if you are worried about your job, or have lost a job...How to Handle Unexpected Change is the point of "Better Times Ahead April Fool" -

I just got a blistering criticism on private message on Facebook about my book. The person, who has been highly successful, thought I whined too much and focused on my career implosion and on and on.

The point I was trying to make when I described all the disasters that I encountered was not to bitch. The point was the discovery I made that we have to keep RE-INVENTING OURSELVES when things don't work out. All the time.

Yes, I whined because it was written when I was like those folks in Louisiana, all washed up on a dry spot with nothing but my body and brain to my name. Like you, I've been cheated and lied to.

But my point wasn't that, it was about getting past it, not being trapped in negative feelings or by negative people. I wanted to show if I could survive the crap I went through (including a trip to Syria for a Texas mom), then maybe people today going through hard times would realize it could be worse - and its survivable. It can lead to remarkable new things.

Partnerships don't always last. Jobs don't last. Marriages don't work out. It does close a chapter. But then you have to open a new one and it won't be the same, look the same. If I was still a farmer in Iowa, I would truly have failed to see a much bigger world.

I went literally from living on a farm to flying the world (even twice on the supersonic Concorde) in a 10 year span, to getting laid off like people are today, and losing it all, like people are today (Louisiana being but one example).

In the end, if you are still alive, losing THINGS doesn't matter. What you do to turn it around does.

The book says it. I finally realized I could not wait on someone giving me a job. I had to create one. And not just one. In my late 50's I founded a company that was asked this year to help NASA, as it helps ordinary people. It didn't just happen.

So, if you are worried about your job, or have lost a job, that's the point of "Better Times Ahead April Fool" - Things go up and down, but you re-invent. Learn from it. And keep going! Get new training, start a new business. Find a better job. Move to a new city that needs your skills.

We have to do the same thing as a country as well. Change is a constant in life...That is another discovery I made in my global Alice in Wonderland experiences....

http://www.BetterTimesAheadAprillFool.com/

What the MAD Voters for Trump and GOP Miss - They are Voting for the same Folks Who Sold Them Out

I get it that the Trump and Bernie voters are MAD about their stagnant wages and less-than-wonderful job prospects for unskilled work and that they aren’t getting the high skilled work going to China and India (or Chinese and Indian workers on H2 visas here.)

The problem is that they are taking it out on the WRONG people. Voting for the same people who sold you out isn't a solution.

For 7 years the very same GOP the majority they have been voting for has voted down increases to the minimum wage, voted DOWN any infrastructure projects to rebuild America's 70 year old falling-apart systems, they voted DOWN EVERYTHING that would generate jobs. They didn’t want the president getting credit for creating jobs and hoped to get elected by keeping things bad. 

So if you are voting for Trump because you are mad at this President, boy, you have been fooled not just once, but you are into serious foolish territory (can I offer you a "deal" on a bridge in Brooklyn?) The GOP sabotage of the economy didn’t hurt Congress reps making $185,000 a year (who show up only 111 days a year) to give it all to the 1% in tax benefits. It hurt the 99%. 

And THAT is why you are not happy! Not because of Obama, but because of the Republican extremism that put their political power over your economic well being. Chew on that for awhile, because its the truth.

If you want higher wages, more education for skills and replacement of ancient pipes and crumbling bridges and roads that would create millions of jobs, and a better future for your kids, then vote Democratic.  FLIP Congress to “D” with a "D" president with the global expertise to deal with future crisis -- and then we can address what people are mad about. 

Don't kid yourself, Trump and this GOP will continue to favor the 1% and their lobbyists buying their seats.  That is not a choice that helps anyone except those who are reading this over wine and cheese in a private jet while taking money to offshore tax havens…."Agenda" below describes how this occurred over the last 30 years.

Here is some real factual history to ponder as you vote this year for Congress and President…it’s called “Agenda for American Greatness.” No, it has nothing to do with Mr. Trump's plan to make himself great again. 

First part: HOW you got sold out. Second Part: How to be No. 1 again. Agenda for American Greatness - Update 2016
Michael Fjetland, Author
Better Times Ahead April Fool

Opposing trade agreements -- and not having them -- actually COSTS JOBS

America hardly has any tariffs (except on sugar which is stupid because other countries can produce it cheaper than we can, so your sweet tooth gets to pay more as a result.)


Trade agreements get other countries to CUT their tariffs (basically it is a tax on our products) that they impose on our products which are (made in the USA and) imported into their countries. That cuts our costs and makes our goods more affordable.  

It takes a trade agreement to get other nation's tariffs REDUCED. Cutting their tax on our products makes ours more competitive with their local companies.

I know because I have worked it personally in over 50 countries, as a legal negotiator (as documented in "Better Times Ahead April Fool").

Opposing trade agreements -- and not having them -- actually COSTS JOBS if you read the examples in my blog entry at this link.

More exports means more American jobs - every $1 billion creates 5,000 jobs!