It happens every time. Election Week brings out the "haters" on Twitter, Facebook, Blogs, and other social media venues.
My policy is that I un-follow people who cross the line from political commentary and opinion into "HATE". This has nothing to do with political ideology. There are an equal number of hate-filled people on the right and the left side of the spectrum.... and during election cycles they come out in droves.
Passions run strong when elections are on the line.... and some people cannot help themselves. Their dislike for the positions of someone on the other side of ideology gets the best of them and they make it personal. They say horrible things. Some do it in the name of comedy, others just spew their vomit as a way to claim their superior status.
I figure if they cannot control their hate from spilling into the Twitter stream, then I should not be wasting my time following them. A simple click and they disappear.
I do this to liberals and conservatives. I see many people who get angry with hateful comments about the candidates they support, but laugh at awful things said about the candidates they disagree with when it comes to political beliefs.
I think hate is hate (politics aside) and when it comes to social media, I delete those who cloud the internet with "yuckiness". I simply do not think we need rude, disrespectful and snarky comments. Yep, some friends vanish from my social media lists during elections. If they notice (and ask "why?") I tell them. Most never even notice I am gone.
If everyone had a similar policy then the internet might be a more civil place.
What do you think?
Have A Great Day (and go vote!)
thom
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label politics. Show all posts
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Thursday, February 25, 2010
"America's Secret Weapon is Entrepreneurs" (Entrepreneurs Organization, EO Accelerator, ATI, and CTAN Co-Host Evening With Jack McDonald)
Four of Austin's top organizations that support the entrepreneurial community (Entrepreneurs Organization, EO Accelerator, ATI, and CTAN) co-hosted an event to bring their members together on Tuesday night. Not even the "Blizzard of 2010" could stop entrepreneurs from showing up to network and listen to local business leader Jack McDonald (it had snowed three inches that day -- A lot by Austin standards, ...... and when it snows in Austin, everything else shuts down) .
I have written about my friend Jack McDonald in the past. Last year he had formed and exploratory committee to look at running for Congress. In the end, he did not run this time around. The chances of his winning as a Democrat in the Republican district (against a well funded incumbent) did not add up.
As a real businessman, he made the informed decision to not make the run (a real politician would have run anyway, wastefully spending $3 million of donor money. A good entrepreneur does not waste cash - A politician will wast money any day of the week).
Jack's talk centered on "How To Grow Your Business In A Tough Economy", something he knows a lot about, having lead a successful public technology company (Perficient, Inc. - PRFT) over the past ten years.
Austin (and Texas) have been fortunate in this recession. We have several companies that are adding jobs (example: entrepreneur Brett Hurt's Bazaarvoice has grown from zero to 400 jobs over the past four years), and the city's young workforce is among the best educated in the world. The diverse and open culture coupled with other positives in the region means we have what it takes to grow. Both individual businesses and Central Texas are poised for expansion in 2010 and beyond.
But Austin cannot be complacent. There is a lot of other cities who are positioning themselves for growth in tech, bio-tech, energy and the other industries. We are not immune to the challenges of the recession or the future and we must continue to take actions to make the region successful. The Austin business community must reinvent to stay ahead of the curve.
McDonald challenged the audience of entrepreneurs not to sit on the sidelines, but to instead be involved in the process. The Austin Chamber of Commerce and other organizations are working on the plans for the future through policy, business recruitment and retention, and other business ecosystem investments. However, the tech entrepreneurial companies are often not at the table, because many of these companies are customer focused (and their customers are around the world, not in Austin). He reminded the crowd that their success is directly tied to the city's future.
He had three pieces of advice on how to survive and grow in any economy:
1. Do not chase "easy revenue". Know who you are and who you want your clients to be. He witnessed may of Perficient's competitors disappear because they chased the Dot-Com economy in the late 1990s.
2. Avoid ego driven expenditures. By keeping fixed costs low, a company can survive the tough times. Too many small businesses obsess over Class A office space (Class B office space is just fine for a growth company!) and other expenses in order to "look bigger". This can be a fast track to going out of business.
3. Be realistic. After the tech crash in 2001 too many entrepreneurs and investors stuck their head in the sand, when they should have moved fast to make changes to get lean.
The end of his talk touched on national politics. The global economy has a lot of competition, and it is not going away. Our federal government must make policy adjustments to keep the country on the right track. The tax code on small businesses is neither effective or fair. Big corporate welfare is not driving job creation. GE, who is not adding jobs pays around 12% in taxes while growth oriented companies pay close to 40%. (Huh? That is nuts. Are you listening in Washington DC?).
America's secret weapon is entrepreneurs. Washington must recognize this and make decisions that encourages capital formation and supports those who start and grow companies. We have one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world, and this puts America at a disadvantage.
It is a shame that Jack will not be going to Congress. We need more people in Washington DC and in state governments who are entrepreneurs. Our elected officials are often good people who went from law school to politics without ever having met a payroll, created a job, or developed a product or service. They have no clue about business, but are the ones making the decisions that effect not just Wall Street, but Main Street.
Overall it was a great event, and I would like to thank the four hosting organizations and sponsor, Frost Bank, for making it happen.
I am enjoying my involvement in EO Accelerator, as the organization continues to expose me to great people and educational programs that help me in my own journey as an entrepreneur.
Have A Great Day.
thom
I have written about my friend Jack McDonald in the past. Last year he had formed and exploratory committee to look at running for Congress. In the end, he did not run this time around. The chances of his winning as a Democrat in the Republican district (against a well funded incumbent) did not add up.
As a real businessman, he made the informed decision to not make the run (a real politician would have run anyway, wastefully spending $3 million of donor money. A good entrepreneur does not waste cash - A politician will wast money any day of the week).
Jack's talk centered on "How To Grow Your Business In A Tough Economy", something he knows a lot about, having lead a successful public technology company (Perficient, Inc. - PRFT) over the past ten years.
Austin (and Texas) have been fortunate in this recession. We have several companies that are adding jobs (example: entrepreneur Brett Hurt's Bazaarvoice has grown from zero to 400 jobs over the past four years), and the city's young workforce is among the best educated in the world. The diverse and open culture coupled with other positives in the region means we have what it takes to grow. Both individual businesses and Central Texas are poised for expansion in 2010 and beyond.
But Austin cannot be complacent. There is a lot of other cities who are positioning themselves for growth in tech, bio-tech, energy and the other industries. We are not immune to the challenges of the recession or the future and we must continue to take actions to make the region successful. The Austin business community must reinvent to stay ahead of the curve.
McDonald challenged the audience of entrepreneurs not to sit on the sidelines, but to instead be involved in the process. The Austin Chamber of Commerce and other organizations are working on the plans for the future through policy, business recruitment and retention, and other business ecosystem investments. However, the tech entrepreneurial companies are often not at the table, because many of these companies are customer focused (and their customers are around the world, not in Austin). He reminded the crowd that their success is directly tied to the city's future.
He had three pieces of advice on how to survive and grow in any economy:
1. Do not chase "easy revenue". Know who you are and who you want your clients to be. He witnessed may of Perficient's competitors disappear because they chased the Dot-Com economy in the late 1990s.
2. Avoid ego driven expenditures. By keeping fixed costs low, a company can survive the tough times. Too many small businesses obsess over Class A office space (Class B office space is just fine for a growth company!) and other expenses in order to "look bigger". This can be a fast track to going out of business.
3. Be realistic. After the tech crash in 2001 too many entrepreneurs and investors stuck their head in the sand, when they should have moved fast to make changes to get lean.
The end of his talk touched on national politics. The global economy has a lot of competition, and it is not going away. Our federal government must make policy adjustments to keep the country on the right track. The tax code on small businesses is neither effective or fair. Big corporate welfare is not driving job creation. GE, who is not adding jobs pays around 12% in taxes while growth oriented companies pay close to 40%. (Huh? That is nuts. Are you listening in Washington DC?).
America's secret weapon is entrepreneurs. Washington must recognize this and make decisions that encourages capital formation and supports those who start and grow companies. We have one of the highest corporate tax rates in the world, and this puts America at a disadvantage.
It is a shame that Jack will not be going to Congress. We need more people in Washington DC and in state governments who are entrepreneurs. Our elected officials are often good people who went from law school to politics without ever having met a payroll, created a job, or developed a product or service. They have no clue about business, but are the ones making the decisions that effect not just Wall Street, but Main Street.
Overall it was a great event, and I would like to thank the four hosting organizations and sponsor, Frost Bank, for making it happen.
I am enjoying my involvement in EO Accelerator, as the organization continues to expose me to great people and educational programs that help me in my own journey as an entrepreneur.
Have A Great Day.
thom
Tuesday, January 05, 2010
Austin Businessman Jack McDonald Not Running For Congress (This Time)
Over the last year I have written on this blog (here and here) and on Twitter about my friend, Jack McDonald, who was running for the United States House of Representatives. I was even on the “host committee” of a fundraiser. I was excited to see an experienced CEO, decision maker, entrepreneur and self-made success story making a bid to represent the people in Washington DC. Although I am not a Democrat (I am not a Republican any more either), I was thrilled to support Jack McDonald for Congress.
Shortly before the holidays Jack announced that he would not be filing the paperwork to make the run for public office at this time. Bummer.
This is a bummer not just for those who live in the district he would have represented, but also for all Americans. We need to do something different in Washington DC, as the same-old-same-old career politicians are not delivering the goods.
Texas’ Congressional District 10 is a ridiculously gerrymandered squiggle on the map that stretches from Austin to Houston. It is a Republican leaning district with (I have heard) an electorate of 55% R and 45% D voters. For Jack to have won this race would have meant that the moderates from both sides of the aisle would have needed to overwhelmingly voted for his democratic candidacy.
The race would have cost millions of dollars (of both fund-raised and personal money), and he would have most likely lost the race regardless of the cash he spent. A smart business man does not waste millions of dollars. The incumbent congressman, Mike McCaul, has a well funded campaign, good name recognition, and is a Republican (in a “red” district). With the current tide across the country being one of dis-enchantment with the far-left agenda of the White House and Congress, even a moderate democrat could never have seen the love from the moderates.
Jack’s press release announcing his decision to not make the run stated:
“This was a difficult decision for me and one I did not make lightly. I approached the decision in the same way I have approached my business decisions over the years-in an informed, realistic and fiscally-responsible way.”
I think it is a shame that both political parties have allowed the fringes to take control of their agendas. It seems that neither the Republicans nor the Democrats have a home for those of us who are firmly planted in the middle of the hard issues that face our country. The really bad news is that MOST people I talk to are in the middle (to varying degrees). They are Americans first, Republicans and Democrats second. It is NOT this way it is in the seat of our government. Partisan and divisive stances rule the roost. Last year Americans went to the polls to vote for change, but we only got a change in which party is running the show... otherwise it is “business as usual” in Washington DC.
Candidates like Jack McDonald who have led their lives and built successful careers in the private sector are whom we need to be electing to national level offices. Experience outside of public service is a good thing, in my opinion! But the system is set up, and the districts are designed, to favor more of the same. Jack is a guy who has made a difference in the real world and was trying to bring that experience to government. He made the smart decision to keep his powder dry and live to fight another day.
Have A Great Day.
thom
Monday, July 06, 2009
Sarah Palin
There, I did it. I put her name in the title of this blog post and thus triggered some amazing feelings (positive and negative) from the hundreds of people who are reading this post.
The thing is, I don't understand how this one person stirs over the top emotional responses from people on both the far left and the far right. I have seen politicians over the years who were loved and hated, but few that could drive people to orgasm or homicide as easily as Mrs. Palin.
As a "Recovering Republican" (but not a Democrat) and self described "Extreme Centrist", there are things that I dislike and admire about Sarah Palin. I spent a lot of time researching her during the 2008 campaign (even before John McCain selected her as his running mate... I was not one who had NEVER heard of her before that announcement), and she is an interesting public figure.
Without question she is one of the most poised public speakers in politics (you may not like her views, but the woman can deliver a speech better than anyone but Reagan, Clinton and Obama).
While I believe she was in way over her head during the historic 2008 race, I am not so shallow that I would call her "dumb", "bimbo", "idiot" or "fool" (all word that people I know, and usually respect, have used to talk about her). I do not believe she that currently has what it takes to run for president, but if she wants to run, that is her choice. I doubt she could win. But she has the right to run if she wants. We also have the right not to vote for her! Can't figure out why her running scares or excites people at this point.
I don't get it. She resigned from being governor and it sent the media and others into a frenzy. So what? If this move was so damning to her brand, then those who hate her should be thrilled. If it is an amazingly smart move, then maybe they should praise her for not being as dumb as they thought. But in reality, it was neither. It is what it is, and we wont know the reality until we see what she does in the future.
My beef with politics is that the far left and the far right are both so darn hateful. Both sides are focused on making someone into a flawless God or tearing them to shreds. All the politicians are in the middle. The fringe on both sides have the same sour soul (yes, they are mental twins). Both the far left and the far right have lost touch with reality and view it all as a game. For those in the middle, this is no game. It is the future. We need to take the hate AND the hero worship out of politics.
Sarah Palin has both sides pouring a ton of attention on her every move, which is turning her into an icon. This is not good for either those who idolize her or those who despise the woman. Michael Jackson was an icon.... and look how that played out.
We would all be better off if people just ignored her for a while.
If you are crazy over this post, go take a deep breath. I am not writing to promote or undermine Palin. I am just venting that I do not understand her power over getting people riled up.
Share your insights with me on why she has this power over the media and others.
Have A Great Day.
thom
The thing is, I don't understand how this one person stirs over the top emotional responses from people on both the far left and the far right. I have seen politicians over the years who were loved and hated, but few that could drive people to orgasm or homicide as easily as Mrs. Palin.
As a "Recovering Republican" (but not a Democrat) and self described "Extreme Centrist", there are things that I dislike and admire about Sarah Palin. I spent a lot of time researching her during the 2008 campaign (even before John McCain selected her as his running mate... I was not one who had NEVER heard of her before that announcement), and she is an interesting public figure.
Without question she is one of the most poised public speakers in politics (you may not like her views, but the woman can deliver a speech better than anyone but Reagan, Clinton and Obama).
While I believe she was in way over her head during the historic 2008 race, I am not so shallow that I would call her "dumb", "bimbo", "idiot" or "fool" (all word that people I know, and usually respect, have used to talk about her). I do not believe she that currently has what it takes to run for president, but if she wants to run, that is her choice. I doubt she could win. But she has the right to run if she wants. We also have the right not to vote for her! Can't figure out why her running scares or excites people at this point.
I don't get it. She resigned from being governor and it sent the media and others into a frenzy. So what? If this move was so damning to her brand, then those who hate her should be thrilled. If it is an amazingly smart move, then maybe they should praise her for not being as dumb as they thought. But in reality, it was neither. It is what it is, and we wont know the reality until we see what she does in the future.
My beef with politics is that the far left and the far right are both so darn hateful. Both sides are focused on making someone into a flawless God or tearing them to shreds. All the politicians are in the middle. The fringe on both sides have the same sour soul (yes, they are mental twins). Both the far left and the far right have lost touch with reality and view it all as a game. For those in the middle, this is no game. It is the future. We need to take the hate AND the hero worship out of politics.
Sarah Palin has both sides pouring a ton of attention on her every move, which is turning her into an icon. This is not good for either those who idolize her or those who despise the woman. Michael Jackson was an icon.... and look how that played out.
We would all be better off if people just ignored her for a while.
If you are crazy over this post, go take a deep breath. I am not writing to promote or undermine Palin. I am just venting that I do not understand her power over getting people riled up.
Share your insights with me on why she has this power over the media and others.
Have A Great Day.
thom
Monday, May 11, 2009
Congratulations Lee Leffingwell - Next Mayor of Austin, Texas
While I was in support of Brewster McCracken for mayor of Austin, I would like to congratulate Lee Leffingwell on his victory.
McCracken announced, by email, earlier today that he would not be challenging Leffingwell to a run-off election (Since no candidate received 50% of the votes, a run-off between the top two would have been the next step). While only 13% of the voters showed up for the local election, Leffingwell had a 47% lead over 27% for Brewster. Success for McCracken in a run-off election would have been a difficult and costly undertaking. Even less people would have come out for yet another trip to the polls, and those would have been more of the "traditional voters" who overwhelmingly supported Leffingwell.
I am a believer that when an election ends, citizens must show support to the victor. This is how a democracy works, and to go with anything other than a hope for a united future undermines the whole process. The culture of hate and distrust that permeates politics is one of the reason that everyone stays away for politics in the first place.
I am disappointed in the fact that Austin, like most other cities, has such little participation when it comes to choosing our leaders. Our future is left in the hands of "the usual suspects" who are known to go to the polls. We need to do something to change this or we all lose.
From a city like Austin, Texas I expect more than apathy from the citizens.
Lee Leffingwell is a good man (I have never met him, but have friends who do know him) who will work hard for the success of Austin. I wish him well in his tenure as mayor and I will continue to do everything in my power to support the City of Austin.
Have A Great Day.
thom
McCracken announced, by email, earlier today that he would not be challenging Leffingwell to a run-off election (Since no candidate received 50% of the votes, a run-off between the top two would have been the next step). While only 13% of the voters showed up for the local election, Leffingwell had a 47% lead over 27% for Brewster. Success for McCracken in a run-off election would have been a difficult and costly undertaking. Even less people would have come out for yet another trip to the polls, and those would have been more of the "traditional voters" who overwhelmingly supported Leffingwell.
I am a believer that when an election ends, citizens must show support to the victor. This is how a democracy works, and to go with anything other than a hope for a united future undermines the whole process. The culture of hate and distrust that permeates politics is one of the reason that everyone stays away for politics in the first place.
I am disappointed in the fact that Austin, like most other cities, has such little participation when it comes to choosing our leaders. Our future is left in the hands of "the usual suspects" who are known to go to the polls. We need to do something to change this or we all lose.
From a city like Austin, Texas I expect more than apathy from the citizens.
Lee Leffingwell is a good man (I have never met him, but have friends who do know him) who will work hard for the success of Austin. I wish him well in his tenure as mayor and I will continue to do everything in my power to support the City of Austin.
Have A Great Day.
thom
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Austin Mayors Race Has Embarrassing Low Voter Turn Out Numbers- No Winner
Everyone who knows me is aware that I have been a supporter of City Councilman and Mayor Pro-Tem Brewster McCracken in the race for Austin Mayor.
In yesterday's election no candidate received the required 50% of the vote to claim the office, thus the top two candidates will face a run-off election on June 13th, 2009.
It was surprising to most to see that candidate Lee Leffingwell garnered 47%, while Brewster only pulled 27% in this three way race (Carole Keeton Strayhorn got 21%) between five people on the ballot.
Leffingwell's campaign is proud of the huge margin, based on percentage of those who voted, and from the way the TV news reported this... is claiming some sort of fictional mandate of the Austin voters.
The real story here is NOT about the percentages, it is about the HORRIBLE and embarrassingly low turn out of the registered voters. In a city with over 500,000 voters, just over 30,000 people voted for Leffingwell, and over 20,000 for Mr. McCracken. Instead of bragging about the percentages who favored them, both candidates should be appalled that they were part of an election where NOBODY cared enough to show up and vote.
This is embarrassing and every citizen in the city of Austin should be ashamed. The four city council members who were elected last night should not have been having victory parties to celebrate, but should be wearing black arm-bands to signify that they really have no support of their constituency. Theirs are dead-victories.
Every elected official in Austin should be disgusted with this low turn out. (But they are not, because a small turn-out with the "usual suspects" insures the same folks repeated victories). All of them should express REGRET that they do not make enough of an impact on the lives of the people who live in the city.
"Get Out The Vote" should be the rally call of our leaders. Anyone who hopes for low turn out has no business in public service!
I want to see Brewster McCracken and Lee Leffingwell take on this cause of increasing voter turn out during the month that will now lead up to the run off election.
While I will continue to support Brewster McCracken for Mayor of Austin, I am more concerned with the real numbers of voters than I am with who wins the race.
Come on Austin. We are better than this.
Have A Great Day.
thom
In yesterday's election no candidate received the required 50% of the vote to claim the office, thus the top two candidates will face a run-off election on June 13th, 2009.
It was surprising to most to see that candidate Lee Leffingwell garnered 47%, while Brewster only pulled 27% in this three way race (Carole Keeton Strayhorn got 21%) between five people on the ballot.
Leffingwell's campaign is proud of the huge margin, based on percentage of those who voted, and from the way the TV news reported this... is claiming some sort of fictional mandate of the Austin voters.
The real story here is NOT about the percentages, it is about the HORRIBLE and embarrassingly low turn out of the registered voters. In a city with over 500,000 voters, just over 30,000 people voted for Leffingwell, and over 20,000 for Mr. McCracken. Instead of bragging about the percentages who favored them, both candidates should be appalled that they were part of an election where NOBODY cared enough to show up and vote.
This is embarrassing and every citizen in the city of Austin should be ashamed. The four city council members who were elected last night should not have been having victory parties to celebrate, but should be wearing black arm-bands to signify that they really have no support of their constituency. Theirs are dead-victories.
Every elected official in Austin should be disgusted with this low turn out. (But they are not, because a small turn-out with the "usual suspects" insures the same folks repeated victories). All of them should express REGRET that they do not make enough of an impact on the lives of the people who live in the city.
"Get Out The Vote" should be the rally call of our leaders. Anyone who hopes for low turn out has no business in public service!
I want to see Brewster McCracken and Lee Leffingwell take on this cause of increasing voter turn out during the month that will now lead up to the run off election.
While I will continue to support Brewster McCracken for Mayor of Austin, I am more concerned with the real numbers of voters than I am with who wins the race.
Come on Austin. We are better than this.
Have A Great Day.
thom
Friday, April 24, 2009
"Some Assembly Required Blog" Endorses Brewster McCracken for Austin Mayor
I attended a great party on Friday night at the home of Tara and Chad Goldwasser (Goldwasser Real Estate is the premier real estate company in Ausin!). The event was in support of Austin Mayor Candidate Brewster McCracken. The election is just around the corner, and awareness of the issues and the future of this amazing city were the topics at hand.
A large crowd was in attendance to hear the candidate talk about what it is that make Austin a spectacular city, and discuss what we need to do to ensure that we are a thriving city going forward. We cannot rest on our past successes, nor can we just "hunker down" and hope for the best.
Early voting begins on Monday, and the election will be held on May 9th.
Historically Austinites do not have a very good turn out in local elections. The citizens talk a good game about being politically involved, but do not really show up to vote in the actual elections. Bummer.
During these trying times, the future of the city depends on having a plan for tomorrow. No matter who people vote for, this is not the year to ignore the election. Weak voter turn out is reserved for weak cities. Austin is better than that!
Hey Austinites --- No matter whom you support, please go vote. The "Some Assembly Required Blog" officially endorses Brewster McCracken for Mayor of Austin!
Have A Great Day.
thom
A large crowd was in attendance to hear the candidate talk about what it is that make Austin a spectacular city, and discuss what we need to do to ensure that we are a thriving city going forward. We cannot rest on our past successes, nor can we just "hunker down" and hope for the best.
Early voting begins on Monday, and the election will be held on May 9th.
Historically Austinites do not have a very good turn out in local elections. The citizens talk a good game about being politically involved, but do not really show up to vote in the actual elections. Bummer.
During these trying times, the future of the city depends on having a plan for tomorrow. No matter who people vote for, this is not the year to ignore the election. Weak voter turn out is reserved for weak cities. Austin is better than that!
Hey Austinites --- No matter whom you support, please go vote. The "Some Assembly Required Blog" officially endorses Brewster McCracken for Mayor of Austin!
Have A Great Day.
thom
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
I'm Confused
After watching all the news about these "Tea Party" protests government taxes, I can't figure out what anyone wants.
Are they protesting all taxes? Ummm, how would we have road, schools, Army, etc... We need to have taxes, folks.
Are they protesting the overly complex tax code? Ok, I agree, our tax system is so screwed up than anyone who does not think this is either much smarter than me... or lying. We have let the tax code get so complex that it means nobody can figure it out, not even the people who work for the government.
Are they looking for a "fair" percentage to pay in taxes? "Fair" is a subjective term so you can never find that number.
Or... are these protests just another reason for the right and left to run around and say nasty shit about each other? It seems like a chance for those who don't like Mr. Obama to run around in the streets and "glam" for the camera. Meanwhile it is a chance for the President's supporters to run around and keep busy, since they have had little to do since the election.
I believe that Barak Obama is doing a fine job. Regardless of politics, he is the President and that deserves respect and honor. Besides, he has been in office about 35 minutes.... can we please give the man a chance to govern? The right HATED it when the left treated George W. Bush poorly at every turn ... and yet instead of demonstrating how they would have wished the Democrats should have behaved,.... they act like jerks. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. It is a never ending circle.
Seems to me the far right are all in one voice thinking these "tea parties" are amazing. And the far left is commenting on how awful the demonstrators are as people. It is funny to see people making this about "right" and "left". Is it really? Or are people just jumping in support of "their team"????
I am getting sick and tired of all this lock-step "Republican" and "Democrat" stuff. When do we act like Americans first? I am tired of all of it. If you are a partisan, you are equally as guilty as the people on the other side. Really, you are like twins. STOP THE INSANITY and let's find a way to make the needs of America come BEFORE a victory for the political parties.
I tell you, this "Extreme Centrist" stuff is catching on.
thom
Are they protesting all taxes? Ummm, how would we have road, schools, Army, etc... We need to have taxes, folks.
Are they protesting the overly complex tax code? Ok, I agree, our tax system is so screwed up than anyone who does not think this is either much smarter than me... or lying. We have let the tax code get so complex that it means nobody can figure it out, not even the people who work for the government.
Are they looking for a "fair" percentage to pay in taxes? "Fair" is a subjective term so you can never find that number.
Or... are these protests just another reason for the right and left to run around and say nasty shit about each other? It seems like a chance for those who don't like Mr. Obama to run around in the streets and "glam" for the camera. Meanwhile it is a chance for the President's supporters to run around and keep busy, since they have had little to do since the election.
I believe that Barak Obama is doing a fine job. Regardless of politics, he is the President and that deserves respect and honor. Besides, he has been in office about 35 minutes.... can we please give the man a chance to govern? The right HATED it when the left treated George W. Bush poorly at every turn ... and yet instead of demonstrating how they would have wished the Democrats should have behaved,.... they act like jerks. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr. It is a never ending circle.
Seems to me the far right are all in one voice thinking these "tea parties" are amazing. And the far left is commenting on how awful the demonstrators are as people. It is funny to see people making this about "right" and "left". Is it really? Or are people just jumping in support of "their team"????
I am getting sick and tired of all this lock-step "Republican" and "Democrat" stuff. When do we act like Americans first? I am tired of all of it. If you are a partisan, you are equally as guilty as the people on the other side. Really, you are like twins. STOP THE INSANITY and let's find a way to make the needs of America come BEFORE a victory for the political parties.
I tell you, this "Extreme Centrist" stuff is catching on.
thom
Happy Tax Day
It happens every year on April 15th. For as long as I can recall it is a major media event that gets coverage from the local, regional and national news. In every city across the country you will find some junior television reporter standing outside the "Main Post Office" interviewing people who drive up to place their tax returns into the mailbox.
It is nutty that our society finds placing envelopes into the mail so worthy of media coverage.
Now there are these "Tea Party" protests happening in over 50 cities. It seems that these gatherings were designed by Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, NBC, ABC, CBS, and other news outlets .... as they have all sent crews to each of these towns looking to find stories.
Apparently there is no other news today that requires coverage.
It seems that this anti-government tax protest has become a major pissing match between the far right and the far left. The feeling is that anyone who does not love taxation is against Obama (Ummmm, Obama did not invent taxes). I think that most people agree that our tax code is screwed up - and it has nothing to do with what side of the political line they stand on. It certainly has NOTHING to do with our current administration.
Am I wrong?
I will admit, that as an "Extreme Centrist" politically I try to avoid paying too much attention to anything that the far left and the far right do that involves painting signs and jumping on command for Katie Couric's cameraman. This whole "Tea Party" thing has some folks I know fired up, and others are seething with vile disgust over the citizens with different views holding a protest.
Funny, that protests annoy the left when they are organized by the right... and they annoy the right when they are hosted by the left. See the similarities?
See, as an "Extreme Centrist" I have come to see our political system as performance art. The far left and far right are both so filled with hate in their soul that they are more comedy and tragedy than relevant. But they get the press, so they have the power.
My prediction - Nothing is going to change. The far right and far left will be flinging arrows at each other while the rest of us just sit there and watch for decades. Unless... the centrists unite.... which wont happen.
Have A Great Day.
thom
It is nutty that our society finds placing envelopes into the mail so worthy of media coverage.
Now there are these "Tea Party" protests happening in over 50 cities. It seems that these gatherings were designed by Fox News, CNN, MSNBC, NBC, ABC, CBS, and other news outlets .... as they have all sent crews to each of these towns looking to find stories.
Apparently there is no other news today that requires coverage.
It seems that this anti-government tax protest has become a major pissing match between the far right and the far left. The feeling is that anyone who does not love taxation is against Obama (Ummmm, Obama did not invent taxes). I think that most people agree that our tax code is screwed up - and it has nothing to do with what side of the political line they stand on. It certainly has NOTHING to do with our current administration.
Am I wrong?
I will admit, that as an "Extreme Centrist" politically I try to avoid paying too much attention to anything that the far left and the far right do that involves painting signs and jumping on command for Katie Couric's cameraman. This whole "Tea Party" thing has some folks I know fired up, and others are seething with vile disgust over the citizens with different views holding a protest.
Funny, that protests annoy the left when they are organized by the right... and they annoy the right when they are hosted by the left. See the similarities?
See, as an "Extreme Centrist" I have come to see our political system as performance art. The far left and far right are both so filled with hate in their soul that they are more comedy and tragedy than relevant. But they get the press, so they have the power.
My prediction - Nothing is going to change. The far right and far left will be flinging arrows at each other while the rest of us just sit there and watch for decades. Unless... the centrists unite.... which wont happen.
Have A Great Day.
thom
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Hey Congress - You Don't Know JACK! Jack McDonald for Congress
Hey Congress - You Don't Know JACK! But you will.
Jack McDonald, who is exploring a 2010 run for the Texas 10th Congressional District, just launched his website: www.jackforcongress.com.
Jack McDonald, who is exploring a 2010 run for the Texas 10th Congressional District, just launched his website: www.jackforcongress.com.
Jack McDonald is the "real deal". This is the time that we should NOT allow the labels of "democrat" or "republican" fall into a race. The 10th Congressional District is what the GOP thinks of as a "safe" seat, as it was carved (yes carved, look at the crazy shape of the district on a map) out in the redistricting that took place several years ago. But everyone I know claims to look at the person, not the party.... and this will be a race watched nationally to see if the winds of change have really arrived.
(The district goes from Round Rock, scooping out part of Westlake/Davenport, and then runs along HWY 290 to Katy. What? A tiny slice of Austin and a huge Houston suburb strung together. Um, Austin and Houston are not close together - nor do they share the same issues, but when you draw it this way you encompass a lot of republican voters).
Jack is a visionary business leader who has worked hard to build a company and promote the success of the community.
To hang onto "red" vs. "blue" in this case would be a shame. McDonald would make a difference in Washington DC.... and not just be the same old thing (I am tired of career politicians). Who out there isn't sick of the status quo in our government?
He is the type of person whom we all dream about electing to Congress.....but are almost never given the chance, as we keep getting incumbents or nothing. How is that working for us? Both parties need people to vote like sheep, or they would lose their power!
There is an excitement amongst the people who know Jack McDonald regardless of party ties (I know him, and am NOT a democrat)... as he is a self made man with education, experience, character, compassion, and charisma.
Check out his website and give him some money for his campaign. It is easy to forget that it is not the big money donors that matter, but the average citizen who makes the difference. $10, $25, $50, or $100 is an important donation to anyone running for office. Do not fall prey to the misnomer that you don't matter in politics. It is only you who matter.
Have A Great Day.
thom
Wednesday, March 04, 2009
The US Congress Is Full of Idiots
Earmarks are a bi-partisan disease and we do not seem to "get it" - John McCain (Speaking yesterday in regards to pork spending in congressional bills).
Why do our elected officials in the House and Senate not realize that the voters do not want them to conduct business in the "same old way"? We sent a message for CHANGE!
Yet they still go about adding earmarks to every bill and spending money like fools. With the current economic conditions, now is not the time for silly spending projects tacked onto important legislation.
Congress sucks.
Sunday, March 01, 2009
I Believed This Time "Change" Was More Than A Slogan
It is the success of businesses that will be the engine that pulls our country (and the world) out of the current recession.
With all the government programs and the many faces of stimuli packages, we need more money to begin flowing into the treasury. This is only accomplished through taxes. However, raising the percentage that individuals and corporations pay can be counter productive, as the less money they have, the less they can spend on other products and services.
In the United States we spend a lot of time arguing about tax rates, who pays, and what we will tax. It is one of the core arrows that Republicans and Democrats fire at each other. But this misses the point.
We don't need to be focused on taxing more, but instead on raising the amount of profit that companies and people realize. In the late 1990s the economy boomed, and the government took in more money. There was no rocket science on this one. Lets freeze the tax rates.... No ups, no downs for the next decade and make everyone understand the goal is earning more money. Higher income, higher taxes.
Teach people how to create multiple streams of income. Champion entrepreneurship. Praise those who have ambition to earn more income. Companies and people who can extend their income levels year over year, and pay more to the government, will add to the raising dollars flowing into Washington and create jobs along the way.
Politics as usual and the political fights between Republicans and Democrats over taxation is so "yesterday". I am waiting for someone in Congress to become a real leader and show his co-workers how to grow up and grow past all the partisan finger pointing. Our economy is not a board game, but nobody has told this to the members of the House and Senate. We need to get business moving, end of story.
Change will never come until the people demand it. I believed this time that "Change" was more than a slogan. I expected to see Washington DC be different. So far I see the same old thing. If the people sent a message "Stop it or we will toss you out" then you would see elected officials change their tune in a minute. They would focus on solutions rather than this continued Red vs Blue bullshit that trickles down into every discussion.
Have A Great Day.
thom
With all the government programs and the many faces of stimuli packages, we need more money to begin flowing into the treasury. This is only accomplished through taxes. However, raising the percentage that individuals and corporations pay can be counter productive, as the less money they have, the less they can spend on other products and services.
In the United States we spend a lot of time arguing about tax rates, who pays, and what we will tax. It is one of the core arrows that Republicans and Democrats fire at each other. But this misses the point.
We don't need to be focused on taxing more, but instead on raising the amount of profit that companies and people realize. In the late 1990s the economy boomed, and the government took in more money. There was no rocket science on this one. Lets freeze the tax rates.... No ups, no downs for the next decade and make everyone understand the goal is earning more money. Higher income, higher taxes.
Teach people how to create multiple streams of income. Champion entrepreneurship. Praise those who have ambition to earn more income. Companies and people who can extend their income levels year over year, and pay more to the government, will add to the raising dollars flowing into Washington and create jobs along the way.
Politics as usual and the political fights between Republicans and Democrats over taxation is so "yesterday". I am waiting for someone in Congress to become a real leader and show his co-workers how to grow up and grow past all the partisan finger pointing. Our economy is not a board game, but nobody has told this to the members of the House and Senate. We need to get business moving, end of story.
Change will never come until the people demand it. I believed this time that "Change" was more than a slogan. I expected to see Washington DC be different. So far I see the same old thing. If the people sent a message "Stop it or we will toss you out" then you would see elected officials change their tune in a minute. They would focus on solutions rather than this continued Red vs Blue bullshit that trickles down into every discussion.
Have A Great Day.
thom
Friday, February 13, 2009
Monday - Feb 16th - Happy Hour Gathering for Brewster McCracken For Mayor
Hey Austinites -
Come to Happy Hour on Monday, February 16th at Momo's at 6 PM.
This is a special gathering of tech industry folks, entrepreneurs, musicians and artists who want to meet and hear from mayor candidate Brewster McCracken.
McCracken has been criticized by his opponents for the top city office for being "ambitious".
That's right, apparently some people running for office think it is a terrible thing to have ambition and a vision for the future of one of the country's most vibrant and energetic cities.
Here is what essayist Paul Graham says about ambition:
"Great cities attract ambitious people. You can sense it when you walk around one. In a hundred subtle ways, the city sends you a message: you could do more; you should try harder."
He adds:
"If you look at the historical evidence, most people who did great things were clumped together in a few places where that sort of thing was done at the time."
Well, I think Austin has proven itself as an ambitious city. I think that's why most of us live here. We want to do more. We want to work harder. We want to do great things. And if the worst thing Brewster McCracken's opponents can say about him is that he's "ambitious," then I think we've found our next Mayor!!
Our civic leaders in the past did not shy away from an ambitious vision of what Austin could be in the future, and today we all get to live in this great place because they saw that the "Technology Industries" would bring jobs and growth. They attracted companies like MCC, Motorola, IBM, Sematech, AMD and others to Central Texas - and created the thriving hub of innovation that we have today.
Michael Dell had ambition and vision when he started his company in a dorm room at the University of Texas. He did not say "the computer industry needs a steady hand over the next few years"- but instead he looked for new ways blaze the trail toward success.
We have to continue that search to make Austin the home of entrepreneurship and creativity in order to remain a competitive community. Clean energy, biotech, and other industries need to find their way to Austin's tomorrow. We cannot afford to stand still with a steady hand or look backwards at this critical time.
Please come out on Monday to listen to Brewster McCracken tell us why he is running for mayor. I would never tell anyone how to vote, but a chance to meet and listen to the candidate is a good thing.
It will be a lot of fun, and an eclectic crowd of cool people.
Oh, I have the honor of introducing Brewster at the event.... so you will have to listen to me for about four minutes. :)
When:
Monday, February 16, 2009
Where:
Momo's
618 W 6th St # 200
Austin, TX 78701
Time:
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Cost:
FREE (Donations to the campaign are welcome!!!)
I hope to see you there...and bring friends.
Have A Great Day.
thom
Come to Happy Hour on Monday, February 16th at Momo's at 6 PM.
This is a special gathering of tech industry folks, entrepreneurs, musicians and artists who want to meet and hear from mayor candidate Brewster McCracken.
McCracken has been criticized by his opponents for the top city office for being "ambitious".
That's right, apparently some people running for office think it is a terrible thing to have ambition and a vision for the future of one of the country's most vibrant and energetic cities.
Here is what essayist Paul Graham says about ambition:
"Great cities attract ambitious people. You can sense it when you walk around one. In a hundred subtle ways, the city sends you a message: you could do more; you should try harder."
He adds:
"If you look at the historical evidence, most people who did great things were clumped together in a few places where that sort of thing was done at the time."
Well, I think Austin has proven itself as an ambitious city. I think that's why most of us live here. We want to do more. We want to work harder. We want to do great things. And if the worst thing Brewster McCracken's opponents can say about him is that he's "ambitious," then I think we've found our next Mayor!!
Our civic leaders in the past did not shy away from an ambitious vision of what Austin could be in the future, and today we all get to live in this great place because they saw that the "Technology Industries" would bring jobs and growth. They attracted companies like MCC, Motorola, IBM, Sematech, AMD and others to Central Texas - and created the thriving hub of innovation that we have today.
Michael Dell had ambition and vision when he started his company in a dorm room at the University of Texas. He did not say "the computer industry needs a steady hand over the next few years"- but instead he looked for new ways blaze the trail toward success.
We have to continue that search to make Austin the home of entrepreneurship and creativity in order to remain a competitive community. Clean energy, biotech, and other industries need to find their way to Austin's tomorrow. We cannot afford to stand still with a steady hand or look backwards at this critical time.
Please come out on Monday to listen to Brewster McCracken tell us why he is running for mayor. I would never tell anyone how to vote, but a chance to meet and listen to the candidate is a good thing.
It will be a lot of fun, and an eclectic crowd of cool people.
Oh, I have the honor of introducing Brewster at the event.... so you will have to listen to me for about four minutes. :)
When:
Monday, February 16, 2009
Where:
Momo's
618 W 6th St # 200
Austin, TX 78701
Time:
6:00 PM - 8:00 PM
Cost:
FREE (Donations to the campaign are welcome!!!)
I hope to see you there...and bring friends.
Have A Great Day.
thom
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Jack McDonald for Congress!
I had an interesting breakfast with local entrepreneur Jack McDonald. Jack is considering running for the United States House of Representatives for the 10th District in Texas in 2010.
I have known Jack personally for some time. He is the "real deal", and exactly the type of person who we need to run for public office.
Washington D.C. is full of career politicians who have no idea how people are actually impacted by their decisions. However entrepreneurs who grow companies work in the trenches side by side with their employees. They know how taxes, education, healthcare costs and other things impact real families.
Jack McDonald was born into a large working class family and is the first person in his family to ever attend college. The "real world" struggles of being a self-made success are not something he read about in a book, but instead they are his roots.
His passion for seeing that others can achieve what he has achieved is clear when you hear him talk about the importance of keeping the American Dream alive; A dream that needs to be real for people of all nationalities that make up our melting-pot society.
As an entrepreneur Jack has led a team that transformed a company (Perficient, Inc.) from a startup to an award-winning industry leader with $230 million in annual revenues and 1,200 professionals in 17 major North American markets and global locations in Eastern Europe, India and China.
He is also an attorney... but hey.... nobody is perfect :)
Meanwhile he has put his time and money into doing the right thing for Austin, a city he and his wife have lived in for ten years and where both of his daughters were born. Many busy executives hide behind being "too busy" to give back to the community, but Jack has volunteered for several important civic and charitable causes and has won many accolades, including being the recipient of a 2005 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
I will admit that I have never sat across the table from a friend who said "I am considering running for Congress" before today. I will be honest; it is a cool conversation to have with someone. But it is especially cool when you walk away from the breakfast inspired that there is HOPE for the future. We live in some interesting times, and it is exactly in times like this that we have to seek out the right leaders.
Over time I have become disgusted with politics and politicians. I used to be a Republican, but I am not a Democrat. Thus I have no political home. However, I do see myself as an active supporter of the future campaign of "Jack McDonald for Congress"!!! (FYI, Jack is a Democrat...but I no longer believe in political labels. It is the person, their views and their character that matter!).
I hope he runs and wins. We need people serving us in elected office who are smart, experienced, compassionate, well educated, interesting (and interested in what others have to say!), classy, dedicated, hopeful, and real.
If you live in the 10th District (or anywhere for that matter), I suggest you start paying attention to Jack McDonald. If this is the first time you have ever heard his name... I doubt it will be the last.
Have A Great Day.
thom
I have known Jack personally for some time. He is the "real deal", and exactly the type of person who we need to run for public office.
Washington D.C. is full of career politicians who have no idea how people are actually impacted by their decisions. However entrepreneurs who grow companies work in the trenches side by side with their employees. They know how taxes, education, healthcare costs and other things impact real families.
Jack McDonald was born into a large working class family and is the first person in his family to ever attend college. The "real world" struggles of being a self-made success are not something he read about in a book, but instead they are his roots.
His passion for seeing that others can achieve what he has achieved is clear when you hear him talk about the importance of keeping the American Dream alive; A dream that needs to be real for people of all nationalities that make up our melting-pot society.
As an entrepreneur Jack has led a team that transformed a company (Perficient, Inc.) from a startup to an award-winning industry leader with $230 million in annual revenues and 1,200 professionals in 17 major North American markets and global locations in Eastern Europe, India and China.
He is also an attorney... but hey.... nobody is perfect :)
Meanwhile he has put his time and money into doing the right thing for Austin, a city he and his wife have lived in for ten years and where both of his daughters were born. Many busy executives hide behind being "too busy" to give back to the community, but Jack has volunteered for several important civic and charitable causes and has won many accolades, including being the recipient of a 2005 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
I will admit that I have never sat across the table from a friend who said "I am considering running for Congress" before today. I will be honest; it is a cool conversation to have with someone. But it is especially cool when you walk away from the breakfast inspired that there is HOPE for the future. We live in some interesting times, and it is exactly in times like this that we have to seek out the right leaders.
Over time I have become disgusted with politics and politicians. I used to be a Republican, but I am not a Democrat. Thus I have no political home. However, I do see myself as an active supporter of the future campaign of "Jack McDonald for Congress"!!! (FYI, Jack is a Democrat...but I no longer believe in political labels. It is the person, their views and their character that matter!).
I hope he runs and wins. We need people serving us in elected office who are smart, experienced, compassionate, well educated, interesting (and interested in what others have to say!), classy, dedicated, hopeful, and real.
If you live in the 10th District (or anywhere for that matter), I suggest you start paying attention to Jack McDonald. If this is the first time you have ever heard his name... I doubt it will be the last.
Have A Great Day.
thom
Wednesday, February 04, 2009
Chamber of Commerce Annual Meeting - Austinite of the Year
Today the Austin Chamber of Commerce honored AISD Superintendent Pat Forgione as the 2008 Austinite of the Year.
Dr. Forgione has done so many amazing things for our local schools. This honor is long overdue. He has helped the school district reach national recognition for excellence in urban city schools (Austin is the 14th largest city in the United States), and has made parents proud to be able to say "My kids go to and AISD school!" (my two kids are in the public schools, and we are very happy with their education).
Congratulations to Pat Forgione and his family.
Additionally there were honors for nine other community leaders as the 2008 Volunteers of the Year for their outstanding service to Austin and The Chamber:
Rick Whiteley - Oxford Commercial (Economic Development)
Barry Mayer - Tokyo Electron (Education & Talent Development)
Dave Claunch - Liaison Resources (Education & Talent Development)
Bobby Jenkins - ABC Services (Government Relations)
Rashed Islam - HDR/WHM (Inrastructure & Regional Development)
Ron Dusek - Hilton Austin (Communications)
Beverly Boyd - ScentAir (Membership)
Tim Gillespie - Green Bank (Small Business)
Jeff Browning - Austin Ventures (Technology)
Austin is fortunate to have so many who give so much to make our community spectacular.
Have A Great Day
thom
PS - On a side note, I learned today that one of the areas top business executives is exploring the options for a run for the U.S. Congress. This is great news. He is exactly the type of person that we Americans SHOULD be sending to Washington D.C. : Experienced in running a REAL business (AKA, most of our politicians have no clue what real business professionals face when it comes to the realities of profit/loss, payroll, benefits, sales projections, customer service, etc.... Instead they just go to Congress and pass laws that impact businesses and then they attend cocktail parties - yes, I am jaded with the actions of most of our elected officials in Washington!).
More on this later!!! We (Austinites and beyond) will be fortunate if he runs and wins.
Dr. Forgione has done so many amazing things for our local schools. This honor is long overdue. He has helped the school district reach national recognition for excellence in urban city schools (Austin is the 14th largest city in the United States), and has made parents proud to be able to say "My kids go to and AISD school!" (my two kids are in the public schools, and we are very happy with their education).
Congratulations to Pat Forgione and his family.
Additionally there were honors for nine other community leaders as the 2008 Volunteers of the Year for their outstanding service to Austin and The Chamber:
Rick Whiteley - Oxford Commercial (Economic Development)
Barry Mayer - Tokyo Electron (Education & Talent Development)
Dave Claunch - Liaison Resources (Education & Talent Development)
Bobby Jenkins - ABC Services (Government Relations)
Rashed Islam - HDR/WHM (Inrastructure & Regional Development)
Ron Dusek - Hilton Austin (Communications)
Beverly Boyd - ScentAir (Membership)
Tim Gillespie - Green Bank (Small Business)
Jeff Browning - Austin Ventures (Technology)
Austin is fortunate to have so many who give so much to make our community spectacular.
Have A Great Day
thom
PS - On a side note, I learned today that one of the areas top business executives is exploring the options for a run for the U.S. Congress. This is great news. He is exactly the type of person that we Americans SHOULD be sending to Washington D.C. : Experienced in running a REAL business (AKA, most of our politicians have no clue what real business professionals face when it comes to the realities of profit/loss, payroll, benefits, sales projections, customer service, etc.... Instead they just go to Congress and pass laws that impact businesses and then they attend cocktail parties - yes, I am jaded with the actions of most of our elected officials in Washington!).
More on this later!!! We (Austinites and beyond) will be fortunate if he runs and wins.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Local Mayor Candidates And Twitter. Does It Matter?
I would like to preface this post with the fact that I am biased in my view of the upcoming Austin Mayors Race. I support Mayor Pro Tem Brewster McCracken to be the future leader of our great city.
But I do find the below observation an interesting look at the workings of social media. At the end of the day, social media is social and it has to be authentic. If you try to manipulate social media or use it just for your own PR (without legitimately engaging others) then it is not real.
The social media world is not a fad, and Barak Obama has proven that politicians can and should live online. It is a wonderful two-way communication vehicle. Obama was not the first politician to appear in social online communities, but he certainly did it better than anyone else. He was engaging and engaged. The grassroots power of those who live, work, and play in the online world is here to stay.
Brewster McCracken has a presence on Twitter and other online mediums (Long term user of LinkedIn - over 200 contacts AND Facebook - over 800 contacts). He has not just looked at these tools as something new to use for the election.
He has always been a supporter of the local entrepreneurial tech community and he understands that Austin's future depends on the same innovation and vision that matter to growing businesses. Our city has never looked backwards or avoided the risks that come with growth.
Only one of Brewster's two opponents is on Twitter (interesting, however that many of the candidates for City Council are also "tweeting"). Lee Leffingwell is on Twitter as @TheLeeTeam, not as @LLeffingwell (which makes his involvement appear to be a campaign stunt). Brewster is there clearly as @BMcCracken. He is not using it as part of a campaign, he is there as a human being. A real person. He is communicating with people on Twitter. Sure, he is running for mayor, but as a person.... not a team of campaign people.
It is really, really him talking with his followers on Twitter. I know, because I have talked to him about it. It is not some random campaign staffers filling up Twitterville with more noise by chatting away in 140 characters or less. Brewster is interested in using Twitter, learning about Twitter (and all things that are impacting our society), and connecting with constituents. He knows that real people participate in social media communities, and thus he sees the value in being an active participant in social media himself.
Twitter is not for everyone, and many who read this blog might say "Twitter - waste of time - who cares if a mayor candidate is on Twitter". But this goes deeper than than the debate of the value of Twitter, or any other social media platform. It is about authenticity.
Everyone believes President Obama was personally involved with his campaign social media strategy... NOBODY thinks McCain was involved with his (yes, McCain had a social media strategy, too... just not executed very well - and all run by staffers).
I could be wrong about Mr. Leffingwell. Maybe he does all his own "tweeting". But in my opinion he is only on Twitter for the election, telling his 83 Twitter friends (84, I now follow him, too) about his latest fundraiser or other activities. From looking at it, there is a lot of talking "at" people in his Twitter strategy. I question why Leffingwell's Team is even there at this point (maybe because Brewster is there? Ouch, not the right reason to join a social media community! His page appeared three days after McCracken joined Twitter).
Why does this matter to regular people and businesses? (AKA, those of us NOT running for mayor). It matters because the social media train is leaving the station, and we can choose how we want to ride... or if we are going to let it pass us by. This does not mean everyone has to jump on the train RIGHT NOW (you have to want to be there).... And fortunately there will be other stops along the way, and you will be welcome when the time is right!! Twitter is not so much the social media "answer" (I still question it in some ways) as it is a high profile case study of how to authentically engage with others via an internet community.
If you treat social media as you do traditional advertising / marketing (one way communication), you are old school and everyone will know it. Twitter is not about a team of people trying to market a candidate. It is about real people (not hired staff) who are actively sharing with other human beings.
On a funny side note, @TheLeeTeam deleted or "blocked" the people involved with the McCracken Campaign from following them on Twitter. Their "tweets" are not private (you can see them at www.twitter.com/theleeteam even if you are not an anointed and approved follower), so blocking them was only an "anti-social-social-media-maneuver". In social media, being anti-social can be a bad bad thing.
I don't think that Brewster will block any of the citizens of Austin from his Twitter stream...even if they support his opponents. I would be offended if someone who wanted to be mayor blocked me on Twitter because I supported the other guy. I thought in today's era of "change" we were supposed to be beyond such things.
Have A Great Day.
thom
But I do find the below observation an interesting look at the workings of social media. At the end of the day, social media is social and it has to be authentic. If you try to manipulate social media or use it just for your own PR (without legitimately engaging others) then it is not real.
The social media world is not a fad, and Barak Obama has proven that politicians can and should live online. It is a wonderful two-way communication vehicle. Obama was not the first politician to appear in social online communities, but he certainly did it better than anyone else. He was engaging and engaged. The grassroots power of those who live, work, and play in the online world is here to stay.
Brewster McCracken has a presence on Twitter and other online mediums (Long term user of LinkedIn - over 200 contacts AND Facebook - over 800 contacts). He has not just looked at these tools as something new to use for the election.
He has always been a supporter of the local entrepreneurial tech community and he understands that Austin's future depends on the same innovation and vision that matter to growing businesses. Our city has never looked backwards or avoided the risks that come with growth.
Only one of Brewster's two opponents is on Twitter (interesting, however that many of the candidates for City Council are also "tweeting"). Lee Leffingwell is on Twitter as @TheLeeTeam, not as @LLeffingwell (which makes his involvement appear to be a campaign stunt). Brewster is there clearly as @BMcCracken. He is not using it as part of a campaign, he is there as a human being. A real person. He is communicating with people on Twitter. Sure, he is running for mayor, but as a person.... not a team of campaign people.
It is really, really him talking with his followers on Twitter. I know, because I have talked to him about it. It is not some random campaign staffers filling up Twitterville with more noise by chatting away in 140 characters or less. Brewster is interested in using Twitter, learning about Twitter (and all things that are impacting our society), and connecting with constituents. He knows that real people participate in social media communities, and thus he sees the value in being an active participant in social media himself.
Twitter is not for everyone, and many who read this blog might say "Twitter - waste of time - who cares if a mayor candidate is on Twitter". But this goes deeper than than the debate of the value of Twitter, or any other social media platform. It is about authenticity.
Everyone believes President Obama was personally involved with his campaign social media strategy... NOBODY thinks McCain was involved with his (yes, McCain had a social media strategy, too... just not executed very well - and all run by staffers).
I could be wrong about Mr. Leffingwell. Maybe he does all his own "tweeting". But in my opinion he is only on Twitter for the election, telling his 83 Twitter friends (84, I now follow him, too) about his latest fundraiser or other activities. From looking at it, there is a lot of talking "at" people in his Twitter strategy. I question why Leffingwell's Team is even there at this point (maybe because Brewster is there? Ouch, not the right reason to join a social media community! His page appeared three days after McCracken joined Twitter).
Why does this matter to regular people and businesses? (AKA, those of us NOT running for mayor). It matters because the social media train is leaving the station, and we can choose how we want to ride... or if we are going to let it pass us by. This does not mean everyone has to jump on the train RIGHT NOW (you have to want to be there).... And fortunately there will be other stops along the way, and you will be welcome when the time is right!! Twitter is not so much the social media "answer" (I still question it in some ways) as it is a high profile case study of how to authentically engage with others via an internet community.
If you treat social media as you do traditional advertising / marketing (one way communication), you are old school and everyone will know it. Twitter is not about a team of people trying to market a candidate. It is about real people (not hired staff) who are actively sharing with other human beings.
On a funny side note, @TheLeeTeam deleted or "blocked" the people involved with the McCracken Campaign from following them on Twitter. Their "tweets" are not private (you can see them at www.twitter.com/theleeteam even if you are not an anointed and approved follower), so blocking them was only an "anti-social-social-media-maneuver". In social media, being anti-social can be a bad bad thing.
I don't think that Brewster will block any of the citizens of Austin from his Twitter stream...even if they support his opponents. I would be offended if someone who wanted to be mayor blocked me on Twitter because I supported the other guy. I thought in today's era of "change" we were supposed to be beyond such things.
Have A Great Day.
thom
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Austin, Texas Mayors Race - Vote Brewster McCracken!!!
Seems like just yesterday the country was celebrating the Inauguration of Barak Obama as the 44th President of the United States of America.
Oh, it was just yesterday.
But all politics is local, and now it is time for people in Austin, Texas to start thinking about the ever-growing list of candidates running for mayor of our fine city (the 16th largest city in America).
I am not here to tell anyone how to vote, but I do want to encourage my fellow Austinites to look closely at my friend, who is a two-term city councilman and Mayor Pro-Tem, Brewster McCracken.
Brewster understands and embraces what makes Austin unique (some call that uniqueness "weird" - but some also say "Brewster" is a weird name!!).
He is passionate about the environmental issues and clean energy initiatives that are important to the the future - not just for the city, but for the whole world.
He embraces the arts community that has always been an important part of the town.... AND he is a friend to businesses and the entrepreneurial spirit that sparks ideas that change the world.
Yes - Business, the Arts, and the environmental causes can all live together in a thriving city, and Brewster McCracken wants to make sure that Austin thrives today and tomorrow (I heard one of his opponents pooh-pooh "the vision thing". WHAT? Only a "yesterday thinker" looks down on vision!!!)
Last year he and I sat down for a long lunch and I knew right away that he had the vision to lead our city. While he did not say it at the time, I was hopeful that he would run for Mayor of Austin, Texas. Now he is running and I want to help him win.
He was open to fresh ideas and perspectives. He is hopeful that all Austinites can and will converge to make our city shine in the new realities of the world around us.
Campaigns need money, and Brewster has not raised as much of it as the old-time politicians that are also seeking the position. The max you can give is $350, but even $10, $25, or $50 can make a difference. We learned from Barak Obama that the grassroots actions of the people are what really matter to uncovering candidates that can lead us into the future.
If you live in Austin, I hope you will look at Brewster McCracken closely and consider tossing your support behind whom I hope is our next mayor.
Thanks for letting me rave about my candidate.
You can follow Brewster on the campaign trail on Twitter at @bmccracken.
Have A Great Day.
thom
Oh, it was just yesterday.
But all politics is local, and now it is time for people in Austin, Texas to start thinking about the ever-growing list of candidates running for mayor of our fine city (the 16th largest city in America).
I am not here to tell anyone how to vote, but I do want to encourage my fellow Austinites to look closely at my friend, who is a two-term city councilman and Mayor Pro-Tem, Brewster McCracken.
Brewster understands and embraces what makes Austin unique (some call that uniqueness "weird" - but some also say "Brewster" is a weird name!!).
He is passionate about the environmental issues and clean energy initiatives that are important to the the future - not just for the city, but for the whole world.
He embraces the arts community that has always been an important part of the town.... AND he is a friend to businesses and the entrepreneurial spirit that sparks ideas that change the world.
Yes - Business, the Arts, and the environmental causes can all live together in a thriving city, and Brewster McCracken wants to make sure that Austin thrives today and tomorrow (I heard one of his opponents pooh-pooh "the vision thing". WHAT? Only a "yesterday thinker" looks down on vision!!!)
Last year he and I sat down for a long lunch and I knew right away that he had the vision to lead our city. While he did not say it at the time, I was hopeful that he would run for Mayor of Austin, Texas. Now he is running and I want to help him win.
He was open to fresh ideas and perspectives. He is hopeful that all Austinites can and will converge to make our city shine in the new realities of the world around us.
Campaigns need money, and Brewster has not raised as much of it as the old-time politicians that are also seeking the position. The max you can give is $350, but even $10, $25, or $50 can make a difference. We learned from Barak Obama that the grassroots actions of the people are what really matter to uncovering candidates that can lead us into the future.
If you live in Austin, I hope you will look at Brewster McCracken closely and consider tossing your support behind whom I hope is our next mayor.
Thanks for letting me rave about my candidate.
You can follow Brewster on the campaign trail on Twitter at @bmccracken.
Have A Great Day.
thom
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