God Speed, Malcolm

Somebody finally has the cojones to stand up to the government! At least, that's what would appear is going to happen as motorcycling legend Malcolm Smith revolts against the inclusion of youth motorcycles and ATVs in the government's ban on toys containing lead. (Read about this here: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=68000070134)

Malcolm, along with most others in the motorcycling world, is upset about the estimated $1.5-billion dollar impact that this ban will have on our industry. This, coming at a time of economic disruption and already-reduced sales. And, while the machines themselves can pass the government's standards for lead content with flying colors - it is various components that tip the scales on allowable lead levels. Battery terminals and spoke nipples are some of the culprits. Personally, I'd say that if your kid is sucking on battery terminals, he's probably got bigger problems than what lead could cause, anyway. I agree, inclusion of motorcycles in this ban is more than somewhat ridiculous.

Plus, most dealerships weren't aware of the inclusion of the product until January. (February 10th was the official "stop sell" date for this product.) Add to that the fact that most dealers rely on the thriving spring season for a vast majority of their product sales - much of which is in the form of kid's dirt bikes and ATVs - and you've got a huge problem that becomes even broader. Not to mention those small dealerships making their primary living from the sale of product intended for children under age 12. Those guys are gonna' have to take a vacation altogether ... a very long and final vacation.

So, what's a hard-core motorcycle legend who has built his reputation on standing up to the greatest challenges, weathering the harshest storms and traversing the greatest obstacles do? Well, if you're Malcolm Smith, you decide to buck authority and stage a protest. You sell the banned product anyway - risking everything in the face of $100,000-per-infraction fines and possible incarceration. Why? Because right is right ... and this ain't right.

On March 19th, Smith will open the doors of his dealerships and sell the banned product to an already impressive line of motorcycling heroes ... Jeff Ward, Jeremy McGrath ... the list goes on and on. These people will be purchasing the banned machines for use by their own children or grandchildren - a showing that they don't fear the evils that these machines supposedly represent and they, too, are not willing to stand by and watch while the all-powerful government slaps down an entire industry and once again, (seems to be the status quo here lately), serves capitalism a mighty blow in the interest of some law-makers who would like to see off-road motorcycling destroyed once and for all.

For the rest of us - those dealers lacking ample guts to face such a behemoth as the Federal Government - well, we'll sit back and applaud with our warehouses full of unsold, unsellable children's bikes. However, if they drag Malcolm away in handcuffs and lock him in a cell somewhere, you can bet your riding boots that I'll be willing to ride in and break him out. After all, posting bail just wouldn't be a suiting finish to such a noble stand for righteousness!

All the best,

WDL

Now Launched - William Douglas Little's Official Author Site!

I think that most authors pay someone to do everything for them. I'm a little cheaper. I pay people to do most of the stuff, but if there is something that is mentioned that somewhat sounds like a task I can easily perform, I'll do it myself. Why let someone make a huge mark-up on purchasing my own name as a domain, for example? For $25 per year, someone else would have hit that CONFIRM PAYMENT button and held my domain in their portfolio, forcing me to have to contact them later to renew, or be made to feel like a schmuck for requesting transfer away from them. For $12 per year, I hit the button myself and have total control. I'll opt for the second option every time.

However, when you actually take on such a task - much like anything else in life - you find things that are unexpected at the time you sign on. For example, if you've never paid money to register your own name as your own, you really should experience it. The range of emotion that you go through is really quite interesting.

At first, it's pride. knowing that they are ready to launch a new website to sell your book; that there is a new collection of your newspaper columns actually "in demand" and ready to be sold; that a new website has been created that will carry your own name, (in my case, www.WilliamDouglasLittle.com, of course) ... it's all pretty overwhelming. You sit there and think, "Wow! This is kind of cool. I mean, sure - I haven't hit the proverbial 'big time' or anything, but things are really moving on and so far, people actually like what I've been writing!" For a Stanton, Missouri-grown country boy, that's all really kind of surreal.

The second emotion to swarm your brain is uncertainty. Geez, are we really ready for this? Did I set this up the right way or should I have hired that PR firm? Should we do something different with the fulfillment before launching? What if nobody buys anything? What if I forget my password? What if the sky falls down?

If you're like me, uncertainty is not an emotion that hangs around for long. We guys have this testosterone thing that automatically triggers a release valve anytime an emotion arises that threatens speedy, thoughtless responses to a situation. This chemical release overrides all emotion and thought in our brains and pushes us instantly into emotion number three: Screw it emotion. The "Screw It Emotion" is the one which causes us men to do things like twist the throttle harder, sign on the dotted line, say what we're really thinking regardless of the size of the person we're speaking to and squeezing that one extra piece of clothing into the suitcase just before the zipper rips out. This is also the emotion that allows us to "get over" whatever mental hang-up has gotten in our way and actually type our own name into the "Enter Domain Name Here" field on the form.

Emotion number four to arrive is the wonderment emotion. This is the one where you start to wonder, "is there something wrong with registering your own name as a domain? Does it represent some psychological disorder that I should be looking into? If I were "someone" enough to have a website named after me, would I also be cheap enough to be doing it myself? Does this mean I'm a narcissistic, self-indulgent, conceited, egotistical, self-loving freak? This emotion is what causes a pause after entering the credit card information, creating a "mouse-hover" over the CONFIRM PAYMENT button.

Emotion number five is a revisit from the screw it emotion. Need I say more?

A bit later, you find yourself entering a post on your blog site, (that also carries your name), about how you feel that you might be a narcissistic, self-indulgent, conceited, egotistical, self-loving freak and welcoming readers to visit the new website bearing your name. Later still, you'll find yourself sending an e-mail okaying the release of an e-mail blast to your closest friends, customers and neighbors, inviting them to take notice of the tie-in between your blog site and your website, both of which promote your book and your newspaper and magazine columns and promote the events that you'll be attending so that they can join you.

You know, if I didn't have the book and the columns, I think I'd be a bit concerned about myself right about now. (But then, of course, the testosterone would kick in and bring about the screw-it emotion again).

All the best, and please check out my new Author Website at www.WilliamDouglasLittle.com!

-WDL

Keeping Up ... Not So Much.

I just noticed while updating another of my blogs, I've last posted to this one on October 23rd. Uh ... that would be last year, now. Hmmm. Funny how life does things to us; changes our priorities so drastically that we completely forget those things that were of grave importance only months, (sometimes days), ago.

The book is doing well, the MPN column is consistent and I've taken on the Journal column, which is a weekly venture. Luckily for me, my brain is always working in some twisted way that allows me to continue to come up with topics. (Just realizing that I forgot one I had thought of earlier ... damn! It was good, too.) Back in the Spring/Summer of '08, I was really gung-ho about keeping up this blog. After all, this is the blog site that is listed in my book! Man, I posted and posted, (well, you can tell that there are only 36-posts now, including this one, but that's still a lot - considering), and now I'm looking back and asking myself what the hell happened? Life. That's the answer.

During the past several months I've had to take my sword and shield and defend my motorcycle dealership against the onslaught of the crappiest market in years. That takes time and energy. I've watched as printing and mailing companies have folded throughout the Midwest and taken steps to ensure that my printing and mailing companies don't find the same fate. That takes time and energy. I've done interviews, laid-out ads, written e-mails and posted links all in an effort to help market my book and realize better rankings there. That takes time and energy. I've posted to two other blogs, written columns, done interviews, done events, yanked my hair out and various other attempts to ensure that my columns and overall public acceptance remained strong. That takes time and energy. In the end, I've spent hours and hours, days and weeks worth of time and I have to be honest, if it weren't for Redbull and 5-Hour Energy ... I'd be dead right now. No more energy.

So, in balancing the above-mentioned duties, responsibilities and other entanglements with finding time for my family and myself - I hope you understand just how much effort this posting is taking. But, I owe it to you, my faithful reader. (Yes, there is just one of you). Because, after all - if it weren't for you, all of this writing would go unread and I'd only be writing to myself ... which is like talking to one's self ... which can't be good.

I hope that 2009 finds you a world of success!

All the best,

WDL

Proving Mr. Tyler Wrong ... The Survival of Democracy

A Rare Political Posting -

Several years ago, I received an e-mail that quoted a Scottish Professor from 1787. In this e-mail, he spoke of the, (in his opinion), wrong choice made by our founding fathers in choosing democracy as our form of government. Since that time I have quoted Mr. Tyler's words many times, but had long since deleted the e-mail. Yesterday, a good friend of mine forwarded the e-mail to me and unknowingly gave me the opportunity to share my solution to the decline of democracy here in the U.S.

You may agree with my thoughts, or perhaps you don't. Either way is just fine by me as we each are entitled to our own opinions. Either way, I hope that your reading this helps to encourage thought toward our political system, which most of us agree needs some form of change.

First, the e-mail as I received it. I do not know the origin of this e-mail, by the way, but I believe that I first read it around 2001 or 2002. The second part - regarding Professor Olson's findings - will seem a decidedly Republican slant. I've not verified the information on that part, but you're welcome to do so if you wish. My main interest was Tyler's statement, however I did find the second section to be interesting.

How Long Do We Have?

About the time our original thirteen states adopted their new constitution in 1787, Alexander Tyler, a Scottish history professor at the University of Edinburgh , had this to say about the fall of the Athenian Republic some 2,000 years earlier:


'A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government.'

'A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury.'

'From that moment on, the majority always vote for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship.'

'The average age of the world's greatest civilizations from the beginning of history, has been about 200 years'

'During those 200 years, those nations always progressed through the following sequence:

1. from bondage to spiritual faith;

2. from spiritual faith to great courage;

3. from courage to liberty;

4. from liberty to abundance;

5. from abundance to complacency;

6. from complacency to apathy;

7. from apathy to dependence;

8. from dependence back into bondage'


Professor Joseph Olson of Hemline University School of Law, St. Paul , Minnesota , points out some interesting facts concerning the 2000 Presidential election:

Number of States won by: Democrats: 19 Republicans: 29

Square miles of land won by: Democrats: 580,000 Republicans: 2,427,000

Population of counties won by: Democrats: 127 million Republicans: 143 million

Murder rate per 100,000 residents in counties won by: Democrats: 13.2 Republicans: 2.1

Professor Olson adds: 'In aggregate, the map of the territory Republican won was mostly the land owned by the taxpaying citizens of this great country. Democrat territory mostly encompassed those citizens living in government-owned tenements and living off various forms of government welfare...' Olson believes the United States is now somewhere between the 'complacency and apathy' phase of Professor Tyler's definition of democracy, with some forty percent of the nation's population already having reached the 'governmental dependency' phase.

So ... many people will read this and perhaps think that it represents a non-issue. Perhaps some will say that democracy and a capitalistic society are no longer the best way for America. Perhaps you'll believe that "moving on" to a hybrid democratic/socialistic or even a full-blown socialistic society would be better for America. If that's your thought, then that's your right. So be it. You can probably stop reading here and we'll retain our friendships. Personally though, I couldn't disagree more.

Those who are concerned about reforming our democracy and rebuilding our government may read this and consider the bridge to be impassable. If we are to believe that Mr. Olsen is correct in his estimation that 40% of Americans have now reached the point of "governmental dependence" and historically democracies are proved destined to fail after 200-years, then what can be done? How do we reverse the trend?

Well, it just so happens that I do have a plan. Over the years we've heard many politicians on the stump screaming for "Welfare Reform", but to date, nobody has done anything of substance to tackle this elephant. Sure, bills may have been presented and votes may have been cast, (within our government - not often by you and I), but ultimately the programs of public assistance have only grown and multiplied to the point that we now have fourth and even fifth generation welfare recipients. Is this what was intended with the introduction of the first "welfare program"? (From what I can find, the first full-blown Federal program was introduced as a temporary measure to provide assistance to families out of work following the Great Depression). The answer is no.

The long-term recipients - those "working the system", if you will - have simply learned that it is easier to get by through government dependence than by actually working. They don't think in terms of contributing to society, but are following - in many cases - a learned behavior taught them by their parents or peers. Why not? It's there ... might as well take it. Of course, this drain on our tax dollars is a snowball effect, lending only to larger government to support more programs and a constant increase in the number of recipients. Currently, more than 40% of Americans do not pay taxes and that number is growing. That means that nearly half of the country is attempting to support, (in one way or another - if they don't receive assistance, they certainly use the roads and other things paid for by tax dollars), not only their share but also the share of the other half. What happens when it's 30% paying taxes? 20%? 10 and so on?

A baby-step reform of the public assistance program is not going to help. Though the problem of forcing through a drastic change remains a challenge, here is a plan that I feel may work, if implemented.

Welfare Reform -

CLASS ONE: Temporary Displaced Worker Assistance - A worker who loses his/her job still needs to feed their family until finding new employment. We can agree that this is a basic need, (though not a "right"). Therefore, a displaced worker program could be provided in which the worker can receive assistance in the form of hourly wages for each day that they "work" to contribute to society. Non-skilled laborers would be employed through government agencies working on infrastructure, maintaining or building national parks/forests, or in conjunction with private non-profit organizations such as Habitat for Humanity or public shelters. The requirement would be to appear on time and provide four-hours of work and then have the other four-hours to search for a new job. Likewise, skilled- workers would be temporarily "employed" caring for and providing assistance to severely disabled citizens, (as mentioned in Class Three), working within schools, (if so qualified), or with a myriad of other organizations or agencies in need of temporary assistance. In addition, private sector companies needing temporary help, (either skilled or non-skilled), could hire the services of assistance program citizens through existing private sector agencies, who would be paid the base minimum wage rate by the hiring company and collect a standard 15% commission from the government. (This further saves tax dollars invested by allowing private sector payment for the bulk of the wages). This is a temporary assistance program, but rather than mandate a distinct cut off time, (whereby a worker who truly could not find employment in a downturned market would be cast out), workers will be "encouraged" to find other employment due to the nature of the program. The worker would be paid the base minimum wage for 8-hours on each day that they showed up at the assigned time and worked a full four-hours, followed by a logged four-hours of job searching. (This would need to be tracked and verified, but with the huge savings in public assistance payout, a small percentage could be used to fund any additional training and staffing for the current "welfare offices"). In addition, the work performed will be low level and the want to move up to better employment would be strong. The benefit? All recipients would be working to earn their assistance money and performing jobs that would either benefit the greater good of the populous, or providing low-cost employment within the private sector and drastically minimizing the size of the government contribution to the program as it now exists. Plus - and perhaps of most importance - it promotes a habit of work rather than collecting freebie giveaways. If you're going to have to tow the line anyway, you might as well find a job that you like.

CLASS TWO: Partially Disabled - we can all agree that none of us want to be disabled in any way. In a society based on equality and fellowship, we want to help those who are. Likewise, most all of the disabled individuals I have had the pleasure of knowing are good people who don't want hand-outs or empathy for their disability. They strive to overcome whatever disadvantages they might have and many are quite successful. However, there are those who are unable to find employment and require help from others to get by. For those who are partially disabled, the Class Two program would provide for them a form of worker assistance in which they can contribute to government needs, (providing data entry from their home, for example), or private sector companies in need of part-time or temporary services that fall within their capability range. Again, the private sector could be supplied through agencies for commission, greatly reducing the burden on tax dollar contribution. Depending upon the situation, this class may be considered temporary or permanent assistance.

CLASS THREE: Severely Disabled - There are those among us who simply cannot be expected to contribute and many of those also require special care. These individuals would fall into the third class of assistance, through which they would be provided with income and/or care assistance that would be either temporary or permanent depending upon their individual situation. Obviously there are situations in which insurance is providing for all or some of the needed care. This program would work in conjunction with insurance in cases where additional assistance is required but not covered. In no way would this reduce the burden on insurance companies with an obligation to provide to these citizens. In the event that government care or physical assistance is required, (either skilled care or non-skilled labor in maintenance or upkeep of the citizen's home), Class One workers could be used to supply the needed aid, thereby further reducing the tax dollar burden for assistance.

Obviously this is only the "basics" of the plan and there are a number of issues not covered here. However, it's a start to a solution. The problem, as I mentioned before, would lie within getting such a drastic reform put in place. I do believe, though, if this problem and solution were widely enough publicized together, the critics would either have to present very good reasons as to why assistance should be given without being earned, or they will only be seen as contributing to a "freebie" society and the further decline of the greatest Nation on Earth.

No offense, that's just the way I see it.

All the best,

WDL

MBF Radio ... Done for now.

For those of you who have been following, for the past three weeks I've been doing an Internet based radio show on Saturday nights on BTR (BlogTalkRadio). More of a test than anything, the opportunity came up and I committed to it for fun, (only an hour each Saturday night), and actually the listenership and resulting book sales were pretty good! 

Anyway, we've gone through all three weeks now and the time has come for me to make a decision. Do I actually put together a weekly radio show or not? Do I look for a weekly, mid-day time slot or just decide that it's all too much? Well, likely the latter will hold true as the plate is very full right now, (as any of you who know me well can attest), but I do want to personally thank each and every one of you who have listened in during the past several weeks, both live and on the archive broadcasts. It has been fun stepping back to radio for a time and revisiting that portion of my life where, through the use of a headset and microphone, I could reminisce about the good ole' days, share stories and laughs as though sitting around a campfire with a cold beer in hand and make new friends from around the world! 

The trip back in time, (of course I did radio for about 8-years of my life), was a great time and I've really enjoyed the company, the chats and the multiple e-mails. I know that a number of you are requesting that I consider putting something together for the future and to you I say, who knows? Maybe that could happen. For now, however, it's a necessary hiatus as I continue to focus on my businesses and the book sales and promotion leading into the Holiday Season. (Which reminds me ... MEXICAN BOWL FISHING is the perfect Christmas gift for pretty much ANYBODY on your holiday list ... not expensive and yet they'll enjoy 26-chapters of humorous short stories)! Shameless plugs are great.

Thanks again for listening and I'll be sure to keep you all updated on whatever decision I make going forward. Until then, you can re-listen to the archives at www.blogtalkradio.com/wdlittle and pretend that each one is a new show

All the best,

WDL

Just doing the job ...

   "Afternoon sir. I'm Trooper Cox with the Missouri State Highway Patrol," the motorcycle cop said as he leaned into my already opened window. I had seen both he and his partner parked on the shoulder as I came down the hill on Interstate 44. Unfortunately, the prospect of two motorcycles didn't throw any warning bells in my mind until I noticed the blue uniforms that they were both wearing. By then, the only thing I could do was merge into the center lane and feign innocence. Didn't work, obviously.

   "My partner clocked you at 75-miles per hour coming down that hill and the limit is posted at 60. Is there any reason for the large difference there?" 

   Now how in the hell do you answer that question? I stared blankly as a million responses came to my mind ... 

I didn't see you in time to slow down any further?

Because I slowed down before cresting the hill, just in case?

Uh, no sprechen ze Inglis?

   What I finally settled on, I think, was something like "Because the speed limit is posted too low?" Of course, my sense of humor seems to get lost on most members of the Police, but at least this guy was extremely nice about it. He smiled as he asked to see my ID and proof of insurance.

   "15 miles over the posted limit, I'm going to have to write you a citation for that. I know that's not what you want to hear." he said. "However, I'll be as quick as I can and get you back on your way." With that, he walked back to his motorcycle and took a clipboard from his saddlebag. I spent the next several minutes looking through my glove box, the center console, wherever I could in the car so as to look busy and not meet the knowing gazes of the cars passing me along the highway. After all, they were the very ones that I had blown past several miles before and I just knew that they were poking their passengers in the ribs and pointing, "Look, that jerk got a ticket! Ha! Good for the Policeman!" 

   When the patrolman returned with my Goldenrod copy of the certificate of driving excellence, (I've got quite a collection of these, I must admit), I thanked him for his professionalism and courtesy. I asked if he had saddlebags on that bike and, as he said yes, I handed him a copy of my book, (I had already inscribed a message to him inside the cover telling him to be safe out there). I pointed out to him that I had already been issued the ticket so it wasn't a bribe in any way, but a gift of respect for the hard work that the State Patrol does, (and a showing of no hard feelings as he was simply doing his job. I was, after all, the one breaking the law). 

   Now, in case there is some law against patrolmen accepting gifts even after issuing a ticket, I'll not say whether he accepted the book or not. It's very possible that he informed me that he could not and therefore refused. Basically, this guy was a great Trooper, kind, courteous and truly seemed to be one of the good guys. I respect that and wouldn't want to accidentally cause him any trouble while trying to praise him for his actions. My point is, that in a society where cops, military and other persons of authority are all too often disrespected by the media and the public, I think it's important to shed some light on the good ones. Of course, he could have let me off with a warning, but then I don't think I'd have written this posting.

   As for the other drivers who I'm sure were laughing at me as they passed by? I waited until I was well out of the view of the good Patrolman and made it a point to catch and pass every last one of them. I even waved at a few who looked back at me with surprise ... just to show that there were no hard feelings.

All the best,

WDL

Review Copied from PurpleMoonMyst.WordPress.com

Mexican Bowl Fishing and other tales of life

When a gray rainy day hits you pick up this book and it will make you feel better. Mexican Bowl Fishing and other stories of Life is a humorous book that will have you laughing from the first page to the last page.

The author William Douglas little is also a columnist for a top motorcycle magazine. He also a successful motorcycle seller in Missouri. This is his first book. And no it has nothing to do with motorcycles.

After explaining the phrase Mexican bowl fishing which left me in peals of laughter. He goes on to explain tat this book or collection of stories are meant to have the same cathartic experience that someone else’s bad day is so bad that it makes yours look almost good in comparison. The book holds true to that. Every story brings a feeling that at least that did not happen to me.

I always love it when I find new authors to follow and this one is going on my to follow list. I hope that this is a start of many more books to come.

Note From WDL: "This review was posted today at http://purplemoonmyst.wordpress.com/2008/09/16/mexican-bowl-fishing-and-other-tales-of-life/ . This site offers great reviews and recommendations of books that you'll surely want to check out. Please visit them often as they seem to review quite a volume of books and the lists appear to be updated frequently!"