Bob's BLOG

After 35 years service with the federal government I have decided to do something I have always wanted to do. I have always wanted to start a business. Perhaps so much so in fact that, my chosen profession of 35 years in Government actually positioned me to help others start their own business. As a former business adviser I had a mission; my mission was to help others become successful, now I am on my personal mission. (Funny thing the "word" mission - I'll get into that a bit later) I had often been asked what I was going to do once I retired from the Government. Most folks I met wanted to know if I was going to get a "real job" when I got out of the Government.. Cute, huh! I'm sure all the other dedicated Government employees out there have heard that being expressed before....! Well, it's now my time to find out what a real job is all about. In retirement, I should be relishing the life of leisure in my golden years. However, I can still feel ...

I had to go back into history to find out what I now know about CZARs . Give Obama a break on this one. He was NOT the first president to use CZARs to help him run the country. Actually, it was Roosevelt, who first used them. And, then they were referred to as "dictators". Nixon even had them and since he did not like the term "dictators", he referred to them as CZARs . So shut up you right wing hooligans. Again, Obama did not start this one, he just expanded on the idea. Last count I heard was he had about 34 CZARs running around the country. Don't ask me who they all are and how much they make or what they do. But, I have an idea on one thing, bet you they make more money than you or I. In my schools days, I was taught and under the impression that "checks and balances" were part of our Constitution. Our Founding Fathers very much wanted it this way for a specific reason, "so that no branch of the government became more powerful tha...

This morning as I turned on the TV set on my way to make coffee, a national ( CNN:HLN Channel) news segment had apparently earlier asked its viewers to write in and tell them who "they would raise taxes on if they had the ability to do so". I'm paraphrasing now but here is how it was played out: One person wrote in and said, "raise taxes on the big oil companies but do it APPROPRIATELY". This individual's email actually had the word APPROPRIATELY spelled in capital letters. The second individual wrote in and said, "raise taxes on the junk food companies because they make food taste good which forces us to eat it and yet it is bad for us".  (They will one day raise prices on Junk Food, mark my words!) Honest, i'm not making this up!!!!! As to the first writer, i'm ASSUMING (I capitalized this word to make a point too) they think raising taxes APPROPRIATELY would not effect the average consumer - ergo, their use of the CAPS! In o...

Spam is the abuse of electronic messaging systems (including most broadcast media, digital delivery systems) to send unsolicited bulk messages indiscriminately. This is Wikipedia's definition of the term Spam. Apparently, it is not abuse when the Government SPAMs its own ordinary citizens. And, get this, they even use our taxes money to hire a company to do the spamming for them. Even worse, they SPAM us on the subject of Government run HealthCare - which I last heard, the vast majority of Americans think is heading in the wrong direction. Now in my opinion this is just another example of plain abuse through and through! I don't know about you, but I think this is also another way of raising our taxes. Just like my checking account, if you spend you have to put it back into your account or you get a naughty overdraft notice. In today's climate of economic downturn, don't you think they could use the monies more wisely. And, where is the cross-the-board outcry fr...

I have been mulling this thought over for some time now and feel it needs to be put to pen. Ever wonder how many of our elected officials in Washington were real entrepreneurs before seeking your vote? I wasn't really sure, but I had my own opinion! Well, most are lawyers. To be an entrepreneur or to want to become one takes a drive that not all individuals have. Long tedious hours, broke one moment rich the next - then broke perhaps again - then having to make the payroll, paying bills, wondering if you're going to make it, re-wondering, thinking rethinking, etc. Hard life! Entrepreneurs are almost like the everyday married couple I guess; long hours, being broke one moment a little money the the next - then broke perhaps again, paying bills. Takes a rare breed to be successful at being married and/or an entrepreneur. The exhilaration of success is ONE driver that surely inspires and keeps a person going in business. Bottom line is that it takes a deep abiding drive, i...

I know and realize that all too often I make the remark "Im Retired". Perhaps it is out of fear of the unknown, the realization that live is coming to a close, or, just to "rub it into your face" and/or for whatever reason you might feel. Nevertheless, I am very happy to have made it this far in life, so I thought I would put to words what this time in my life means to me. Here's a poem I composed for all the other retirees and retiree wanna be's to read. Hope you enjoy! I Am Retired. The fallen have gone before me, the newly risen yet to come. I await the morning sunshine, prey, I view a setting sun. I am retired, but day is not yet done. Work no longer beckons me, to drive its hurried lane. I settle in as a passenger prey, cruising never to refrain. I am retired, but the finish I've yet to gain. Sons and daughters go their way, inspired, humbled or driven' For them did I toil and terry, Prey, they surpass all my livin'. ...

Apparently, the World Health Organization (the WHO) ranked and rated 191 counties health care services a few years ago. Now who would question the rankings and ratings of such a highly respected organization as the United Nations? (The World Health Organization ( WHO ) is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) that acts as a coordinating authority on international public health .) Now, I absolutely trust the United Nations and have the utmost respect for this organization. (snicker!) To cut to the chase: America ranked a meager 37 th out of 191 (slightly ahead of Cuba and Slovenia). Simply amazing! To verify this rating and what is within the report check out: (www.photius.com/rankings/healthranks/html). Well, the real irony I discovered by doing my own research of their report is: Who did WHO ask to rate their countries systems? The receivers of services - you and me? NO.! The WHO went directly to the providers of services - and, some providers did not even li...

What is life? Life is a gift, accept it. Life is an adventure, dare it. Life is a mystery, unfold it. Life is a game, play it. Life is a struggle, face it. Life is beauty, praise it. Life is a puzzle, solve it. Life is opportunity, take it. Life is sorrowful, experience it. Life is a song, sing it. Life is a goal, achieve it. Life is a mission, fulfill it... One of my goals has been to attempt to fulfill the above each and every day, I will paste them on my screen-saver, desktop and other places to remind each day. Perhaps it will make me a better person; perhaps, just as important, these may inspire, uplift, or get someone through a daily or life long struggle. Guess what? One thing I have learned since I began posting to my blog is: "there must be lots of lonely people out there". Why, just yesterday, I received an email for one such lonely person. Her name was Pamela and she said she saw my "postings" on-line and was so impressed she felt ...

Oh, so true... I am your constant companion. I am your greatest helper or your heaviest burden. I will push you onward or drag you down to failure. I am completely at your command. Half the things you do, you might just as well turn over to me, And I will be able to do them quickly and correctly. I am easily managed; you must merely be firm with me. Show me exactly how you want something done, And after a few lessons I will do it automatically. I am the servant of all great men. And, alas, of all failures as well. Those who are great, I have made great. Those who are failures, I have made failures. I am not a machine, though I work with all the precision of a machine. Plus, the intelligence of a man. You may run me for profit, or run me for ruin; It makes no difference to me. Take me, train me, be firm with me And I will put the world at your feet. Be easy with me, and I will destroy you. Who am I? I am HABIT! Since retirement, I have taken a more active roll in...

Who would have known....! A dear friend of mine inspired me to create my very own BLOG. Apparently, she too feels, as do I, the compelling need to put into words the thoughts of yet another BOB. So, here goes. I wish to begin by championing some of my life long tenets - my BUTS, so to speak: (I will be sharing more of my BUTS throughout my blogs) I don't always want to be a leader - but, I will never always be led I don't always want to be a follower - but, I will follow what i believe in I don't always want to be an activist - but, I will remain active I'm retired - but, I am not out of the race... Enjoy. Since these are my very own personal blogs (and yet open to the world), I can only promise to try my best. Hopefully, my blogs are ' ing'ing , as in: inspiriting, motivating, moving, refreshing, stimulating, stirring, inspiring, and informing. Hey, all I ask in return is your indulgence of my inner perspec...