The sports and Hollywood worlds have been vocal in the support of Griner. I'm wondering why the Marines are so silent. Certainly, there are Hollwood and Sport types that support Marines. Where are all the current and veteran Marines? Why are you not protesting or calling your political representatives? Certainly, there are more veteran Marines than Sports and Hollywood figures.
As Thanksgiving approaches...
A wise man once said "Don’t ever mistake my silence for ignorance, my calmness for acceptance or my kindness for weakness. Compassion and tolerance are not a sign of weakness, but a sign of strength. – Dalai Lama
Other quotes about Kindness...
https://sayingimages.com/dont-take-my-kindness-for-weakness-quotes/
As an Independent I don't want Trump or Biden or Shumer or Pelosi or McConnell. We need a new perspective of political leaders (Including some Senators and House Reps) that are focused on the United States and the people who live here as a free democratic society.
We need open discussions and debates and let the best person win. Put a new a new sign on your lawn that says
According to various groups that measure the amount spent on political ads it will be range between 9 to 10 BILLION dollars for 2022. I believe going forward both the Republicans and Democrats should agree to spend the money on the various issues they are campaigning for in order to help the people they claim to want to help.
Cancel all political phone, social media, mail, television and radio ads. No one can stand them, most of what they say are lies and half-truths. We should have debates, town halls, and discussions so people can see and hear what each candidate has to say.
What is the minimum amount for Social Security?
In 2022, the special minimum benefit for a worker with 30
years of work history who waits until full retirement age (FRA) to
claim benefits is $950.80. When qualifying for the special minimum, you cannot
increase your primary insurance amount by waiting past full retirement age. You
will not accrue any delayed retirement credits.
However, starting your benefits early will still reduce your
monthly payment. The same worker with 30 years of work history
will have his benefit reduced to $665.56 if he starts his/her benefits early at
age 62.
This got me to thinking about the debate to raise the minimum
wage to $15.00 an hour. Currently it stands at $7.25 an hour but many states
have amounts that are between these two figures.
Regardless of the amount I wondered what the minimum
hourly rate versus the minimum hourly rate for social security would
look like annualized.
Social Security 950.80 X 12 months = $11,49.60
Social Security 665.56 X 12 months = $ 7,986.72
Minimum Wage 7.25 X 40 hours = 290 a week X 52 = $15,080
Minimum Wage 15.00 X 40 hours = 600 a week X52 - $31,200
https://www.census.gov/library/publications/2021/demo/p60-273.html
Poverty
by age group in 2020
The
Center on Poverty and Social Policy at Columbia University estimates that 8
million Americans slipped into poverty during the coronavirus pandemic.
Poverty
rates for adults over the age of 65 were the most unchanged across age
demographics. This is likely due to the number of people in this demographic
who rely on retirement income and Social Security instead of wages.
The monthly poverty rate for children increased from 18.7% to 20.4%.
Some were more fortunate than others but, in the end, common
sense, fairness and the respect of one’s fellow man was the foundation by which
to judge others and accept that interdependencies among individuals is what is
most needed. This involves debating, understanding another’s point of view and trying
to live in their shoes before rushing to judge others or at least respect them
for their point of view even if it is different than my own.
Years later while attending college and later when teaching
college in Michigan I was again faced with many students with different
backgrounds and beliefs. One of the most interesting was Labor vs. Management. It
became very apparent when teaching a Labor Relations Class. I was fortunate in
my career to serve both sides of the fence as a Union worker and later as a management
employee.
The class was always lively, but I demanded respect for
debating and to respect each person’s point of view. Nothing could be learned
if no one would at least listen to each other’s side of the story. Besides, if
you walked out or became unruly you received a failing grade. I did not expect
to have many change their point of view, but I believed college was a place to
openly express one’s free speech.
This is no longer true with so many divisions facing our
country today and the cancelling of each other when one does not agree with the
another’s point of view. This was sadly portrayed at the University of Michigan
this week when a number of future medical professionals (White Coats) walked
out of a ceremony because they did not agree with the Keynote Speakers point of
view. Hey, I don’t like the name “White Coats” I demand they change the name
because it’s racist in nature (Ridiculous).
This is troubling to me because are these people not going to treat or provide care if someone does not agree with their point of view. We are living in a dangerous time when the rights of free speech are under attack without anyone or institution having the guts to protect one’s right to their opinion.
We are witnessing the Demise of American Free Speech and Thought. I would have given those who walked out a failing grade.
The ad specifies Mr. Johnson as a Quality Guru. Mr. Johnson is best known for his work on the ISO 9000 Standards.
In 1994, I read his initial book on ISO 9000: Meeting the International Standards. I actually was certified as an ISO 9000 auditor back in the day of the 1980s and 1990s when I was certified in just about every Quality System that was known. I have written on this subject over the years and many posts are included in this Blog. http://qualityg.blogspot.com/search?q=iso+9000.
I will watch Mr. Johnson's candidacy with interest. I take the meaning (Title) of Quality Guru very seriously and it is usually bestowed upon someone who is a legend in their field and the title given by others.
https://www.bizmanualz.com/improve-quality/who-are-the-top-quality-gurus.html
https://www.encyclopedia.com/management/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/quality-gurus
I could supply list after list and the same names will appear as being known as a true Quality Guru. Interestingly, I have read, witnessed and studied every name on these lists, and I have never once seen or heard any of them call themselves a Guru. In fact, most were very humble.
The only name I would add that is not on many lists is Dr. Russel. Ackoff. https://management.curiouscat.net/articles/955-Interview-of-and-by-Dr-Ackoff-and-Dr-Deming
Sorry - I do not see Mr. Johnson's name on any of the lists.
Updated March 16, 2022
https://www.theballengerreport.com/whos-ahead-whos-a-flop-mirs-michigan-poll-tells-all/
Updated June 12, 2022, Quality 101 - Preventive Maintenance (PM)
It seems preventive maintenance (PM) was not part of Perry Johnson's campaign strategy. Basically, a sound "Quality" PM system must take in to account every step of the planning process from beginning to end to make sure all interdependent pasts are controlled and identified for possible problems or breakdowns.
A Republican candidate for Michigan governor lost a bid to get on the Aug. 2 primary ballot Wednesday in the first key court decision since election officials found campaign petitions rife with fraudulent signatures.
Updated July 23, 2022 - Now What?
Perry Johnson is undecided about continuing as a write-in candidate after the courts refuse to let his name on the ballot. Wow! What a "Process" Breakdown. A "Systemic" Nightmare for a quality professional.
Now What? - PUNT.... this game is over.
I received the below write-up (The Death of Healthcare) from a friend of mine in Florida concerning healthcare. The unfortunate problem here is that it is in every industry today. You' can't blame the pandemic, it was bad before but now it is worse.
For example, I have spent weeks trying to get Home Depot to return calls (voice mails) and speak to a "person" to fix an installment project ($11,000). I have had to call the original salesperson and installer to get information that should come from the office of customer relations/installations that is in charge of ordering, monitoring and setting up follow-up appointments. Instead, I have to take the lead and do all the calls. When I do speak to the people who I do eventually make contact with they are apologetic and nice, but they are not in control of making changes.
I must say they have responded accordingly after my many inquiries and broken promises to call me back but still it should not happen in the first place. One of the original installers went the extra mile and personally looked into the situation and called me back with details and dates for the parts and installation. She promised to call when the parts arrive and will personally drive out and fix the unit. I sent an Email to her boss praising her efforts and customer retention skills.
What is amazing to me is that corporate managers/leaders do not see the crisis of customer relations ruining so many relationships. How many times to you get excited when you can find a plumber, electrician or contractor that actually does their job and treat you like a person and keeps you informed and communicates in a friendly timely manner. These types of workers can name their price, and everyone wants their name. It is no different for every business today regardless of industry. You want to destroy the competition then go back to quality customer/supplier relationships.
The Death of Healthcare
BY: DIANE LOTT, RN, BSN, BROKER
My subject this week is not going to be as a Broker concerning real estate but as a former registered nurse working in hospitals, and as a nursing educator for 35 years. Although I have not been in the trenches for some time, I am a consumer of healthcare along with every other American. I can’t exactly put my finger on when healthcare turned from a compassionate “calling” to ease suffering into a big callous business that treats the people it's supposed to serve with utter disdain and indifference. This didn’t just begin. This has been a slow, insidious process that is multifaceted. It appears to have started when physicians sold their practices to managed care businesses, private hospitals sold out to conglomerates who treat their employees horribly which in turn created an apathetic staff and insurance companies began refusing care based on billing the wrong “codes”.
First, the advent of “electronic medical records” took the caregiver’s attention to a computer keyboard and screen instead of the patient. This was supposed to be beneficial to the patient by keeping records online for information sharing from doctor to doctor or hospital to hospital. The problem that occurred is that not all hospitals, doctors or caregivers use the same computer software system. Information sharing is limited to the computer program that a particular hospital system uses. So, a patient can be seen in 2 different hospitals and neither hospital can access the others information. This puts the patient back to square one with providing a historical synopsis of care and results to their caregivers.
Secondly, the more frequent use of “virtual” visits with our health professionals reduces the more personal aspects of a person’s care to the same plane as “Facetiming” your mechanic. It has become extremely impersonal and the whole time that your doctor is talking to you, all you see is the side of his/her face as they type. The patient is supposed to take their own weight, blood pressure and pulse and report what they got to the nurse that calls 5 minutes before the doctor.
Thirdly, if you happen to win the lotto and get into an actual office while you have a problem that isn’t just a “maintenance visit”, the chances that you will see your doctor are slim to none. Most likely, the person you see is a Nurse Practitioner (NP) or a “paraprofessional”, namely a Physician’s/Medical Assistant. Now, I don’t have anything against either one of them. My husband happens to be a Nurse Practitioner, but I don’t want to see someone on the “second team”. I would like to be taken care of by someone that has attended medical school, residency, and possibly performed an internship, namely a doctor. Good luck with that one, though.
Now on to the next item on why there is a “decline of
healthcare”. The patient has been
removed so far from their own health professional by numerous layers.
They must call a “call center” now instead of their personal doctor’s office. Chances are that this will take numerous attempts before they get a human on the line and they were successful in maneuvering the phone system after hearing the prompts; press “1” for this, or press “2” for that. Hopefully there are family members willing and able to help the older patient with the basics of even making an appointment in the first place. If a mistake or change must be made, then the process has got to be undertaken all over again. Gone are the days that you could call your doctor and hear an old familiar voice that recognized who you are and would accommodate you without much ado.
Lastly, the care received in hospitals these days is bordering on being criminal. From apathetic staff, nurses, and “hospitalists” (don’t even get me started on this) who don’t know who you are, your history, medications, family, or anything else about you. It’s sad to hear that people in our very own communities would rather die at home than go to the local hospital to be “shelved” in a hallway, or room like a can of peas; receive no daily hygiene care (offered a bath, linen, or water); place their call light on for hours without it being answered and request that family members bring them Tylenol on their next visit. My own family members have received other patients’ medications but didn’t take them because they had enough sense to ask questions, refuse treatments or tests that they knew were only to “pad” the bill. There is a “Patient Bill of Rights” …. ask for it upon admission and make sure that you have a surrogate. Informed consent means that they need to explain the procedure in full detail; the good, bad and ugly. Don’t just go with the suggestion it is needed, ASK QUESTIONS!!!
Diane Lott, RN, BSN
Paradise Found Realty, Broker
Here is another article that also brings attention to the Demise of American Management.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/doctor-made-cry-summed-everything-120051998.html
For many years I have been an avid reader and researcher of History. Most recently I have concentrated on the early formation of the United States and in particular the Founding Fathers.
https://www.biography.com/people/groups/founding-fathers
https://www.history.com/topics/american-revolution/founding-fathers-united-states#section_10
I recently had a conversation with some friends, and we debated who do we think is the greatest American in history. One can debate what means the greatest. Is it the greatest scientist, composer, writer or athlete? You can go on and on and select so many deserving individuals.
The person I believe who is the greatest is the one who contributed the most to us being an American and the creation of the United States. I won't go in to all the qualities, failures and attributes this person brought to all of us, but I would rather concentrate on one fact that I believe this person had that separates him from all others. It was his ability to know when he was wrong (Wisdom) and correct his faults and become a better person. He also had the insight of being one of the few people in the world at the time that understood what it was to be an American to the British and French as well as being a pseudo citizen of the European nations to the Americans.
Without his efforts to bring the France in to the battle against Britain (especially at Yorktown) and his knowledge of science, diplomacy, the written word and human emotions our country would not have been created or established as a free democracy.
Perhaps his greatest foresight was his realization that slavery was wrong. Being a slave owner and later understanding how wrong he had been led him the be one of the first and most prominent abolitionists who created his wrongs by establishing schools for blacks among many other activities.
This person spent his last years in life trying to convince congress of the evils of slavery and that it should be abolished. None of the other Founding Fathers would take this stand and support his efforts. Please don't confuse the fact that I'm saying he was the greatest person, but I'm saying he was the most influential in us becoming Americans in the eyes of the world.
Whitmer, who campaigned in 2018 on a promise to "fix the damn roads," told the state roads agency Wednesday to pull out all stops to quickly address Michigan's pothole problem.
"We're kicking this into overdrive," said Whitmer, who faces reelection in November 2022.
Every year the local news and newspapers call this the "worst" year ever. https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/02/24/potholes-michigan-road-repairs/6908072001/
For my last two Lease cars I took out additional tire insurance (Michigan's auto insurance is one of the most expensive in the country) just to cover any major expenses. https://www.insurancebusinessmag.com/us/news/breaking-news/what-are-the-most-expensive-states-for-auto-insurance-321779.aspx
In England, they drive on the opposite side of the road (Left) than we do in the states. In Michigan, we drive in any lane we can find a smooth path!
Updated - 3/12/22 - I bet your state doesn't have one of these services!!
https://www.michigan.gov/mdot/0,4616,7-151-9615_30883-351170--,00.html
And I bet your state isn't number one in this category - https://www.wxyz.com/getting-around-metro-detroit/potholes-place-michigan-roads-as-the-worst-across-the-country-twitter-data-shows
Over the past week I have experienced two types of customer processes that each in its own right was as equally bad as the other was good.
My computer concern was that was I was hijacked from a
website and that information was being taken from my PC or passed back to a
third party through the internet.
Being a retired Quality and Process Improvement person for
over 45 years I am always critical and very praiseful when I see good and bad
processes.
What follows is the Email that I sent to a Dell Technician’s Supervisor after spending over seven hours on the phone with four different
reps. Names are changes to initials…
I would like to commend G.G. for excellent customer Service. I spent over SEVEN hours on the phone with FOUR different Dell Reps before my problem hopefully is now resolved.
The first rep J.W. took information (Suspicious Pop-Up on Google Chrome) from me and I sent him a screen shot of my problem while on hold. After a half hour of waiting for him to get back to me the phone was disconnected. I sent him an Email and he responded the problem was on his end and he would get back to me. I waited over an hour and sent 2 emails asking for response/status - Nothing happened, and he did not respond.
I called back and got N.M. who spent 3-4 hours on the phone trying to fix the problem. N.M. took remote access and uninstalled and reloaded Chrome which we thought fixed the problem. She then said I had updates that needed to be done (Windows and Dell). While she ran these updates a number of problems (Waiting hours to finish) and restarts began to happen. She had me restart using F2 Key and other problems started. a BIT LOCK Recovery screen showed up and then I had no idea what to do and the laptop kept shutting down. Our phone connection was disconnected, and I waited for a call back which never came.
I again called back and talked to a gentleman (Never did get his name). I was very frustrated and asked him to contact N.M. that I needed help. He said he chatted with her, and she was now on another call with a customer (UNBELIEVABLELY Frustrated now). He said she could call me back later but did not know when. He started to help and after 15 minutes later we are disconnected. NO CALL BACK AGAIN (Even though he had my number).
I called again and got G.G. She assured me (like the others) she would help me. We spent several hours going through the problems and trying to get a 46-digit BIT Lock Recovery Code from Microsoft using my cell phone. Once this was done, she was able to see the Pop-up (It returned). She determined it was a google map “extension” and removed it promptly. She then went through the PC with me (Remote Access). We waited a long time for the PC to recover and make sure the Bit Lock Recovery was fixed (I hope). My PC is now doing another update as I write, and she said this would take a long time (I hope all goes well).
I wanted you to know I am a Senior Citizen, and
the Dell Reps were patient (Especially G.G. and N.M. before she dropped me).
I am a retired Quality and Customer Service National Director from a major communications company and former adjunct instructor of business for Central Michigan University.
I wanted to take the time to commend GG for a job well done. Somewhere in your process there were numerous breakdowns which has caused me grief and an uncomfortable feeling that my PC is still compromised.
It has been 4 days since I sent the Email, and I was expecting a response from the Dell supervisor – Nothing as of yet.
Dr. Deming and other quality and process gurus would be disappointed.
Update February 14th,
I received an Email from a Dell Supervisor today expressing his apologies for himself his people and his company for the way my call was handled over two weeks ago. In addition, he said my case would be used to enhance their training process. I responded promptly thanking him for his response.
Second Process -
The Doctor was kind and brief and explained I needed new lens in both of my eyes and that I would see great again. After he left, I saw another technician and then a scheduler who went over all of the procedures and medical information. She also set up all of my visits for surgery and post-checks.
Today, I had my first surgery at a different location and again the process was smooth, timely and very professional. As soon as I entered the surgery room, I was met by two nurses who set me up for surgery and explained the process. Next a Medical Doctor came over to check my health and vitals. Then the Nurse Anesthetist set me up and the next thing I knew I was in recovery and put in a wheelchair and my wife pulled the car around and I was on my way home.
I have a follow-up appointment tomorrow and back in 2 weeks for my other new lens. OMS has already followed-up with me today to make sure I was all right.
Time and Motion experts - Frank B. and Lillian M. Gilbreth would be proud!
When I first pulled in to the two
different locations parking lots, they were extremely busy, and it looked like
it was going to be a mess. Instead, they operate like and Beehive and Ant Hill
with structured and the good type of chaos that every company should strive for
if they want excellent customer service and most importantly returning customers’
that tell other people of their experiences (Both good and Bad).
I created this Quote back in the early 1980s. One cannot be a Leader without both expressions working together not apart. Political Leaders especially must lead in this manner for the benefit of all.
This is our beautiful dog, Bailey, aka Pupadupolous. We have had this good girl since she was four weeks old. She was abandoned by her mother and we rescued her from a Doberman second chance rescue. From day one she has been the sweetest and most obedient pet a family could ask for. From Gina, Harold, Erica, Morgan & Monica.
