Malkin - Obama is a Racial Opportunist.

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Working the Booth

Many years of working trade shows has given me some basic insights that may help someone else. As always, if you would like assistance with training or even at the show, let me know.

1. Set Goals. What are you trying to accomplish? Do you just want to get the word out or do you want to collect contact information too? Are you selling a product or do you have samples to hand out? What is your best case scenario for success and can you measure the results?
   
2. Be Accessible. Be aware of your body language and stay open and positive. Remember to smile, breathe, keep your hands out of your pockets and keep your head up. Keep the booth environment open and friendly.
   
3. Offer Something for FREE. Samples, coupons, brochures, DVDs and any additional literature that will further your cause.
4. Pick Your Battles. No matter what type of show you are attending, there is always someone that walks past and want to argue. remember to be polite, but firm. Never get baited into a disagreement. You are creating a friendly, nonjudgmental place for people to learn about or purchase your goods and services.
   
5. Look the Part. People will judge you and your booth staffers by their appearance. Remember to match your attire to your audience. When in doubt, err to the side of conservatism.
   
6. Know Your Facts. Everyone in your booth needs to be knowledgeable about all the aspects of your products and services. The old adage does apply, knowledge is power.
7. Stand Tall. Sitting makes you less visible and makes you seem less dedicated to your presentation and product. Stand up so you look like you are interested in being at the event and that you want to talk to you booth visitors.
8. Treat Your Table Like a Store Front. Make your area beautiful and effective. The table should be neat, organized, focus and attractive.

Best of all, done correctly, this can be great fun!

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Health Care for Congressional Members

I want the same health care coverage that our elected officials receive. The average monthly premium is $308.

It is estimated that about 50 million Americans are uninsured or lack enough insurance. There is also information readily available that show 7 out of 10 people are in that boat. Now reflect back on your elected officials and think of how great that $308 average for some of the best health care benefits in the country could benefit your family.

The United States government is the largest -- 8 million federal employees -- employer sponsored health plan in the country and employees can select from a variety of plans. You may recall Obama commenting about how great his health coverage and that of the members of Congress are. The President also tells us that Congressional members who have good health coverage --please recall the average $308 per month -- should care more about the Americans who don't.

Now let's look at how long the members of Congress have to wait until they have health coverage. Yes, you might imagine that the coverage policy would be the same as what we, the average US citizen has. You know the drill 90-days -- or some 180-days -- and then you are in. Okay, maybe not in, but in with some pre-existing clauses and more.

Are you ready to be annoyed? Members of Congress are different than the rest of us. They are covered the instant they are sworn in. But wait, there's more! There are no waiting periods or bans on pre-existing medical conditions. They also get additional benefits that most people are not going to see including mental health, substance abuse and prescription drugs.

I know, I know! It is so amazing to be in politics! They get such a deal. But wait! There's even more! If these folks would like to fork over about $41.66 per month or $5oo per year, the Congressional folks are entitled to health services at a fully staffed clinic on-site at the Capitol and they can also check in for medical care at military hospitals too.

I am certain this is a challenge to come up with the $500 on top of the $308 (average) per month. The average salary of each senator as of 2009 is $174,000 the President pro tempore and party leaders receive $193,400. In addition to their salaries, senators' retirement and health benefits are identical to other federal employees, and are fully vested after five years of service.

President Obama's health care reform bill would, in theory, give consumers (you and me) some, but not all, of the same benefits as members of Congress and their families get. No wonder some of them are bucking the trend so fiercely.


Links to Educate or Annoy:
Federal Government Insurance Programs

Congressional Health Benefits
http://wire.factcheck.org/
Great looking image is from http://www.oldamericancentury.org/promos/healthcare_2.jpg

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Health Care

Our national health care policy: Don't get sick.

Health care:

• Insurance costs are too high
  
• The number of uninsured people in the US is unacceptable
  

Thank you to Michele Bachmann and and Virginia Foxx for sharing you insights on health coverage.

Yes, Virginia, there are people who need health coverage and don't get it on day one of their job. Here's your statement, which I want to thank you for.

Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) disputes President Obama’s claim that 47 million Americans lack health care. “There are no Americans who don’t have healthcare. Everybody in this country has access to healthcare,” she says. “We do have about 7.5 million Americans who want to purchase health insurance who can not afford it,” she says, urging Congress to adopt a new plan for healthcare reform that wouldn’t “destroy what is good about healthcare in this country” and “give the government control of our lives.”

Care to hear it directly from Virginia Foxx? Here's the audio:


Virginia, would you share your contact information -- home would be best -- so I can be certain these Americans that can't afford coverage have a way to contact you directly?

In case you have forgotten what President Bush 2 shared in July 2007, here's a quick reminder about how all Americans have health coverage, “people have access to health care in America. After all, you just go to an emergency room.” Thank you, W, do you hear that folks? The emergency room is open for business.

Lest we forget my representative, here is her take from the press conference. “The Democrat way is not reforming healthcare, it’s destroying it,” announced Rep. Michele Bachmann (R-MN).


Don't Take My Word for It:
Fact Check
GOP Women Against Obama Care
Virginia Foxx in the News
Michele Bachmann in the News Sphere: Related Content

Subway Car Reef - FAILURE

Creating a reef from subway cars

What should we think about here? Of yes, how this is not really all that environmentally sound. Looks good on paper, but in reality, not so hot. I first mentioned this in December 2007 and it was interesting enough that CSI:NY had a story line revolving around the new "reefs" in one of their shows -- not that it really impacts anything, just interesting.

We do like to dump our excess into the ocean. From the past is prologue section, 1972 vintage, let's revisit old tires into the coral reefs around Florida. Yes, that worked out.

How about trash barge of 1987 floating around with nowhere to go?

What about Dead Zones in the Gulf of Mexico?

Have you seen the Great Pacific Garbage Patch? A floating island of our discards.

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Largest Skinny-Dip Across North America

As part of Nude Recreation Week, the AANR Largest Skinny-Dip Across North America is slated for 11 July 2009 at 2:00 P.M. Central Time, or 3:00 PM "Eastern Nudist Time."

Haven't heard about the AANR? Well, it is the American Association for Nude Recreation. They are attempting to create a Guinness World Record for the largest number of people simultaneously skinny-dipping.

Participants must conform with the rules, which state, “All participants to be counted must be completely nude during the skinny-dip.” The AANR says that first-time skinny-dippers will be welcome, and shyness can be accommodated.

If you’re interested in finding a place to participate, go to the AANR Web site at the Skinny Dip. If you decide to skinny dip in your own location, remember that to count for Guinness requirements, the attempt must be witnessed by a designated member of the local community. Anyone care to volunteer?

Those who have a Facebook account can join the community and network with other skinny-dippers by logging in and searching for: AANR-World Record Skinny Dip.

We're shooting for a big, big number and we need your help. So mark your calendars and spread the word. For more information, call the AANR office at 800/TRY-NUDE.

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Bullwinkle Assassinated

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Michele Bachmann on the Census

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Sarah Palin Resigns as Governor of Alaska

Could it be? Is she planning a run at the White House? She did just recently challenge Obama to a footrace. Is that what they call a Presidential bid in Alaska?


I haven't found anything yet that explains why she is making this unexpected -- at least at this moment -- announcement. It does seem like a prime opportunity for her to make a bid for the 2012 Republican Presidential nomination. She will step down July 26.


Spokesman Dave Murrow says Lt. Gov. Sean Parnell will be inaugurated at the governor's picnic in Fairbanks at the end of the month. Parnell will replace Palin who was elected in 2006 on a populist platform. Her popularity has waned since she began waging partisan politics following her return from the McCain presidential campaign.

This will be great fodder for the late night comedians, reporters and bloggers.

Here's a great link to a well written and witty post about this. Daily Kos.


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Bachmann Postcards for the 4th

Michele Bachmann, ya gotta love her.

Here is you gift for Independence Day, and not the Will Smith variety. Please take a moment to head over to Draft Michele Bachmann and find a suitable card to share with folks that might appreciate her brand of politics.

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RIP - Gale Storm and Karl Malden

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