It has finally sunk in. After watching "Recount" last night with Kevin Spacey, I have come to a conclusion I had realized for many years since the Florida debacle, that indeed people do not elect Presidents in America, political machines do. And so another myth shot down, just as I along with so many others after watching Obama's speech at the Democratic Convention were buoyed by the young freshman senator. There were more "dirty tricks" in that movie last night than through the entire presidency of Richard Nixon.
But alas since the front runners for the Democratic nomination began to empty their pockets to the equivalent of most people's lifetime of earnings, I began to get this sickening feeling that it was a horse race being run not on the basis of who would make the best President but who can raise enough money to become the media favourite.
And now here we are at the post again, and this time it's a two horse race. Here is the bet on favourite according to some political race pundits, Obama. Why because he has $400 million dollars and McCain has a mere $200 million. Some suggested that in the last days of Hillary, she was offered $22 milllion by Obama's team to pay off some of her political debts.
There were more foreclosures in America this year than at any other time in American history. The working poor in America are at an all time high. 30 million Americans make no more than $5.15 an hour. Gas is closing in on $5 a gallon. The war in Iraq has now killed more American soldiers than VietNam and George W. wants another $ 70 billion to stay the course. Is it no wonder that American television networks have turned to reality t.v. to escape the sheer insanity going on in supposedly the world's most progressive and democratic country.
So you tell me, is the American President elected or annointed by the 34,750 lobbyists in Washington, DC, the major corporate players who have the power and money to call the shots, and who conceivably make up 90% of the $400 million dollars needed to win. Or is it Joe Citizen in Newark New Jersey making $5.15 at the 7 Eleven who can't even own a house let alone buy one to foreclose. Does his vote count, does his $20 basic membership contribution count, or is it just smoke and mirrors when Obama and McCain get up in front of an audience and say "We believe in change, we believe in every American's right to the American dream, we believe in the power of the people. And just to hedge their bet, if you notice they end with a little help from above; " And May God Bless America".
The Dalai Lama in his book "How to See Yourself as You Really Are" says; "In the past attempts have been made to create more just and equal societies. Institutions have been established with noble charters to combat antisocial forces. Unfortunately, such efforts have been undermined by selfishness and greed. Today we bear witness to the way ethics and noble principles are obscured by self-interest in the political sphere. Politics devoid of ethics does not further human welfare, and life without morality reduces humans to the level of beasts. This leads some of us to refrain from politics altogether, but politics is not axiomatically dirty. Rather, the misguided instruments of our political culture have distorted our high ideals and noble aspirations".
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Friday, June 06, 2008
IMPORTANT NEWS RELEASE
For immediate release
Can Zentrepreneurism revolutionize the way we do business in the 21st Century? A group of passionate Entrepreneurs think so and have decided to lead the way...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
July 12, 2008, Vancouver, BC — Allan Holender, Founder of Zentrepreneurism today announced the establishment of the World Wide Association of Zentrepreneurs
Zentrepreneurism is surfacing across a wide spectrum of successful, purposeful businesses. Many individuals have tried different things and are looking for meaning in their work: work that has integrity and purpose. Social entrepreneurs are exploding across North America and are looking to solve social problems on a larger scale, giving birth to zentrepreneurs who are aligning their personal values with their professional goals. Allan Holender's new book, Zentrepreneurism: A 21st Century Guide to The New World Of Business provides just that.
Zentrepreneurism is about making a fundamental shift in the way North America does business, as well as a swing towards a new era of 'enlightened capitalism', where the chief "embezzlement" officer is being replaced by the chief "enlightenment" officer. Baby boomers are awakening to the growing prevalence of innovation and altruism that is emerging and how they can incorporate this into their business lives. And according to Zentrepreneurism, leading market research companies are predicting that Generation X-ers might become the next Zen-ers.
"We have a situation where we don't trust our government or our capitalist system, and the level of distrust right now is probably unparalleled since the 1930's." according to Charles Lewis, founder of the Centre for Public Integrity. The "American Dream" has become, its worst nightmare, with the shrinking of the middle class and 30 million Americans earning $5.15 an hour. The relentless pursuit of money, "bling", success, and power has led North Americans to unhappiness, greed, and emptiness, with the burning question; "Is that all there is"?
"People are expecting more from the companies they're working for and more from the companies they're doing business with and more from the companies they're buying from", says Sydney Finkelstein, Professor of Strategy and Leadership Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business.
By fostering this new era for business, author Allan Holender feels that Western businesses and business people have already begun to implement Eastern philosophies in their search for more meaningful work. It is now a matter of spreading this revolutionary idea world wide. In his book Holender shares the stories of a number of business people who are already doing this, and the impact their newfound practices are having on their lives. According to Holender, "The fusion of one's personal vision with one's professional mission grounded in activism and a holistic philosophy will hallmark the next hundred years."
You can join the world wide movement by signing up yourself and inviting others by going to the following link: http://tinyurl.com/5obm24
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Allan Holender
Centre for Zentrepreneurism
Founder & Chairman
e: allan@zentrepreneurism.com
w: Worldwide Association of Zentrepreneurs
Can Zentrepreneurism revolutionize the way we do business in the 21st Century? A group of passionate Entrepreneurs think so and have decided to lead the way...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
July 12, 2008, Vancouver, BC — Allan Holender, Founder of Zentrepreneurism today announced the establishment of the World Wide Association of Zentrepreneurs
Zentrepreneurism is surfacing across a wide spectrum of successful, purposeful businesses. Many individuals have tried different things and are looking for meaning in their work: work that has integrity and purpose. Social entrepreneurs are exploding across North America and are looking to solve social problems on a larger scale, giving birth to zentrepreneurs who are aligning their personal values with their professional goals. Allan Holender's new book, Zentrepreneurism: A 21st Century Guide to The New World Of Business provides just that.
Zentrepreneurism is about making a fundamental shift in the way North America does business, as well as a swing towards a new era of 'enlightened capitalism', where the chief "embezzlement" officer is being replaced by the chief "enlightenment" officer. Baby boomers are awakening to the growing prevalence of innovation and altruism that is emerging and how they can incorporate this into their business lives. And according to Zentrepreneurism, leading market research companies are predicting that Generation X-ers might become the next Zen-ers.
"We have a situation where we don't trust our government or our capitalist system, and the level of distrust right now is probably unparalleled since the 1930's." according to Charles Lewis, founder of the Centre for Public Integrity. The "American Dream" has become, its worst nightmare, with the shrinking of the middle class and 30 million Americans earning $5.15 an hour. The relentless pursuit of money, "bling", success, and power has led North Americans to unhappiness, greed, and emptiness, with the burning question; "Is that all there is"?
"People are expecting more from the companies they're working for and more from the companies they're doing business with and more from the companies they're buying from", says Sydney Finkelstein, Professor of Strategy and Leadership Dartmouth's Tuck School of Business.
By fostering this new era for business, author Allan Holender feels that Western businesses and business people have already begun to implement Eastern philosophies in their search for more meaningful work. It is now a matter of spreading this revolutionary idea world wide. In his book Holender shares the stories of a number of business people who are already doing this, and the impact their newfound practices are having on their lives. According to Holender, "The fusion of one's personal vision with one's professional mission grounded in activism and a holistic philosophy will hallmark the next hundred years."
You can join the world wide movement by signing up yourself and inviting others by going to the following link: http://tinyurl.com/5obm24
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Allan Holender
Centre for Zentrepreneurism
Founder & Chairman
e: allan@zentrepreneurism.com
w: Worldwide Association of Zentrepreneurs
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