Water Cooler Conversations

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC

I recently sent a letter to Governor Strickland (still waiting for a response) requesting that the pay and benefits of Lieutenant Governor Lee Fisher and Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner be frozen as they seek election to the Ohio Senate (http://www.fisherforohio.com/and http://www.jenniferbrunner.com/).  Not sure about you, but I am tired of seeing my tax dollars wasted on politicians who continually campaign for their “next” job while supposedly working in their current elected office. 

If the Governor would grant this request, this would be a tax payers’ savings of nearly $200,000. Seems to me that that money could be used for much better purposes than paying people while they are conducting a job search. 

The recession does not bother me as much as the politicians…they helped us get into this economy and helping us stay here way too long.  C’mon Governor…answer my letter – I would love to know where you stand on this issue…even though I think I already know.

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC 

Government officials must really love us these days.   After blowing $350 billion of our money they are ready to blow even more.  And, we just sit idol, hoping that everything will get better.  What happened to the “60’s” when we let
Washington know that some of their policies stunk?  We have lost our spunk…our fire…our anger.  The government has run amuck and we just keep merrily rolling along.  Seems we get more upset with a CAVS, Browns or Indians loss than when the government mismanages programs and money.  And, if that wasn’t enough, they can’t even mismanage well – corruption seems to be peeking at a time when you would think that many of these folks would be keeping their hands out of the cookie jar.

So here we go again…get ready for another “stimulus” package with one proposed component a “tax cut” for taxpayers…unbelievably with our own money!!!!  Are you kidding me?  When will we sober up?  Plus, we shamefully have our own State of Ohio reaching out for money…for crying out loud Governor – take a look around and clean up the inefficiencies, duplication and waste.  Live within your means like the rest of us.

If you are waiting for this upcoming package to rescue our country, to be the 100% solution; don’t hold your breath.  It might make a slight dent, but that is only part of the equation.

We encourage you to do what we see some of our members doing – moving on…working hard, making sound investments and reaching out to reconnect with their customers.  This is the year of action…it should not be the year of watching and hoping.  

I had an interesting conversation with a good friend of mine who lives in Chicago.  I was sharing with him the almost daily news of the alleged corruption identified in our local county government. In the course of the conversation he laughed…he shared with me that the State of Ohio and our county government look like saints compared to his state and local government “leadership.” He did point out a startling difference.  He stated that their corruption at least yields new construction projects and a decent economy while Ohio’s corruption erodes the standard of living and faith in elected officials.

I don’t know if he is right or not, but right now it looks like a peaceful dictatorship seems to be the way to go – because the chef’s in our kitchen are making a meal that is hard to swallow.

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC 

This past Saturday a young man stopped at our house to encourage support for a candidate running for the State legislature. The name of the candidate is unimportant as is his party affiliation.  What is important is the conversation that I had with the young man at our doorstep.

The conversation went something like this:

Volunteer:  ”Good afternoon sir.  I am a volunteer who is going door to door encouraging people to consider (name) for State office.”

Pat: “Thank you for stopping by…can I ask you why you are supporting (name)”

Volunteer: “Sure.  He lives in Mentor and he is a really good guy.  I really like what he believes in.”

Pat: “Can I ask you a few questions about your candidate?”

Volunteer: “Sure, fire away”

Pat: “What is his position on the war in Iraq?”

Volunteer: “You know…I don’t know.  That is a good question.  Let me write that one down.”

Pat: “Do you know if your candidate supports the proposed Ohio Healthy Families Act?”

Volunteer: “Gosh…I am embarrassed…I know about the proposal, but I really don’t know where he stands on the issue.”

Pat: “Let’s try one more.

Volunteer: “OK…incidentally, I’m really sorry I don’t know the answers to these other questions…but I will find out”

Pat: “No problem…I was just curious where your candidate stood on some of the bigger issues of the day.  So how about gambling in Ohio…where does your candidate stand on this one”

Volunteer: “I don’t know….I have to tell you that you are the first one on your block to ask me any of these questions.  Most people just listen to me, smile, nod their head, take my flyer and then close the door.  I appreciate you asking me these questions.”

Pat: “Really? Do I win a prize? I’m just kidding.  Please feel free to have (name) call me direct.  I would love to know his position on some of these issues in addition to the Workers’ Comp System in Ohio, the tax structure for individuals and businesses in Ohio and what he plans to do to impact the movement of new companies into our State.

Volunteer: “I will have him give you a call.  Thanks”

The conversation was pretty close to that…what is most disturbing to me was that this young man was representing a candidate that he apparently knew little about. 

In a few months, candidates will be shoving their signs into yards, showing up at Labor Day parades throwing out candy and for higher offices taking advantage of every media opportunity possible.  Many of the candidates will be smiling, kissing babies and doing their best to impugn the reputation of their political opponent.  The mud slinging and name calling will begin with little to be said about the real issues and possible solutions. 

We can point our fingers at some of the politicians who get into trouble, misuse tax money and lie to the public…but remember one thing…the majority voted these folks into office based upon a lot of nothing.  So what do you really expect when they are in office?

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC 

Four unrelated incidents happened in the past few weeks that caught my attention.

• Unauthorized and “careless” smoking by a crew member caused $70 million in damage to the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington,
• Last week the Green Bay Packers announced that they were preparing a deal that would pay Quarterback Brett Favre $20 million not to play football and to stay retired (since the story broke, Mr. Favre is now reporting back to camp to play football),
• Last Wednesday I observed President Bush’s motorcade heading east on Route 2 surrounded by an incredible arsenal of state troopers, emergency vehicles, etc., and
• After President Bush’s speech at an east side organization he attended a $25,000 per plate fundraiser in Gates Mills ($35,000 if you wanted your picture with the President).

If these were the only headlines over the past few weeks you would never know that we might be in some tough economic times.  After I heard the Brett Favre story I was close to resigning my position and then asking the ERC Board to pay me not to come back to work.  But, this is the real world and I figured that our Board would not see this as a prudent business decision.

I know that we need to get the USS Washington repaired but it is always interesting to me how quickly our country can pay for some things (like war) but struggle to figure out how to fund education, feeding the homeless, etc.

This is not a partisan comment at all, but I really could care less if Mr. Bush or any other President comes to visit us.  They tie up traffic, cost us lots and lots of money - and for 99% of us the visits do not impact our lives at all. 

How cool would it be if we could take people who are willing to plunk down $25k to break bread with the President and have that same fund raiser for our local schools, eroding bridges, food banks, etc.  And, another $10k to take a picture with the person or family or institution actually helped with the money.

Maybe it’s time to take a reality check here folks.  Most people are struggling to get by on their paychecks these days.  We are at war, jobs are tough, crime and unemployment are on the uptick and we still have folks, including some people at all levels of our governments watching Rome burn.  It’s time to tighten the belts, make some sacrifices and pull together as a team.  Otherwise you end up like the State of Ohio now paying for years of neglect, misuse of tax dollars, a broken workers’ comp system and an unemployment system nearly broke.

But I guess in the end, if the mindless spending continues we can all resort to the solution recently instituted by Ohio - Keno.

Sleep tight.

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC 

This past Monday, ERC held the first of several programs dedicated to the proposed Ohio Healthy Families Act that will be placed on the November Ballot.  Attorney Brian Kelly from Frantz Ward, LLP provided an outstanding presentation to a sold out event.  I have never seen so many questions regarding a proposed initiative…and unfortunately the way the proposed Act is written, many of the questions remain unanswered.  If the proposal is passed the details of the new Act would be hammered out by the Department of Commerce (heaven help us!!).

As I listened to the presentation and the questions about the proposed Act, I became pretty angry at our State of Ohio legislators who failed to act on this proposal earlier in the year - if they would have voted this down like they should have; this proposed Act would not be appearing on the ballot.  My guess is that they “chickened” out given the expected backlash of the unions next time our beloved legislators were up for reelection. 

When you look at the amount of government involvement in our businesses these days it is mind-boggling.  The costs of legislated paperwork, red tape and legal fees is astronomical and making business owners think twice about staying in Ohio and in some cases staying in business.  What a shame…

The lack of leadership in government at all levels, the buffoonery occurring in the Presidential election and political posturing keep on going while good businesses start getting hurt big time.  At some point, there is going to be a collective “we’re mad as hell and we aren’t going to take it anymore” for business leaders.  Our politicians better wake up, re-read the State and Federal constitution and get back to the basics of basic governance.

The latest round of stupidity called the Ohio Healthy Families Act is just another strain of a disease called poor leadership that is leaving an awful lot of people sick.

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If you are interested in learning more about the proposed Act, register for ERC’s September 23^rd program.  We also encourage you to check out http://www.ohiobusinessvotes.org/mandates08/home.htm

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC 

Look out Ohio…there appears to be a pretty good chance that the Ohio Health Families Act will be on the November ballot…this is the proposed state of Ohio law that would require businesses with at least 25 employees to earn 7 paid sick days per year.  Add the administrative burden underlying this proposed law and you have another dagger in the back of small and mid size businesses.

There is no doubt that some businesses still need to get on the “bus” relative to providing fair and consistent paid time off benefits for full and part-time employees.  But, this is no reason to punish the rest of the organizations out there who are providing meaningful, fair compensation, benefits and paid time off to their workforce. 

I am afraid that this proposed law is gaining momentum to be on the November Ballot and the “polls” indicate that if it does, there is a pretty good likelihood that it will pass.  This will be a sad day in Ohio.  Small and mid-size businesses are the backbone of our state’s economy.  Those voting “Yes” to the proposed law may think they will be winning the battle but will find out they lost the war and possibly their jobs.  Yep - this will hurt jobs and job creation.

We encourage you to educate your employees as we approach the November election - it is not too soon to start.

This is one Act we can afford to miss.

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC 

Last week the Ohio Primary was held for the Presidential candidates.  I have run into a great deal of people over the past week who thought it was pretty cool that we had an opportunity to vote for a person of color, a woman or a white man.  I believe this is pretty historic since our choices in the past were only white guys.

Not that color or gender should matter, but evidently it has in the past - in government and business too. Seems to me that our top leadership teams, in government or business, should reflect the demographics they serve.  Third world countries have been doing this for centuries.  Funny how the “world’s most powerful country” has finally gotten to the point where not only can women vote and people of color can sit anywhere on the “bus”, but they can actually run for President.  How cool.  To bad it took several hundred years to get to this point. Regardless of political persuasion, perhaps more Americans think the diversity of the candidates is a positive sign of good things to come. Perhaps this Presidential race might encourage some young person today to aspire to greater things in the future and recognize that in this nation of ours; most anything is now truly possible.

Gender and color seem to have a way of polarizing our country.  It’s a real shame.  I wonder what Third World countries think of us as we attempt to “spread” democracy around the globe.  If these countries judge us on equality and diverse thinking, we might be the ones classified as uncivilized. What ever happened to leading by example? 

100 years from now, my guess is that my kids’ children will be looking back judging us as pretty backward in our thinking.  I hope so, for their sake.

Written by Pat Perry
President, ERC 

This week I joined a few of my ERC associates for a “tour” of the MetroHealth System.  I was looking forward to the visit but did not really know the full extent of what I would see that day.

We could not have been welcomed any better as nearly 20 of their top executives, including their CEO, spent some time with us to kick off our morning.  We were provided a nice overview of MetroHealth’s history and the expansion of services, employees and infrastructure.

After we left their Board Room we began our tour with a visit to their Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. This stop was followed by a trip to their nationally acclaimed Metro Life Flight, Comprehensive Burn Care Center and MetroHealth Rehabilitation Institute of Ohio.  Over those nearly three hours of stops and presentations, I was emotionally drained and physically spent.  I had many mixed emotions during our stay but one consistent feeling persisted - the team at MetroHealth is passionate, caring and comprised of incredibly skilled professionals who give a darn about their patients, organization and most of all their community.

I walked away humbled and impressed with the strength of this organization’s talent base and endurance for helping others’ in need.  How cool.

I wish you all could have seen what I saw on our visit.  My counterparts at ERC agreed that our MetroHealth visit provided renewed perspective on many levels:

• Our region is blessed to have a strong healthcare talent base.  Beyond MetroHealth we have some of the top healthcare systems in the world…RIGHT HERE!
• The power of passion for one’s vocation can move mountains, but most of all change lives for the better,
• A tough day at the office is nothing compared to a normal day for a health care professional.  Thank goodness there are individuals who have the capacity to care coupled with the skill sets to heal.

The real heroes in this town don’t hit home runs, score touchdowns or dunk basketballs.  They touch the human spirit and body in ways we can only imagine.  They save lives, prolong the quality of life and give people hope.

When we need them, they are there.

Our visit to MetroHealth was a good dose of reality.  One that renewed my confidence that passion, talent and good news are alive and well in Northeast Ohio.