President Trump signs an executive order in the White House on Friday. White House photo

By Papa Doug Manchester

America has spoken and the people’s desire for change has triumphed over the predictability of the status quo. Now, for the first time, a true capitalist is in the White House, an incredibly smart man with a big heart and an amazing family. His entire focus is on doing what is right for America, not what is politically correct.

Too many citizens of our wonderful country have felt neglected. They’ve become disenchanted with the executive government and bogged-down Congress. They’ve felt their voices have fallen on deaf ears with regards to the economy and healthcare. They don’t feel safe in a world faced with increasing terrorist attacks and want an America that’s respected worldwide. At home, they want opportunity and potential for their children and future generations to come.

For the Americans who felt secure with the status quo — including Republicans as well as Democrats — it’s time to reevaluate what the people have voted for. That includes not just the change that will occur in this nation, but the effect it will have in other countries throughout the world.

In the first 100 days, Trump will take action to make significant modifications. When it comes to the global economy, he will find ways to keep jobs in America, and encourage new industries to look to America first as a home for business and opportunity. He sums this up in two words — “Good Deal” — and is resolved to make sure agreements are beneficial for all sides.

What this means is a comprehensive reconsideration of trade policies, off-shore tax benefits and tax havens that make it profitable for companies to locate outside the United States. Trump is dedicated to reevaluating regulations in banking, fossil fuels, utilities and refining industries that make us more efficient and competitive. The President and his cabinet have a significant amount of discretion on how laws are enforced, and Trump’s executive appointments represent a clear and positive change in how the United States will conduct business.

President Trump’s vision for jobs is focused on creating a dynamic, booming economy that will create 25 million new jobs over the next decade. This includes reforming policies with a pro-growth tax plan, a new modern regulatory framework, an America-first trade policy, an unleashed American energy plan, and the “penny plan,” which seeks to reduce discretionary spending by one percent per year. The goal is to boost economic growth to 3.5 percent per year on average, with the potential to reach a 4 percent growth rate.

These are not arbitrary numbers, but concrete goals based on new, out-of-the-box practices from America’s first true capitalist President. We have already seen this in action on a small scale with mega-companies like Ford, Boeing and Sprint.

For those of us in San Diego who have a personal stake in the military, and a passionate, unwavering commitment to those who serve, and the families who support them, a re-investment in the military means a safer nation, an assertion and affirmation that we are the most powerful international country in history, and a huge boom to all of the industries and businesses who support the military.

As for healthcare, we deserve the best and most affordable healthcare in the world, and we’re in the process of identifying the most effective method to make this happen. In education, we deserve the brightest teachers, and top schools and curricula to offer the best opportunities for students, because our children who will step forward and continue our legacy are our most valuable assets.

Overall, we deserve leadership that listens to the will of the people and acts on their behalf to benefit all. As President Trump stated in his inaugural address, he is now “giving the power back to the people and putting America first.” I pray that we come together as a nation to support our leader, as a citizenry that’s passionate and understanding of the greater good, and as tolerant, loving and united individuals. Let’s work together to make the Trump presidency successful. Let’s make America great again.

Article from the Times of San Diego

Alexandra D. Jameson, Director of International Relations

San Diego, CA – Manchester Financial Group has named Alexandra D. Jameson as Director of International Relations. Jameson will be managing and leading all of Manchester Financial Group’s international development opportunities and business interests overseas; real estate development, hotels, investments, business operations, and identifying new business opportunities.

Ms. Jameson recently returned to the U.S. after living in Amman, Jordan while working for ARDD- Legal Aid, a local Jordanian NGO. While working in Amman, she assisted with the development and implementation of a program that targeted both local Jordanian and Syrian refugee women and children, empowering marginalized communities by giving them tools to become active members of civil society. Through this, she aided in supplying information on legal rights and enhancing the communities’ ability to be self-sufficient.

Recently, Ms. Jameson worked as a project manager to found a for-profit preschool in Kigali, Rwanda which launched in September 2016. She has worked closely with a local Rwandan partner to oversee the development of the school and establish an international framework for the school targeted to the local community.

While pursuing her Master’s Degree in Cairo, Egypt, Ms. Jameson experienced the tumultuous Arab Spring first hand, through four successive periods of governance from 2011 to 2015. During this time, Ms. Jameson worked for Delta Inspire, an Egyptian venture capital firm that serves as an incubator and accelerator for Egyptian start-ups and small to medium-sized businesses (SMEs) while aiming to drive employment. She noted that after the Egyptian revolution, many existing SME’s struggled to maintain operations, making her role important in building their resilience mechanisms. By delving into investment management, Ms. Jameson established and strengthened her desire to continue working in development.

Ms. Jameson earned a dual B.A. in International Relations and Spanish at the University of Southern California and M.A. in Political Science at the American University in Cairo (AUC). She now serves on the board of AUC’s Los Angeles Alumni Chapter.

“I am pleased to have this brilliant young woman join our team,” said Papa Doug Manchester, developer and founder of Manchester Financial Group, “and believe her expertise is instrumental in bringing our company to the forefront of identifying international opportunities.”

Papa Doug and Geniya Manchester and their children in a photo for their Christmas card.

By Papa Doug Manchester

In the New Year, let us take a moment to reflect on all that is good in our lives, the importance of family and community, and the excitement of a better future ahead. My wife Geniya and I pray that this country will prosper and grow stronger as a nation united.

We hope that our new leadership delivers on a powerful mission to achieve what is honorable, just, and right, and will forge a new vision to lead the world that will benefit all people.

We urge each and every one of us to set new goals to achieve greater heights professionally, personally and spiritually, and we encourage all local leaders and business owners to come together to move our city forward in the most positive way.

Let us continue to celebrate achievement, and stand up for traditional values of service, sacrifice, and honor. May we come together as one to Make America Great again, and show pride for our freedom. May we have compassion toward all, especially those who have been persecuted, and demonstrate a deep and enduring commitment to serving others — with a promise to give back, no matter how big or small.

As I promised in 2016 and reaffirm now, we will continue to dedicate ourselves to uplifting and transforming our community and America’s Finest City. I encourage all of us to do what we can, and I pray that you and your families experience peace, love, and happiness during this joyous season and throughout 2017.

God Bless!

Article from the Times of San Diego

San Diego, CA — The Mt. Soledad Veteran’s Memorial is now a permanent monument that pays homage to veterans who have honorably served our country. In addition, the Memorial will serve to educate the public on the contributions of military personnel throughout our nation’s history.
To commemorate this special landmark, former California Gov. Pete Wilson, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran and a trustee of the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, announced a $500,000 pledge by San Diego developer Papa Doug Manchester. This formally kicks off the campaign to reimburse the $1.4 million to the Association that was used to purchase the half-acre site from the Federal Government.
This comes on the heels of the Sept. 8, 2016 ruling by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals that brought an end to the latest round of appeals, and dismissal of the case because the central issue — a religious symbol standing on government property — was moot. The property is now privately held. This concluded the more than 25 years of lawsuits, court rulings, aborted sales and property transfers over the Mt. Soledad Cross in La Jolla, one of the longest legal battles over religious symbols on public property in the country. Responsibility for this historic landmark officially transferred to the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial.
“I’m deeply honored to step forward to help assure that the Mt. Soledad Veterans Memorial stands in perpetuity for all San Diegans,” said Manchester. “I have prayed for this for many years, and have a true sense of spiritual fulfillment by supporting a memorial that honors the sacrifice of our veterans, the best and brightest amongst us.”
In addition to Manchester’s donation, the Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial Association noted that its campaign to support the memorial has been joined by an impressive roster of well-known San Diego philanthropists and community leaders that have pledged gifts to replenish the funds.

Major donors who have stepped forward to raise more than one and a half million dollars include former San Diego City Manager Jack McGrory, Dick Woltman, Tom and Cookie Sudberry, Dr. Peter Farrell, Kim and Marilyn Fletcher, Steve and Stephanie Williams, Jenny Craig , and Mike McKinnon. Major support has also come from the Sycuan Band of the Kumeyaay Indians.

“We are extremely pleased at the outpouring support from our community,” said Lou Scanlon, President of the Association. “The success of fund raising has exceeded our expectations; we are grateful and look forward to raising more.”

The fundraising effort, known as the, “Veterans Beacon of Freedom Campaign,” will be highlighted throughout the community on Veterans Day 2016. Those wishing to donate now, can do so by going to the Mt. Soledad Memorial Association website at www.soledadmemorial.com or calling 858-459-2314.