Tag Archives: President

Why American People Love Donald Trump By Beate Chelette

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Why American People Love Trump By Beate Chelette

Credit: wikipedia 

At her lowest point, Beate Chelette was $135,000 in debt, a single mother, and forced to leave her home. Only 18 months later, she sold her image licensing business to Bill Gates in a multimillion dollar deal. Chelette is a nationally known ‘gender decoder,’ respected speaker, career coach, consummate entrepreneur, and author of Happy Woman Happy World. Beate is also the founder of The Women’s Code, a unique guide to women leadership and personal and career success that offers a new code of conduct for today’s business, private, and digital worlds.

 

The last few months have left me dazed and confused as to why the American people love Donald Trump. I’ve written about it, I’ve unfriended Facebook friends who asked me to endorse him, and I’ll admit I have even learned a few marketing tricks from his campaign.

 

By anyone’s playbook, Trump is a bully, a narcissist, a misogynist, and a racist. Plus, he’s attracting dangerous followers like members of the Ku Klux Klan. Even his right-hand salute was compared to Hitler’s hand gesture. Despite his politically incorrect behavior and self-bravado, again and again Trump comes out on top.

 

American people are loving Trump in record numbers. Why?

 

What we are seeing now is a passionate rift between those who like Trump for his brashness, and those who fear what could happen to our country with a man like him in power. This is what prompted me to take a deeper look at what exactly Trump says that resonates with Americans. It didn’t click until I read Thomas Frank’s article, which you can find here.

 

At the very bottom of this election sits a deep-rooted dissatisfaction with our systems. Let’s go through the list of what wiped out the American middle class and the hard-working, blue collar employee who used to be able to support his family.

 

  • We were told our children need college degrees. With rising tuition, shorter classes, more requirements, and schedules that keep our kids in school an average of one year longer, the stress of such an education puts families in debt, often for life.

 

  • The promised land of gainful employment that a college degree guarantees may as well be Shangri-La. In my daughter’s circle of friends, the picture is dire. They are disillusioned, unemployed or working less than part time, living at home, and fighting over minimum wage jobs just to stay afloat. One friend shares a single waitressing job with a woman who used to be a manager until her company laid off their middle-aged women.

 

  • Parents put a second mortgage on their homes to support their kids. If they were able to hold on to their houses during the big recession, they still have a long way to being mortgage-free. Many will die in debt. Parents used to be able to lean on their children for financial support in their later years, but now their children don’t have any money to spare. The slide into poverty seems inevitable.

 

  • Healthcare is out of control. How is it possible that an outpatient procedure like an Epidural  that lasts 10 minutes can put you back $15-25,000? Insane deductibles and co-pays add to the issues. Can anyone actually afford to get sick? If you do, you could be paying back those expenses for the rest of your life.

 

  • Corporations are under pressure. Americans can’t afford to buy as much now that production jobs have been outsourced to cheap labor countries like China, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Fewer jobs at home means less disposable income for Americans. Suddenly, organizations are in trouble and the middle class is wiped out. Right now you want to be either young with a great, sexy idea that disrupts the market, or already financially set for life. If you are anywhere in the middle, you are screwed.

 

  • When this country was doing well we opened the borders, as Reagan did, to invite farm workers. It made sense because we needed cheap laborers to do the less desirable jobs that we don’t want to do. We are college educated, after all. This works great when things are good. It falls apart when there are no jobs in the middle for Americans; the top and the bottom are already occupied.

 

And this is where Trump comes in.

 

People are tired of losing. They are afraid the little they have left could be lost at any moment. And who isn’t disgusted when a CEO gets fired and is given a multimillion dollar parting gift bonus? Trump nails these pains and fears and dissatisfactions. He promises to be the bully who will shake things up. He has no problem blackmailing, negotiating, or forcing the other side to relent to his wishes. And why wouldn’t they? He’s the Almighty Trump and this is his track record. Truly, he has no plan other than to “change it.”

 

The American people support Trump because they want to send a message to the system. This is his appeal. Trump will tell the establishments what we want to tell them ourselves, and Americans believe the establishments will listen to a bully.

 

The bank bailout did nothing for the people, or so we believe. Of course, we didn’t live through the outcome of not providing the bailout, so we don’t really know how bad it could have been if banks were allowed to fold. What we now witness is the effect on our lives and the people around us. Like my girlfriend who lost her house at 62-years-old after battling with the bank for five years. The refinancing they offered was merely an extension of her debt. Total fail. She can’t get back on her feet financially, is such an emotional mess that she can’t focus on work, and the stress of her fight for survival has literally paralyzed her—she awoke one morning unable to move her left arm. There are millions of stories like my friend’s.

 

That is why Trump is so popular—he promises to be strong enough, independent enough, and crazy enough to take the system on. He will send a message to anyone, anywhere.

 

Who wouldn’t want that? In some ways I do, too. Let’s shake things up.

 

But then…

 

On the flipside, those amongst us who look into the future and carefully examine the past know this type of populism comes with great danger.

 

History shows that great fear leaders who understand pain-point marketing can rise to unprecedented heights. And once they are in power, they keep manipulating the system, like Putin, Hitler, Castro and many other dictators have done before. In the long run they can cause irreparable harm to a country and its people. And that worries me more than anything else.

 

 

 

106-year-old Virginia McLaurin Dances With The Obamas At The White House

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106-year-old Virginia McLaurin Dances With The Obamas At The White HouseAt Frost we almost cried at this amazing video of 106-year-old Virginia McLaurin dancing with joy when she met the Obamas at The White House. Her happiness at a black President being in the White House is so touching and says a lot about how far we have come. The First Lady is graceful and tells McLaurin, ‘I want to be like you when I grow up’. The White House shared the touching video of McLaurin fulfilling her dream of visiting the White House and meeting President Obama for Black History Month. She said she was ‘so happy’ to have lived to see a black president of the United States.

Hilary Clinton’s Presidential Campaign Kicked Off with Wacky Merchandise

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Hilary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaignAt Frost we are super excited about the prospect of a female American president. It has been a long time coming and if anyone can do it, Hilary can.  We also love the wackiness of this new website that has been set up in support of Hilary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign offering a range of wacky merchandise sporting the ‘I’m Ready for Hilary’ slogan.

Even though Clinton is yet to announce whether she’ll run for the 2016 presidential election, due to take place on Tuesday November 8, the website has backed the her in what is set to be another hotly contested election.

The site offers everything from a Grassroots Tour Poster to Champagne flutes, hoodies and  cufflinks, but there are some more unusual additions such as ‘Hillary Rocks!’ old fashioned glasses and an extensive range of petwear.

A social media storm has gathered on the back of the new merchandise store with people posting pictures of the free bumper sticker that can be collected upon backing the campaign. An anti campaign has also been initiated with a red ‘not’ wedged between ‘I’m Ready’. The campaign has enjoyed similar social success with one Tweeter saying: “If the U.S. is ready for Hilary, I’m moving to Nepal” in response to bumper stickers being handed out at a US college campus.

Top 10 Wackiest ’Clinton for President’ Merchandise 

  • Lucky Cat collars
  • Lucky Dog Hoodies 
  • Glass mason jars
  • Make Your Mark Marker Pens
  • Born Ready Onesie

Hilary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign1 Hilary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaignw Hilary Clinton’s 2016 presidential Hilary Clinton’s 2016

Early polling for the 2016 elections indicate Hilary is expected to take the Democratic primaries with ease, with 55 per cent on people in a Fox News poll saying they believe she will win. Jeb Bush, Chris Christie, Rand Paul and Mitt Romney are the most likely Republican candidates to be standing against her, but Hilary will have to overcome Vermin Supreme in the primaries before running for president after the performance artist put himself in the running.

Hilary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign

The bearded Supreme is  known for running as an alternative candidate in various local, state, and national elections and renowned for carrying a large toothbrush and wearing a boot shaped hat. Here’s a brief look  at what Hilary will be up against:

Merchandise images from ReadyforHilary.com

New Doctor Who at Sparks Winter Ball

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Jake Humphrey and Amanda Lamb co-hosted the Sparks Winter Ball to raise money for children’s medical research at Old Billingsgate on Thursday 5 December. New Dr Who, Peter Capaldi, was there and Denise Lewis, named the new Sparks President for 2014, also attended. We hope you raised lots of money guys.

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AWD_4971 AWD_5330Photo credit: JAB Promotions

Pre Cannes Festival 2013 | Social Diary

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May 2nd saw the Pre Cannes Festival. The press release said, “With the very special participation of celebrity guests Carol Cleveland (Monthy Pythons), Patricia Inder (John Lennon’s & Lemmy of Motorhead’s). And Jonathan Hansler (Axed the movie, Cadbury ads), British actress and writer Catherine Balavage, Zoe Griffin author of the book “Get Rich Blogging”, Andrea Iervolino the youngest and most successful Italian producer all the way from Italy.”
Yes, yours truly was honoured to be presented for my acting work. I was quite thrown when Paola Berta told me I would be presented at the event. Lots of thanks to her and congratulations on the event. I was interviewed by Fashion TV amongst others and I had a wonderful time.
Catherine Balavage being interviewed by Fashion TV.

Catherine Balavage being interviewed by Fashion TV.

The event was held at No 5, 5 Cavendish square. It is a beautiful and classy venue. I mingled with Zoe and actor Jonathan Hansler while Fabio Tedde & Paul Wiffen played piano.
Pointing out the Frost logo. We have sponsored the event for the past two years.

Pointing out the Frost logo. We have sponsored the event for the past two years.

I bumped into the vivacious and beautiful Zoe Griffin, author of “Get Rich Blogging” and owner of excellent blog Live Like a VIP, who were kind enough to mention me in the coverage of the event.
I also had a great chat with the makers of new energy drink Think Drink, an energy drink that is natural and tastes great. We also chatted with Delights of Italy who make amazing cupcakes and entirely edible flowers. They were beautiful and delicious.
We also saw some great films from the Cannes Short Corner Official Selections.
SOMEBODY TO LOVE by Braine Hownd FilmsCAVIAR 2 by Beluga Films

COLONEL BADD by Tiger Dreams

UNSPOKEN by Oakman Films

KIR ROYALE by Beluga Films

edibleofflowers frostmagazine

There were also great talks from marketing specialist Kathy Ennis, LA producer and entrepreneur CHRISTIE HSIAO of SERENITY  MEDIA GROUP, British actress and theatre producer VICKY MCKELLER, Gentiane Piovanacci, editor of MAMARAZZI news magazine, popular french artist LADYKAT and from Spain, Mac Chakaveh, president of the MARBELLA FILM FESTIVAL.

 

Keep an eye out for more photos from the event.

Olympus Has Fallen | Film Review

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olympushasfallenAs the tattered flag of the USA is flung aside by the North Koreans during their attack of the White House, the President of the USA is taken hostage, his son goes missing and America’s prized nukes become their very own weapons of mass destruction. 

 

Olympus Has Fallen (the code word for the White House) is the scene of a merciless shoot-out between the Secret Service and North Koreans and only Mike Banning (Gerard Butler), can save the day.

 

A disgraced former presidential guard, Butler’s on a one-man mission to save the President (Aaron Eckhart), his son, and to stop the terrorists from obtaining the three passwords to detonate America’s web of nuclear subheads.  

 

Directed by Antoine Fuqua, in the 13 minutes it takes the North Koreans to take over the White House (and a whole two minutes before the Army intervenes) the unwavering attack echoes the tragic scenes of 911 as a bomber plane whistles past high-rise offices and clips the Washington Monument before it comes crashing to the ground.

 

The film’s release is also at a somewhat ironic time as the hostilities between the two nations in our current world are also surfacing.

 

Intelligent and co-ordinated, the attack is played out with militant efficiency as innocents and secret agents’ bodies pile up on the lawn of the Presidential building and inside one of the safest places in the USA.

 

The light and sound effects on the big screen will leave you feeling shocked and impressed at the same time.

 

With its twists, split-second timing and traitors, Olympus Has Fallen has all the ingredients of a Hollywood action movie and at times, picked up on the comedic lines of Bruce Willis in the Die Hard sagas.

 

When the Defence Secretary Ruth McMillan (brilliantly played by Melissa Leo) is kicked and punched to the floor – a tad uncomfortable to view– she asks the president how her hair looks and when Banning calls his nurse wife to ‘check-in’, they both skirt around the truth and say they’ve had busy days.

 

At times the plot was a little contrived and the continuity was lacking. Banning, who no longer worked by the President’s side, was still able to gain access to the White House security systems and files, just as well really.

 

And as the guns blaze and Banning’s driving to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, his smooth face cuts to a stubbly square-jaw line in the next scene.

 

Overall, Olympus Has Fallen is an impressive action movie despite its recurrent plot line favoured by Hollywood directors.

 

And the inclusion of Morgan Freeman, the Speaker of the House who by default becomes the unlikely Acting President, is a sure fan-pleaser.

 

Butler provides the eye-candy, the North Koreans are the baddies and America is hailed as an undefeatable nation.

 

US Remembers 9/11

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In New York, Washington and Pennsylvania, thousands of Americans have gathered to pay their respects to the nearly 3,000 people killed eleven years ago on the September 11th Al-Qaida terrorist attacks.
President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, joined other dignitaries at the White House and bowed their heads in a moment of silence at 8:46 a.m. EDT, the time on September 11, 2001 which is when the first of two jetliners struck the World Trade Center in New York.

Afterward the president led a ceremony at the Pentagon memorial, which was struck by a plane during the attacks. The Pentagon is the headquarters of the U.S. military.

The President stood in front of an American flag and told the families of the victims that their loved ones would never be forgotten.

Families of those killed on 9/11 took part in a ritual reading of all of the victim’s names at Ground Zero, where the World Trade center towers that fell after being struck by planes. Some of the bereaved held up photos of their loved ones.

U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said: “My concern is that too often, we do not express our concern and our attention for those that are fighting and dying for this country. We’re continuing to lose good men and women in battle in Afghanistan. They are putting their lives on the line every day. And, every day, they are fighting to make sure that this country is protected. We cannot forget that sacrifice.”

The names of everyone who died on 9/11 can be found here: http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2929305/posts

 

Natalie Cole And Gregg Allman Turn Up The Volume Around Hep C

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GRAMMY winner and R&B legend Natalie Cole is adding her voice to the company’s public health campaign, Tune In to Hep C, with the American Liver Foundation (ALF) and rock legend Gregg Allman.

The goal of the campaign is to raise awareness of chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Cole joined Allman onstage at the benefit concert featuring The Allman Brothers Band and other special guests in New York, July 27, the eve of World Hepatitis Day.

This cause is personal to Cole, who was diagnosed with chronic hepatitis C during a routine blood test in 2008. It was then that she realised she’d been living with the virus for more than 25 years – nearly half of her life. Cole’s experience is not uncommon. In fact, chronic hepatitis C is often referred to as the silent disease because – for many people – it can be in the body for decades without any symptoms. Cole is joining the campaign to encourage others with chronic hepatitis C to put aside fear and stigma and take action.

“One thing is for sure – there’s a stigma surrounding hepatitis C because it’s associated with IV drug use. But it really doesn’t matter how you got the virus. What’s important is that you do something about it,” said Cole. “I am grateful that Merck and the American Liver Foundation created this campaign to give a voice to those with chronic hepatitis C, and I hope that my story can help others overcome their fears about taking that next step by talking to their doctor about their options.”

Approximately 3.2 million Americans have chronic hepatitis C virus infection, a potentially serious disease that can damage the liver over time and lead to cirrhosis, end-stage liver disease and liver cancer. Many people infected with chronic hepatitis C do not know that they have the virus – approximately 70 to 80 percent of people newly infected with the virus do not have symptoms.

“It’s great to have Natalie on board to help spread the message that chronic hepatitis C is not something you can ignore,” Allman said. “Together, we’ll be working to fight the stigma that can keep people from addressing this disease. I know all too well that doing nothing is not an option. That’s why we’re telling people, talk to your doctor.”

The American Liver Foundation joined the Tune In to Hep C campaign to help elevate awareness of this important public health issue. ALF is a national organization advocating for those living with liver disease and their families, and provides education, support and research for the prevention, treatment and cure of liver disease.

“Since we launched this campaign a month ago, we’ve been inundated with messages from people with chronic hepatitis C and their loved ones who all say the same thing – ‘I never thought we’d see the day where there would be a voice and a face to this disease. It’s about time,'” said Newton Guerin, ALF’s acting CEO and chief operating officer. “By sharing their stories, Gregg and Natalie are sending a powerful message to those who feel alone and afraid to come forward as well as anyone who is hesitant to take action.”

More information about the campaign as well as Allman’s and Cole’s stories are available on www.TuneInToHepC.com, which launched today. The website also offers a first glimpse at Allman’s new television public service announcement, which is set to hit the American airwaves in the coming weeks.

“It is our hope that this campaign, and Gregg’s and Natalie’s inspirational stories, will serve as a spark to encourage dialogue about chronic hepatitis C among communities, families and friends, as well as between physicians and their patients,” said Mark Timney, President, Global Human Health for Merck. “From the feedback we’ve received so far, we believe the campaign is already making a difference, and we look forward to continuing to reach others with chronic hepatitis C, and, hopefully, motivating them to take action.”

Concerned Britons can also visit http://www.hepctrust.org.uk.