Ever wonder how we as a nation have become so dependent on a single fuel source produced by smaller once underdeveloped nations? Is it true that most nations in the world believe we are greedy Americans, whose streets are lined with gold? What's most alarming is that we as a nation have allowed this to happen to us, without every even having a say in how and where our tax dollars were being spent. I suppose that when the large oil companies such as Standard Oil, and others began to explore for oil within the boundaries of the United States no one questioned the validity of such since it was financed mainly by private funds. It certainly seemed like a very worthwhile and profitable undertaking, and at the time, the nation was in the midsts of the industrial revolution, and mass production.
Hard to imagine what life was like before televisions, computers, and the like, but we were a hard working nation looking for new and better forms of supplying the goods most Americans needed and wanted at the time, and at a reasonable cost. The development of the steam engine certainly revolutionized the factory, and transportation, with coal and water being the fuel that provided the power needed to run that type of production machinery. Back then the biggest problem was getting enough water and coal to the location to provide the needed power. It meant that the factory had to be close to a water source, and enough coal produced and shipped to it, to allow for the rapid production of the products.
Over the past century, we have become almost totally dependent upon oil to provide the needed power to run almost everything in this country. Gas driven vehicles, such as automobiles, trucks and even trains has put us at the top of the list as a society run by the oil industry. Add to that the development of plastics, a petroleum based product, as well as others, and you have the makings of a disaster. Even the electric companies depend on oil to run their generators, as coal burning plants have been all but phased out. We either use electricity or oil primarily to heat our homes, and even with the development of solar power and use of gas to do the same thing, we are still the largest petroleum using country in the world. We have tried to develop nuclear power sources to replace the old coal or oil based electricity manufacturing facilities, only to be thwarted by the environmental and health risks allegedly posed by such facilities. Of course there are risks involved but do they outweigh our dependence on foreign oil.
In recent months oil prices controlled by OPEC have skyrocketed, and countries dependent upon them for their oil have been begging for them to up their production. However, countries like Venezuela who has an anti American leader in power has convinced the rest of the OPEC nations to continue to shorten the supply in an effort to continue to raise prices. What this wonderful idea the U.S. government and the oil companies had in years past has seemed to backfire. We were so busy fighting off the communist threat during the 1950s, 60s, 70s, and 80s, that we lost sight of what the fallout could be from putting all our eggs in one basket. We discovered a rich oil reserve in Alaska, but instead of building our own oil reserve and becoming less dependent on foreign oil, we tagged it for export to countries like China and Japan. The whole thing reads like a plot from a novel, where nations have conspired economically to break our economic back, and lose our place in the world as the most powerful and influential country.
I really don't give a damn about the rest of the world, I care about taking care and providing for myself and my family. We have an abudance of food in this country, yet we have people starving because the government controls how much of any food source we grow from year to year, and sell the abundant supply of others overseas, or donate to relief efforts overseas in underdeveloped nations. You rarely if ever see any of them coming to our aid in times of natural disasters, but we are always ready and willing to help them. The biggest mistake we have made is to allow special interest groups and lobbyists to control our political system of government. It is obvious that the government is powerless to stop all the corruption and unethical behavior of the oil companies or foreign nations. It's time we as a people took back control of our government and banded together for change.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Lets Talk Politics
This blog contains my opinions regarding the recent nomination of Barrack Obama as the Democratic candidate for President. Although I supported Hilary Clinton, I am not going to all of a sudden support the Republicans just because the candidate I supported didn't win the party's nomination. My roots are democratic, and I still support that party over the Republicans. I don't much care for the Republican party's ideals and platforms. No matter how much John McCain claims he is for change, he is not going to steer away from his party's platforms too much. If he were, he would have run as an independent and not a Republican.
The Republican party is opposed to stem cell research which I feel overall is beneficial to helping to cure us of many diseases and illnesses which are passed down genetically. I cannot stand us finding yet another war we can't win and being involved as we are in Iraq. To fight in Afghanistan in an effort to weed out the remaining Taliban and Al Qaeda terrorists is one thing, to become involved in a holy war between sects and attempt to put a political system in place in a country that has been embroiled in a holy war for centuries is not acceptable to me. Especially when it means the loss of American lives just to prove a point. All we are doing in Iraq is flexing our muscle, and to what end? Getting rid of someone like Saddam Hussein may seem noble to some, but at too high a cost as far as I am concerned.
Mr. McCain's intentions may be noble, but depending upon how far he is willing to go out on a limb, and the quality of the advisors he selects, is too big a risk for us to take. We need a person who will really push for changes sorely needed in this country, and make us less dependent on foreign oil, and bring good paying jobs back into this country. We need someone who will make this country less dependent on foreign interests, and more self sufficient and productive. Whether Barrack Obama is that person I believe only time will tell, however, I do believe that he is the better of the two candidates in that respect. All the best intentions of a John McCain is less likely in my opinion to push for any real and meaningful changes in this country.
The Republican party is opposed to stem cell research which I feel overall is beneficial to helping to cure us of many diseases and illnesses which are passed down genetically. I cannot stand us finding yet another war we can't win and being involved as we are in Iraq. To fight in Afghanistan in an effort to weed out the remaining Taliban and Al Qaeda terrorists is one thing, to become involved in a holy war between sects and attempt to put a political system in place in a country that has been embroiled in a holy war for centuries is not acceptable to me. Especially when it means the loss of American lives just to prove a point. All we are doing in Iraq is flexing our muscle, and to what end? Getting rid of someone like Saddam Hussein may seem noble to some, but at too high a cost as far as I am concerned.
Mr. McCain's intentions may be noble, but depending upon how far he is willing to go out on a limb, and the quality of the advisors he selects, is too big a risk for us to take. We need a person who will really push for changes sorely needed in this country, and make us less dependent on foreign oil, and bring good paying jobs back into this country. We need someone who will make this country less dependent on foreign interests, and more self sufficient and productive. Whether Barrack Obama is that person I believe only time will tell, however, I do believe that he is the better of the two candidates in that respect. All the best intentions of a John McCain is less likely in my opinion to push for any real and meaningful changes in this country.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Lets Remember Those Who Gave Their Lives to Keep Us Free
On this Memorial Day holiday, I believe we should show the proper respect for those who paid the ultimate price to help maintain our freedoms. Although I may not agree with every decision made by our government over the years to become involved in wars all over the globe, I still believe those who laid down their lives should be remembered. The men and women who died during conflicts to protect our values and freedoms did so without questioning their reasons for being there, or what they were fighting for, they knew how important it was to protect U. S. citizens from tyranny and those who would take away our freedoms.
To say they were unselfish is an understatement. They laid down their very lives to help keep us free, and should be remembered as such. I grew up during the Korean and Vietnam conflicts, and although a small lad during the Korean conflict, I do remember the Vietnam conflict very well. During the 1960s and early 1970s war protestors disrupted college campuses, and held marches and rallies protesting the war in Vietnam. Although I too was against the war, I had nothing but the utmost respect for those who did go and fight, and die for us. I know that we often get involved in conflicts to further our own selfish economic ends, but I find it hard to hold those who give up their lives in these conflicts somehow responsible for starting or furthering the conflicts. Just think what could have happened if our troops refused to go to fight in Europe or the Pacific during World War II, we might all be speaking German right now, and be under a military dictatorship.
I know deep in my heart, and believe with all my soul, that many of the conflicts we have been involved in over the years have not all been justified or supported by the majority of citizens. Yet I find it difficult not to have anything but the greatest respect for those Americans who did lay down their lives in those conflicts. On this Memorial Day, I want to say thank you to those who died to protect my rights and freedoms, and God bless them and keep them. To the families of those fallen heroes, let me just say you should be proud of your loved ones who died for us, and let us never forget that they died for us, and to keep us safe and strong as a nation.
To say they were unselfish is an understatement. They laid down their very lives to help keep us free, and should be remembered as such. I grew up during the Korean and Vietnam conflicts, and although a small lad during the Korean conflict, I do remember the Vietnam conflict very well. During the 1960s and early 1970s war protestors disrupted college campuses, and held marches and rallies protesting the war in Vietnam. Although I too was against the war, I had nothing but the utmost respect for those who did go and fight, and die for us. I know that we often get involved in conflicts to further our own selfish economic ends, but I find it hard to hold those who give up their lives in these conflicts somehow responsible for starting or furthering the conflicts. Just think what could have happened if our troops refused to go to fight in Europe or the Pacific during World War II, we might all be speaking German right now, and be under a military dictatorship.
I know deep in my heart, and believe with all my soul, that many of the conflicts we have been involved in over the years have not all been justified or supported by the majority of citizens. Yet I find it difficult not to have anything but the greatest respect for those Americans who did lay down their lives in those conflicts. On this Memorial Day, I want to say thank you to those who died to protect my rights and freedoms, and God bless them and keep them. To the families of those fallen heroes, let me just say you should be proud of your loved ones who died for us, and let us never forget that they died for us, and to keep us safe and strong as a nation.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
HAS ALL THE POLITICS HURT OR HELPED THE U.S.
In recent years it has become more evident than ever that the U.S. political scene has become more cutthroat and uscrupulous than ever before. We have had our share of political fiascos especially when it comes to foreign policy and even more on the domestic front. It seems to me that our politicians have lost touch with the pulse of America. Who in God's name ever made us the world's policemen? We did, or at least our governing leaders did decades ago. After the end of World War II, the United Nations was established to help keep world peace by offering dialogue to resolve international issues rather than violence. It was an outgrowth of the League of Nations proposed by then President Woodrow Wilson at the end of World War I. Unfortunately although it has had its problems, the United Nations has still been more successful overall than the League of Nations due mainly to U.S. support.
At the end of World War I, the League of Nations did not gain U.S. support and as a result was a dismal failure, which only fueled the fire which eventually led to the start of World War II. The Treaty of Paris which Germany was forced to sign only served to make the people of Germany bitter, and ultimately led to Adolf Hitler's rise to power in the 1930s. The League of Nations found itself powerless to do much of anything to thwart the impending doom, and instead basically was nothing more than a place for minor problems between countries to hold dialogue. By the time Hitler took over control of the German government, the League of Nations had been basically abandoned, and there was no public forum through which countries could hold dialogue, to resolve their problems and concerns.
Our leaders hoped that through the United Nations things would evolve differently, but countries like the U.S.S.R and China were hell bent on taking over economically and politically weak nations. We as a nation believed that between NATO and the U.N. we could contain communist agression around the world. Although they did manage to curb the stem of communist aggression in many areas, we were thrust into a Cold War which lasted into the early 1990s. It was of course during this Cold War period that we became the world's police force, and assisted many underdeveloped countries with both economic and military aid to curtail the spread of communism. Since the end of the Cold War we have maintained our world police activities, becoming involved in not only wars between nations, but internal civil wars as well.
Our politicians over the years haven't really changed their views very much, and although I by no means recommend a policy of isolationism, I do believe we need to straighten out our priorities. We have become virtually totally dependent upon foreign oil, which has seen our transportation costs skyrocket over the past several years, as well as any costs involved with petroleum based products or services. The main problem seems to be in the fact that politicians rely on big business, labor unions, and special interest groups to help get them elected. The common hard working people seem to have little say in who gets elected anymore, and suffer as a result of all the big money interests who seem to control the elections through big campaign contributions. That old adage that there is no such thing as an honest politician never rang truer than it does today.
It is definitely time for a change. Our entire system of government needs an overhaul, using the Constitution as it's basis. We have a fantastic baseline from which to work and build upon, but only if it's done properly. That means listening to the people of this country and really hearing what they have to say. We need to stop trying to fight battles in countries where we are not even respected, or just for economic reasons. We need to turn our attentions inward, and return to what this country once was, a country of citizens who were prosperous and strong and healthy. I have no problems with helping other nations or peoples, but if this country is going to thrive and remain a world power, we need to take care of ourselves before we can help anyone else. In my opinion the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are a waste of money and manpower, and should be terminated immediately. Our troops can better serve us by helping to protect our borders from terrorists, illegal aliens and drug smugglers.
We can better use those economic resources to create new jobs, offer affordable health care and housing to our citizens, finance alternative fuels, and for medical research to name a few. We have a national election coming up, and this may be our one chance for many years to come, to elect someone who really has their pulse on us, and fight for us, and create some opportunities for change for the better of all U.S. citizens.
At the end of World War I, the League of Nations did not gain U.S. support and as a result was a dismal failure, which only fueled the fire which eventually led to the start of World War II. The Treaty of Paris which Germany was forced to sign only served to make the people of Germany bitter, and ultimately led to Adolf Hitler's rise to power in the 1930s. The League of Nations found itself powerless to do much of anything to thwart the impending doom, and instead basically was nothing more than a place for minor problems between countries to hold dialogue. By the time Hitler took over control of the German government, the League of Nations had been basically abandoned, and there was no public forum through which countries could hold dialogue, to resolve their problems and concerns.
Our leaders hoped that through the United Nations things would evolve differently, but countries like the U.S.S.R and China were hell bent on taking over economically and politically weak nations. We as a nation believed that between NATO and the U.N. we could contain communist agression around the world. Although they did manage to curb the stem of communist aggression in many areas, we were thrust into a Cold War which lasted into the early 1990s. It was of course during this Cold War period that we became the world's police force, and assisted many underdeveloped countries with both economic and military aid to curtail the spread of communism. Since the end of the Cold War we have maintained our world police activities, becoming involved in not only wars between nations, but internal civil wars as well.
Our politicians over the years haven't really changed their views very much, and although I by no means recommend a policy of isolationism, I do believe we need to straighten out our priorities. We have become virtually totally dependent upon foreign oil, which has seen our transportation costs skyrocket over the past several years, as well as any costs involved with petroleum based products or services. The main problem seems to be in the fact that politicians rely on big business, labor unions, and special interest groups to help get them elected. The common hard working people seem to have little say in who gets elected anymore, and suffer as a result of all the big money interests who seem to control the elections through big campaign contributions. That old adage that there is no such thing as an honest politician never rang truer than it does today.
It is definitely time for a change. Our entire system of government needs an overhaul, using the Constitution as it's basis. We have a fantastic baseline from which to work and build upon, but only if it's done properly. That means listening to the people of this country and really hearing what they have to say. We need to stop trying to fight battles in countries where we are not even respected, or just for economic reasons. We need to turn our attentions inward, and return to what this country once was, a country of citizens who were prosperous and strong and healthy. I have no problems with helping other nations or peoples, but if this country is going to thrive and remain a world power, we need to take care of ourselves before we can help anyone else. In my opinion the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are a waste of money and manpower, and should be terminated immediately. Our troops can better serve us by helping to protect our borders from terrorists, illegal aliens and drug smugglers.
We can better use those economic resources to create new jobs, offer affordable health care and housing to our citizens, finance alternative fuels, and for medical research to name a few. We have a national election coming up, and this may be our one chance for many years to come, to elect someone who really has their pulse on us, and fight for us, and create some opportunities for change for the better of all U.S. citizens.
Friday, May 23, 2008
My First Grandchild
On June 11, 2007, Joslin Freya Taylor-Powell, my first grandchild was born. Her birth was marred by the fact that my stepdaughter was being incarcerated at the time. Corey was allowed to remain in the hospital for 2 days so she could spend some quality time with her newborn baby girl. All the while, there was a deputy sitting vigil outside her hospital room, and when the time came for her to return to jail, Joslin was given to my wife to take home and care for until Corey was released from jail. Corey was due to be released in December of 2007, and to keep Joslin from being placed in foster care until her release, she requested in writing that we be given temporary custody and guardianship over Joslin. Joslin's father who was scheduled to enter a drug rehab program was present at her birth, but soon thereafter was sent to a special rehab cener located in the local mountains for 6 months.
In order to care for Joslin properly, my wife applied for TANF, which is the state's aid for needy families, as she was forced to take a leave of absence from her job. The leave of absence put us in a financial bind, and this was the only way to recoop at least a part of what income she would be losing over the 6 or so months that Joslin would be in our care. Corey wanted to breast feed Joslin, and while incarcerated at the local jail, she was allowed to pump her breast milk, and store it in a small refrigerator/freezer we provided. One of us picked up the milk on a daily basis, and brought it home to feed to Joslin, and placed the rest in our freezer here at home. This arrangement worked out fine for a few months until Corey got into trouble while in jail, and was transferred to the County Jail facility some 260 miles away. She could no longer breast feed, and we put Joslin on formula provided through the WIC program.
Although Corey was only allowed one contact visit during the time she was incarcerated locally, and the jail did not allow anyone under 18 to visit an inmate, she still was closer and able to breast feed Joslin as she had planned to all along. Once she was transferred, although she could see Joslin on visiting days, she was several hundred miles away, and could no longer breast feed. Being so far away we decided that visiting her every week was out of the question. We visited her with the baby, as that facility did not have an age restriction on visitors, but visiting hours were only for 1 hour at a time. This meant that although Corey and the baby got to see each other, and she was allowed 2 contact visits with the baby, she still had no real interaction with her baby all during her incarceration. This meant that as far as the baby was concerned we were her parents not her grandparents. This gave us cause for concern as to how the baby would interact with Corey upon completion of her sentence and her return home.
Our concerns were short lived, as even with Corey's change in release date due to her misbehaving even in the County facility, Joslin seemed to know almost immediately that Corey was her mother. Upon her return home, Corey spent a good amount of time with Joslin, but I wasn't sure this was going to last, and soon thereafter, I was proven correct. After a few weeks of being home most of the time with the exceptions of attending some NA meetings, Corey drew bored and restless. She showed that she really wasn't prepared to be a full time mother, and that through all her trials and tribulations she hadn't grown much at all, at least not in terms of being a mother. She began to stay out late with friends after her meetings, leaving grandma and grandpa to care for Joslin, and put her to bed. Now don't get me wrong, we love Joslin very much, and have even considered filing for full time custody or even adopting her, but I know that would be a long drawn out fight. For the most part Joslin is a good baby, she is now 11 months plus old, and has been sleeping through the night for months, however, my wife has had to return to work, I don't earn as much as I did, and we are in a financial bind. Corey gives us $50 a week toward room and board, and nothing for watching Joslin 6 and sometimes 7 days a week while she works and sees her friends.
To Corey she thinks she shouldn't have to give us any money at all. Now mind you she works 30-35 hours a week, and collects TANF, and both she and the baby are covered by Medicaid. In fact the only bill Corey has is her auto insurance which is $75 a month. If we buy something for the baby, she usually doesn't like it, when we go grocery shopping and we buy food for the week, she doesn't want to go with us, and then complains when we don't buy something she likes to eat. To say Corey is a spoiled rotten little bitch, is an understatement in my estimation. She talks to her mother like she is dirt under her feet, and I think she believes she is owed what she is getting, and shouldn't have to pay a dime for her room and board or our taking care of her baby when she isn't home, or doesn't feel like taking her with her when visiting friends. Corey is talking about moving to Las Vegas, and moving in with Joslin's father, and of course taking Joslin with her. Wonder what she's going to do when she finds out that it is going to cost her a lot more than $50 a week just for someone to watch Joslin while she and her boyfriend are at work.
It's not that she hasn't lived on her own before, but her mom made sure she had enough money during the month to pay her bills on time. We kept her money here at the house, and deducted all her bills coming out of that paycheck, and then allowed her to take the rest to do with what she pleased. She never really had total control over her paychecks, but moving to Vegas is going to mean that she is going to have to budget herself, and watch how much she spends on non essentials, like having her nails done, or on stuff for herself and her boyfriend, that isn't really needed. I wish her nothing but the best of luck, but my wife and I still can't wonder about Joslin's quality of care and life. If it wasn't for Joslin we could care less if Corey moved out, or to Las Vegas, but with a baby, we really do have some legitimate concerns.
In order to care for Joslin properly, my wife applied for TANF, which is the state's aid for needy families, as she was forced to take a leave of absence from her job. The leave of absence put us in a financial bind, and this was the only way to recoop at least a part of what income she would be losing over the 6 or so months that Joslin would be in our care. Corey wanted to breast feed Joslin, and while incarcerated at the local jail, she was allowed to pump her breast milk, and store it in a small refrigerator/freezer we provided. One of us picked up the milk on a daily basis, and brought it home to feed to Joslin, and placed the rest in our freezer here at home. This arrangement worked out fine for a few months until Corey got into trouble while in jail, and was transferred to the County Jail facility some 260 miles away. She could no longer breast feed, and we put Joslin on formula provided through the WIC program.
Although Corey was only allowed one contact visit during the time she was incarcerated locally, and the jail did not allow anyone under 18 to visit an inmate, she still was closer and able to breast feed Joslin as she had planned to all along. Once she was transferred, although she could see Joslin on visiting days, she was several hundred miles away, and could no longer breast feed. Being so far away we decided that visiting her every week was out of the question. We visited her with the baby, as that facility did not have an age restriction on visitors, but visiting hours were only for 1 hour at a time. This meant that although Corey and the baby got to see each other, and she was allowed 2 contact visits with the baby, she still had no real interaction with her baby all during her incarceration. This meant that as far as the baby was concerned we were her parents not her grandparents. This gave us cause for concern as to how the baby would interact with Corey upon completion of her sentence and her return home.
Our concerns were short lived, as even with Corey's change in release date due to her misbehaving even in the County facility, Joslin seemed to know almost immediately that Corey was her mother. Upon her return home, Corey spent a good amount of time with Joslin, but I wasn't sure this was going to last, and soon thereafter, I was proven correct. After a few weeks of being home most of the time with the exceptions of attending some NA meetings, Corey drew bored and restless. She showed that she really wasn't prepared to be a full time mother, and that through all her trials and tribulations she hadn't grown much at all, at least not in terms of being a mother. She began to stay out late with friends after her meetings, leaving grandma and grandpa to care for Joslin, and put her to bed. Now don't get me wrong, we love Joslin very much, and have even considered filing for full time custody or even adopting her, but I know that would be a long drawn out fight. For the most part Joslin is a good baby, she is now 11 months plus old, and has been sleeping through the night for months, however, my wife has had to return to work, I don't earn as much as I did, and we are in a financial bind. Corey gives us $50 a week toward room and board, and nothing for watching Joslin 6 and sometimes 7 days a week while she works and sees her friends.
To Corey she thinks she shouldn't have to give us any money at all. Now mind you she works 30-35 hours a week, and collects TANF, and both she and the baby are covered by Medicaid. In fact the only bill Corey has is her auto insurance which is $75 a month. If we buy something for the baby, she usually doesn't like it, when we go grocery shopping and we buy food for the week, she doesn't want to go with us, and then complains when we don't buy something she likes to eat. To say Corey is a spoiled rotten little bitch, is an understatement in my estimation. She talks to her mother like she is dirt under her feet, and I think she believes she is owed what she is getting, and shouldn't have to pay a dime for her room and board or our taking care of her baby when she isn't home, or doesn't feel like taking her with her when visiting friends. Corey is talking about moving to Las Vegas, and moving in with Joslin's father, and of course taking Joslin with her. Wonder what she's going to do when she finds out that it is going to cost her a lot more than $50 a week just for someone to watch Joslin while she and her boyfriend are at work.
It's not that she hasn't lived on her own before, but her mom made sure she had enough money during the month to pay her bills on time. We kept her money here at the house, and deducted all her bills coming out of that paycheck, and then allowed her to take the rest to do with what she pleased. She never really had total control over her paychecks, but moving to Vegas is going to mean that she is going to have to budget herself, and watch how much she spends on non essentials, like having her nails done, or on stuff for herself and her boyfriend, that isn't really needed. I wish her nothing but the best of luck, but my wife and I still can't wonder about Joslin's quality of care and life. If it wasn't for Joslin we could care less if Corey moved out, or to Las Vegas, but with a baby, we really do have some legitimate concerns.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Free Debt Advice Available
In recent weeks I have begun writing articles on destroydebt.com, a self help website for those of us who find ourselves or have found ourselves in financial distress. I am part of a team of writers who write articles and blogs from our own personal experience in an effort to help others who find themselves in similar financial situations. Some of the writers are experts or have expertise in the world of finance and debt control, and offer sound advice to others who are now experiencing financial problems. Especially in todays economic conditions, many are facing or have faced foreclosure, high credit card debt, or just cannot earn enough to keep up with the rising gas, food and housing costs.
Although my articles are written from my own personal experiences in dealing with debt and tough economic times, you can certainly find articles and advice from experts as well. I try to relate many of my own personal trials and tribulations of living in a debtor society, and coping with the high costs of living, and low cost of living raises most jobs today offer. Additionally, I have a work at home job which I have written about previously that helps bring in more money each month, and am still seeking others, and will continue to write about my success in locating work at home part time jobs that can assist myself and others with additional monthly income. While this is just one way to combat debt, it is by no means the only way, and from the website you can learn about all different ways to do so. Every possible topic is covered from filing bankcruptcy to debt counseling, and everything in between.
In fact I just negotiated a payment plan with one of my car loans directly with the lender, and probably have avoided having to file bankcruptcy in the process. I have found that most lenders, especially those with secured loans will work with you to help you to overcome your financial difficulties without using an intermediary, like a debt resolution service. If you do decide to use a debt resolution service, be sure to check them out thoroughly and make sure they can do what they promise before signing any contracts. Get some independent references, check them out with the BBB, and if you know of anyone personally who has used their services, find out if they did fulfill their promises. Don't just pick one at random, there are plenty of them out there, and there are some that are totally legitimate and been in business for years. Check their track record.
Check out destroydebt.com, and make use of all the information contained within. There are new articles and discussion forums posted daily, and you will find a plethora of helpful information to assist you no matter what your particular financial plight.
Although my articles are written from my own personal experiences in dealing with debt and tough economic times, you can certainly find articles and advice from experts as well. I try to relate many of my own personal trials and tribulations of living in a debtor society, and coping with the high costs of living, and low cost of living raises most jobs today offer. Additionally, I have a work at home job which I have written about previously that helps bring in more money each month, and am still seeking others, and will continue to write about my success in locating work at home part time jobs that can assist myself and others with additional monthly income. While this is just one way to combat debt, it is by no means the only way, and from the website you can learn about all different ways to do so. Every possible topic is covered from filing bankcruptcy to debt counseling, and everything in between.
In fact I just negotiated a payment plan with one of my car loans directly with the lender, and probably have avoided having to file bankcruptcy in the process. I have found that most lenders, especially those with secured loans will work with you to help you to overcome your financial difficulties without using an intermediary, like a debt resolution service. If you do decide to use a debt resolution service, be sure to check them out thoroughly and make sure they can do what they promise before signing any contracts. Get some independent references, check them out with the BBB, and if you know of anyone personally who has used their services, find out if they did fulfill their promises. Don't just pick one at random, there are plenty of them out there, and there are some that are totally legitimate and been in business for years. Check their track record.
Check out destroydebt.com, and make use of all the information contained within. There are new articles and discussion forums posted daily, and you will find a plethora of helpful information to assist you no matter what your particular financial plight.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Obama vs Osama
Now that the primaries are all but over, and it appears that Barrack Obama is in the super delegate lead at this point, one has to wonder just how well he will fair against someone like a John McCain. One also has to wonder how well this well intentioned man will do when it comes to dealing with the rest of the world. The one advantage a Hillary Clinton has is that she was a part of a White House administration, and has a former President along side of her. Obama, at least to me seems less likely to convince voters that he can overcome his lack of foreign policy experience and make a good choice for leader of this country.
While his platform for change on the domestic front is well intentioned, I often wonder just how much change one man can accomplish without the necessary backing. Also he has to surround himself with advisors and managers who feel as strongly about the things he wants to change as he does, not to mention the backing of the Congress. After all, it is the Congress that creates changes in our laws or public policies, more so than the President. I just have to wonder, what type of support Obama will receive, and whether or not he will be able to accomplish all that he has promised during his campaign for the nomination. We've all heard the rhetoric before in other campaigns, and seen some changes, but not nearly all that was promised, and certainly not as quickly as many of us would have liked.
In order to undue many of our past mistakes, will take someone with not only a great deal of determination, but patience as well. I hope the voting public truly realizes this, and doesn't lose confidence in Mr. Obama or whomever the voters decide to elect to the Presidency before they really have a chance to make any changes. Let's be honest, the changes we need to see in this country is immigration reform, more of a focus on our own people and problems, which includes lower gas and food prices, higher wages and plenty of jobs, and affordable health care for all of us. It will take a lot of perseverance, and patience on everyone's part to accomplish this, as well as many of the other problems facing this great nation of ours. The environment and alternate forms of energy, disease research and other pressing domestic issues must take the forefront of the President's agenda.
As far as the war in Iraq or against terrorism for that matter, they have to take a back seat to our own issues here at home. We need to bring our troops back and allow these countries and governments to resolve their own issues without outside interference. We claim to be on the side of democracy and human rights, yet we have our own human rights issues here at home. We have people living on the streets, people starving, living in poverty, and being discriminated against because of ethnicity, color, or origin. Our nation is overtaxed, and underemployed, and much of our tax dollars are spent overseas. We give tax breaks to oil companies and pharmaceutical companies who charge outrageous amounts for their products, and depend on foreign oil to produce those products, while we ship oil from the Alaskan Pipeline to countries like China and Japan. While China and Indias economies flourish ours flounders like a fish dead in the water.
I do not envy whoever becomes President, no matter what promises they make, they are going to have an uphill battle, unless and until they put special interest groups aside, and do what they know their hearts has to be done to get this country back on track and bring prosperity once again to its people. We need affordable homes, salaries that keep up with the cost of living, good and affordable health care, and politicians who really care about their constituancies and their needs and concerns. In terms of our foreign policies, I think we need to take a step back, and allow other countries to decide their own fates, without pressure and/or interference on our parts. Let's bring our troops home, and use our military to protect our own borders from illegal immigrants, and drug smugglers, as well as potential terrorists who would try to destroy the very foundation of this country.
While his platform for change on the domestic front is well intentioned, I often wonder just how much change one man can accomplish without the necessary backing. Also he has to surround himself with advisors and managers who feel as strongly about the things he wants to change as he does, not to mention the backing of the Congress. After all, it is the Congress that creates changes in our laws or public policies, more so than the President. I just have to wonder, what type of support Obama will receive, and whether or not he will be able to accomplish all that he has promised during his campaign for the nomination. We've all heard the rhetoric before in other campaigns, and seen some changes, but not nearly all that was promised, and certainly not as quickly as many of us would have liked.
In order to undue many of our past mistakes, will take someone with not only a great deal of determination, but patience as well. I hope the voting public truly realizes this, and doesn't lose confidence in Mr. Obama or whomever the voters decide to elect to the Presidency before they really have a chance to make any changes. Let's be honest, the changes we need to see in this country is immigration reform, more of a focus on our own people and problems, which includes lower gas and food prices, higher wages and plenty of jobs, and affordable health care for all of us. It will take a lot of perseverance, and patience on everyone's part to accomplish this, as well as many of the other problems facing this great nation of ours. The environment and alternate forms of energy, disease research and other pressing domestic issues must take the forefront of the President's agenda.
As far as the war in Iraq or against terrorism for that matter, they have to take a back seat to our own issues here at home. We need to bring our troops back and allow these countries and governments to resolve their own issues without outside interference. We claim to be on the side of democracy and human rights, yet we have our own human rights issues here at home. We have people living on the streets, people starving, living in poverty, and being discriminated against because of ethnicity, color, or origin. Our nation is overtaxed, and underemployed, and much of our tax dollars are spent overseas. We give tax breaks to oil companies and pharmaceutical companies who charge outrageous amounts for their products, and depend on foreign oil to produce those products, while we ship oil from the Alaskan Pipeline to countries like China and Japan. While China and Indias economies flourish ours flounders like a fish dead in the water.
I do not envy whoever becomes President, no matter what promises they make, they are going to have an uphill battle, unless and until they put special interest groups aside, and do what they know their hearts has to be done to get this country back on track and bring prosperity once again to its people. We need affordable homes, salaries that keep up with the cost of living, good and affordable health care, and politicians who really care about their constituancies and their needs and concerns. In terms of our foreign policies, I think we need to take a step back, and allow other countries to decide their own fates, without pressure and/or interference on our parts. Let's bring our troops home, and use our military to protect our own borders from illegal immigrants, and drug smugglers, as well as potential terrorists who would try to destroy the very foundation of this country.
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