Writing Is Not a Contest

Sabiniana Balagtas Baliba

George Garneau, Ph.D.

25 February 2013

“Writing Is Not a Contest” William Zinsser

In most field or profession, being competitive is highly encouraged, as it gives one the urge to compete and excel that could eventually lead to success. However, in writing it does not apply. For “Writing is not a contest,” just as William Zinsser stresses on On Writing Well’s Bits and Pieces (1).

Zinsser further stresses, “. . .many writers are paralyzed by the thought that they are competing with everybody who is trying to write and presumably doing it better,” (2). Indeed, I noticed that several times on some fellows’ writings. Some even write post (each article published through blogs) just solely criticizing others’ writings, which I find truly nonsensical (and not to mention unethical). For regardless of expertise and genre, no one writes to compete.

In fact, in academic, peer review is extremely valuable, that our English teachers always allot a day for our peers or classmates to review our drafts, and before we even submit it for final grading. For to have other pairs of eyes to review our essays can help on proofreading typographical even grammatical errors. In addition, different minds can bring refreshing ideas. Therefore, peer review is indeed invaluable.

Zinsser also emphasizes, “every writer is starting from a different point and is bound for destination” (3). My understanding to this: Just as we are distinct from one another, our views in life are different as well. So there is really no point of comparison.

On criticizing a fellow, and putting it on writing, by engaging in such, we are leveling ourselves to a caliber of a gossip monger. So, please, don’t do that. Let us pay respect to our profession, and let our peers have some dignity too.

Finally, how can we appeal to our readers’ pathos, if we have so much ego? Actually, just the thought that we’d be writing to compete does not sound right to me at all. For how can we write meaningfully, if the tone of our writing is competing? So, compete not, when you write. Neither, write to compete.

The Glory of Giving

-A narrative expository essay.-

Previously published at the Last Quarter issue of the Hawaii Paralegal Reporter in 2008.

The Glory of Giving

“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” -John Wesley

It was four days before the Honolulu Citizenship Fair 2008, when Evelyn Gomez of the Hawaii State Bar Association (HSBA) confirmed me  I was “in” for the said event. Ms. E as I fondly called her, always inspired me of her big heart and generosity. I met her in 2007, for my legal training with HSBA. She introduced me to Anne Basham, coordinator for the Volunteer Legal Services Hawaii, who just like Ms. Evelyn was so warm and friendly.

So came the day of May 31, 2008, of my first pro bono project, I came in late. Since it was my first, and that no one told me, I never knew volunteers have to be there an hour early. Rushing to the elevator, I met Anne anew, and that gave me an opportunity to fast chit-chat with her, as I eased myself from tensions of coming in late. We sneaked in the room where the briefing already started, and found Pat McManaman of Na Loio, speaking before volunteer attorneys and paralegals.

Our goal was to assist three applicants each partner of one attorney and paralegal. Attorneys will execute the interview and the paralegals have to enter the data on the adobe (pdf) form that was already pre-set and ready for our use on every computer in the four allocated rooms, at the Building 5 of the Honolulu Community College.

I was so lucky being partnered to one well-known Honolulu immigration attorney, Mr. Gary Singh (my partner in every fair, for five straight years now). Our first applicant was a fellow middle-aged Filipina, who had been in the State of Aloha for quite awhile. She was initially nervous, but Atty. Singh’ sense of humor eased her eventually.

Our second was Mr. Herminigildo Bardolasa, a 66-year old, Filipino immigrant who had been here for three decades now. During the interview, the three of us, often burst laughing on how candid and funny Mr. Bardolasa answered our questions. He amazed us of how keen his memory on important dates; The date of his wedding, of his migration to the United States, his and his entire household’s alien numbers and birthdays, without a codico (cheat sheet), as he smartly answered all questions with ease and so spontaneously.

Suddenly, the then congressman, Neil Abercrombie, now Hawaii governor, appeared out of nowhere and joined our light moment. As a result, all the reporters and photographers came rushing to our side. Abercrombie went his way to meet all the applicants as well, and assured them that along with Na Loio, the realization of their American dream. The governor hugged and kissed (Hawaiian customary gestures) all volunteers too, and he thanked us.

The Advantages of the Fair

According to the applicants themselves, the fair was such a great project. It just didn’t assured them of getting the citizenship, but likewise, they were confident they did things correctly and lawfully.

My participation in the fair, more than the administrative side of it, was the privilege of helping fellow Filipinos understand some critical terminologies of American civic and history required in the application of citizenship and naturalization. I translated Oath of Allegiance; What are the needs to bear arms for our nation and when, and the importance along with the benefits of being lawful citizens of the United States of America.

The Priceless Joy

When I got home, I felt I was floating in the air. It wasn’t because, I was carrying a hefty bento. But for the joy of knowing, I came handy to fellow Pinoys.

I felt privileged shaking the hands of my fellows, who were brave enough to leave our native country, because they all want the best for their families. Their smiles and “thank yous” were precious–I will always cherish them for the rest of my life.

I am proud of my HPA (Hawaii Paralegal Association) colleagues Elton Johnson, Juanita Warren, Joel Murukami, and Cheryl Anne Satterfield, who always volunteered to most pro bono opportunities here in Hawaii. Most of us still do the Honolulu Citizenship Fair, yearly, every May, and the fair is now managed by the Hawaii Immigrant Justice Center and the Office of Honolulu Representative, Cong. Colleen Hanabusa.

The Epiphany

To me, intelligence is something that can be acquired, or cultivated. But our attitude; our hearts, or how we deal in life, how we treat others and how we unselfishly give ourselves to things that we literally won’t have returns, are things that only come by nature. For when we give, we should never expect reciprocity. The person you help might not thank you for your efforts, but what matters is that you are happy that you are able to give, for not all can. Take good deeds as deposits to your heaven’s accounts. For GOD is alive and HE sees us all. HE returns good deed in hundred folds.

Most will say Pro Bono is just for those who have so much to give. Some may say, they can only give, if they have a spare to share. But what truly is nobler, is to give despite limited means, and in not so well conditions. Because it shows, regardless of what we have on our “plates” and how we barely we have in our hands, we can still do good deeds and spread good deeds.

So brace the challenges of volunteering; give back to the community even just a portion of what you have been blessed. For an ample minute of your time, or a pinch of your blessings, could surely go along way to the lives of the needy ones you’d touch and help.

Write What Matters

An informal, narrative-process essay required in academia.

Sabiniana Balagtas Baliba

George Garneau, Ph.D.

23 January 2013

Write What Matters

Do you know “who are you writing for?” Because according to William Zinsser, for every writer, “Who am I writing for,” is such a “fundamental question,” that should have an equally “fundamental answer.” Honestly, before reading Zinsser’s On Writing Well, I thought, we, writers should just think of our readers to come up with a meaningful writing. But on Chapter 5, he wrote, “There is no such audience. . .” Now don’t be alarmed; Don’t take it literal! Nor react to “who” instead of “whom.” Of course, he didn’t mean that our readers don’t exist neither, no one would read our writings. Rather, just as every one is different from one another, Zinsser emphasized, “Every reader is different too.”

For in reality, it is impossible to know what “exactly” our readers would love to read. Moreover, it is easier, doable and attainable to write for ourselves. Because having that mentality, encourages us to fearlessly write and express our thoughts, in the distinct tone of our respective voice, style and individuality, for those should always be present each time we write.

Just like in academics, our English teachers always encourage us to write on topics that matter to us. Because to come up with a meaningful writing, we have to write about things that we are passionate of; issues that truly matter to us. For that is the strongest foundation of it all—Write what matters—Write what matters to you!

For when we write what matter to us, we would write, just as how we normally converse. Even if we don’t see our readers face-to-face, we should write as if we are talking to them in person, that they are right in front of us; all eyes, all ears listening, so we talk or write from the heart. And when we do write from the heart; in the most sincere and succinct ways, though we may not hear applause, or get a handshake, our readers will know, and they will appreciate that. So, write what matters, and write what matters to you!

–30–

Dissecting the Needs for Dodd-Frank

(A persuasive analysis written and submitted in academia; in Modern Language Association’s format.)

Warning: This is an academic research paper, therefore, long and comprehensive, and time consuming. Thank you for your understanding!

Sabiniana Balagtas Baliba
Wayne M. Tanna, ESQ, CPA
6 December 2012

DISSECTING THE NEEDS FOR DODD-FRANK

Do the Needs Justify the Act?

INTRODUCTION

Unemployment, foreclosures, eviction, bankruptcy–are the bitter results of the unprincipled practices of Wall Street and the immoral and abusive powers in Washington. (Obama) Therefore, we should not allow such grave unethical practices to happen ever again, because our economy is still dwindling and millions of American families are still struggling; still “crawling” and coping with the aftermaths of recession. We should not allow grave, or amoral practices to recur, for the United States’ economy and our people ultimately cannot afford it—we ought to ensure our nation’s full recovery!

OVERVIEW OF THE RECESSION

The National Bureau of Economic Research defines recession (limped the nation from years 2007 to 2010) as follows:

. . . Is a period between a peak and a trough, and an expansion is a period between a trough and a peak. During a recession, a significant decline in economic activity spreads across the economy and can last from a few months to more than a year. Similarly, during an expansion, economic activity rises substantially, spreads across the economy, and usually lasts for several years. (“U.S. Business Cycle”)

Insufficient or poor implementations of laws on accountability and transparency in Wall Street and the entire finance sector brought our nation the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression in 1929. It resulted to our highest unemployment rate, as about eight millions of Americans lost sources of living. In addition, many businesses failed, and there was a significant drop in housing prices. Millions of homeowners (from all fifty states or across the country) lost their houses; their homes foreclosed and they evicted. In addition, retirement and personal savings of many of our fellows were wiped out, and bankruptcy filings skyrocketed too. The saddest part, taxpayers were forced to bail out big banks that failed, not out of misfortunes, but because they were greedy to earn profit for themselves. They did not followed protocols, and even by passed existing laws for their selfish gains. (Obama 2010) As a result, the most comprehensive and stringent financial regulation in the history of United States was created.

Responding to the economic nightmares of recession, on June 2009, the administration of President Barack Obama proposed to United States Congress, bill H.R.4173, now enacted and known as the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and herein referred to as the “Dodd-Frank Act” or the Act.(111^thUnited States Congress)

The Act consists of 2003 pages, sixteen (16) titles—was proposed to United States Congress in June; and introduced to the floor of the House of Representative in July. A revised version was introduced on December 2^, 2009 and another (in the same month) by House Financial Services Committee Chairman Representative Barney Frank (D), and by Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D). Because of their involvement and efforts towards its legislation, on June 25, 2010 the conference committee proposed that the bill be named after the two legislators. (111^th United States Congress)

The Dodd-Frank Act aimed to promote financial stability in United States by imposing rigorous standards to the finance and banking sectors. Most importantly, the Act aimed to protect American consumers from abusive practices which are rampant in the above-mentioned industries.

THE TITLES

The 111^th Congress of the United States enacted the Dodd-Frank Act with the intention of promoting financial stability by improving accountability and transparency in the financial system. . . to end ‘‘too big to fail” to protect the American taxpayer by ending bailouts. . .,” (111^th United States Congress)

The sixteen provisions of Dodd-Frank were:

Title I: Financial Stability
Title II: Orderly Liquidation Authority
Title III: Transfer of Powers to the Controller, to the FDIC, the FED
Title IV: Regulation of Advisers to Hedge Funds and Others
Title V: Insurance
Title VI: Improvements to Regulations
Title VII: Wall Street Transparency and Accountability
Title VIII: Payment, Clearing, and Settlement Supervision
Title IX: Investors Protections and Improvements to the Regulations of Securities
Title X: Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection
Title XI: Federal Reserve System Provisions
Title XII: Improving Access to Mainstream Financial Institutions
Title XIII: Pay It Back Act
Title XIV: Mortgage Reform and Anti-Predatory Lending Act
Title XV: Miscellaneous Provisions
Title XVI: Section 1256 Contracts (“Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform”)

THE CONTROVERSIES

The most politicized titles and their few detail were: Title I, Financial Stability, outlines to new agencies charged with monitoring systemic risk and researching the state of the economy; it also aimed to clarify the supervision of bank holding companies by the Federal Reserve. Likewise, to create the Financial Stability Oversight Council, and the Office of Financial Research, the two new agencies will be under the supervision of the Department of Treasury. Moreover, the President appointed the Department Secretary serving as chair for the Council. However, the appointment must be subject to confirmation by the U.S. Senate.

The Financial Stability Oversight Council were tasked to man three major responsibilities, namely: To identify risks to the financial stability of United States both from financial and non-financial organizations. Likewise, to promote market disciplines by eliminating the expectations of banks. And that they would be bailed out by the government in the event they fail. Last, but not least, to respond to emerging threats to the stability of the financial market and the economy.

The Council was comprised of 15 members (10 voting and five non-voting advisory members)—is responsible to uphold and strengthen integrity, efficiency, competitiveness, and stability of the U.S. financial markets; and, to enhance consumers’ confidence in banking and finance.

Another controversial provision of the Act was Title III, also known as the Transfer of Powers to the Controller (of the FDIC and the Federal Reserve). Through the Act, FDIC (Federal Insurance Corporation) was mandated to increase the threshold of deposits insured from $100,000 to $250,000. The purpose was to streamline banking regulations and to reduce competitions and overlaps between different regulators by abolishing the Office of the Thrift Supervisions, and transferring its holding powers to the Federal Reserve.

Title VII, also known as Wall Street Transparency and Accountability, or Regulation of Over-the-Counter Derivatives, was another another title of the Act. According to the recently published congressional research study written by Rena Miller and Kathleen Ann Ruane, “The financial crisis implicated the over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives market as a major source of systemic risk. . . . Number of firms used derivatives. . . . Which generated enormous losses that threatened to bankrupt not only the firms themselves but also their creditors and trading partners?”

Critics labeled it as the too-crafted “Glass-Steagall for the 21st century,” (“The Dodd-Frank Act’s Push out Rule” ); criticized for its stringency, and/or complete separation of banking, investing, and insurance business activities, as existed previously before the repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act in 199. (“The Dodd-Frank Act’s Push out Rule”)

Title Seven likewise had to ensure the use of the following:

• Advances from the Fed discount window;
• Fed credit facility that is not part of a facility with broad-based eligibility under Section 13 of the Federal Reserve Act

FDIC insurance or guaranty; for the purpose of:

• Making any loan to, or purchasing any stock, equity interest or debt obligation of, any swaps entity;
• Buying the assets of any swaps entity, or guaranteeing any loan or debt issuance of any swaps entity; or
• Entering into any assistance, loss-sharing, or profit-sharing arrangement with a swaps entity. (““The Dodd-Frank Act’s Push-out Rule”)

Title X as explained in the Conference of State Bank Supervisors as follows: was the creation of an independent Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection (“Bureau”), and must be located within Federal Reserve, and led by a Director, duly appointed by the President (and confirmed by the U.S. Senate). Individuals and entities engaged in offering or providing consumer financial products and services were greatly affected by this title. It was also the most contended among the fifteen other provisions. And was accused as the most unconstitutional by critics and the Republicans. (“Title X”)

Title XIV added disclosure and significant guidelines and stringent laws to mortgage lending that dramatically affect brokers, lenders, appraisers, and all others involved or doing their courses of business in the mortgage lending industry. Included in the provision of the Act, was the creation of Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), also known as the “Bureau” is empowered by law of rulemaking authority.

According to Committee on Consumer on Financial Services, of the American Bar Association, “. . .Title XIV was to become effective when the final regulations implementing the provision are effective. If no regulation implementing a provision of the law had been issued by January 21, 2013, then that provision becomes effective as of that date.”

HIGHLIGHTS OF THE ACT

The creation and enactment of H.R. 4173 tend to inrease transparency and accountability as follows:

• By improving consumers protection to save every American who is seeking loan, mortgages, credit cards and many others, from the pitfalls of tricky lending;
• By putting end to bailouts (“to end too big to fail”)
• By instilling discipline through strict implementation of stringent laws and regulations;
• By creating a council and bureau solely tasked to monitor and address risks in both in financial and non-financial markets;
• By ensuring transparency and accountability on derivatives, investments, hedge funds, payday lenders;
• By incorporating Volcker Rule (named after Federal Reserve Chairman Paul Volcker) restricting banks from speculative investments,
• By implementing reforms to corporate governance and executive compensation practices;
• By giving shareholders a say on pays and corporate affairs;
• By intensifying investors’ protection by ensuring credit agencies are complying with laws and regulations, and that the investors can have an access to legit information and facts;
• By enhancing Whistle-Blower Protection and Benefits, that resulted from inability of existing policies of Security Exchange Commission to detect multi-billion dollar ponzi scheme (e.g. Bernard Madoff’s Scam of the Century). (Castellina)

WHAT DOES DODD-FRANK MEANS TO ME (A PERSONAL TESTIMONY)?

Hope, better future, stronger and reliable economy—these among the many others, defined what Dodd-Frank Act meant to me!

I lost my full-time job in 2008, and the following year of 2009, our house went through foreclosure, that led to my mother’s filing of bankruptcy of Chapter 7 (liquidation), so we could save our house. Although she also lost her second job, we, her children, strongly believed that her financial dilemma was brought by the second mortgage that her ex-husband (our stepfather) defrauded her into. In barely two years of marriage, and without our knowledge, he refinanced our house four times (when our mortgage was almost paid off when he came to our lives). He pocketed all the equity monies he got from the refinancing. Through painstaking and costly investigation, we found out that her ex-husband knew someone from the lender, and most of her requirements and signatures were forged. The man connived with a friend, who works for Beneficial, the lender for the second mortgage that he got her into and beyond her will.

Modesty aside, I knew I had to share this testimony to attest such horrendous practices in the finance sectors were really happening, and that my family was living testimony that those nightmares of recession did existed and hampered American lives.

For only through legislation, aided by these kind of testimonies, we can assure such things would never ever happen again.

As a student, and soon to be an accounting professional, I was delighted to hear now, with the enactment of Dodd-Frank Act, lenders, banks, or creditors, the government could ensure all loan contracts must “readable” by ordinary consumers like me, who were non-attorneys and therefore, did not have the capacity to understand technical languages, and legal terminologies. Moreover, through this, ordinary consumers (like me) “won’t get unwittingly caught by overdraft fees,” (Obama).

I completely understand the sentiments of some legislators that the creation of an independent bureau might be a way to avoid scrutiny of the Congress and the Office of the President; and, might be a violation of of the Constitution. However, despite its imperfections, we should not trash the bill just because of some loopholes.

Our legislators should work collectively to define vague terms and fill those loopholes, to make the Act in full compliance of the constitution.

Lastly, we must keep in mind the huge need for the Act! That although there might be certain parts of the legislation that may seemed so vague, opposing members of the U.S. Congress should speak and be heard, to revise or amend the Act, but not to trash it “straight to the waste basket” and just as most Republicans legislators wanted to. Because the American families needed this act (and we still do).

We should urge the GOP and democrats to stop politicizing the Act! Politics should always end once counting of votes is finished, and the election is over. For the elected officials have works to do. Both parties should learn to work with each other collaboratively, no matter how impossible it may seem, simply because they have responsibilities to their constituents who voted and hired them to lead–so, they must lead their people to good.

Most importantly, we have not fully recovered yet from the recession. Although our economy is quite picking up, it is not stable yet. In addition, there are still a lot of us in dire need of help. Our legislators, both from GOP and the democrats should once and for all reach a consensus, not just on Dodd-Frank, but in all fiscal and economic legislations.

CONCLUSION

Indeed, unemployment, foreclosures, eviction, bankruptcy–are the bitter results of the unprincipled practices of Wall Street and the immoral and abusive powers in Washington. (Obama) Therefore, we should not allow such grave unethical practices to happen ever again, because our economy is still dwindling and millions of American families are still struggling; and still seemingly “crawling” in coping with the aftermaths of the worst recession. We should not allow grave, or amoral practices to recur, for the United States’ economy and our people ultimately cannot afford another recession to take place! We should ensure our full recovery!

We do need stringent laws and regulations that will ensure valued investors that our economy is picking up. We do need stringent laws and regulations that will ensure American families would never go through the same chaotic economy ever again! We do need stringent laws and regulations, for those are reasonable and critical to regain the full confidence of American consumers and investors. We do need stringent laws and regulations, because anything that involves money always presents temptations, but those laws will ensure that even in the most remote situations, no one can play and take advantage of us, consumers, ever again!

We do need the Dodd-Frank Act to ensure, that there will be laws that will protect our consumers’ rights, that in the event of non-compliance, there would be punishments in place for offenders and violators. We do need the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, because we cannot afford to spend our taxpayers’ money to bail out companies who abused American consumers and disregarded law. It does not make sense to bailout those banks and big mortgage companies who deceived our people and hurt our economy. For what lies in Dodd-Frank Act is the financial security of every American.

We should not go through the same things that harmed us so detrimentally, because we are not even done cleaning all the mess of the recession; we have not even recovered yet! For the only way we can truly ensure our full recovery, is to set laws that will make it clear to offenders and violators, they can never mess up with us again! Because if we would not establish such safety nets, after all that we have been through, it only shows we did not learned anything at all! Wouldn’t it be such a shame to our faithful allies around the world that we keep on going back to the same crisis? Let us not overlook that there are many nations depending on us too, not just about peace or war, but also on finance, trading, and banking. For regardless, if one admits or not, the crisis happened, because we let those unscrupulous culprits deceived us. They took advantage of the loopholes in our legal and finance systems. Though they were the only ones who gained from their unethical practices, but it boomeranged not just to them, but to all of us! Let us keep in mind that we all have responsibilities to be diligent and vigilant in ensuring our welfare!

Finally, for more than four months of being in our (business) law class, we learned that laws were born out of some people’s unethical practices. This is why Dodd-Frank did not spawn out of nowhere; its creation resulted from grave, or amoral practices in the finance industry. Therefore, we have to enforce the act! The needs are so humongous, for that’s how bad the culprits of recession have caused our lives, and have caused our nation! For with this kind of dwindling economy, we need laws like Dodd-Frank, that will ensure our rights and welfare is duly protected. Most importantly, America cannot afford another recession. We cannot afford bailing out those careless companies and corporations anymore. Because if we do not stop bailing them out, it is more likely, that America would be bankrupt too. What is worse, no one would bailout our nation, and we are all doomed!

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