Steve Hoffacker's Sales Quips

These are exciting times. Washington - DC and George - are at the center of this. Washington, DC, the establishment - the tired, bloated, indifferent, wornout, spendthrift, gluttonous government - is so out-of-step with the people, the Founding Principles, and the Constitution that the other Washington (George) is playing host to the signing today of the "Mt. Vernon Statement."

Liberals and progressives have been deriding conservatives for not having any solid ideas or leadership. Look again.

There are many solid principles in this brief document - patterned in size and format after the Declaration of Independence.

I like one provision in particular that all of us in the Active Rain community should embrace: "It encourages free enterprise, the individual entrepreneur, and economic reforms grounded in market solutions."

Now we are getting someplace.

This is change in the right direction.

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For more information on my coaching and educational programs and services, visit my website stevehoffacker.com or go to my other blog homesalesinsights.com for additional sales tips, insights, and commentary. You can also listen to my free podcast messages at Steve Hoffacker's Happenings.

© Steve Hoffacker, 2010. All Rights Reserved.

As Realtors, salespeople, home builders, and small business owners, we tend to manage our own little worlds and not pay a lot of attention to what is going on in Washington. That needs to stop.

If we don't start making a huge fuss - and a very vocal one - we may not be able to continue our businesses. Not tomorrow or the next day, but we are being squeezed. Credit is non-existent because of government regulation. The President and the Congress want to tax gasoline, electricity, and every other form of energy usage but won't allow the free markets to drill, explore, or create new, inexpensive, plentiful forms of energy.

The government perpetuates the myth of global warming and now wants NASA to give up its moon program and focus on climate change issues. A giant step backward for mankind.

How about all of those excess H1N1 vaccines that they can't even give away right now? Pandemic? Don't think so.

With this government, it's one crisis after another. That's how they build their base. They get people to look to them instead of their own know-how and ingenuity.

The American government did not make this country great, the American people did. However, this government may very well sink our nation.

Obama's budget is intentionally crafted to spend us into oblivion. He said yesterday that now is not the time to focus on reducing the deficit. How can he when he has added to it so enormously?

It's time to stop being fooled by the President and Congress and to put our feet down and say "no more!" We cannot afford this spending, and we sure don't need all of these programs.

It's time for a return to personal responsibility and self-reliance. We made America great in the past, we can do it again. We must not look to the government, however. They are the problem. We are the solution.

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For more information on my coaching and educational programs and services, visit my website stevehoffacker.com or go to my other blog homesalesinsights.com for additional sales tips, insights, and commentary. You can also listen to my free podcast messages at Steve Hoffacker's Happenings.

© Steve Hoffacker, 2010. All Rights Reserved.

In a bill tacked onto another - the way the House likes to do things when it can't get enough support for a measure on its own (like the Hate Crimes Bill) or fear the President might not sign it, the House stood up to the majority stockholder of government motors, President Obama.

The President had made his position known that he did not want any of the terminated dealerships reinstated, and I did a post on this just 3 days ago called "Small Businesses Are Being Targeted." However, it looks like the House is going to have the final say in this - tacking the bill onto the Treasury Appropriations Bill - passed by a 219-209 roll call vote.

In essence, the bill, sponsored by Rep. Steve LaTourette, (R-Ohio) says that federal money cannot be used to obtain a financial ownership in any car manufacturer that would mean a car dealer suffering an economic loss under its dealer agreement.

This measure overturns the White House-supported, court ordered closings of 789 Chrysler and 2,600 GM dealerships.

The exact language of the bill states:

"Sec. 745. (a) None of the funds made available in this or any other Act may be used to obtain a financial or ownership interest (or right to acquire such an interest) in an automobile manufacturer that deprives an automobile dealer of its economic rights under a dealer agreement and does not assume (or assign to a successor in interest) each dealer agreement which is valid and in existence (and has not been lawfully terminated under applicable State law) before the date of the commencement of a case under title 11, United States Code, by such automobile manufacturer. (b) Any automobile manufacturer with respect to which the Federal Government has a financial or ownership interest (or right to acquire such an interest) shall, to the extent that a valid dealer agreement existing immediately before the date of the commencement of a case under title 11, United States Code, by such automobile manufacturer is not assumed by or assigned to another automobile manufacturer, require any new entity created in such case to enter into a new dealer agreement with the dealer whose agreement was not so assumed or assigned, and on the same terms as existed immediately before such date."

It's quite wordy, but it gets the job done. Hooray for Congress!

Maybe small business just got a chance to fire back.

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For more information on my coaching and educational programs and services, visit my website stevehoffacker.com or go to my other blog homesalesinsights.com for additional sales tips, insights, and commentary. You can also listen to my free podcast messages at Steve Hoffacker's Happenings.

© Steve Hoffacker, 2009. All Rights Reserved.

No one is looking out for us so we need to. This is not a "me-first" mentality, but it's beginning to look a lot like us versus them.

On Tuesday I wrote "Free Enterprise Finds Another Ally." That was the case of Justice Ginsberg recognizing the blantant denial of contract rights by the Administration, but last night the Court refused to hear the case and take a strong stance. Unfortunately, they did take a stand for the abuse of power and denial of constitutional rights.

A pay csar to dictate how much certain executives can make (with over-the-top assurances that this won't spread to other industries), government ownership of formerly iconic American businesses, constitutional infringements, multi-generational auto dealerships canceled, and a look-the-other-way Congress means that we need to be extremely watchful and protective of our businesses.

It is not such a big stretch to having someone decide which real estate offices or mortgage brokers can be in business and which ones can't.

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For more information on my coaching and educational programs and services, visit my website stevehoffacker.com or go to my other blog homesalesinsights.com  for additional sales tips, insights, and commentary. You can also listen to my free podcast messages at Steve Hoffacker's Happenings . © Steve Hoffacker, 2009. All Rights Reserved.

Last Thursday, in my post "Pulling the tarp over TARP, I talked about the Free Enterprise Amendment that had been offered by Sen. Mike Johanns and 26 of his Republican colleagues in the US Senate to prohibit the use of TARP funds for auto company and other private enterprise bailouts where the federal government would acquire some type of ownership.

Now, a measure that goes even farther.

Earlier today, a New York federal Appeals Court had approved the sale as long as the Supreme Court didn't object - they did.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg issued a temporary stay - that needs to be supported by three other members of the Court - to permanently stop and ban the use of TARP funds for the bailout of Chrysler and the sale of the company to Fiat.

The suit is being brought by the State of Indiana that is invested in Chrysler as part of its pension fund.

Apparently, there is a strong case here because no where in the some 169 pages of TARP regulations that the Treasury Department has on the use of these funds is anything but financial institutions mentioned.

Take the Republican Senatorial opposition or the court challenge by Indiana, it looks like public control of and investment in private enterprise is not wanted or permitted.

This is very good news for free enterprise.

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For more information on my coaching and educational programs and services, visit my website stevehoffacker.com or go to my other blog homesalesinsights.com  for additional sales tips, insights, and commentary. You can also listen to my free podcast messages at Steve Hoffacker's Happenings . © Steve Hoffacker, 2009. All Rights Reserved.

While all of us on Active Rain enjoy capitalism and the free enterprise system - and I say that because I can't imagine anyone who owns their business or works as an independent contractor who doesn't support a free market system - many of our fellow Americans feel otherwise. They are being misled.

In a recent Rasmussen poll, just half of those surveyed (53%) felt that capitalism was better than socialism. One-fifth of those surveyed (20%) actually favor socialism, and over one-quarter of those surveyed (27%) were indifferent as to whether socialism or capitalism was better for them.

From a self-reliant, self-sufficient nation of proud business people, entrepreneurs and workers, we have slipped to a point where  only have of the country (based on those surveyed) support our basic economic system.

We had better hope that we can prevail in this for public opinion. Our very existence depends on it.

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For more information on my coaching and educational programs and services, visit my website stevehoffacker.com or go to my other blog homesalesinsights.com for additional sales tips, insights, and commentary. You can also listen to my free podcast messages at Steve Hoffacker's Happenings. © Steve Hoffacker, 2009. All Rights Reserved.

This country was founded, developed, grew, and flourished on the principle of free enterprise. This very system is being challenged today.

As the federal government tries to get even bigger and become more of a caretaker for us, we are supposed to look to government for financial well-being and job formation. How can this be?

What product does government manufacture? None (unless you count the printing of money). Therefore, no manufacturing jobs can be created by government. They can only encourage and incentivize private businesses to expand, thus creating new jobs.

What essential service does the federal government offer? A standing armed forces. Fantastic. This is huge. Let the funding begin.

The feds used to run the post office, and they provide a few other services that they are required or permitted to do- but most of us derive no direct benefit from them.

Since they have no tangible product to manufacture and sell, they can't generate any revenue or create jobs in this sector. They also don't farm.

That leaves service, and jobs can be created here, but it is not a supply and demand situation. We are not requiring more service which would necessitate more expenditures and possibly more personnel. They are simply providing it and collecting more money from us to do it.

In a free market, supply and demand rules. When was the last time you even saw (forget about needing to purchase) a typewriter eraser, carbon paper, 8-track tape, spats, or a slide rule? The demand no longer existed for such items to continue production. I hope the people who used to manufacture slide rules found other employment.

This is the beauty of free enterprise. Every single person in this country is free to start any legal venture that they want. They are also free to fail - as many do. There are no guarantees in business although the current Washington culture would have us believe otherwise.

We are free to manufacture or sell any legal product of our choosing. We are free to provide any legitimate service that we think people will purchase. We can hire people to help us. We can build buildings and facilities. We can remain a sole proprietor or we can have a few hundred employees.

We create jobs as we create market share and expand the demand for our products and services.

The small businesses of this country - the entrepreneurs - you and me - are the ones who have and will continue to create jobs and employ our fellow citizens. Let us do what we know how to do.

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For more information on my coaching and educational programs and services, sales tips, insights, or strategies, visit my website stevehoffacker.com or my other blog homesalesinsights.com. © Steve Hoffacker, 2009. All Rights Reserved.

This post by my good friend Lou Ludwig through it's title is the very essence of free enterprise and the opportunties we have in the real estate industry.

The "Joe the Plumber" episode of a week ago has brought to light that free enterprise as an economic system is not real popular with many Americans. That's a real disappointment. It's a little like saying that Americans don't like parades, high school football games, or apple pie.

Free enterprise is the backbone of this country - where any person regardless of their means, station, background, or education can set themselves up in business and attempt to make a go of it. Some are successful, many are not. That's not the point. The point is that we can do it.

Many of the great inventions that we enjoy in this country came about because someone persevered with an issue until they conquered it and then were able to market their solution to hundreds or thousands of others - at a profit.

Profit has become a nasty word in this country. I'm not talking about big business but entrepreneurial business - and if we can't make a profit, we can't create jobs, do business with other small businesses, be good corporate citizens in our community, perform volunteer work, and provide for our families.

Realtors, brokers, independent contractors, decorators, mortgage brokers, builders, stagers, home inspectors, consultants, trainers, commissioned salespeople, and anyone else on Active Rain that runs their own business or is totally responsible for their own income - unite. Free enterprise is our platform for success.

All that said, I have started a new group "Celebrating Free Enterprise," and anyone is welcome to post as long as it pertains to the common good of business generation or success. Just click on link to Join Group.

It's up to us to keep this country strong!

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For more information on my coaching services or sales tips visit my website stevehoffacker.com or my blog homesalesinsights.com.

Ever since the chance encounter between Joe Wurzelbacher and Barak Obama in Toledo a week ago today, Joe ("Joe the Plumber" as he has become known) has become a face for all of the small businesspeople in America.

Joe could just as easily have been a Realtor, a merchant, a tradesman, or anyone else who has a small business and as such is responsible for driving the economic engine of this country.

Small business is the heart of America - but then I don't have to tell you that. Most of us on Active Rain are self-employed or independent contractors.

We know what it's like to pay more than $4 for a gallon of gas because that's what it took for us to be able to drive around and conduct our business. We know what's it like to pay Board dues, MLS fees, Association dues. We know about advertising and websites and self-promotion. We know about employing assistants, health insurance, worker's comp, E&O, liability insurance, paying local and state taxes, obtaining licenses, renting office space.

"Joe the Plumber" is good for all of us because it helps America remember that small business is important. In a day when Wall Street, bailouts, corporate corruption, and Congressional giveaways are commanding the headlines, it's fantastic to see small business getting some attention.

In this coming election - on all fronts from local to national - it doesn't matter so much the party or candidate you support on other issues (it really does to me but I'll not go there right now) as long as you don't vote for anyone who wants to raise taxes in any shape or form on small businesses, entrepreneurs, and independent contractors. We are the strength of America.

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For more information on my coaching services or sales tips visit my website stevehoffacker.com or my blog homesalesinsights.com.