0 Do it Right the First Time

The old saying asks "If you don't have time to do it right the first time, when will you ever have time to do it right?" Politicians keep saying that it is crucial that we get some kind of healthcare reform passed this year. After all we'll be able to fix it later.
That approach has led to most of the current problems in many areas. By not developing a comprehensive and complete bailout plan before implementing it, banks have been able to thwart many of the original intentions of the bill. Once the money was delivered, we have found it hard to correct the problems that resulted.

0 Government Reaction to Crises

There is a lot to be desired when it comes to our government general reactions to new threat models or to implementing new procedures in reaction to an event (remove shoes, no liquids on flights). When I served as a federal agent two decades ago, we were taught to think on our own, to come up with solutions to problems without having a series of nonproductive meetings and to "anticipate the movements of others". This anticipation of actions of others was a mantra of the Secret Service. We had posters illustrating the importance of this concept.

I can speak from personal experience, albeit in general terms, that we did prevent potential attacks against the president and others under our statutory authority to afford protection from harm. Most agents did so because of their superior training and ability to spot a potential disaster before it manifested itself.

0 Creating a Political Campaign Theme

A campaign theme is the message used by a political campaign to communicate why a candidate is running for office. It is also shaped by an overall campaign identity. The goal of this campaign theme is to influence voters and gain the support needed to win an election.

At its essence, a campaign theme is simply a message that states why voters should elect a candidate. This message should be carefully crafted. It should be detailed enough to not only tell a story, but to also provide campaign 'sound bites' that can be used throughout the race.

Here are a few examples:

"Facing financial woes and a decaying infrastructure, we need leaders who will restore fiscal accountability and rebuild our state. Joe Jones is that leader."

0 All For One Has Failed One For All

Recall the Three Musketeers battle cry: "All for one and one for all"? Today our modern economic system serves half this axiom - "All for one." Our system is at full production concentrating wealth in unprecedented measure. As power shifts from the many to the few "all" pay the price. The single greatest cause of the worldwide economic unraveling is our propensity for consolidating power and concentrating wealth. The "system" now functions to elevate a few at the expense of many.

We find ourselves in the midst of the most challenging economic times since the Great Depression. Even in the "depression" though, the world kept spinning, the sun rose each day, men and women married, babies were born, people started businesses - life went on. Those who focused on life's simple pleasures remained resilient and perhaps found joy even in the most trying of times. Faith in a brighter tomorrow carried the day - like it always does.

0 A Band-Aid For Healthcare

I have not spent a bunch of time rallying either for or against the healthcare debate, mostly because what I say or think will not make one iota of difference anyway. So why get a full head of steam built up when there is no train on the track? Since steam trains don't routinely run the tracks any longer, this analogy just does not make any sense? Well that is EXACTLY how I feel about this healthcare bill as it is currently written.

At 2800 pages long, THIS health bill it is just too much for anyone to get their proverbial arms around, much less actually digest. It confounds me as to what the big attraction is in this bill that makes grown politicians throw caution to the wind along with their potentially long political careers just to cram all of this through RIGHT NOW? Doesn't that make anyone else just a little bit curious and NERVOUS? Just what flavor of Kool-Aid are these folks drinking?

0 Was Thomas Jefferson Antichrist?

Thomas Jefferson was a Unitarian who denied that Jesus Christ was God. In a letter dated June 26, 1822 Thomas Jefferson wrote to Dr. Benjamin Waterhouse, "...I trust that there is not a young man now living in the United States who will not die an Unitarian."

As noted above, most Christians believe that the AntiChrist will arise in the last days as a supreme dictator. However, the Bible itself tells us that the antichrist is not just one person, but many.

"Children, even now many antichrists have arisen…They went out from us, but they were not really of us... (I John 2: 18, 19). A few verses later (2:22) we read: "This is the antichrist, the one who denies the Father and the Son."

0 Pros And Cons Of Buying Used History Textbooks Online

The most obvious and important benefit of buying goods online is the convenience that it provides. Shopping for goods over the Internet can save a lot of time. You do not need to wait for the stationery store to open, or the stocks to arrive. You also do not need to struggle with your already packed schedule.
*The second advantage of buying used history books online is the reduction in cost. Online stores offer greater discounts compared to traditional bookstores. Also, online shopping offers the great advantage of comparing prices for several stores. Sometimes, you can get almost 25 to 30 per cent reduction in price of books.
*Online buying also saves a lot of time that otherwise would have to be allocated in standing in long queues at the college book store.

0 The Dangers That Carbon Water Filter Technologies Save You From Every Day

The process of cleaning water is accomplished by using activated carbon to absorb and trap any contaminants that may be present. This is useful because carbon is extremely porous and this quality allows it to be an effective trap for chemicals and impurities that do not belong in drinking water.

Using at home filtration systems will provide the user with a clean supply of tap water that does not include any imperfections. These systems are very inexpensive and they are very safe to use. They come in various sizes and there is one that will fit every need possible.

It can be quite unnerving to think that there can be as many as one hundred man made chemicals present in our drinking water. Some of these chemicals such as pesticides and solvents are dangerous in large quantities. It is a good idea to remove them altogether by using a water filtration system.

0 The Final Countdown - Health Care Reform Passed

After four decades of howling on the floors of the Capitol, the long due health care reform bill has been passed with 219 - 212 votes. A bill that will shape the whole nation, the people who have no coverage at all, health workers on medical scrubs, and most importantly the insurers. Not surprisingly though, the votes were all from the Democratic side of the chamber. The Republicans maintained their position on the bill and even emphasized grueling pitches as the bill is being debated on the floor.
Yet, the passage still moved so swiftly albeit roughly that the White House is now cleaning the President's desk and preparing a new good pen for the bill's final signature of approval from the Chief Executive. Many speculated that the votes will be in favor of the President to the point that even House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's smiles are given meaning by the media.

0 Is Social Security in Trouble?

The Social Security bill has arrived. Everyone knew it was coming; G. W. Bush tried to do something but the American people, and Congress, said no. Now, the bill is in the mail.

Congress has, for decades, borrowed the money supposedly put in a 'lockbox' for future retirees. A small town in West Virginia holds the IOU's issued by Congress so they could legally spend America's future. Roughly 2.5 trillion dollars has been borrowed (stolen?) from Social Security to fund the runaway spending, and the time has come to call in the debt.

Spending on Social Security this year will exceed the income into the fund by about $29 billion, creating a deficit in the program. All of the IOU's languishing in files will now have to be paid in order to continue funding benefits for those retiring this year. With the horrendous deficits caused by profligate spending, by both parties, Congress now will have to add more deficit spending to pay back the SSA.