Entrepreneurship: New Threat to Government Sponsored Indoctrination…I Mean, Education.

Entrepreneurship: New Threat to Government Sponsored Indoctrination…I Mean, Education.

 

“Education must serve politics, must be combined with productive labor”.  “The primary concern of education is not acquisition of knowledge, but the remodeling of behavior, attitudes, emotion and thoughts” ...Theodore Chen in Communist China, 1949-1969.

Sounds like something right out of the Manchurian Candidate back in 1962 and you would be correct.  Today’s educational institutions are an extension of state control both in and out of the classroom with increasing authority over children who are being programmed to function like mindless automatons to eventually, replace the current workforce, while working for the greater benefit of the state without question.  Yes, Brave New World, Animal Farm and 1984 have already arrived with increasing state authority over its most desired segment of the population the young (children/adolescents/young adults).  Indeed, children have become the property of the state through Orwellian means (China and North Korea sound familiar).  Let’s remember this expansion of government power and control over the masses was aided by the 911 Attack (September 2001) and since then, forfeiture of civil liberties and adherence to the Constitution/Bill Rights have become marginalized in lieu of safety.  What did Benjamin Franklin, once said, “he who gives up a little freedom for security deserves neither”.  Guess what, it doesn’t stop and government wanting more control over your child’s personal life increases.  Seems J.D Rockefeller, was right when he said, “I don’t want a nation of thinkers, I want a nation of workers”.  Yes, the Borg is real and the assimilation process starts in school; however, parental control and influence are gradually diminished with little objection from them.

So, entrepreneurship is a threat to the status-quo but, how you ask?  Seems contradictory because it’s Age of the Entrepreneur and governments are more than willing to invest funds into new ideas to yield innovation and new technology to generate money, jobs and tax revenue.  Like any good mercenary government plays both sides of a conflict, while exercising Free Market Capitalism (accepting donations from corporations, while taxing everyone else).  Yes, it’s about cash, power and control.  Government recognizes that entrepreneurs are renegades and better to join than fight them; however, the masses can be controlled by manipulation via social welfare benefits, education, grants (single mothers), media and legal changes (e.g., V.A.WA., women given greater authority over children).  Nothing like good old divide and conquer tactics designed for safety reasons and also make vulnerable sectors of the population to feel good about themselves.  However, when you accept gifts from government there’s cost you have to pay.          

Now, let’s seek assistance from British author and public speaker David Icke, who has written many articles, lectured and shared his concern about schools functioning as “Programming Prisons” for your kids.  Alright, what’s the connection between entrepreneurship and children being programed (brainwashed) to serve the state?  Well, Mr. Icke shared the answer is found in neuroscience or more specially in our right and left brain hemispheres.  The left-brain controls rational thought (logic, structure, discipline, conformity), while the right-brain hemisphere controls creativity (originality, uniqueness, emotions).  Now, both hemispheres are dependent upon each other and connected through the corpus callosum, which facilitates interhemispheric communication between them.  Now, if you wanted to control a society of people what part of the brain and segment of the population would you manipulate?  You got it, left-brain and children.  As Mr. Icke coined the phrase, Left-Brain Prisoner is programmed through the educational system.  The power elite recognized long ago they could profit by getting people to “buy into the system” by encouraging society to invest in higher education, home-ownership, joining social/political groups and other structured organizations that reinforce ideals, ideologies and values generally embraced by the greater society.  “The aim of public education isn’t to spread enlightenment at all, it is simply to reduce as many individuals as possible to the same level, to breed a standard citizenry to put down dissent and originality” (H. L., Mencken).  In truth, the goal is to monetize and program the public starting from cradle to grave in real time.

No doubt, you can see how entrepreneurs could cause disruption for the power elite due to the fact, the traits/qualities of an entrepreneur are primarily right-brain and contrary to the indoctrination process found in almost all educational institutions.  Don’t believe me, Texas Board of Education in their platform opposed Critical Thinking as being disruptive threat to parental authority (they later modified their platform).  Additionally, they also, voted against fact checking of textbooks by university professors.  Talk about maintaining authoritarian control at all cost but, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely.  Here’s an example where government (Court) ruled in favor of Police Departments can refuse to hire intelligent people.

It is no coincidence that school days are getting longer, because the state is centered on reducing a child’s time to Free Think on problem solving.  Sadly, it’s about conditioning children to self-regulate or produce a specific response or reaction that suits the state.  Entrepreneurship is the diametrical opposite of today’s educational system because problem-solving is a primary motivator of today’s social entrepreneurs.  Creating products/services that bring value to the free market, while solving problems for their target market.  Free Thinkers who pursue innovation and new technology are creative and critical in their thought process.

Traditionally families have been sending their children to school and then, later university because of their belief in education and more importantly, post-secondary education teaches young people how to be financially self-sufficient.  Unfortunately, higher education and its costs continue to escalate beyond the reach of the middle-class and those on the lower tier of the socioeconomic ladder.  So, what options do parents have to give their children a better quality of life?  Well, in a global economy that is based on information/knowledge designed to make things more efficient and most importantly, profitable for companies I suggest entrepreneurship/home business as the solution to the problem.  Knowledge is P-O-W-E-R but, applied knowledge is P-R-O-F-I-T-A-B-L-E because a Solution to a problem generates a high monetized value for those who successfully provide an answer to a problem.

        

Contributor

Vaurn James 

     

  

          

“The Greatest” is Gone……. His Entrepreneurial Spirit Lives Forever

“The Greatest” is Gone……. His Entrepreneurial Spirit Lives Forever

 

 

“Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth” …. Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali (born, Cassius Marcellus Clay born on January 17, 1942) the former 3-time heavyweight boxing champion of World and Sportsman of The 20^th Century died on June 3^rd 2016 and was laid to rest today on June 10^th 2016.  There is no doubt his boxing, athletic, political and social activism during the Vietnam War and Civil Rights Era made him one of the most influential people not only in America but also, around the World during the latter half of the 20^th Century.  Ali was famous throughout the world for his “trash-talking” (sports psychology), quick-whit, humor, commitment to his religion (Islam), the uplifting of his people (African American Community) and commitment to World peace; however, what about his role as an entrepreneur?  Yes, you got it right!  Entrepreneur and I mean that with all seriousness because that was a title most assuredly bestowed upon the man called the “Greatest”, because of his actions both in and out of the boxing ring.  Admittedly, the term entrepreneur and Muhammad Ali doesn’t immediately intersect, so let’s explore how, when and why.  Perhaps his history will clarify things and create a better understanding about the man and his passion to solve problems.      

So, how does Muhammad Ali, fit the description of an entrepreneur?  Well, let’s recall that an entrepreneur is often perceived as a business leader, leader and/or innovator that thinks outside the box and willing to assume all risks and rewards in pursuit of achieving a specific goal through new ideas and business processes.   In essence, he or she is frequently anti-establishment because the core of entrepreneurship centers upon creating and implementing new ideas and/or methods of solving problems.  Now, being a Blackman in the segregated Southern United States during the turbulent 1960s consisted of extraordinary structural challenges that restricted the personal freedoms and liberties of millions of people of African descent and the poor.  With remarkable boxing skills, commonsense, courage, incredible oratory skills and a global platform to express his thoughts and feelings Muhammad Ali, began the task of addressing racial, economic, social and political injustices imposed not only upon his fellow Black Americans but, other poor and disenfranchised people throughout the world.  Needless to say, Ali’s name and reputation brought significant influence to a problem that could be and often monetized into a solution to a conflict.  Yes, the Ali Brand was capital or fiat currency, which is the genesis of what is today called social entrepreneurship.  Indeed, Ali sought social change through a business approach.  Trust me, Branding the name Muhammad Ali is big business.    

“we cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them” …Albert Einstein.  It’s Darwinian, you either adapt or you die.  Hence, Muhammad Ali epitomized the Darwinian Theory of Survival of The Fittest.   

Now, Muhammad Ali, was an excellent marketer and self-promoter of himself and the sport of boxing through his poetry and ring psychology that told a story of him being the chosen one and would overcome all barriers/challenges.  In fact, Ali shared about his promotional skills being influenced through professional wrestling’s late icon “Gorgeous George”.   Like Gorgeous George, Ali was a showman that could sell and put backsides into seats, while generating massive revenue through his big-mouth and charismatic personality.  Needless to say, Muhammad Ali was very confident in his abilities or according to his many detractors was arrogant and needed to be slapped down and put into his place.  Does this sound familiar?  Like all entrepreneurs Ali, encountered extreme opposition and made the appropriate adjustments (physically, emotionally, psychologically and religiously) to achieve, success.  No Poverty Mindset existed with the Greatest nor would he allow barriers (racism, death threats, being stripped of the world title for refusing military induction, loss of boxing license, etc.,) to kill his dream.      

If, you compare the entrepreneur and athlete then, you eventually, come to realize they share many of the same qualities such as the following: disciplined, hardworking, self-confident, leadership, passionate, long-term thinking, having to prove something and possessing a Millionaire Mindset.  Hence, you can see many of the aforementioned qualities in Muhammad Ali, which in true entrepreneurial fashion explains his desire to make significant social change in the world and an inspiration to hundreds of millions of people around the globe.  The parallel between Muhammad Ali and Social Entrepreneurs such as Steve Jobs, Richard Branson and Bill Drayton, are clear as indicated by their respective desire to solve social problems or make things more efficient for the greater good of collective society.  

One of the lasting legacies of Muhammad Ali was his push for what is called “Ethnic Entrepreneurism” (cultural economics) within the African American community.  Ali often shared about the need for blacks to build their own banks, schools, theatres and overall, economic infrastructure to sustain its own community due to economic deprivation resulting from historical barriers (Slavery, Jim Crow and Anti-Poverty Laws) that continue to impact the black familial structure.  Since, wealth is a generational game but, your community has been systematically denied opportunity to participate and grow due to an uneven playing field then, it’s of the utmost importance to invest your resources with others who look like yourself.  Indeed, charity begins at home or more accurately, in your community.  There is no doubt familial instability continues to function as a primary factor of economic instability that is better addressed through efforts of both ethnic and social entrepreneurship. 

Muhammad Ali, often spoke of the importance of the people to develop the skills and abilities to pull themselves out poverty rather than reliance on government that has its own political and/or ideological motives.  It’s clear Ali, was about the people and viewed their salvation would best have achieved through their own efforts which reflects the importance of his role as an inspirational figure of hope for millions of average individuals but also, entrepreneurs. 

In closing I have included 10 inspirational quotes by the Champ and I hope they serve you well:

1.       “The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses—behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights.”

2.       “I hated every minute of training, but I said, ‘Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.'”

3.       “It’s lack of faith that makes people afraid of meeting challenges, and I believed in myself.”

4.       “Champions aren’t made in gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside

them—a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.”

5.      “If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it—then I can achieve it.”

6.      “He who is not courageous enough to take risks will accomplish nothing in life” 

7.      “To be a great champion you must believe you are the best. If you’re not, pretend you are.”

8.      “You lose nothing when fighting for a cause … In my mind the losers are those who don’t have a cause they care about.” “

9.      “The man with no imagination has no wings.” 

10.  “Only a man who knows what it is like to be defeated can reach down to the bottom of his soul and come up with the extra ounce of power it takes to win when the match is even.” 

11.   “What you're thinking is what you're becoming.” 

 Vaurn James

Contributor

Credit Cards: The Perfect Pyramid Scheme and Legal

Credit Cards: The Perfect Pyramid Scheme and Legal

So, are you using a credit-card to fund your home business opportunity or entrepreneurial venture? I am and millions of other serious-minded entrepreneurs; likewise, use this lifeline of credit to fulfill the dream of financial independence.  Unfortunately, credit-cards are like marriage, both are institutions endorsed by government because once you sign the contract getting out will cost you more than what you invested in the first place.  Think about when you said, “I, do” then, you have agreed to sharing your debt and/or wealth with another individual and the cost of dissolving the partnership will often involve 50% forfeiture of current and future assets (bye-bye 401K).  Now, credit-cards and their interests rates on average are 20% of your existing balance (make sure your debt is low).  Seems that borrowing the capital to fund the enterprise is more expensive than the actual operational costs but, that’s the economic reality. 

Funny, how the concept of Free Market Economics in the bedroom and kitchen can frequently resemble a criminal enterprise involving extortion and being made an offer you cannot refuse if, you value your health, wealth and personal freedom.  Hey, credit is part of all westernized economies, while fewer and fewer people make purchases using raw fiat currency.  In fact, you get scrutinized when you insist on paying cash and have no history of credit which puts you on the radar of Homeland Security or some other intelligence agency.  It’s no accident that credit-cards, bank debit cards or plastic are the standard method of payment, because paying cash or by cheque forces us to live within our means.  Businesses cannot profit by people who are disciplined shoppers; hence, no financial education in our schools because they want the kids to be as reckless as their parents who are currently in debt from spending (yes, this includes me).  Credit-cards are the middle-class version of welfare and like the poor, both credit-card companies and government cannot afford to allow their respective audiences to be educated consumers that use their product in a responsible manner that results in short-term use.                  

I am addressing this issue because a mentor of mine Jeffrey Combs of Goldenmastermind.com once said; “credit card companies are brilliant because they get people to pay interest on money that doesn’t exist”.  In essence, people are paying legal tender to access a line of credit that they don’t see, can’t smell nor touch.  Additionally, countless new transaction fees are implemented by credit-card companies and approved by government finance committee members because, “you NEVER bite the hand that gives you a bribe, I mean a financial contribution, I mean political donation and then, after your political career seek employment from the same industry you were regulating  as government official because their salary is higher and you as former regulator know how to circumvent that laws that are designed to protect the consumer”.   

Now, the concept is brilliant from a business/entrepreneurial perspective because when a product/service is intangible; yet, millions of people want it then, a collective sense of trust in the product has been established (at least in the past, but may be not today).  Well, credit-cards are no longer perceived as a positive but, more of a necessary evil; yeah, like marriage.  Oh yes, if, you tie the NOOSE, her debt will become yours so be careful.  Oh yes, learn about the danger of “compound” interest with credit cards because it exposes the true quasi-criminality of credit.

Now, if the credit card companies were prohibited by law from charging ridiculous interest rates to the loans of their millions of customers then, the national problem of credit-card debt would be significantly reduced.  Unfortunately, government and business have a relationship where “business lobbyist write legislation that is supposed to regulate the conduct of the same industry they represent”, yes a clear conflict of interest …forgive the pun but, business is business.  Now, in 2008, the US Mortgage and Financial Industries prompted by previous federal administration to extended home loans (line of credit) to people, who didn’t meet the financial litmus test and in reality couldn’t afford the monthly payments resulting in most defaulting. 

Hence, this Pyramid Scheme collapsed because no revenue was coming in and no interest could be charged so as to generate profit for the companies.  Basically, the gamble that people with marginal credit histories could pay their monthly bills plus interest proved to be wrong.  In retrospect the idea was poorly conceived but, when you make deals with politicians for special business privileges who are also, fighting for re-relation then, you sometimes are forced to offer loans to people who are on default.  Additionally, taxpayers always end up paying through a government bailout (you know, too big to fail) or increased fees passed on to them.  It’s safe to say much of Corporate America functions like a pyramid scheme with respect to unethical business practices and government regulations that in truth, fail to correct conduct the average individual would suffer criminal and/or civil sanctions but, “you get as much justice as you can afford”.  Needless to say, financial criminality remains more of a regulatory issue than criminal.      

“The Credit Card Accountability Responsibility and Disclosure Act of 2009 or Credit CARD Act of 2009 was signed by President Barack Obama on May 22, 2009”. “It is comprehensive credit card reform legislation that aims "...to establish fair and transparent practices relating to the extension of credit under an open end consumer credit plan, and for other purposes."^[1]

One of the critical reforms (lol) absent from The Credit Cardholders' Bill of Right was any provision for price controls.  So, the most important feature of credit card reform is absent and consumers continue to complain and pay exorbitant fees they were complaining about in the first place.  We shouldn’t be surprised because a common practice for committee members who regulate industries involves them seeking employment at the same companies they once regulated after their political term expires.  Again, conflict of interests is like a bloody virus that gets worse.    

Long-term consumer activist Ralph Nader has spoken, lectured and testified countless times about the unholy and corrupt relationship between credit card companies and government at the annual meeting at Center for the Study of Consumer Financial Services (CSCFS).  Mr. Nader spoke about his experience not having any credit-cards and provided the following 10 reasons why he refuses to allow corporation to stop him from using legal tender:

·         Plastic lays the groundwork for massive, daily invasions of privacy

·         Once you enter the credit economy you fall under the controls of arbitrary credit rating and credit scoring merchants

·         The credit card economy, with its anti-competitive no-surcharge rules, etc. is inflationary and affects negatively consumer purchasing power as well as lower savings rates

·         Credit cards encourage impulse buying

·         Credit card terms…You sign on the dotted line, shut up and shop

·         Using cash/check encourages consumers to live within their means and not get caught in an ever deeper cycle of debt

·         Paying by cash/check avoids the gouging of fees, penalties, termination charges, and of course, sky-high interest rates for consumers

·         Paying by cash/check….it prevents the addition of any fraudulent charges to the bill.

·         Paying by cash/check avoids having to give away your personal property to the likes of internet companies

·         Credit card issuers often approve consumers for credit cards with maximum spending limits that are too high considering their salary or lack thereof

It would appear that Ralph Nader recognized long ago the culture of failure and economic control credit-card companies attempted and successfully continue to impose on the mases through daily financial commerce via plastic. Unfortunately, the situation continues to get worse not only with crerdit-cards but, with proposed laws like “Trade Secrets Protection Directive”, that serves to increase the secrecy of corporate criminality.    

Vaurn James

Contributor