Senator Bernie Sanders Fights for Working People

“Enough is enough.”

Collected and focused in his anger, Senator Bernie Sanders (video) challenged President Obama to stand up for working people and the middle.  Sanders fears that the President will again negotiate in a way that givens in to anti-worker policies that favor those who have the most, corporations and the wealthy.  Even so, he wasn’t just speaking to the President.  He also asked Americans who support what he is saying to go to his website and sign a letter that will be sent to the White House.

Senator Sanders – an Independent – is one of the few people in Washington who talks about the economy in terms of real people, not politics.  Where many calculate how a message will poll, Bernie tells stories of real people who are suffering.  He knows when to work with opponents and when to stand firm.  Our President could learn a lesson from this wise, principled man.

Stand with Senator Sanders and sign his letter.

“Enough is Enough.”

A Good Farmer and a Bad Governor

Last Saturday, a Wisconsin farmer named Tony Schultz spoke up for working people in his state.  I don’t know anything about Mr. Schultz’s background, but he can speak intelligently and with passion.  I urge you to watch this video.

Is there a governor worse than Scott Walker?  Yes, he’s in Michigan, and his name is Rick Sndyer.  Governor Snyder recently passed a law that would let him take over cities that are in financial trouble.  Now he wants to cut corporate property takes by 86%.  How will he pay for this?  By raising the taxes on the working poor and cutting school funding, which will cripple the state’s future workforce.  Scott Walker is a clown.  Rick Snyder is evil.  Tony Schultz?  His speech says it all

The 3 L’s: Life Long Learning

As 2009 draws to a close, this time of year is not only a good time to brush up your resume (see yesterday’s post), it is also the time to ask yourself this question: What do I need to learn to push my career forward?

Too often we think big, and tell ourselves that we need a graduate degree.  This kind of thinking often becomes an excuse to do nothing.  Instead, think about areas where your skills need to improve and consider pursuing a certificate or even just taking a class.  Most universities and colleges now offer courses directed toward professionals.  Some of those courses are available online.

What if you don’t have time or can’t afford to take a class?  Read a book or make a habit of reading material that is related to your career.  This information is often available online at no cost.  Over the past few months, I’ve used the Chicago Public Library’s digital collection to download and read books on how to change behaviors, how to improve interviewing skills, and how to make better presentations.  Experts in every field are blogging on every conceivable topic. Others have posted videos on YouTube.  Still more answer questions on LinkedIn.  These are all resources for learning.

If you don’t know what you should be learning, talk to your boss if you are currently employed.  In most cases, your supervisor should be happy to tell you what you need to learn.  If you are unemployed, turn to your best resource – your network.  The first place you should look to is your references.  These people know your professional skills best and are positioned to tell you where you need to improve.  After that, look to people you have worked with recently.  Tell them that you want their honest opinion about what skills you need to improve.

Whether you are pursuing an MBA or just trying to improve yours skills with Excel, make an effort to keep learning.  Good professionals – like good athletes – are always developing their skills.  The beginning of a year is a good time to rededicate ourselves to life long learning.  Take a class. . .  open a book. . . search the net. . . stay curious.