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Candidacy: Make Informed Choice

A map of the counties won by each candidate in...

There’s no doubt about it. Next year is a presidential election and politicians are getting in gear for the race. The race is on and someone has to win, power is at stake.

To make an informed choice about who to vote for often takes research and truly researching each candidate. Sites dedicated to election news can be helpful. Commercials on television are generally not. Rumors, slander, and vitriol are pretty much all commercials on television are good for. What is sad is that all candidates pretty much take part and utilize any money that they gain from their campaign to look the other candidate look bad. Is this truly what politics has come to? Bashing of opponents?

In choosing a candidate, it is wise to truly seek out information on those seeking election. What is their campaign? What do these individuals stand for? What affiliations do they hold? Why do they stand for certain topics and what in their lives have proved their passion for these topics?

Watch the debates on television, follow the candidate’s campaigns closely to make an informed decision about which individual would best represent the United States. Politics in a nutshell is often dwindled down to a popularity contest. This is what society is used to with shows on television that actually support popularity. However, politics are serious. Power over the United States and representation should be more valuable. Help make it so by becoming an informed participant in this next election.

Filed Under: Candidates Tagged With: Candidate, Republican, United States

Things to Keep in Mind When Writing to a Congressperson

If there is a political issue or local issue that you have a problem with one of the ways that you can get action on it is to contact your representative in Congress. Every section of the United States is covered by a specific representative in Congress. If you are considering writing or communicating with your local representative in Congress here are a few things you should keep in mind.

High Volume of Letters. All communications with your local Congressman/woman will go through their district office. There are thousands of letters that come into the office daily. Try to keep this in mind and remain patient when contacting a Congressman/woman.

Short and Sweet. Due to the large amount of letters and emails that a Congressperson gets you will want to make your letter short and sweet. Try to say everything that you want to say in as little words as possible. Your Congressperson does not have all day to read a ten page letter. You are more likely to get results if you say what you want to say and leave it at that.

Edit and Proofread. While you might feel like writing a letter in the heat of the moment make sure that you properly edit and proofread your letters. This will allow you to make sure that you are saying what you want to say and that you come off intellectually. It might be a good idea to have someone else read it over so that you can make sure your ideas are presented and elaborated on properly.

Filed Under: Candidates Tagged With: Member of Congress, United States, United States Congress

The Growing Popularity in Men’s Fine Fashion

Fashion, style and jewelry have long been intertwined and popular. However, for many years men’s fine fashion jewelry has not been at the top of the fashion heap. This category has been in the doldrums for many years. But this past year, the category seems to have perked up a bit. In fact at the 2010 New York Fashion week, the men’s fine jewelry category was back in the forefront which reflected the upsurge in sales for this category along with the upswing in consumer demand. To see this new found popularity in full bloom all it took was to stroll around the tents at the Lincoln Center. And to top that off, if you took time to catch the Accessories Presentation at New York Fashion Week, you would see men’s jewelry by Scott Kay. This designer, long known in the world of bridal jewelry, was the exclusive representative of jewelry for men at the event.

So what was a bridal company doing as the exclusive men’s jewelry designer? Well it seems that this company is mislabeled as a bridal designer business. While this is still one of their main components, they also want people to start seeing them as a lifestyle brand and not just a fashion company. So what could be behind this upswing in popularity with the men’s line of fashion? It is strange because of the economic downturn. But it seems that men want stylish accessories. Their craving for cufflinks has not gone down like many people’s bank accounts. But it also might be a case of the vast amount of information and choice on the Internet these days. There are many specialty stores that carry designers like Scott Kay both online and offline and men are starting to take notice. So what does all of this tell us? If you are looking for a gift for that special man in your life, do not discount jewelry as an accessory and gift.

Filed Under: Candidates

Dollar Obstacles for Third Parties

: Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Third parties in American politics have rarely enjoyed much more than marginal success before being relegated to the pages of history. Part of the reason is the winner takes all voting system that the United States uses. Compared to the parliamentary system used by most European democracies, the United States places a heavy burden on third parties to not only compete with established parties but to win elections. To put this into a historical perspective the National Socialist Party in Germany won only a little more than a third of the vote in elections. This was enough to put the Nazis into power. In the United States, it is difficult to imagine a third party ever gaining power.

The example of the Nazis shows that an entrenched two-party system can help to prevent radicals from gaining power. The counter to that argument is that a system that forces so much compromise that there are only two camps puts a limitation of fresh ideas. In modern American politics, the Democrats and the Republicans are both supported by the same business interests. Campaign donations flood into to both parties often from the same donors.

Even President Barack Obama, who ran on a format of “change” accepted a record amount of money from Wall street interests prior to his election in 2008. Obama took in a record amount of donations from small donors on the Internet, but he did even this amount could not stop him from accepting huge donations from established business interests.

The example of Obama shows part of the difficulty for a third party in getting established in the present American system. Even if a party such as the Green Party were to raise a huge amount of campaign funds from grass roots donations, the established parties have access to almost unlimited campaign funding from businesses.

In elections were the victors are often determined by dollars spent on advertising, third parties face steep odds.

Filed Under: Candidates Tagged With: Barack Obama, Democratic, Democrats, Germany, President, Republican, United States, White House

Third Party as Spoilers

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Are new political parties damaging to the American political process? The question is difficult because of the nuanced nature of political action. There is no scientific cause and effect in politics. Still some political observers accuse third parties of playing spoiler in political elections.

Perhaps the most famous example occurred during the controversial 2000 Presidential election. Al Gore lost to George W. Bush despite earning more popular votes. Bush took the electoral vote after winning a Supreme Court cause that prevented a recount in Florida. The election raised many questions on how American elections are run and monitored. Many in the Democratic Party are still bitter over the Supreme Court decision to stop the Florida recount and blame the decision on political affiliation rather than a sound legal opinion.

All of the debate over the election might have been avoided if not for the decision of Ralph Nader to run. Nader was the Green Party nominee for President in 2000, and he earned enough voted that many argued his placement on the ballot was the difference between President Bush or President Gore. While the claim has never been decisively proven, exit polling in both Florida and New Hampshire make it appear as though Nader took votes away from Gore. Nader contended that Gore was responsible for his own loss. The famed consumer advocate maintained that there was little difference between Bush or Gore.

When Bush went up for re-election, liberal film maker Michael Moore and comedian Bill Maher begged Nader not to run. Nader ran, and Bush won again.

Even if Nader took some votes away from Democrats, third party candidates bring value to elections by providing new ideas and generating greater voter turn out. One of the reasons it is difficult to know if Nader cost Democrats the White House in 2000 is because it is impossible to know if voters would have gone to the polls without the option of voting “Green”.

Filed Under: Candidates Tagged With: Al Gore, Democratic Party, George W. Bush, Green, Michael Moore, Ralph Nader, United States presidential election 2000, White House

Save Money by Going Green

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Many people give little attention to their personal finances. Because they lack basic money management skills, most Americans find themselves deep in debt. Fortunately, there are resources like www.totalbankruptcy.com where they can get guidance. For those who aren’t yet in dire straights with their finances, there are some ways to reduce monthly expenditures through recycling and reusing, strategies promoted by the Green Party. This will free up money so you can begin paying off those credit cards.

There are many ways to reuse items you already own instead of buying new products. For example, instead of buying that fancy little roll of plastic bags to hold your baby’s dirty diapers, save plastic bags from the grocery store and use those for diaper disposal. Save padded envelopes that come in the mail. You can simply cover up the old label with a homemade one and use it the next time you need to mail something. Instead of tossing “disposable” plastic storage containers and flatware, wash them and reuse them until they are worn out. Forget about buying special fabric to clean your car. Cut up old towels and put them to good use. Use old magazines or newspapers to wrap gifts. Transform brown paper bags into coloring surfaces for the kids.

By simply collecting aluminum cans and glass bottles, you can make some pocket change when you turn them in for recycling. Find out what other materials your local recycling center will offer money and begin collecting those items too.
Don’t overlook the value of giving new life to things other people are ready to trash. A can of paint or varnish can revive an old piece of furniture. Free clothing that’s in good condition can save you from spending tons of money on children’s outfits. Used toys promise plenty of fun to children who have never played with them.

Filed Under: Candidates Tagged With: Business, Environment, Money management, Personal finance, Plastic bag, Recycling, Reuse, United States

Palin’s Popularity a Curious Thing

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The United States political scene has been transformed in recent years by candidates that are willing to say almost anything, yet there are little or no consequences for their behavior. Perhaps the movement should be called the Sarah Palin effect since the trailblazing candidate ran as a family values candidate, even though her own teenage daughter was unmarried and pregnant at the time.

Rather than dismiss Palin for her often outrageous comments, supporters rallied around her and championed her as a “regular person’. Her status was earned despite her accepting hundreds of thousands of dollars in gifts from the Republican National Committee and her act of cashing in on her new found celebrity. After Palin and running mate John McCain lost their 2008 bid for the White House, she returned to Alaska—for a few months. She resigned her post as governor and moved into the realm of punditry. Palin accepted millions of dollars to tell her story in a book deal and began to accept huge fees to appear as a speaker.

The notion of Palin as a public servant seems absurd when looking at her record. She briefly served as governor as her administration received numerous ethics complaints for carrying out political attacks on those who opposed her agenda. As soon as her position allowed her to venture into more profitable pursuits Palin left her post and now appears on Fox News as a political analyst. Supporters including the so-called Tea Party are calling for her to run in the 2012 presidential election. She has yet to commit, perhaps because the money is so go sitting on the sidelines. Her family is also cashing in on her fame, as her daughter Bristol has appeared on the show “Dancing with the Stars”. Bristol’s stardom is apparently based being the daughter of a one time vice presidential candidate.

Filed Under: Candidates Tagged With: Bristol, Dancing with the Stars, John McCain, Republican National Committee, Sarah Palin, United States, Vice President of the United States, White House

Getting the Best Mortgage Rate Quotes

When searching for the best mortgage rate quotes, it’s important to compare the current mortgage rates for the exact same mortgage you plan on getting. These rates and closing costs will change dramatically from the day you begin looking to the day you actually apply for the loan. So it’s important to keep that in mind when searching for mortgage rate quotes.

For example, while comparing mortgage rates, you may come across a quote that says 5.75 percent for a 30-year fixed rate; only compare that rate to other 30-year fixed rates at that same percentage.

Now that you’ve compared that, it’s important to get the total of all points and lenders’ fees for all mortgage rates you’re comparing. This will be the total price of your mortgage. When you compare the numbers, the lender with the lowest cost is your best mortgage rate quote.

For homebuyers looking to refinance their home, it’s important to go over costs for the following: title insurance, closing costs, attorney fees, and appraisal. Many companies will give homebuyers great rates. To decide the best company, add up the points, fees, and any third party costs for each rate; the company with the lowest total cost has the best mortgage rate quote.

There are a few things to be on the look when getting mortgage rate quotes. It’s important to know that the APR won’t always be 100 percent accurate. The only real way to get the most accurate mortgage rate quote is to look at the current mortgage rates and closing costs.

For the most part Good Faith Estimates are just that, an estimate. When getting mortgage rate quotes, majority of the brokers will low ball the estimate and once you’ve paid for your appraisal, they’ll tell you the mortgage rate and closing costs are actually higher than previously mentioned.

Filed Under: Candidates Tagged With: Financial Services, Mortgage

Preparing for the LSAT

Somewhere along the line, the decision was made – you want to become a lawyer. It might have been inspiration from some of the great lawyers in history, like “Honest Abe” Lincoln, who started out as a self-educated lawyer in Illinois before going on to become one of the greatest leaders in U.S. history. Or maybe it was repeated viewings of great legal films like Inherit The Wind or The Verdict. Perhaps it was a facility for language and argument honed on the high school debate team. Whatever it is that brought you to this place, a career devoted to the law is your goal. And now, preparation for the LSAT test must begin.

Most U.S. law schools require that applicants take the LSAT test as one element of their evaluation for admittance. Thus, a high test score can be a crucial element in making it into a competitive school.

What does it take to ace the test? It takes more than just a degree from a four-year university. Test preparation is essential. It’s not a test you can just “show up for” and fake your way through.

The test is usually administered on a Saturday, and takes about a half day. It’s geared toward scoring an applicant’s ability to think like a lawyer—to think critically, organize information and to reason through and analyze arguments. The test is made up of five 35 minute multiple choice tests and one 35-minute written test.

Preparation for the test involves an intensive study of the logic of the test, with practice questions and various legal arguments, all geared toward immersing the possible future law student in the structure of the real test. The individual who takes on LSAT prep with truly serious intent has a much greater likelihood of coming through with a successful law school application.

Filed Under: Candidates Tagged With: Education, LSAT, Test preparation