generation where everything is directed toward instant gradification. It's all vain and none of it goes to the grave with us.

The greatest thing you can leave when you fall, is what you stood for.

That's Real Talk

RAS, One

Kick In The Rump

Business and Politics:

The nations recent election of President Barack Obama was more than a civil statement made by Americans. Despite the historical significant of the first African American president, the American people also had another agenda.

According to a annual survey done by Edelman Public Relation Firm the trust level in business drop 20% below the previous year of 2007. Only 17% of our nations people fine information coming from CEOs creditable. I seems that the presidential election was not just a change in leadership, but also a decision for Americans to trust government over the private sector for their welfare.

Personally I have set in the company of several high powered business owners and managers and heard them make convincing arguments on how the government needs to let the private sector fix our economic recession. Yet, based on this survey, I see that the American people feel the exact opposite as a whole. The President as done what CEOs should have done, and most do in the future. This is to provided honest information and better communication with its colleagues.

If the shoe fits, take the kick in the rump, and move on. I did.

The Power of Choice

Often as Christian we are faced with the dilemma of making choices that don’t seem fair or even right at times. As believer we are given strict orders from our heavenly father to choose righteousness. Yet, what happens when you are face with issues that only offer results that conflict with your kingdom obligation to obey scripture. If you have never faced this type of issue, keep living. All thought-out scripture I see this pattern, and contrary to belief, the bible gives both sides to this scenario. For instant, David fleeing the wrath of Saul enters the temple, lied to the priest, and eats the forbidden shewbread (1Samuel 21). Upon reading this I ask myself, why David didn’t tell the truth.

 Obviously David thought that his lie was necessary. He probably made this decision base on desperation. Even though his lie cause the slaying of the priest when Saul found out, Jesus came back and justified David’s actions in the Gospel when he ask the question, didn’t David eat the shewbread when he was hungry (Matt 12)?

 Here’s my point. Sometime life puts us into situations that cause us make decision in a state of desperation. Sometimes the decisions we make aren’t always the most glorious solution or maybe just flat out wrong. You can only act on the wisdom you posses in these cases, so when you make mistakes that cause horrible repercussion, know that God is greater than your heart. We should never use this liberty as an occasion to sin, but if you do, confess it to God, know that you are forgiven, and continue on without condemnation. Life is perfect, but learning to live is trial and error. This is why God provided us with a sacrifice. He knew we would make mistakes.

 As a point for the future, if God offers something, there’s a good chance that we are going to need it.

 God Bless,

RAS