Lame Ducks Will Still Step On Your Toes

This post was borrowed from my blogging friend, Michael Connelly. (www.michaelconnelly.viviti.com) I give him full credit for the research required to discover what is on the agenda for our representatives when they return from wherever to D.C. following their recess. Many of them are already calling the dogs and putting water on the camp fire because they know the party is over. However, they, even the 'lame ducks', can still impact your life, liberty and your joy before they leave and collect their pensions as having been your servant. Please read and act. I will take responsibility for the pictures.

“No man’s life, liberty, or property is safe, while the legislature is in session.” This is a quote that has been attributed to everyone from Daniel Webster to Mark Twain, but regardless of who first said it, the words have never been more applicable than they are today. The 111^th Congress is about to return from recess, and the year of “tax and spend” will get underway once again.

It is amazing that the lemmings in Congress seem to be preparing to run off the cliff and drown in the sea by sacrificing their seats in the upcoming election in order to continue to pass the Socialist agenda of President Obama. Americans need to be aware of what will be attempted in the next few months prior to the election and even after that in a lame duck session of Congress.

Much of this is being kept under the radar by the Obama administration in the hope that American citizens will not know until the deed is done that they are being savaged even more by their government. So here is what the Congress will have before it in the next few weeks.

1. A new stimulus package to add another $50 billion dollars to the deficit that is already the largest in history. This money is supposed to be used for building and repairing infrastructure such as highways, railroads, etc. It is also supposed to stimulate the economy and create jobs. However, since under the first massive stimulus package unemployment has actually gotten higher, and the economic recovery has ground to a halt, there is no reason that this bill would do anything but increase the deficit.

In reality, it is not really meant to help the economy. Instead, most of the jobs that would be created would go to members of unions that support the liberals in Congress. This is an unconstitutional use of taxpayer funds to bribe the unions into staying with Obama and the liberals in the upcoming election.

2. The Bush tax cuts are set to expire at the end of the year and that is exactly what Obama wants. If the tax cuts are not renewed it will result in the most massive tax increase in American history. It is rumored that Obama is considering extending the cuts for those making under $250,000 per year so that supposedly it is only the “rich” that will be taxed. The truth is that the vast majority of people in this country that make over that amount are small business owners that create most of the jobs.

There is already enough uncertainly among small business owners. Large tax increases on them will cause them to stop creating new jobs, and in some cases even go out of business. Unemployment will get even higher.

3. Another new tax idea being floated by the Obama White House is the so-called “transaction tax.” This tax will initially be a 1% tax on any transactions you make at any financial institutions such as banks and credit unions. If you make a deposit or withdrawal, move money from one account to another, or even take cash from an ATM you will have to pay 1% of each amount to the Federal government. Think about how many such transactions you make a month and you can see how quickly this amount can add up.

4. Probably the most dangerous action being considered is a cancelling of the tax credit given to American businesses for taxes they pay to foreign governments. Since the United States already has the second highest corporate tax rate in the world, this tax credit is one of the few things that keeps our businesses competitive with businesses in the rest of the world. Now Obama wants to end that. The repeal of this tax credit will be an enormous blow to American businesses while greatly benefiting some of our enemies like Hugo Chavez in Venezuela. This is because the oil companies will be among those feeling the greatest impact. Therefore foreign oil companies will have a competitive edge.

Energy prices in this country will increase across the board with American families probably paying an average of $1500 more per year for things like gasoline and home heating oil. At the same time our dependence on foreign oil will increase even more.

5. Finally, there is going to be another major push in the Senate to pass the Disclose Act in order to limit the rights of businesses and independent conservative organizations to participate and influence the upcoming elections.

Every freedom loving American needs to immediately contact their Senators and Representatives and demand that there be no more laws passed in this session of Congress increasing spending or creating new taxes, that Congress extend the Bush tax cuts for everyone, and that the Senate defeat the “Disclose Act.” In other words, we need to tell these people to leave “our life, liberty, and property” alone.

Michael Connelly

www.michaelconnelly.viviti.com

mrobertc@hotmail.com

franklively.124online.com

Are You Planning Financially For Your Retirement?

A Financial Planner may be your Best Gift to Yourself!

There are many ways in which you can plan for your financial retirement. Do not wait any longer! You cannot live on Social Security or a meager pension that you may lose at any moment. The first step in making the right moves is always the step that involves actually creating a plan of action that you can follow as a family. Many people focus too much on the now or too much on the later and have a great deal of difficulty when it comes to creating a happy medium for savings and investing.

Throughout our lives we will have both long and short-term goals that need to be assessed, addressed, and often revisited. Whether you need to find a way to pay for your children to attend college, home improvement projects, or a method for saving for your retirement you can find information and assistance for all these things and so much more if you seek the services of a qualified financial advisor.

A good financial advisor will help you find that balance that so many people and families lack. He or she will also help you assess your means in comparison with your long and short-term needs in order to see where your funds would experience the greatest return in order to suit your specific needs with minimal risk. It is important to remember that going with a financial planner or advisor does not eliminate the risks that are an integral part of investing but it does help you learn to better calculate those risks.

Investing is a risky business. Learning how to weigh the odds and go for the prize is the best way to earn the biggest possible return on your investment no matter how modest your investment may be. We are all starting from different means, isn't it amazing to know that we could all end up with very similar abilities when all is said and done and we are living out our 'golden years'?

Good financial planning is the key to success when it concerns your financial retirement. With so few people around the world adequately prepared to retire it is great to know that there are options and assistance that is available to help you get started on your retirement no matter how late in the game it is. Even better is the knowledge that limits are lifted a little once you reach the age of 50 and retirement is much more eminent. This allows those who got a late start on their retirement planning or who have hit a speed bump or two along the way the opportunity to 'catch up' on their investing and work up to the place they need to be in order to establish a more comfortable retirement for themselves and those they love.

401 (k) plans offer some of the best retirement benefits your money can buy at the moment. They certainly allow you to make the maximum possible investment for your money. If you aren't taking your company up on their offer to match your investment in a 401(k) then you should seriously rethink that thought. Seriously, you're throwing away free money.

When it comes to the murky water of retirement investing it helps to have a guide to get you through. Utilizing the services of a financial planner may be the best move you've ever made in your life when it comes to the financial health of your family and your retirement.

I have been rich and I have been poor and believe me, rich is better and much easier. We used a financial planner to put us into some good financial investments and he did. I didn't always understand it, but it seemed to work out to our benefit. The investing I did on my own, more often than not, turned out bad. I lost many thousands of dollars to a business partner Mr. L-----, and, I thought, friend. He decided to join an equally dishonest retired military colonial and they got better and bigger financing so they left me and the other investors hanging and unable to complete the program. I didn't know Mr. L----- was such a liar until I caught him in the truth one day. He still wonders why his wife divorced him!

It was hard for me to believe that a person would do such a thing after I had bailed him out of jail; paid child support for him to keep him out of jail on several occasions; paid to put groceries in his house when he was without and had a son coming home from the hospital; etc., etc., etc., I do not wish him ill, but it was very hard to see several thousands of dollars of investment vanish and then to have him deny that I had loaned him any money for his personal needs. I know God is the Owner of vengeance, but I do hope He will allow me to be an instrument of it.

My financial planner would have advised against me getting involved with anyone like Mr. L-----. A person without morals probably doesn't have any honest codes, but if does, he believes "you need to walk in another man's shoes before you judge him." That way, he is a mile away and he has the shoes.

I recommend that you immediately get involved in this retirement plan. This is a plan that you can control with safety measures in place to insure that if you continue each month to stay active, you will be able to retire wealthy within 24 months.

Cause Joy!

Things A Senior Golfer Needs To Become A Senior Golf Pro

Eight things will help make you a great senior golf player. There is attitude, concentration and focus, recovery of the game, practice, fitness, technique and foundation, balance and distance. Keep in mind that these are the foundation to becoming a seasoned golf player and will help you become as first-class as the pros and maybe even a pro. You need to play the game of golf with determination and stay with what works for you the best.

Your attitude about the game has to be focused on the win. Having a positive, "I can do it" attitude is the only way to succeed as a professional golf player. If you want to play the senior golf tournaments, you have to work up to it and dedicate your schedule to enhancing your game. Your concentration and focus, plan your shot before you even get to the tee. Never change your mind once you are over the ball. Second-guessing yourself does not make a pro golfer. When you address the ball, you already know where the ball is going and how you are going to get there without any hesitation.

Talent and recovery are what help you win the game. If you have a talent for thinking and hitting the ball right where you need it to be, you have a better chance of coming in with a scratch shot, however even the senior golf pros do have an eagle or a bogy here and there. If you do give birth to a bad hit, you need to know how to recover from that shot and make your next play make up for the previous bad shot. This is all apart of golfing. If you have a two over par on the previous hole, try to go under par on the next hole. It is all in the recovery and the planning.

To become a senior golf pro, you need to stay fit and practice. Just because you have been playing golf for years does not mean, as you get older you do not need a little more fitness in your day. You need to stay in shape and practice your game frequently. Keep in mind, you might need different equipment as you get older and this is going to require plenty of practice time with the new equipment to improve your game.

You need to learn techniques that show the way to a solid foundation in your game. A senior golf pro does not stop learning and improving their techniques. You want to change as your age changes to get the same distance that you were getting before you started reaching the senior age. You are going to need your balance and your Zen for golfing to play with the pros. If you keep practicing and stay fit, you should be able to play golf well into your nineties if you want. Most importantly, keep your distance or enhance your distance to stay in the game and compete on the same level as the rest of the senior golfers.

Cause Joy!

Play Golf With A Calloway Golf Club

The Callaway golf club is one of the most well-liked and also reliable types of golf club in the market today. There are so many people (particularly retired men) that are fascinated with golf today and it is no wonder why the Callaway golf club is now in the peak of success in the world of golf clubs.

The Callaway Golf club is headed by Ely Callaway. He bought half of Hickory Stick USA and renamed it Callaway Hickory Stick USA. After purchasing it, he decided to hire the best people that would be an instrument in sustaining his dream of Callaway golf club. He hired Richard C. Helmstetter to be the Chief Club Designer and this as others would say is the point of no return. The designs for Callaway golf club are truly revolutionary and innovative which is why the Callaway golf club is dubbed as the type of golf club that is unique and also high-performance kind golf equipment. After that, Ely Callaway renamed his company into Callaway Golf and then relocated from Cathedral City, California to a peaceful seaside town called Carlsbad, which is just north of San Diego.

One of the most innovative designs that the firm came up with was to create a stainless steel driver that had a larger and more forgiving head than any previous design. The CEO, Callaway dubbed it as �Big Bertha� which was derived from a German cannon back in WWI which was famous for its capability of shooting lengthy distance range. This type of design was the one that made Callaway golf club a house hold name in the states because it experienced millions of sales and the Big Bertha type of Callaway golf club was the reason why Callaway became the number one manufacturer of golf clubs not only in the US but in the entire world which shows how popular golf is to the whole world.

At present, there are six classifications of the Callaway Golf club. The first classification is the drivers which are comprised of two models which are the Big Bertha Fusion FT4 and Big Bertha Titanium 454. The next classification of Callaway golf club is called the Fairway Woods. Fairway Woods have three types of clubs which are Big Bertha Fusion Fairway Woods, Big Bertha Titanium Fairway Woods, and Big Bertha Fairway Woods. The next classification of the Callaway golf club is a hybrid which is designed for long and distant shots. The model for this type of Callaway golf club is called Big Bertha Heavenwood Hybrids. The next classification is called irons which are divided into five types of models and these are Big Bertha, Big Bertha Fusion, X-Tour, X-18, and X-18 Pro. Another classification of the Callaway golf club would be the wedges and the model here is called Forged+ Wedges. The last classification for Callaway golf club is called the Putters. The Putters have two models in its classification which are Callaway golf I-Trax Putter and tour Blue.

The classification and models of Callaway Gold Club mentioned above are the ones that the firm manufactures. All of these models were made with the aid of science, research, and practice. All of these models are worth a try and who knows? You might be the next week-end golfer to break 75.

Sounds like a bunch of fun and not just for retired guys. If you are still working but would like to retire as soon as possible, go to my URL at franklively.124online.com If you like what you see and you have about an hour each month, then put yourself on my waiting list and I will get you into the company as soon as a spot opens up. A powerful concept that can get you on the links or on a boat sooner than later.

Cause Joy by going to my website at franklively.124online.com

Adults Can Stay Fit As A Fiddle

Walk into any department store and you’ll find hundreds of beauty products lining the shelves for men and women. Each one of those products has something else as a miracle ingredient, something unique to offer. Most promise to hide the signs of aging. Some make claims of being able to erase the years and to have you looking 10, 20 or more years younger. But, in truth, there is no way to avoid aging other than die young, is there? The choices are limited and so far all you have seen on the shelves is perhaps a new paint job for the old body or maybe someway to make the wrinkles seem shallower.

Consider some numbers for a moment:

In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, the average life expectancy in the United States was that of just 42 years of age! Today, that age has nearly doubled its size and that’s no short feet to accomplish. The fact is that people are living longer because of the benefits of modern medicine and the benefits that technology offers.

In fact, today, there are over 70,000 people in the United States alone that are at the age of 100 or more! That is an outstanding number. My mother-in-law, Ruth, lived to 103 and was mostly happy and fit when she died. She looked forward to each day and kept up with current events. She lived in three different centuries. She was born in 1899 and passed on in 2,002. She lived thru wars, the untimely demise of her only husband, a few wars and skirmishes, and she couldn't believe Bill Clinton was impeached. She could not believe it when she saw the World Trade Center Buildings collapse. She was able to enjoy her life until the very end. She lived alone and refused gently to go to a nursing home. She stayed fit and in control of her life.

What if we told you that it really had nothing to do with those beauty products on the market, but that it had to do with the things that you are capable of making changes with today, right now? Would that excite you? It does me! Understand that I am not interested nor do I want to live to be 103 or anywhere near that unless I am healthy. If I am sickly and a burden to others, then I pray that God will take me home to my Heavenly home.

I am 75 years old - three quarters of a century - with three joint replacements and over thirty surgeries. Now understand that I consider a ‘surgery’ to be anytime the doctor or medical professional breaks my skin for any reason with a scalpel. Naturally, simple shots do not count.

I had my left shoulder completely replaced with titanium and it works great. I can lift, throw, push, and still hit a golf ball 250 yards. I have had both knees replaced with titanium joints and they are doing great. No problems! I still have a stainless steel screw in my right wrist from having damaged the bones that make up that joint. I had one screw removed because it began to protrude suspiciously beneath the skin. Even with all of those major surgeries, I feel very good.

That is what this post is all about. It is important for you to understand that you don’t just want to look younger. You need to dig deeper into your lifestyle and feel younger this message is saying that it is better to feel good than to look good. That is just the opposite from what Billy Chrystal tells us thru one of his characters who says, “Dahlinc, you look Mahvelous.” "And you know dahlinc it is better to look good than to feel good!" That is similar to statements usually heard at the funeral home, “she looks really good and so natural.” For me, I had rather be vital and have people say, "hey man, it is good to see you. I am just pleased to be seen. I had rather be seen than viewed.

More often than not, if you do keep yourself in good health, even if you are ever to suffer from a sickness like the influenza du jur or some other sick, if you are in good physical, mental and emotional health, the siege will not be as severe as it could be if you have not taken care of yourself.

Click on any of the hyper links and sign up for your free book, "Ten Minute Guide To Health and Fitness."

Cause Joy!

Start-up Ideas for Your Home-Based Business

So you've determined to begin a home-based business? That's great, but where do you start? If you are online quite a bit, then there's nary a reason you can not start a business from your own home on the Web. There are so many resources usable online today you can benefit enormously from the research of others while ramping up your own business enterprise. There are many companies that will do loads of the work for you when you join with them.

Here are five easy start-up thoughts for your home-based business to spare you time and money.

1. Decide Your Hours

Determine how much time you are able to invest in your home-based business. To be realistic, there are many new business owners who never make it since they are not willing to commit their time. If you work a regular occupation and plan to keep it while your home-based business catches on, then you had better determine how many hours you can spend working on your home based business. Can you empower a few hours per day, or week perhaps to spend on your business?

Once you choose your hours, make an effort to stick with them on a ordered basis. Treat your business just as you would a store with working hours. If you open a store from 9 to 5, then someone must be there during those hours. So, if you plan to work on your new business from 8:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. five nights per week, then let this be your "working hours!"

2. Choose a Business

Even if you plan to start a business distributing products of your own, you may find it useful to join with a company to sell their products as an affiliate to build extra income at first. You can even do both if you can commit enough time and effort into both businesses. Select a product or service that you enjoy selling and that you can believe in. No business is fun if you dislike it. The more you enjoy it, the more likely you are to be successful.

With the Net, MLM business organizations are expanding down lines like mad. This is the perfect chance to earn some extra cash or even a satisfying profit. The reason MLM businesses are so good online is because it is so comfortable to contact people by email and through your own website. Many MLM companies do just about all of the work and contacts for you to save you time and money. Communicating is very easy online even if you're not actually a "salesperson."

If you project to link up with an MLM group, make sure to select a company that has been in business for at least several years, or one that does not require an entry fee. Ask to talk with others who have been involved with the company a while. Check with the Better Business Bureau Online to be sure there have been no (or very few) complaints. There are several swindles online today, so sign on with a company at the suggestion of someone you know to be safe!

3. Set up Your Home-Based Business Work Area

Before you embark on a home-based business, be sure your home base is up to par. If necessary, Upgrade your computer to a faster one with a topnotch Internet connection so your work will not be hampered by outside factors. Also, get a comfortable desk chair with plenty of back and arm support. Pick out a keyboard and computer mouse that you are comfortable with, and prepare your desk. Doing work in a well-organized environment opens your thought so you can do work and promote without distraction. Get started even before your 'office' is set up. Once you determine to get going, get going.

4. Investing Your Money

Before you commit a dime, be sure it's the right line of work for you. When marketing products for others, you may be required to invest money before getting rolling for stock, membership, a website, etc.. If so, analyze every aspect of the business before doing so. Any business start-up will require some investment either a purchase of the product or a fee, but you need to think before you commit.

Once you've picked out a business to invest in, arrange a budget entirely for your commercial enterprise. Having a business account at your local bank will help. In addition, set up an account with an internet payment processor if possible. PayPal and StormPay are two of the most popular ones online now. If signing on with an MLM company, find out how they issue their payments

5. Exercise Your Talents and Skills

Whether you sign up with an MLM company or begin a concern marketing your own merchandise and services, remember to use all your talents and skills. Perhaps you're a bang-up typist or a really savvy Internet user. Maybe you know how to design websites, print flyers, or promote online. Use your gifts to maximize your home-based business incomes.

Do not merely sit at home and dream of owning your own business. Use these start-up tips to get your home-based business running today!

Cause Joy!

Cigars and Single Malt Scotch Whiskey--

Cigars and Single Malt Scotch Whiskey--

There are quite a few recreational golfers who do not consider the days match complete
without spending a while in the club house lounge enjoying a good cigar and a glass of
fine old single malt scotch whiskey. Myself, I do not care for the cigar part of the
tradition. I do not smoke anything anymore and especially not cigars unless I am already
sick. It would be a shame to end a beautiful day on the links on a sour or sick note.
The few times I have smoked cigars I was left with a foul taste and feeling the
next morning like a parrot had slept in my mouth. However,I do partake in a bit
of single malt scotch whiskey.

I read in a Spring edition of Golf Digest an article by Sarah Max that it is possible
to have your own cask of single malt scotch whiskey. Tullibardine distiller has taken the distinction to a new level. Casks come in three sizes. The smallest, a bourbon barrel, holds the equivalent
of 350 bottles of 10 year old scotch and costs about $1,700.00, including 10 years of
insurance and storage in Tullibardine's bonded warehouse. A hogshead holds about 455
bottles and costs $2,900.00. A butt holds 870 bottles and costs about $5,000.00.
The owner's whose names are stenciled onto their casks, have visitation rights and can
sample their whiskey at various stages while it ages for a minimum of 10 years. That is
probably more than you wanted to know about scotch whiskey, but now you can have something
else to talk about if you played badly.


I am leaving for a few days of 'honey do's'so I'll pick up on this next week and relate
more about a fine cigar. If you cannot wait, I suggest going to the news stand or the
doctor's office and pick up a copy of Golf Digest INDEX 2. It is a good read. Think long
and straight. FL