TVs Slippery Slope!
TVs Slippery Slope!
ViewPoint does not conduct polls. Any kind! After all, we call it The Carlton ViewPoint - so why waste time contacting hundreds or thousands of people who probably have opinions that reflect their immediate reactions to the questions asked - with little time to consider the topic as a whole.
With this preamble we alert you to know where we are coming from in this issue. There are two areas of current news that have created a variety of sounds that resemble choking, or joking, or anger, possibly annoyance, or just plain disgust! Now, without a poll, we offer a ViewPoint or two that may well express our readers' feelings that lead to the sounds mentioned.
For the record, let us clarify that the news we mention are aired on TV by networks using the power of time choices, backed by large staffs of capable writers and reporters whose material is chopped, minced, broadened, or condensed - then foisted on you as 'Prime Time News". Local television is generally less likely to dwell on the topics selected by the networks. After all, aren't fires, shootings, car crashes, or sexual shenanigans more interesting than the medical/health items you hope you never have to see in your own family!
Absent the clocking of items by stopwatch modus operandi, we have noted, beyond any question, the deluge of stories that address new products, new techniques, withdrawn medications, failing hospital devices that cost a fortune, and, worst of all, the choices of news directors to use high tech camera capability to get into one's mouth or a body cavity in order to verify what the commentator is saying as illustrated!
Perhaps a new low was established this week when a story that belonged in a medical journal, made the 6 o'clock news just as families were digging in to the meal of the day. The story focussed on two women who had contracted a rare disease as the result of infection gone haywire in the body - and in style better saved for the tabloids - called it 'flesh eating bacteria' - doomed to overwhelm the defending 'good' bacteria, thus likely to cause a dreadful termination of life.
The rarified classification of the disaster that befell these unfortunate women was said to be 500 to 1000 cases a year in the USA. Not exactly a threat to humanity - but such an ear/eye catching name when the scientific one is impossible to pronounce or recall when trying to 
say it is made simple by the 'flesh eating' tag!
Then going from the emphasis on matters of body and soul, to what is on the brink of NUMBER ONE HOT STORY OF 2012 - maybe the 21st Century - the initial public offering of stock in 'facebook'. What? You didn't even try to buy a few thousand shares? Oh, you did try. No deal. Sold out. To the tune of over One Hundred BILLION dollars. Crazy? Maybe not. Hey, there are over 900,000,000 members worldwide. Just think what could happen if they all agreed on a plan, or a name, or a place to eat, maybe, a quiet vacation in the islands! It is incredible - and ViewPoint is not sneering at the enormacy of Mark Z''s accomplishment. Nor are we envious. Or spending any real time contemplating how the new flock of billionaires might turn the economy around overnight simply by going shopping on Saturday.
No. It is like the item number one above. Too much. Much too much! Hey, news guys and gals - cool it a bit - like down play to second Sports Page! Then think about this: if some banks have been designated (unofficially) as "too big to fail!" - how about Facebook? Is it possible? Can Mark Zuckerberg file for bankruptcy when other 'biggies' like GM remove their ad dollars (about 10 million!)?
Now, you can understand why ViewPoint believes (NO POLL!) that the public appetite for more and more of the same may be a mistaken notion. In fact, these samples herein may be prophetic indicators of what Television shall face in the years ahead. Remember where you read this first! Overloaded ships do sink!
Richard Carlton
May 17, 2012
Issue No 9
Speech Writig 101
What you are about to see below is a speech to be delivered by President Obama. No. It was not slipped out of the White House unnoticed by anyone. Nor was it approved by the President. In fact, this is what the President might say if he had added a new speech writer to his team - and liked what he read!
Fellow Americans: I ask for your close attention for the next 15 minutes as I outline what shall become my essential explanation of why my decision to seek a second term in office as your President can, and should, make every difference in your daily lives.
I know, and I imagine that most of you are aware that the Presidency of the United States is perhaps the most demanding position in political life anywhere in the world. Consider that everything you read or see on television, is probably someplace on a list that exists before my eyes, on my desk, with a need to know more about the details, a resume of progress or lack thereof, and most urgently - an in depth understanding of any ramifications inherent in the items listed on the chart as to possible effect on all citizens of this country.
It is an overwhelming task to guide and shape the issues present, here and abroad. It is a challenge of first magnitude for anyone who has not had the experience of living with the complexities of life in the Oval Office! And, I know full well whereof I speak because I came into office three years ago with little, or no, understanding of the problems then facing the country at large. There was an urgent need to get started, running, as it were, not content to tackle the most demanding issues, but to seize every moment to prevent any further backward drift.
The end of a term of office under these conditions can be manageable when the party in power is introducing a new President, knowledgeable in most respects of the 'state of the union' and prepared to grasp the baton of office and literally run with it.
Not so when the possibility exists that the party that seeks the role of President is as contrary and opposite in virtually every facet of government as evidenced by the record of political behavior exhibited during the years I have held the Presidency.There is no need for me to remind you of the outlandish statements made by candidates for office these past several months. Perhaps the idiocy of some became the name of their game as they have dropped out one by one. More importantly, is the actual record of resistance to efforts by the party in power to create and pass legislation that offered positive results to a country that was desperately in need - be it employment, housing, or essentially, a recovery from the awesome condition left behind when the party that lost power when I turned millions of voters into citizens who had had enough and wanted an end to government that was adrift on a sea of bad decisions and incredible actions!
This is why, my fellow citizens, I truly believe that my efforts to stem the flow of life blood has shown success and I foresee a resumption of the America we all have loved and prospered. It would be a cry of unimaginable dismay should the party of "no" take over this seat at this desk! Think back to the final days of my predecessor and remember the 'do nothing' attitude that paralyzed government as unemployment and foreclosure became common words of defeat by the administration in power.
In the months ahead I shall be back to outline and illustrate the results achieved by this government - and, provided that the party that loses the bid for a change comes to terms with the party in power for the sake of the country at large and not any special segment, we will hail a new start. We are ready, willing, and capable of sitting down with those who lost the battle to bring sound, efficient government the order of the day. Together, we have no limits on achievement and shall seek every opportunity to prove that our party is composed of leaders. not 'no sayers'!
I thank you for your attention. We believe in what I have said today and assure you that our administration shares the promise that better days are ahead. The rising tide shall bring prosperity back to America. So be it! Enjoy life. The best is yet to be!
Richard Carlton
April 17, 2012
Issue No 8
Money Talks - (make that 'Screams!)
Money Talks - (make that 'Screams!)
Call it a coincidence. Better yet, call it 'inevitable! How else to explain the convergence in one day of news coverage of billions of dollars spinning out of Wall Street and , and on another page, news of the world's grandest pot of money up for grabs (to one who holds the right ticket!).
Of course you know all about the $640,000,000 prize in the 'game' called Mega Million Lottery. In fact, you may be a holder of several such tickets as millions flocked to gas stations and stationery stores to press their luck. But, the chances are you have no idea who Ray Dalio, Carl Icahn, James Simon, Kenneth Griffin, and Steven Cohen are - or why they should be the talk of the financial world.
It's really not that important, but for the record, those five men earned almost 10 Billion dollars last year. No tickets,no lottery, in fact, no product manufactured or created - simply a fee for handling money! they all participated in the management of Hedge Funds - the highly secretive, specialized investment companies which cater to investors with very large check books who seek sources that can produce the best returns on their millions of dollars.
ViewPoint has no interest in the Hedge Fund area of Wall Street, other than the awesome returns gained by the most successful companies managers. They join the incredible opportunity for one person to receive hundreds of millions of dollars simply by randomly guessing the winning 6 numbers. Again, no work, noeffort, no special talent. Just LUCK!
Now, why is this worthy of a column? We are still in a post depression era with millions unemployed, homeowners continuing to fall into foreclosure traps, small business owners going out of business in virtually every part of the country. Politicians squabbling endlessly over budgets, debt ceilings, deficits, and the posturing that now begins with trillions of dollars seemingly no more manageable than the income numbers acquired by Hedge Fund managers, or the prize money held out for lucky ticket holder.
Despite the negative attitude expressed by so many top level people in this administration plus the Republican candidates for the Presidency that we continue to be in a slow moving improvement cycle, we learned last week that 
the first quarter of 2012 was the best in seven years for the economy.
So, which is it? Are we coming out of the doldrums? - or are we still in it and any inference that billions of dollars paid to Fund Managers is simply to be ignored - as is the payday for one lucky ticket holder who can barely comprehend $640 million dollars (even after taxes!). For the rest of us who recognize the reality of the economy, these abnormalities should be considered vulnerable and subject to some revisions. Wouldn't a top level of, say, $250,000,000 be enough to attract hundreds of thousand ticket buyers?
And, could Hedge Funds survive nicely on a smaller percentage of every dollar that flows into their coffers every day, rather than the average 2% that winds up in the payday of those fortunate enough to hold a managerial post?
Then, when the economy is truly back to normal, and people are back to work, and the word "foreclosure" is no longer a bankers' mantra, then we would not be as critical of the huge largesse of the money flow that is based on no product, no creative achievments, no particular talent or human endeavor. There should always be a factor called "LUCK!" - and lucky people to enjoy the moment. And, for the impressive money makers who design techniques that legally build careers that generate incomes beyond belief, so be it. More power to them for that will be the time the economy will be open to new vistas and opportunities.
It has happened several times before. It shall happen again. Soon!
Richard Carlton
April 1, 2012
Issue No 7
The $$$ Presidency!
The $$$ Presidency!
In case you haven't noticed, the political fund raising has moved into high gear. Despite feeble attempts by recently enacted laws to limit the wide open check book approach to political donations, the same members of the Congress who set the limits have found the ways and means to circumvent the laws and allow millions of dollars to bolster candidates coffers. Any preset limits have no hard and fast ability to cut off the flow of money.
Thus, it is with the above in mind, ViewPoint offers a mindboggling plan to change the way we elect candidates to office. Since the major focus at this time is the Presidency, we beg your indulgence and a suspension of any fixed notions regarding the election process while we offer a radically new way to arrive at the objective - a duly elected President.
Before the plan is presented, let it be clear that it will take some amendments to the Constitution, a new constituency in Congress that will permit the plan to be discussed and debated in order to move forward, and the patience of all concerned to look ahead for many years until all facets are in place. Shall we begin?
It is abundantly clear that almost any run for office, no matter the role, Governor, Mayor, State legislator, and so on, takes money to launch and maintain a campaign that is intended to capture the candidate's audience with sufficient positive abilities for a term in office. And that is where the money comes in.
As this piece is being revealed for your consideration, the Presidential Candidates have raised millions and millions of dollars. Where is that outporing of money actually going? Why is it the sina qua non of any candidate's campaign to out rank competitors in the money game?
Simply, money is the tool, the lever if you will, that buys the varied elements that direct attention to the rationale for the candidate to be elected. Much, probably most of the money goes to buy TV time - then radio, newspapers, flyers,billboards, anything that can catch the attention of voters. Plus, all the necessities of campaigning - office space, staff salaries, travel, planes, busses, dinners, hotels - you name it and the list will be obvious. It takes a small fortune to run for office and if the Candidate has the personal elements that appeal to enough observers, the money may be well spent and the biggest spender may win the contest!
Ipso facto, since money truly is the force that enables a candidate to win, why not add all the candidate's contributions and the largest benefactor of a campaign coffer is declared winner!
It isn't the most accurate means of estimating a Candidate's ability to function in office, but it is likely to attract more voters whose contributions regardless of size, takes the place of a moment in a polling place.
Yes - there must be revisions of all means of becoming a contributor. No more multi-million dollar checks, or fundraising dinners at thousands per plate, and corporate largesse with no limits! It will be election by millions - not just dollars but actual voters. If money talks, let it say what many would like to hear. It becomes true "We the People" contributors to electing the Candidate of choice.
OK. Kick it around. Knock it as ridiculous, stupid, impossible! Then think of what is going on right now. The backers who have hidden motives can buy their candidate with outrageous sums. It has to stop. Other means of selecting and electing candidates must prevail.
"The $$$ Presidency" is viable, effective, and doable. All it takes is time and patience to work out the details. Perhaps a start point could be a FaceBook, or Twitter, or UTube! Imagine, if every one of those social net users donated a small sum to their favorite candidate, it would be all over in a week! Really!
Richard Carlton
March 15, 2012
Issue No. 6
The "If" Factor - and The Media!
The "If" Factor - and The Media!
Ordinary common sense may be the basic approach to news and information via newspapers, TV, radio, etc. And why not? You accept the source as legitimate, clarity is not a problem, and you understand the topic. Except for one thing -- do you raise the "if" factor? Well, ViewPoint has determined that it exists and you should consider it. Listen up.
The "if" factor is the question of whether the item is stating facts or inferences.Worse yet, is the story actually a supposition that may, or may not happen. The "if' factor is a critical dependency on the topic becoming a fait accompli - in which case it may be so stated. However, any knowledge that it may not happen creates the "if' and that two letter word is a signal to be aware, cautious in your acceptance of the story.
We chose at random a couple of stories from the New York Times, March 1st, and you will see the problem.
Front page headline: "Tension Raises Specter of Gas At $5 a Gallon" Is that a fact? Or, is it speculation? Are readers about to sell their vehicles - or jack them up and await the turn around some day? Assuming that the $5 flag never happens, will the Times print a retraction?
Inside page, first Section, same paper: "in California, City Teeters On Brink Of Bankruptcy". That is the NY Times speculating when even the Mayor issues a statement stating in part, "If the players don't come together and agree, etc., etc." How many readers would have noted the "If"? Assume they do, and escape bankruptcy, does the Times feel a need to correct the supposition?
ViewPoint does not suggest that the news media is mostly speculation. But, it is an easy way to to call attention to a pending event without going on record that it is actually happening. We think that is wrong!
While it is common practice for any person to include the "if" factor in their daily speech it barely goes on notice. "Let's have lunch tomorrow if it doesn't rain!" "I'm buying 100 shares of 'xyz' if it holds the course." "She'll go for surgery if it doesn't stop soon!"
It may be the smallest word in the dictionary to be in so much use, but it carries the weight of complete reversal, change of mind or heart, even life plans and career decisions. If we have called attention to the need for accuracy in media reporting, good. If you begin tripping over your "its" because you just became aware of the usage, leave it be. It is an amazingly important two letters that can function in such an important speech ingredient.
ViewPoint hopes some media mavens note this piece. It might improve clarity and accuracy in how they handle stories.
Richard Carlton
March 1, 2012
Issue No. 5
The BIG Idea
It is common knowledge that three names have dominated the BIG IDEA scene for months past. Bill Gates for Microsoft, Steve Jobs for Apple, and Mark Zuckerberg for FaceBook. Each, in there own way, have demonstrated that there really is an area of the human brain that can produce an 'idea' that is unique, useful, and incredibly successful. So, the question today is: how do those brain cells collaborate to become real, not just an idea? - and, why do other brains, likely to have similar brain cells, fail to distinguish an idea worthy of a real product?
Assuming you are still with us, ViewPoint shall reveal personal experiences that prove the theory that there really is an area of the brain that can and does function as the creative force necessary to 'give birth' to ideas. We begin as a 16 year old teenager whose curiosity may have been the activator for the brain cells!
Telephones were part of every home. But this young man wondered why any incoming calls were greeted by busy signals and thereby the intended recipient and the phone company both lost out! A bit of research produced the name of an executive at Bell Telephone labs in New Jersey. In short order a letter was sent to that person and with great detail as to why the writer was dismayed by the lack of any ability to intercept an incoming call.
In a week the response came from the head of engineering at Bell. Yes, the reply stated. The observation was correct - but telephone wiring did not allow for additional voice transmission - only a busy signal! The writer was complementary but regretted the inability to do anything unless or until wiring was installed.
It took about five years before the inevitable occured - as WWII was under way - and as a part of the overhaul of communications nationally, "Call Waiting" was installed. No mention was made of the letter from a bygone era! Was it the 'trigger'? - or simply a coincidence?
Of course, it was time for another letter - this time to the publisher of the Times - outlining the benefits of a move with emphasis on giving the readers extra time to check all the ads and go shopping before the weekend ended! And, you know what? - it was answered promptly by Sulzberger who devoted two pages to explaining why the Sunday Times was not only a tradition, but switching to Saturday would entail more problems than necessary. He was gracious in his rebuttal - but totally opposed to a move. One year later, The Sunday Times became the Saturday Times! It has remained that ever since!
These two separate examples of brain waves at work simply illustrate how one can produce and develop an idea - and fail to 'cash' in because there was no real product to be manufactured or marketed. Even the absence of any credit came as no surprise. They may have received hundreds of letters from users and readers!
However, lest we indicate that those days of BIG IDEAS are over and gone, please note two pending now.
One, is the much discussed on ViewPoint over several years, the need to bury all power lines serving the public - city by city, coast to coast. It would be the best way to end the damage and despair wraught by storms, floods, accidents, fires - all costly and time consuming for the consumers and factories, stores, and all resources using and requiring electricity. The President has been approached and acknowledged the letter. He even mentioned the need in a national speech recently. Like the network of coast to coast roads built decades ago under President Eisenhower, money was raised and the project was completed in about ten years. The same could apply to the need to 'bury the power lines'.
Finally, an idea whose time is clearly a positive factor intended to reduce auto/truck accidents nationally and locally. Equip every vehicle intended for road travel, with rear lights similar to current red lights, with a set of three - RED, YELLOW, and GREEN. When the vehicle is in motion a GREEN light is on. When the gas pedal is rested, the YELLOW lights up. RED remains a braking
It would take many years of new production plus some installations on vehicles in use, to make the scene meaningful. Then imagine the positive reactions when travelers see a series of green lights ahead start turning to yellow, then interspersed with red, a DANGER AHEAD warning that does not exist today.
Yes - a letter was sent to the Federal agency responsible for Auto safety - and there was simply a response stating 'letter received'. No action indicated.
And so it goes, folks. Thank you for reading all the way. Remember. Those brain cells are there - but lie dormant for most humans. If they stir into action. Go for the use factor. That is what the BIG THREE did - and you know the rest!
Richard Carlton
February 16, 2012
Issue No.4
What Is Going On Here?
What Is Going On Here?
It doesn't take an advanced degree, or depth of understanding, to recognize a sea change taking place in human behavior as reported by the news media. There is no single source of stories that tell us that we are indeed on a slippery slope - possibly a crisis that moves the whole world closer to the edge of a precipice - a future that threatens the well being of entire populations, of individuals in close proximity to the very stories that are absorbed with the striking departure of otherwise decent human beings for activities that challenge the status quo in one activity after another.
What can we be talking about?
Because it is so current that few can escape the devastating behavior of candidates for national office, begin with the words being bandied about in the so-called debates of recent weeks. Whether it is the 'attack' technique whereby one candidate singles out a competitor, or the response factor that simply exasperates listeners, viewers, and reporters, there is a widening gap between exaggerating and lying. What is one to believe? Is it fair game to mislead, mistake, or distort the issue at hand?
If they make it to the nomination for a presidential run, can they eliminate from their approach to any topic the warped language that made them eligible to win the Presidency? And does that hoist a red flag for every voter to expect the same behavior in office? (circa Richard Nixon).
Turn a page. Has the financial world become the hunting ground for those who have cast aside any moral or ethical behavior in the pursuit of power and money? Banks, Investment companies, Hedge Fund developers and executives, ordinary brokers - all sources of upheavals in executive positions as one after another have departed supposed power posts, albeit, many with departing riches beyond their inflated salaries!
It has become normal, in a sense, for stories to appear weekly, if not daily, of stalwart, upright money managers who have been discovered by authorities to be involved in insider trading. Were they unaware of the potential penalty for illegal actions in their pursuit of the 'fast buck'? Are the several who shall be spending years behind bars just the tip of the proverbial iceberg?
Look around a bit. Has the craze to come up with a new and 'safe' Ponzi scheme run its course for the time being? Not so - if the crafty operators who think they can do better than Madoff have their way. As long as there are wealthy widows, vulnerable investors, and suckers in every community, there will be smooth, smart monied individuals whose pitch is so enticing it is hard to resist when ostensible 'proof' of success is displayed for the unwary who do not realize that their investment will go to pay off the back log of prior 'suckers' plus the operator!
Are all the bankers, brokers and followers guilty of improper use of their power to handle and move money - their only product? No. Take the recent discovery of a church going woman of mid years whose position as an accounts payable person for her church was found to have stashed away over one million dollars over seven years as she paid the bills - and kept a little here and there for herself and her penchant for expensive hobbies!
Sadly, it is only one aspect of the lead paragraph in this ViewPoint. Aberrant behavior is on the increase, as is the legitimate use of fungible funds. Can any person involved in the forthcoming, anticipated public offering of Facebook stock, fail to consider how the millions coming their way might be utilized for further gain - the first step in moving toward the precipice! Or, are the three former traders at Credit Suisse exempt from heavy penalties when they were discovered manipulating mortgages to the tune of millions of dollars? No way. They were caught - they are likely to pay for their foray into the world of easy money.
But it's not just money that is driving the world toward illegal, immoral, unsavory behavior. It would take a series of ViewPoints to even touch on the rampant discoveries of recent times. For example: Church hierarchy abusing young boys; college coaches using their vulnerable boys, and girls, to satisfy their deviant sexual pursuits - and those are only examples. How about small operators of children's preschool businesses whose hidden motivations were the abuse of their wards?
Entire countries, in Africa in particular, have been devastated by tribal differences, by evil leaders, and hundreds of thousands of innocent families have been victimized, torn apart, raped and killed for no reasons beyond the pursuit of some devious challenges to authority or desires.
If this summary of doom and gloom makes you wish their was someplace else to live, we are interested. So far, we are aware only of planet Earth. Maybe we have to find a way to make it a better place. Or else!
Richard Carlton
Issue No. 3....February 2, 2012
One Way To End Unemployment In The USA
One Way To End Unemployment In The USA
Some of the critical aspects of the sick economy are seemingly beyond any form of quick fix. There are no acceptable plans or suggestions to bring the budget of this country into a workable MO which would reduce the deficit without drastic cuts in ordinary expenditures. There is no plan in effect to significantly shrink the deficit over a period of time without regard to the budget. There are ways and means of bringing the country closer to a balance in income and expenses, along with a steady reduction in the awesome debt - but it is the word "taxes" that stops any effort to increase revenue.
The economy remains a stumbling block comprised of many elements one of which has defied the meager attempts to reduce unemployment. Despite the occasional reference to it, none of the candidates for the Republican drive to unseat President Obama, have even mentioned that there is a way - that it has been the basic reason for the problem in the first place - and what has been allowed to happen can be turned around and unemployment in the USA can be restored to a level that would not only create millions of jobs, but pump huge amounts in to the sagging economy at the same time.
Suppose, just imagine, a plan of action that put an end to outsourcing the manufacturing of products in China that are shipped to the USA for sale in tens of thousands of retail stores. Suppose the vast plants in India and the Philippines where communication centers have been set up to respond to calls from the USA regarding products and services were no longer the source of high employment that could be based in this country.
Look around the world at the millions of working people doing what could be done in the USA in restored factories or new plants. So many of these 'offshore' operations have been created by the American companies that found cheap labor, willing hands and minds, and eager young people who might otherwise be the unemployed of the world.
Of course, the ways and means of reversing the flow of jobs is a daunting challenge. But is it impossible? Did it happen by chance in the first place? - or, did we let it happen as the tycoons of American manufacturing saw a way to produce for less, hire more bodies to move the assembly lines, and show great talent in delivering products that found willing buyers in this (and other) countries.
For decades, as American industry grew, not only to the satisfaction of consumers in this country but worldwide sales became an export plus as dollars rolled in from all over theworld. It was the highly regarded American ingenuity that aided and abetted the growth of industries. It was one of America's outstanding accomplishments.
Now, it will take another generation to tackle the problem of doing a reverse flow - of bringing home as many as possible of the plants and factories (and yes, even some talent!), to restore an economy that misses terribly the benefits and virtues of 'home grown' manufactured products.
It happened because we let it happen. The brain power of America' talented Economists and Business leaders can devise a plan to return millions of jobs to the USA. But it will not happen by talking about it. It takes an action by our government to create a think tank worthy of the challenge. It has to start soon. Too many unemployed are waiting. Impatiently!
Richard Carlton
January 20, 2012
Issue No.2