We toted coffins for the U.S. Constitution and “Integrity” as Thomas Jefferson led the way, ringing the bell solemnly, before stopping to give a speech lamenting the death of government as founded in our Constitution. At the end he urged people to sign a petition as we distributed the petition and promo cards for the documentary. It was incredibly well received, as people stood and clapped during the procession, recognizing the point before the speech. We did three  “funerals” — one outside on Marshall Street and two inside the convention center. I helped with the staging, serving as the “spotter,” picking out spots for the procession to stop for the speech, as well as helping with the petition signatures and distributing the promo cards. For more information about the film, click the GOPTrust link above.

Here’s the link to the video (notice the guy in a blue shirt — who wears blue to a funeral? — that’s me).

Unaccountable Congress: It Doesn’t Add Up

By The Honorable Joseph DioGuardi

Tea Party 20 Years In The Making: Former Congressman Called For Citizen Action While Dealing With Government Spending Problems 20 Years Ago.  

Reviewed by Stephen J. Rossie  

If written today, former Congressman Joe DioGuardi may have entitled his 1992 book Unaccountable Congress: It Doesn’t Add Up, something akin to, The Congressional Credit Card: The Tea Party Patriot’s Guide To Truth In Government. Instead, DioGuardi, who served two terms in the House of Representatives from New York, and now seeking a U.S. Senate seat there, has re-issued it in conjunction with the 20-year anniversary of his landmark Chief Financial Officers Act, a budget accounting bill he sponsored – and done so with a rousing new forward in which he celebrates grassroots activism for accountability in federal spending.  

In fact, throughout the book, DioGuardi punctuates examples of congressional tricks, gimmicks and outright fraud with examples of citizen involvement from the earliest days of the republic. He outlines ways in which Americans can – and should – involve themselves in putting solid, common sense accounting principles and controls on Congress’ credit card. He dubs the electronic voting device used by members, “The most expensive credit card in the world.”  

But that was 1992. Washington’s fiscal mess is worse now. He acknowledges today’s citizen uprising, noting that the more dismissive the Obama administration is to the Tea Party, the more it grows; the more government he adds, the stronger its resolve. But his prescience is no coincidence. He was the first CPA elected to Congress, a partner with Arthur Andersen and recognized nationally at the top of his profession. He quickly learned in Washington that the budget process – the spending of families’ hard-earned tax dollars – was a product of dysfunction at best and, most times, chicanery and deceit.  

True to today’s Tea Party movement, he has ample criticism for both parties, but then, as now, liberal Democrats ran the House. Saddened by the loss of the House’s reputation – it was embroiled in its own internal post office and bank scandals – he coined the phrase, “House of Ill Repute,” which headlined a GOP report on the majority’s corrupt administration of the chamber. Although a straightforward writer who methodically lays out the problems and solutions to the government-spending crisis, he also zips in timely comic relief. It’s a shame it’s gallows humor.  

DioGuardi vividly and in understandable terms explains the Congressional shell games that have led to, and increased, our financial vulnerability and incompressible debt. In fact, he notes that the greater the spending, the easier it is for Congress to burry its special interest pay-offs.  

With substandard and antiquated accounting methods – cash-in, cash-out rather than the accrual method – there’s almost nothing Congress can’t hide or even make sound like a reform, and that’s the way it likes it. DioGuardi lists the “Dirty Dozen” budget tricks, including the infamous “current services budget,” whereby Congress “cuts” spending by reducing projected increases. Or guaranteeing loans that add nothing to the current year budget, only for the bailouts on the inevitable defaults to pile on to future debt. Worse still, the nefarious trick of “off budgeting” – creating an agency that pays the treasury with taxpayer money that is counted as revenue to reduce the deficit!  

Reading Unaccountable Congress resonates with lessons for today and will continue until there is a change not only of party in Congress, but also of attitude. Even though he is an unabashed small government disciple, most of DioGuardi’s reforms are non-ideological: adopting controls, two-year budgets, accurate information, transparency and modern accounting methods; separating capital expenditures and discretionary spending into distinct budgets; and sending taxpayers a readable financial statement each year with its tax forms. His approach of fiscal responsibility and financial accountability dovetails with the Tea Party, a movement not dependent on party affiliation.  

 His recounting of bailouts from years past not only recalls recent government intervention in the private sector, but frightens readers as to how Congress (and the executive branch) “solved” the problems. Hint: more debt for taxpayers. Not only that, but DioGuardi presaged the Tea Party movement in the book’s first printing by applauding the citizen storm that accompanied a sneak attempt by Congress to raise its pay by 50 percent. Thousands of Americans across the country sent Congress tea bags that read: “Read my lips: NO pay raise!” The pressure actually worked, too, for a while.  

 Whether its successor movement of today permanently succeeds may, in part, depend on whether Americans concerned with their government take to heart DioGuardi’s warnings, advice and diligence to stay informed about the inner workings of Congress. In the updated Unaccountable Congress, they can in understandable terms that inspire them to take action.

Organizations of any kind function best — especially fledgling ones — when the people involved have a common purpose in addition to the business model. One cannot underestimate the natural bonds of anything fraternal, especially dedicated Catholics. People are more likely to work hard, watch out for, and mentor each other.

From a business learning perspective, I like the environment because, in order for this to succeed, each member must learn the other members’ businesses so as to be able to speak intelligently about it when coming across a potential lead. Public relations professionals must do that as a matter of course to fully understand and provide the best and most effective service for their clients.

So this skill comes naturally to me. In addition, each member of the group is an instant potential client because each has a business and is proving that they are eager to generate more. Thus, the potential to use my services. This isn’t true for everyone. For example, not everyone needs insurance right now or has a house going on the market. So, as the group expands, if I join, each new member is a potential client, not to mention the leads each member will generate  for me. In addition, working within the group, providing its public relations and social media content would allow me to further enhance my skills and make yet more contacts.  

I will decide after Labor Day if I will join the Saint Expeditus Networking Group (a career option may preclude membership). It is a wonderful set of very intelligent, successful and resourceful men and women looking to increase their market share in their respective fields. A well-organized networking group with like-minded people who share a common background is a worthy endeavor for business development.

Another new business development concerns possible membership in a networking group that likely will lead to significant new business. There may be something to report on this late next week. 

More to the point, though, last week I cemented deals for two projects on a contract basis with Social Network Solutions, LLC, which has offices in Atlanta and Richmond. Dr. Susan Hardwicke, an inventor and cognitive psychologist, among other things, is the chief executive. It is an exciting work, all in the area of social networking media.

One SMS project, completed yesterday, but not yet implemented by the client, was creating content. The other is a consulting project — specifically, providing advice on two blogs SMS runs for clients in the public policy field. Once the work is fully complete and the client releases it into the public domain, I will post the results here.

SMS is growing due to its expertise in public policy. With new organizations springing up, more established ones looking to penetrate the public consciousness through all the media noise, and more and more people running for office and involving themselves politically, this market is expanding, and SMS and I will explore more projects and longer-term work in the near future.

But to those who really know me, know there is one subject, one pastime, one passion of mine that tops all: Soccer. Combine that with music and you’ve got something really special because soccer played well is music —a visual music — and music is the rhythm of soccer.

On Sunday, June 13, for two hours, I got to combine both, thanks to my good friend DJ Graybeard of WRIR-FM in Richmond. He is the host/co-host of two critically acclaimed programs on that station and I am the shows’ unofficial Minister of Football. On the 13th, I reprised that periodic role to discuss the world of soccer and, specifically, the World Cup.

The show I appeared on is “The Other Black Music Show,” an eclectic and extraordinary mix of African and African-American inspired music of all genres, that knock your socks off. Between sets of Graybeard’s specially selected soccer/football/futbol related music, he interviewed me about the World Cup — everything from the players, the teams and, more importantly, the cultural and historical significance of the tournament being played in Africa for the first time (in South Africa no less). We even talked marketing and the business side of the Cup and discussed my previous post. We had confirmation, by the way, of listeners as far away as New York, and the show regularly has an international audience.

Although a fun personal experience relating to deeply held interest and passion, my time on air is a good example of my public speaking skills, command of a certain media, knowledge of a subject, and ability to convey a high level of understanding to an audience of varying levels of knowledge about the subject. So, if you can’t bear to hear my voice — or opinions — at least enrich yourselves with some of the best music I’m sure you haven’t heard. Trust me. You will enjoy it!

Here is the link to the archived show.

Everything about this tournament is up in the air for several reasons, mostly tangible ones. The biggest reason, however, is an intangible: The host country. For the first time in history the World Cup is being held on the African continent — in South Africa, precisely — and for only the third time not in Europe or Latin America. That the emerging soccer power in the world has a chance to showcase itself in more ways than just on the field, though that’s a huge part of it, is the buzz, and how these cultural and even meteorological (it’s winter there) factors will affect the tournament, its atmosphere and its appreciation from what will be the largest-ever global audience for a sporting event.

While many corporate sponsors and other companies hoping to promote themselves by aligning their brands to this monumental event, two manufacturers closely aligned with the sport have tacked differently. It also peaks an interest because of the similarities to current political organization and reliance.

One manufacture, Nike, the Goliath, has stuck to its marketing strategy: Star power. If Wayne Rooney, Christiano Ronaldo, Ronaldinho or Franck Ribery is wearing it, it must be cool, it must be hip, it just must be. Go out and get and wear it — and be the man. It’s typically star powered ad is a three-minute fantasy (broken into various one-minute versions for television), asking at the end — really, like the players it features, demanding, as they do the ball while on the field, that you write the end of the script. How? Buy Nike gear and make your dreams come true.

Not much of an emotional connection. Sort of like party politics. The bosses say vote for this person. We’ve seen this in recent primaries in Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Utah and West Virginia, by both parties. The voters are supposed to be wowed by the star power — the master of cool himself, President Obama (a big soccer fan, who hosted the U.S. national team before its departure to South Africa, who is heavily supporting the U.S. bid for the 2018 or 2022 World Cups, and who may attend a U.S. game) weighed in for Senator Arlen Specter in Pennsylvania.

Meanwhile, we have Puma, a good brand that makes quality products, but clearly the David among the sports apparel elites. It has a modest ad now airing on sports and soccer networks. But boy, does it appeal!

No special song or music was concocted — instead, it got the rights for an actual release from African band Gnarls Barkley, music that simultaneously provokes the beat of the culture and of the game. It’s videography is real — african boys playing on dirt fields juxtaposed against video of the continent’s best in action, scoring, and the unbridled joy of success — genuine smiles, team celebrations and authentic dancing down the stadium tunnel.

It evokes a common tug — who isn’t the boy (or girl) among us, still, longing to connect in an emotional way, a way that is the World Cup? Who doesn’t take pride in their national team, with great hope and expectations? Who can’t remember the all out fun of playing as a child and marveling at the abilities of the older kids, catapulting reality to dreams of excitement about the possibilities?

It’s a grassroots appeal that, as fun as the Nike glitz is, reveals the Nike approach as the top-down and inauthentic. Precisely like boss politicians who demand your vote for their boys and girls. Guess what? The grassroots are winning the primaries.

Judge for yourself and let me know what you think. For some reason this theme won’t allow me to embed the ads, so here are the links:

Nike World Cup Ad

Puma World Cup Ad

By the way, if you just like moving to the song Going On, here’s the video to that!

(Side note: Soccer is perfect for developing all three of these characteristics. It’s the ultimate team sport, but you need individual creativity with the ball at your feet and leadership comes from the instant decision-making you must make each time you receive the ball.)

All that as background, here are three examples of great success for clients in recent months: I had another successfully General Assembly session lobbying for The Family Foundation of Virgina. I defeated a horrible bill that would have given local governments more eminent domain power. I also got a bill that helps property owners who are involved in condemnation proceedings. In fact, the bill was watered down entirely by a sub-committee by a healthy margin. However, I worked the full committee and, through my public testimony (which included debate with the sub-committee chairman) got the original language restored. It became law last week when the General Assembly approved some technical amendments by the governor.

Another bill was one that built on Virginia’s landmark transparency law — on which I also worked — in the 2009 session. It will provide more detail of state expenditures and more ease of use for citizen budget watch dogs.

But one project I worked on actually gained national attention. Last spring and then from late summer through fall I worked on a grassroots petition campaign asking the Minerals Management Service (an agency of the Interior Department), as part of its public comment period, to allow Virginia to drill offshore for oil and natural gas.

It was a long shot considering the bent of the administration. But I helped generate tens of thousands of post card signatures and a little hard work and common sense prevailed! The Obama administration actually agreed! (Note: Due to the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the administration has put a hold on all new offshore exploration until the cause of the spill is determined, but Virginia won’t be ready to drill for a while yet anyway. I fully expect to see this resolved and resumed in due course.)      

Finally, my work at FamilyFoundationBlog.com continues to go gang busters. April concluded with another record month of unique visits and other traffic categories, a trend that began more than a year ago.

Ms. Downing wrote, in part:

Thank you for this post.

We co-produced this film and we hope to do our small part in raising the bar for TV productions of this type.

I think you’ll find that this is a content-rich, intellectually stimulating blend of science, art and religion.