Going to the conference…
Today kicks off the Governor and First Lady’s Conference on Women in Long Beach.
Nearly 15,000 women and — a smattering of self-assured men — will arrive at the Long Beach Convention Center for what will be a most amazing two days.
Just to give you an idea of the line up…Jennifer Lopez, JLo herself, kicks off the conference followed by Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Warren Buffet in a discussion moderated by MSNBC’s Chris Mathews.
Lunchtime speakers include Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Indra Nooyi, the Chairman and CEO of Pepsi. The afternoon session features Bono, the lead singer from U2 and co-founder of the One Campaign. Bonnie Raitt closes the day with a rockin’ concert, as if there was any other kind.
Obama’s First 100 Days
When I worked at the California ISO during the California Energy Crisis of 2000-01, the skilled engineers there gave me a great education about how California’s and the nation’s electricity system works. But the more important lesson they taught me was about contingency planning. Contingency planning means that you must be prepared for any and all situations and have plans in place to resolve those situations.
With that in mind, it not unreasonable for Republicans to develop some contingency plans to deal with what would come under a Democratic President and an overwhelming Democratic majority in Congress.
And while never conceding defeat before the votes have been counted, prudence dictates that one must prepare for any and all possible contingencies.
Today’s piece will focus on what we might expect from and Obama Administration and the Reid-Pelosi Congress in the first 100 Days. Here are a few things to watch early next year.
No One Is Laughing Now
Some months ago, a baby-boomer friend of mine told me his retirement
plan was to "work until I die." We both chuckled.
No one who has watched the equity in their homes and the value of
their investments virtually vaporize before their eyes in recent
weeks would find this funny. Many of those who were planning to
retire in the next 10 to 15 years are now looking at work as the
only way to see them through their "golden years." Those already
retired are especially vulnerable even though Social Security
payments are going up by almost six percent next year. And
generation X is anxious too. Those now at the midpoint in their
working careers are wondering if there is such thing as a "secure"
investment and they are starting to take seriously warnings that
Social Security — a system that relies on those who are working to
support those who are retired — may run out of money before they
retire.
What Small Business Wants
With only a few weeks before the election, candidates are running like Usain Bolt to the November 4 finish. Campaigns are focusing on their messages to various constituencies as they try to lure voters to their side.
One key constituency that can’t be forgotten is America’s entrepreneurs. After all, the research shows that 95 percent of small business owners are registered to vote, and 84 percent usually do vote. With the advent of early voting in many states, this number may well increase, as it makes it easier for busy owners to vote when it’s convenient, not just when the polls are open.
The small business community, which includes entrepreneurs and their employees, comprise 43 percent of U.S. registered voters. On the largest single day of voting held so far this year, Super Tuesday, nearly 32 percent of voters were part of this group. These numbers prove that small business is a powerful, motivated group. And they want candidates to address the issues that matter to them.
Endorsement Grid Updates – 10/21
The Fox&Hounds Endorsement Grid has been updated to include positions from Senator Tom McClintock, the Orange County Register, the California Manufacturers & Technology Association and the San Diego Tax Fighters.