60 Replies and Counting —DeWese

The banks got money.

Wall Street was generously rewarded with billions.

Some insurance companies got big bucks.

The automakers got multi-billions.

But we got nothing, zilch, zip, zero. How is it that all the wrong-doers who made the mess got the money, and hard workin’ printers got bumkus or is it bupkus?

Printers are tough, smart, resourceful people. So, I decided to offer my own Mañana Man Stimulus Package. I offered the package to any company that would write and tell me why they need “Stimulating” in 100 words or less. 

Usually, I get five responses when I ask people to write in. But then my mama died in 1986 and Marvelle Stump went to the Mississippi State Prison in Parchmon, so now I only get three responses.

Not this time!

So far, as of July 4, I have received 60 requests, and they’re still coming. Now I’m the one who needs a Stimulus Package to pay for more coffee, beignets (New Orleans doughnuts covered with powdered sugar), books and Web brainstorming sessions that I promised each respondent.

My June column was partially inspired by a salesman who is the owner and CEO of his company. He sells $16 million annually all by himself. When he read the column, he sent me the following e-mail:

“Just got to a softball game. I am coaching one of my hundreds of daughters. (It just seems like hundreds to him.) Just took a call while coaching first base from a big Nameless Corporation where they had me on a conference call for the entire inning, even though I told them where I was. They could care less about others.

“We did score three runs and I sold $100,000 worth of printing. There is absolutely nothing like the true joy of sitting in a convenience store parking lot selling my rear end off! It does not get better than this. The hell with corporate jets and high-dollar dinners—just give me a laptop, a Blackberry, a 32-oz. Diet Pepsi and some crackers. I am not a genius. I am the best of all things—a SALESMAN!

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