Do Americans have trouble facing reality? Are we really as arrogant as the rest of the world seems to think? Are we drunk on credit and consumerism? Here’s Peter Schiff…

Friend of VisionForce and CEO of FLOW, Michael Strong, has a great new book out called, Be The Solution: How Entrepreneurs and Conscious Capitalists Can Solve All the World’s Problems.

Arnold Kling, libertarian economist, comments:

“The book combines a passion for capitalism, a passion for solving social problems, and some New Age spirituality. Think Ayn Rand meets Stephen Covey.

“I see the book as a manifesto for what I once called civil societarianism. The implicit message to young idealists is to solve problems through entrepreneurial innovation, not through political coercion.

In these times of great change, when so many people have placed their hope in our governments to save us, I say it’s time we each take the initiative to “be the solution.”

I’m currently awaiting my signed copy’s arrival in the mail. I suggest you go grab your copy at Amazon today:

http://tinyurl.com/be-the-solution

Your support will help Michael Strong to bring this bold message to the world. It’s an idea whose time has come!

Here’s a great presentation about how entrepreneurs and enterprising individuals can be a powerful force for good. It’s Michael Strong, John Mackey and Jeff Klein of FLOW presenting for at Freedom Fest 2007.

I spoke with Michael the other evening, and he’s doing something very cool next week I’m going to invite you to participate in.

Kelly shares the source of her inspiration to create a retreat/school for foster children, where they are deeply loved, honored and learn to love learning and life. She also courageously shares her deepest fears and frustrations, AND how she's making financial miracles happen to attend the May retreat for Visionary Women. There, she'll build alliances with other visionary women, and received deep training in practical methods to make miracles happen from love.

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I choose not to own a television, but I was turned on to comedian Jon Stewart’s conflict with CNBC Mad Money’s Jim Cramer. Jon Stewart has been criticizing CNBC for being largely complicit with the companies involved in the economic meltdown, and took special issue with Cramer’s advising people to continue to invest in Bear Stearn, the first big, over-leveraged investment brokerage to go down last year.

They’ve both been doing a lot of trash talk about each other recently (admittedly, they both get paid to entertain). Jon’s used his comedian skills to shame Cramer and CNBC, and when news came out the Cramer was to appear on Stewart’s The Daily Show, Cramer was obviously nervous.

It was obvious that Stewart could have used his position and charisma to humiliate or attack Cramer in front of millions, which is typically how such conflicts go (such is the positionary style of a Bill O’Reilly, an Ann Coulter, a Michael Moore, a Sean Hannity, a Rush Limbaugh, etc.). Instead, Stewart called Jim Cramer to rise to a higher level of responsibility, and no doubt, Cramer felt honored, even if embarrassed.

Here’s the exchange:

My point is not who is right or wrong. My point is the manner in which Jon Stewart used his power, and the result, which is the kind of result that few of his peers tend to create. Many talking heads take a position in a way that results in their “adversary” only becoming more adversarial, more positionary, more reactive, more entrenched. A skillful demonstration by Stewart of honor, courage and compassion.

News networks tend to dramaticize (my word) conflict in a positionary way: this person one, and this person lost (Example from CNN), which doesn’t help us to move forward to create a world that really works. Instead, it leads viewers to take positions and get caught up in the positionary drama of fighting against, rather than the visionary drama of standing for. In my view, Stewart was an example for pundits around the world. And Cramer, for his part had the courage to look at himself honestly and step up. That’s not “losing” in my book. Kudos to Cramer. Let’s see how he evolves his show as a result.

Visionary Woman, let me stand with you!

Let’s amplify the volume, clarity and power of your big dream or idea. Let’s turn it into a POWERFUL VISION that speaks to your heart, and the hearts of all who hear your voice, with this powerful Vision Exercise:

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Around the world, every day, women are treated as less than human – as if they are animals, who should not think for themselves or live from their own inner guidance.

Check out this remarkable story.

From the story,

The Commission for the Promotion of Virtue and Prevention of Vice, feared by many Saudis, is made up of several thousand religious policemen charged with duties such as enforcing dress codes, prayer times and segregation of the sexes. Under Saudi law, women face many restrictions, including a strict dress code and a ban on driving. Women also need to have a man’s permission to travel.

It’s time the world makes a distinction between goodness and greatness. And it’s time we all rise to greatness.

Then let your voice be hear below.