Moving Around Organizational Boxes

Writing a lot about nothing takes years of study, training and education. Those that achieve this ability find work often in universities, foundations and corporations. However, those that really excel in this fine art skill find there greatest rewards working for the government.

Yesterday, the U.S. Treasury Secretary Paulson gave a speech dealing with the new movement of boxes in the Federal Government. This rearrangement of boxes is not restricted to only government organizations, but is also done by universities, foundations and corporations. The uninitiated may feel that this movement of organizational boxes is meaningless. Unfortunately, for the untrained eye, this may appear to be the case. But, I can assure you that for those that have studied, trained and educated themselves to the subtleties of this fine art skill, the subtle differences are immediately apparent.

The movement of boxes in organizations whether government or the private sector is an art form that requires knowledge, but above all a trained eye and respect for the various perspectives that the rearranged boxes present. This skill takes years to develop and only the very brightest of individuals are entrusted with this very skilled and quite intellectual work.

Those in the press that were looking for meaningful changes in regulations that would effect the banking and investment banking sectors of our domestic economy do not quite understand the importance of the subtle movement of organizational boxes in government. This is unfortunate for all concerned for it leaves many feeling let down by what some believe to be inadequate measures and movement. I can assure you that while these measures may seem to be minimal and without merit, that in the minds of the trained and educated, the actions that were taken by Treasury Secretary Paulson are monumental. If only in his mind and that of the Administration and certain members of Congress, these changes are for our own good.

The bottom line is that nothing tangible will be done during the present administration. This mess that took years to create will be waiting for the next occupant of the Oval Office. Why would anyone want to give so much of themselves to their country as being President of the United States?

Since the administrations in office in the years 1981-84, 1985-88, 1989-92, 1992-96, 1997-2000, 2001-2004 and 2004 to the present, an assault on banking and securities regulations growing out of the Great Depression, the Acts of the 1930’s and 1940’s, have been undone. Safety nets are called safety nets because they act as safety nets. If they did not do their job, we would call them “unsafety nets.” Well, guess what? With the help of people that have studied, trained and educated themselves in the movement of boxes, the government with the urging of the private sector, has dismantled the safety nets that were created in the ‘30’s and 40’s for the purpose of preventing a financial crisis once, twice, three times or more.

I have been hanging around this planet for 65 years, and I have watched the events for many years. Either I am getting smarter as time goes by, or, it is really all over my head. But, this country is in for some tough times unless people that know how to move organizational boxes decide that just moving organizational boxes is not going to get the job done. I can tell you this: we are part of the world economy and the world financial systems. If you think the rest of the world will put up with our nonsense forever, you are wrong. And, if you don’t believe me, then just watch. What you are about to see in the next several years, will be the dismantling of the United States as a financial super power. Those people in government and the private sector can wear the darkest blue hand tailored suits they can get their hands on and and wear the best shirts and ties on the market, but money talks and bullshit walks, so get your walking shoes on because we are going to be doing a lot of walking. Stay tuned.