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- A New DayNovember 5 2008
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President-elect Barack Obama has inspired the American people to leave behind doubt, fear and cynicism, and open ourselves up to faith, hope and optimism. A world of possibilities await us.
Hope Changes Everything (1:01)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLVN3Trs5VQ&NR=1
Yes We Can (4:30)
- A Republic, If You Can Keep ItNovember 4 2008
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On this historic election day, a quote from Benjamin Franklin …
“Well, Doctor, what have we got - a Republic or a Monarchy?”
“A Republic, if you can keep it.”
The response is attributed to Benjamin Franklin — at the close of the Constitutional Convention of 1787, when queried as he left Independence Hall on the final day of deliberation — in the notes of Dr. James McHenry, one of Maryland’s delegates to the Convention.
- Walk once more in eternal sunshineOctober 27 2008
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As Election Day approaches, it is good to reflect on Senator Obama’s profound, presidential closing statement at the recent Alfred E. Smith Memorial Foundation dinner:
The fact that each October, in the closing weeks of a hard-fought campaign, people of all political persuasions can come to this dinner, and share a meal and honor the work of this foundation, underscores the reality that no matter what differences or divisions or arguments we are having right now — we ultimately belong to something bigger and more lasting than a political party.
We belong to a community. We share a country. We are all children of God.
And in this country, there are millions of fellow citizens, our brothers and sisters, who need us very much. Especially now. We are being battered by a very serious economic storm, and for many Americans it’s only deepened the quiet storms they’ve been struggling through for years.
Beyond the walls of this hotel, on the streets of one the greatest cities in the wealthiest nation on earth, there are men and women and children who’ve fallen on hard times and hard luck. Who can’t find work or even a job that pays enough to keep a roof over their heads. Some are hanging on just by a thread.
Scripture says God creates us for works of service. We are blessed to have so many organizations like this one, in the Catholic diocese that perform these acts o
- Dealing with Crisis and Change / How to Succeed in Tough TimesOctober 26 2008
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In these challenging financial times, it is inspiring to hear the words of motivational speaker Anthony Robbins and the late, great Sir John Templeton, “The Dean of All Investing.”
Tony Robbins’ Web site, www.thepowerofcrisis.com, includes an audio download by Tony Robbins on dealing with crisis and change. The site also offers a powerful interview with Sir John Templeton on the secrets to success that made him one of the greatest financial investors of our time.
In 2007, Templeton. investor, mutual fund pioneer and philanthropist, was named one of Time magazine’s 100 Most Influential People (Time 100) under the category of “Power Givers.” Templeton was given this honor for his “pursuit of spiritual understanding, often through scientific research” through his establishment of the John Templeton Foundation.
In this powerful interview, Sir John Templeton talks about the greatest mistakes investors make; how to take responsibility for how we’re investing our wealth; and how we must utilize maximum pessimism to take advantage of any market.
Sir John Templeton also speaks of maximum optimism: “We all tend to becom
- The Financial Crisis - A Matter of TrustOctober 2 2008
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The rejection of the financial rescue plan by the House on Monday of this week sent a clear message that congressional leaders were unable to sell the plan to the public. Underlying the hostile public reaction to the plan was a growing distrust of both Wall Street and the government’s leadership. A 10/1 New York Times story, Lessons from a Crisis: When Trust Vanishes, Worry, by David Leonhardt, explains that a breakdown in “informational capital” has caused this major national crisis, leading to new levels of fear and a vanishing of trust.
A recent Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll showed that just 10% of Americans have “a great deal” or “quite a bit” of confidence in the financial industry, compared with 36% who said so in 2000. The dot-com bust, Enron and other corporate scandals, and the current financial crisis have all contributed to this state of mistrust by the public.
According to a new AP-GfK poll, 8 in 10 Americans fear the crisis will affect them directly (yet 45% of all adults polled still opposed the proposed government bailout).
A 10/2 Wall Street Journal Opinion piece, “Bailing Out Ourselves,” states, “Americans are anxious, even frightened, about the financial system. They are looking for leaders who will act to defend it.”
Given the public