I was going to write a blog post for this evening but Michael A. Crowley wrote it for me. Here is the letter he recently wrote to his employees:

Michael A. Crowley, PE is the owner of Crowley & Associates, Inc. and was President and an owner of Crowley, Crisp & Associates, Inc. and Michael A. Crowley, PC. As President of Crowley & Associates, Inc., Mike is a lead designer of water supply, treatment and storage projects, regional sewage lift station design, and residential and commercial site development projects and is responsible for the management of the firm. Mike’s industry background includes over 20 years experience in the civil engineering field inclusive of executive level responsibilities in Marketing and Project Management. Prior to founding Michael A. Crowley, PC, Mike held positions with several engineering firms in North Carolina and Maine. Mike holds a B.S. Degree in Civil Engineering from University of Maine and a Master of Business Administration from Boston College. Mike is a member of the American Water Works Association (AWWA) and holds professional registrations in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Maryland, Arkansas, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Indiana, Maine, Tennessee, Australia, and Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies. Mike is a native of Norridgewock, Maine. The Crowley family resides in Wake Forest.

To All My Valued Employees,

There have been some rumblings around the office about the future of this company, and more specifically, your job. As you know, the economy has changed for the worse and presents many challenges. However, the good news is this: The economy doesn't pose a threat to your job.

What does threaten your job however, is the changing political landscape in this country. Of course, as your employer, I am forbidden to tell you whom to vote for - it is against the law to discriminate based on political affiliation, race, creed, religion, etc.

Please vote for who you think will serve your interests the best. However, let me tell you some little tidbits of fact which might help you decide what is in your best interest. First, while it is easy to spew rhetoric that casts employers against employees, you have to understand that for every business owner there is a back story.

This back story is often neglected and overshadowed by what you see and hear. Sure, you see me park my Mercedes outside. You saw my big home at last years Christmas party. I'm sure all these flashy icons of luxury conjure up some idealized thoughts about my life. However, what you don't see is the back story.

I started this company 12 years ago. At that time, I lived in a 300 square foot studio apartment for 3 years. My entire living space was converted into an office so I could put forth 100% effort into building a company, which by the way, would eventually employ you.

My diet consisted of Ramen Pride noodles because every dollar I spent went back into this company. I drove a rusty Toyota Corolla with a defective transmission. I didn't have time to date. Often times, I stayed home on weekends, while my friends went out drinking and partying. In fact, I was married to my business -- hard work, discipline, and sacrifice.

Meanwhile, my friends got jobs. They worked 40 hours a week and made a modest $50K a year and spent every dime they earned. They drove flashy cars and lived in expensive homes and wore fancy designer clothes. Instead of hitting Nordstrom's for the latest hot fashion item, I was trolling through the Goodwill store extracting any clothing item that didn't look like it was birthed in the 70's.

My friends refinanced their mortgages and lived a life of luxury. I, however, did not. I put my time, my money, and my life into a business --- with a vision that eventually, some day, I too, will be able to afford these luxuries my friends supposedly had.

So, while you physically arrive at the office at 9 am, mentally check in at about noon, and then leave at 5 pm, I don't. There is no "off" button for me. When you leave the office, you are done and you have a weekend all to yourself. I unfortunately do not have the freedom. I eat, ****, and breathe this company every minute of the day. There is no rest. There is no weekend. There is no happy hour. Every day this business is attached to me like a 1 day old baby.

You, of course, only see the fruits of that garden -- the nice house, the Mercedes, the vacations... You never realize the back story and the sacrifices I've made. Now, the economy is falling apart and I, the guy that made all the right decisions and saved his money, have to bail out all the people who didn't.

The people that overspent their paychecks suddenly feel entitled to the same luxuries that I earned and sacrificed a decade of my life for. Yes, business ownership has its benefits but the price I've paid is steep and not without wounds. Unfortunately, the cost of running this business, and employing you, is starting to eclipse the threshold of marginal benefit and let me tell you why:

I am being taxed to death and the government thinks I don't pay enough. I have state taxes. Federal taxes. Property taxes. Sales and use taxes. Payroll taxes. Workers compensation taxes. Unemployment taxes. Taxes on taxes. I have to hire a tax man to manage all these taxes and then guess what? I have to pay taxes for employing him. Government mandates and regulations and all the accounting that goes with it, now occupy most of my time. On Oct 15th, I wrote a check to the US Treasury for $288,000 for quarterly taxes. You know what my "stimulus" check was? Zero. Nada. Zilch.

The question I have is this: Who is stimulating the economy? Me, the guy who has provided 14 people good paying jobs and serves over 2,200,000 people per year with a flourishing business? Or, the single mother sitting at home pregnant with her fourth child waiting for her next welfare check?

Obviously, government feels the latter is the economic stimulus of this country. The fact is, if I deducted (Read: Stole) 50% of your paycheck you'd quit and you wouldn't work here. I mean, why should you? That's nuts. Who wants to get rewarded only 50% of their hard work? Well, I agree which is why your job is in jeopardy. Here is what many of you don't understand .. to stimulate the economy you need to stimulate what runs the economy. Had suddenly government mandated to me that I didn't need to pay taxes, guess what? Instead of depositing that $288,000 into the Washington black-hole, I would have spent it, hired more employees, and generated substantial economic growth. My employees would have enjoyed the wealth of that tax cut in the form of promotions and better salaries. But you can forget it now.

When you have a comatose man on the verge of death, you don't defibrillate and shock his thumb thinking that will bring him back to life, do you? Or, do you defibrillate his heart? Business is at the heart of America and always has been. To restart it, you must stimulate it, not kill it. Suddenly, the power brokers in Washington believe the mud of America are the essential drivers of the American economic engine.

Nothing could be further from the truth and this is the type of change you can keep. So where am I going with all this? It's quite simple. If any new taxes are levied on me, or my company, my reaction will be swift and simple. I fire you. I fire your co-workers. You can then plead with the government to pay for your mortgage, your SUV, and your child's future. Frankly, it isn't my problem any more. Then, I will close this company down, move to another country, and retire.

You see, I'm done. I'm done with a country that penalizes the productive and gives to the unproductive. My motivation to work and to provide jobs will be destroyed, and with it, will be my citizenship.

While tax cuts to 95% of America sounds great on paper, don't forget the back story: If there is no job, there is no income to tax. A tax cut on zero dollars is zero. So, when you make decision to vote, ask yourself, who understands the economics of business ownership and who doesn't? Whose policies will endanger your job? Answer those questions and you should know who might be the one capable of saving your job. While the media wants to tell you "It's the economy Stupid" I'm telling you it isn't.

If you lose your job, it won't be at the hands of the economy; it will be at the hands of a political hurricane that swept through this country, steamrolled the Constitution, and will have changed its landscape forever. If that happens, you can find me in the South Caribbean sitting on a beach, retired, and with no employees to worry about.

Signed, Your boss,
Michael A. Crowley, PE
Crowley, Crisp & Associates, Inc.
Professional Engineers
1906 South Main Street, Suite 122
Wake Forest, NC 27587
Phone: 919.562.8860 x22
Fax: 919.562.8872

Cooter Festival 2011

It’s that time again – time for the Great American Cooter Festival. What’s a Cooter Festival, you ask? Simply put, it’s a festival held yearly by the City of Inverness, Florida, in celebration of the Cooter. The people of Inverness really like to show off their Cooters and they have food, drink and all sorts of fun things to do.

One of the women from the Fish And Wildlife Division actually showed her Cooter to a reporter. He was rather impressed by its overall appearance.

I mentioned it on Facebook last night and, of course, got some interesting feedback. The exchanges went something like this:

“So are you going to the Cooter Festival?”

“I doubt it. I went last year and had my fill of Cooter for a while.”

“Yeah…. When you’ve seen one Cooter you’ve seen them all!! LOL

“Well, I wouldn’t go that far. You’ve got big ones and small ones. Some are more colorful than others. Some are really pretty and others not so much…”

“I’ve heard some Cooters smell bad. I don’t know – I’ve just heard.”

“I suppose it depends on where they live…”


The jokes spread and continued and there was even a video about the Cooter Festival on Youtube. Many people think the Cooter Festival is a bit much. One man even said it’s degrading to women. I personally feel if it’s degrading to the Cooters themselves. After all, they’re just poor little water turtles who like to live in the lakes and eat plants.

What were you thinking?

Be As Proud As I Am

Yesterday morning I watched an interview of Sheriff Paul Babeu of Pinal County, Arizona. Babeu, an outspoken critic of the Obama administration’s policies concerning illegal immigration, said he may run for Congress because he believes “the real deficit in Washington is one of leadership. It's clear that Washington is broken. To fix it we'll need leaders unafraid to make tough decisions, leaders more worried about the next generation than the next election. I believe it may be time for a new Sheriff in Washington."

While the pun was noted, one of the things that caught my ear was Sheriff Babeu’s statement that “We need leaders who are proud of America and still believe she is the greatest nation on Earth.” I have to agree with him. I was disappointed and embarrassed when President Obama, soon after inauguration, went on his “Apology Tour” to the Middle East.

After President Obama won the Democrat nomination for President, Michelle Obama made her infamous statement “For the first time in my adult life I’m proud of my country.” She disappeared from the public eye for a while after that since many Americans weren’t pleased with her statement but one can’t help but wonder if President Obama had/has the same feelings. If so, why would he want to run for President? I can only think of one reason and that would be to change America into a country he could be proud of. Mr. Obama was, after all, raised by socialist/Marxist parents (mostly his mother) and was a follower and teacher of Saul Alinsky. So if he believes America needs to be changed, what other change could it be than to take her toward bigger government and far-left leaning policies.

I realize he hasn’t pushed us too far to the left yet however, I am of the belief that if he wins re-election the mask will come off and the true Barack Obama will surface. And I believe if given a second term Mr. Obama will push much harder and make things happen despite our normal democratic process.

I want a President and representatives who like America and what she stands for regardless. Certainly we could do some things better. But America has always been a world leader and an example for others to follow. We are the most generous nation in the world when it comes to helping other nations – even those with whom we’ve been to war. We are a friend to most and we still stand for freedom and fairness. And those who don’t appreciate America for her values and standards, as far as I’m concerned, can feel free to find a country that feels as they do. Our borders are open in both directions these days. (But you may not find other countries so accommodating.)

I served eight years in the U.S. Air Force and worked for the Federal government for 22 years. I love my country and while she’s not perfect, I won’t apologize to anyone for her. I want a President who is at least as proud of our country as I am. Is that too much to ask, I wonder?

Joe Biden and the truth meter....

A few days ago, Joe Biden, the Vice President of the United States, told a group in Flint, Michigan, that the murder rate had tripled and incidences of rape have quadrupled since the “police force was cut in half.“ He went on to say if the Republicans don’t pass President Obama’s jobs bill these rates would continue to skyrocket. Only problem is – it’s all lies.

FBI statistics show that the murder rates and incidents of rape in the country overall have decreased in the last year. State statistics in Michigan show that while the murder rate in Flint doubled from 32 to 66, it did not triple and the incidents of rape actually went down by 6%. Even the Police Chief of Flint stated Biden’s statements were inaccurate. When confronted with the facts Mr. Biden continues to defend his statements as true and told one reporter “Check the numbers. Don’t mess with me.”

FactCheck.org slammed Vice President Biden with a headline that reads “Biden’s Whopper in Flint, Mich. Apparently they too understand that Biden’s generous embellishment of facts and numbers just isn’t quite correct in a country where truth and transparency are supposed to be standard for members of the President’s cabinet. Going around telling blatant lies to the American public in an attempt to get a jobs bill passed is not only pathetic but unbecoming of the Vice President. Mr. Biden needs to stop spreading lies and claiming them to be facts just for Democrat political gain. Of course, the Obama jobs bill is mostly an excuse for more government spending so the only real difference is that the jobs bill hasn’t been proved to be a major falsehood, yet. Biden’s repeated statements have been disproved.

Anyone want to speculate on whether or not Biden is the VP candidate next year?

Killing Anwar Al Awlaki... Should Obama Be Prosecuted?

There are many differing opinions about the killing of Anwar Al Awlaki, ranging from “Great job, Mr. President” to “You’re a murderer and you’re violating the Constitution, Mr. President.” Mostly conservative radio talk show host, Michael Savage, said last night that Obama should be charged with a war crime for killing Al Awlaki. He said Al Awlaki was still an American citizen and, as such, was entitled to a trial and due process. I must voice my disagreement.

Anwar Al Awlaki left the United States and moved to the Middle East. Once there he joined Al Quaeda and denounced his U.S. citizenship. Granted he didn’t do it legally, as Dr. Savage pointed out, but in my book that doesn’t matter in the least. Al Awlaki encouraged and even plotted with terrorists to attack the United States. In my humble opinion, if you turn against your country and plot to kill Americans you’ve given up your right to due process and are fair game for a well placed missile or bomb. Personally, I am glad Al Awlaki is dead and I applaud the President for allowing it and the military or CIA operatives who made it happen. I hope these incidents continue and that we can get as many of our enemies dead as possible. But that’s just me.

Should President Obama or others in the chain be prosecuted? Not in this case. A case might be made for prosecuting Eric Holder but that’s another story or another subject. I believe, regardless of his earlier stances on the wars, that Obama is now doing the right thing concerning the wars. So I’ll give credit where due. Keep it up, Mr. President, and you might get to finish your first and only term to completion…

Things You May Not Know About Herman Cain...

It’s been said, by pundits on the left and right, that Herman Cain is a joke in the Presidential primaries. Janeane Garofolo said the other day that Republicans will elect Cain simply because he’s black and they’ll try to use that against Obama. The truth is that Herman Cain is an intelligent, business savvy, viable candidate who has moved up in the polls recently.

People are starting to realize that Cain sounds more intelligent and capable than the other candidates. I’ve liked him from the beginning. About the only way Republicans may benefit from his being black is that it will be more difficult for hateful liberals to call Republicans racists if they nominate a black man for President. Kinda difficult to toss that R word out there if the Republican candidate is black as well. But, of course, they’ll try.

I have been reading about Mr. Cain and am even more impressed now then I was. He is extremely successful, intelligent, has successful business experience, and an education that’s been made public (unlike our current President.) Many haven’t taken the time to look closely. So I thought I’d share.


What you may not know about Herman Cain....

He’s not a career politician (in fact he has never held political office). He’s known as a pizza guy, but there’s a lot more to him. He’s also a computer guy, a banker guy, and a rocket scientist guy.

Here’s his bio:

• Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics.

• Master’s degree in Computer Science.

• Mathematician for the Navy, where he worked on missile ballistics (making him a rocket scientist).

• Computer systems analyst for Coca-Cola.

• VP of Corporate Data Systems and Services for Pillsbury (this is the top of the ladder in the computer world, being in charge of information systems for a major corporation).

All achieved before reaching the age of 35. Since he reached the top of the information systems world, he changed careers!

• Business Manager. Took charge of Pillsbury’s 400 Burger King restaurants in the Philadelphia area, which were the company’s poorest performers in the country. Spent the first nine months learning the business from the ground up, cooking hamburger and yes, cleaning toilets. After three years he had turned them into the company’s best performers.

• Godfather’s Pizza CEO. Was asked by Pillsbury to take charge of their Godfather’s Pizza chain (which was on the verge of bankruptcy). He made it profitable in 14 months.

• In 1988 he led a buyout of the Godfather’s Pizza chain from Pillsbury. He was now the owner of a restaurant chain. Again he reached the top of the ladder of another industry.

• He was also chairman of the National Restaurant Association during this time. This is a group that interacts with government on behalf of the restaurant industry, and it gave him political experience from the non-politician side.

Having reached the top of a second industry, he changed careers again!

• Adviser to the Federal Reserve System. Herman Cain went to work for the Federal Reserve Banking System advising them on how monetary policy changes would affect American businesses.

• Chairman of the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank. He worked his way up to the chairmanship of a regional Federal Reserve bank. This is only one step below the chairmanship of the entire Federal Reserve System (the top banking position in the country). This position allowed him to see how monetary policy is made from the inside, and understand the political forces that impact the monetary system.

After reaching the top of the banking industry, he changed careers for a fourth time!

• Writer and public speaker. He then started to write and speak on leadership. His books include Speak as a Leader, CEO of Self, Leadership is Common Sense, and They Think You’re Stupid.

• Radio Host. Around 2007—after a remarkable 40 year career—he started hosting a radio show on WSB in Atlanta (the largest talk radio station in the country).

He did all this starting from rock bottom (his father was a chauffeur and his mother was a maid). When you add up his accomplishments in his life—including reaching the top of three unrelated industries: information systems, business management, and banking—

Herman Cain may have the most impressive resume of anyone that has run for the presidency in the last half century.

In my opinion, Herman Cain is far more qualified to lead the country and get it back on track than our current President. To borrow from Dennis Miller… (Of course, that’s just my opinion. I could be wrong.

Half Boy, Half Man

I wish I'd written today's post. I didn't. I received it as an e-mail. I wish I knew who actually wrote it. I don't. There was no name associated with it. But the message was one I couldn't keep from sharing. May God bless all of our military men and women and keep them safe. They volunteer their very lives to keep us safe and free. And I, for one, pray for them.

For whatever reason the pictures wouldn't work in my post. Some of them were very poignant. But the words written here say enough.


Half Boy, Half Man

The average age of the military man is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's, but he has never collected unemployment either.

He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sports activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away. He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and a 155mm howitzer. He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk.

He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less time in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must.

He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional. He can march until he is told to stop, or stop until he is told to march. He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity.

He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry. He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts.

If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low.

He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands.

He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job.

He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay, and still find ironic humor in it all. He has seen more suffering and death than he should have in his short lifetime.

He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed.

He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away ' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat, or even stop talking. In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.

Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.

He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding.
Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.

And now we even have women over there in danger, doing their part in this tradition of going to War when our nation calls us to do so.

Prayer wheel for our military... please don't break it. Please send this on after a short prayer.

Prayer Wheel
'Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they protect us.
Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they perform for us in our time of need. Amen.'

When you read this, please stop for a moment and say a prayer for our ground troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, sailors on ships, and airmen in the air, and for those in all foreign countries.

Of all the gifts you could give a US Soldier, Sailor, Coastguardsman, Marine, or Airman, prayer is the very best one.