Randall Blaum's Blog

San Diego Moving Jobs from Private Sector to Public Sector - Not a Good Thing

In 2009, the latest data available, 4 of the top 5 employers in San Diego were either the federal government, state government, or the military.  Only the University of San Diego broke the top 5 with the City of San Diego placing 6th.  What does this mean to private sector jobs?  Plenty.

In the San Diego region people that work for one of the top 15 employers are a federal, state, or city employee, work in the healthcare industry, are part of the university system, or work for the US Postal Service.  Anyone not already working in these industries, has to face the reality that the outlook for the remainder of 2010 and most of 2011 promises to be as difficult when it comes to finding a job, let alone a job they like or want.

When the economy returns to some semblance of normal there will only be a small increase in many employment categories because most economic sectors simply cannot recover fast enough to help the San Diego area rebound from the housing bust, huge unemployment, and a shrinking tax base.

With little hope on the horizon for private sector employment people are turning to the city, county, state, and federal governments for jobs. As of 2009 the top 20 employers in the San Diego region employed 230,301 people.  Of those employed people 112, 809, almost 50%, were employed by the different branches of the government or the Navy.  Another 58,260 were employed by universities or school districts, or about 25%.  That leaves just 25% of all other possible jobs in every sector available for people who wish to be employed.

No wonder people are turning to the government for help; there just are not enough well-paying private sector jobs to go around for people who want those jobs, including the more than 10% of the unemployed in the region.  Because people are reaching out for any job and the government is creating more government jobs than ever fewer private sector jobs are being created and this public sector growth cannot sustain itself.  At some point in time there will simply not be enough private sector companies and employees to sustain a viable economy.

The continued elimination of private sector jobs and the increasing base of public sector jobs will most likely have the deleterious effect on the community in the future because it is private industry and entrepreneurs that bring life and vitality to the community, not big government and certainly not big education.  Government and education are certainly needed, but rarely do you see true breakthroughs come from these sectors.

To keep our community growing we need to focus on creating more private sector businesses and jobs and support new enterprises.  We need to support the leading edge entrepreneurs and we need to look beyond the government dole to survive.

Getting the lowest airfare and best seats for holiday travel

We all dread the lines at the airport, hate the cow-stampede for the overhead bins, and just deplore the fees, fees and more fees the airlines charge now.  So what is a traveler to do?  If you are a premium customer it gets a bit better, but what if you’re not?  Is there a way to beat the system?  Yes there is and here's what to do:

Without a doubt the best fares can be found online.  If you follow your favorite airline on Twitter or Facebook, they have some crazy-good sales they only announce through these social networks.  You can also sign up for their newsletters and get great deals almost no one else knows about. 

There are also sites on the internet that can help you get the information you seek, lower fares, better seats and such.  The first place to look for lower fares is www.farecompare.com.  Here you will be able to compare almost all the airlines' prices on up to a dozen travel sites.  It's quick, easy, and even has links for "deals of the day" as well as the airlines' fee charts so you can know what you're really going to pay for your ticket.  You can also check www.priceline.com  if your travel schedule is flexible or you don't mind taking flights at odd times.  Using Priceline can save you up to 40% off the listed prices.

Before you shop for your tickets beware that not all airlines are created equal.  The airlines are now charging for just about everything other than "getting you there."  This included fees for seat selection, boarding, and bags.  Just because you pay more for your ticket or pay for a premium seat, it does not mean you will get anything more than just a standard seat with no additional legroom.  US Airways charges between $5 and $15 for "Choice Seats" that are at the front of the plane, which is nice.  The problem is that you get no more legroom so unless you have to bolt from the plane the second you land, it's really not worth the extra fee.  If you want more real legroom, book with United (Economy Plus Seats) or Jet Blue.  You will pay a few dollars more for theses seats, but both of airlines provide a lot more leg room for a small extra fee.  Southwest Airlines has no seat selection fees, no bag fees and no assigned seats.  If you want a great seat, it might be worth paying the extra few dollars to get early boarding, in the "A" boarding group, because you will get your choice of the best seats and plenty of overhead bin space.

If you want to see what the seat layout of every jet in the world looks like and get a good review of what the seat actually provides you before you buy your ticket, go to www.seatguru.com.  This website provides you a view of the entire cabin of virtually every commercial passenger plane flying today.  The seat layout comes in handy and uses a simple "red, yellow, green" coding that shows you if the seat is great, has some disadvantages, or is just bad.  By using this site before you book your ticket, you will be better able to select the best seat for you and know before you pay of those extra seat fees are worth it or not. 

If you are prepared before you buy your tickets your journey will be more enjoyable, have a lot less surprises, and will even cost you a bit less. 

Fed Up With The Fed? I Am.

The Federal Reserve, "The Fed," is not a US Government business, entity, or - well - acutally, anything.  It is a private corporation that sets its own rules an quite frankly, within those rule the rich really, really win and We the People seem to get screwed in each and every way.  So, are they doing this for our own good, or are they just liars trying to manipulate our money supply?  All you need to do is Google, "The Federal Reserve" and see for yourself.

I am a one who belives that The Fed was brought into existance for reasons beyond even what the Congress and the President at the time could possibly understand.  So, why the post???

I have signed the TRUTH MANDATE at www.FedUpWithTheFed.org.  The TRUTH MANDATE si simple:  We want The Fed, the banks and Wall Street to start telling the truth.  Join me and sign it today at www.FedUpWithTheFed.org and We the People will take back what is rightfully ours - our money.

Screentrade Magazine "Merger Mania" Article

Here is the newest article I wrote for the international movie publication, Screentrade Magazine."  It's all about how the massive mergers in the theatre industry have had an impact on the moviegoer.

Insurers Might Delay Covering Pre-Existing Conditions - NYTimes.com

When I first read the headline, I was ready to blast a wave of rage against the insurance companies.  But, after reading the article and doing my research I found that, in essence I agree with them.  I know there will be more than a few of who will be shocked that I agree with big insurance, but hear me out before you go off the deep end.

First, I am not going to debate the health care bill.  Been there, done that.  Here's my point:  Our Congress created a bill that was so laden with rules, with exceptions, and was put together by people who are not qualified to create a health care bill at all.  I'm not saying our Congress is not a qualified Congress (been there, done that, too).  What I am saying is that as a unit, our Congress knows nothing about health care.  They are not experts in business (most of them are not entrepreneurs), and they are not empathetic to the people of the USA.  (If they were we would not ever hear words like, "We have to pass this to know what's in it.)

So now big insurance disagrees with Congress' interpretation of the law.  Is anyone surprised at this?  Aren't we all looking for how to make the law work for us, not against us?  And here's the thing, a kid born with asthma, will cost more money to the insurance company, generally speaking, than will a kid born without asthma.  So, why shouldn't they charge more?  Why shouldn't they look to see how they can make the bill work for them?  Doesn't Congress do the exact same thing every time they propose or vote on a bill?  (Earmarks come to mind anyone??)

For me, the new health care bill will cost me more money and will force me to buy a product I do not want and I do not use. This I don't like.  The new bill also does not allow me any bonus or credit or exception for being healthy.  But it does give me access to tons of drugs for longer periods of time.  Yeah!  What a deal!  (Yes, that is sarcasm)

So read on and see what you think.  I think I'm glad the bill passed because it will finally bring to the front to deplorable way this country is being run and will shake our Congress for years to come.  Will it be a good thing or bad thing - NOBODY knows and cannot know for years.  No matter what "they" say - this bill is beast of gargantuan proportions and will be what it will be all on its own.  We'll all have to wait and see what it really, really is decades from now.

So there you have it...  Randall seems to support big insurance, not pick on the Congress, and seems to like the health care bill.  Good Gos, what will happen next?  Stay tuned to find out...

WASHINGTON — Just days after President Obama signed the new health care law, insurance companies are already arguing that, at least for now, they do not have to provide one of the benefits that the president calls a centerpiece of the law: coverage for certain children with pre-existing conditions.

via www.nytimes.com

Fight For The CFPA Is 'A Dispute Between Families And Banks,' Says Elizabeth Warren

Elizabeth Warren is the star of "U R Pre-Approved," the film I directed on credit card debt, the banks, and how you are getting screwed.  You can see the trailers and buy the film at www.urpreapproved.com.

Elizabeth is still fighting for all of us and this article shows why we all have to be very vigilant at all times.

While members of the Senate Banking Committee debate proposals to fix the nation's broken financial system and ineffective approach to protecting consumers, Elizabeth Warren has one message: Pass a strong bill or nothing at all.

via www.huffingtonpost.com

Take time to stop and smell the flowers

Today my dog reminded me the that age-old adage.  In this fast-paced world filled with drivel, we sometimes forget to simply stop and enjoy what is around us - and who is around us.

So for today, I am working on the TV pilot final draft of the script as we start shooting in 60 days, but I am going to take my time to see what is around me and enjoy my life.

I hope you do, too.

I am yours in success, and from me and Turnberry, Have a superb day!

Jeremy Rifkin: 'Empathic Civilization': When Both Faith And Reason Fail, Stepping Up To The Age of Empathy

This is right on.  When we have more empathy for each other, we will all share in much great success.  Our leaders do not have much empathy for us, based on their visible actions.

While our radio talk shows and 24-hour cable TV news programs incessantly play off the political rift between conservative and liberal ideologies, the deeper conflict in America has always been the cultural divide between faith versus reason.

via www.huffingtonpost.com

Banks Apply Pressure to Keep Fees Rolling In

The banks, who are never really in our corner, have figured out new ways to threaten, cajole, and intimidate us into paying more than we should.  The only way to beat them at their own gameis to vote with our dollars and stop using banks that lie, cheat, and steal. 

For many households trying to improve their finances, tossing out pitches from the bank has become almost automatic. But in recent weeks, Chase has been fanning special letters out to consumers with an offer that it urges them not to refuse.

via finance.yahoo.com

Toyota Recall: NHTSA Lacked Expertise, Say Congressional Investigators - ABC News

It may be me, but isn't this the pot calling the kettle black?  Congress blames the NHTSA for not having the expertise to oversee Toyota.  Didn't Congress lack the expertise to oversee the Fed, the bank collapse, TARP, etc?  Working together we can bring a bigger, brighter day to America for all Americans.  Vote the bad ones out and help the good ones to stay in.

Take action, now to create a Congress that has empathy for us and will listen so they get the expertise they need.  No need for more bashing, finger pointing and out right bad manners.  Working together is the only possible solution for success.  Ask any entrepreneur whether its easier or harder working with  or against someone to achieve a goal for the better good?  Anyone bet that 100% would say, "Working with...?"

The federal agency with the key responsibility to investigate consumer complaints of sudden acceleration problems in Toyotas was too lenient in dealing with the carmaker and lacked the expertise to analyze the car's electronic controls, according to congressional investigators.

via abcnews.go.com