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Politics and the Economy

Everybody is talking about the economy, and depending upon whose doing the talking, the economy is either improving or deteriorating.  It would seem obvious that, since both views cannot be correct, somebody must be wrong.  And so we are told to examine "economic indicators", such as growth of the gross national product, unemployment rates, new home construction, etc.

But for most of us, we need only look at our own bank statements.  Because although the health of the national, state and local economy affects everyone, the final word on to how the economy is doing is an intensely personal determination.  Do I have any money in the bank?  Do I have a job?  What is my financial outlook?

During the current season of local and national elections, the politicians are telling us that they can either fix a broken economy or that they can ensure the continuation of a recovering economy (again, depending upon whose doing the talking).  And because we want so badly to believe these professional politicians, we rush to the polls and vote for those whose outlook with respect to the nation's economic health mirrors our own.

And to make matters even more confusing, we are forced to rely upon the media for our information concerning the health of the economy and what the politicians are saying about it.  What is reported and how it is reported has a huge impact on how public opinion is formed, and most of us simply don't have the time or the energy to conduct the degree of independent research required in order to come to our own conclusions and escape the influence of the Fourth Estate.

So, what can we do?

Our right to participate in our government through the ballot box is a valuable right that has been defended to the death for over 200 years.  It is not only a right, but a responsibility.  Even though issues such as the economy are so complex that they are beyond our capacity for full understanding, perhaps we should focus our attention more on the personal integrity of the candidates in deciding which candidate is best for the office being sought.  To do that, we need to find out something about the character of those seeking public office.  Inevitably, at some time during any campaign, a candidate will do or say something that will reflect his or her character - either for better or for worse.  And if we are paying attention, the small voice inside all of us will direct us to vote for the right one.

And it also doesn't hurt to check our bank balance from time to time, because even though what may be happening globally is important, what's happening personally is equally important.www.weaverlawfirm.net

Just Another Bankruptcy Lawyer?

The practice of law always has been highly competitive.  However, as more enter the profession and as attorney jobs become more scarce, more lawyers are hanging out their shingles and attempting to attract clients.  Depending upon the area of practice chosen, a lawyer may choose to market his services through television advertising, billboards or more traditional print media.  Almost all lawyers now are vying for position on the most-used Internet search engines.

But the key to successful marketing of legal services is the same as it always has been, and that is in the quality of the legal services being delivered to real clients.  Although there are a more good lawyers looking for clients than there are good clients looking for lawyers, the attorney who distinguishes himself by the quality of the overall service he provides to his clients usually ends up with best clientele.  And that means the successful lawyer must be something more than a good legal technician.

I always have obsessed over my clients, even as a young attorney just starting out.  I used to consider this preoccupation to be a weakness, because it often caused me to lose sleep at night, and it continues to interfere with my ability to engage in casual social conversation.  But the truth is that if I was not so concerned about my clients and their well being, I would not be the lawyer that I am.  And the fact that I care as much about my clients' financial health as they do, themselves, makes me a lot more than just another bankruptcy lawyer.

My concern for my clients extends beyond the final Order of Discharge in their cases.  I want to see them back on firm financial footing, and I have taken steps to make available to them the services of other professionals to help in areas in which I cannot.  I want my clients not only to be able to keep their homes and cars, I want them to be able to afford them, as well.

As a result of the care and concern that I have demonstrated in my practice, I have been honored by attorney and client rating services with the highest marks available (see my listing on lawyers.com and in Martindale Hubbell).  And I am proud of achieving that accomplishment.

Whenever anyone is looking for a lawyer to help in a financial crisis, it is important to remember that the best lawyer for the job is not always the one with the best website, best TV commercial, best billboard, or the best fancy office.  Look for a competent lawyer that cares about you and your finances as much as you do.  You deserve more than just another bankruptcy lawyer.

Knowing When to Shut Up

It's been a while since I have written anything here, and not because I haven't had something to say.  It's just that one of the benefits of becoming a "senior citizen" (other than qualifying for discounts) is that I have lived long enough to have learned the wisdom of restraint of pen and mouth - at least most of the time.

When it occurred to me to post a new entry on my blog, I intended to bemoan the difficulties of dealing with adversity vicariously.  You know, when bad things are happening to those around you about whom you care.  As I mentally began composing my lamentation, I realized that I was just climbing aboard my pity pot.  Poor me.  Bad stuff is happening to people I care about.

Truth is, it is difficult to maintain a positive outlook when those you care about are hurting.  The feeling of helplessness sometimes is overwhelming, and for me, it usually is accompanied by anger.  The important thing that I must always remember is that it is OK to be upset when people I love are facing adversity.  But I should also acknowledge the fact that, in most cases, all I can do is be present and supportive as a son, brother, husband, father, grandfather and friend.

Mostly though, I need to remember to keep my whining mouth shut. 

Paying the Piper

I am home from one of the very best vacations I ever took. Not only was the time away relaxing and refreshing, it was spent at one of the most beautiful places on Earth - Maui - and it was spent with wonderful people -- my wife, my youngest daughter, my son-in-law, and my two youngest granddaughters.

Aside from surviving the famed "Road to Hana" and lounging on pristine beaches, we took in the sights at Lahaina and its environs, made two short cruise excursions and toured the Ocean Center, which has an aquarium that completely encircles you with exotic fish and sea life. Most impressive was seeing the whales, and my wife managed to catch one on film as it was breeching.

But my very favorite times occurred when Maddy, my four-month-old granddaughter, would sit with me and snuggle her head into my chest, and when Lily, my two-year old granddaughter, would play our own made-up game, which consisted of our chasing each other across the room, with the engraved turtle on the tile located at the entry of the condo being "home base".

The miracle of technology enabled me to keep up with the goings on at the office, which I managed to do early in the morning while everyone else was still asleep. At those times, I was able to handle email and correspondence, so that I avoided losing too much productivity during my absence from work. For someone like me, the peace of mind that comes with keeping up with my practice while away enabled me to make the most of my vacation and the limited time that I had to spend with those of my loved ones who live so far away from me.

Ironically, however, I did not always think that taking this much time away from work would be a good idea. Fortunately, I gave in to the prodding of my wife and agreed to go, and I am now convinced that it was one of the best decisions that I ever made.

But it was an expensive decision (Maui is NOT a cheap place to spend a vacation). So now it's time to "pay the piper". Fortunately, my wife managed to put back enough money to see us through, and I have a lot of clients who provide me with plenty to do.

Now that I am rested and refreshed, I am ready to get back to work!

Texas Independence!

It was 176 years ago today that a group of settlers and adventurers gathered in a small house along the banks of the Brazos River and declared their independence from Mexico. On the day before, 32 volunteers from Gonzales, including my great-great-great grandfather, rode through the lines of the Mexican army to join William Travis, Jim Bowie, Davy Crockett and the other defenders of the garrison at the Alamo.

I was born in Texas, and I have lived here my entire life (except during the time I was in the military). I attended Texas public schools, where courses in Texas history were required of all 7th graders. I grew up hearing about the exploits of great Texans, ranging from Stephen F. Austin to Lyndon B. Johnson. I have traveled to many places in the world, but there is no other place I would rather live.

My love for Texas does not mean that there is not much that can and should be improved. Texas' rich culture is predicated upon the idea of rugged individualism; that a person is endowed with a right to determine his or her own destiny. However, as modern Texans look more and more to the government as the solution to all kinds of problems and difficulties, a "culture of entitlement" has arisen. In the process, individual liberties are sacrificed.

Under the Mexican Constitution of 1824, Texans were guaranteed that right. However, sensing pressure from American immigrants, President Santa Anna suspended the guarantees of the 1824 Constitution, and that action gave rise to revolution. Parallels to what is happening today are hard to miss. The only difference is that we, as citizens, in our effort to make sure that we get our slice of the public pie, are standing by and allowing our freedoms to be eroded.

The world is much more complex today than it was for our ancestors in 1836, and the task of balancing individual liberties with necessary restraints for the public good is no easy one. But fundamental change in the minds and attitudes of our politicians and the people who elect them must occur if that task is to be successfully accomplished.

Whenever we ask the question of what might be "in the public good", let's consider the proposition that individual liberty is, and always has been, "in the public good".

Vacation? No Problem!

For most people, the annual two-week respite from work is a chance to get away for a time of relaxation and enjoyment. The day-to-day cares and concerns of the job are put on hold, at least for a little while. Some folks meticulously plan each moment of their vacation, while others simply go on the fly.

For me, as with most lawyers who operate their own firms, vacations are rare and require a considerable amount of planning. Usually, whenever I decide to take a couple of weeks for holiday, I have to block out the time several months in advance. Then, I have to file a notice with the Courts in every lawsuit in which I am involved setting forth the dates upon which I am unavailable and requesting that no hearings or trials are set on any of those dates. Even then, some kind of scheduling problem arises that requires me to make arrangements either to have the scheduled matter attended to by another attorney or to have the matter re-scheduled.

Fortunately, most attorneys are accommodating in scheduling around an opponent's vacation plans. But the time, effort and expense involved in blocking out even a couple of weeks sometimes is immense. And it is for that reason that many lawyers like myself simply don't take a lot of vacation time.

I am less than two weeks away from boarding a plane for Maui. Some months ago, our youngest daughter, with her husband and children, planned a trip to Maui for their annual "R and R". My son-in-law works with the U.S. State Department in Korea, and we thought it would be an excellent opportunity to meet up with them and have a nice vacation with our two youngest granddaughters.

I am looking forward to the trip.

Being self-employed in a professional practice has its benefits. But its biggest drawback is the fact that if I don't work, I don't earn any money. And even if I am not working, staff salaries, rent and other overhead expenses still must be paid. So when I plan a vacation, I have to take into account not only the cost of the trip, but also the loss of income that results from my not being in the office.

I try not to think too much about it, because doing so would only rob me of whatever pleasure I otherwise would derive from the time off in an exotic place.

It's a little easier this time. The thought of having the chance to spend time with Mandy, Gayer, Lily and Maddy makes the time away from work well worth it.

Even so, if it goes the way all of my previous vacations have gone, I will continue to spend considerable time pondering, thinking and worrying about my clients and their legal affairs, and I will stay in touch with my office staff via phone and email.

Aloha!