Snoochie

http://www.signs.org/AboutISA/Leadership/ExecutiveCommittee.aspx I knew it............. A pillar of honesty and integrity that belongs to an organization who insists that members "Must pay its subs or be banished to the planet Lovetron forever". I knew it. Dominic

Now I think I know why Association Board members want help to fight what's coming from within. Good God, Magic Mouth had a say in the new order. When there is clearly NO accountability, or accountability chain to examine look out. Probably not....... And the larger sign companies pay those dues with the money they refuse to pay you as a subcontractor. Hell, it wouldn't surprise me if the same pillars of honesty you read about daily on this board are the same captains who guide the ship on its path. I wouldn't worry too much about Associations taking over anything, they are too busy stroking their own egos with fantasy accomplishments that will save us all. Do your own due diligence on whatever you embark and it might actually pay off better. Or better yet, take your potential dues and go to Las Vegas and lay it down on the crap tables. At least you will have some fun and a few laughs. Dominic On a serious note, I am extremely interested in those comapnies and individuals who are the "Titans of Justice" on the ISA leadersip council. Do you have access to a membership or board list and their associated companies. I will bet dollars to doughnuts some of the same infamous names on the board are one in the same as some who have been chastised on this board. I could be wrong but would be curious to see. Dominic

Probably not....... And the larger sign companies pay those dues with the money they refuse to pay you as a subcontractor. Hell, it wouldn't surprise me if the same pillars of honesty you read about daily on this board are the same captains who guide the ship on its path. I wouldn't worry too much about Associations taking over anything, they are too busy stroking their own egos with fantasy accomplishments that will save us all. Do your own due diligence on whatever you embark and it might actually pay off better. Or better yet, take your potential dues and go to Las Vegas and lay it down on the crap tables. At least you will have some fun and a few laughs. Dominic

Sean; You got it........ My family is a group of New York transplants and I have spent a fair amount of time back on the East Coast visiting. I still have family in New York from Islip, Bellrose, Buffalo and Rochester. Heck, I have some relatives in Patterson, New Jersey. You are right, same shit....different scenery. And I would like to highlight "CORRUPTION". That ain't changing no matter where you live. Dominic

A big shout out to ALL of our great American atheletes. I especially want to give a hearty good job to coach "K" and "The Dream Team"...........way to go !!!!!! I would be remiss though, if I didn't offer condolences to Wal Mart, proud sponsor of the Chinese Olympic Team. Sorry guys, maybe your team can do better in Rio. Dominic

So let me ask you this key question, what specifically are you going to do to change it? This is the problem. We write about it, whine about it and then just wait for someone else to do something about it. Think about one other thing as well. Government was never meant to be run like a business and is doing just as it was designed. In your travels as a business, when did you ever come upon an company that had a President that had to work to secure the majority agreement of 100 shareholders, some 425 plus other shareholders, an advisory body of 9 other folks who can void your decision if they could come to one, only to have the CEO void the entire framework if he doesn't like what was agreed on and then have to get a supermajority of shareholders to overturn that decision only to start all over again to get any decision enacted? Every decision every day. Name me a company that has that facing them. Oh and I forgot to mention that the whole process is controlled by two unions who have no interest in getting anything done for the workers of that company only lining their own pockets and pushing agendas that even the workers can't agree on. And, I forgot, no matter who the CEO or the rest are, 50% will hate either side no matter what. Get used to the system, it was here before you came and hopefully will be here when you check out. That is, unless YOU decide to do something about it other than writing and whining......... Dominic

Sometimes it's difficult to not to get caught up in the political hype. You've got the right fright puppets and the left dense zombies barraging people with inaccurate information and it only takes a clever piece to go viral. There's a lot of strengths this country has and it's primarily the working middle class which make up the majority of people. Obama has got some terrible policies. Yet taxing the rich is not one of them. JB Both the Democrats and the Republicans are different wings of the same bird. I refuse to be categorized as either. I am a Blue Collar Middle Class American who makes up his own mind by diligent analysis and never along ridiculous party line ideology. Both parties lie and basically suck in my little world. Those who love Romney will love him no matter what and hate Obama no matter what. Those who love Obama will love him no matter what and hate Romney no matter what. I choose to make up my own mind based on what I see. Dominic

Erik; So long as you are the Lovor and not the Lovee.................. But being in business like you, I guess I am used to being the Lovee. Dominic

Mark; At least you will be assured of "3 hots and a cot" which is better than most are faring in this economy that is in (wink wink) recovery................ Dominic

Be sure to explain that to Obama when he enters his second term. or, Maybe you should see if you can be appointed to Tim Geitners position...................... and, I wish it all was that simplistic but it's not. Dominic

In light of the Fluoresco thread, does this one have a familiar ring to it??? In all fairness, I would like to hear an explanation from Broadway National. I know one poster vouched for this company but others have not. The truth is somewhere in the middle I suppose. Come on Broadway National, let us hear from you to clear this all up. Dominic

Was just wondering if this company was able to review the less than stellar rating that contractors who have have worked for these people gave them? Dominic

Erik; A shameless advertising ploy by you......................... Just kidding. Nice looking work, which I have come to expect. I assume this must be somewhere near downtown San Diego? Post the address and I will take a look as usual when I am down your way. Keep up the quality sign installs, it does us all proud. Dominic

True, but every tax is a tax on someone or something to pay for something else. I pay taxes, some of which go to the DOE which is doing research to support the LED industry, which has blanketed the world with misleading (or patently false) information on neon and cold-cathode. My taxes also pay to research and dispose of private companies spent nuclear fuel and pay for their insurance (as no private insurance company will touch nuclear power generation). I'd get a tax increase had I not bought a home (and taken the home mortgage interest deduction). Is the government compelling me to buy a home? Maybe so. If I had not (or decided to sell my home) I will pay higher taxes. Ayn Rand would roll over in her grave if she knew. Do I approve of it? No, but like all taxes I pay it and just try to elect folks that carry my vision forward of a fair world and concentrate on my own business ventures in the mean time. Obamacare hardly seems socialist. If anything it is Fascist: giving more power to the private insurance companies. Any guise of a "public" insurance plan was quickly killed by both parties. The "individual mandate" was a Republican idea, born out of the Heritage Foundation and included in the 1993 alternative to "Hillarycare", and certainly a centerpiece of "Romneycare". I've no doubt that if McCain were president right now repubs would be pushing a similar plan and the left would be railing against it with all the vitriol they could muster. If healthcare is going to change or cost less or be less profitable to someone, then that someone is going to loudly complain about it anyway they can. Who wouldn't? Nobody wants to get less money for their products or services. The status quo sucks to some, but is quite nice to others. Depends on where you are in the scheme. My point? The contradictions are everywhere and will never go away. Just learn about the issues from multiple sources - try to understand both sides and make your best choice at the ballot box every couple of years. Like Dominic I'm neither Liberal nor Conservative. I've voted for both sides. My perspective is just as I see things... as a person who's spent his entire life running multiple small businesses. A very well reasoned and thought out post. Obamacare was born out of Romneycare in Massachussets. And you are right, the mandate is a Republican idea that I believe went back even further to the days of Nixon when he was affiliated with Kaiser. But in any rate, I look for answers to problems based on sound thought rather than party blather. I have to say that the label of Republican or Democrat is absolutely not even on my radar screen because I consider myself an American first and an ideologue way down the line. As a matter of fact, I couldn't care less about a party label and certainly never follow a path because some organization says so. Like you said, I read and make my own decisions. Sometimes Right and sometimes Left but always with a thought process behind the decision. Dominic

Thanks for the post.............. Dominic

Are you just referring to professional politicians? I have long advocated that a Supreme Court position should not be for life. Some of these folks were bordering on if not actually senile while making critical decisions for our country. But you are absolutely correct, there should be no such thing as a professional politician or justice in my view. And just for the record, Roberts was the deciding vote on the AHC decision and didn't even stick to the principle he was deciding on. I thought the concept of mandatory purchase was a "Commerce Clause" issue but he decided to make it a "Tax" issue thus in my view legislating from the bench. That is exactly what the Supreme Court was specifically not set up to do. They should judge but not direct policy. Oh well................ Dominic

Erik; I knew you would be passionate about this. I have stated my opinions very succinctly in the past on this board. I am not Republican and am not Democrat. Both parties are different wings of the same bird so todays decision, while saddening me for another loss of a freedom, doesn't surprise me. The next stop is "Single Payer" healthcare, whether you like it or not, so get used to it. And for the record, isn't this a "Conservative" Supreme Court, not............. They just usurped states rights in Montana, overturning a 100 year ban on corporate money. They gutted Arizonas law trying to contain the scourage of illegal immigration. And now, they just upheld "Obamacare" which was the child of "Romneycare". We definitely have the best government money can buy. Now the question becomes how you navigate through this ? Who knows but I go back to what I have said before, I live by what I see not by what I would like to see. I always vigorously try to change what I don't like but am wise enough to know the difference. Don't sweat this Erik, just another building block chipped away. Hell, since my ancestors were from Italy and came to the USA during a certain period, I am eligible to obtain "Dual Citizenship" even though I was born in California. Maybe I'll be doing electrical work and post on The Sign Syndicate" from my socialzed new home in Italy. Again............not. Just another tragic American tale. Dominic

Erik; The pricing on the ballasts should garner alot of business................... I hope all goes well with your venture and can assure if I can a help with any future purchases, I will do so and pass your name around. Like I have said before, I have really gotten heavy into the straight C-10 Electrical portion of the trade but still do sign repair when the customer requests. I was wondering if you have any "Wiring Screamatics" for the ballast line so I can keep on file? Thanks and best as always; Dominic

Melissa; I read your post and I now have a smile on my face. You have a supporter and fellow American who cares about yout out here on the "Left Coast". May good health and good fortune find you, your mom and the rest in your family and community. Heck, may good things happen to all on this board and all my fellow Americans. Last Christmas I had a business meeting and was asked by someone what I wanted for Christmas. I replied that I really didn't need or want anything because I felt fortunate to have simply been born an American and would like only peace and prosperity for my family, fellow Americans and all places around the globe. Lord knows it is needed. Everybody at the meeting proceeded to laugh at me and call me a dreamer. My first inclination was to go ballistic but I shrugged it off, repeated what I wanted and endured the laughs like a man. You just validated that what I wanted was correct all along. Have a great day today and keep everyone around you smiling. Dominic

The whole concept of Nationals has come up quite frequently in my conversation base this year. I also work for some Nationals but am selective of which ones I work for. I am not painting with a broad brush, but most of these middlemen are not very good payers and their payment terms are as vague and misleading as their "Non Compete" clauses as well as just about every other clause so they can cover their hind quarters when the ineveitable payment runaround occurs. Having said this, the concept of the "Non Compete" clause is understandable when applied to particular instances. They are attempting to protect their interests when sending you to a particular customer to prevent you from simply offering that customer your services directly to cut out the contractor who sent you in the first place. I understand their concern in this venue. But to say you basically cannot exist in the market because you may possibly solicit some nameless generic customer that they may or may not actually have I believe is related to the precept of the Void Contract. How about if they made you sign a contract that said you would smash your truck into a fence weekly as part of your work schedule. Would it be enforceable ? It is a void contract from inception. Could they sue you and win? You can sue anyone for anything in our present society but I doubt any court would hold that scenario up and award damages. This would also get into the area of enforcing ""Unjust Enrichment" and the legal system, in my past experience, doesn't do this. An area you didn't touch on is actual jurisdiction relating to any claims or disputes arising in the normal course of business. This is just as important. They always want to have any issues settled by arbitration or systems present in the home locality of the contracting entity. IE, you have to take issue with problems on their turf where they feel the deck is stacked. Take a look at the fine print of your credit card rules and you will see this is a common practice which has been both upheld and struck down in many cases. I live and work in California and we are operate under very liberal rules which usually favor the small guy. I recently embarked on a disute for timing of payment from a National who thought they were being quite cute with their perceived vagueness on a contract with my company. Basically, like so many who are listed on this board, they were dragging their feet hoping I would just go away. I informed the National that the property that the end customer was based was on soil here in California and we have certain rules we follow. I informed them I would take a mechanics lien against the major mall as the store was on their property. I also told them I would file a small claims suit against the end customer even though they actually didn't hire me and we could straighten it out at court. I also told the National I would present my bill directly to the end customer in advance for settlement so said customer would be appraised of the original amount for my service and I hope it wasn't marked up too much or falsely. After a series of you can't do that because of page 1 clause 8, I told them to "Kiss My Ass" and I will take my chances. But the customer will be appraised of the whole situation. I also added I would inform the end customer that the National was claiming the major comapny hadn't paid and I embellished the situation by adding said National was insinuating that the major was a "Dead Beat". To cut to the cahse on this long winded story, I got paid in three days. I don't do any more work for said Natinal but I we had no long term relationship with them due to their deceptive practices in the first place. If we were going to depart enemies anyway, we departed as enemies with me collecting what was owed me. Bottom line, yes, a contract is a contract but that cuts both ways. And in the final analysis, laws and contracts were made to be broken. In addition, I have never heard of my state extraditing any entity to a sister state for a civil matter. In summation, if you want to catch me, you are going to have to do it in California. Best Dominic

I know some will say it's futile, but this is exactly why I feel compelled to support Ron Paul and why I can still hope................... Dominic

You are going to get screwed by Exxon or the Feds, just a matter of who you would like to take it from............. In fact, since the powerful Exxon and the Feds are sleeping together, I guess it really doesn't make a difference who sticks it in and breaks it off. Dominic

In the USA, a full 50% of all bankruptcies are related to medical situations. And of the 50%, 50% of those bankruptcies are to those who have health insurance and could not afford the Co Pays. Do you know offhand how many people in Australia go bankrupt due to medial issues? I would really be curious. I have oftern said I will pay $7.00 if I no longer have to pay for health insurance....... Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe in Europe, even rapid transit and education is free or freer due to high tax on gasoline. Dominic

In my area, even as the world price of crude has dropped 8% and the Euro has dropped below 1.30 and USA demand is at 10 year lows and USA supply is at 20 year highs........ gas/diesel prices are as if fundamentals were much higher or rising. Oh, I forgot, it's because of "Inelastic Demand" and that pesky "Sticky Down" price scheme that is given by the major oils. But you also will be hearing about refinery maintenance issues or the "Refinery Turnaround" that those of us who have had the privelige of working on are familiar with. Dominic

Erik; Do you work for the Tans?? Dominic