Business and industry – Page 93

Tawes Crab and Clam Bake 2008 in pictures and text (part 2)

Well, you had the main attraction of politicos Wednesday evening, so today I’ll ease you into the weekend by revisiting some of the lighter moments. I’ll start with something that goes without saying.

While I suppose that we have seafood worth marketing, was it really necessary to market seafood to this crowd?

Not to be too serious, but does it make sense that our state is marketing our seafood (in this case crabs) yet not allowing the watermen to catch as many as they’d like due to a perceived shortage of crabs in Chesapeake Bay? Something doesn’t add up here.

As much as the Tawes event is about politics, there are two other items one notices during the event. To start with, a number of companies use the event as both marketing and an excuse to reward their employees by renting a tent for the occasion. Some really go all out, like the outfit who paid these guys to play:

Steel drum group 'Plenty Problems' provided the entertainment for one of the businesses who rented a tent, and music was in the air all over the place.

Other groups and businesses market themselves in different ways. This nice young lady was an attractive advertisement for local watermelon farmers.

They had plenty of watermelon to go around, but the Mar-Del Watermelon Queen was making sure that we didn't forget that fact.

Even one of the other local bloggers got into the act and made it a family affair.

Local blogger Joe Albero and his wife Jennifer were among those enjoying the day. His camera is in his hand - do you think he goes anywhere without it?

The other item for which Tawes is known is the copious amount of beer consumed during the event. Obviously when you walk into the event and see tables filled like the photo below you get the idea a lot of beer will be available.

I have no idea how many thousands of these were created, but chances are most of them were filled with beer at some point during the day.

Of course, there were many people who were drinking out of those mugs, but others were a little more creative with their drinking.

It doesn't matter how many you score, everyone's a winner in Beer Pong.

But hands down the best combination of both beer and marketing were the ones wearing shirts like these two were. It’s what I’ll finish with to bring things back to the political.

With his approval rating hovering in the low 30's, this means well over 60 percent of Marylanders are potential customers.

So there you have the political and the not-so-political of the 2008 J. Millard Tawes Crab and Clam Bake.

Obamaites offended

When word got around about a magazine cover depicting Democrat Presidential candidate Barack Obama in Islamic garb and his wife Michelle, armed like a terrorist, doing a celebratory fist bump in the Oval Office as an American flag burns in the fireplace, obviously the Obama campaign was none too thrilled about what The New Yorker magazine termed a “satrical” cover for its July 21st issue. Howls of protest have come from others on the left side of the aisle as well.

Never mind that many of those protesting have characterized current President George W. Bush as everything from “Bushitler” to American terrorist to devil incarnate, when you pick on one of their own all is no longer fair in love or war.

More to the point, the cartoon by Barry Blitt is almost assuredly going to make this particular issue of the staid magazine that few in middle America have heard of, much less read, an instant hit. Despite their leanings far to the left, one has to assume that The New Yorker does operate under the profit motive and if a controversial cover helps move a few thousand extra issues that’s great for the bottom line. Let’s face it, we’re not talking about Playboy here so most regular readers are subscribing to the tome for the articles.

And perhaps what may have made those on the “progressive” side a little less hysterical about the Obama cover is if they placed it as part of a thought bubble, one which eminates from a redneck Southerner leaning on his pickup truck, gun rack and Confederate flag window decal in full view. Maybe for full effect they could put a NASCAR sticker on one side of the bumper (perhaps a #3 with wings) and a sticker of some sort proclaiming the driver is a dittohead on the other. It sounds a little busy for an average-sized magazine cover so perhaps just the part with Barack and Michelle Obama made the cut.

Rush Limbaugh is correct when he regularly opines that good comedy has an element of truth in it. What makes this cover so believable is that many Americans do look at Obama in just such a manner – witness the hullabaloo about his middle name or lack of a flag pin on his lapel until some of Barack’s most recent appearances. Throw in some of Michelle’s comments and it’s easy to see why this perception dogs both Obamas.

My contention is that this is yet another distraction from the real issues that separate Obama from GOP standardbearer John McCain – their differing stances on the Long War and negotiating foreign policy, McCain’s recently conversion to the concept of energy independence through drilling for our own oil in most areas rather than forced conservation and the far-off technology of alternative fuels, and the wallet-straining ambitions of an Obama presidency versus the more fiscally conservative John McCain are but three examples.

While I wouldn’t go so far to say that The New Yorker‘s cover is a calculated move in reverse psychology by the Obama camp, it does serve to establish yet another divide between perception and reality as far as GOP voters go, subtly branding those who would vote against Obama as racist, sexist, xenophobic, or a combination of the three. Personally, I don’t give a damn that Barack Obama is half-black, I just happen to think his policy ideas are half-witted.

Crossposted on Red Maryland and That’s Elbert With An E.

Something new on monoblogue

You will probably notice the large box on the right as you bring up my site.

Being a capitalist at heart, I decided to explore this option after being invited to join a similar network which wasn’t local enough for me. I’ll leave this up for awhile to see how it does in paying my server fee and other expenses I incur running this website. (Hell, I’d just love to make minimum wage at this!)

Unfortunately I don’t have control over the videos placed up or the advertiser so on occasion you may see something which goes against the political grain of the site. It’s why I’m not committing to leave this up forever, but I’m also hopeful that it drives a little more traffic my way and allows the real focus of this to reach more readers. Besides, in one respect I do a lot of preaching to the choir here so it would be interesting to have more on the left respond with their emotional outbursts. (I was originally going to say “thoughts” but stopped myself when I realized that the vast majority of those on the Left don’t have any – hence, they’re on the Left.) I also placed more sponsored links on the bottom of the right column, it appears they’re similar to the unobtrusive stuff I put along the bottom.

What this also did was push down my link list, which is fine because over the weekend I’ll put the political items in their own box in the left column. It’ll be similar in format to the little disclaimer box I have but with links and a title, maybe a heavier border if I can figure that out. I’ll expand the number of races I have up as well to place a little more regional interest in my site.

So look for these changes and, if you’re a Maryland blogger, I encourage last-minute submissions for Sunday’s Carnival of Maryland 37 being hosted here. Hopefully I’ll have those posts you wish to highlight by 5:00 p.m. tonight because afterward I have a ballgame calling my name.

By the way, speaking of ballgames I do have to say that there was a very nice young girl in front of me at last night’s game whose parents should be commended. This girl looked to be about 4-5 years old but I never heard her whine or complain like most kids that age do. The one thing I noticed the parents did was that once the game got to a certain point she was told that if they went up the steps they would leave, so she stayed right there. It’s a lesson to other parents who take their kids to Shorebirds games.

Social, but secure?

I’ve played on this field before, but the other day I received my annual Social Security statement. While they didn’t have my 2007 numbers figured out yet, I can safely say that over the course of my working life the government has confiscated over $40,000 of my money (along with a like amount from the several employers I’ve been with along the way) for Social Security and about $10,000 from each of us for Medicare. For all this, they calculate that if I should retire at the age of 62 (about 18 years hence) I’d get $1,259 per month.

The boilerplate letter I got talks “about Social Security’s future” as well, noting that, “(i)n 2017, we will begin paying more in benefits than we collect in taxes. Without changes, by 2041 the Social Security Trust Fund will be exhausted and there will only be enough money to pay about 78 cents per dollar of scheduled benefits.” So when I turn 77 I’m really going to be caught short, which may explain why I’m not too secure about getting any of my money back. (In theory, it only takes me a couple years to get back what I put in – after that I’m on the dime of my kids and grandkids, as my parents are being paid for now by my brothers and I.)

Obviously I don’t know what the future will bring as far as either my income, my longevity, or what the government does with the money my employers and I chip in. But one does have to question the return on investment I’ll get and really ponder what my employers get from the deal. It’s something that doesn’t make a lot of headlines, but imagine the impact on businesses if Social Security was sunsetted as I’ve suggested. Certainly the additional capital would be helpful to any business who has employees and perhaps they can use the extra to entice workers by contributing more as a match to their private retirement plans.

My largest concern is just which generation gets stuck holding the bag on this nearly 75 year old Ponzi scheme. They’re going to be one upset bunch because they’ll be paying more and more to support a group who had the opportunity to address the problem but failed to do so. With the Boomers now advancing to an age where they’ll be cashing in on the generosity of Gen X’ers like myself, their incentive is gone and my generation is rapidly reaching a point where we’re getting too close to retirement to address the issue either. It may be the Millennial Generation (born after 1975) who blows up at the thought of supporting their elders through money confiscated from their labor.

While President Bush attempted to do a little bit about this problem by privatizing a small portion of the employee’s contribution, the outcry from the Democrats and AARP (but I repeat myself) forced Congress into inaction and the idea died. Instead, candidates this time around only intend to tinker around the edges a bit and possibly add another few years to the lifespan. In the meantime, I’ll continue to see these statements each year and grow more and more disillusioned about how that rapidly increasing figure is basically being thrown away instead of the pockets of both me and my employer.

(S)lots of opinions wanted

This came up in my political mailbox and I thought it would be an interesting item to chew on for a midday post.

A group called “For Maryland – For Our Future” is looking for opinions on this November’s slots referendum, which calls for amending the Constitution of Maryland to allow video slot machines in ceratin designated locations. Fair enough – we all know opinions are like rectal cavities and everybody has one. But something tells me that there’s a bias afoot when I read this little “spread the word” message:

Facing a $700 million hole in the budget, Maryland has a new way to pay for our kids’ education without slashing vital state services or raising taxes. The Referendum for Maryland’s Future will keep Maryland’s money in Maryland with a limited expansion of video lottery machines in just five specified locations. It’s a responsible and reasonable approach to protecting our children’s and Maryland’s future.

They want my opinion? They got it – and so do you.

*****

Personally, I think it’s the right idea but the wrong approach. There was no need to amend the Constitution of Maryland to have slots happen; during the Ehrlich Administration a legislative effort was made and thwarted several times. Achieving slots in the manner advocated on this site will make it difficult to adjust for changing circumstances and limits the options on the table to just a few specific locations with a finite number of machines for the state as a whole. We won’t have the flexibility to compete with other states as easily if changes can only be made every two years at a General Election.

Moreover, the dollar figures that state beancounters have come up with of late seem to be rosily optimistic in a number of cases and I don’t see the massive amounts of money being devoted to all these causes actually being created as droves of thrillseekers flock to Maryland to play a few video games. Being a former beancounter himself under the Glendening Administration Mr. Puddester should know this! It almost seems like getting just video slots now is too little, too late. We need to vote NO on this amendment and think about different, bolder ideas for gambling, such as sports betting or full-fledged casinos like several other states have.

*****

So count me in as a NO but don’t tell me I’m against Maryland. I’m for fiscal sanity.

An issue sliding under the radar

I have to give a hat tip to PolitickerMD for uncovering this little article today – while I’m sure it’s a fine newspaper I don’t make a habit of reading the Carroll County Times. The story by writer Erica Kritt puts a local spin on the issue, and the paper should be commended for taking the time to look at this small protest and bringing it to light.

The article also brought up this fairly new website with the moniker Health Care For America Now. Of course, while they claim to be a “national grassroots campaign organizing millions of Americans to win a guarantee of quality, affordable health care for all”, it’s the same old far-left organizations who have persisted in this effort for many moons. A list of “organizational members” goes like this:

American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Americans United for Change, Campaign for America’s Future, Center for American Progress Action Fund, Center for Community Change, MoveOn.org, National Education Association, National Women’s Law Center, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Service Employees International Union, United Food and Commercial Workers, and USAction.

You got it, mostly union thugs. Of course, they’ve couched their aim in much better language than simply saying “socialized health care” – now it’s a question of insurance:

We’re offering a bold new solution that gives you real choice and a guarantee of quality coverage you can afford: keep your current private insurance plan, pick a new private insurance plan, or join a public health insurance plan.

We’re also calling for regulation on health insurance companies. We need to set and enforce rules that quash health insurance companies’ greed once and for all. There is a huge divide between our plan and the insurance companies’ plan for healthcare reform. We want to make sure you have the quality coverage you need at the price you can afford. They want to leave you alone to fend for yourself in the unregulated, bureaucratic health insurance market.

Our plan is affordable for people and business. Their plan is profitable for them. With no regulation, health insurance companies can and will charge whatever they want, set high deductibles, and continue to drop coverage when you get sick. Now is the time to pick a side.

So the “real choice” I have would be to be insured by a company that will soon be bankrupted by the burden of additional regulation and taxation, another company that will follow a similar fate at some point either before or after my original choice, or be insured by the government and watch my taxes increase as more and more people are forced from the now-bankrupt private insurers and into the arms of government bureaucracy. Some choice.

I see nothing in their plan about common-sense solutions like medical savings accounts or tort reform, which would bring down costs by reducing the liability insurance burden all physicians share. Nor is there room for fee-for-service, which some doctor offices are getting back into in order to avoid the paperwork hassles of insurance companies. (Do you honestly think there will be less paperwork if the government is in charge of your health insurance? Give me a break.)

This also leads into more ancilliary issues. Take illegal immigration, which drives up health care costs to varying degrees depending on the influx of undocumented workers in a particular area. Rarely do they pay for the services provided, and while some costs are passed on to the rest of us in the form of higher prices hospitals try to charge, more often it’s a loss to the hospital or clinic and too many losses force the facilities to close their doors permanently. While this may not be a total cause and effect, it bears noting that Prince George’s County here in Maryland is a safe haven in all but name for illegals and also has a hospital system which required a bailout in this year’s Maryland budget.

Another concern I have about the HCAN approach is the overabundance of regulations already in place and whether there would be any effort to streamline things. At least with a for-profit insurer there are efforts to control costs – and while the most egregious efforts grab headlines and make their industry appear even more cruel and heartless, on the whole the health care insurers are making an honest effort to make the system simpler despite the maze of regulations in place as lawmakers attempt to placate one group or another. Unfortunately, an approach that treats health insurers as the enemy leaves out an important portion of the equation that needs to be accounted.

It’s also worthy of note that HCAN gets a large share of funding from the Tides Foundation, “quickly becoming the 800-pound gorilla of radical activist funding, and this couldn’t happen without a nine-figure balance sheet” according to the website activistcash.com.

Of course, the HCAN website asks “which side are you on?” and offers only the chance to sign a petition showing your support. I’m on the side of personal choice myself, and if it means I’m allied with the so-called “greedy” health insurers I suppose I could think of worse company to be in.

Crossposted on Red Maryland and That’s Elbert With An E.

Grounds for celebration

Perhaps the era of Big Coffee is over. For much of the last two decades Starbucks has become a staple in the lives of many Americans who didn’t mind paying big bucks for their caffeine fix – but yesterday it was announced that they’ll shutter 600 underperforming stores.

Personally, I don’t think I’ve been inside a Starbucks more than twice in my life and I think both times I got hot chocolate or something along that line. I’ve never been a coffee drinker so don’t look for me to shed many tears over the demise of a company that came of age at just about the same time the Seattle grunge movement supplanted 80’s hair band rock. Neither of those two developments were welcomed with open arms by me, although I will admit to liking Nirvana much more than those power ballads that the hair band movement had descended to. Nirvana jumped the shark when they were among the first to do an “unplugged” concert – me, I like plugged and loud.

Anyway, this decision by the coffee company could open up all sorts of opportunities for entrepreneurs who want to secure space in relatively new buildings or leaseholds, as many of the stores being closed had only opened in the last two years. (That brings a little bit of joy to my heart too, as long as the clients can pay up.) However, it also puts the proverbial Starbucks barista (an art history major with a nose ring and snooty attitude) in a position where he or she needs to find a real job.

While I don’t think Starbucks will go the way of green stamps or New Coke anytime soon, it’s another reminder that frills are the first to go in an economy that’s barely showing growth. A gallon of gas is a much more important use of $4 than a large cup of coffee.