Folks,
Here is an example of how big biz works with big govt, this time with labor and
sugar:
http://tinyurl.com/l9dq9
John
Saturday, June 3, 2006
Sugar Labor Economics
Friday, June 2, 2006
rich dad poor dad thread
Re: [spiers] Education
I thought this was interesting and along the lines of what I was
thinking, even if it's not a degree.
http://www.studioeaustin.com/
Richard
Fwd: Re: Chinese currency activities
John,
>That would be RELATIVE transparency, but who can assess what the thinking
is of billions of
investors, and their actions? I love it when the news reports the "Dow was
down 36 points
today on profit-taking..." <
I agree with both points, RELATIVE transparency, yes, ill-informed
commentary yes as well. What that says to me is people are sufficiently
satisfied with RELATIVE transparency to invest in US markets.
>You are betting that Sarbanes Oxley will control fraud, and that the govt
can write rules that
make things more transparent. I bet not. If Enron broke the rules, how
come the SEC never
noticed? <
I am not betting on SO to control fraud. What it and other similar
legislation does is change the cost/benefit ration on fraud. Enron(and
plenty of others too) broke the rules because they had confidence that the
penalties would be worth the risk. To them the risk/reward ration was
"positive." This is no different than the most pure capitalist, free market
in the USA, street corner drug sales.
>One of the first things Sarbanes Oxley did was cause a rush to the exits by
CEOs and CFOs.
Plenty of talent quit the field rather than face the hastily drafted
Sarbanes Oxley. Were they
all criminals? Or did we lose incalculable management talent?<
SO did not cause a rush to the exits by CEOs and CFOs. The fear that they
would be held accountable for the misdeeds of their underlings was the
motive, if indeed there was such a loss. I would posit these officers left
because the risk/reward ratio went negative. If they left, where did they
go? If they left corporate America, I am betting they went into consulting
for corporate America where they council other CEO/CFOs on how to avoid
running afoul of SO and similar legislation. I am ABSOLUTELY sure they did
not go into import/export competing on design.
To quote that EXXON "poster child" for the virtue of corporate morality, Lee
Raymond... "In every aspect of life, including the economic dimension we are
always challenged to do the right thing. We have seen that in this country
in the last few years, particularly on Wall Street, with the rise of the old
human frailty of greed. This occurs when people serve their own needs to the
detriment of everyone else. To counter such trends, we must work to become
not just players or owners but also stewards of the free market system."
(Acton Institute in 2003). At the time of this statement he was making
(reportedly) $144,000 per day.
>AS to foreigners investing in USA, I don't know what the figures are, but I
do know USA
investing in foreign markets has grown tremendously. <
Foreigners invest in the US in many ways. Holding our debt is one, buying
corporations to get competent management is another and real estate is one
more.
> America's attraction for foreign capital can be readily discerned in the
streets of Washington, where a number of buildings have been sold to
foreigners in recent months. A group funded by Middle Eastern investors
recently bought 901 F St. NW for $56 million, German money was behind the
purchase of 2100 M St. NW for $95 million, and other foreign investors
bought a portfolio of properties, including 5225 Wisconsin Ave. NW, for a
sum in the $200 million range, according to Bill Collins of Cassidy &
Pinkard, a real estate services firm involved in some of the transactions. A
survey of global real estate investors last year showed that the United
States continues to rank as the No. 1 country for "stable and secure"
property investments, with Washington as foreign investors' top city.<
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A51650-2005Feb24.html There is
a dark side to this as explained in the article as well. >But the influx of
capital has an ominous flip side -- the ballooning U.S. trade deficit, which
soared 24 percent in 2004, to $617.7 billion. The dollars spent by Americans
on Japanese cars, Chinese televisions and other imported goods end up in the
hands of foreigners, who plow them into U.S. Treasury bonds and other
securities ... Therein lies a serious worry for many economists: As the
deficit mounts, so does America's overall indebtedness to foreigners, which
now totals about $3 trillion. That would be less troubling if the money
streaming in from overseas were helping to finance a boom in productive
assets such as factories and machinery.
But to the contrary, economic data show historic highs in the proportion of
U.S. spending on consumption and housing. Not only is the United States
piling up debt, it is doing so while consuming at record levels.<
You aught to enjoy this argument, given your far east experience:
(From USA Today) >Chinese companies such as Lenovo and Haier Group aren't
just buying U.S. company assets. Chinese companies are buying U.S. company
managers.<
>Put another way, Chinese companies don't have world-class management
capabilities. They will be short 75,000 top-shelf managers over the next 10
to 15 years, commercial intelligence firm Asia Pulse estimates. So as the
Chinese try to become international players, Chinese companies will
outsource management to the USA.< and >"The U.S. is the most competitive
marketplace in the world," says Larry Bossidy, management book author and
former Honeywell CEO. "As a consequence, you have to be good to be
successful in most markets in this country."<
Then > "That isn't to say there aren't good management teams elsewhere,"
Bossidy adds. "But we prepare people for the most difficult markets. It's
just in keeping that we'd export leadership to other parts of the globe.".<
http://www.usatoday.com/money/industries/technology/maney/2005-06-28-chinese-
training_x.htm
So, American managers driven out of the boardroom by SO and other
legislation have a new place to go.
Thursday, June 1, 2006
Re: Chinese currency activities
Re: Chinese currency activities
Randy,
That would be RELATIVE transparency, but who can assess what the thinking is of
billions of
investors, and their actions? I love it when the news reports the "Dow was down
36 points
today on profit-taking..." How can they possibly know why the Dow was down,
possibly know
the minds of the 25 million people who traded that day?
You are betting that Sarbanes Oxley will control fraud, and that the govt can
write rules that
make things more transparent. I bet not. If Enron broke the rules, how come
the SEC never
noticed? Private companies brought Enron down, the short sellers who spotted
the nonsense
in Enron's statements. They bet their money Enron was wrong, and got paid
plenty on their
bet. The short sellers are sufficient adult supervision in stock markets.
One of the first things Sarbanes Oxley did was cause a rush to the exits by CEOs
and CFOs.
Plenty of talent quit the field rather than face the hastily drafted Sarbanes
Oxley. Were thyey
all criminals? Or did we lose incalculable management talent?
Companies want to sell stock. The people selling the stock of their companies
are known
quantities. The short sellers will keep things honest in these foreign markets.
China has enough US dollars and wants to unload some. If the Bank of China IPO
went on the
NYSE the Chinese would end up with more dollars. In hongkong they get euros,
and hong
kong dollars and RMBY, canadian dollars and pesos, etc. They can let this
foreign currency
roll in, and make payments around the world in US dollars, quietly unloading
their dollar
positions. (if the dollar tanks, people will get mad at USA, not the Chinese
who paid them the
dollars).
AS to foreigners investing in USA, I don't know what the figures are, but I do
know USA
investing in foreign markets has grown tremendously.
A few years ago the stock market hit 11,000 and gold was something like $250/oz.
Now the
market is 11,000 and gold is $620/oz. I think the thing to watch is not what
the markets do,
but what gold does.
John
On Wed, 31 May 2006 21:18:23 -0500, "Randal Tietz"
:
> John,
>
> I saw this in the Chi. Trib. today. It is another facet of the area you
> mentioned a few weeks back about not being able to buy stock in USD.
>
> I have been interested for some time now why Int'l invest in the US when
> there are so many other markets open to them. I have come to believe a
> significant piece of the puzzle is our system's transparency and SEC
> regulation. The viscerally hated Sarbanes-Oxley anti-fraud law may turn out
> to be the bitter medicine which saves the market which so loathes it.
> Ironic.
>
> >Bank of China IPO not available on NYSE
>
> Associated Press
> Published May 31, 2006
>
> HONG KONG -- When Chinese firms like the state-owned oil company PetroChina
> Co. or Internet start-up Baidu.com Inc. wanted to go global and raise cash
> on a stock market, they launched their initial public offerings on Wall
> Street.
>
> But that's not what the Bank of China plans to do Thursday with its IPO, the
> world's biggest in six years. The bank, China's No. 2 lender, is listing
> $9.7 billion worth of its shares only on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
>
> The IPO is part of a recent wave of Chinese firms that are skipping New York
> entirely. Hong Kong's new popularity for the mega-IPOs is seen by some as
> the latest trend in globalization: the rise of a new world with many
> financial capitals.
>
> But skeptics argue that the Chinese firms, called "red chips" in local
> lingo, don't dare list in the U.S. because their finances are too murky. The
> critics say Hong Kong's less rigorous financial disclosure regulations mean
> fewer headaches for the firms.<
> > (Complete article
> http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-
0605310004may31,1,1116096.story?coll=chi-business-hed&ctrack=1&cset=true ) <
>
Importing Food Products
How does John's business model fit the importation of food products.
I've read messages from group members importing organic foods, and
wines. But how does one "innovate" a food product? What change do
you make in a wine or a cheese? Where is the importer's value in
importing food products?
Anthony
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
rich dad poor dad thread
Re: [spiers] Education
John,
After reading the school quality debate in which you are involved I saw the
following in the CSM
LINK: http://www.csmonitor.com/2006/0601/p01s01-ussc.html?s=hns
A local rebellion over who gets a diploma
By Sara Miller Llana | Staff writer of The Christian Science Monitor
BOSTON - For students in Massachusetts, MCAS can be a four-letter word. It's the
state's high school exit exam, and the rule is simple: If you don't pass it, you
don't get a diploma.
But the mayor of New Bedford, Scott Lang, is threatening to disobey that policy
by granting diplomas to students June 15, even if they fail the standardized
test. In so doing, he's testing the state's will to withhold district funds for
breaking regulations. And he's reviving a debate over education reform that's
simmering in other states, too...(MORE)
Basque...el camino por santiago
Re: [spiers] Basque...el camino por santiago
Hello John,
I agree, it is the freedom of choosing whatever lifestyle suites for the time.
I own some real estate and semi-retired some years ago. During my walk to
Santiago I texted a friend saying i had slept the night before on the stone
floor of the kitchen. He asked, why don't you treat yourself and stay in a
luxury hotel? My reply said this was my gift to myself. I was enjoying the open
air self-propelled journey through history and austure lifestyle.
Getting a bit bored with just traveling the world without aim or direction, i
just choose an interesting place and go there. Thinking about getting into
importing, which is why i took your class some years ago.
Strangely, I am reluctant because of a vague feeling of entrapment. I enjoy
being able to come and go whenever the whim strikes me, and if i begin taking
orders then i would be forced into being responsible.
Still thinking,
Linda
John Spiers
Folks,
I sent thru what may seem an obscure exchange between Linda and Martin because
it strikes a
theme... Linda I surmise is on a pilgrimmage, el camino por santiago, and martin
has expressed
envy. I am going to take a wild guess... Linda is self-employed, and Martin is
not. This is not a
criticism, just to make the point again, that self-employment is first about
lifestyle.
Martin, if I am right, how about a new biz oppty? A travel agent to/for
pilgrimmages? turn that
envy into lifestyle...
(In the car this morning, I heard on the radio one Kevin Trudeau got around govt
rules on
touting medical cures by writing books about what others say, not about what he
himself says.
Apparently he rakes in the dough and is untouchable.)
John
On Wed, 24 May 2006 02:41:53 -0700 (PDT), linda williams
wrote :
> This is all very interesting as i am currently walking el camino por santiago
and have gone
through some of the basque country. i wondered about all the political grafiti,
posters etc. my
spanish is poor, so could not grasp it all, and of course, could not understand.
>
> linda
>
>
> martin@mendiola.us wrote:
> Luis,
>
> With all due respect, specially since we are probably neighbors in Miami, I
just got back from
Gernika and Bilbao last night and the Basque people want independence. Not
necessarily for the
same reasons that John may think (I disagree with a lot of what he says and
believes, but always
find his comments interesting and thought provoking) but they still see
themselves as being the
mouth of the cow that gets milked in Madrid. Along with what they feel has been
oppression
from past governments there are many other non-political reasons the Basque seek
independence. In his book The Basque History of the World, Mark Kurlansky
indirectly points
out many of these reasons. Lets not forget that the concept of a Basque country
crosses the
Pyrennees into France.
>
> The political situation in Spain is interesting to say the least. They have a
tremendous
immigration problem. "A la" Jimmy Carter with the Mariel Boatlift from Cuba,
Zapatero has sort
of opened its borders creating a major influx of what are rapidly becoming
"undesirables".
There is an increase in reported government and corporate corruption. During my
visit, there
was a major scandal involving over 350,000 investors that got pulled into by a
major scam. It is
a time of caution for Spaniards. Up to now they have been "recipients" of funds
from the
European Union, as more (poor) countries come aboard and the roles reverse to
where they
become "contributors", the economic boom will begin to slow down or end. The
European Union
has already voted to withhold wine subsidies which will impact Portugal much
more than Spain,
but this should be a warning.
>
> Towns like Gernika (known for the famous Picaso painting) were experiencing
tremendous
construction and real estate price increases. As of 5 days ago, real estate
prices were not just
leveling off, but actually coming down with a BIG drop in sales. Those who used
to be strong
Socialist Party supporters are beginning to wonder. They also realize there may
be a small
window of opportunity for them to gain complete independence since an economic
slow down
and mistakes made in Catalunya will cause reactionary shifts in government due
to public
pressure. (This last statement may give some insight as to John's comments
regarding more
communist countries becoming independent).
>
>
> I find the current situation in Spain quite interesting, it may be provide a
"faster" indication as
to where the US economy is headed since there are many similarities. Tremendous
expansion in
construction and real estate prices where the youth cannot afford housing and
live off credit
cards, lack of innovation and "product" creation, globalization and an abundance
of jobs that
were once considered desirable and respectable (ie: restaurant and hotel
employees) filled by
immigrants, since natives do not want them.
>
> My two cents worth turned to be more like a dime. Good luck and take care,
>
>
> Martin Mendiola
> 305-445-2525
> Martin@Mendiola.US
>
>
> > -------- Original Message --------
> > Subject: [spiers] Re: All Hail Montenegro!
> > From: "spiersegroups"
> > Date: Tue, May 23, 2006 12:44 pm
> > To: spiers@yahoogroups.com
> >
> > Luis,
> >
> > In principle, the moment a majority wants independece, ought they not be
afforded it,
> > regardless of history? In practice, independence rarely is based on
majority rule,
> > rather 40% for, 40% against, and 20% undecided. The undecided 20% is won
over by
> > politics. Thus it was in USA independence movement.
> >
> > As to violence, I am with you, it is abhorrent. I think the mistake the
confederates
> > made in the USA was to resort to violence. Better to be like Montenegro, or
Singapore
> > or Norway... all gained independence non-violently. Certainly Canada gained
> > independence from England nonviolently. It seems to me violence is
introduced by
> > thugs who use the good of independence to put a halo on their crimes.
> >
> > John
> > --- In spiers@yahoogroups.com, LUIS1467@... wrote:
> > >
> > > Dear John
> > >
> > > Basques (Vascos) are a part of Spain since the origins of Iberia (Spain)
> > > They are free since they have their autonomy, their local goverment, their
> > > Parliament, their local police, etc, and most of the Basques like what
they have
> > > since they feel Spaniards, .but few nationalists plus the ETA terrorists
it
> > > means something close but not exactly the same that a Federal State as
could be
> > > Florida or New York States. If you need further information, please let
me
> > > know and with pleasure I will provide it.
> > >
> > > Sincerely
> > >
> > > Luis Cabo
> > > Tel/Fax 305667 7630
> > > Cell 786 4730868
> > > email: Luis1467@...
> > > email:luis.cabo001@...
rich dad poor dad thread
Re: [spiers] Education
Jay,
30 years ago you had to have 2 years of foreign language to get out of high
school, today you need one year of foreign language to get out of Princeton, and
you can get even that requirement waived at Princeton, and every year people do.
A high school diploma from Madison High School in Brooklyn 30 years ago was
tougher academically than a Brooklyn College diploma today. A Boston Latin or
Andover (high schools) diploma 30 years ago were tougher than a Princton diploma
today. So yes, I am claiming that a present day Williams College or Princeton
University liberal arts degree is equivalent to a high school diploma 30 years
ago. I would only clarify that the statement is accurate in each category. A
Madison High diploma 30 years ago was NOT tougher than a Princeton diploma
today, but a Boston Latin diploma was.
30 years ago Princeton and Williams College were exceptional, and today they are
exceptional. The point that all education has gone very much downhill is not
exceptional; the faculty at the schools will tell you that. That the free
market could match a Princeton bachelors degree today "more better cheaper
faster" I have no doubt. University of Phoenix has already done so at the
"Brooklyn College" level, the argument I was making earlier is the Princeton
level is still open to competition.
Education is a standard item in free trade worldwide. Indeed, imported
scholarship is one of the critical elements in economic development. Look at
the impact the humble Ramanujan had on British mathematics, not to mention the
economic dynamism brought to USA by immigrants.
The opportunity to do good while doing well is wide open in education in USA,
and anyone who agrees I recommend competing against the Ivy League schools, for
their students.
John
John,
If you are claiming that a present day Williams College or Princeton
University liberal arts degree is equivalent to a high school diploma 30
years ago, I vote that you refocus and limit this e-mail forum to your
import/export expertise.
Jay Schuyler
On 5/30/06 6:13 PM, "John Spiers"
> Martin,
>
> Congratulations, and you'll allow every father his pride in his daughter's
> graduation this June,
> as I was when my daughter graduated from UCSB 2 years ago, and I swore to
> anyone who
> would listen the UC Santa Barbara was on par with Berkeley now, and no longer
> a party
> school.
>
> Take any school, even the celebrated Williams College, and the scope and
> sequence of today
> is not what it was 30 years ago. Even St. John's out of Annapolis and Santa
> Fe ain't what it
> used to be. I'd bet my money I am right.
>
> John
> On Tue, 30 May 2006 09:49:37 -0700, martin@mendiola.us wrote :
>
>> > John,
>> >
>> > "What is missing in the market place is a bachelors degree in the
>> humanities, a classical
> liberal arts education. A bachelors degree today is roughly equal to a high
> school diploma 30
> years ago... and a liberal arts education is simply not available in usa,
> like soap. You
> have to make your own to get it."
>> >
>> >
>> > Our daughter just graduated in June from Williams College in Massachussets.
>> An excellent
> liberal arts private institution probably unmatched in the world.
>> >
>> >
>> > Martin Mendiola
>> > 305-445-2525
>> > Martin@Mendiola.US
>> >
>> >
>>> > > -------- Original Message --------
>>> > > Subject: [spiers] Education
>>> > > From: Richard Ingels
>>> > > Date: Sun, May 28, 2006 12:12 pm
>>> > > To: spiers@yahoogroups.com
>>> > >
>>> > > Richard,
>>> > >
>>> > > Not off topic at all, education is a service that is wide open... in
>>> fact i wrote a masters
> thesis on self-supporting noncredit education 20 years a go, and hte field is
> far wider today
> than then.
>>> > >
>>> > > The best model is the University of Washington Experimental College, and
>>> all of their
> records and business plans and budgets are public domain information.
>>> > >
>>> > > the best free-market success story is the University of Phoenix, and
>>> continuing
> education instructor who became a billionaire when he realized govt education
> missing the
> adult market.
>>> > >
>>> > > It seems to me Quilting, Tai Chi, Quickbooks, massage, small business,
>>> astrology,
> astronomy... all that is covered. What is missing in the market place is a
> bachelors degree in
> the humanities, a classical liberal arts education. A bachelors degree today
> is roughly equal
> to a high school diploma 30 years ago... and a liberal arts education is
> simply not available in
> usa, like soap. You have to make your own to get it.
>>> > >
>>> > > Accreditation is the Berlin Wall of education, so the trick would be to
>>> offer a hardcore
> liberal arts degree, unaccredited. Work thru the trivium and qaudrivium in 36
> courses over 4
> years, using those first rate scholars who by bad luck did not get one of the
> govt-limited
> professorships at govt schools. offer a bachelors degree superior to what you
> can get at
> stanford of harvard, at about $12000. Market it to those who simply do not
> need a medallion
> degree, but would like to be educated.
>>> > >
>>> > > There, Steal my idea.
>>> > >
>>> > > John
>>> > >
>>> > >
>>> > > John,
>>> > > This is off topic from import/export I realize, but there is no adult
>>> > > education continuing education within 25 miles of my town. I wanted to
>>> > > explore setting up a local community school where those with expertise
>>> > > could share with those interested and maybe make a few bucks (and
>>> > > perhaps pay myself some for setting it up). Quilting, Tai Chi,
>>> > > Quickbooks, massage, small business, astrology, astronomy, etc.
>>> > >
>>> > > I know you've been working with your university experiment and was
>>> > > wondering if you had any tips. Nonprofit? Grants? Private for profit?
>>> > > How much to charge? How to advertise? How to do sign-ups (all online?).
>>> > > I was thinking eventually I may be able to make a movie of the really
>>> > > good presenters to sell as a how-to or self-help video course. I should
>>> > > mention I live in a community with a high percentage of educated
>>> > > retired folks.
>>> > >
>>> > > Is this something that is way bigger than I realize and not at all
>>> > > worth it except through the city or county or activity center or senior
>>> > > center? Or are there any models of this where someone has done it
>>> > > privately and made a few bucks in the process (plus getting to sit in
>>> > > on the classes for fun)?
>>> > >
>>> > > Eventually I would offer the online courses (such as yours) as well and
>>> > > was wondering what is required to do that. I know I signed up for your
>>> > > course through the local community college in another city where I used
>>> > > to live but don't see that offered around here anywhere.
>>> > >
>>> > > Maybe your next book topic? Do you foresee a time where we will be
>>> > > taking courses from overseas colleges who can offer it cheaper? At
>>> > > least for the non-credit type? I wonder if at some time we will have a
>>> > > US accredited overseas college we can attend online and get a degree
>>> > > for a fraction of other colleges (import). Or perhaps the opposite and
>>> > > have foreign attendees online at a US accredited college (export) for a
>>> > > full degree?
>>> > >
>>> > > Richard
>>> > >
>>> > >
>>> > >
>>> > >
>>> > >
>>> > > Compete on Design!
>>> > >
>>> > > www.johnspiers.com
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
rich dad poor dad thread
RE: [spiers] Education
John,
"What is missing in the market place is a bachelors degree in the humanities, a
classical liberal arts education. A bachelors degree today is roughly equal to
a high school diploma 30 years ago... and a liberal arts education is
simply not available in usa, like soap. You have to make your own to get
it."
Our daughter just graduated in June from Williams College in Massachussets. An
excellent liberal arts private institution probably unmatched in the world.
Martin Mendiola
305-445-2525
Martin@Mendiola.US
> -------- Original Message --------
> Subject: [spiers] Education
> From: Richard Ingels
> Date: Sun, May 28, 2006 12:12 pm
> To: spiers@yahoogroups.com
>
> Richard,
>
> Not off topic at all, education is a service that is wide open... in fact i
wrote a masters thesis on self-supporting noncredit education 20 years a go, and
hte field is far wider today than then.
>
> The best model is the University of Washington Experimental College, and all
of their records and business plans and budgets are public domain information.
>
> the best free-market success story is the University of Phoenix, and
continuing education instructor who became a billionaire when he realized govt
education missing the adult market.
>
> It seems to me Quilting, Tai Chi, Quickbooks, massage, small business,
astrology, astronomy... all that is covered. What is missing in the market
place is a bachelors degree in the humanities, a classical liberal arts
education. A bachelors degree today is roughly equal to a high school diploma
30 years ago... and a liberal arts education is simply not available in usa,
like soap. You have to make your own to get it.
>
> Accreditation is the Berlin Wall of education, so the trick would be to offer
a hardcore liberal arts degree, unaccredited. Work thru the trivium and
qaudrivium in 36 courses over 4 years, using those first rate scholars who by
bad luck did not get one of the govt-limited professorships at govt schools.
offer a bachelors degree superior to what you can get at stanford of harvard, at
about $12000. Market it to those who simply do not need a medallion degree, but
would like to be educated.
>
> There, Steal my idea.
>
> John
>
>
> John,
> This is off topic from import/export I realize, but there is no adult
> education continuing education within 25 miles of my town. I wanted to
> explore setting up a local community school where those with expertise
> could share with those interested and maybe make a few bucks (and
> perhaps pay myself some for setting it up). Quilting, Tai Chi,
> Quickbooks, massage, small business, astrology, astronomy, etc.
>
> I know you've been working with your university experiment and was
> wondering if you had any tips. Nonprofit? Grants? Private for profit?
> How much to charge? How to advertise? How to do sign-ups (all online?).
> I was thinking eventually I may be able to make a movie of the really
> good presenters to sell as a how-to or self-help video course. I should
> mention I live in a community with a high percentage of educated
> retired folks.
>
> Is this something that is way bigger than I realize and not at all
> worth it except through the city or county or activity center or senior
> center? Or are there any models of this where someone has done it
> privately and made a few bucks in the process (plus getting to sit in
> on the classes for fun)?
>
> Eventually I would offer the online courses (such as yours) as well and
> was wondering what is required to do that. I know I signed up for your
> course through the local community college in another city where I used
> to live but don't see that offered around here anywhere.
>
> Maybe your next book topic? Do you foresee a time where we will be
> taking courses from overseas colleges who can offer it cheaper? At
> least for the non-credit type? I wonder if at some time we will have a
> US accredited overseas college we can attend online and get a degree
> for a fraction of other colleges (import). Or perhaps the opposite and
> have foreign attendees online at a US accredited college (export) for a
> full degree?
>
rich dad poor dad thread
RE: [spiers] Education
Martin,
Congratulations, and you'll allow every father his pride in his daughter's
graduation this June,
as I was when my daughter graduated from UCSB 2 years ago, and I swore to anyone
who
would listen the UC Santa Barbara was on par with Berkeley now, and no longer a
party
school.
Take any school, even the celebrated Williams College, and the scope and
sequence of today
is not what it was 30 years ago. Even St. John's out of Annapolis and Santa Fe
ain't what it
used to be. I'd bet my money I am right.
John
On Tue, 30 May 2006 09:49:37 -0700, martin@mendiola.us wrote :
> John,
>
> "What is missing in the market place is a bachelors degree in the humanities,
a classical
liberal arts education. A bachelors degree today is roughly equal to a high
school diploma 30
years ago... and a liberal arts education is simply not available in usa,
like soap. You
have to make your own to get it."
>
>
> Our daughter just graduated in June from Williams College in Massachussets.
An excellent
liberal arts private institution probably unmatched in the world.
>
>
> Martin Mendiola
> 305-445-2525
> Martin@Mendiola.US
>
>
> > -------- Original Message --------
> > Subject: [spiers] Education
> > From: Richard Ingels
> > Date: Sun, May 28, 2006 12:12 pm
> > To: spiers@yahoogroups.com
> >
> > Richard,
> >
> > Not off topic at all, education is a service that is wide open... in fact i
wrote a masters
thesis on self-supporting noncredit education 20 years a go, and hte field is
far wider today
than then.
> >
> > The best model is the University of Washington Experimental College, and all
of their
records and business plans and budgets are public domain information.
> >
> > the best free-market success story is the University of Phoenix, and
continuing
education instructor who became a billionaire when he realized govt education
missing the
adult market.
> >
> > It seems to me Quilting, Tai Chi, Quickbooks, massage, small business,
astrology,
astronomy... all that is covered. What is missing in the market place is a
bachelors degree in
the humanities, a classical liberal arts education. A bachelors degree today is
roughly equal
to a high school diploma 30 years ago... and a liberal arts education is simply
not available in
usa, like soap. You have to make your own to get it.
> >
> > Accreditation is the Berlin Wall of education, so the trick would be to
offer a hardcore
liberal arts degree, unaccredited. Work thru the trivium and qaudrivium in 36
courses over 4
years, using those first rate scholars who by bad luck did not get one of the
govt-limited
professorships at govt schools. offer a bachelors degree superior to what you
can get at
stanford of harvard, at about $12000. Market it to those who simply do not need
a medallion
degree, but would like to be educated.
> >
> > There, Steal my idea.
> >
> > John
> >
> >
> > John,
> > This is off topic from import/export I realize, but there is no adult
> > education continuing education within 25 miles of my town. I wanted to
> > explore setting up a local community school where those with expertise
> > could share with those interested and maybe make a few bucks (and
> > perhaps pay myself some for setting it up). Quilting, Tai Chi,
> > Quickbooks, massage, small business, astrology, astronomy, etc.
> >
> > I know you've been working with your university experiment and was
> > wondering if you had any tips. Nonprofit? Grants? Private for profit?
> > How much to charge? How to advertise? How to do sign-ups (all online?).
> > I was thinking eventually I may be able to make a movie of the really
> > good presenters to sell as a how-to or self-help video course. I should
> > mention I live in a community with a high percentage of educated
> > retired folks.
> >
> > Is this something that is way bigger than I realize and not at all
> > worth it except through the city or county or activity center or senior
> > center? Or are there any models of this where someone has done it
> > privately and made a few bucks in the process (plus getting to sit in
> > on the classes for fun)?
> >
> > Eventually I would offer the online courses (such as yours) as well and
> > was wondering what is required to do that. I know I signed up for your
> > course through the local community college in another city where I used
> > to live but don't see that offered around here anywhere.
> >
> > Maybe your next book topic? Do you foresee a time where we will be
> > taking courses from overseas colleges who can offer it cheaper? At
> > least for the non-credit type? I wonder if at some time we will have a
> > US accredited overseas college we can attend online and get a degree
> > for a fraction of other colleges (import). Or perhaps the opposite and
> > have foreign attendees online at a US accredited college (export) for a
> > full degree?
> >
> > Richard
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > Compete on Design!
> >
> > www.johnspiers.com
More On China - India
Re: [spiers] how to buy from China
Susan,
This becoomes a straight dollars and cents issue... your base price is what you
pay now, from
there study the other two methods you mentioned, costing them out, askiing
straight out what the
charges would be. If and when you run into a brick wall (say "you must buy from
our distributor"),
then price that option. Also, as you start asking questions, you learn of even
more options, which
you price out.
Then balance, cost, benefit, time money...etc.. this is the part where art and
lifestyle kick in...do
youo want to this this new work available to you?
John
On Sun, 28 May 2006 09:39:25 -0700, susan doel
> Hi John,
>
> Right now I buy Hoya camera filters from a US distributor on a 30 days
> pay agreement, but would like to start buying from the manufacture in
> China but I am unsure how to approach it. I have found a Hoya website
> with addresses and phone numbers, should I just call and explain I am a
> US retailer? My concern is that they will say, well you should go
> through the US company............also I do not know if I will have to
> pay for everything thing up front.
>
> Right now I get filters at 30% off wholesale but it would assume buying
> from the manufacture I could be paying much less, though then I have to
> deal with customs etc. I am trying to get a feel if it is worth the
> hassle. I am probably buying $50,000 to 75,000 a year though the US
> distributor, so I would try to order 4 times a year - if that made
> sense. I could use a credit card for payments.
>
>
> Regards, Susan
> >
>
>
> > Compete on Design!
> >
> > www.johnspiers.com
USA #1 in Prisoners
RE: [spiers] USA #1 in Prisoners
I agree with Evelyne, 5/30/06
This is what cable tv was supposed to be about, not 30 channels of repeated
entertainment and 60 channels of home shopping and infomercials.
I am exasperated that we don't have a couple of Canadian stations and a
couple of Mexican stations, they have to have some available in english or
english captions,...our neighboring countries. maybe sprinkle in 24 hour
programming from several other nations.
Continuing education or even degree program classes, should also be made
available also on cable. Cable tv is so much less than it could be and so
expensive for what is available.
An alternative is webcasts. I watched the ncaa men's basketball from
webcasts for free from wcbs tv which was outstanding. I also obtain some
computer technical training from webcasts. The New School in nyc presents
several forums that one can attend in person or as a webcast. There should
be a Webcast Guide magazine available for webcasts like there is TV Guide
for TV because it is sometimes difficult to find the webcasts. I have found
most webcasts to be free, but many have a fee that you pay online with a
credit card.
Bob
-----Original Message-----
From: spiers@yahoogroups.com [mailto:spiers@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of
Evelyne Rocard
Sent: Saturday, May 27, 2006 6:52 AM
To: spiers@yahoogroups.com
Subject: Re: [spiers] USA #1 in Prisoners
Dear Nancy
How to think?
The biginning is in school normally ......with civic, history,
geo-politic. And about the all world. America is not the world but a part of
the whole world.
That is not because you leave differently, or with another skin, ect... that
you are not good.
In school not option A, B, C or D but really learn your lessons . Not just
a good guess.
You learn that in school and in all your life with the LIBERTY to think. It
is not someone with a big mouth or beautiful words that tell you how to
think or because he is rich.
Center wich teach people how to think? OK but free, since here nothing is
free !
Normally all international channel TV should have been free. TV for rich and
poor.
So anyone can lessen what other country think about each other. It is very
interesting and sometimes SURPRISING.
Since American love to watch TV . A Free teaching TV. To learn the
important language (even English sometimes you have adult that are a shame
because they do not know how to read), what is good for your health, how to
read the ingredients for food, To do not leave for eating but eating to
leave, why to do not offer for christmas gun for your children........ect.
How to fill out your tax form. 15 Minutes film on every country in the
world. So if you don't have the money to travel you can see how it look like
and how people live and their customs.
Some type Like home and garden TV. With fun things and no commercial ads.
Being sponsered by red cross, human right.........NO POLITIC OR LOBBIES
(petrol, weapons, cars, churchs, pharmacies, salt, sugar.....)
HELPING you to TRY to do not be conditioned. Maybe I am wrong, but maybe
not.
Evelyne.
----- Original Message -----
From: "Nancy"
To:
Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2006 12:26 PM
Subject: Re: [spiers] USA #1 in Prisoners
> Nancy,
>
> One of my favorite entrpreneurs is "Gen'l" William Booth who believed
> social charity in Victorian England was lacking. This was quite a
> statement given how superior Victorians thought of themselves when it came
> to charity. He acted on his beliefs, and started the Salvation Army.
>
> If I read you right, you are saying education is USA is lacking. Well..
> what are you going to do about it?
>
> John
>
> Isn't there a more important message underneath all this rubble? Why is
> pornagraphy such a huge and growing business? American's idol is
> American Idol.
> Why did the majority of the country support Bush at the beginning of this
> unjust murderous financially sucking war? Now after this war has done
> its
> unfathomable
> damage, it is sad that the majority are now opposed to it. Too little,
> too late. What is needed in this country is more centers
> which teach people how to think. Maybe someone can come up with an idea
> that will make people so motivated to read, contemplate, examine issues
> with
> the same
> momentum that they have in running home and sitting in front of the
> television fillng themselves with garbage. Doomsayer, I don't think so.
> This is reality.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Hamons, Melanie"
> To:
> Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2006 6:57 AM
> Subject: RE: [spiers] USA #1 in Prisoners
>
>
> Our prisons are country clubs compared to other prisons around the world.
> I
> think if we had a prison exchange program, alot of bitching by prisoners
> would be quited to a great degree.
>
> It doesn't break my heart to see people live a better life in jail then
> those people they calously hurt when they were free. I think prisons
> should
> go private. See how many fewer repeat offenders their are when prison
> actually SUCKS!
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: spiers@yahoogroups.com [mailto:spiers@yahoogroups.com]On Behalf Of
> Chris
> Sent: Tuesday, May 23, 2006 12:38 AM
> To: spiers@yahoogroups.com
> Subject: RE: [spiers] USA #1 in Prisoners
>
>
>
> Prisons are big industry - towns beg to have a prison built near them
> because of the jobs and money they bring in. they are also sources of very
> cheap labor, and to punish a prisoner he/she can even have what wages they
> did manage to earn fined away I have heard. Not only does big business
> avail
> themselves of this windfall but plain citizens can hire cheap day labor
> from
> the prisons. Breaks my heart what we are doing to our people, to our
> country.
> chris
>
> --- On Mon 05/22, John Spiers < john@johnspiers.com > wrote:
> From: John Spiers [mailto: john@johnspiers.com]
> To: spiers@yahoogroups.com
> Date: 22 May 2006 15:03:43 -0000
> Subject: [spiers] USA #1 in Prisoners
>
>
>
>
> Folks,
>
> USA is # 1 in everything, and USA is # 1 in the world for incarcerating
> its
> citizens, with blacks
> jailed at a rate 700% higher than whites, and minorities make up 60% of
> our
> prison
> population. Nearly one in twenty black men are behind bars, (not to
> mention
> blacks on
> parole, awaiting trial, or burdened by conviction after time served),
> according to US Justice
> Department figures.
>
> http://tinyurl.com/nnn5s
>
> I am assured blacks have a higher rate of conviction because they commit
> more crimes. I
> think the explanation is simpler. But what bothers me is what with blacks
> proving such
> excellent competitors in sports and entertainment, I regret so few are
> competing in business.
> Of course, being a convict is a serious disadvantage to competing in
> business. And thus
> convicted, we are denied the good of blacks' competitive efforts in
> business.
>
> Drugs are the #1 violation leading to prison in USA, and I've already
> pointed out my view that
> this is merely war on pain relief.
>
> A free market in medicine is the solution to "drug abuse" but that is
> unlikely. But the more
> people self-employed, the more likely a free market will occur. Of
> course,
> government would
> find another war to fight, as once in England the govt made war on glass
> windows. I am not
> making this up.
>
> John
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Compete on Design!
>
> www.johnspiers.com
Monday, May 29, 2006
New Product Idea
Re: New Product Idea
John et al,
Your complaint keeps surfacing. I found this article on CNN.com:
http://tinyurl.com/sxrr4
Anthony
--- In spiers@yahoogroups.com, "John Spiers"
>
> Folks,
>
> Unhappy with my cell phone, my wife brought home a non-flip phone,
but it has the same
> problems... it does too much.
>
> First it is barely workable for me (I had my 12 year old program
it). The screen is unreadable,
> but pretty with 216 million colors... in bright sunshine I cannot
even see the color, let alone the
> print. Just when my eyes focus on the tiny screen, the light turns
off to save battery. I can do text
> messaging, IM, and all sorts of other wonderful things, features I
will never use. I could go on,
> but I'll get to the point.
>
> I went into the Cingular store with the current phone and the last
phone I was happy with ... a
> model from say 5 years ago. It showed date and time, sent and
received phone calls. And an
> alarm clock. It was readable in any light, since it was black and
white screen... and the battery
> lasted a long time.
>
> So, I asked the gal to move the sim card from the new phone to the
old, and she said, sorry, the
> old phones didn't have sim cards, it could not be done. So I ran
down my complaints, and asked
> her what she had that would work for me, and she said what I had
was the best they could offer.
>
> She also went on to say, she gets FOUR PEOPLE A DAY with my exact
same complaint... her
> uncle is an engineer at Nokia and she is thinking about tipping
him off.
>
> Well, does anyone have any aspiration to the phone biz? Seems to
me if so, there is a product
> here... an extremely simple cel phone, yes digital, with a sim
card, but plain vanilla phone with
> NONE of the time wasting features that entice 12 year olds. Dont
worry about nokia, they will
> never make such a phone.
>
> My daughter inherited a record collection and asked for a record
player for Christmas. Best Buy
> had one with a built in radio, etc. $80... which I expect is very
profitable. Real simple, updated
> cheap technology... made by a no-name company. narrow demand,
but profitable.
>
> Who is going to make a simple, useful cel phone? One that you can
just move the sim card into
> and then throw away the one Cingular made you buy? I'll be your
first customer.
>
> John
Sunday, May 28, 2006
rich dad poor dad thread
Education
Richard,
Not off topic at all, education is a service that is wide open... in fact i
wrote a masters thesis on self-supporting noncredit education 20 years a go, and
hte field is far wider today than then.
The best model is the University of Washington Experimental College, and all of
their records and business plans and budgets are public domain information.
the best free-market success story is the University of Phoenix, and continuing
education instructor who became a billionaire when he realized govt education
missing the adult market.
It seems to me Quilting, Tai Chi, Quickbooks, massage, small business,
astrology, astronomy... all that is covered. What is missing in the market
place is a bachelors degree in the humanities, a classical liberal arts
education. A bachelors degree today is roughly equal to a high school diploma
30 years ago... and a liberal arts education is simply not available in usa,
like soap. You have to make your own to get it.
Accreditation is the Berlin Wall of education, so the trick would be to offer a
hardcore liberal arts degree, unaccredited. Work thru the trivium and
qaudrivium in 36 courses over 4 years, using those first rate scholars who by
bad luck did not get one of the govt-limited professorships at govt schools.
offer a bachelors degree superior to what you can get at stanford of harvard, at
about $12000. Market it to those who simply do not need a medallion degree, but
would like to be educated.
There, Steal my idea.
John
John,
This is off topic from import/export I realize, but there is no adult
education continuing education within 25 miles of my town. I wanted to
explore setting up a local community school where those with expertise
could share with those interested and maybe make a few bucks (and
perhaps pay myself some for setting it up). Quilting, Tai Chi,
Quickbooks, massage, small business, astrology, astronomy, etc.
I know you've been working with your university experiment and was
wondering if you had any tips. Nonprofit? Grants? Private for profit?
How much to charge? How to advertise? How to do sign-ups (all online?).
I was thinking eventually I may be able to make a movie of the really
good presenters to sell as a how-to or self-help video course. I should
mention I live in a community with a high percentage of educated
retired folks.
Is this something that is way bigger than I realize and not at all
worth it except through the city or county or activity center or senior
center? Or are there any models of this where someone has done it
privately and made a few bucks in the process (plus getting to sit in
on the classes for fun)?
Eventually I would offer the online courses (such as yours) as well and
was wondering what is required to do that. I know I signed up for your
course through the local community college in another city where I used
to live but don't see that offered around here anywhere.
Maybe your next book topic? Do you foresee a time where we will be
taking courses from overseas colleges who can offer it cheaper? At
least for the non-credit type? I wonder if at some time we will have a
US accredited overseas college we can attend online and get a degree
for a fraction of other colleges (import). Or perhaps the opposite and
have foreign attendees online at a US accredited college (export) for a
full degree?
Richard
Competing on design
Phone
Paul,
Granich beat you to the punch with the exact same story... although his was
carried on CNN without the byline.
I thought my search had ended in Hong Kong when they had a cheap, featureless
large flat cellphone, about $50, I think Samsung makes it, designed for the
entry level Chinese consumer. A thing of beauty. Sadly it will not work in the
USA, it uses another technology, one the US govt will not allow to be used here.
John
John,
Where did you end up on your quest for a simpler phone? Just saw
this. Looks like the conservators may be trying to solve that problem:
http://apnews1.iwon.com//article/20060527/D8HS7D300.html
Paul Snyder
psnyder@alumni.caltech.edu
More On China - India
Re: [spiers] how to buy from China
Hi John,
Right now I buy Hoya camera filters from a US distributor on a 30 days
pay agreement, but would like to start buying from the manufacture in
China but I am unsure how to approach it. I have found a Hoya website
with addresses and phone numbers, should I just call and explain I am a
US retailer? My concern is that they will say, well you should go
through the US company............also I do not know if I will have to
pay for everything thing up front.
Right now I get filters at 30% off wholesale but it would assume buying
from the manufacture I could be paying much less, though then I have to
deal with customs etc. I am trying to get a feel if it is worth the
hassle. I am probably buying $50,000 to 75,000 a year though the US
distributor, so I would try to order 4 times a year - if that made
sense. I could use a credit card for payments.
Regards, Susan
>
> Compete on Design!
>
> www.johnspiers.com
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