Free Trade for Sustained Global Prosperity

Not so long ago I was I invited to a dinner to listen to Jeff Immelt, CEO of General Electric (GE), one of the biggest and most admired companies in the United States.

With great pathos, he spoke about the financial crisis in the US and spoke in particular about the world economy and one of his remarks rings true to me, he said: “The best insurance we have for prosperity, peace, and democracy is free trade across borders, without any restrictions in terms of national competitiveness.”

And I couldn't agree more!

AMERICAN POLITICS: A HINDRANCE TO REAL PROGRESS

After three years of living in New York City, I am very interested in the political debate in the US.  It thrills me, it excites me and it concerns me.  I also, however, find it disturbing that it seems there is no will whatsoever among politicians to work together in a bipartisan way and do what best for the country and the American people.  Regardless of what is proposed, the other side, almost in a knee-jerk reaction says NO!  Polarisation is a fact and is almost like a given in today’s political atmosphere and in most political debates in the US. The lack of will is tiresome, old and hinders progress!

Set your mind on a positive note. Don’t do a Pike!

To have a positive view of the future is perhaps not a fact based view and certainly not more true than to have a negative view of the future, however, it simply feels better to be positive!

Positive energy results in greater productivity and those close to you, like your family, working colleagues, pets, and fellow car drivers will just love you.

So make up your mind! Be happy and optimistic! Picture it!

Taylor/Brook, in 1988, stated that there are three attributes that are well recognized in a happy, healthy and adjusted human being:

-        Person has unrealistically positive estimates of his or own capabilities.

-        Overestimates his or her ability to control the situation.

-        Is unrealistically positive about the future.

And that, by the way, is me in a nutshell!