Open Question: I need help on prepositions?!?
I can't seem to understand what they are.
I need an easy explanation of how to find them. It just doesn't make sense to me.
Is "the" a preposition?
What are the prepositions in the following sentences?
1. In 1840, the British issued the first postage stamps.
2. Prior to this innovation, the recipient usually was responsible for the postage.
3. Thus, mail service was used mainly by the wealthy.
4. However, the new “penny post” made mail delivery affordable for most people.
5. Soon, people throughout Britain were sending each other greeting cards.
6. Greeting cards became popular in the United States also.
7. People bought Christmas cards and valentines from individual designers.
8. Joyce Hall, who earned a living with his picture postcards, founded a card company.
9. Over the years, Hall’s company has grown into a successful business.
10. Today, in addition to Hall’s company, many other card companies sell greeting cards.
11. Seemingly, there is a card for every occasion.
12. As I look through the card racks, I am usually drawn to the humor section.
13. When I read the cover of a humorous card, I enjoy guessing what the funny verse inside the card will say.
14. At Christmas last year, my parents gave me a computer.
15. Along with the computer came software that enables me to create greeting cards.
16. I sent the first birthday card I created to my pen pal in the Philippines.
17. Across the card’s cover, I wrote happy birthday.
18. I replaced the I in birthday with a picture of a candle.
19. Then I placed a cake under the words so that they all looked like decorations on it.
20. Inside the card was a funny verse amid small pictures of wrapped gifts
moreOpen Question: Do you think its funny when McCain supporters still say they dont know what Obama's change is?
Here comes all the "empty suit" references from the rightwing mouthbreathing, knuckledragging squad.
John McCain/Bush stands for a third term of the disasterous Bush administration, the guy should be stuffed and mounted and put in a museum somewhere in South Carolina.
Here are some of Senator Barack Obama's positions:
Opposed the Iraq war from the start.
Voted to end the war in Iraq.
Supports capturing and killing Osama Bin Laden.
Favors a $1000 tax cut for every working American family.
Will implement tax form simplification to reduce filing time.
Provide tax credit for all middle class homeowners.
Provide a tax cut for all families making less than $75,000 a year.
Amend NAFTA to protect American workers.
Amend NAFTA to strengthen environmental protections.
Providing Flex Ed training accounts for workers.
Extending Trade Adjustment assistance to service workers.
Supported Patriot Employer Act of 2007 that gives tax credits to large companies that keep workers here in America.
Double funds for basic federal research.
Implement a long term research and development tax credit.
Invest in green technologies.
Reduce carbon emission gases.
Tackle the challenges of global warming.
Create an energy focused youth jobs program.
Create Federal Renewable Portfolio Standard.
Extend the Production Tax Credit.
Expand Broadband into every community.
Keep the Internet tax free.
Expand high speed internet access in rural areas.
Fight for passage of Employee Free Choice Act.
Ensure freedom to unionize.
Would overturn "Kentucky River" classifications of Bush's NLRB
Protect rights of striking workers.
Increase the mininum wage to index it to inflation.
Crack down on predatory lenders.
Provide a universal mortgage tax credit for homeowners who don't itemize.
Sign the Stop Fraud Act to prevent lending fraud.
Mandate accurate loan disclosure.
Create a fund to protect people from foreclosures.
Close the bankruptcy loophole for mortgage companies.
Establish a credit card rating to improve disclosure.
Ban utilateral credit card charges.
Apply interest rate only to future debt.
Prohibit credit card interest on fees.
Prohibit Universal defaults.
Require prompt and fair crediting of cardholder payments.
Protect working people from unfair bankruptcy laws.
Ban executive bonuses for bankruptcy companies.
REquire disclosure of pension investments.
Cap outlandandish interest rates on payday loans.
Implement legislation to drive unscrupulous lenders out of business
Create a bankruptcy exemption for people that went broke because of medical bills.
Double funding for after school programs.
Extend Family and Medical Leave Act.
Encourage states to adopt Paid leave.
Expand the Child Care Tax Credit
Supports ratification of UN Convention Rights of Persons With Disabilities.
Supports independent, community based living for people with disabilities.
Expand educational opportunites for people with disabilities.
Expand job opportunities for people with disabilities.
Strengthen civil rights enforcement.
Sign into law the Fair Pay Act.
Sign law reversing recent SCOTUS rulings that permitted discrimination against women.
Sign law reversing recent SCOTUS rulings that permitted discrimination against racial minorities.
Strengthen federal hate crimes legislation.
Eliminate the sentence disparities regarding crack cocaines.
Establish drug courts for first time, non violent offenders.
Create a prison to work incentive for those transitioning back into society.
Passed a law to prohibit the practice of racial profiling.
Supported reauthorizing the Voting Rights Act.
Opposes all discriminatory barriers to voting.
Helped reform death penalty system in Illinois to protect innocent people on death row.
Voted to ban cluster bombs.
Provide high quality affordable child care to families.
Will quadrulple Early Head Start funding.
Will increase Head Start funding.
Creates early learning challenge grants.
Abolish overly rigid teach to the test curriculum in schools.
Improve accountability in public schools.
Invest in intervention strategies to reduce dropout rates in schools.
Increase funding for afterschool programs.
Supports Step Up program to increase summer learning opportunities.
Support English language learner programs.
Expand college outreach programs.
Create teacher service scholarships.
Requires all public schools to be accredited.
Create teacher residency programs.
Create the American Opportunity Tax Credit for higher education.
Streamline financial aid application.
Introduced legislation to increase Pell Grant to $5,100.
Reduce carbon emissions by 80% by 2050.
Confront deforestation.
Promote carbon sequestration.
Accelerate commercialization of plug in hybrids.
Promote development of commercial scale renewable energy.
Invest in low emission coal plants.
Transition to new electric digit grid.
Double science funding for clean energy products.
Create Green Jobs Cor
moreOpen Question: What are the prepositions in the following sentences?
What are the prepositions in the following sentences?
1. In 1840, the British issued the first postage stamps.
2. Prior to this innovation, the recipient usually was responsible for the postage.
3. Thus, mail service was used mainly by the wealthy.
4. However, the new “penny post” made mail delivery affordable for most people.
5. Soon, people throughout Britain were sending each other greeting cards.
6. Greeting cards became popular in the United States also.
7. People bought Christmas cards and valentines from individual designers.
8. Joyce Hall, who earned a living with his picture postcards, founded a card company.
9. Over the years, Hall’s company has grown into a successful business.
10. Today, in addition to Hall’s company, many other card companies sell greeting cards.
11. Seemingly, there is a card for every occasion.
12. As I look through the card racks, I am usually drawn to the humor section.
13. When I read the cover of a humorous card, I enjoy guessing what the funny verse inside the card will say.
14. At Christmas last year, my parents gave me a computer.
15. Along with the computer came software that enables me to create greeting cards.
16. I sent the first birthday card I created to my pen pal in the Philippines.
17. Across the card’s cover, I wrote happy birthday.
18. I replaced the I in birthday with a picture of a candle.
19. Then I placed a cake under the words so that they all looked like decorations on it.
20. Inside the card was a funny verse amid small pictures of wrapped gifts.
moreOpen Question: Does anyone want to try this with me? With the economy being this way how can you not want to try?
Even if you don't believe it....isn't it worth the $6 just to try it out??
INSTRUCTIONS ON WHAT TO DO:
Some people will perceive this as an 'off the wall' idea to make money, but others will look at it as a great business opportunity. This by far is the safest; most risk free opportunity you will find to start your own business because you use Paypal, the most trusted banking system on the internet. Not only is this an opportunity to gain financial freedom, but you will help others do the same as they help you. A basic principal that has been forgotten about - Giving to one another. This is a very simple opportunity. This is an even simpler automated way to make money that does not require opening mail, only a Paypal account.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. Create a Paypal account for free.
2. Give six people $1.00. (Paypal IDs are listed below.)
3. Post this opportunity to others on the internet.
4. Other people create a Paypal account for free.
5. Thousands of people give you $1.00 to be put on your mailing list.
6. (Once you add your Paypal ID.) If we all work together everyone will benefit. Here's how! Paypal verifies that this $6 investment program is 100% legal and is a big hit this year see their note below or ask them directly... For a simple investment of 15-30 minutes and just $6, it is 100% worth it to make thousands so quickly. This is not another scam that takes lots of your hard earned money; this is a no risk investment that will make you thousands of dollars very easily and quickly. From PayPal: 'Dear Member, it has come to our attention that there is a PayPal opportunity floating around at the moment you may have heard or seen the $6 opportunity; you may have even taken part in it. Well, we have been asked a lot of questions about this opportunity the answer is yes it does work and yes it is safe to use providing you follow the rules it is legal and has made a big hit on the internet this year. If you would like to take part in this opportunity or would like a bit more information then please see the attached file that was kindly donated to us. Thank you for using PayPal!'
Turn $6 into $15,000 in only 30 days...here’s how! You have most likely seen or heard about this project on TV programs such as 20/20 and Oprah or you may have read about it in the Wall Street Journal. If not, here it is below - revealed to you in step-by-step detail. This program is by no means new. It has been in existence in many forms for at least a decade. I found this on a bulletin board and decided to try it: Make Money with your PayPal account as shown on Oprah! IMPORTANT: This is not a rip-off; it is not indecent; it is not illegal; and it is virtually no risk-it really works! If all of the following instructions are adhered to, you will receive some extraordinary dividends. AGAIN, PLEASE NOTE: Follow these directions EXACTLY, and $20,000 or more can be yours in 4 to 6 weeks. This program remains successful because of the honesty and integrity of the participants. Please continue its success by carefully adhering to the instructions. A FEW LEGAL TIPS: You are starting a Mailing List: 1) File your responses alphabetically everyday. If you have a computer, all the better, if not get one with your first mail responses. 2) You will soon compile an extensive mailing list. It can be very useful in your business, to start a new business, or for other businesses to acquire information from you. When you send out these letters, you are in the mail order business. People are sending you $1.00 to be put on your mailing list. This is a legal helpful service. Once again see Title, section 1302 and 1341 of the US Postal and lottery laws. Like most of us I was a little skeptical and a little worried about the legal aspects of it. It follows the same regulations as the mailed chain letters, which according to the U.S. Post Office (1-800-725-2161) is indeed legal!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Here are the 4 easy steps to success:
STEP 1: Take a few minutes to join PayPal: Remember to verify your account. www.paypal.com The Internet's most trusted Internet banking system for your future income. When creating your PayPal account place your email address which you used for PayPal on the list below; this way people can send money to your account.
STEP 2: Once you have a PayPal account running, use PayPal to post $1 to EACH of the 6 Email Addresses below because you pay people with an email address in PayPal. Select 'SEND MONEY'. To do this you may need to use a credit or debit card, which is very easy and secure so nobody but PayPal may see it. What you are doing is creating a service.
This is absolutely legal! You are requesting a legitimate service and you are paying for it! Here are the 6 individual Email addresses that you have to send $1 to through PayPal for this to work properly
moreResolved Question: How far will you, as an upset client/customer, go?
We've all had our run ins with bad business practice. We've been treated poorly by some business more than once, and most of the time we can understand. But when the business crosses the line how do you retaliate?
I was raised in West Texas, I'm a "Sir" and "Ma'am" with a smile kind of guy, and the Army extended that to the max for me. I treat people with respect, and expect the same in return, especially when I'm paying money for something. Recently a local Pizza joint failed to deliver my order and failed to notify me that the order had been canceled. Canceled not because my card didn't go through, I was still charged, canceled because the driver couldn't find my location (about four blocks away form said Pizza joint). This didn't bother me at all, it happens. I delivered food for a year and half, I know how it goes. What did bother me was how I was treated when I asked for the order to be reprocessed. I was put on hold for 18 minutes and then hung up on. I called back, was put on hold, do you see where this is going? So what do I do? I write a negative review on every site I can find, I contact corporate with the full details, etc.
Was this too much? Is the disappearing principle that the customer is valued and should be treated as such enough for us as consumers to take as much action as possible to correct misbehavior on the part of business? What would you do? Do consumers even factor in to business anymore?
(I've also written a letter to the editor of the local paper, and will submit a review to my campus paper. I admit that being a disabled vet has made me even shorter with situations like this by creating some bizarre perception of entitlement to being treated like a Veteran, but I think everyone can give good input to this question, maybe not as drastic as my approach, or maybe more. I'm very curious to see where you stand on this issue.)
moreVoting Question: Hidden Folder On My Computer?
Yea i have these people tell me that there is a hidden folder on my computer, with vast information......
There was a major flaw with the new hiring method we started implementing on June 2008. About 250 applied for the all of the California LIDS KIDS, HAT SHACK, HAT ZONE, HEAD QUARTERS and CAP CONNECTION. This new method would allow us to select more efficient employees based on their responsiveness, computer skills and abilities. It allowed us to included a "real-time" background check on the applicant to further judge them if they really qualified. Unfortunately, this method brought us major problems as many hackers were able to retrieve information from our applicants. We stopped this method last August 2008 to fix all the damage that was done. Many applicants had their whole identity stolen from credit cards, passwords, personal accounts, and other personal information. You are one of the 30 applicants that we are able to successfully maintain security. Besides from the hacker that already existed before this problem happened, your computer were able to resist other hackers from obtaining information.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I am not allowed to tell you the following information below, but I would like for you to know regardless of what I was told:
In the beginning, when your computer became "corrupted" because of executing System Restore and Norton Security, it created a hidden folder that stored vast contents of personal and business information from yours and our company and it is still active today on your computer and many other applicant. This folder is impossible to find, but this is the folder that any intruders would want to access. This is what running TREE on Command Prompt tries to find. We told everyone to install CCleaner and Iobit De-fragmentation to try to clean your recent private activity and organize files. But of course, that folder continues to obtain information regardless of those programs. Internet Explorer 6 is the best browser for this situation because it is old browser. Many intuder are fooled by developing hacking programs that only focuses on the lastest browsers.
Please Professional Computer People, is this true of that they are saying (On The Computer Part).....iv never meet them, i was doin these intrustion thing they told me to do for like 5 mounth now...and they work for these owner of those store that is mention in the first paragraph.
Give me your thoughts..
Here is a message they sent me explaining what happaned
moreResolved Question: Did Barney Frank committ a crime?
From 1991 to 1998, Barney Frank's "spouse" (Herb Moses) was an executive at Fannie Mae. Known fact, but not a conflict of interest(?).
During the same timeframe....
From 1991 to 1998, James Johnson was CEO at Fannie Mae:
"An Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO) report from September 2004 found that, during Johnson's tenure as CEO, Fannie Mae had improperly deferred $200 million in expenses. This enabled top executives, including Johnson and his successor, Franklin Raines, to receive substantial bonuses in 1998. A 2006 OFHEO report found that Fannie Mae had substantially under-reported Johnson's compensation. Originally reported as $6-7 million, Johnson actually received approximately $21 million.
And Franklin Raines followed, from 1998 to 2004:
"On December 21, 2004 Raines accepted what he called "early retirement" from his position as CEO while U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission investigators continued to investigate alleged accounting irregularities. He is accused by The Office of Federal Housing Enterprise Oversight (OFHEO), the regulating body of Fannie Mae, of abetting widespread accounting errors, which included the shifting of losses so senior executives, such as himself, could earn large bonuses"
During this time Frank was actively holding the blanket over Fannie Mae. When the Bush administration tried to regulate Fannie Mae:
Published: September 11, 2003 (new york times)
"The Bush administration today recommended the most significant regulatory overhaul in the housing finance industry since the savings and loan crisis a decade ago.
Under the plan, disclosed at a Congressional hearing today, a new agency would be created within the Treasury Department to assume supervision of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-sponsored companies that are the two largest players in the mortgage lending industry.
The new agency would have the authority, which now rests with Congress, to set one of the two capital-reserve requirements for the companies. It would exercise authority over any new lines of business. And it would determine whether the two are adequately managing the risks of their ballooning portfolios.
The plan is an acknowledgment by the administration that oversight of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac -- which together have issued more than $1.5 trillion in outstanding debt -- is broken. A report by outside investigators in July concluded that Freddie Mac manipulated its accounting to mislead investors, and critics have said Fannie Mae does not adequately hedge against rising interest rates."
Barney Frank 'stonewalled" and fought any regulation. When it looked to be a losing battle ...Raines bailed and the house of cards began to crumble.
Frank has someone with "inside information" sleeping in his bed, he actively covers the 'goings on' at Fannie Mae, he insists there are no problems at Fannie Mae, and he stonewalls attempts to regulate the fiasco.
Did I miss anything?
Oh! Conspiracy to defraud.
moreVoting Question: How can I return a gift from a business partner?
I have my own business and I have worked closely with this little old printer for over 10 years. He's wonderful! Well we (my husband and I) decided to open our second business and b/c of the money involved with the setup and licensing of that we were not able to get business cards or brochures created or printed right away. One day we get a surprise package and inside are thousands of cards he has printed for our 2nd business for free! One problem-the cards are all wrong. Our website isn't on them, the email addresses are wrong and the background colors don't match the logo. I don't know what to do. He made a guess at what he thought we would like b/c we never discussed the cards and then went ahead and had thousands printed for us as a gift for opening our 2nd business. I know business is business & I should just tell him we can't use them but how do I do this tactfully? He came out of pocket for these cards. Help!!
moreResolved Question: Please help! What files do i need from my graphic designer?
I have recently started my own business and a friend recommended a graphic designer. I am finding him really problematic,
and do not want to be in the position of having to hunt him down every time I need something done. I have already paid him over a thousand dollars just to create the logo and when I asked him to send a higher resolution of it so I could use in power point presentations - he blew me off saying the 12k Giff he sent me was enough. It is really blurry and I cant use it in anything at the moment. I also asked him to design my business cards and he is insisting on having them two sided even though I only want one sided.
I am now in the position where I am two weeks behind schedule because he wont respond to emails or calls about the business cards and refuses to create one sided ones.
Being a start up business I don't have the time or resources to chase this temperamental designer. I have paid for the logo and want to take the file and move on, what files do I need from him to do this? I am not sure what files printers use? Can someone help me figure out what to ask him for so I can move on and get my cards, stationery etc done?
moreResolved Question: After the election and McCain wins, some things he can do to help ! Your thoughts ?
First thing President McCain can do (ahhh nice ring to it isn't it) is summon all governors and mayors to D.C. where he'll ask each to suspend all taxes at the local and state levels for the tax cuts he wants to give us. Secondly, President McCain will then suspend ALL federal taxes then he'll announce government funded program cuts (that's the way to Big John just cut em off ) !
Now the tax cuts are in place at the local, state and federal level ! No more penalizing creative people ...... NO TAXES period ! Now that my friends is a real sweeping tax reform.
Next up he'll announce that we'll INCREASE our OIL imports because hey for those creative people who are creating personal wealth WITH A HUGE TAX CUT we'll need even more gas to transport our goods to market. (Keep in mind our whole economy is centered around that sweet, gushy, gooey, sticky stuff known as CRUDE OIL and we gotta have it so we don't penalize people !
For the tax cuts, if you make $75,000 and up YOU WILL NOT PAY ANY TAX WHATSOEVER PERIOD AT THE LOCAL, STATE OR FEDERAL LEVEL !
Mccain will by virtue of his tax cuts create approximately 25 million mostly low paying NEW jobs that'll have a starting annual salary of around $25,000 WITH NO HEALTH CARE OR 401K ! That'll save us even more money to stuff in our pockets because after all, we are the ones creating the wealth and therefore we do not have to share the fruit of our hard labor with those lazy SOB good for nothing free loaders.
Next up McCain will cut our military spending by about 2/3 since we won't need any protection from Hussein Obama and his terrorist friends anymore. McCain will then bring all our troops home and then reissue them to protect all major American cities. That's what happens when the haves get fed up with the have nots ...... it spawns anarchy at its highest level.
For all those people who didn't get the free welfare money that Hussein Obama promised with his tax increases on the upper crust of our economic ladder wgile running for Pres, you guys better start patrolling the highways and neighborhoods where you live and collect cans, card board and paper and recycle them because that's probably the only "hand out" you'll be getting from the McCain/Palin ticket.
With even more budget cuts, McCain will forego shoring up the infrastructure which include ROADS, WATER SUPPLY, POWER GRIDS, FLOOD MANAGEMENT, COMMUNICATIONS (I.E. PHONE, INTERNET, AND BROADCASTING) WHO NEEDS THAT ANYWAY RIGHT ? IT'LL JUST HAMPER OUR CREATIVE SPIRIT AND PUNISH OUR ECONOMIC SUCCESS TO HAVE TO PAY FOR THOSE SILLY THINGS.
In addition, if you own manufacturing operations that dispenses any type of hazardous waste, just DUMP in your local lakes, rivers, streams and ponds. Nobody needs clean water anyway ! Besides it costs way too much to dump hazardous waste in safe manner ..... plus we'll save millions in clean up costs and EPA fines ! Oh wait McCain will cut the EPA's budget drastically thereby rendering the EPA virtually useless. Yeah that's right no GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS OF ANY KIND ......... means more money in our pockets and our success and creativity thus won't be penalized. Gotta love America !
No free market Government intervention (regulation) which means we can operate our businesses virtually intervention free ! Whooo hoo !
REMEMBER PRESIDENT McCAIN WILL NOT MAKE US PAY TAXES OF ANY KIND THEREBY OUR CREATIVE SUCCESS THAT SPAWNS GREAT PERSONAL WEALTH WHILE IGNORING THE BOTTOM HALF OF SOCIETY IS A CONSERVATIVE'S DREAM, AMERICAN DREAM !
For those of you who didn't get it, IT WAS A JOKE ! All I've read on Y Answers is how rich people complain about being "penalized" or taxed for their creativeness and Obama wants to punish them even more by raising their taxes !
McCain wants to cut taxes for people who really don't need it ! If you want to cut taxes, be fair and cut taxes across the aboard for all tax payers. That's the correct and fair thing to do !
McCain has alienated blue collar workers because he's said nothing hat appeals to their plight !
moreVoting Question: Would you vote for me if i ran on this ECONOMIC platform?
Economic Policies:
1. Business taxes:
* · Establish a tax of 8% on all businesses that earn less than $1.5 million
* Cut all unnecessary spending and veto all bills that call for irresponsible spending.
* · Businesses that earn more than $1.5 million will be taxed at 8% and 0.5% for every additional 10,000 of income.
* · Create a Pardon tax. This would apply to businesses that previously outsourced jobs and decide to return to America and to foreign businesses that want to create jobs here in the United States. This tax will establish a tax of 2% for the first 5 years, and will increase 1% for three years after and it will stay at 8%.
* · Force companies to return home by placing a tariff of 18% on all goods coming from industries that outsourced jobs.
* · EIR. The Energy Independence Rebate is a tax rebate that would be given to any business, corporation, or industry that can prove that it is using alternative energy to the Energy Independence Commission of the state where they are established. The rebate would be of 2%.
2. Income Taxes and Sales Taxes:
* · The income tax will be reformed so that those earning anywhere from $35,000/yr-$400,000/yr will be taxed at a rate of 5.2%.
* · Individuals earning more than $400,000/yr will be taxed at a rate of 6.8%.
* · Those that earn less than $35,000 will NOT be taxed at all.
* · A national flat sales tax of 2% will be established.
3. Payroll and Social Security:
* · The payroll tax will be reformed so that all businesses will have to pay a 4.7% tax of earnings to cover Social Security, Unemployment, and Medicare.
* · The 4.7% of earnings will be kept in a federal fund to cover social security, unemployment and Medicare.
4. Welfare Benefits:
* · Welfare will be completely reformed. Our party wants to make Welfare benefits tamper proof to stop fraud of the system. This will be done with a state commission that will be responsible for supervising that applicants hold a job and are earning below the poverty level (less than $35,000). If an applicant is found to be providing false information and trying to cheat the system with faulty information the person will be tried by the state for fraud.
* · The current food stamp system will be abolished. Applicants that qualify will receive a monthly plastic gift card of ($200 + $50 for every additional family member) that they can use to buy food. The applicant must hold a job/study to be eligible and will only receive the benefits for a period of 18 months.
* ·Medical care and prescriptions will be covered in full for those older than 60(this excludes smokers, drug abusers, and alcoholics not seeking help, people that have not worked in the U.S. for at least 10 years, and people with an accumulated wealth of over $2,000,000).
ridethem:great!i love your ideas
moreResolved Question: I am young (21) with an overwhelming amount of problems.. Bankruptcy? Help?
I am only 21 years old but I currently have roughly $53,851.50 in various debt. These debts are medical, dental, car reposession, credit cards, county (tickets), etc etc.
I am not sure at all how I am suppose to go about tackling this. I am overwhelmed and losing sleep at night with an enourmous amount of stress. I am only 21 years of age, I have already gone threw $75,000 dollars worth of inhertiance money after my mom was victim of a malpractice with Kaiser Permamentae. I have a major gambling addiction which caused me to lose all of that inheritance and also was the major help in creating the rough estimate of aprox $53,000 dollars worth of debt and that is just thru business, I am not including personal debt that I owe friends, family etc. I also was kicked out of the Navy for stealing my roommates credit card and funding it for gambling. The medical and dental part of the debt which is also a big portion of my debt occurred when I was hit in the mouth during an ice hockey game when I decided to play with a half shield. I didnt realize I was no longer covered under my dads medical or dental, and thus im stuck with the hospital and medical bills myself.
I am a mess with lots of issues and yet I keep trying to get it together. I take 2 steps forward and then something occurs that seems to throw me right back down, my support system isn't that good and I just feel lonely, miserable and depressed. I just feel like I am so overwhelmed with missing my front teeth via hockey, nothing going for me in my life at all, and a $53,000 dollar rough estimate of debt barring down on me. its causes me just to want to give up, anyone have any suggestions for me at all on how I can overcome this mountain??
moreResolved Question: I'm creating a mock up business card and letterhead. I want to emboss the company name, how do I do it? ?
I want to manually emboss the company name on the business card and letterhead. This is for a mock up to see how it looks. What tools do you suggest I use? Right now I have Fiskars (brand) embossing tool, but I'm not sure if I'm using it right. I've done research on manual embossing and now inks are coming into play. I'm digitally creating the file, and printing the business card and letterhead on a high quality printer.
How do you suggest I do this?
I'm student so if heat embossing is going to pricy I'd rather do the dry emboss technique. Therefore, I would like to know of a top notch embossing stylus because the one I have "ain't worth a crap".
moreVoting Question: NEED SERIOUS RESUME HELP!!!?
Ok so heres my resume, BUT it definatly needs to be shortened,what can I do or say to shorten it,but still show my past experience. Also i have been out of work for over 2yrs due to me caring for my child,what can I say in the resume about gap in between jobs?
Objective
Seeking a position in the capacity of Administrative Assistant/Receptionist within a general business or Office environment, bringing the following experience, skills, and attributes:
Summary of Qualifications
Extensive experience working in general public, educational and office settings. Interface well with others at all level’s including patron’s, professionals, employees, children, and students. Ability to deal with a diverse customer population. Caring and hardworking with excellent interpersonal communication, customer service and office support skills. Pays attention to detail, Ensure s tasks are completed correctly and on time. Precise and accurate worker with background demonstrating pride in performance and successful work accomplishment. Reliable and Flexible. Proven strength in analyzing, researching and problem solving, quick learner, executes procedures with excellent memory retention. Knowledge of Ms Word, MS Windows, MS Excel, Internet, 10 key, Introduction to Power Point, typing 40wpm.
Relevant Experience
Nurse Providers Inc., Administrative Assistant/Staffing Coordinator 09/04-06/06
Responsible for the coordination of client/caregiver/hospitals schedules, upkeep of scheduling records and log books, and the accurate and timely communication of scheduling changes between office and field staff. Maintain accurate caregiver files assuring all relevant documents, certificates and test are current and valid. Organize and manage office records and materials. Responsible for distributing employees checks. Accustomed to heavy incoming telephone calls. Answer and Direct incoming calls. Performs administrative duties assigned by the HR/Staffing Manager including filing, mailings, photocopying, faxing, data entry, scheduling interviews, and cases, office errands, scanning, distributing messages, and managing the phone system. Assist other administrative staff with overflow work, including word processing, data entry, payroll, typed company documents and correspondence .Manage and Maintained the company’s lobby area. Greets and directs all visitors, including vendors, clients, job candidates and customers. Operates basic office equipment. Sorts and routes incoming materials. Process in-coming mail; open, stamp and sort.
Strouds, Sales Associate 9/99-07/03
Managed the cash register and main front desk area. Interacted with the customers providing advice in the selection of merchandise. Monitored production to ensure exceptional customer service. Trained and supervised new employees. Processed all cash, check, credit card purchases and returns through a computerized system. Answered and directed all incoming phone calls.
Heart To Heart Family Daycare, Teachers Assistant 04/98-06/99
Created a safe and loving environment for children ages 1-6 years old. Taught self-helping skills. Demonstrated patience and understanding while managing children. Devolved and implemented indoors and outdoor activities. Arranged lunches and snacks. Kept accurate records of children as well as staff. Maintained supplies and materials. One on one activity with the children included reading, art projects, and coloring.
Fredericks of Hollywood, Sales Associate 02/96-02/97
Interact with customers, providing advice in the selection of merchandise. Monitor production to ensure exceptional customer service. Respond to and resolve customers’ complaints. Accurately balanced cash drawers at the end of the shift. Implemented cash register and sales activity. Kept inventory control. Stocked and ordered merchandise.
Private Family Caregiver, Nanny 06/95—06/96
Personal nanny for a family with a newborn daughter in developing her skills in all areas. Prepared and cooked meals and snacks. Cleaned house. Planned daily activities and outings. Responsible for keeping track of child’s progress.
Education
American Business College International, Daly City
Certificate in Medical Office Support 8/2004
Front office administrative skills, Alphanumeric filing, telephone procedures, office maintenance, Processing Mail, Medical Charts, and Reports, Scheduling and monitoring appointments. MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Internet. Medical billing using Medical Manager System, Health insurance claim forms. Medical terminology, basic anatomy and physiology, Vital signs (respiratory rate, pulse rate, weight, height, blood pressure, temperature)
Certificate in Computerized Office Careers (R.O.P)
Volunteer Experience
Boys and Girls Club of San Mateo 06/9
moreResolved Question: Survey for Business class?
Hey, for my Business class i have to create a product and market it, so if you could fill this in as part of my market research that would be great. Thaks
1) Gender:
() Male
() Female
2) Age:
() 13 and under
() 14-16
() 17-19
() 20-24
() 25-30
() 31-35
() 36-40
() 41-45
() 46 +
3) Do you currently own a mobile phone?:
() Yes
() No
4) If yes how old is it?
() under 1yr
() 1 – 2yr
() 2 – 3yr
() 3 – 4yr
() 4 – 5yr
() Over 5yrs
5) Do you use a cover, whether it’s a case or sock?:
() No
() Yes, case
() Yes, sock
() Both
6) If yes to the sock, what brand?
7) Would you buy a new mobile phone sock, one that was different?:
• Females: Such as a hook to attach to your keys, A long strap to wear over your shoulder, one that contained a pocket for coins and cards, or unique ones as fashion accessories.
• Males: A hook to attach to keys/belt loops, wetsuit material, camo print, ect.
() yes
() No. Why not
8) How much would you be willing to spend?:
() $5-10
() $11-20
() Both
9) What brand name do you prefer?:
() MoPho Socks
() MoPhoSo
() Other
moreVoting Question: What do I need to know legally speaking to run an online retail business from home?
I'm 21 and taking a huge risk to begin research and open my own boutique. I want to create an online store (first) to sell my refurbished furniture, wholesale books, and clothing. What do I need to know, legally speaking, to open an online business? Where is the best place to learn about online credit card processing? Also, will I need to file taxes on my business (will I have to fill out a schedule c form even if during the day I work as an employee for another job)? I've heard you don't need sales tax if you don't have a physical store front in a state or warehouse, is this true? Any help would be amazing! I'm scared but excited and want to make sure I'm doing this correctly. Is there anyone I should go talk to for advice (an HR rep, IRS, FL dept. of revenue, a lawyer, accountant)??????????
moreResolved Question: online store sites to start up a small business?
What are the easiest places to start an online store at? I need something that will allow me customization of products, pricing and the ability to use credit cards. And something that has some sort of integration with quickbooks would be nice as well. I do not want to create a page from scratch nor do I want to pay someone else to build one for me, as I am trying to do a small online start up business for as little as possible. I also do not want to use ebay, not professional looking enough for my taste. I know I'm probably asking alot, but het it doesn't hurt to ask.
moreResolved Question: Which of these quotes is your favorite?
A system of capitalism presumes sound money, not fiat money manipulated by a central bank. Capitalism cherishes voluntary contracts and interest rates that are determined by savings, not credit creation by a central bank.
Ron Paul
All initiation of force is a violation of someone else's rights, whether initiated by an individual or the state, for the benefit of an individual or group of individuals, even if it's supposed to be for the benefit of another individual or group of individuals.
Ron Paul
Capitalism should not be condemned, since we haven't had capitalism.
Ron Paul
Cliches about supporting the troops are designed to distract from failed policies, policies promoted by powerful special interests that benefit from war, anything to steer the discussion away from the real reasons the war in Iraq will not end anytime soon.
Ron Paul
Deficits mean future tax increases, pure and simple. Deficit spending should be viewed as a tax on future generations, and politicians who create deficits should be exposed as tax hikers.
Ron Paul
Everyone assumes America must play the leading role in crafting some settlement or compromise between the Israelis and the Palestinians. But Jefferson, Madison, and Washington explicitly warned against involving ourselves in foreign conflicts.
Ron Paul
Having federal officials, whether judges, bureaucrats, or congressmen, impose a new definition of marriage on the people is an act of social engineering profoundly hostile to liberty.
Ron Paul
How did we win the election in the year 2000? We talked about a humble foreign policy: No nation-building; don't police the world. That's conservative, it's Republican, it's pro-American - it follows the founding fathers. And, besides, it follows the Constitution.
Ron Paul
I am absolutely opposed to a national ID card. This is a total contradiction of what a free society is all about. The purpose of government is to protect the secrecy and the privacy of all individuals, not the secrecy of government. We don't need a national ID card.
Ron Paul
I am just absolutely convinced that the best formula for giving us peace and preserving the American way of life is freedom, limited government, and minding our own business overseas.
Ron Paul
I have never met anyone who did not support our troops. Sometimes, however, we hear accusations that someone or some group does not support the men and women serving in our Armed Forces. But this is pure demagoguery, and it is intellectually dishonest.
Ron Paul
In time it will become clear to everyone that support for the policies of pre-emptive war and interventionist nation-building will have much greater significance than the removal of Saddam Hussein itself.
Ron Paul
Justifying conscription to promote the cause of liberty is one of the most bizarre notions ever conceived by man! Forced servitude, with the risk of death and serious injury as a price to live free, makes no sense.
Ron Paul
Legitimate use of violence can only be that which is required in self-defense.
Ron Paul
Our country's founders cherished liberty, not democracy.
Ron Paul
Setting a good example is a far better way to spread ideals than through force of arms.
Ron Paul
The moral and constitutional obligations of our representatives in Washington are to protect our liberty, not coddle the world, precipitating no-win wars, while bringing bankruptcy and economic turmoil to our people.
Ron Paul
The most important element of a free society, where individual rights are held in the highest esteem, is the rejection of the initiation of violence.
Ron Paul
The obligations of our representatives in Washington are to protect our liberty, not coddle the world, precipitating no-win wars, while bringing bankruptcy and economic turmoil to our people.
Ron Paul
Throughout the 20th century, the Republican Party benefited from a non-interventionist foreign policy. Think of how Eisenhower came in to stop the Korean War. Think of how Nixon was elected to stop the mess in Vietnam.
Ron Paul
War is never economically beneficial except for those in position to profit from war expenditures.
Ron Paul
When one gets in bed with government, one must expect the diseases it spreads.
Ron Paul
When the federal government spends more each year than it collects in tax revenues, it has three choices: It can raise taxes, print money, or borrow money. While these actions may benefit politicians, all three options are bad for average Americans.
Ron Paul
You wanna get rid of drug crime in this country? Fine, let's just get rid of all the drug laws.
Ron Paul
We need to reform Washington
John McCain
We need to change Washington
Barack Obama
moreResolved Question: I Can't Stand my mother's boyfriend?
Im srry for such long quest. please take the time to read it all: he lives with us.he goes out of his way to be mean and nasty to me. He always has something negative to say about everything-unless its about his family- that the only time he talks in a soft tone and isnt sarcastic. Some days i feel like im going to lose it to the point where i have thought of just jumping at him and doing something violent and real revenge for everyting he's put me through for nearly 7yrs, im 20/f. Believe me, i've tried having an adult-adult conversation w/him many many time over the yrs but he dont respect me enough on his level to talk to me in a serious tone- he rather keep playing w/me- he takes it all as a joke.He's always talking bad about me to my mother behind my back-making comments & innuendos to make me look bad and trying to create tension between us. I'm always talking to my mom about it but im convinced hes here to stay-for life- she would be depressed w/o him. Moving out is not an option now. i just hate it when he'll start singing and humming b/c he knows it bothers me and does it on purpose. recently he refered to me as a 'dog' when he was talking to my mother (we live in a small apt. & i happened to hear it at the time)- and that bothered me a lot at the time b/c im a sensitive person w/feelings( now it's different if a stranger on the outside called me that-but its different when you hear it from someone you live with in the 1 place where u have the right to feel comfortable) i've trying explaining that to him and he knows that himself- that why he does it on purpose- i was just minding my own business at the time & he always trys to spark an arugument or fight. Now i could ignore him like i've tried in the past- but theres only so much psychological/emotional abuse (I) someone can take- and you just have to react to it eventually- which i seem to be doing more often, so when he is being 'mean' or disrespectfull to me, i always confront him w/words and talk it out. But whenever i approach him, he starts yelling real loud at me, ususally start swinging his hands in my face b/c he's trying to scare me( he'll do the same to my mother & i can tell she tolerates and acceptes it)- if i answer him back, or throw back to him the same he said to me, he'll 99% of the time jump at you and get physical (put his hands on you, now im a small girl w/a thin bulid and if anyone on the outside would see the the way he acts..it would just be sad, & it is) whenever we get into 1 of our conflicts he'll sometimes lift objects/ funiture like he's going to throw it at me, corner me- the past few yrs i know to run away from him now b/c i know he's going to put his hands on me, yrs back he pulled on my arm- & i felt like he torn or pulled something out- as much as i dont like saying this- im delicate b/c i hav such a thin bulid- so it was hard on me (a couple of times if my mom wasnt there to hold him back or tell him to stop, i dont know what would of happened) so if he can get his hands on you, hes going to do it. he's always making fun of me and my brother, calls me names, tells me im ugly- and its uncomfortable hearing that at home. i know he's kinda ruined my relationship w/my mom b/c i dont feel close to her like i used to b4 he moved in w/us (its been 7 yrs) but she usually acts lik it's not important of that i bothering her and shes busy. he always believes he's right and he knows best- has a huge ego but will never admit it- he 'always plays the i had a tough life card'. he's the cause of a lot of stress in my life. now im 20, my mother is 50, and hes 73- YES 73- now its hard to belive that someone his age would want to go out of his way to be so evil, hurtful, and mean, abusive- which is something i've been trying to figure out and can't understand(sometimes i think it's his culture- him being a 'hot- blooded', loose-cannon puertorican)- i cant even eat at the table w/my mother anymore b/c he always finds a way to blow up and explode. if he sees me taking food- he even that bothers him & has a comment about that. something negative always comes out of his mouth- never anything positive of nice why does he feel the need to spark unnecessary tension and be such a 'bully'? how can i cope? wat should do? wat r ur views? opinions?
*** Moving Out Is Not An Option now
moreResolved Question: Can't Stand my Mother's boyfriend?
Im srry for such long quest. please take the time to read it all: he lives with us.he goes out of his way to be mean and nasty to me. He always has something negative to say about everything-unless its about his family- that the only time he talks in a soft tone and isnt sarcastic. Some days i feel like im going to lose it to the point where i have thought of just jumping at him and doing something violent and real revenge for everyting he's put me through for nearly 7yrs, im 20/f. Believe me, i've tried having an adult-adult conversation w/him many many time over the yrs but he dont respect me enough on his level to talk to me in a serious tone- he rather keep playing w/me- he takes it all as a joke.He's always talking bad about me to my mother behind my back-making comments & innuendos to make me look bad and trying to create tension between us. I'm always talking to my mom about it but im convinced hes here to stay-for life- she would be depressed w/o him. Moving out is not an option now. i just hate it when he'll start singing and humming b/c he knows it bothers me and does it on purpose. recently he refered to me as a 'dog' when he was talking to my mother (we live in a small apt. & i happened to hear it at the time)- and that bothered me a lot at the time b/c im a sensitive person w/feelings( now it's different if a stranger on the outside called me that-but its different when you hear it from someone you live with in the 1 place where u have the right to feel comfortable) i've trying explaining that to him and he knows that himself- that why he does it on purpose- i was just minding my own business at the time & he always trys to spark an arugument or fight. Now i could ignore him like i've tried in the past- but theres only so much psychological/emotional abuse (I) someone can take- and you just have to react to it eventually- which i seem to be doing more often, so when he is being 'mean' or disrespectfull to me, i always confront him w/words and talk it out. But whenever i approach him, he starts yelling real loud at me, ususally start swinging his hands in my face b/c he's trying to scare me( he'll do the same to my mother & i can tell she tolerates and acceptes it)- if i answer him back, or throw back to him the same he said to me, he'll 99% of the time jump at you and get physical (put his hands on you, now im a small girl w/a thin bulid and if anyone on the outside would see the the way he acts..it would just be sad, & it is) whenever we get into 1 of our conflicts he'll sometimes lift objects/ funiture like he's going to throw it at me, corner me- the past few yrs i know to run away from him now b/c i know he's going to put his hands on me, yrs back he pulled on my arm- & i felt like he torn or pulled something out- as much as i dont like saying this- im delicate b/c i hav such a thin bulid- so it was hard on me (a couple of times if my mom wasnt there to hold him back or tell him to stop, i dont know what would of happened) so if he can get his hands on you, hes going to do it. he's always making fun of me and my brother, calls me names, tells me im ugly- and its uncomfortable hearing that at home. i know he's kinda ruined my relationship w/my mom b/c i dont feel close to her like i used to b4 he moved in w/us (its been 7 yrs) but she usually acts lik it's not important of that i bothering her and shes busy. he always believes he's right and he knows best- has a huge ego but will never admit it- he 'always plays the i had a tough life card'. he's the cause of a lot of stress in my life. now im 20, my mother is 50, and hes 73- YES 73- now its hard to belive that someone his age would want to go out of his way to be so evil, hurtful, and mean, abusive- which is something i've been trying to figure out and can't understand(sometimes i think it's his culture- him being a 'hot- blooded', loose-cannon puertorican)- i cant even eat at the table w/my mother anymore b/c he always finds a way to blow up and explode. if he sees me taking food- he even that bothers him & has a comment about that. something negative always comes out of his mouth- never anything positive of nice why does he feel the need to spark unnecessary tension and be such a 'bully'? how can i cope? wat should do? wat r ur views? opinions?
moreResolved Question: obama's economic plan?
what's not to like??
October 14, 2008 – Half a decade. That's how long I've waited to write this article.
For half a decade the only articles I've been able to write were the ones that explained that, despite "expert" commentary to the contrary, the nation was headed toward a major economic collapse. And then that the collapse was beginning. And then to repeat, yes, really, there's going to be a collapse. And then, finally, I guess now you see what I meant.
The reason I've been able to predict exactly what was going to happen to the economy half a decade ahead of time was not because I'm psychic. It was because during that period, with Republican conservatives in control of the government, there were no significant changes of policy. And so the disastrous course that was set beginning with the first round of Bush tax cuts just trickled on and on, like a slow motion bullet headed toward the nation's heart but with the nation pinned there by the GOP, blindfolded by media nonsense, and so doomed by an easily escapable problem.
Any significant change of policy during that time could have headed off this disaster. But neither Republican nor Democrat ever really hit the mark.
Until now.
Senator Obama's plan was shocking for many reasons. So far ahead in the race, it was unexpected that he would release such a bold, detailed plan. But more than that, it was truly shocking to see, for the first time in a generation, a politician hit a mark so directly on the head. Delivering exactly to the true middle class, rather than to either the poorer people or the richer, Obama's simple, relatively cheap economic rescue plan, if enacted, would immediately and significantly alter the course of the American economy for the better.
Here's why this plan blows all previous ones away.
The first part is pretty simple and only somewhat significant. His offer of tax cuts directly tied to the creation of new jobs - offering $3000 per new job created in America. For years one of the things I pointed out as a flaw in the conservative dogma was that they claimed giving tax cuts to businesses would create jobs, but they never attached any mechanism to the cuts that made it so. They simply handed money to companies, which could decide to use the money for bonuses for their CEO's - which is what they did - rather than create jobs. If they truly wanted to use tax cuts to business to create jobs, I wrote for years, there had to be something in the cuts that required them to be used for hiring.
Obama's plan does exactly that. And notice the last part of his plan - "$3000 per new job created in America." Previous cuts allowed companies to spend their cash overseas. Obama explicitly stops this.
What you see here is a fundamental shift - Obama is actually looking out for America and for the American people. The Republicans were not stupid. They knew if you just handed cuts to businesses without specifying what the money had to be used for, it would go to bonuses and overseas projects. They just didn't care. They were the rich CEO's and they just wanted companies to get richer.
What Obama proposes in this part is simple, but massively different. For the first time in years, the American people are not having their hands tied behind their back while the government spits directly in their face. No lies, no games, no looking the other way. Barack Obama knew what needed to be done, but didn't put his trust in businesses, as conservatives do. He, in effect, instituted oversight and regulation all within a tax cut. And with that he got at the fundamental flaw of the conservative economic scheme: the idea that businesses act with America's best interest in mind, rather than for the profit of their executives and stock holders, which we all know is actually the case.
This part of Obama's plan is very nice. But what he came up with next was not only brilliant, but the most significantly positive step one could have imagined to immediately fix what is broken in the American economy - and in such a way that it has no real downside.
Barack's plan would allow people to withdraw 15% of their retirement funds, up to $10,000, in 2008 and again in 2009.
Now why is this such a big deal? And when I say big deal, I mean so big this could single-handedly save the American economy and head off depression and collapse.
Here's the rub: the average American family currently owes just under $10,000 in credit card debt.
What was destroying the American economy - and going to continue to destroy it for years - was that the American people weren't just spent out, they were overspent. After decades of spending more than they actually had thanks to easy credit, not only were they going to have to cut spending to get back to what they could afford, but all across the nation, people were completely slamming the door on spendi
moreResolved Question: do you understand this economic plan?
We can't wait to help workers and families and communities who are struggling right now – who don't know if their job or their retirement will be there tomorrow; who don't know if next week's paycheck will cover this month's bills. We need to pass an economic rescue plan for the middle-class and we need to do it now. Today I'm proposing a number of steps that we should take immediately to stabilize our financial system, provide relief to families and communities, and help struggling homeowners. It's a plan that begins with one word that's on everyone's mind, and it's spelled J-O-B-S.
We've already lost three-quarters of a million jobs this year, and some experts say that unemployment may rise to 8% by the end of next year. We can't wait until then to start creating new jobs. That's why I'm proposing to give our businesses a new American jobs tax credit for each new employee they hire here in the United States over the next two years.
We will also save one million jobs by creating a Jobs and Growth Fund that will provide money to states and local communities so that they can move forward with projects to rebuild and repair our roads, our bridges, and our schools. A lot of these projects and these jobs are at risk right now because of budget shortfalls, but this fund will make sure they continue.
...At a time when the ups and downs of the stock market have rarely been so unpredictable and dramatic, we also need to give families and retirees more flexibility and security when it comes to their retirement savings. ...Since so many Americans will be struggling to pay the bills over the next year, I propose that we allow every family to withdraw up to 15% from their IRA or 401(k) – up to a maximum of $10,000 – without any fine or penalty throughout 2009. This will help families get through this crisis without being forced to make painful choices like selling their homes or not sending their kids to college.
...For those Americans in danger of losing their homes, today I'm also proposing a three-month moratorium on foreclosures. If you are a bank or lender that is getting money from the rescue plan that passed Congress, and your customers are making a good-faith effort to make their mortgage payments and re-negotiate their mortgages, you will not be able to foreclose on their home for three months. We need to give people the breathing room they need to get back on their feet.
...It also means promoting a new ethic of responsibility. Part of the reason this crisis occurred is that everyone was living beyond their means – from Wall Street to Washington to even some on Main Street. CEOs got greedy. Politicians spent money they didn't have. Lenders tricked people into buying home they couldn't afford and some folks knew they couldn't afford them and bought them anyway.
We've lived through an era of easy money, in which we were allowed and even encouraged to spend without limits; to borrow instead of save.
Now, I know that in an age of declining wages and skyrocketing costs, for many folks this was not a choice but a necessity. People have been forced to turn to credit cards and home equity loans to keep up, just like our government has borrowed from China and other creditors to help pay its bills.
But we now know how dangerous that can be. Once we get past the present emergency, which requires immediate new investments, we have to break that cycle of debt. Our long-term future requires that we do what's necessary to scale down our deficits, grow wages and encourage personal savings again.
It's a serious challenge. But we can do it if we act now, and if we act as one nation. We can bring a new era of responsibility and accountability to Wall Street and to Washington. We can put in place common-sense regulations to prevent a crisis like this from ever happening again. We can make investments in the technology and innovation that will restore prosperity and lead to new jobs and a new economy for the 21st century. We can restore a sense of fairness and balance that will give ever American a fair shot at the American dream. And above all, we can restore confidence – confidence in America, confidence in our economy, and confidence in ourselves.
Read Barack's full remarks, as prepared for delivery...
Obama's plan includes four new major ideas about job creation, relief to families, relief to homeowners and responding to the financial crisis:
Job Creation: A New American Jobs Tax Credit. Obama is calling for a temporary tax credit for firms that create new jobs in the United States over the next two years.
Relief to Families: Penalty-Free Withdrawals from IRAs and 401(k)s in 2008 and 2009. Obama is calling for new legislation to allow families to withdraw 15% of their retirement savings – up to a maximum of $10,000 – without facing a tax-penalty this year (including retroactively) and next year.
Relief
moreResolved Question: Microsoft Office Small Business Help?
I just signed up with Microsoft Office Small Business, I was told it was free to create a domain. Yet when I click “get a web address” it doesn't not show up like in the tutorial video, there is a $14.95 slashed through. But I continue, then it then says “Type your contact info in”...I did this and now it’s asking me for a credit card!!!I thought it was free! How come that doesn't show up on the tutorial? I can't give them a credit card number right now. What do I do? Please help
Thank you
moreResolved Question: Joke : Really dumb memos at work..is this worth a star ?
In 1998 a business magazine ran a contest asking for Dilbert-like quotes from people who had real-life Dilbert-like managers. Here are some of the winners.
1. As of tomorrow, employees will only be able to access the building using individual security cards. Pictures will be taken next Wednesday and employees will receive their cards in two weeks.
(Microsoft Corporation - this one took first place)
2. What I need is a list of specific unknown problems we will encounter.
(Lykes Lines Shipping)
3. How long is this Beta guy going to keep testing our stuff?
(Programming intern, Microsoft Development Team)
4. E-mail is not to be used to pass on information or data. It should be used only for company business.
(Accounting Mgr., Electric Boat Company)
5. This project is so important that we can't let things that are more important interfere with it.
(Advertising /Mktg. Mgr., UPS)
6. Doing it right is no excuse for not meeting the schedule. No one will believe you solved this problem in one day! We've been working on it for months. Now, go act busy for a few weeks, and I'll let you know when it's time to tell them.
(R&D Supervisor, Minnesota Mining & Manufacturing/3M Corp.)
7. My boss spent the entire weekend retyping a 25-page proposal that only needed corrections. She claims the disk I gave her was damaged and she couldn't edit it. The disk I gave her was write-protected.
(CIO of Dell Computers)
8. Quote from the boss: "Teamwork is a lot of people doing what I say."
(Marketing Executive, Citrix Corporation)
9. My sister passed away and her funeral was scheduled for Monday. When I told my boss, he said she died so that I would have to miss work on the busiest day of the year. He then asked if we could change her burial to Friday. He said, "That would be better for me."
(Shipping Executive, FTD Florists)
10. We know that communication is a problem, but the company is not going to discuss it with the employees.
(AT&T Long Lines Division)
11. We recently received a memo from senior management saying, "This is to inform you that a memo will be issued today regarding the subject mentioned above."
(Microsoft Legal Affairs Division)
12. As director of communications, I was asked to prepare a memo reviewing our company's training programs and materials. In the body of the memo one of the sentences mentioned the "pedagogical approach" used by one of the training manuals. The day after I routed the memo to the executive committee, I was called into the HR director's office and was told that the executive VP wanted me out of the building by lunch. When I asked why, I was told that she wouldn't stand for "perverts" (pedophiles?) working in her company. He showed me her copy of the memo, with her demand that I be fired, with the word "pedagogical" circled in red. The HR Manager was fairly reasonable, and once he looked the word up in his dictionary and made a copy of the definition to send to my boss, he told me not to worry. He would take care of it. Two days later a memo to the entire staff came out, directing us that no words which could not be found in the local Sunday newspaper could be used in company memos. A month later I resigned. In accordance with company policy, I created my resignation letter by pasting words together from the Sunday paper.
(Taco Bell Corporation)
13. This gem is the closing paragraph of a nationally circulated memo: "Lucent Technologies is endeavorily determined to promote constant attention on current procedures of transacting business focusing emphasis on innovative ways to better, if not supercede, the expectations of quality!"
(Lucent Technologies - formerly a division of AT&T)
moreResolved Question: Need help...Pls I am trying to create business cards and I want to print them on my printer. Any suggestions?
moreResolved Question: Would you vote for me if I ran on this platform?
I would run as independent candidate under my own party.
I am only 16 but in the future i plan to make a bid for governor and then possibly president
Economics:
I support a tax cut of 12% for every income of less than $400,000/yr.
I want a tax increase of 3% on anyone that earns more than $400,000/yr.
i support a national flat sales tax of 4%
I want a plan that will establish a tax of only 1% on any industry that comes into the U.S.This will last for a period of 8 years. Then the tax will increase 1% every year for 5 years. This will create jobs and expand our economy allowing businesses to grow.
I will threaten industries that have outsourced our jobs. I will stand up to them and tell them that if they do not return home and create jobs here than I will place a very large tariff on them.
I want to cut any unnecessary and ridiculous spending that is going on in Washington.
Social Issues:
I support abortion in cases of rape, incest, or when the mother's life is at risk.
I support homosexual civil unions and an amendment to define a civil union as the union between two consenting adults. When it comes to marriage, a church can make its own decisions on that.
Foreign affairs:
I support the deportation of illegal aliens from the U.S.I would increase the amount of raids.
I would fund a bigger wall with new technology to stop the influx of illegal aliens.
I believe in diplomacy. In working with other countries to solve global problems.
I think that Puerto Rico, Guam, and American Samoa should be admitted as states into the U.S.
I believe that health care is a right and that everyone should have access to it. So I want people to decide whether they want to keep their private healthcare or pay coverage through the government, with a type of card that would be provided to them. The card would cover the family. The owner of the card would be able to add funds but not take out, an additional 3,500 dollars will be added to the card annually from income tax collected.
I would eliminate the current welfare and food stamp system and replace it will a system in which families that apply after 3 months of vigorous investigation would receive a "gift card" from the government of 300 dollars and it would be cashed at any bank. In order to qualify the person must maintain a stable job and have ample proof.
Education is extremely important to me.
Public Schools will be completely reformed.
Access to better textbooks and internet will be mandatory.
Also teachers will be better trained.
Energy:
We need to use our own natural gas and clean coal technology.
Our government needs to invest in nuclear, solar, and wind.
We have to force the auto-industry to make more gas efficient automobiles.
moreResolved Question: How can I organize my computer files better?
I work in a hospital marketing department and create in-house marketing collateral (design & publications)... I am trying to organize hundreds if not thousands of files into manageable folders. I am lost on where to begin. Should I organize the files into folders based on the deparments (ie- cancer center, Physical therapy etc) and then place all my files under each folder? OR Should I create a folder system based on what type of file it is (ads, flyers, posters, business cards) and then put the departments under each of those? I hope I am making sense. :) If anyone has any good ideas or has dealt with something like this I'd appreciate any advise! :)
I have over 60 deparments many of which I design and create marketing peices for.
moreResolved Question: Help with a name for my dog collar business?
I make handmade dog collars and will be attending a craft fair soon. I need to come up with a name for my business so I can create a website and make brochures / business cards.
I make collars and leashes out of nylon webbing and different styles of ribbon - a lot of them preppy style but not all of them are.
All ideas are appreciated!
moreResolved Question: Creating Holiday Cards: Tips? Design, Photography, Cost?
Hi,
I just finished a graphic design program. I also own a petcare business.
I would like to start a side business offering my petcare clients design work. Specifically, I would like to offer to design clients' holidays cards for friends and family.
What is the best way to go about this?
I am a decent photographer. I also am a decent designer.
So, should I buy blank car stock and design and print out 3-4 templates of designs, each with an attached photograph taped in the middle? If I use a printing shop, they will charge me an arm and a leg to print only 4 samples. But I can't print a full bleed with printer at home, not to mention the quality wouldn't be great.
Or do I just find cute pre-designed Christmas cards with a photo spot and only worry about taking the photograph? But I would assume that most clients would want a personalized message inside. And how much money could I really make if I didn't design it? But the outside printing would already be done, so that would save some money, maybe?
So , what do you suggest?
Has anyone done this on a small scale? I have 15 clients and I would guess that 7-8 of them will take me up on the holiday card design. I am assuming that each client will order 50-60 cards, at least.
What do I charge? What is the most cost efficient way to do this?
moreResolved Question: Can someone give me any ideas?
I am looking to start a business for myself and my daughter/s . The business will be run by me and my oldest until my 2 other girls are old enough to decide if they wish to be involved in it.. I am a hair stylist and my oldest daughter does make up . We both wanted to offer our service for weddings and other special events. Here is where I need some ideas what to charge out there. I was looking to do packages and to travel to their location . So there would be a fee to travel to their location? Can you give me any ideas. if all possible . I reside in Texas for those who wish to know. I am also looking to creating a myspace profile for our business , business cards ( to give out, to take to diff. business locations) and fliers and it goes on.. Please no rude comments...Please. Thank u
no I am a hairstylist for many yrs . I have ran a business prior but this is a whole different ball game . I am going to be like a hair stylist on wheels so to speak...
moreVoting Question: How to get start a small business on line without website & credit card?
I am a newbie to computer/internet who's staying in Muar, Johor. I would like to sale weight lose/gain product and water filter on line.
Currently, I don't have any wedsite/blogspot to promote my products.
How to get it/ create it in low price or free?
Beside, I am temporary unqualified to apply credit card. So....
I need community advice (step by step} and help me if you can.
Thanks a lot.
moreVoting Question: How can I obtain a business credit card using only my TIN?
Are there any credit card companies that provide credit to small businesses using only their TIN or EIN as opposed to my social Security number. And also, once I receive a number from Dun and Bradstreet do they create a create profile for me or how does that work exactly?
moreResolved Question: What program would you use to create business cards?
I need a kick in the right direction to get started making business cards. Where do I start?
moreResolved Question: US Senate now putting lipstick on Bush/Paulson's $700billion Wall Street/NYC taxpayer bailout/hand-out?
The US Senate is trying to steam-roll the American public by disguising the Bush/Paulson $700billion Wall Street/NYC payout/bail-out/hand-out by tacking on non-related items - which the inept Henry Reed led Senate should pass independently and separately of the proposed predatory lenders' hand-out of tax-payer money.
The heroes of the middle-class and American worker are those in the US House of Representatives who stood against bludgeoning their constituents and all of working-class America yesterday by voting against the $700billion Bush/Paulson fraud.
Such House Representative's as (TN) Thompson, (TX) Hensarling, (NJ) Garrett and (OR) DiFazio and (TX) Doggett (just naming a few) put American families first, not predatory lenders' lobbyists in Washington by voting against the tproposed tax-payer bailout of Wall Street/NYC millionaires and billionaires. (Yes, Ohio and California as well as Georgia are to be recocgnized as well).
These Representatives realize that the US government already has the tools needed to ensure that the American financial system does not freeze up as threatened by Bush/Paulson and their proposed $700billion swan-song. The FDIC, Small Business Administration and Federal Reserve - can ensure money is available to US business and institutions.
Such is the degree of corruption in the US Senate that it is staggering and anyone backing the Paulson fraud IS NOT admitting the severe damage such unprecedented addition to the US deficit will do to American families... all because Henry Paulson wants to reward predatory lenders and their greed by giving them tax-payer money, supposedly "buying up" caustic credit card debt, caustic mortgage debt - even caustic auto loan debt without addressing the problem which is the root cause of all this - predatory lending.
Sure, Wall Street was encouraged by both Senate leaders and Pelosi along with Barney Frank to signal that the fraud should have passed. And yes, the corrupt on Wall Street tried to stagger the market yesterday, but they failed. Wall Street crooks only undercut themselves the now high-lighted 777 points or in essence less than 7%, which is not such a huge drop in a market that has seen volatility as the gluttonous greed of the predatory lenders has been showing signs of its own finality.
Sure the predatory lenders got themselves in this mess and everyone is hurting from their abuse of the system, but Wall Street, not the US taxpayer is better positioned to directly deal with the repercussions caused by their greed and bad decisions.
Wall Street, not the US taxpayer, should be forced to deal with their caustic debt and almost worthless "paper" - by incurring a fee on every single transaction of the stock exchange, both NYNEX and NASDAQ.
Such a fee will no doubt build into the resource for which Wall Street can bail out themselves, not the US taxpayer.
The American working class does not need to short-change its children at the dinner table, taking away a meal to make ends meet just to shore-up the accounts of millionaires and billionaires of Wall Street/NYC and its fat-cat bankers, brokers and lobbyists.
That ugly quote about lipstick on a pig comes to mind as the US Senate has failed America.
Congressional leaders have embraced predatory lenders and their greed with this $700billion bailout/handout at the expense of the middle class/average American tax-payer.
What Washington has not told you is that printing an extra $700billion is going to greatly increase inflation, further devaluing home property values, spiking fuel prices and increasing cost of food and every other daily expenditure of the American worker.
In no way does the "revamped" bailout package address the root cause of the current "credit" issues suffered upon the American worker by Wall Street/fat-cat bankers' greed, nor does the $700billion bailout/handout to Wall Street/NYC greed offer sufficient or immediate help in stabilizing the housing market.
Americans can look to further devaluations of their homes, savings and any earnings for at least the next two years because of the Washington stiff-arming this $700billion bailout/handout to the financial industry at tax-payer expense.
Washington is not telling you the truth about the negative repercussions of such extravagant handouts to the rich at the expense of the US common man, ma, pa, bro and sis on Main Street.
IF your Congressional leaders vote for adopting the $700billion Wall Street bailout, either they have not been given the full picture, or they are in the pockets of the financial industry lobbyists taking what middle class Americans have earned away from them.
The bailout continues to be a fraud perpetrated on the US taxpayer. Wall Street executives will continue to take their undeserved exorbitant salary for creating such a debacle. "Parachute" packages are not the only CEO/executive expense that the tax payer is expected to pay.
The /US economy has proven its resiliency aq
moreResolved Question: Are people confused about what the bailout means? ?
Although the source of the problem came from Wall Street and poor mortgage decisions by unqualified home buyers, it now a American public problem. It has an adverse effect on EVERYONE.
The problem is that banks are unwilling to lend money to businesses because they need to keep liquid cash on their books to remain solvent due to the bad mortgages they are holding. When banks are reluctant to lend money, small businesses who often use short-term loans to make payroll, research & design, market, transport, etc. cannot get the funds they need to stay in business. As this occurs, jobs are eliminated and/or these businesses fail completely raising the unemployment rate and overall economic hardship for everyone. Anyone looking to punish Wall Street is misguided because only the behemoth corporations will be able to get the bridge loans needed to keep going. They will survive, it is the average small business owner (who creates the vast majority of US jobs) that will be hurt the worst.
Also, interest rates for new mortgages to qualified borrowers will go up, further pushing the housing market down and creating even more defaulted mortgages. A snowball effect occurs and credit markets get even tighter and more businesses fail.
Unemployment will be rising, while the number of new jobs for the unemployed to fill will be getting smaller. As unemployment continues to rise, households will be left without incomes and begin to default on other lines of credit such as car loans and credit cards. Again, the snowball continues.
Since disposable income will decrease because of the unemployment numbers, the economy will continue to suffer because people will start to hoard cash instead of fueling the economy with spending. More businesses will fail, and so on.
People not in the work force with retirement savings will find their portfolio values decimated, perhaps postponing retirement or making it impossible altogether. Again, creating an influx of people into the job market where there are no jobs available.
Anyone in Main Street USA who does not believe this will not affect them are naive. the Wall Street you are mad at has already failed and has been restructured. Get over it.
The bill includes: Periodic payments, not a $700 lump sum. Congressional oversight of the Treasuries' actions. A bump of FDIC from $100,000 to $250,000. Elimination of golden parachutes. Taxpayer equity (ownership) in participating companies with preferential debt recovery/profit going the taxpayer vice shareholders. A tentative timeline for government removal from the market.
Myths: Its a blank check, there is no oversight/puts one man in charge, etc., credit is not important to the US economy and veryone should pay cash. Wall Street will be the only one to suffer. It will pay irresponsible homeowners' mortgages. It doesn't help the average American. Government involvement harms the free market (history has shown that government is sometimes necessary. ie the Great Depression).
Also included: An insurance option to back the questionable securities giving them marketability and more easily obtained market value.
Keep in mind, there is a consensus that tighter regulation must be passed, but due to time sensitivity it will be addressed at length after the bailout.
moreResolved Question: What should I do with my financially abusive husband?
I can't believe this! My husband stole money from me!
My husband is extremely abusive, emotionally, mentally, financially and verbally. Regarding finances, the first year we were together, he didn't work and I was the only one brining money home. He forced me into getting a loan and credit card for an imaginative business idea that would benefit us both in the future, then he took the credit card and loan off me and spent it on extensive shopping for himself and changing his mobile handset and cars every month. He promised to at least pay the minimum payments, but because he didn't have income, obviously he didn't pay back and I ended up with a huge debt (£20,000) and bad credit so my bank account was closed. My salary was going to his bank account and he spent it all, the only money I had was for train ticket to go to work. I was in love with him, so I let him get away with that, and thought I sacrifice myself for him so that he may change for my love. Then later on I got pregnant and couldn't work. We had to move in to my brother's house and we were at my brother's mercy for 9 months, during which my brother gave us pocket money. It was so infuriating and depressing but I couldn't do anything. My father sent me some money, I kept it somewhere to save, but realized the money was getting less and less every day, and he denied he was the one taking it. When the baby was born he had to go to work as my brother moved somewhere else. My maternity allowance and child benefit went to his bank account, during the past 15 months that I stayed at home with the baby and he is the one working, he didn't give me any money at all even for bus fare. So I was stuck at home, depressed and isolated. My brothers gave me some cash gifts worth £550 over 1.5 years that I saved hidden somewhere so that he couldn't find it and I kept in for emergencies in case my baby needs something. Eventually he found the place and my money started getting less and less and still he denied taking it. I was so frustrated and later he gave my money back. £550, claiming that he is doing me a favor and I was the one who lost it in the first place, but that's not true because I hid it under my bed in a safe bag. We are moving to US and I thought I can escape from him in US, so I sold all of my pre-marriage Gold that I saved through years, altogether I could create $4100. Yesterday he found it and stole $100 of it. And still he denies it. I can't believe he stole from me again. He wants to make me feel like crazy by denying it!!!! What should I do?
Just to say, I can't stay in UK anymore, because with this credit history I can't do anything, and I couldn't extend my visa because he took all my money and i couldn't pay for university. The only option now is to go with him to USA because he is a US citizen. I think I don't love him anymore, because he is a Charlatan. What should I do?
moreVoting Question: THE APPRENTICE UK from MELBOURNE AUSTRALIA?
HAS ANYONE SEEN LAST WEEK'S EPISODE OF UK APPRENTICE IN MELB? IF YOU DID CAN YOU TELL ME WHICH EPISODE IT WAS? APPARENTLY THEY NEEDED TO CREATE BILLBOARD AND TV AD CAMPAIGN FOR A NEW BUSINESS CARD THAT SIR ALAN HAS CREATED FOR HIS AIRLINE SERVICES.ANYONE KNOW WHICH EPISODE NUMBER IT IS OR WHERE I CAN WATCH IT AGAIN OR DL? :)
THANKS EVERYONE
moreResolved Question: Why does Obama hate TDE?
I hear so much critique of Trickle Down Economics... Where rich people make money, spend it, and their spending benefits the rest of the economy.
Personally I think it is a smart policy and here is why... When rich people have money, they don't stuff it in their mattress, they invest it. Those investments fuel businesses, create jobs and promote growth. Even if they hoard it in a savings account, the banks they store it in use that money for lend out... new home mortgages, car loans, lines of credit, even credit cards. This holds true even with the scum CEO's money.
The rest of us get access to this money, and so long as the bulk of us don't default (like we have now) the interest rates are good, markets are stable, the rich make money off interest, we make money by growing our assets, and everyone is happy. What's wrong with that?
What does Obama plan to do then? The money he takes from the "rich" takes money away from business and costs America more jobs. If anything, keeping money with experienced investors is more valuable to the economy than me getting an extra $200 a year in tax savings.
So... what's wrong with TDE?
TDE has worked since the Reagan administration. With a couple minor blips, it has worked over twenty years. We overcame Japan as a financial powerhouse and outlived the Soviets.
"Because it doesn't work" is a weak Obama sheep explaination.
If you hate jobs overseas, return your Hyundai and buy something domestic.
Oh and by the way... We are in this mess right now because individuals overextended themselves in huge masses. Real estate is still a risk... Many gambled, many lost. Why do I have to pay the price for being responsible?
moreResolved Question: How can I design and word my new business card?
I have several different job areas and would like to incorporate them into one card instead of many.
This is what I came up with:
(Design Details...
From my upside-down
town )
(I put the details in
the design)
(a picture,side view of a ladies forehead,cheek and eye.It looks great.and it goes on the right also.)
email
phone
fax
Owner-Sharon Cline-This goes on the right
Watauga,Texas
This is what I do for a living
1.I design and make wedding cakes-over 5000 so far
2.I design and sell hand-painted glass and paintings
3.I faux paint walls or objects for clients,as well as create mosaiics on walls,tables mirrors,etc.
4 I have designed many events and parties for people
I love to do all of these things but here is how the confusion started.
I was a wedding cake designer,in different conversations I was asked to plan events or come up with themes(because I throw a lot of themed parties)Then I had my art in a gallery,When people visit my office,they would see the mosaiics and faux walls.Brides started making their own cakes again because of the economy,so in order to make a paycheck I do all of the above.I also rented a booth in a beautiful and unique Antique Mall.I built a room about 6' by 10'.I put a small table, open purse ,magizines,pillows,wine bottle,glass etc...Too many things to mention.So I hung it upside-down along w/a sign that says "Welcome to my upside-down town,loitering wanted,speed limit 53.
Some people have said to choose just one job.There's not enough demand right now to do that.
So,I need this card and on the back my bullet points of what I do.Please help me with the wording for the back or front.I'm looking forward to reading your answers.Thank you for reading my question.
moreResolved Question: Where to print business cards from MS Publisher?
I just created a gorgeous business card with microsoft office publisher 2007, my question is if i can just save the file into a flash drive and take it somewhere where they can print exactly the way I made it. I just don't want to deal with the paper, printing, and cutting. Would office depot do it? Also, what would be the average price on something like this?
Thank you! All answers will be greatly appreciated!
moreResolved Question: Is the state of our economy due to the fact that people in power were able to manipulate deregulation?
I believe state of our economy is due to the fact that people in power in business and government were able to manipulate deregulation and leverage the stock market to their advantage.
Once upon a time, all mortgages were 20% down, at a fixed interest rate. The people that bought houses could afford houses. People saved money for their down payments. They rarely walked-away from their 20% savings investment in their home.
Then, deregulation came along. "Greed Is Good" was the mantra of the day. In order to stimulate the economic marketplace in the late 70's due to a recession, congress passed legislation to deregulate the commercial banking / Savings and Loan industries. Thus, the collapse a few years later in the early1980's of numerous S & L's, due to bad decision making on the part of greedy CEO's who had pushed the deregulation and choose to make bad investments to earn outrageous interest rates. These high-rate, high-risk loans to under-capitalized, high-risk people were made with the banks and S & L's depositors funds - people lost their retirement money, pension plans were wiped-out. But, prior to the Black Monday crash of October 1981 the corporate CEO's rewarded themselves outrageous compensation packages and golden parachutes... do you recall The Keating Scandal?
Regulation's were tightened back up... but then in early 2001, the economy went south again... partly due to 9-11. So, to stimulate the marketplace, more deregulation... this time of the mortgage and energy industries.
Energy deregulation came very quickly, with V.P. "Tricky Dick" Cheney having the first-ever closed-door, zero-oversight private meetings at the White House of Energy Company Executives to create policy to regulate... the Energy Industry? (think fox guarding hen house...). Too soon after came the spectacular energy industry failures... (remember Enron? Kenneth Lay was a personal FOB, "Friend of Bush" ) and the massive compensation packages awarded to the CEO's by themselves. Then, as in the early 1980's, regulation had to be re-instituted.
The mortgage industry took off... everyone was happy... lots of money was made by most everyone... lenders, home owners, home builders, investors, wall street... but, no one in government had the foresight to look toward the inevitable over-correction, the "bursting-of-the-bubble" in the market... we were distracted by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan... if you're not with us, then you're against us!
A primer: Mortgage loans are "bundled" in sets (blocks) of billions of dollars of investments... which had always been traditionally considered as "safe" (remember the down payments that used to be made...?). Lenders then sell these blocks of bundled mortgage loans to large investors, primarily Fannie May and Freddie Mac, quasi "US government-backed agencies" (think the US Post Office, another quasi government agency, overseen by uncle Fed, but run as it's own "company"). This selling-off of the bundled loan packages freed-up the mortgage lenders to create new loans, because they had been "re-paid" when sold to Fannie May & Freddie Mac. When the loans being made were sound, the marketplace worked well...
When deregulation or the mortgage industry in early 2002 happened, just about anyone that could fog a mirror and breathe at the same time could suddenly get a mortgage. Previous rules and reg's on lending went out the window. The more loans they made, the more fee's they could collect. Lenders made lots of money, meaning their companies made lots of profit. Wall Street invested heavily in these mortgage securities, which now were weighted-down with the shady, undocumented "B" and "C" grade-paper sub-prime loans. More loans, more fees... more loans, more money to loan out, which were based on these mortgage bundles now loaded with poor-performing loans. This fed the gluttony in America for more and more credit: credit cards, equity loans - borrow, borrow borrow!! The wall street CEO's rewarded themselves handsomely... their companies were making outrageous profits... before they eventually collapsed.
I BLAME UNCLE FED FOR THIS MESS - AND I PARTICULARLY BLAME THE REPUBLICANS, who have such a need to deregulate industries to the extent that corporate greed takes-over and fiscal common-sense falls by the wayside.
Just because they could deregulate doesn't mean they should have deregulated... when guidelines / rules / regulations go away, greed ALWAYS takes over... EVERY, SINGLE TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I've worked in Real Estate, Mortgage Banking and as an Escrow Closer for the past 20+ years... saw this disaster coming for the last 5 years...
YOUR THOUGHTS??
P.S. - I didn't make the loans, I was an administrative staff-support person...
I was personally sickened by the loans being made to the people I knew couldn't repay them... but I couldn't do a damn thing about it, except by getting-out of the industry (that was 4 years ago...).
moreResolved Question: If I gave you all the following would you vote for me, Dartagnon Puissant, as President of the USA?
OK ... here's the deal. WE have NO good choices for President so much as I think the pay is too cheap and the President has to put up with a lot of guff (they START with dark hair and a smile and by the time they leave they have grey hair and an attitude) I will make the sacrifice for you miscreants, even though my record sucks and I'm just a tad anti-govt, but that's a good quality in a President, isn't it?
Here's the deal! I will FIRE the House and Senate and put in computers. You can go online at home or the library or at Starbucks and tell your computer representative what you want and the computer will analyze it and see what is reasonable and then draft a bill and present it to the House of Computer Representatives and the Senate of Computers and it will pass ... or not.
NEXT, I will ENFORCE the 16th Amendment and make the corporations be responsible for ALL The taxes as our forefathers, or whoever wrote the 16th Amendment, meant and the American citizens will NOT have to pay income tax.
NEXT, I will make GM, Chrysler, and Ford make at LEAST 50% of their cars run on electricity and they will NOT need to be charged since they will use solar panel skins, energy creating brakes, and all the cool energy producing devices known to man to help power them forever. I'll make sure that the cars will run for 50 years so that there will be no maintenance other than regular services but you might have to take out a 50 year loan to pay for them since we want to keep the car companies in business.
NEXT, I will pass a bill, with the help of my computer buddies in the House and Senate that will offer solar panels to EVERY American Household and the Power companies will be in charge of regulating how much energy comes INTO the grid and disperse it accordingly to keep a BALANCE of energy throughout the country. Eventually, within 10 years, I will phase out gasoline burning cars and houses will no longer run on oil and Exxon will have to come up with some other skam to make outrageous profits. Actually they can sell the oil to the tire manufacturers until we ban tires and use fans to propel our cars.
NEXT, we will erect a BIG WALL OF the USA that will be BIGGER than China's. And I will make FDR's road projects look like nothing in comparison. Everyone who is out of work will be able to work on the GREAT WALL of FREEDOM and when it's done we'll put our military on top of it to patrol the borders and keep EVERYONE out unless they pay at least $20,000 for a Green Card.
NEXT, to take care of the National Debt I'll make marijuana LEGAL but only when purchased from the Post Office vending machines or those in the IRS buildings. The profits will go toward the National Debt. ALSO, prostitution will be regulated and kept totally clean and safe and LEGAL and ALL profits will go toward the National Debt and you will be able to call the Post Office, Pimping Division, to make appointments. Your wife will never need to suspect you UNLESS she sees a postal truck in front of your house at night.
NEXT, gambling will be LEGAL in all 50 States and will either be run by the Indians or the Mafia but all proceeds will go to the government and the profits will once again go toward the National Debt.
Next, the taxes from the corporations will NO LONGER be used for War since we will make peace with the world and we will not ALLOW bad people to come into the country. The wall will keep the world's miscreants out and OUR miscreants in so there won't be any trouble for anyone in or out of our country.
With NO govt corruption we won't need the MIF or IMF or IFM and we'll make the govt in charge of interstate roads, and perhaps ALL roads, and bridges, and National Parks, and parks in general.
Then, I'll declare all LAWS Illegal and we will have only ONE law and that will be "Harm ye NO ONE!" The first offense will be punishable by paying the person back for harming them financially, or if you harm someone physically they will be able to do the same thing back to you or we will have the option of letting the person CHOOSE to put the offender into the old classic, STOCKS! And they will be ridiculed publicly. EVERYONE who does not break THE Law will get a REWARD at the end of the year for Christmas. The ones who do break the law get NO Christmas bonus for them!
We will let the world know to LEAVE US ALONE! Anyone who attacks us in any way will be ruthlessly attacked, AND PILLAGED, by us, and our troops from the GREAT WALL OF FREEDOM. We will devastate their country and take EVERYTHING of value and their women will be put to work in our Post Offices. I like to think that NO ONE will ever attack us again but if so ... THEY WERE WARNED! Unlike Bush though we will enter their country and RAZE it one foot at a time until the whole country is destroyed and then we will pour salt on what is left. The people will be escorted out before we destroy the country and their women will be shipped off to our Post Offices.
Yahoo cut off the rest of it but I think that basically covers everything but if you can think of anything I missed please notify your local Senatebot or Congressbot. Oh yeah, I also want $1 million / year. That way I won't be tempted to take bribes. But you won't be paying taxes and our National Debt should be paid off totally in 20 years, especially if I authorize the placement of Viagra in the water supply.
That SHOULD be IT!
Vote for Dartagnon Puissant, U.S. President, and don't worry about my record. IT's minor compared to the ones in our govt now and I wouldn't want to be sentenced to a Postal Penal Colony or hard labor in the Marijuana Fields and THE law will apply to me as it does to everyone else, so help me God.
I AM Dartagnon Puissant and I APPROVE this message!
TOUGH CROWD! But how can you JUDGE me if YOU don't READ my PROPOSAL. I mean, it sounds really GOOD to me. What more could you guys want? Free massages? Come on, GIVE PEACE A CHANCE!
moreResolved Question: How do you start a Credit Card Processing business? ?
How do you start a Credit Card Processing business?
I know how to accept them using a company and I understand how it works but where would I start in order to create my own?
moreResolved Question: How do you solve a real life "maths" petrol dilemma - Help needed?
I have a real life maths problem scenario but I need a maths expert to help me as I cannot get my head around the conceptual maths part of it.
I get reimbursed business miles I do every month – the monthly total business miles figure is generated via a GPS tracking system that records daily business miles and reimburses monthly at a PENCE PER MILE (PPM) rate of about 14 pence. The PPM rate changes monthly, slightly up or down depending on the constant changing fuel price in the UK.
This figure is calculated by the Business as follows:-
(Total Fuel Purchase / Total Gallons) / MPG (i.e. expected to get 35mpg) = PPM
Example;-
Total Fuel Purchase = £563.76 Total Gallons = 115 thus MPG = 35mpg
563.76 / 115 = 4.90
4.90 / 35 = 0.14ppm
(I do not suspect that knowing how this is derived is relevant to the question I will pose shortly apart from the fact that we are expected to achieve 35 miles per gallon on the vehicle and if we under achieve on this target we pay for it ourselves somehow and if we over achieve they give a credit for this somehow).
For NON business miles that is tracked via the GPS tracking I am NOT reimbursed this PPM rate so if I use the vehicle privately, I similarly pay a 14 PPM rate out of my pocket although no “credit” at 14 PPM is given for non business miles.
Therefore, I get a “credit” for all business miles only monthly at this 14 pence (PPM) rate but the business also give me a BP Fuel Card (relevant to this query as BP is by far, not the cheapest fuel to purchase in the UK) which they charge against the “credit” they have given me for business miles (i.e. Credit given for business miles and then the BP Fuel Card Monthly Bill charged against this credit)
So in an example they may give me £300 credit for business miles but my total fuel card bill may be £350, therefore I am in DEFICIT or I could be in SURPLUS if my total fuel card bill came to £280.
My main and important query is – Does it make a difference if I actively seek to buy the cheapest fuel? Does this benefit me or the business? If so, can you please explain how this benefits me i.e. does it make any difference to me financially to seek the cheapest fuel which I have been doing as a general principle in the expectation that I AM PERSONALLY BENEFITING financially by doing so.
This has lead to heated debates between colleagues and friends where some have argued it is in my financial benefit to seek cheap fuel whereas others have said it makes no difference at all and that I should fill up anywhere?
My secondary query which is not as important as the first - The business works STRICTLY on a monthly basis for fuel calculations but obviously no one can be exactly sure of how much fuel is in the car at a month’s end?
Some argue that I should aim to run the tank down at month end not to end up in a bad “deficit” position, and, or, not to fuel up at all on the last day of the month as this will ‘create’ a deficit. Is there logic in this as any deficit at a month’s end would be a credit in the new month following, wouldn’t it so you maybe worse off at one month but be in a recovered position the next?
Please help as this has been bewildering me for quite some time, especially whether it is in my own financial interest to continue finding the cheapest fuel or whether I have been and will be wasting time by doing so.
moreResolved Question: Maths expert needed to help solve real life mystery?
I have a real life maths problem scenario but I need a maths expert to help me as I cannot get my head around the conceptual maths part of it.
I get reimbursed business miles I do every month – the monthly total business miles figure is generated via a GPS tracking system that records daily business miles and reimburses monthly at a PENCE PER MILE (PPM) rate of about 14 pence. The PPM rate changes monthly, slightly up or down depending on the constant changing fuel price in the UK.
This figure is calculated by the Business as follows:-
(Total Fuel Purchase / Total Gallons) / MPG (i.e. expected to get 35mpg) = PPM
Example;-
Total Fuel Purchase = £563.76 Total Gallons = 115 thus MPG = 35mpg
563.76 / 115 = 4.90
4.90 / 35 = 0.14ppm
(I do not suspect that knowing how this is derived is relevant to the question I will pose shortly apart from the fact that we are expected to achieve 35 miles per gallon on the vehicle and if we under achieve on this target we pay for it ourselves somehow and if we over achieve they give a credit for this somehow).
For NON business miles that is tracked via the GPS tracking I am NOT reimbursed this PPM rate so if I use the vehicle privately, I similarly pay a 14 PPM rate out of my pocket although no “credit” at 14 PPM is given for non business miles.
Therefore, I get a “credit” for all business miles only monthly at this 14 pence (PPM) rate but the business also give me a BP Fuel Card (relevant to this query as BP is by far, not the cheapest fuel to purchase in the UK) which they charge against the “credit” they have given me for business miles (i.e. Credit given for business miles and then the BP Fuel Card Monthly Bill charged against this credit)
So in an example they may give me £300 credit for business miles but my total fuel card bill may be £350, therefore I am in DEFICIT or I could be in SURPLUS if my total fuel card bill came to £280.
My main and important query is – Does it make a difference if I actively seek to buy the cheapest fuel? Does this benefit me or the business? If so, can you please explain how this benefits me i.e. does it make any difference to me financially to seek the cheapest fuel which I have been doing as a general principle in the expectation that I AM PERSONALLY BENEFITING financially by doing so.
This has lead to heated debates between colleagues and friends where some have argued it is in my financial benefit to seek cheap fuel whereas others have said it makes no difference at all and that I should fill up anywhere?
My secondary query which is not as important as the first - The business works STRICTLY on a monthly basis for fuel calculations but obviously no one can be exactly sure of how much fuel is in the car at a month’s end?
Some argue that I should aim to run the tank down at month end not to end up in a bad “deficit” position, and, or, not to fuel up at all on the last day of the month as this will ‘create’ a deficit. Is there logic in this as any deficit at a month’s end would be a credit in the new month following, wouldn’t it so you maybe worse off at one month but be in a recovered position the next?
Please help as this has been bewildering me for quite some time, especially whether it is in my own financial interest to continue finding the cheapest fuel or whether I have been and will be wasting time by doing so.
moreResolved Question: Anyone know what software is used to design your own stuff online? Business Cards, Checks, Shirts, etc?
I have a website that sells stock checks. I would like to offer my customers a way to design their own checks online. I have seen this done many times with business cards, t shirt companies, etc. Where it allows people to upload their logos, rearrange text and fonts, then preview and order. Is this a java software or flash? is it something I can purchase to add to my website? or do I have to pay a software person to create this for me? I have my site in Joomla so if anyone knows of a joomla solution that would be great1
Thanks!
moreVoting Question: Making business cards in Word 2007 ?
if i want to make a business card using Word 2007 templates (the ones that gives you,say, 10 cards per page sample), how can i make the pattern that i make on one card apply to the rest of the cards? i mean, let's say i have created one card and want to transfer the same info to all the cards, instead of typing the whole info. on each card separately. any help??? thanks...
moreVoting Question: Just created an LLC. Will incur tax-deductible expenses. Do I have to apply for and use a business credit card?
Just created an LLC. Will incur tax-deductible expenses. Do I have to apply for and use a business credit card, or can I just continue to use my personal credit card, and then just use my statements from my personal credit card to document my business expenses?
moreResolved Question: What are some other good ways to advertise a business?
My mother and