Advice for President Obama on Taking Advice

Max's advice for March 8, 2009

Dear President Obama,

Max grew up as the son of a man who knew 'ALL' the answers to the problems of the world. Max's father said so! Many times, his father let everyone know that anyone who didn't know that he had the answers was a turkey or a knucklehead.

The famous Ma Bell, the second most powerful force in the world (next to God of course), thought so much of Max's father's opinions, that she made him 'Supervisor of Troubles'. This is true!

The advice Max promised you, President Obama.

Take advice in the manner in which it was given!

Max is like most people, he thinks he knows what he is talking about. Truth be known, we sometimes get it right and sometimes get it wrong. All we can suggest is that we are led by someone who takes advice with a grain of salt.

Mr. President, every day the columnists, writers, commentators and others give their two cents worth. Some of their (our) suggestions are right on the money. Sometimes following this advice would break the proverbial bank.

Some of those who suggest things do so with malice that is visible for all to see. Others have bought into ideas that they refuse to give up in spite of the lack of relationship to the current problems.

Most make suggestions in the hope that you will see where they are seeing the problems. Some of these have merit now, some will have merit in the future and for some the merit is giving you a chance to see a different view point from your own.

There is wisdom in hearing the voices that call loudest and the voices that speak softly. Your presidency is wrapped up in hope. You defined it and now it will define you.

Even the nastiest sounding critics of your government have something that drives them to suggest things that they know you won't even consider. That is the reason that you should consider some of these things so that you understand what following their suggestions would mean.

Those who oppose taxing on a fair basis by treating income independent of source equally for payment rates are not all greedy. There are many who keep their resources tied up in true capital ventures and see this proposal as regressive in building the structure needed for new jobs.

Seeing the multiple views for the same action can allow those who believe in progressive government the option of building fair models of using taxes and spending to improve the society while protecting constructive concepts.

In the above model, that may mean taking an average tax rate on funds delivered to the taxpayer on investments related to dividends and capital gains taken out within a short time horizon, while deferring any payments on funds reinvested and held for a reasonably long period.

The many Americans vying for your ear could confuse you so much that you follow the road of past presidents and stop listening. Or their voices could inform you of the sentiment and feelings in those voices which can make you a better president.

Max wishes you well in all your choices.

Max writes about greenways, rare diseases, timely topics, places to eat, travel and other issues of interest. He encourages you to add your comments.

Link one is an article on how Dear Abby started.

Link two is to information on Ann Landers.

Link three is to the Cafferty file with its advice.