Long before the Earthquake, Haiti saw its share of tragedies.  The devastation caused by intestinal parasites was one.   And the cure so easy:  one pill that costs less than five cents.   As water systems become tainted, and water lays stagnant, the parasites will increase.   But make no mistake:  the trouble is in Haiti but the real tragedy is in a surrounding  world so insulated in lazy, narcissistic self-satiety, that more people would prefer to pay an extra two cents for a brand name green bean that to expend the effort needed to send two cents to cure a child of a future-robbing medical ailment.  A child.

In 2005, when he founded Planting Peace, Aaron Jackson chose to live himself in a homeless shelter in South Florida, to make available every penny possible available to cure every child possible.  And this- before the Earthquake.    Aaron Jackson is a hero.   CNN reporter Anderson Copper recognized it when Aaron was featured on the 2007 CNN Medical Marvel Project.   Aaron Jackson is a hero because he sees and tackles head-on what most of us would find easier to overlook:

• one dollar will cure 67 children
• fifty dollars will cure 3,330 children
• five hundred dollars will cure 33,330 children
• one thousand dollars will cure 66,660 children
• fifteen thousand dollars will cure over one million children

How many children will you cure today?  One dollar: 67 children.   Will you cure a child today?  Will you cure 67 children?  Are you ashamed that you only have one dollar with which to help the children of Haiti?  Don’t be ashamed.  Be a hero.  Use your one dollar and cure 67 children.

In contrast to some countries which have a reputation for corruption at the local and country levels- within government and in the private sector, too- the United States, for all its wayward steps and occasional embarrassments, continues to be respected and desired as a business partner.  The United States is known as a country where deals are reliable.   The United States is viewed as a place of safety, opportunity and integrity.   The world wants to do business with Americans.

Why is it that some countries are more corrupt than others?  After all, people are people wherever they are and wherever they come from.  There are the good, the bad and the confused.

It’s simple:  America is a democracy with Rule of Law grounded in respect for the human rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.   And the Rule of Law stands upon the four pillars of democracy:  Transparency, Accountability, Participation and Fair Competition.

Throughout the world, organizations in developing countries are learning to manage their affairs in accordance with the pillars of democracy that have made America the great, strong nation of integrity that it is.   Business and nonprofit organizations will expand their access to business opportunities and grant funding by developing organizational structures, policies and procedures that rest on these pillars.

Transparency    Accountability    Participationnd Fair Competition

Leave space

EnSig Corporation offers training toorganizations in developing countriesto strengthen capacities andto access global economic opportunity.

Janet Napolitano is President Obama’s “point person” for Immigration Reform. As the US Department of Homeland Security Secretary and a past governor of the State of Arizona, she is well versed in immigration issues. While she is an advocate of immigration reform and national security, she does not bode fools well. She is famous for her statement “You show me a 50 foot wall and I will show you a 51 foot ladder.”
On November 13, 2009 she met with John Podesta, President of the Center for American Progress (“CAP”) to address the progress of immigration reform. What is “immigration reform?” In short, it is a restructuring of United States law that governs immigration issues.

Currently, congressmen are working on a plan that will simultaneously:
• protect US borders with “comprehensive suite of policies”,
• support the continuation of the resurgence of the US economy with a plan that will enable undocumented aliens to stop hiding in the shadows, register and pay taxes,
• stop lengthy separation of family members within the immigration process, and
• respect the contribution and allegiance that many immigrants have shown in their duty in the US Military protecting US citizens, even before they have taken the oath of US citizenship.

The plan recognizes how impracticable it is to try to drive all undocumented aliens out, as well as how beneficial to the US economy it will be to enable registration of undocumented foreigners who are working in the USA under the table (without paying income taxes.)
“The economy is growing again and job losses have slowed. It is a continuing process. Now it is time to fortify the United States and “lay a new foundation of growth and prosperity,” says Napolitano, “12 Million people are here illegally, living in the shadows. Reform is needed. The laws themselves need to be reformed with: 1) commitment to fair, reliable enforcement 2) improved legal flows for new immigrants and 3) firm and fair ways to deal with those who are already here. The immigrant story is part of what it means to be an American.”

Congressmen are working to create legislation that will create an immigration system that works. Comprehensive reform efforts failed in 2007. But many of the concerns that congress members addressed in 2007 as necessary prior to reform have been met, such as allocation of additional resources and enforcement. Security at the Mexican border has been improved significantly with additional resources, inspections and surveillance technology. Workforce compliance initiatives have expanded and a system for electronic verification of eligibility of new hires (e-verify) has been put into place. Procedures to facilitate the process for new immigrants, such as website and e-mail communications with respect to the status of immigration applications have been implemented. New biometric equipment has been incorporated into the system that allows comparison of fingerprints to quickly identify people committing immigration fraud. Business leaders and labor leaders are calling for reform to support business and financial interests. Faith groups are calling for reform on moral and ethical grounds. Secretary Napolitano says, “WE CAN FIX THIS.”

The United States is ready for immigration reform. Immigration reform is coming. And thankfully, it appears that the full picture of needs is being reviewed for re-work. For example, current visa laws make it difficult for high skilled foreigners who have been educated in the USA to continue to work here.  According to Napolitano, “America educates many of the brightest students from around the world and then tells them they must leave when many would rather stay and build businesses. The current visa policies are hindering the growth of businesses that want to expand. We must protect the labor rights of current workers while revising a legal work force in cases where businesses can’t find Americans to fill the jobs. These changes will make the economy stronger and more prosperous for all. Going forward, visa policies will be crafted to address all aspects of economic needs.”

She also notes that where families are concerned, the current system is outdated. “No one should need to wait in line for years to reunite with a family or spouse.  Many individuals have risked their lives in the military to protect Americans even before they take the oath of citizenship.”  She concludes: “We are both a nation of immigrants, and a nation of laws. This is ingrained in our national character.  It has helped make America the great nation that it is.  But we must modernize our laws for the 21st century so that this a a vision that can endure. This is a task that is critical, obtainable, and that we are fully committed to fulfilling. “

Immigration reform is coming. Potential new immigrants to the USA and undocumented workers already in America- begin to create your vision for your life in the USA. Economic Opportunity is on its way! It will not always be easy-Americans are known for their hard work. There will be registrations to complete, taxes to pay. Crime and/or moral turpitude will never be tolerated. But as President Obama’s Homeland Security Secretary articulated so well: “Immigration reform will be part of a new growth, prosperity and security that rewards the hard work and entrepreneurial spirit that immigrants have always brought to America.” America is, has always been, and always will be THE LAND OF OPPORTUNITY.

God Bless America

Home of the Free and the Brave

Persons who seek asylum from the USA based on fear of persecution in their home country must file for asylum within one year of arrival in the USA.  Persons who have been granted status as Refugees and Asylees have one year from entry to the USA to apply for permanent residence in the USA.  Why are asylees and refugees permitted to adjust to U.S. lawful permanent resident status?  Shouldn’t they have to return to their home country once country conditions have changed?

The United States is a country that has welcomed those fleeing persecution since the time of the Puritans.  It is a proud American heritage.  It is a heritage grounded in heart.  Throughout the world, people may disagree with the government actions of America, and may even view us as “cowboys”- but even the most bitter recognize and appreciate that Americans have a heart.  A terrorist in Iraq once commented that he saw a sign set by the Americans that gave him pause:  It said, “We are building, you are destroying.”  The American heart for “rightness” is a great part of our strength as a nation.  It would not be unreasonable to provide refuge to asylees until the danger is over, and then to send them home.  But the Americans who cumulatively are America generally strive to do more:  to “do unto others as they would have done to them”- regardless of religious background.  This active compassion is why we can live side by side in peace and fraternity− Christian, Jew, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or other.  Black, White, Red, Brown, Mixed or other.   It is why we can as a nation model peace and the positive impacts of democracy on individual lives.

No, I do not think it would be unfair or morally wrong to provide temporary refuge and then send refugees/asylees home.   The belief that we have a responsibility for helping our brothers and sisters during difficult times is universal for civilized society.”  We could meet that responsibility by providing temporary refuge.  But we Americans are better than fair.  We are compassionate.   And the generosity of extending not just temporary refuge, but hope and opportunity for a full new life is returned to America moreover, with appreciation and loyalty, with eyes of insight into sources of discord and intolerance, and with infusion of the beautiful cultural differences that create a strong, intelligent, and heart-filled nation.

What is important is that as American diversity grows, we retain our initial grounding in democracy, compassion, courage, and perseverance for continuous improvement.  With respect to immigration law, this means leaving room for human discretion on a case by case basis, while placing controls to ensure that that discretion is not unfairly wielded.  For the refugee/asylee, it means providing welcome to a permanent home in our great land of opportunity.

One country gives hope.  Another gives values.  Another-  history, perspective.  Like children in a classroom anywhere, some countries and people have more of one positive attribute than another, but all have value to add to the whole.   Traits aside, in and of themselves, all are equal in value.  None is “better than” another.

When the USA experiences difficult times economically, there is a world of suffering.  Like a stone dropped in a pool of water, the ripples extend. When the ancient artifacts of a museum in Persia are pillaged, or a 15th century mosque is destroyed, the loss can not be seen, and may even be unknown to most, yet is experienced world-wide:   A loss to humankind which will never be fully recognized but which will impact, with absence of the conveyance of knowledge that could have been, as completely as if that loss had tangible substance of impact.

The child killed by abortion today in the world’s western hemisphere might one day have borne a great grandchild who would have identified the cure for a plague yet to come in the Middle East.  The child starved to death in Africa today as a result of reduced humanitarian aid following an act of hatred might have one day borne a great grandchild who would have identified a new plant protein adequate to feed the world.   Or maybe that starved child would have achieved it herself.

We are all linked- our destinies entwined, our actions impacting all others, as well as ourselves.  Whether a nation or person is perceived as “one up” is transient and passing.   One person- one nation- possesses strengths that exceed those of another- in certain qualities.  Yet in the end, all persons and nations are of equal value.  Like children.

We are all connected.  Linked in a humanity that involves frailty, error, and the magnificence of capacity for forgiveness and achievement of creative excellence.  Linked in a chain of interdependence where what is good for one is good for all, what harms one harms all.   All linked under one God, who is who He is, regardless of what our tiny minds choose to believe, and regardless of which minutiae of dogma we choose to obsess on.  In the end, He will still be who and what He is, whether or not we war over it in a vain attempt to establish our tiny view as the only view.

Evil is easy.  Lazy.  There are a million ways to get rich if one is willing to sacrifice right values.   Likewise, there are innumerable ways to establish supremacy (and serve vanity) through violent means.  Those who choose destruction over creation pervert the blessing of life for the sake of vanity.

We are linked.  Interdependent.  For individuals, and for nations, the only route to strengthening is the strengthening of others.  The only route to completion of this plane of existence with pure conscience and absence of vanity is to choose the harder road:  channeling energies and creative potential to support global peace and prosperity.

One world, under God (however you may perceive Him), with liberty and justice for all.  Not one world government.  Just one world, beautifully interdependent, folding into itself the unique goodnesses that each individual and nation contibutes to the whole.  It is the harder, right way.

Hope. Belief in a positive outcome in the future.

Love. The antithesis of Apathy.  The opposite of Fear.

The Biggest Obstacle to Success: The absence of Faith, Hope and Love.

Faith, Hope and Love - these three.   But the greatest of these is Love.

Believe in Yourself.   Believe in a Positive Outcome.  Fight Fear.

Love Yourself and Others- and Catalyze Success!

Opportunity in the USA

Recently, a student at the CUNY School of Professional Studies suggested that the numbers of visas available to foreigners should be based on the historic productivity and contribution to the USA by immigrants of the individual’s nation. He proposed that a greater number of visas should be allocated to countries that have produced immigrants who have significantly contributed more to the progress of this country.  As examples, he noted the contribution of Mexican immigrants to agriculture, Philippine immigrants to nursing and health care, and Indian immigrants to engineering and telecommunications.  He posited that it is not fair that countries that have not produced a significant number of immigrants who have helped shape America should have the same number of visa available as the rest of the world.  He proposed that countries ought to be extended visas based on a weighted evaluation of how immigrants from those countries have contributed to the greatness of the USA. I believe that our nation needs to do more and find more ways to honor productive immigrants, and even specific nations contributing productive immigrants.  Yet I bristle at the thought of tying numbers of allowable immigrants to the historic productivity/contribution of immigrants from the nation from which they come. Here is why: For most potential immigrants, legal immigrant status equals “opportunity.”  If people were provided access to “opportunities” based on the historic achievements and contributions of others with their own cultural heritage, in years past black Americans would have had less access to opportunity than white Americans, despite the fact that the apparent (underscore apparent!) lesser contributions were the result of historic socioeconomic factors- that with “time and opportunity” could and would be overcome.  Pre-existing economic factors influence capacity for success, as well as ability to “publicize” contributions and productivity, making them apparent.  Given opportunity, it is individuals who are in a position to overcome economic obstacles to become productive contributors to society.  The ultimate achievements as a result of the opportunity stem from the individual’s perseverance, not the individual’s national origin.   With opportunity and time, immigrants from the “apparent least contributing” nations may prove themselves to cure cancer and even excel in an area of science yet unknown.

Finally, the determination of value of contribution or productivity of the cumulative immigrants of a nation is impossible. I submit that the non-English speaking grandmother who has immigrated to the USA (perhaps from a nation that is viewed as less contributing than others), who spends her days cooking and tending to the family in a traditional family role, contributes just as much to our society by “role modeling” positive family values as the rocket scientist or multi-chain restauranteur from “highly contributing immigrant nations.”

The beauty and strength of the USA is in its diversity and its commitment to equal opportunity.  For these reasons, I do not think access to opportunity should ever be moderated based on past performance of individuals in a like-economic circumstance (which is what extending opportunity to immigrants based on their national performance would be tantamount to). That said, I absolutely think we need to do much more to honor the immigrants and nationalities of the immigrants who have been and continue to be at the core of our success as a nation.  Awards, a new class of small business loans, more set-aside federal business subcontracts, a special class of homeowner loans, a specific holiday- yes!  Maybe even credits to expedite US citizenry once a Legal Permanent Resident. But overall limits to access to opportunity in the USA based on historic contribution by nationality: I can’t agree.

The little dog in question was not a bad guy, he just had an excruciatingly annoying habit.  Every time his owners would leave the house, the otherwise cute little dog would go into a hyperactive dither and bark incessantly.  How can you stop a dog from barking?  Especially from barking when their owners leave?  It appeared impossible.  But The Dog Whisperer not only solved the problem within five minutes, as the owner’s watched aghast- he explained exactly how he did it.

Now wouldn’t you like to be able to solve the impossibly irritating behaviors of others around you?  If Cesar Millan can stop a dog from a life-long habit of barking within five minutes- could the same ability to change offensive behaviors be applied to people?

In pondering that, the first step is to consider how Cesar Millan was able to stop the dog from barking.  In watching Cesar interact with the dog, it was not readily apparent what he had done that caused the dog to change its behavior.  Basically, he lightly gestured to the pooch to stop barking- He made it clear to the pooch that he did not want him to bark.  But certainly over the months and years of anguish the owners of the dog had endured with the barking, at some point they too must have made it clear to the dog that they did not like the barking.  So what was different about what Cesar did?

Dumbfounded at seeing their dog allow them to leave the house without putting up any fuss or barking, the owners, amazed, asked Cesar how he did it.  His answer:

“This dog thinks he is the leader of the pack- and he hasn’t given you permission to leave.  That is why he barks.  I simply let him know that he is not the leader of the pack.  Now he will simply accept it when you leave.”   And so the dog did.

There it is:  The first step in changing offensive behavior is in understanding the perspective of the offender.  Then, letting the offender know that their perspective of entitlement is incorrect, unacceptable.

How many times do we ineffectively jump to the second step in human altercations?  There can be no change to achieve reconciliation, healing or attitude and behavior change without understanding.

Luis’s story was clever and cute and it made me think.  Shame is the ancient and ultimate behavior control.  Imagine if people were ashamed to hate.. ashamed to be predjudiced..ashamed to treat others unjustly..ashamed to act dishonestly…

If you missed the introduction to how Miguel from Mexico, Fuhrat from Iraq and Hanna from Bulgaria were able to access global economic opportunity and create prosperity for themselves and their families with no opportunity-no money to start, go to the FULL STORY.

Here is the continuation…

POST 2   The Stories Begin

Manuel from Mexico

Dejected, Manuel hung his feet over the dock and proceeded to attach a worm to the hook.   He couldn’t even afford chum.  That morning, his wife had shouted in desperation that “he had nothing and he was nothing.”   It was little consolation to him that despite the cruise lines of tourists running through the port in his village in Mexico; his reality was also the reality of most residents in the village:  stone poor.  How to make something from nothing?  How to ever get beyond the daily need to fish for his family’s dinner? If he had money, he would start a business.  But he had nothing.  Nothing but seaweed, he mused, as he pulled a piece off of his sneakers.

As his mind faded into the solace of the comfort yielding serenity of fishing, a wee small voice inside him chastised, “That’s right.  Nothing but seaweed.  It’s all you’ve got, so work with it.”

The next day that Manuel caught enough fish to feed his family for two days, he took the following day off from fishing and went to the library to learn all he could about seaweed.  He would use this knowledge to parlay “nothing” into a life of wealth and prosperity for him and his family, by accessing global economic opportunity.

Fuhrat from Iraq

His factory in shambles, Fuhrat recalled the day that he was the wealthiest man in his city.  Then came the violence and corruption that destroyed his life and the life of his employees, when he could no longer afford the costs of transportation of materials through the dangerous streets, or the costs of repairs to his tile production factory.  And his date-palm growing business- that was gone, too.  The lack of electricity and fuel had made it impossible for his workers to attend to the trees.  And even if there had been enough electricity and water, the workers would have stopped coming because the streets were too violent to navigate.   There is no way to recover from this, Fuhrat ruminated.  The violence had subsided and the marketplace was once again open.  Peace had come, along with new liberties.  He was a strong and experienced businessman who knew how to make things happen.  But he had been reduced to nothing.  He had nothing.  No opportunity- No money to start.

As his mind took refuge from distraught in the mindless comfort of kicking stones, a wee small voice inside him rebelled: “You do not have nothing.  You have YOU!  You are what you’ve got, so work with it!”

In that moment, Fuhrat set himself upon a course that would re-establish his prosperity, enabling him to build and maintain business offices in three different countries, and immigrate with his family to the USA.

Hanna from Bulgaria

Hanna’s mother-in-law shouted at her to wipe the fingerprints from the picture frame.  She had barely touched it.  Of course, her hands were dirty from the hard labor in the field that morning.  Her clothes were filthy, too.  She was only allowed enough soap to clean her one dress once a week.  It had been that way since her husband died.  Her only comfort, sewing, had been lost, too, when her sewing machine broke and there was no money to fix it.  As her mother-in-law screamed at her to clean the latrine, her mind faded to the escape of daydreams about sewing beautiful colorful costumes for the National Theater in Sofia…  Catching her own worn image in the piece of reflective glass hanging over the sink, she was thrust back into reality.  You have nothing, she thought to herself.  No opportunity-No money to start.  So quit the daydreaming, she chastised herself.

Setting back to the task before her she plunged the plunger into the toilet (if you could call it that.)  The filthy water slapped back at her face even as the inner voice of strength slapped back at her resignation:

“Find Your Opportunity!  Find the Money to Start!”

And find she did.  The next day was the first day of the rest of Hannah’s life.  It would be a wonderful life of creativity in design, including sewing and beautiful (and expensive) fabrics in all the colors of the world.  She would even make a new home in the USA.

Come back next Sunday for the next installment of the stories of Miguel, Fuhrat and Hanna.  Three impoverished individuals from three different countries, who achieved prosperity by accessing global economic opportunity.  All three had No Opportunity-No Money to Start.  Learn how they did it.

What is Your Inner Voice Saying to You?

These are the requirements:

• Only persons from certain countries are eligible. 50,000 visas are issued each year under the diversity Lottery to people who come from countries that have sent less than 50,000 people to the USA as immigrants in the past five years. Each year, just before the new Diversity Lottery, the State Department will publish the list of countries eligible to participate.

In last year’s Diversity Lottery (DV2010), persons from the following countries were NOT eligible to participate:

Note: The Diversity Lottery for 2010 (DV2010) has closed. The next Diversity Lottery (DV2011) will likely be open for applications in early October 2009. We will post the new list of countries that are not eligible here as soon as it is issued by the US Department of State.

• You may be eligible to apply if you are related to someone from an eligible country. You or your spouse must be a native of a country that is eligible to participate in the Diversity Visa Lottery, but you are also allowed to participate if you have a parent who was born in a country that is eligible to participate.

• You must have a high school diploma or equivalent work training and experience. This means that you are eligible if you have completed twelve years of study including elementary and secondary education OR if you have two years of work experience in a job that requires at least considerable training or experience to perform. If you are basing your eligibility on the equivalent work training and experience, the work experience must have taken place within the past five years. Further, your work experience must have been in an occupation that is designated as Job Zone 4 or 5, classified in a Specific Vocational Preparation (SVP) range of 7.0 or higher in the database of occupations listed at the US Department of Labor O*Net Online Database.

The window of opportunity to make an application is short, so bookmark this site and check back often for updates. If you would like us to notify you by e-mail when the next application period occurs, send a note in the comments section below with your e-mail address. (We will not post your e-mail address, but will notify you as the new round of application opportunity for the Green Card Lottery (The diversity Lottery) opens!)

Opportunity Cafe will post the eligible countries and the instructions for applying as soon as they are issued by the U.S. Department of State. The instructions will most likely be posted in August, but it could be sooner.

Applications can be submitted electronically on the Department of State website. The instructions must be followed exactly. According to US Citizenship and Immigration Services, a US government agency: “Millions of applicants are rejected each year for failure to follow the directions. “

The purpose of Opportunity Café is to appreciate cultural diversity and the experience of immigrants, as well as to encourage global economic opportunity.  OpportunityCafe.com  is not affiliated with the US government, but we are pleased to keep you informed.

TYPE YOUR NAME AND E-MAIL IN BELOW TO RECEIVE BREAKING NEWS AND AUTOMATIC UPDATES ON THE DIVERSITY LOTTERY FROM THE OPPORTUNITY CAFE.

Miguel spends most days picking the seaweed off his sneakers as he fishes for dinner to feed his family in Mexico. Fuhrat used to be a wealthy man, but the violence in Iraq wiped out everything he built. Hanna daydreams about the life she would have in Bulgaria if only…  All three are about to learn that in a global economy, there is more opportunity than they can imagine. Follow the story as they access global economic opportunity to make their impossible dreams come true.  The continuing story will be posted as a sub-page to the Opportunity Page above.   Check back every Sunday.

True to “The-grass-is-always-greener-on-the-other-side” voice that rises up in the background noise of our heads, the “Only” life is viewed as a life of freedom from responsibility- freedom from drudgery.  Only’s can go where they want, when they want- unfettered by children, spouses, in-laws, siblings.  They have the luxury to travel, to move residence at will, to develop hobbies.  They can spend their money on themselves rather than on their children’s education… And so the thinking goes.

When help is needed, it is often the “Only” who is called.   After all, they do not have the responsibilities others do.   Providing help is easiest for them.  Or is it?

Only’s know the truth- they live it.  Only’s must earn twice as much as others because one must pay the electric bill rather than two- or five.  Only’s must work twice as hard as others, because there is no one to share the load.  Each and every time the trash must go out, bills must be paid, household equipment must be fixed, it is their responsibility.  Only’s have half the time available that others do, because there is no sharing of the daily responsibilities.  And this cycle of “double load” is exacerbated by the prevailing attitude that leads others to rely upon the Only for assistance with their chores, too- in the misconception that the Only is more available.   Even then, the exacerbation is magnified by the “lonely” in the Only that evokes a desire to please all around, and accordingly a “yes” response to every request for time, support, assistance, labor, money.

What is an Only to do?

Carpe´ Diem, Only’s! Sieze the day!  There is more time for the Only- but for the possessions.  There is more money for the Only- but for the need to pay the bills.  There is more freedom of choice- but for the self-imposed accomplishing of tedium for others- and occasionally, succumbing to the crushing weight of “aloneness” which distorts understanding of the most valuable commodity in the universe- the only commodity that fuels good:  love.   Love springs from with within, not from without.

Rise up, Only’s! Don’t look back.   Forward ahead is your power to Make A Difference.   And that power exceeds the power of most.  Your time is your own.  Reacquaint yourself with it.  Only- you are rich!  Rich with the second most valuable commodity in the universe: Time.    If you own your time, guarding it like a storehouse, measuring its issue, you will find you indeed have more than others. And it is Time above all, except Love, that empowers the making of a difference.

Utilize your day of rest to re-assess and prioritize.  Scrutinize the leaks, drains and usurpers of your storehouse of wealth. To whom and what is your time being dedicated?  If to possessions, rid them.  Each possession cast away adds precious Time to your storehouse.   And that time, charged by the love within you, is a source of enormous personal power.

Only’s- begin with the destination.  See it clearly.  Plan the outcome of your power.  Plan the road and the issue of your Time well, to that end. You have the power to:

…change attitudes with words
…change hearts with love
…change government policies with communications
…care for orphans
…read to the blind
…make beautiful music
…clean up a beach
…pray for good outcomes
…plant a tree
…spread joy

Only’s- The question is not: “Why are you alone?” or even “How will you pay the bills?”  The question is:

What is the difference will you make?

The opportunity to put good in the world is truly the Only opportunity. Choose well.

America: Opportunity for Immigrants - Immigrants: Opportunity for America

Historically, America has proudly proclaimed its rich heritage as a nation grounded in the entrepreneurial spirit of immigrants. Today, America continues to find strength in this heritage, in the strong family values brought by immigrants, and in the human and economic resources contributed by immigrants. As in every corner of life, there are fear-mongers who cry that the sky will fall if…., attempting to sway the populace to their opinion by inciting fear. When focused on immigration policy, their dire warnings include threatening distortions of the economic consequences if immigration continues unabated. Their rants attempt to appeal to Americans in their homes and pocketbooks- shouting, “Immigrants are stealing jobs that should go to Americans!”

Yet the reality is that immigrants are GOOD for America. America was built on the hard work of immigrants, and America will continue to sustain on the hard work of immigrants. America needs immigrants. And contrary to what the fear-mongers would have you believe, most Americans value immigrants. The vast majority of Americans have parents or grandparents or great-grandparents who were born in “the old country.”

Statistics compiled by government entities such as the Small Business Administration and the US Census Bureau, as well as research conducted by think tanks such as the Immigration Policy Center in Washington D.C., and immigration advocacy groups such as the National Immigration Forum, bear out this truth: Immigrants are integral to the success and future of the American economy.

Here are some facts about immigrants in the United States of America:

Who are the Immigrants to the USA?

· 1.5 million skilled and unskilled immigrants work in the United States each year.

· More than 70 percent of immigrants are over the age of 18 when they arrive in the United States.

· Most immigrants arrive in the United States in the prime of their working years.

· Immigrants are more likely to be self-employed than non-immigrants- evidence of a strong entrepreneurial spirit consistent with the opportunity in America.

· In 2008, a total of 1,107,126 persons became Legal Permanent Residents of the United States.

· In 2008, 10 countries accounted for 53 percent of all new legal permanent residents: Seventeen percent of all persons becoming legal Permanent Residents in the United States were born in Mexico. China was the second leading country of origin, contributing 7.3 percent of the new legal permanent residents, followed by India (5.7 percent), the Philippines (4.9 percent), Cuba (4.5 percent), the Dominican Republic (2.9 percent), Vietnam (2.8 percent), Colombia (2.7 percent), Korea (2.4 percent), and Haiti (2.3 percent). These 10 countries accounted for 53 percent of all new LPRs in 2008.

· The average education of new immigrants has increased with each generation of immigrants.

· In the workplace, a larger percentage of immigrants hold bachelor’s or postgraduate degrees than do native-born American workers.

· Despite stereotypes, according to the American Immigration Lawyers Association, within 10 years of arrival, more than 75 percent of immigrants speak English well.

· Half of all Silicon valley engineers are from other countries.

· Skilled medical professionals from other countries fill what would otherwise be gaps in medical capacity in the USA.

· Less than three percent of immigrants receive food stamps.

How do Immigrants engage in business opportunity and contribute to the U.S. economy?

· According to the US Small Business Administration, about 81,000 immigrants start businesses each month.

· 16.7 percent of all new business owners in the United States are immigrants.

· Immigrants are 30% more likely than non-immigrants to start a new business each month.

· Immigrants own 11.2 percent of U.S. businesses with $100,000 or more in sales

· Immigrants own 10.8 percent of all U.S. businesses with employees.

· According to the New York City based think tank, “Center for an Urban Future,” immigrants are starting a greater share of new businesses than native-born Americans.

· Over the past 15 years, immigrants founded one of every four companies that received venture capital.

· From 1995 to 2005, immigrants were the chief executives or chief technologists at one of every four new technology and engineering companies in America . In 2006, these immigrant-founded companies employed 450,000 U.S. workers.

· Hundreds of thousands of American citizens are employed by: Yahoo, Google, Sun MicroSystems, Qualcomm and E-bay- all companies founded by immigrants. These companies have generated billions of dollars in revenue annually.

What is the Prognosis for Immigration to the USA in the future?

· Demographics in the United States are shifting. According to data extrapolated by the Census of 2000, minorities grew at 12 times the growth rate of whites. According to Census projections, by the year 2050 racial and ethnic minorities will outnumber non-Hispanic whites. American law is formed by consensus of the people. Accordingly, this demographic shift will impact all areas of business and political decision-making.

· Current economic difficulties in the United States (and in the world) notwithstanding, the U.S. government has forecast a shortage of 20 million workers by the year 2026 as a result of the retirement of the baby boomer generation. An easy solution to this problem is an easing of US immigration laws in order to meet the labor demand.

· Alan Greenspan addressed the economic impact of the shrinking U.S. labor supply, stating, “There will effectively be a limit to new hiring, unless US immigration is uncapped.”

· Failure to address our shrinking labor resources will slow down the economy, impacting the prosperity of all Americans. The obvious solution to the problem of an aging American workforce is to increase opportunities for immigration. Increased opportunities for immigration will yield new small businesses that employ Americans and investment in existing American businesses that employ Americans.

· The win-win potential for foreigners who want to immigrate to the United States and local businesses and economies in the USA has only just begun to be tapped. Savvy states such as Vermont, and numerous US businesses of varying sizes, are actively seeking foreigners who would like to receive an automatic green card for residence in the United States in exchange for investment in local companies. The United States wins jobs and a bolstered economy; foreigners win the opportunity to pursue their dreams in America- land of opportunity.

Whether ignorant fear-mongers (read: bigots) like it or not, increased immigration is where we are heading. And it is right and good: Not only was our great nation founded by immigrants, but our national heart and soul resides with immigrants: We derive pride and a national joy from our diversity. To a large degree, the sense of plenty in America is tied to the plenty we have of immigrants. And in our newly globally interdependent world economy, the “plenty” of cultural diversity in our homeland is the foundation of our strength.

]]> http://opportunitycafe.com/2009/06/immigrants-the-economic-opportunity-in-the-usa/feed/ http://opportunitycafe.com/2009/06/if-you-could-cure-250-children-of-parasitic-disease-for-just-five-dollars/ http://opportunitycafe.com/2009/06/if-you-could-cure-250-children-of-parasitic-disease-for-just-five-dollars/#comments Tue, 02 Jun 2009 02:40:34 +0000 admin http://opportunitycafe.com/?p=537 Would you? Watch the outstanding video on the “Make a Difference” page above.  It is about an American hero.   It is about hundreds of thousands of children who have been given a new opportunity to live, in Haiti, Guatemala, and other impoverished countries.

We all have gifts and talents and opportunities- even when there are tremendous obstacles in our way.   It is possible for every one to make a difference-  for themselves and for a more beautiful world.  Sometimes that is as simple as a smile to someone.  Sometimes that smile achieves a difference larger than could be imagined.   Enjoy this video about children who have impaired hearing, as they learn the art of mime.  It is a project done by the World Mime Organization and supported by the Ministry of Social Affairs of the Republic of Serbia as well as the Belgrade municipality of Palilula.  Then, think about your own special gifts and opportunities- to overcome, and to create goodness.

In seeking marriage:

The process of Sourcing for  the contract (identifying suppliers) may include a referral, as in the case of selection of spouse by parents, or recommendation of spouse by an Aunt.

The Request for Proposal (offers) may include a request for a Bio Data Form.

The Offer includes formal Bio Data, reduced to writing, generally includes the standard components of a Statement of Qualifications, Curriculum Vitae (CV), or resume:   Full name.  Father and mother’s full name.    Address.   Telephone Number. Qualifications.  Employment Status and History.    Additionally, it adds personal information such as Date of Birth, Place of Birth,  Information about Family Members, Caste and Sub-Caste.  Horoscope information (whether clear or containing ”mangal’) may be added as well.  Mangal refers to the position of Mars at the time of birth of an individual- considered by some in India to portend compatability.

Acceptance, of course, will be the matrimonial bond.

Competency to enter into the marriage contract must be grounded in mental capacity and an appropriate age of consent.

It is interesting that even as our world has become more educated and travelled, customs of arranged marraiges continue.  Still, traditions that appear archaic to westerners suggest a proof of the pudding that is undeniable:  Arranged marraiges generally have a 5-7% divorce rate, vs. a 50% divorce rate for US marriages.  Is it the arrangement itself that is yielding this success, or is it rather the values of those who submit to such external decision making for their lives that achieves a lasting bond?  Or is the word bond the portentious truth-  better read as “bondage”?

As a westerner by birth, truly I do not know.  As a world citizen, I present that personal choice with respect to entering into marriage must be primary- a fundamental human right.  The individual may, in fact, choose to yield their decision to another.   Or they may not.  Who can define Love?  It is like a color: we know it, we can find it.  But describe it or it’s source?  Impossible.  Hundreds of thousands of arranged marriages throughout existence have found  grounding in love.  As a world we can expect that the beauty of traditions, and the sacrosanctity of the rights of the individual to elect their own life paths will continue to grow together.  Regardless of our own beliefs and decisions, me must tolerate, and  value, the beliefs and decisions of others.

As in business, which ever-seeks to improve quality, the Continuous Process Improvement of life is paramount- even a duty.   To this end, I submit that in 2009, the biodata form of the world citizen should evolve, including not only physical attributes and personal history, but the more important characteristics that contribute to our world:  Goals and Objectives, Aspirations (Mission Statement), and Virtues (Qualifications).  Cumulatively, the Scope of Work- personally, and within the family, community and larger world.

To the many world-wide who have been seeking a Biodata Form for Marriage, consider this revision to the old format which included simply vital statistics.      Bio Data Form for Marriage of an enlightened World Citizen.

Future Spouse & World Citizen: A Bio Data Form

If one considers this principle carefully, it becomes clear that there is no reasonable place for anger.  Investing energy in anger only draws that energy away from something productive.  Have you ever noticed that after being angry you become tired?  This is because you have drained energy to that end.  As individuals and as a world, we ought spare no room for anger.   Our energy is precious.

It is commonly thought that good results from the “doing” of good.  That action is essential to progress.   That lack of action is laziness or neglect- to be abhorred.  Yet, there is productive energy in rest.  Can one compare the seldom used but razor sharp cutting knife to the knife that is worn after days and years on end of use?  Contrary to appearance, it is not in “doing” but in “being” that our energy is best expended.  If we each strive to “be” the energy that we would have in the world- peace, joy, love, sense of plenty- that is the world we will see.  There is creative energy in faith, and in “being”.  Good works flow naturally from this.

Quantum physicists are only just beginning to prove what theologists have known all along- that faith can manifest reality.   That at the subatomic level, the act of observance alone can create particles.  What we choose to regard - to observe- is critical to the world we manifest.  We can choose to see the beauty, and it is beauty we will see- beauty we will be.

Today is an opportunity for each of us to take a proactive role in making the world a more harmonious place.  To achieve that, we do not need to fight a battle for justice, atone for past mistakes, or plan strategically.   We simply need to focus on making our own inner lives more harmonious.  We need to “be” the energy that we would would have.  We are the world- so far as we can see.

Today is an opportunity to refuse to let others steal your peace.  To refuse to let others invoke your anger and thereby divert your precious creative energy.  Today is an opportunity to redesign vision of your life and purpose:  To find peace and joy in “being” and thereby to become peace in the world.  Do not allow anyone or anything to ruffle you.

It is short-sighted to think that energy is about oil, that opportunity is about action.   Energy is about us.  We are the energy of the world.  Our freedom of choice for the use of our energy is our greatest opportunity.  By the Grace of God’s beautiful design.