I like to sleep. It is so peaceful and refreshing. What keeps me awake is our business falling apart when we are so close to success.

You know how I am. I can only tell you how I think I am.

I do not want to be known. I am not seeking more stuff. I am hoping this business will at some point generate cash, so I can use the money to somehow make things better for some strangers, as well as us.

I am old. I have been working here a long time. The passions that drive workers to be angry with each other and not respect each other have dried up in me. I am too out of touch to understand how energy spent in this way helps anyone.

Every week I hear that I am weak, weird and have no life. I have no good answers for that.

Is not this sort of thinking a form of the suspect idea that, "everything would be better if you were more like me"? If everyone was like me there would be no books to read, no higher math, no mighty bridges, no cars, no computers, no air conditioning, or refrigerators. Things are better as they are.

What are some simple rules that could help us hold together and be successful?

1. We must tightly control our expenses. If we waste money, there will be less money for us to take home. We must keep incentives to use our money for private purposes low. The good of the group is paramount.

2. We must practice good ethics. The idea that if someone buys 3M tape from us and does not pay us, makes it okay to not pay 3M is a dead end. Two wrongs makes a bigger wrong, not a right. If we freely promise to do something, we must do it.

3. Rules must be fair. They must apply to everyone equally. They must be publicly expressed. Everyone must know the rules. If Manolo, or Jorge must stay late to unload a truck and do not get overtime, then no one should get overtime to finish their responsibilities. You can have plenty of overtime on the weekend if you want it.

4. New technology and old successful technology must be supported. It is easier to dig up big rocks with a shovel than by hand. Without technology we will not get far.

5. We must be resourceful, even if it costs us in the short term. If we cannot keep our promises because we are too busy with important stuff, we can always hire someone additional that can do what we cannot do as we are.

6. Finally we must consider the idea that the ends are the means. "As we sow, so shall we reap". Money is only a means to an end. In fact, until money is spent it has no real value. To me, at least, how we earn it will determine its spending value.

Nazis have the idea that the world would be a better place without anyone unlike them. Many religions seem to believe that God will be happy if all that worship in a different way, or not at all, are dead. Violence generally seems to be justified on the basis that, "I am good, so my violence is also good and will cause more good". These ends justify the means ideas will not make a better world.

To someone weird, like me, even in the world of business, money is not everything. Less office stress, people kind to each other, singing birds, gardens, green grass, our very own fish pond, a lazy cat are not so bad.

Hopefully if we put these ideas into practice we will be okay. A great thing about American is that if you object to all these thoughts there is no penalty. Somewhere you can be as you are and do it your way. In the meantime, until we come up with something better, these are our goals.