It’s election day in the U.S. and like so many other Canadians, for months I’ve been glued to CNN following the campaign. For me personally, as someone with a large number of friends and clients in the U.S., the campaign has been highly illuminating, particularly with regards to the concept of ‘freedom’ as it is understood by Americans.

To set a baseline understanding, let’s begin with the Merriam-Webster dictionary definition of the word ‘freedom’.

1: the quality or state of being free: as a: the absence of necessity, coercion, or constraint in choice or action b: liberation from slavery or restraint or from the power of another : independence c: the quality or state of being exempt or released usually from something onerous d: ease , facility e: the quality of being frank, open, or outspoken f: improper familiarity g: boldness of conception or execution h: unrestricted use

Note that the FIRST example in that list is ‘the absence of necessity‘, yet ‘freedom’ as it is most often expressed in the U.S. means an ‘absence of power by another‘ as in freedom from ‘big government‘.

On the individual level, I know Americans to be kind, generous and compassionate people. However, existing conditions in the States prove that collective action has resulted in public policy that is anything but compassionate towards its citizenry.

That the U.S. (richest country in the world) ranks only 12th on the Human Poverty Index (a measure of a country’s standard of living, adult literacy and longevity) - primarily due to the fact that the U.S. is the only industrialized nation without universal access to health care - should be an indication that the first definition of freedom MUST be addressed before the attaining freedom in the second sense is possible.

Yet elevating all to a basic standard of living will be impossible so long as fear-mongers can turn a simple phrase such as ’share the wealth’ into warnings about the perils of socialism and communism.

Addressing baseline needs will be a pipe dream as long as ‘Joe the Plumber’s’ proclamations against ‘taking other people’s money’, Social Security and other government ‘handouts’ are hailed as avidly as the Second Coming. (Note that Joe the Plumber is a right-wing spokesperson and unlicenced plumber who owes $1200 in back taxes and another $1100 to a hospital.)

‘Joe the Plumber’ calls that having ‘principles’, i.e. Don’t be a laggard — just pull up your bootstraps, get out to work and you too can have the American Dream.

If I Joe was but one harmless individual, I would call that view naive. But that he’s out there getting press and support for his so-called ‘principles’, I’ll call it what it is - woefully uneducated.

Could ‘Joe the Plumber’ really NOT know that 46 million American citizens are without basic health insurance and that inadequate access to health care prevents many from the ability to work? Or, that medical bills due to temporary illness or chronic medical problems is one on the main reasons people file for bankruptcy in the U.S.? Is ‘Joe the Plumber’ really so lacking in empathy and compassion to realize “there but for the grace of God go I?”

Does ‘Joe the Plumber’ really believe that the American ideal of freedom is at work when the white majority of Liberty, Mississippi votes to deny funding to rehabilitate a crumbling public school primarily attended by black students?

Does ‘Joe the Plumber’ really not understand that oppressed, uneducated people are NOT free, or that people living in sickness, poverty and fear have little or no opportunity to become free? Does Joe really not understand that aggression results from fear, or that fear is the antithesis to freedom?

Joe, as a Canadian who earns well over 250K per year, I have a message for you.

I consider myself extremely fortunate to live in a peaceful country that puts collective good before individual interest. I’m THRILLED to pay my taxes and would gladly pay more to improve the standard of living of those of my countrymen that are less fortunate than I.

It gives me peace of mind to know that my family, friends and neighbours won’t go bankrupt through lack of health care. I have peace in the knowledge that my fellow citizens join the military through dedication to serving my country, not because they are poorly educated and have no alternative job or career options available to them.

Joe, it’s GOOD to have a government that regulates against unfettered capitalistic greed. U.S. financial experts (including Warren Buffet) advise that with low inflation of around 3%, short-term interest rates just above 2%, a modest payments surplus and a modest budget surplus - this country has a sound economy and is a wise investment. In September, there were 107,000 NEW jobs reported in Canada. (The U.S. reported a loss of over 700,000 jobs.)

Joe, it’s time to redefine your principles as well as your concept of freedom. (You could start by paying your taxes and your bills.) Educate yourself about life at home and abroad. Elevate yourself above the greedy ‘what’s good for my pocketbook?’ and accept in your heart that we are in fact all our brothers’ keepers.

Because to know real peace, security, and freedom - you must start with compassion.

Many of you know the name John Harricharan. As one of the most highly regarded, self-development and spiritual leaders on the planet, John has helped thousands and thousands of people discover the true secret of life-lasting success in all areas of their lives.

You don’t have to take my word for it. Here’s what Dr. Deepak Chopra, best-selling author has to say about John…

“John Harricharan leads us along the enchanted path of enlightenment with magic, charm, love and compassion.”

And Dr. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross said, “John is fantastic, absolutely fantastic … listen to what he has to say. His work has helped me through some of the toughest times of my life.”

I too am truly blessed to be able to call John my friend. He was there for me during a tough time a couple of years ago and helped me put things in perspective. Our chats and email exchanges always make me laugh out loud. John is a truly wonderful person.

I was therefore was very, very pleased when he told me that he was going to offer his “3 minutes, 3 steps to total success” system again. (He also mentioned that this is the last time it will be offered, and for a limited time only.)

John also said that he’s assembled a fantastic array of valuable, beneficial bonuses — some of them never offered before and others so rare that you’ll be amazed. But only if you choose to act right away.

It’s probably best to let me tell you a bit more about this product in John’s own words.

“With three steps, in about three minutes, you can start on a life of success,wealth and happiness.”

And he continues by asking:

Then he says:

“This special system shows you how to get to the place where making money — any amount of money, having all the happiness, health and peace you can imagine, become as simple as following a roadmap.”

John says that at first, you may not believe the endless possibilities in this amazing formula, so he is fond of quoting what Dr. Joe Vitale says about it:

“Three steps? It only takes three steps to solve problems, make money and feel happy? I didn’t believe it either, until I tried it. Not only do the three steps work, but you can do them anywhere, anytime, for any situation — and in about three minutes! On top of that, this method never fails. I’m blown away.”

I won’t take any more of your time by telling you more about John Harricharan and this limited time offer.

It is his intention to remove the product from the market so he could proceed with other major projects. I want you to find out for yourself by going to the website where John describes the amazing formula. But you have to act now.

Go to the PowerPause.

I am sure you’ll be glad that you did. Remember, this is a limited time offer.

Visit the PowerPause now for more information.

Cheers,

Ros

Almost as frequently the main reason for their failure to achieve success can very simply be explained with the following story about the preacher in the flood.

The water was up to the top of the church steps when a National Guard truck came by. “Get in, Preacher! The water’s rising.”

And the preacher said, “No. I trust in the Lord.”

The water rose and flooded the church. The preacher climbed up on the roof. Two boys came by in a John boat.

“Get in, Preacher! The water’s rising.”

And the preacher said, “No. I trust in the Lord.”

The water rose higher, and the preacher climbed up on the steeple. A helicopter came by and dropped a sling.

“Grab the sling, Preacher! The water’s rising.”

And the preacher said, “No. I trust in the Lord.”

The water rose even higher, and the preacher drowned.

In heaven, he said, “Lord, I had such trust in you. Why did you let me drown?”

And the Lord said, “Dummy! I sent you a deuce-and-a-half, a john boat and a helicopter!!”

So, if you find your business floundering, remember that success ultimately depends on your ability to use the tools you have and take action every day.

Your email address has won $4.6M from the UK Lottery online draws of 1st/02/08. Lucky #: GHDJ487304JDGD9W. For claims reply back to Mr. Donald Owens on don.wens1@hotmail.com with your official names, Nationality/resident country, address, sex, age, tel/mobile #, occupation, date of draw.

- uk Lottery Organization

Ya right… PLEASE don’t be fooled by these spammers. Don’t even reply to tell them how much you hate their spam!

Anyway, after a successful surgery, a prolonged stay in recovery, a forced rise in blood pressure, a threatened blood transfusion, zero sleep and contracting a cold; I was finally released from the hospital yesterday. Even better news, it turns out that the mass was benign.

Yeah!

To ensure a full recovery, I will be spending the next week relaxing, recuperating and getting some much-needed shut eye. As I am able, I’ll check for blog comments and post more here and at NPT.

Thanks again for all your good wishes and prayers — I’m certain that played a huge role in getting me sprung so quickly.

Attn,

AL-QUAEDA NETWORKS

British Columbia is a P-r-o-v-i-n-c-e.

Does that seem like a minor point? Well, those Americentric errors are killing your sales with people from the ‘outside’ world.

When they see those mistakes, your potential customers and affiliates always stop and wonder…

“Could these people really NOT know that Canada is comprised of provinces, or were they sloppy in designing their form? And if they screwed up the form because they’re sloppy, do I really want to do business with those too careless to get a basic form correct?”

As an affiliate, if I have to enter ‘B.C.’ or ‘British Columbia’ in the city form blank because the list of provinces is missing from the dropdown, I wonder if my commission check will be addressed to Penticton, Canada. While Canada Post may be able to figure that one out, I’m not keen to tempt fate or wait that much longer for a check.

If on the other hand, I’m ordering a product, I don’t bother with questions. I make the safe assumption that the shipping will get screwed up and abandon the cart immediately.

So, are you losing sales over completely avoidable errors?

Check your forms, or make sure that the person you hire to create those forms has passed Grade 4 geography. Better yet, ask them whether they have a passport that they’ve actually used.

And, if you want to make an even better first impression on your international customers, have your newly hired geography major change the box to read “Zip / Postal Code“. (Hint: it’s only called a zip code in the States.)

This fashion demise began last Friday during my annual medical. Apparently, it attracts attention when after extensive teeth-gritting you half-yell “OWWWWW!!!!” in response to a doctor’s probing.

So, on Sunday, I had a CT Scan and yesterday I got the word that next week I am scheduled to have a rather impressive abdominal mass surgically removed.

I’m slightly upset, but not for the reasons you might think.

I’m cheesed because I’m gonna be holed up in recovery for weeks and weeks and won’t be able to do yoga or go for a run just as the weather is getting really nice. I’m also upset because I’m going to miss 2 conferences that I was really looking forward to attending.

I’m especially upset however, about the fact that I didn’t pay enough attention to the clues my body has been giving me for months and months, eg. slightly elevated temperature, a little unusual discomfort, etc. — you know, all those things that you just ‘tough out’.

Duh. Me.

Anyway, although I trust that all will be well, I’ll be very grateful if you would be so kind as to call upon higher powers, cross your fingers, imagine golden light or simply think good thoughts for me on Thursday March 13th. THANKS in advance!!!

And… when was YOUR last medical?

Hi Ros and Joel,

Thanks so much for such a wonderful interview today Ros. It is so refreshing to hear someone make it all sound so simple and doable. I also loved your views on building a business aligned with your values and building on what women do naturally - build relationships.

We were competing with Mark Joyner today who had a webinar at the same time … One of the women who stayed for the mastermind told me she had both our calls running at once but turned off Mark’s because she was getting such value from your interview. That’s not something many can brag about!

I thought you may appreciate reading some of the comments people sent in through the webinar. I have cut and pasted them below.

Cheers,
Janet

The Super Affiliate Handbook is FANTASTIC!!! Everyone should have a copy, no matter what internet business they think they want to go into. - Sharon In the US

Thank you - that now makes more sense. - Kathie-Cairns

Can we stop the madness, you just said the very thing that I was thinking today. (This relates to your comments about keeping it simple and not buying in to the emails that promise the latest and greatest way to generate traffic) - Kim Beasley-St. Louis, MO, USA

I’m always happy to help you help your home-based listeners and/or subscribers make sense of doing business online. Just drop me a note through the Support Desk at NetProfitsToday.com and we’ll tee up a teleseminar or webinar schedule.

The birds are singing, the fruit trees are in bloom and the daily high temperature has been above 15 degrees Celcius consistently for the past week.

The latter fact permits us to dine alfresco in late March!

And really, what’s more glorious than having lunch with a friend on the home patio and enjoying a fabulous view on a beautiful spring day?

OK, maybe serving that lunch on some beautiful teak patio furniture… and that is in the works!