Next Wave of Covid-19 Relief Likely To Pass
In what is poised to be a third Covid-19 Relief bill, the U.S. House of Representatives is scheduled to vote on the bill that has already passed the Senate this week. If passed in the House, it will likely be signed by President Biden this week.
If you are unfamiliar with the specifics, you can see the details either here or here.
It seems as if the $15 / hr minimum wage hike will not make it into the legislation.
Transparently, I don’t think that minimum wage hikes have anything to do with Covid-19 so I’d say that is a good thing. I dislike “Omnibus” or “Comprehensive” bills that strike broad brushes at macro problems usually lacking detail beyond bucket spending on “goals”.
The net result is the continued growth of an unelected bureaucratic class that sets terms and administers the undefined programs.
I’d prefer readable legislation targeting specific issues with specific proposals & programs. If there’s a large societal problem to tackle, let’s break down solutions and prioritize them. In that manner, we can actually measure if we’re improving or getting the results that we seek.
That’s just me…
However, I will urge some caution for us all as we discuss and debate.
This will be the third Covid-19 bill passed. Beware “opposing” this round if you were quiet about the previous two. Likewise, celebrating “this” rounded while ignoring the previous two is just as intellectually dishonest.
Also, let’s agree to be honest about our support or opposition based upon the merits instead of who is wielding authority during passage! It is high time that we refocus on ideas and principles instead of acquisition of power to enforce our will.
Continued travel down that path serves none of us!
Update From Last Week
Thanks to those of you who reached out after reading about my “doctor fun” over the past couple of weeks. While there’s nothing yet definitive, my cardiologist joked that she is “11-for-11 recently diagnosing sleep apnea (and I suspect you will make me 12-for-12)”.
Sleep Apnea is estimated to affect as many as 22 million Americans (with possibly 80% undiagnosed). If you have sleep issues or often find yourself feeling unrested after a night’s sleep, you might want to look into it.
You can get more details at the Sleep Foundation.
In my case, it makes sense as some of the symptoms that I’ve had are potentially linked. If that’s my problem, it’s treatable so that’ll be a definite blessing.
Again, thanks for the thoughts and prayers! Know that they’re appreciated.
I have a cardiologist appointment this week as a follow-up from an episode and emergency room visit recently. While my doctor and I don’t think there’s a great cause of concern, it’s better to get things checked out (especially when your family histories suggest there is risk).
It’s around these times that you reassess what you are doing, for whom you are doing it, and why you are doing it.
If you haven’t taken the opportunity recently to remind yourself of your unique “Whats and Whys”, I’d definitely suggest that you do it. In much the same way that saving is more effective the earlier you start, making sure that what you do (and why) is congruent with the things for which you want to be remembered is something that we should all be periodically doing.
For those checking out the book reviews, I finished The Ultimate Sales Machine by Chet Holmes. My post of notes from the book is complete. You can check it out on my blog at this link.
If you would like to read along, I will be starting Content Inc. by Joe Pulizzi soon.
Note: Book links are Amazon affiliate links.
This is another quote that caught my attention when I was reading The Ultimate Sales Machine by Chet Holmes. (You can check out my review of the book at this link.)
It is a common self-centered perception that “the problem” is external to us. Whether it be on the roadways, in our businesses, or within our day-to-day relationships, human nature is quick to assess blame “to them”.
In many situations, someone or something else is truly at fault. Human beings are imperfect and each has a unique list of faults.
So do we!
In Rick Warren’s book The Purpose-Driven Life (Amazon link), the major premise was “It’s not about Me!” Similarly, we need to remember that everyone and everything is not “out to get Me” either!
We’ll all be much happier extending some grace (and hopefully receiving a little more in return)!
Enjoy the start to your week!
Other Links
Search Algorithm Changes & Tools
If you do produce content and try to generate organic traffic, it pays to keep abreast of the changing landscape for search engine algorithms. This article shares recent (and upcoming changes), but just remember the objective of Search Engines (Finding the BEST answer for user QUERIES). The more your site and content deliver value & address questions being asked, the more you are going to generate traffic from search engines.
Local Search (if your customers exist within a geographic service area) is a sub-genre that offers measurable benefits for your marketing strategies. You can check out some hints here (12 Local Search Tips).
Google Webmaster Guidelines
In addition to your content, the structure and technical aspects of your site influence your ranking. Consider which site you’d rather visit – An EASY one that provides the value you were seeking (plus additional information & functionality that will draw you to stay/revisit) or the CONFUSING one that makes you work (or perform a bunch of steps – i.e. “sign-up” or click-thru popups) to get the value promised?
Great content that is difficult to consume is as much a waste of resources as crappy content that delivers little value!
New Features in Google Ads App
If you do search-based advertising, you definitely want to keep up-to-date on the tools to create them. Don’t miss out on Ad Libraries (to see how others are succeeding) or AI-based assistance in bidding if you are new or getting used to online advertising. Use the tools until you are ready to go it on your own or hire someone to manage it for you!
