Jason Monastra

My life and thoughts out on the web

With the anticipation subsiding and the polls coming in, the race appears to be shifting strongly in the way of Barack Obama.  With a win projected in Ohio, the reality is that the path to the White House will require a clean sweep to get John McCain in the door.  Most likely not what will happen.  Barack Obama appears at this time, 10:03pm in evening on November 4th 2008 to be the presidential elect for the US.  Surprised - not completely.  Disappointed - very much.  With this election the US as we know it will cease to exist and the movement to a government controlled people is bringing in the new day.

Most people do not realize the impact of such a decision, blaming the GOP for the recent economic climate and of course the financial crisis of these past months.  How quick we forget the benefits of free enterprise and how we arrived here.  When things go bad, we are quick to point a finger -  blaming the process or a person, looking for anything but simply not understanding that things are not perfect.  There are ups/downs, and extremes on both ends.  We will suffer the same under a Democratically controlled government, as there will be little difference when it comes to that.

What will be different is how much less of a voice we have.  The people have voted, and appeared to have voted for a king.  They are looking for more government, less control of their own destinies, and a ruling process that has not worked in other countries for hundreds of years.  US has been the beneficiary of the only free market and non-governmentcontrolled people.  Our expertise and knowledge base has been the backbone of nearly 200 yrs of progression.  But withthe new ideas on acceptance, immigration reform, and welfare - the requirement of people working and the need for standing up on one’s own two feet has been lifted.  No longer must a person work to eat, but simply fill out a form and send it in for the handout each month the government is willing to give you.  That process, and the true keeping down of the poor and disenfranchised has what has brought us to this point - leading us to choose leadership that will take more from us and give little to nothing back.

I am saddened.  No doubt about it…this is a hard day for me and all people, no matter your party, that look at this country as a place where we can set our own dreams and experiences.  We are now bringing in the day where nothing will be our own, and we will be accountable for nothing other than working when we want, giving all our money to a central fund to be redistributed across the people, thus deemphasizing hard work and encouraging laziness.  I go to sleep not knowing what tomorrow brings other than things are changing…..that is what people voted for.  However, they did not know where they wanted to go and where Obama plans on taking us.  It might be sadder that they did not even bother to ask.

Polls are an interesting science, better call it art to be safe.  They are intended to offer a sample of the general public thus giving the idea of what the nation is thinking.  Polls tend to go back and forth, some offering wider amounts of disparity than others.  As most know I lean in the conservative camp, but find myself glued more to the liberal media channels such as CNN (like there are many conservative ones to choose from).  In any case, I find interesting the the polls and their truth over the last week.

It appears that the gap between McCain and Obama might not be as large as once proposed.  Why is that?  Disenchantment.  Liberal media channels that happen to control most of the outlets into peoples’ homes want people to believe that there is no hope for the McCain/Palin ticket.  To do so, their polls are skewed, only calling on registered liberals and people know to support Obama as a candidate.  Looking then at the sampling of say 1200 people, the guise is that the nation is leaning towards Obama.  Frankly that is quite simple given the sampling that they collect.  If you ask a sampling of 1200 dogs if they enjoy being around cats or dogs, most will respond emphatically not with cats (as they chase them around barking).

But what about the most recent polls, with the lead dropping from 11 to 5%, I even saw a poll yesterday with a spread of 3%.  That same poll had a margin error of 2.5% meaning it could essentially be a dead heat.  Why the changes?  Simple….they cannot look so out of touch as the election begins.  If they continue to report such disparity and the election results are very close or McCain wins, they will look like they are not reporting the news independently.  Like they ever were.

Liberal media has launched a campaign that has brought the Obama campaign to unprecedented heights, one that is formidable and difficult to overcome.  But certainly not impossible.  McCain and Palin have a valid chance at creating history themselves - McCain as being the oldest President and Palin as the first female VP.  Polls are what they are, but do not take them as they are presented - as most media outlets have their own agenda and care little for the truth.  They are painters of a picture, hoping to generate results that make them look the best.

I read recently that a fetal test for Down Syndrome has been developed which is non-evasive and offers no risk to the mother or babywhen tested.  This is a substantial increase over the former testing methods which jeopardized in rare cases the baby.  With this, people will be able to see their child and understand if they have the extra chromosome that causes the disease.

As a believer in Jesus Christ, I see this as a double edged sword.  There is no reference in the article to when the test can be administered, and due to the fact that the test is blood driven - reading imprints within the DNA, I imagine it be done early in the pregnancy.  My hope is that people will utilize this test to calm their minds or prepare for the challenges in raising a child with this condition.  The alternative is far more demonic, offering parents a clear view into the child’s genes to determine whether or not to abort the child.  With nearly 50 million babies aborted in this country since the legalization, the last thing we need is an easier check for parents to say “throw my kid away”.

Science is a great thing as it offers great benefits to all of humanity.  I believe that God has given people the ability to figure complex issues out and offer hope to people that were hopeless just a small time ago.  However, with anything that offers positive - the misuse of the technology can be very grave, turning the benefits of the solution into a darker corner where abuse and death occur.  I pray that in this situation that is not the case.

Economic worries and stress about the direction of the country have led a good deal of companies to evaluate their human capital strategy, looking for solutions that are both cost efficient and effective.  Candidates need to understand this and ensure that their expectations are in line with the company’s ability to provide.

Just yesterday I was in a conversation with a talented engineer looking at a contract role for one of our clients.  The expectations of what the company would offer as far as hospitality such as water, the ability to freshen up, an understanding of the trip he just took were not taken into consideration.  As a searching candidate we need to understand the true climate that we are in right now.  From a talent factor, we have always had issues finding great talent.  People with solid skills will always be in demand.  However, with the election, the constant discussion of dismal hope that is sent throughout the media, people have come to believe things are worse than they are.  With that comes a great deal of issues that need to be understood.

First and foremost, companies think there are people looking all over and talent is cheap to find.  WRONG.  The talent people are looking for, strong functional/technical folks that impact environments and provide value are still very hard to find.  The mass layoffs you here typically have a great deal to do with customer service, support, and non-critical functions.  Those people are easy to find and you can get them at a steal. 

Second, taking into consideration number 1 - companies are looking for people that are critical.  Those people have not been let go and are gainfully employed. To attract them, there needs to be suitable reasons, something that draws them from their current home.  It better be good, as people are less likely to move when the market is perceived as it is now.  Companies need to better understand this fact, knowing that good people are still hard to find.  Employers need to make themselves look better by thinking of their candidates when they arrive.

Third, candidates need to understand the learning curve of the employers.  Most employers are slow to adapt.  If they think there is a glut of talent out there, notice of small things is uncommon.  However, when the true market understanding comes in - they will take more notice and realize that each interview is critical.  That takes time and companies are less likely to see the market for what it is till their positions have been open for a year, and they are asking why.

Summary - companies are slow to understand the market place for the most part.  Be understanding and set your expectations as realistic.

The day is nearing.  November 1st.  Frankly I was never sure if this political chaos that has ruled the media would ever end, but it appears that the apex is finally approaching with an interesting picture developing.  The GOP, known for the ability to come together under one roof, is doing that which the Democrats have always been fingered for.  Specifically unable and unwilling to put their differences aside and stand united.  It appears it will cost them this Presidential election.

Major icons in the GOP have publicy supported Obama throughout this campaign.  The likes of Colin Powell and Christopher Buckley just to name some people you might know.  This has caused additional main stream Republicans to look across and see a possible candidate that they could not only live with, but vote for.  The party’s pick of Sarah Palin, though originally considered possible genius, has worn off littering the campaign with countless issues.  How Americans today view the GOP is strongly different from decades before as the message and tactics in this election has soured most people from the cause.

I have been a Republican since I can remember.  Most people I think learn from their parents and follow what they see.  As a child in a military family, the choice was clear with little exposure to people that even spoke of a Democrat.  Growing up is exactly that, growing up.  I have had the opportunity to review and look over the issues, understand the political parties and their movements, choosing that which falls closely aligned with my morale beliefs (as well as economic, environmental and a large number of other factors).  Today I find myself not knowing - possible independant.

Chinks in the armor are showing up everywhere, with a suitable group of middle conservative party members making up the group.  Right wing, and I mean deep right wingers are pusing their agenda at all costs.  It appears with all of the seperation, there is a class cavern building within the GOP.  This has been a growing divide and has essentially pushed classes within the party to look for alternatives.

Message is a little muddy.  The message of the GOP is all over the place.  I have never seen such jumping around, looking to somehow garner support from all angles in an attempt to beat out Obama.  This movement has made it impossible to understand the McCain doctrine and really know what he will do if elected.  No matter his record, nothing shocks me more than what people will do when given the keys to castle. 

No matter the cause, people are running from post to post, operating in survival mode.  As I can see, the election is over….Obama wins and I can see that now.  What will happen from there, who knows?  I will say that Obama might have some GOP’ers in some critical spots.  Solid professionals have been showing their colors by backing Obama in an attempt to solidy their own political future in a Democrat controlled government.  No surprise the Republican party can’t keep the ship straight - the crew is jumping right in the middle of the storm.  So is politics I guess.

The backwards talk and the constant change of wording by all accounts for most people is disturbing, however in watching this video I recently saw on the Huffington Post, I found myself asking why?  As I understand it, there was a time that Biden was considered the rising star amid the Democratic party -someone to look to for the future, offering impact and change on the national level.  Well with that fizzling out as he has been in the Senate with little to show over the last 20 yrs, he is interviewed back in 2007 with the subject of drawing parallels between his campaign and that of Barack Obama. Click Here for Video Now you ask where is the confusion?

Simple….Biden sits on the ticket of Barack Obama has a puppet simply placing himself there since he will never get the national support and opportunity to be in office otherwise.  However, in this interview - he claims that Obama is not ready for the job.  Sound weird…..you probably are thinking the same as I.  In addition, he declares the following: “It would be hard for me to go out and make the case for my president that I had strong disagreement with,” he says. “It would be a hard thing for me to do. And I don’t criticize those who do because you must be a team. So I would not recommend that anyone pick me for vice president.”  LOL.  Are you kidding me…is not he sitting on the ticket?  Is not he the one supporting Obama and smashing McCain/Palin?  Is not he now wanting to be VIce President?  What changed?

What changed is that he will never see the oval office other from the hip pocket of another presidential candidate….bottom line. He has spent numerous years offering the Senate nothing more than a running dialogue of “more of the same” thus making him inadequate for a larger post.  Obama found out quickly that he needed Biden to overcome issues of experience, but nothing more.  Biden will sit happily by eating bon-bons and enjoying the sites from the VPs office, while Obama does whatever it is he does.  I am pretty certain that Obama will not ask Biden, because according to him Obama is not ready and they should have never picked him for VP.

I have been following the tragic decline of AIG since it made the headlines, waiting and hoping for a sign that shows the leadership change that is drastically needed to make the company move in the right direction.  However with the bailout, additional funds, and increased timeline - we have seen nothing but some of the lowest aspects of financial leadership and economic responsibility.  All this being done at the cost of the taxpayer with little to no oversight by our government which gave them the money.

First out, the $442,000 that was spent on the retreat and rewards event for the top sales people.  This occurred right after the bailout plan was announced, spitting in the face of companies and people that are nickel and diming by during this time.  Secondly the golf and hunting trips that have cost the company near $100,000 continue along the path of lavish expenditures which the company’s elite have become accustomed and have no issues continuing even with public funds.  Lastly and most recently announced, the consulting dollars assigned to the former division chief who oversaw the company’s management of their credit derivatives.  $34,000,000 in a one time payment plus $1,000,000/month is going out for these services.

Are there no laws.   Recently, the State Attorney General of NY - Andrew Cuomo, has raised the flag that enough is enough.  But even with his most recent requests, spending has not declined.  There must be more than simply talk of action, but action required.  People need to know that their public funds are not being wasted for the benefits of a few people.  Personally, consulting and offering large payouts to someone that was instrumental in your downfall makes no sense.  Are there are committees and government appointed experts in the field that should be assigned to a company such as AIG to oversee critical business operations should such a loan be made?  Instead, we feed the process that has failed, offering little more than a bucket to move water from a sinking ship.  How many buckets will they need next year?