In 2008 I had the opportunity to deliver a morning keynote at the annual NAMIC Conference in Philadelphia. After I "stoked the fire within" NAMIC members at an Awards event, Newt Gingrich gave the closing keynote. No doubt, he was nervous about being on the same slate as Charlie Adams (...!).

 

I took some notes about certain things he said about the Recession that was going on at the time.

 

"We are in the middle of a remarkable period in American history," he said. "Every once in awhile something happens that should get us to slow down and have a conversation about where we are going. Gingrich cited the book Manias, Panics, and Crashes: A History of Financial Crises as having good insights on what is going on now. He also referenced the book Lombard Street: A Description of the Money Market.

 

"Money has to have boundries," Gingrich said when reflecting on the book. "Money will not limit or organize itself. Wth the absence of boundries it always goes off a cliff."

 

"I think it's a cultural problem," he added. "I have two grandchildren. What kind of world will they get? Frankly, it is more decadent and losing its way in values. It is a world that lies to itself and charges far too much while working far too little."

 

He said as a nation we have to decide if we are going to be Silicon Valley or Detroit when it comes to growth. "In 1958 Detroit had the highest per capita income in the U.S. Today it is 62nd."

 

Gingrich said the film 2 Million Minutes - A Documentary Film on Global Education was eye opening. This film takes a deeper look at how the three superpowers of the 21st Century - China, India and the United States - are preparing their students for the future. "Two million minutes is the length of time in high school," Gingrich said. "You will never again feel comfortable about our education after seeing it."

 

He mentioned a book he was writing for young people. As someone who feels it is very important all speakers deliver motivational programs to young people, I was glad that Gingrich is working on such a project. He said his 5 Keys for young people are:

1. Dream Big
2. Work Hard
3. Learn Every Day
   
4. Enjoy Life
   
5. Be True to Yourself

On the surface you might think somewhat simple, but they really do make sense.

 

Gingrich made some alarming points about how effective Fed Ex and UPS are when it comes to tracking about 23 million packages a day, yet millions of illegal aliens can't be tracked by the Government.

 

"I know, let's send them all a Fed Ex package," Gingrich said. "We can track them that way!"