05/8/17

Sanctuary Cities and Texas

Sanctuary cities, Big Red Car? Pray tell?

OK, so the People’s Republic of Austin (really Travis County) has a Sheriff — Sanctuary Sally Hernandez — who took it upon herself to decide which laws and what level of cooperation with ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement) she thought, in her opinion, was advisable. Criminals were being assisted in avoiding capture and deportation because she didn’t like the idea.

She got cover for this nonsense from the County Attorney, David Escamilla. He’s a good guy, but way out of his depth and lacking judgment. This decision resulted in the loss of millions of dollars of state aid for Travis County which hurt veterans programs. You know The Boss is not going to like messing with veterans, right?

County Attorney Escamilla and Sheriff Sanctuary Sally had no right to inject their vanity into veterans benefits. Shame on them.

Copy of Jeff Minch June 13 2007 005

Texas Capitol, where they make the laws in the great State of Tejas.

I know, you think a Sheriff should enforce all the laws, right? Silly goose!

So, what happened?

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05/7/17

Risk and the Slavery of Fear

Big Red Car here, y’all, talking risk, fear, slavery and other deep stuff.

So, entrepreneurial endeavor is a risky business by its very definition, no?

When an entrepreneur faces risk, she will generate some resultant fear. Perfectly normal. Sorry.

That fear is pervasive. Never takes a vacation and lives in her brain like an African safari worm.

So, what does one do, Big Red Car?

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05/6/17

Big Red Rules — 2017 I Edition — Debutantes and Values

Debutantes and values? Huh?

Big Red Car here on another glorious ATX, on Earth as it is in Texas, morning. Little late getting to the computer this morning.

Back in the day, I used to send y’all some Big Red Rules — rules for regulating your life and view of the world. When we blew through Big Red Rules X (twice as I recall), we shelved the project. Recently, I’ve gotten a lot of heat for some new rules and a redux of the old ones. So, here goes.

Today we review Values and Debutantes. An oldie and a new goodie. Enjoy.

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05/5/17

Repeal & Replace — TAXES

Repeal & Replace taxes, Big Red Car?

Big Red Car here on a spectacular Texas morning in May, the kind of day which fuels your passions and diminishes your troubles. On Earth as it is in Texas! Alternatively: Make America Texas Again? [Doing some A/B testing is the Big Red Car?]

So, the Republicans and their Trumpeteer were in the Rose Garden at the White House for a self-congratulatory orgy post the Repeal & Replace of Obamacare.

Trump and Ryan

“Paulie Boy, you did it.” “Thank you, Mr. President. It’s a crappy plan, but it’s the best I could get these crazy Republicans to vote for. Nancy Pelosi said ‘HI.'”

Some, like me, will say it’s a tad premature what with those balky chaps over at the Senate. I have other complaints but they will wait. Today we talk Repeal & Replace TAXES.

Yes, dear reader, our “healthcare” monstrosity was really a tax bill in disguise and those clever Republicans smoked it out.

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05/4/17

US Budget and Other Bedtime Fables

The US budget, Big Red Car? Couldn’t you come up with anything more boring?

Big Red Car here on a perfectly delightful Texas day — convertible weather, y’all.

So, today, we chat about the US budget. [Boring, Big Red Car. Can we talk about … anything … else? No, dear reader, please be quiet and eat your vegetables. Act like an adult.]

This week the Congress passed a CR (continuing resolution) to fund the government through the end of September when the government’s fiscal year ends. It was a piece o’ crap, but that is not the story today. The story is what is a continuing resolution?

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04/30/17

Values & Skin In The Game

Do you embrace values which require you to have skin in the game? Or are they and you all talk?

Big Red Car here using The Boss’s computer while he’s at church. The Boss needs to spend more time at church. Needs a good sermon.

So, I get on the issue of values with that cute Mercedes convertible who lives over on Gaston Avenue. We’ll talk sometimes and sip some 10W40.

whiteMBconvertible

Big Red Car’s “friend” over on Gaston. They like to sip some 10W40 on weekends when The Boss is distracted. Nice set of headlights?

She’s hot on the subject of values and I ask her, “What about values?”

“Don’t get me started,” she says and burps. The 10W40 is good, but she has a little indigestion. She’s still cute.

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04/26/17

Leadership Style — CEO Shop Talk

Leadership style or cattle today? Hmmm, which one?

Big Red Car here on one of those Texas days that makes you want to get on a horse and herd cattle up the trail, cross the Red River into the Indian Territory, and kick up your heels at a dance hall in Abilene, Kansas.

IMG_1658

Listen, Big Red Car, I am not going to Abilene, Kansas. I like it right here. Go away, Big Red Car. Notice the lovely earrings. Cattle are controlled by numbers and they are assets on the hoof.

Maybe not.

OK, so I wrote a blog post a while ago about finding your “authentic” leadership style. I was talking to some CEOs (me, the Big Red Car, not that other guy, The Boss) and we got on the subject of leadership style. Everybody got hung up on the word “authentic.” Haha, it was funny.

Finding Your Authentic Leadership Style <<< read this

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