The video shows Beyonce breaking a sweat with the children.  After a quick stretch, the crowd of what appears to be more than 100 girls and boys, began to perform the routine, each with their own flair.  Beyonce stood at the front where she performed the routine with a seemingly light hearted and playful attitude.  If anyone thought that she was a diva, there were no indications of that in the video.  She appears to be having as much fun as the kids.

Michelle Obama has been fighting to raise consciousness about childhood obesity since she became First Lady of the United States.  With her “Let’s Move Campaign”, Mrs. Obama promotes a healthy lifestyle through diet and exercise.  Mrs. Obama has an ongoing community garden project at the White House.  Fruits and vegetables from the garden have been used at formal dinners at the White House.  She uses the garden to emphasize that it can be inexpensive to grow your own produce.  Many children fail to get the proper nutrition because the stores in their neighborhood don’t offer healthy foods at a reasonable price.

With so many children and teens that are classified as obese, it is commendable that Mrs. Obama has made this a large part of her platform as First Lady.  Many people assumed that Michelle would be more of a politically oriented First Lady.  Many thought that she would tackle a heavier subject.  Well she surprised everyone when she decided to focus on the topic of heaviness in children.  Having worked on the board of the largest Wal-Mart supplier, Tree-House, she knows all about the relationship between food, consumers and business.  Using this background, she has joined forces with Wal-Mart to improve the selection and cost of healthy produce options.

Beyonce has had ties to the Obama administration.  She did serenade Mr. and Mrs. Obama for inauguration with the classic Etta James ballad “At Last” after all.  Her husband, Jay-Z, or Sean Carter, has also performed at several promotional concerts for President Obama during his campaign.  The fact that this video has gone viral is great for the movement to end childhood obesity.  Children around the world will be moving their bodies to this tune for a long time.

May 4, 2011

President Obama seems to have developed some sort of partnership with Mark Zuckerberg.  If you remember, a few months ago, President Obama dined with several Silicon Valley chief executives including Mr. Zuckerberg who was prominently seated to the right of the President.  Steve Jobs, Apple CEO, sat on his left.  Since then Facebook has backed the White House in their quest to prevent online bullying and harassment.  Now Facebook is hosting a townhall meeting at their headquarters.  Regardless of whether Mr. Zuckerburg is registered as a Democrat or not, he sure is starting to look like an Obama supporter.

Reportedly more than 50 percent of Americans have a Facebook account, most of them ranging from age fifteen to forty-five.   In the 2008 election, this demographic turned out in record proportions and changed history forever.  Using this social media platform as a marketing tool is a no-brainer for the Obama campaign.  During the 2008 Presidential election, the Obama campaign relied heavily on email communication with potential voters.  This time around, social networks appear to be at the forefront.  Using Facebook as a location for the townhall meeting exemplifies that the Obama campaign is serious about connecting with voters using this platform.

I think that Facebook may look at their involvement in the Obama reelection campaign for the 2012 Presidential election as a means to promote their brand.  Although Facebook is recognized as a dominant force in social networking, I’m sure they like the substantiation and validation that comes with presidential confidence.  You can’t exactly buy that kind of endorsement.  Facebook may seem to be recommending the President but in essence, the President appears to back Facebook as well.  Facebook became highly successful without the help of President Obama and doesn’t need him to maintain their level of success. But this stamp of approval may engrain Facebook into the political culture of the United States and the rest of the world.  If others follow the lead of President Obama, Facebook may be involved in campaigns and elections around the globe.  This by far enables Facebook to build on their international presence and reputation.

It will be interesting to see how other candidates will choose to market themselves online.  Will Facebook embrace other presidential candidates?  Will Facebook host a townhall meeting for the Republican front runner?  My guess is no, but only time will tell on this one.

April 6, 2011

The debate can also be seen on the usual news media channels, but if you are at work, it is harder to tune in. Many Americans will have headphones on at work, listening to music or talk radio shows as they go through daily tasks. This works very similarly. As I blog, I have the video opened on a tab in my web browser and I am able to hear what is going on. Granted the topic is not exciting, but if you want to get informed, this is a pretty up-to-the–minute and seamless way to do so.

I am pleased that the White House has decided to share this debate with us and that they have given us an official channel to see what is going on. Citizens have access to a bipartisan meeting that promotes transparency and allows them to see what the congressmen, voted in by the people, for the people, are doing in Washington.

While watching, the users on YouTube can submit questions and ideas on healthcare reform as well as get involved in some social networking on the subject. If you log on to http://www.citizentube.com, there is a blog you can visit to read up on what is happening in U.S. politics.

Our government may have some flaws, and our country may have some cracks in the foundation, but I think it is a great idea to utilize a social networking technology like YouTube as a platform for interaction with the average American. Most of us want to see our tax dollars at work and if the government seemed more approachable, I feel like more of us would vote, or feel like we mattered. What do you think? Do you really care what is going on in Washington DC? Or is this a good step in getting Americans informed; besides the ones who watch C-Span informed?

March 1, 2010

Here are some resources you can find on the internet that will help you learn more about healthcare reform:

1. CNN.com has posted a great FAQ’s style page about what you need to know about healthcare reform. This article asks important questions that provide some insight on how the president will pay for healthcare reform and how doctors feel about it.
2. The official website for health reform is backed by the government and has many resources and links and includes weekly updates on what is going on with the health reform movement.
3. The League of Women’s Voters of the United States has a page on their site for healthcare reform with up to date coverage on new developments, what their organization is doing for the cause, and links to other helpful resources.
4. The Republican Party, or GOP, has a site for healthcare reform that states where they stand on the issue, as well as information on how their party has worked towards making healthcare affordable and accessible to the public.
5. A credible website for politics and political poll reporting is the Rasmussen Reports. On this site you can find the latest polls on what the public‘s current rating on health reform.

The widespread trend of uninsured Americans and their families is very troubling. Depending on your demographic, you may be pro healthcare reform or against it but the important thing is to know the facts first before choosing a side. As a citizen that pays taxes, it is important to become educated on the issue of health reform to make sure the latest plan that will be proposed is a responsible one that will add to the quality of life for the citizens of our country, instead of hurting our country in the long run.

September 22, 2009

SEO can be applied to any website optimization strategy. When anyone logs on the Web, they are usually trying to find “something” either for a purchase, maybe directions to a location, research, images; it could be anything, however, you have to type in a phrase or keyword into the search query. For SEO to be effective, a webmaster or online marketing specialist will analyze the site to see what changes need to be made in order to improve the visibility and page rank. Common changes will take place in the HTML coding of the page title, Meta description, Meta tags, and keywords section. Successful SEO strategies go well beyond these onsite techniques, however, the bottom line is results as measured in rankings for relevant keywords and onsite conversions.

Today’s more popular search engines include Google, Yahoo, and MSN. To make searching on the internet a better experience for its users, each of these sites have established guidelines to provide direction to online marketers and website owners, including webmasters, as to what are the best methods and ethical practices towards achieving reliable and consistent results. Webmasters and online marketing specialists need to adhere to these guidelines to ensure the site will be accepted by the search engine and thus be successful. Examples of SEO tactics that lessen the quality of searches are link farming and keyword stuffing. These “black hat” techniques are quickly found by the search engine crawlers and are flagged, penalized and even delisted.

As the internet becomes the largest medium of transactions and communications, more and more business owners are launching sites in hopes of expanding their businesses and their bottom line. The internet has expanded forever the surface area available for information searchers seek. Consumers have the ability to look for products and services as well as resources anywhere in the world. That’s the way we always say at Optimum7 … “Because you never know who’s searching”.

Melissa Gonzalez

PR: wait… I: wait… L: wait… LD: wait… I: wait… wait… Rank: wait… Traffic: wait… Price: wait… C: wait…

March 10, 2009

I have enjoyed a great career and business life.  As President and CEO of a small, but growing Internet Marketing Services Company, we are completely focused on the bottom line results for our clients as well as our company.  Its a perfect circle of sorts.

However a new and much more sinister threat now looms.  Its called Washington D.C.  Anyone following the daily message sees that it is becoming exceedingly clear that Washington has taken over as the central hub of economic power in the nation and the world.  No longer is the fate of our businesses in our hands alone.  The failure of the banking system, the financial industry, the auto industry is being met with government responses that have little or no hope of solving anything.  It only has one indisputable effect; the economy of the United States is now headquartered in Washington, the political center of the world.  As such, decisions involving business and industry will be based in politics and not sound business and economic thought.  Wall Street, Main Street, and Elm Street are all increasingly under the thumb of Washington and few recognize what is happening.  We are simply losing more of our liberties almost every single day.

How can I say this?  Read what is being passed into law and listen to those who are passing and signing these laws.  Here is a short list that anyone will agree was unthinkable just 10 years ago:

1. Government Control and Operation of the Banking System and individual banks is a subject that is on the table and being debated every day.
2. The government owns 80% of AIG, the largest insurer the world has ever seen.
3. The government owns 40% of Citigroup, the largest financial institution the world has ever seen.
4. Merrill Lynch, the broker for retail investors, has been swallowed up.
5. Government is actually dictating what cars U.S. auto makers will build.
6. Government is seriously establishing criteria that will result in control of the health care system, deciding the circumstances under which you can receive health care.
7. Government is decidedly hostile to capital having the highest business taxes in the world.
8. Government is insuring continued dependence on foreign oil.  Government is deciding that we will develop solar and wind; however, not a word is being said or done about expanding oil and gas exploration as well nuclear power.  This is outrageously dishonest.
9. Government is pursuing policies based on a politically popular notion of “saving the planet” from “global warming” while there is little evidence that global warming is actually a man made phenomenon.
10. Government seeks to quash debate over all issues to limit the public airing of dissenting or opposing views.

These policies, statements and clear trends are both un-American in every sense of what this country stands for and will surely fail as all attempts to quell free markets and control through a centralized government has failed.

It makes me more determined and more passionate than ever about Optimum7 and what we do for and with our clients.  Simply, we are in the one arena where hard work, innovation, and fair competition rule.  The arena is the internet and the playing grounds are Google, the other search engines, the social media and many other online arenas where we COMPETE fairly for the time and attention of online individuals seeking relevant information to make their daily personal and business lives easier.

Will the government and politics interfere with this last bastion of free market capitalism?  Your guess is as good as mine.  I think, though they may try, the power of the people and the power of the internet will make a final and decisive stand.  Freedom and Liberty still live on the internet and in a real sense this is where any semblance of free thought and expression, unfiltered by politics, continues to thrive.

Arthur Cooper

PR: wait… I: wait… L: wait… LD: wait… I: wait… wait… Rank: wait… Traffic: wait… Price: wait… C: wait…

March 3, 2009

I have written to you before through this blog and through your various websites.  It is now 30 days since you were sworn in as our Chief Executive.  While it is way too early to pass judgment, I have to say that what I have seen so far has dashed a great deal of hope for me and confirmed my fears.

Here are my points of concern in no definite order:

1. The Economy – the data continues to be woeful but I don’t blame you for the latest numbers.  However, you either enabled or authorized Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, et al to pass a stimulus bill that few Americans understand.  Here are my questions:
   1. How is it stimulative to include $81 Billion for “Protecting the Vulnerable” as you list it on recovery.gov?  What does this mean?  Is this your idea of creating transparency.  It is transparent only in its lack of transparency.  Who is vulnerable?  Who isn’t vulnerable?  Who is deciding this?  Where is the conversation?  This is very disappointing to say the least.  Frankly it is insulting.
   2. $111B for “Infrastructure and Science.”  This could be stimulative but again we are short on specifics.  What is being spent / invested and for what?  Who decides what “Science” we are investing in?  Is it global warming?  Is it stem cell research?  Is it new energy research?  Is it to cure oncological disease?
   3. Tax Relief – am I mistaken or are we talking about direct payment in the amount of $400 or $500 per individual.  One time payments.  No permanent real tax relief in the form of lower marginal rates on income taxes and / or payroll taxes?  What does this do for the economy?  Is this your idea of a “bottoms-up” approach.  What are the chosen recipients for this payment going to do next year?  What incentive do they have to produce on an ongoing basis?  What hope do they have that they will be able to keep more of what they earn.
   4. There is precious little in here that has true lasting effect.  Why have you ignored creating incentives like John Kennedy, Ronald Reagan and George Bush did?  Each of these predecessors made serious cuts in marginal tax rates which was followed by multi-year strong economies.  What about an investment tax credit to spur business investment like JFK did?  What about increasing the incentives for savings and investment by increasing the yearly limit for tax-deductible IRA contributions like Reagan did?  What about lower the marginal tax rates for ALL Americans like Bush did?  These real growth incentives proven to work are completely absent from this stimulus bill.
   5. Why didn’t you cut the corporate tax rate significantly.  You didn’t cut it at all.  Why?  If corporations were allowed to keep more profit they would invest it back into their companies.  Moreover, we would compete better globally with countries such as China and Singapore that have no corporate taxes.  You want more American workers and so do I; however you failed to take a key sensible step by leaving us with a relatively uncompetitive corporate tax rate.
   6. I am dubious at best about $59 Billion on Health Care and $53 Billion for Education.  It appears that you seek to pave the way to Universal Health Care, a form of socialized medicine.  It also appears that you have concluded that what is wrong with our public education system is all about money.  There is valid doubt and debate on these issues and to include them in the “stimulus” package rings of old fashioned politics.  This is change you can believe in?
   7. You unveiled your $75 Billion plan to deal with the mortgage crisis (by the way, I wish you would stop using the words crisis and catastrophe as much as you do).  Again, you are using anti-market, government-can-deal-with-this thinking.  I feel really snubbed as I know 10′s of millions of Americans do.  There are 9 million homes in trouble.  Something needs to be done.  Your solution as I understand it might address some of these issues on a short term basis, however, you are also not holding the parties to account.  The future generation has been borrowed from without requiring a pay back when things return to more normal conditions.  It is a slap in the face to future generations and to all of us that pay our mortgages and read our agreements and / or manage through our own problems without waiting for the roof to cave in.  This is morally corrupt to simultaneously bail out those that could have and should have done better while completely ignoring incentives for savings, investment and growth.  In short, the furthering of the “nanny state” combined with a sense of “victimhood.”  This is not good for the country.
   8. Timothy Geitner – need I say more.  I haven’t seen anything this embarrassing on Capital Hill in a long time.  How could you have said the night before in your Press Conference that he was going to lay out specifics.  What am I missing here?  What were you thinking?
2. The Tone so far
   1. You spoke so much of transparency, a seat at the table, a voice.  Then you railroaded overnight the largest single spending bill, loaded with social spending and called it a stimulus bill.
   2. When Republicans spoke for their principals, your response was that you won.  How is this in any way a sense of bipartisanship or pragmatism?
   3. You railed against politics as usual.  You swore change.  Is this what you were talking about?  Do you think the people that voted for you envisioned this?
   4. A common thread in all of your domestic decisions, statements of policy are blatantly anti-capitalistic and anti-democratic.  While you expect everyone to respect the results of your election and we surely do, you and those in your party’s leadership seem to not respect the choices that citizens have made.  Here are some examples:
      1. The only reason there are very few liberal programs on talk radio is because they have never been able to achieve an audience.  The people have spoken, President Obama.  Why are you and Henry Waxman trying to interfere with the marketplace?  The Fairness Doctrine is a ruse; it should be called the “we can’t win a fair debate so let’s force the media for equal time Doctrine.”  Now we are hearing the same drumbeatr for the Internet. This is just insane.  Everyone needs to “compete” in the global arena of ideas and opinions.  What more democratic and “power to the people” medium is there than the internet.
      2. Despite the fact that the world is awash in oil now with much lower prices now that the speculators have been washed out of the market, you simultaneously are promoting alternative energy and doing nothing to explore for more oil, natural gas and coal.  If we truly want to be independent in time, it is dishonest to not include aggressive exploration in America.  We need to gain control of energy supply and production and you have done nothing to address that.
      3. Why have you completely bought in to the global warming issue as a man-made trend that can and should only be solved by man.  There is ample debate and it is not as many advocates try to say “the science is in” … this is just another ruse to stop debate and move on to yet another anti-market, mainly political idea that has no basis in actual fact.  Why are you clearly ignoring the counterbalancing arguments that would make any reasonable person at least pause and seek more information.

President Obama, I am very concerned after just 30 days.  You are our President for at least 4 years.  I see none of your actions so far that you will not regret.  The economy and our financial system are in deep trouble, yet you have chosen a very curious path to actually stimulate our economy.  Our economy is bigger and more resilient ultimately than you, me, or your policies to date.  It will inevitably recover.  However, I believe that the decisions so far will cause further pain down the road.  I urge you to reassess your positions because you will have another turn at bat.  Learn from your predecessors and promote growth through incentives and unleash the American natural entrepreneurship and capitalistic spirit.

My company is an Internet Marketing Company and I am just about to hire 2 new employees; this is good for me and good for America.  Let me continue to be a winner.  Don’t pick the winners.  Let the market of ideas and natural competition be the deciders.

With Sincere Thoughts and Prayers,

Arthur Cooper

PR: wait… I: wait… L: wait… LD: wait… I: wait… wait… Rank: wait… Traffic: wait… Price: wait… C: wait…

February 19, 2009

Here is what’s included in the “economic stimulus package” passed by the House of Representatives this week:

1.    Explosion of the Federal Debt to levels not seen since World War II.

2.    $800-$900 Billion – More than the entire cost of the Iraq War.

3.    Only about 20% will be spent in 2009 … most economists believe the recession will finally be over before 2010.

4.    Massive new spending on social programs including prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (availability of condoms), student loan programs, clean water projects, net-neutrality (broadband cable to be accessible by any cable provider), expansion of unemployment to part-time workers.

5.    More than another $125 billion on public education … a demonstrated history of failure.  We are going to continue spending money on the education system.  The problem is not that we haven’t spent enough money on our public schools.

6.    $500 – $1,000 Rebate Checks – tried before and failed to stimulate anything.

7.    $79 Billion to the States to help prevent governmental layoffs – more money to failed operations.

8.    $400 million to study global warming

9.    $600 million to “prepare” the country for universal healthcare (socialized medicine – a big failure in Canada, England and other countries)

And it goes on and on.  None of this is going to stimulate anything but disillusionment, frustration and anger.

As an Internet Marketing Company, I sure hope they don’t get their hands on the search engines.  We would probably have to give up all of our hard earned content, backlinks and resultant rankings for our clients to those “less fortunate.”  Never mind that what we have is the result of hard work where we are forced to successfully compete to be relevant, seen and valued online.  Many SEO companies sometimes lament and express fear about Google and privacy.  I suggest that we keep a closer eye on Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid and the other folks in Washington that are looking for an ever-growing and controlling government.

Arthur Cooper

February 1, 2009

Well, well, well.  What a difference 4 days makes!  After a 2 year Presidential Campaign where all Democratic candidates, as well as their key backers like moveon.org, have despised and maligned the surge and refused to acknowledge the clear success of the surge, we are now being told that the surge worked by those we just voted into power that never were honest enough to acknowledge this.

This is “change we can believe in?”  The only change that I see the first week is the change from bashing the policies of those in power to the fact that the people who were bashing and trashing the surge are now in power.

The inauguration of President Obama surely was a great moment in the history of our country.  This is in fact a historical change that I certainly believe in.  However, in just 4 days, we are seeing some disturbing “changes” that don’t represent change at all; rather, they represent ideas and declarations that have been tried and failed miserably in the past.  Consider the following:

1.    The same Democrats who bashed the Bush administration for the deficits are now proposing stimulus programs that will double the budget deficit in 2010, even after the TARP funds.  That’s 2 trillion in debt in one year!  They bashed Bush for a budget deficit of 400 Billion.  This is change we can believe in?

2.    Obama says the stimulus will create or save between 3-4 million jobs?  After 9-11, we added well over 6 million jobs; yet the Democrats bashed Bush for the so-called tax cuts for the rich in response to the worst attack in the history of our country, not to mention the bursting of the NASDAQ bubble.  This is change we can believe in?

3.    In a meeting at the White House the other day, House Minority Leader, John Boehner offered some ideas to improve the stimulus plan to which President Obama replied “… I won.”  This is change we can believe?

President Obama, we are not Republicans, we are not Democrats, we are Americans.  We are not prosperous, we are not poor, we are Americans.  Your policies and declarations and executive orders should not discriminate between the parties, between the sizes of bank accounts, between groups and individuals.  What benefits one must benefit all.

President Obama, set policies that are uniform; One Tax Policy, One Foreign Policy, one Social and Fiscal Policy.  Do not try to choose winners and losers based on political constituencies and ideologies.

This is change we can believe in.

Arthur Cooper

January 25, 2009

Well only 12 days to go.  Are you ready to take on some of the biggest challenges in a generation?

1.    A severe recession involving the collapse of major financial institutions, the auto industry, the housing industry, a fearful consumer and historically fragile equity and bond markets.
2.    Possible double digit unemployment rates.
3.    Worldwide Recession
4.    Homeland Security
5.    A Congress that is likely to attempt to pull you to the left in such areas as military spending, new social programs, labor union proliferation, auto industry bail outs, etc etc.
6.    The War on Terror – Iraq – Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, and Al Qaida all unique yet all highly connected.
7.    Russia – return to a tyrannical society.
8.    China – capitalism but not really.
9.    Immigration – who is legal and who is not and what do we do about it.
10.    Energy and its impact on National Security.

I don’t offer solutions.  I offer a suggestion … Prioritize Please!  Our country needs to be economically and militarily strong and it is clear that we are just not strong in these most basic of areas.  The country lacks confidence and you need to lead in such a way to build confidence.  The nation’s economy and military strength are the two vital areas that require intense focus and are also those key areas that, if dealt with successfully, will begin to restore confidence.  It is confidence that people need to feel like they can move forward, grow, and take on new challenges.  These are the fundamentals of a strong society.

I am hoping that your inaugural address will inspire a new politics in Washington … a politics of achievement and deeds.  We cannot afford the kind of finger-pointing, demagogy and outright buffoonery that has become so common over the past 20 years.  We need pragmatism and well thought out action.  The country turns to you to lead the way.  I only hope, as one citizen, business-owner, tax payer and patriot that you will lead the way to pragmatically and energetically focus on these major issues of our day.
My thoughts and prayers are with you.

Arthur Cooper

January 7, 2009

I know you are busy selecting members of your team but ultimately the country and the world will look to you for policy.  I thought I’d share with you my thoughts and hopefully actually hear back from you.  I will limit this to Elections and the Economy and write you again on other key areas.

ELECTION LAW

1. Make all Federal Elections publicly funded.  There is only one special interest group:  The People.  Each of the candidates from the two major parties should have access to an equal amount of funding for their campaign.  In this way, the competition will be about ideas and policy and not about fund raising and where the funds came from.  Even if all of the elections cost 2+ billion dollars over a 4 year span, it would be all public money, contributed progressively by the people.  Lobbyists can still lobby but they will have to lobby with ideas only and not campaign contributions.
2. Fix the ongoing issues with election voting machines.  Surely there is technology that can effectively deal with this once and for all.  It makes no sense that we can’t quickly deal with this so that the voters can gain the confidence it needs about the voting process.

THE ECONOMY

1. Eliminate the Corporate Tax.  It only results in decreased profits, less investment, fewer jobs and increased consumer prices.  Capital will travel to where it is treated best and we have one of the highest corporate taxes in the world.  We want to keep jobs in this country.  The first step is to keep capital in this country.
2. Lower and eventually eliminate the Capital Gains Tax.  If we are to continue to tax the earned income of Americans, why then can it be morally or economically justified to tax the net income again if someone actually goes out and makes a profit from investing their hard earned money in our American system.  Again, capital will go where it is treated best.  Our international competitors treat capital better than we are and this needs to change in the growing global economy.  At the very least eliminate the tax for investments held at least one year.  You may wish to tax short term capital gains to guard against excessive speculation.
3. Make the auto industry provide reorganization plans that must be voted on by shareholders, the Congress and signed by you before agreeing to any loan amount.  It is a must that all cost elements including labor contracts be included in the reorganization.  There can be no question that the labor contracts are part of the problem and they must be a part of the solution.  If the UAW continues to play hardball, we the people have to play hardball too.  As Reagan before you with Federal Aviation Workers, you may have to make a tough decision.  Regardless, the auto industry can only be helped if they are willing and able to take decisive, generational action to become market-focused.  They may be too big to fail; but so is America.  We have to demand better.
4. Banking and Finance – if the banks still do not lend after we have provided the capital injections, then government has to step in to create “work-outs” on a case by case basis to provide a path for people to save their homes.  The same will likely have to be done for commercial real estate as well.
5. Immediately reinstate the up-tick rule for short sales on Wall Street.  While that is not the sole cause of this huge bear market, the absence of this rule can exacerbate the pain of falling stock prices.
6. Immediately name the successor to Christopher Cox … what he did with the uptick rule was insane and he should not be in that job for even one more day.  Convince President Bush to do it now.
7. Cut the marginal rate on Income Taxes for ALL Americans.  Ethically and morally, tax policy should apply equally to everyone.  We are not lower class Americans, middle class Americans and upper class Americans … we are Americans.
8. Increase the retirement age to 70.  The life expectancy has dramatically increased since Social Security first was enacted and the retirement age needs to reflect that.  You will need to phase this in and I suggest that you change this starting with all people born since 1950 or 1960 depending on the math.  Regardless, this must be done to reflect the reality of life expectancy, the benefits of work, and the long term solvency and relevancy of the Social Security System.
9. Improve the investment performance of the Social Security System.  The return on this investment of worker’s money is abysmal.  If the government is to require this of all Americans then it needs to perform better as a retirement vehicle.  If these funds were merely invested in Treasury Bonds and Notes, the system would have much more money for retirees.
10. Allow up to 40% of the Social Security Tax personally controlled so that Americans can make their own choices to build their own retirement.
11. Create the following incentives:
    1. Income Tax Credit of $10,000.00 for purchase of cars that get 40+ miles per gallon.
    2. Add a Gas Guzzler tax of 10% for any car getting under 15mpg.
    3. Reinstate the 10% Investment Tax Credit for Equipment, Technology originally instated by JFK.  Why we got rid of that I will never know.  Its a great way of stimulating all manner of things in our economy.
    4. Give SubChapter S Corporations and LLC’s a 10% tax credit for the first 2 years for all new workers hired.
    5. Allow SubChapter S Corporations to carryover at least 5% of their income on their books into the new tax year without having to pay on that balance on their personal tax returns.
    6. Eliminate the AMT.  This is a great example of why all tax policy should be indexed for inflation.
12. Make all changes to the tax code indexed for inflation so that Congress doesn’t have an “inflation-incentive.”
13. Don’t let the oil price decline fool you.  We need to drill … there can be no question.  We need nuclear power, we need gas liquefaction, we need solar, we need wind, we need natural gas.  You should meet with Boone Pickens as I think he has a plan that is well worth seriously considering.
14. Yes, build and repair bridges and roads, but also invest in the infrastructure of the internet and connectivity.  The faster we are, the more connected we are, the more we can do in a faster time period.
15. Create incentives to get the best and the brightest from overseas to come and live in America and become Americans.  We need them.

President-Elect Obama, I like many, but not all of your choices you have made so far.  I am feeling more comfortable with you as I see that you are putting a great deal of thought into your choices.  It is my hope that the you will include these ideas in your policies.  I believe all of these ideas are good for all Americans and the nation as a whole.

I will write further to you in the near future.

With My Prayers for your Wisdom and Strength,

Arthur Cooper

November 30, 2008

Help!!!

We, as a people, witnessed another circus this week in Washington as the 3 heads of the Auto Industry and the head of the UAW testified and answered questions before respective committees in the House and Senate.  Its enough for me to wonder if there are any signs of intelligence in the universe of the Washington scene … all of it … Congress, the Administration, the new incoming administration, the Press and the whiz kids who visited this week from Detroit.

There seems to be an utter lack of ideas, creativity and conviction to really address this problem.  It makes me wonder if we are to see the Dust Bowl of the 30′s evolve into the Rust Bowl.  We have a once gargantuan industry in need of life support.  They are seeking a loan of $25 Billion and I, for one, have no idea if that amount is enough or is warranted at all.  I do know this:  This industry and our country are facing the consequences of 40 years of playing ostrich.  Foreign competitors clearly make better cars, and with the notable exception of SUV’s, make cars that people actually want to buy.  We are transferring our national treasure to import oil and fund our enemies so they may continue to pursue mischief and worse.  All of this has been true for decades and we haven’t addressed it at all.

Now Barney Frank disingenuously rails against bankruptcy as a viable option because he claims it just allows the auto industry to not pay its debts.  But this is really more of the same from Frank.  He is just trying to protect the unions, even if it means that the major problem is not effectively dealt with.  On the other hand, we have other congressional leaders who don’t want to lend any money to the auto industry, saying that bankruptcy is the only option.  Here, we have the same old Washington; taking on two separate stances and not really seeking a creative solution that will achieve the best result.

Where are the ideas?  Who is there that can think outside the box?  Anyone Home?

Here’s my input:  Make the loan conditional on one thing:  A complete reorganization under a modified, undeclared Chapter 11 where those owed money will still have valid debts owed to them by the industry.  The reorganization must be voted on by the shareholders AND Congress and must include a completely new Executive Staff and Board at each company.  The plan must include a complete renegotiation with all of the labor unions under the threat of binding arbitration.  The plan has to make sense to include the production of vehicles that meet the needs of consumers, use new emerging technology, cut the cost / mile for fueling the vehicle.  The pro-forma needs to show a clear unit profit model that includes all revenue and cost factors.  All supplier and labor contracts need to be on the table for renegotiation.  It is not acceptable that the UAW, for one, can take a hands off approach.  This is going to cost everyone and they need to be included.  If the UAW proves to be unhelpful or uncooperative, other non-union arrangements must be made with the help and involvement of the management of better managed car companies.  UAW members will be free to seek employment but without the shackles of their former union.

I am not asking them to do anything that my Internet Marketing Services Company doesn’t have to do; service our customers and make a profit so that I can pay competitive salaries to those who provide valuable work.  No hand-outs for me; I don’t want them.  But please don’t ask even for a loan if you don’t have a reorganization plan after having blown out virtually all of your cash.  Why do you think we will have a different result if you are simply suggesting that you are going to continue doing the same thing?

The fact the Car Companies and the UAW came to Washington in their own private jets with absolutely no plan is a clear indication that fundamental change has to occur.  However, Washingtonians show the same lack of insight and the same political posturing.  Just listen to the talk shows; Barney Frank and Senator Richard Shelby of Alabama; they are both stuck in their positions and we hear the same thing over and over.

How about the federal government offering a $10,000 tax credit for the purchase of all vehicles with gas mileage exceeding 35mpg?  I think there will be some buyers and you will force the car companies to actually make cars people want.

While we are on the subject, how about getting involved on the part of home owners; intervene to establish “work-out rules” for troubled mortgages.  Since the banks aren’t being helpful, impose the work-out-rules on the lenders.  Terms can be established that will provide long term recovery for the lenders, the mortgage holders and the federal government.

The stock market is now down 52% in little more than a year and has dropped 10% in the last 2 days.  Including inflation, the stock market is 40% lower than it was 12 years ago.  The financial and credit markets are voting and rejecting the ineptitude of the largest manufacturing industry and our federal government.

President-Elect Obama, I am hoping beyond hope that you involve yourself between now and January 20th in a strong consultative role in the executive and legislative branches to come up with thoughtful and innovative solutions here.  The time is now.  You said, “change you can believe in.”  The time is now.  These are extraordinary times and you mustn’t wait.  The country is melting.

Arthur Cooper

November 20, 2008

When Obama took Iowa in the Democratic caucus he had the most friends on Facebook and MySpace, while at the same time had more YouTube views than any other presidential candidate.

In the immortal words of Jay-Z, “Men and women lie, numbers don’t!”

During the final race, Obama had more than 103 million Youtube video views while McCain had a little over 25 million, according to TechPresident.com which tracks Youtube views of presidential candidates. (http://www.techpresident.com/youtube)

When it came down to Meet-ups (where meetup.com members can use the site to organize and form offline groups and communities in support of their particular candidate) Barack Obama had 14,504, while John McCain has only 1,772. Interestingly enough, Bob Barr had 9,060. (http://www.techpresident.com/scrape_plot/meetup_supporter)

When it came to Facebook supporters, Obama had 2,600,385 Million, while McCain had 623,141. (http://www.techpresident.com/scrape_plot/facebook)

When it came to MySpace friends, Obama had 865,162 while McCain only had 224,174.
(http://www.techpresident.com/scrape_plot/myspace)

When it came down to Blogs mentioning the presidential candidates, Obama once again triumphed with 29,793 – while McCain lagged far behind with 7,718. (http://www.techpresident.com/scrape_plot/technorati)

Eventful demand from Eventful.com, where grassroots supporters request or “demand” a candidate come to their event.   Obama had 141,065 requests and McCain was nowhere to be seen. (http://www.techpresident.com/scrape_plot/eventful)

When comparing front-runner web traffic site-by-site, Obama at 66% leads McCain with 35%.   There is a 1% overlap. (http://www.techpresident.com/scrape_plot/hitwise)

When comparing weekly web traffic, Obama had 3,031,727 and led McCain’s 1,346,929. (http://www.techpresident.com/scrape_plot/compete)

When it came down to Google ranking using Google Insight and the candidate’s name, Google ranked Obama 83 out of 100 for being searched for, while McCain came in at 53 out of 100.

It if were to come down to next generation internet technology, traffic, and engaging the voter, Barack Obama would have won hands down.  Luckily for McCain there are still some of his supporters knocking on doors, holding “town hall” meetings, and using “air quotes”.

June 17, 2009

From what I have seen so far, it looks like the new administration is going to utilize the internet a lot more., I hope they can get rid of the person currently in-charge of regulating the internet,.   This person, Alaska Senator Ted Stevens who is now a convicted felon, thinks the internet is a series of “tubes”.  If re-elected, which it looks like will happen, he will be the first felon elected to the United States Senate.

The website is a take on the BarackObama.com website. The site stripped away a lot of web 2.0 gadgets and innovation community organizing tools that helped him succeed in the campaign.

I feel a great sigh of relief that finally we will have people running the nation that have  true understanding of the capabilities of the internet. I could not see this happening with John McCain. I visited his site several times, and compared it with Obama’s website. McCain’s Internet team didn’t get it nor did Hilary Clinton’s in my opinion.

Several times it looked like they were attempting to copy and paste Obama’s website, without having the ability to capture the same elegance and innovation. Clinton and McCain attempted to steal Obama’s “Change” theme which he coined and became synonymous with Obama from the beginning. It was his brand.

That’s what we need; people who understand what the front line of the Internet is and what it means to the next-generation. Taxes don’t look great for some but at least the future of the Internet does.

June 17, 2009

I am a middle aged small business owner of two companies, one in telecommunications and one in internet marketing.  I did not vote for you because I disagreed with much of what you espoused during the campaign.

However, you are my President and I pray for your wisdom and success in leading our country.  I do not agree with extremists that appear to be against you just because their guy lost.  I am an American, first and always, so I want you to do great things for our country.

Clearly the economy is front and center as surely your highest priority and I believe you agree with this.  I just want you to know that we work with many small businesses like ours who are owned by entrepreneurs that do earn more than $200-$250K per year.  If you hike the federal income tax on the owners of these businesses, they will have no choice but to cut back in their business and in their own personal spending as well.  Hiking the FICA tax will just exacerbate the situation. This will no doubt lead to more lost jobs and can potentially snowball.

I believe you need to undertstand this because it is unquestionably true.  If you raise taxes paid by the owners of small businesses, jobs will be lost and prices will be increased to compensate for the lost income.  And it will be the poor who will end up suffering as well because they will have to pay the higher prices.  So, if you increase taxes your create a major source for price inflation and that isn’t good for anybody.

My Internet Marketing Services Company works everyday to generate growth and profits for our clients.  I want you to institute pro-growth policies based on incentives and merit.  This is how our country became great and that is how you can help it become greater than ever.  So please understand, I am with you as is a great majority of Americans.  Make government work to ENABLE opportunity and not make it a scarce commodity.

With Great Respect and Admiration,

Arthur Cooper

November 7, 2008

Consider what Obama and a certain large majority of Democrats in both parties will surely do:

1. 1. 1. 1. They will raise taxes for BOTH income and Social Security taxes for those earning over $250,000 while providing tax cuts for those earning less.  But what he doesn’t tell you is those who pay little or no federal income tax, will receive a check from the government.  As he told “Joe the Plumber” in his own words … “Its good to spread the wealth.”  It is estimated that 50% of those having their taxes increased own their own small business.  So, 50% of those credited with providing 90+ percent of all new jobs in the US, are going to have less money because Obama feels that we need to spread the wealth;  he knows who it should go to and in what amount.  What he also doesn’t tell you is that some of those getting a check from the government are much more likely to lose their jobs due to the anti-growth effect of a tax increase on the most successful.  This is blatant socialism.  It is awful the resurgence of the Welfare State … I call this Obama’s “Surge.”
2. He wants to spend trillions of dollars over the next 10 years to create jobs like public works jobs, green jobs, alternative energy and what will ultimately amount to a complete takeover of the health care system by the government.  These are all government initiatives that will drastically increase the percentage of our GDP coming from government programs.
3. He will pass the “Fairness Doctrine” that will force the media, particularly talk radio, to offer equal time to liberal subjects and opinions … regardless of what the market actually wants to listen to.  A blatant attempt to control the media.

There is no incentive to compete and grow wealth.  The government will take care of all of our worries.

Let’s hope he doesn’t get his hands on Google and Yahoo.  Can you imagine what he would do?  Those not “as fortunate” as those on page 1 for their keywords would have to give up their backlinks, their traffic et al to spread the wealth and provide those hard-earned backlinks to those less fortunate websites that are disadvantaged.  Since there are so many more websites not on page 1, Obama would surely get the majority of support for this.  After all, he is doing it for our good because he knows what we need and what is best for the online community.

Fortunately, even Obama, Pelosi and Reid won’t get their socialist hands on the meritocracy of Search Engines, Internet Marketing and SEO.  At least, we who actually work to provide great results for our clients on the Search Engines don’t have to worry about having our clients’ rankings taxed.  Unfortunately, they will interfere with our ability to grow by taxing the hell out of our success and impeding new hiring.  I have already started to seriously scale back my forecast for growth specifically due to this very consequential and unfortunate set of circumstances.

The good news is that this absolutely will fail and Obama will be a one-term failed President.  The country will be sorely in need to return to free market capitalism so that incentives are returned to those desiring to succeed and grow personally and in business alike.  Kind of like Google and SEO.

Arthur Cooper

October 19, 2008