Warren Buffet's wisdom and support for Obama is a big lift

Billionaire investor and Chairman and CEO for Berkshire Hathaway, Warren Buffet, isn't your stereotypical wealthy individual who splurges his money and only associates himself with other wealthy individuals. He dines at some of his favorite steakhouses in Omaha and often mingles with everyday people. His home is just off Dodge St. Nestled behind some oak trees, one can see an ominous shade cast over his home on a clear afternoon. It's a two to three-story brick home that is large in size but isn't overly lavish. It was several years ago that I drove by his home, and I still saw his white Lincoln parked in his driveway.

The rest of my family still lives in Nebraska. We're the outcasts. Truman Capote's observations of Kansas in his classic In Cold Blood resonates with this Midwestern state -- many people you find are unpretentious, honest, and hard working. Family life is highly valued, since many live in rural areas requiring children to work on the family's farmland. These same characteristics fit Buffet.

When we lived in Omaha for two-and-a-half years, I remember my seventh grade class watched a motivational video by Buffet on success. He was truly inspiring. During this time, he owned a majority of shares for Coca-Cola. He discussed at length how to avoid some of the common pitfalls. "Don't put your eggs in one basket," is a cliche often used and it applies to his speech as well. He said you should set goals for yourself and persistently work to achieve them. However, these goals should be attainable before moving on to higher ones.

Buffet also used the "don't put your eggs in one basket" when referring to the stock market. Alright, I was only in the seventh grade, but he discussed some basics on wisely investing. Don't settle for one market and expand. Study what the company is doing -- expanding its operations, introducing a new product line that will receive high demand, etc. Today, Buffet continues reaching out to people of all ages, and he said he enjoys speaking with younger people. He has spoken at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln, and you could see a Cheshire cat-like grin on his face afterward.

Yes, his personal life has had some turmoil in it, but that's life. We all have our obstacles and pitfalls. Much of those problems were attributed to his rigorous work ethic.

He continues reading multiple newspapers per day. There's no doubt the differing views read from these newspapers has helped him come up with thoughtful, conscientious decisions. It's this work ethic that has led him to becoming one of America's great success stories.

Obama is fortunate to have Buffet as a supporter. Like Obama, Buffet said we live in a great country and believes it can be "even greater." Yesterday, Obama met with the likes of Buffet and other successful economic experts in a closed door meeting. I think having Buffet as a supporter will have a tremendous positive impact on Obama's economic policies moving forward.

Here is a video posted more than a year ago when Obama and Hillary Clinton were still vying for the Democratic Nomination. Buffet said people need to invest wisely as consumers to avoid one of the biggest problems facing this country right now -- homes going into foreclosure. I think their combined judgements makes for a very powerful tandem.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWz_moZ6U0U