The United States needs to focus on the United States

First of all, let me just say that I'm not an isolationist.  I'm not, but our news media has upset me to the point that I'm taking to my public blog (current following of 1) in hopes this gets reposted somewhere.

The United States needs to focus on the United States.  I'm talking to you American Media.  I'm talking to you United States Government.  I'm talking to you American People.

American Media:  Provide me with some news that doesn't reek of fear, tragedy, or sadness.  I'm so tired of listening to negative messages.  Guess what...the "world's falling apart" crap has been going on since our entire history.  I have news for you. I understand psychology...and so do all of my friends.  I know you pitch sensationalism to stimulate survivalist senses in our brain. And because I know this, I chose to look past it and focus on the positive news.  This fosters creativity, which can make this world better, not destroy it.  Quit covering the Egyptian people's protest of the near 30 year dictatorship they've been living under.  Quit covering round the clock coverage of this huge snowstorm, that might claim a ton of lives.  Here's the bottom line; I don't care.  Yes I have a heart, but I make a conscience decision to focus on the positive, rather than the negative.  Part of that is focusing on my personal life, and the way(s) that I can make this place a better world.  I can't oust Mubarek or stop a blizzard.  I CAN build a business that makes peoples' lives easier and volunteer my time to help people that are less fortunate than me.  So guess what American Media, I refuse to drink your fear Kool Aid and I will continue persuading my friends to do the same.

United States Government:  Let me start by saying I love this country.  I love the freedom you have allowed me to live with.  But it's time to put foreign policy on the back burner and keep it there.  The primary focus of this government is to ensure the Constitution we wrote continues to be enacted.  Here's a few ideas....
1.  Take the $1.3 billion we send to Egypt annually (ref. Dept. of State website) and divert that monumental expense back to the American people.  I'm only talking about this because it's all over the news right now.  We have a multi-trillion dollar deficit, our housing market is upside down, we still depend on foreign oil, no energy plan, and we're moving hundreds of billions overseas to "buy" support for our foreign policy?  Here's a wild idea. Stop buying countries off.  Just stop; the majority of people know you're meddling in their business and you're doing it to either protect yourself or for profit.  Just stop. Start focusing on you.
2.  Want to stop competing with China and thwart terrorism at the same time?  Pull troops out of Iraq and Afghanistan, and quit meddling in the Middle East.  Focus 1/4 of that war budget on upping our own border security, and put the other 3/4 in alternative energy sources.  These wars continue to breed contempt and dependence on foreign resources.  Figure out the way to leverage technology to create new ways to produce energy with the other 3/4.


American People:  Get fit, get educated, or get ready to live a very unstable life.  The majority of health issues the American People get over time are self-created.  This costs tax payers billions and billions, and it's only on the rise.  Diabetes is on the rise.  Heart disease is on the rise.  Childhood obesity is on the rise.  As our economy continues to deteriorate alcoholism and drug abuse are on the rise.  That means crime is on the rise.  This is all self-created.  Stop blaming other external actors.  Stop blaming generalizations like "the economy."  Take responsibility for your actions.   Here's some hard truth.  You're fat, lazy, apathetic, and uneducated. And guess what?  You're getting fatter, lazier, more apathetic, and dumber.  We are causing our own demise.  So here's the game plan....start stepping up.  Hold yourself, your family, and your neighbors accountable.  Make fun of fat people.  In the end, they cost taxpayers (the American people) money with their ancillary health problems.  Get our children back to the basics and then go one step further by teaching technology.  I'm writing this on a blog but most schools block social media sites.  Guess what, social media is here to stay.  Facebook is the 3rd largest country in the world.  Instead of reacting against the natural order of change, harness it and challenge students to make Facebook or the other latest piece of technology better.  Let American kids dream and be imaginative.  Our wild ideas are what we build our reality of.  It's what makes America rich.  We have the freedom and opportunity to dream.  Then we leverage our freedom to make dreams come true.


I'll end by repeating myself; the United States needs to focus on the United States.


Food for thought.


NG

Living Social and Groupon....there has to be an easier way.

The concept behind the coupon dishing websites Living Social and Groupon is brilliant! It's truly brilliant. But is it too complicated for the majority of Americans?  Is my 57 year old mother going to hop on, sign-up, sift through email, and navigate to get coupons? Or is she going to stick to old habits like scissors and the local Sunday paper?

You might very well criticize my mother and tell her to adapt and advance her skill set.  Problem is, she won't.  Neither will most Americans in the 40+ age range.

I have an idea, why don't we make super simple advertising directories for different industries.  You want a discount on cheap carpet cleaning services? Go to cheapcarpetscleaning.com and find your city. The list populates.  Chose what discount you want, if you're so price driven you want to use a coupon in the first place.  **Don't go that site by the way, I just made it up to prove a point.

If you're interested, I just tweeted this article about Living Social getting ready to compete with Groupon. 

Are internet coupon sites the way ahead? Why not online directory advertising? Some food for thought....

NG


http://mashable.com/2011/01/28/livingsocial-amazon/

Let's change the way we go to bars and restaurants

I'm writing this blog today to discuss a new, revolutionary idea for changing up HOW people decide to eat and socialize.  Typically, you call, text, or email a friend and maybe that friend contacts another friend.  You meet at one common place, and everybody discusses where they might want to go eat or drink. Usually its limited to what places your group collectively knows.  In searching for a new place they might check out a review website like Urban Spoon or City Search.  But what if I'm broke?

What if I need to tighten my belt? Stop going out? Stop all social activity?

or

Why isn't there some way to populate specials in my area and give me directions to the location?

Food for thought.....(pun intended)

NG