Comments for Home Loan Tips

Comment on Equity Loan by Rubber Neck » Blog Archive » Proceeds Loan

Rubber Neck » Blog Archive » Proceeds Loan — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 02:50:18 +0000

[...] Proceeds Loan | Trackback « Least Expensive Hotels [...]

Comment on Mortgage Bankers Association by House Loan Bankers Association | Say So

House Loan Bankers Association | Say So — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 03:05:58 +0000

[...] House Loan Bankers Association [...]

Comment on Reliable Fundraising in Unreliable Times: What Good Causes Need to Know to Survive and Thrive (Kim Klein’s Fundraising Series) by Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 05:58:25 +0000

Progressive socialism, October 20, 2011

ByÂ

Gderf -

This review is from: The Audacity of Help: Obama's Economic Plan and the Remaking of America (Bloomberg) (Paperback)

This book advocates progressive socialism with the hope of an Obama remake of America. Each chapter starts with an example of Obama rhetoric on the subject matter. Planning and results are measured in terms of dollars spent. The author fails in his attempt to connect promise with performance, leaving his readers with only wishful thinking.

Wasik suggests that Obama's egalitarian motives have morphed into something more socially beneficial. Nothing in the book justifies that point of view. The present crisis, along with Congressional support and Obama's popularity provides him with a glorious opportunity to remake America, the goal expressed in the subtitle. Florid style as "strolling into the American Dream" and when ghosts of FDR and TR paid Obama a visit, exposes the book as politicking; a pretense at an economics text.

Wasik cites 4 million jobs lost between 2000 and 2009, apparently unaware of the trend from about 1965. In spite of decrying big corporations, he makes a number of recommendation on investments that will take advantage of government largess. To be fair he does derogate TARPII along with referencing Robert Samuelson on the subject of waste. Obama promises to cut the budget deficit in half while spending money on good things such as education, infrastructure and social entitlements such as health care and unemployment benefits extension.

In a regression into the history of progressivism, Robert Lafollette is said to be a reaction to the pro-business administration of Wm. McKinley. Strange, because the first Progressive, Teddy Roosevelt ran on the same ticket as McKinley. Wasik is apparently blind to the reactions to progressive socialism in Italy (1927) and Germany (1933). There are two references to Obama's Challenge (2007) by Robert Kuttner. That book is a much more thoughtful analysis of the progressive ideology.

The book presents a good list of issues in spite of being mute on promises of bipartisanship, transparency and exit plans for the two wars. Continuation of Bush policies is also not mentioned. The back cover bills the book as: 'The promises. The plan. The results.' The book can be summarized as wonderful promises, vague plans and terrible results.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviewsÂ

Was this review helpful to you?Â

Â Comment

Comment on Reliable Fundraising in Unreliable Times: What Good Causes Need to Know to Survive and Thrive (Kim Klein’s Fundraising Series) by Michelle K. Malsbury "Michelle Kaye Malsbury,...

Michelle K. Malsbury "Michelle Kaye Malsbury,... — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 05:53:05 +0000

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

The Audacity Of Help, September 14, 2009

ByÂ

Michelle K. Malsbury "Michelle Kaye Malsbury,... (Florida) -
Â Â

This review is from: The Audacity of Help: Obama's Economic Plan and the Remaking of America (Bloomberg) (Paperback)

John F. Wasik, Author
The Audacity Of Help
Bloomberg Press, ISBN 978-1-57660-356-7
Non-Fiction-education, politics, healthcare, stimulus, President Obama, congress
192 pages
September 2009 Review for Bookpleasures
Reviewer-Michelle Kaye Malsbury, BSBM, MM
Review
John F. Wasik, author of The Audacity Of Help, has written twelve other books and pens a regular column for Bloomberg News. He is a public speaker, and co-founder/president of Citizens for Action that is tasked with organizing people toward holding our government to being transparent and accountable for their actions and legislation. John Wasik has a personal blog regarding this book on [...].If you would like to read more about Mr. Wasik you can do so by logging on to his personal web site at [...]or for information about his not-for-profit action group log on to [...].

Mr. Wasik does not appear to favor any one of our political parties in his writing of The Audacity Of Help. Most of this book is dedicated to talking about what candidate Obama promised on the campaign trail and comparing that to what President Obama and congress are accomplishing thus far into his presidency. John Wasik tackles the questions about who wins/loses with regard to proposed legislation in the areas of energy, taxation, education, stimulus funding, and healthcare. His analogies are thorough and well researched. He points out which sectors may benefit investors in each proposal floated by this Administration and why he believes that to be the case.

This book traces the falling down of our economy back to specific incidents in 2008 beginning with Bear Strearns being absorbed by JPMorgan/Chase to nearly 8,500 homes being foreclosed per month that summer to Fannie and Freddie being taken over by the government to Lehman Brothers bankruptcy to the Bernake/Paulson three-page plan to un-freeze credit to massive jobs being lost month after month to what President Obama and congress are attempting to do to stop this downward spiral/depression from worsening. (2009, p.10-14) Mr. Wasik believes that the plans put into place under President Obama will need a couple of years to bear fruit.

Unlike previous President's, President Obama's economic plans hinge on "placing social concerns before the alter of economic expansion....and emphasize people-centered principles by focusing on healthcare and education...in order to show how social goals can be combined with capitalism....to create a culture of sharing and responsibility for the entire population." (2009, p.18) Typically this type of economic planning is called bottom-up and varies greatly from the top-down proposals used by prior Presidents because in this form of economic reform [paraphrase] contends that the government is not the enemy [contrary to what the right says], but can be co-benefactor toward achieving better socio-economic goals for the sinking middle class, those on fixed incomes, and the poor.

Key to the success of this plan according to Mr. Wasik is flexibility of this Administration. He then said that "The way major project money is allocated will also determine how Obama's policies could re-shape the United States....focuses on giving the lion's share of the funds to cities and suburbs, then it could trigger a new focus on urban renewal....(2009, p.43) if the Green Deal succeeds on a large scale, it will employ millions in the building trades alone, perhaps offsetting the horrendous job losses of the last several years." (p.77)

John Wasik states that [paraphrase] analysts and scholars compare The New Deal (Roosevelt) to what President Obama is doing now with regard to stabilizing our economy and creating jobs, but nobody can deny that under The New Deal four million jobs were created by 1934 and if President Obama can do the same he is going to be heralded as a great president. (2009, p.5) Mr. Wasik calls what President Obama is trying to do The Green Deal and says that it "means redefining connections between government investments and economic growth. (p.8)

Regardless of what party you affiliate yourself with this book should be a must read in helping to shape the direction of future arguments and/or discussions on the topics and issues of import to all of America at this tumultuous time. The premises and arguments are logically presented and researched and flow to well-founded conclusions. The tips for investment in the financial sector make good common sense for those of you with money to invest toward the long term economic growth of this country. Thank you Mr. Wasik for a very credible, timely, and impressive read.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviewsÂ

Was this review helpful to you?Â

Â Comment

Comment on Reliable Fundraising in Unreliable Times: What Good Causes Need to Know to Survive and Thrive (Kim Klein’s Fundraising Series) by Citizen Ojo

Citizen Ojo — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 05:20:05 +0000

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

Mr. Wasik was able to do what all of Congress apparently doesn't have the time or smarts to. Reading actual legislation!!!!!, September 3, 2009

ByÂ

Citizen Ojo (Charlotte, NC USA) -

This review is from: The Audacity of Help: Obama's Economic Plan and the Remaking of America (Bloomberg) (Paperback)

Mr. Wasik has provided his readers with the skinny to what's exactly in these bills that people are fighting over. If you want insight into President Obama's economic policy, this book is for you. This book breaks down all of the economic legislation passed since President Obama has been in office. We know that there is a lot of "Horse Trading" on Capital Hill. And unless you are an Uber NPR Junkie, you don't have time to read each bill.

I like that this book explains economic policy in easy to understand terms. That doesn't mean that Mr. Wasik has dumbed down the book. It means that he gives detailed information regarding each subject. He tells you what economic legislation Congress promised and what they eventually passed. Then he explains how the legislation will affect you. For full disclosure, I've read a previous book by Mr. Wasik called "The Cul-De-Sac Syndrome: Turning Around the Unsustainable American Dream". What make his books credible are two things. The first is that he has a background in Financial Reporting. The other is that he always gives suggestions on what could be done.

For all of the President Obama haters out there, this book is not a Pro-Obama book. It's actually a good read whatever your political persuasion might be.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviewsÂ

Was this review helpful to you?Â

Â Comment

Comment on Reliable Fundraising in Unreliable Times: What Good Causes Need to Know to Survive and Thrive (Kim Klein’s Fundraising Series) by Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 05:10:05 +0000

A Must for History Students, November 13, 2011

ByÂ

T. Blosser (Portland, OR USA) -
Â Â

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: The Concise Princeton Encyclopedia of American Political History (Paperback)

A GREAT reference tool to use for History students.

My History professor first brought this book to my attention. He's referenced it several times in his lecture.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviewsÂ

Was this review helpful to you?Â

Â Comment

Comment on Reliable Fundraising in Unreliable Times: What Good Causes Need to Know to Survive and Thrive (Kim Klein’s Fundraising Series) by Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 04:40:35 +0000

It is always "unreliable times", May 18, 2010

ByÂ

Thoughtful reader (San Marcos, CA USA) -

Amazon Verified Purchase(What's this?)

This review is from: Reliable Fundraising in Unreliable Times: What Good Causes Need to Know to Survive and Thrive (Kim Klein's Fundraising Series) (Hardcover)

Kim has written another winner here. I love the perspective she puts on "the times" - that they are truly always unreliable. Rather, sho focuses on the basics, offering a myriad of ways to approach ways to engage people in supporting non-profit organizations.

She writes for the "every charity" - the vast majority of organizations doing good work and needing to find supporters to keep going. A valuable resource with practical information such as guidance on managing your donor lists, expected returns from various fundraising tactics, and how to creatively and logically identify and engage potential supporters. A must-read!!

Help other customers find the most helpful reviewsÂ

Was this review helpful to you?Â

Â Comment

Comment on Reliable Fundraising in Unreliable Times: What Good Causes Need to Know to Survive and Thrive (Kim Klein’s Fundraising Series) by Manny Hernandez "@askmanny"

Manny Hernandez "@askmanny" — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 03:58:04 +0000

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

A must-read for all all good causes, whether in trouble or not, October 5, 2009

ByÂ

Manny Hernandez "@askmanny" (Bay Area, CA) -
Â Â

This review is from: Reliable Fundraising in Unreliable Times: What Good Causes Need to Know to Survive and Thrive (Kim Klein's Fundraising Series) (Hardcover)

These are tough times: everyone knows that. But what to do in the face of unreliable economic times: how to make your nonprofit organization "economy-proof" (as the author writes) so that you can survive and continue to be able to fulfill your mission in spite of the ups and downs that will come your way?

Klein exhibits brilliance in this book beyond its timeliness. She resists the temptation to jump into offering short-term tips, asking the reader to consider ways to build strength and health into your organization, by focusing on the essentials, those things that are bound to help you deal with crises (she is very emphatic about the fact that you cannot AVOID crises, but you can build your organization to be able to thrive in spite of them).

The author discusses elements ranging from the role of the board to the development of a volunteer fundraising team; from the creation of a healthy working environment to developing a donor base. She then moves on to present us with things to do if you are facing a financial crisis, so you can get out of the hole, do damage control and address the following 6-12 months.

This book is an absolute must for anyone doing any kind of fundraising in today's nonprofit world, so that you will find anwers for today's crazy economy and tomorrow's more promising future.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviewsÂ

Was this review helpful to you?Â

Â Comment

Comment on Reliable Fundraising in Unreliable Times: What Good Causes Need to Know to Survive and Thrive (Kim Klein’s Fundraising Series) by Holly Fincke

Holly Fincke — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 03:25:34 +0000

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

GREAT resource for anyone building an organization., October 22, 2009

ByÂ

Holly Fincke (Oakland, CA) -
Â Â

This review is from: Reliable Fundraising in Unreliable Times: What Good Causes Need to Know to Survive and Thrive (Kim Klein's Fundraising Series) (Hardcover)

This book, amazingly enough, bridges what fundraiser newcomers need to learn and what veterans need not to forget. No mean trick!

Kim Klein brings a clarity - and a calm voice in tough times - to creating a solid fundraising program to sustain an organization over the long haul. The book works for those facing an immediate crisis (with particular insights on managing that) and for those who want to get sharper as they look to equally or more challenging times ahead. Klein has been in the trenches, and it shows with solid frameworks and examples of how planning, implementing, and evaluating your fundraising from donors really works. I was re-inspired and reminded of the key factors in building a great donor program. And I was so glad that she included advice on how we can get past our own barriers to asking for money.

Different than "how to" fundraising manuals, Klein brings some unique gifts in this book, from her social justice framework and analysis of the economy to her practices of respect for and communication with donors. Her insights about improving boards, working with volunteers, and managing and learning through generational change are on point. Importantly, she urges us to respect our work as fundraisers and be mindful of our own sustainability, a factor in building a fundraising program that too often gets dropped.

I anticipate continuing to use this book as a key reference tool and one I can recommend to others with varying fundraising backgrounds. Anyone trying to build and organization can learn, and most importantly, implement from this book.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviewsÂ

Was this review helpful to you?Â

Â Comment

Comment on A Very Short, Fairly Interesting and Reasonably Cheap Book about Studying Marketing (Very Short, Fairly Interesting & Cheap Books) by Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 10:53:50 +0000

Good read for infomercial producers, but less valuable for inventors, October 22, 2011

ByÂ

Jon LaClare (Colorado, USA) -

This review is from: Buy Now: Creative Marketing that Gets Customers to Respond to You and Your Product (Hardcover)

This is a well-written book by a respectable infomercial producer. The book provides valuable content to any marketer looking to write their own copy, and it can be useful to other marketing channels than TV infomercials. If you are an Internet direct-to-consumer marketer, for example, then this book will likely be of value to you.

On the other hand, if you are an inventor or a product and you are looking to market your product via TV infomercials, there are better resources for you. Look for books that are written with the inventor in mind. I have read several good ones on my Kindle.

Help other customers find the most helpful reviewsÂ

Was this review helpful to you?Â

Â Comment