Intelligent Vote 2012

Dons Bivens the long term chair of the Arizona democratic party has announced his run for the Arizona senate seat to be vacated by John Kyl.  I have known Don professionally and he is a great attorney and a great person.  He has come into the race talking about standing up for the middle class in Arizona.  Arizona is treated a a joke around the country and is seen as a hotbed for extremists and racists.  This is not true it is just that the extremists and racists have the loudest voice. Don will hopefully bring that breath of fresh air to the Arizona politics and as long as he stays away from the exteme bi-partisanship we have seen in the past few years he has my vote.
See Don’s announcement to run here.



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Dear United States Congress,

I have watched with interest and now shock the attempts to negotiate the debt ceiling and the current debt crisis.  I would like to offer some advice on how the small business of America and the single highest source of new jobs in the country has been dealing with the impact of this economy and their own debt crisis caused by the reckless gamblers on Wall Street and their unregulated rampage which destroyed the world’s economy.

The recession caused by greed and recklessness, much of that recklessness authorized by you such as two wars we could not afford has caused the US small business and hardworking US citizens in general extreme hardship. I keep thinking but they must know this…now I am not so sure.   However,  we have worked out how to deal with it.  When faced with a reduction of 60% in our revenues we started with major cutbacks.  You see Congress we do not have the option to increase out debt ceiling as the banks the ones we bailed out with your bill which you passed really quickly destroyed our credit.  When they got back on their feet they were quick to identify the US small business as “toxic assets” and closed down  our working capital credit lines.  Faced with the possibility of default with the hardship their clients were experiencing they closed those lines and promptly reported the debt to the credit  bureaus, in some cases such as Bank of America selling the debts to ruthless speculators.  This ensured that under no circumstances could we get any more credit for anything.  But we carried on and we made more cuts, downsized and found new and creative ways to keep going and feed our families because you see in a small business the only income we have is the revenue from our business.  We worked 24/7 to fill in for the staff we had to let go and we focused heavily on increasing our revenue, offering new services, cutting our fees and working closely with clients affected by the recession.  We continued to build trust despite the fact that the banks had decided that we were losers.  We found new and creative ways to cook ramen noodles and explain to our children why we no longer took vacations and why they could no longer have a MacDonald’s as a special treat.  When the State of Arizona decided that all our contract workers including out of state service providers and student interns were subject to Arizona Unemployment tax we were faced with the additional burden of proving they were wrong and the high legal fees associated with that.  When our health insurance was at risk because of our drop in staffing numbers we found new and creative ways to stay in our health insurance plan.  Not a good situation to be in with two children who suffer from chronic illnesses.  When my hair fell out due to the stress I was under I bought a wig and put on a brave face and carried on because that is what we do.

So we survived in spite of what congress did not because of it.  We have received no help no support and the SBA has been rendered redundant since all SBA funding goes through banks who now consider the US small business too toxic to touch.   The US small business is out there surviving with grace, dignity, ingenuity, creativity and sheer hard work.  I will never vote in a congressional election again.  I refuse to support a process that has no common sense and will not look to the people that they pretend to represent for answers.   Might I remind in case it is necessary that these are the very people who voted for you whom you now have abandoned.

To summarize the small businesses of America are surviving because they have to and because they did two things.

1) They cut their costs sometimes having to make painful decisions.

2) They increased their revenue.

This principal is not just being applied in the US small business but in homes across the country every day.  Familes are increasing the revenues working two three and sometiems 4 jobs just to survive.   While families struggle through this and and give up their dream of sending their their kids to college you sit in Washington wasting their precious tax dollars, playing more games with their lives.

All you have to do is cut costs drastically, and increase revenue and since the only revenue the government has access to is taxes, you must increase taxes.  If we have to cut medicare so be it the painful decisions have to be made.  DO YOUR JOBS.   Sounds simple right! Yes it is that simple.  I assure you if you do not start listening you will lose your seats because there is no common sense.  We do not make this stuff up we live it.  You can continue to ignore us and continue with what seems to be an assumption that we are too stupid to notice your hidden agendas and support of nonsense like the Norquist pledge.    People like us do what we do because we care, because we love our families and our way of live.  You are missing that passion and you do not care.  We are intelligent people and in 2012 we will show just how intelligent we are with our vote of no confidence in the US Congressional system.

Sincerely

Fionn Downhill

Small Busiiness Owner – Scottsdale, Arizona

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Tungsten Carbide is one of the most popular metals for making jewelry, and specifically wedding bands, and this is due to a variety of factors. It is the toughest of the all metals, meaning it has an extremely high melting point at 5,200 Fahrenheit. And for the metal to boil, it needs to reach a temperature of over 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit . That’s pretty hot. In addition, it is one of the must durable elements available and is virtually indestructible. This is a symbolic, and sometimes literal, attractive quality for men, while women are generally drawn more to the beautiful polish and hue of these rings.

The compound is created by reacting tungsten and carbon at extremely high temperatures. The general spectrum is 2552 to 3632. With this in mind, there are varying grades of compound, and the exact temperatures and combinations are dependent on its intended use. While the beautiful tungsten carbide rings and wedding bands that are created from it are its most known and appreciated uses, tungsten has many other applications. Some of these are military in purpose and others are mechanical tools, such as those used for cutting. There are also some extremely common household goods and items that are either made from this compound or have parts that are. For instance, razor blades are commonly made from it as well as the rotating tip of a ballpoint pen .

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The fine line between hoarder and collector is a hotly debated topic these days. In general, though, hoarding is a psychological condition while collecting is an active choice. Collectors attach value and meaning to their collections and put a lot of thought and research into deciding what pieces to pursue. They also take great pride in the way in which they display and store their items. This is the complete opposite of hoarders, so maybe that will put an end to the argument.

Restaurants are an important part of American culture. They serve a social function as well as providing sustenance. Many business, personal, and even romantic situations are played out in restaurants, making them the perfect subject for countless collectors. These afficianados of dining systematically work to acquire everything from signage and booths to menus — and the restaurant menu covers that originally protected them.

Restaurant memorabilia may focus on a specific eatery or chain, such as those who collect McDonalds paraphernalia. Other collectors focus on an era or decade like 1950s malt shops or coffee houses from the 1990s. There are even collectors who specialize in items rather than restaurants, having collections of take out menus, place mats, or wait staff uniforms from any and all restaurants.

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Florida is one of the more interesting and diverse states in America. Just staring at a Florida Wall Map will reveal extensive coastline surrounding an interior that includes both swamps and jungle-like areas. The Florida Keys in the southern part of the state are quite different from the northern part of the state which is landlocked where it meets the rest of the country.

Rather than thinking of Florida as a place for retirees, college students on Spring Break and families obsessed with theme parks, people should grab a road map and hit the highway to see what the real Florida is all about.

Together with their kids, they can create a route through the state and then follow along on the map as they travel through Miami, Tallahassee, Orlando, Tampa, Fort Lauderdale , Key West. All these cities are waiting to be discovered by adventurous travelers. In between the major destinations are countless bits of Americana in the form of roadside attractions. See dinosaur bones, crocodile farms, and flocks of flamingos. visit zoos, theme parks, NASA, and spend hours on the beaches. Wander off on scenic highways and back country roads that don’t appear on a GPS system but are clearly shown on a traditional map to lead to quaint towns, beautiful vistas, and even more zany attractions.

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It is so easy to get carried away by a photo spread in a decorating magazine. So many people see a beautiful window treatment on television or in print and want to duplicate it in their home right away. If you ever feel the urge to do something like that you should definitely think twice. It’s not that you should avoid copying someone else’s design. It’s more a question of whether that particular treatment will actually suit your home’s needs.

It is important to remember that window blinds are more than just a decorating accessory. They can serve several different functions and you need to identify which ones matter to you. If you have trouble sleeping when there’s any light in the bedroom, they you need to look for solid, light-blocking blinds, not transparent or light weight blinds. Think about whether you need the blinds to block noise pollution or to serve as an added layer of insulation against extreme hot or cold temperatures.

You will also want to consider the shape and size of your windows and the room as a whole. You’ll quickly see whether the desired treatment fits your room or if you need something with a different structure and size. Lastly, you want to make sure that the materials used in the treatment suit your lifestyle. If you’re a busy professional, you won’t have time for curtains that need to be constantly washed. You should probably consider low maintenance wooden blinds which will be a much better match.

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Recliners and sleeper chairs have an enormous appeal to almost everyone. They are directly related to certain home comforts and for many people bring back great memories of their dad falling asleep in his favorite chair while watching television. Of course it’s once you’ve discovered that you have become your father that these memories come floating back. Regardless, the sleeper chair is comfortable, and they’re tremendously inviting after a long day off work, but before you’re really ready to make that final decision of going to bed. And what a peaceful journey it is, with the great memories it’s bringing up.

While having a great arm chair, recliner or sleeper chair may remind you of the good ole days with your father or grandparents, you’ll certainly notice a bit of change in the quality of chairs today, and the amount of models and designs you have to choose from. Sleeper chairs are created to provide actual pullout bed capacity, while functioning as a great chair or love seat during the day. These frequently become the favorite relaxation spot for people, and are great for overnight guests because they will transition into a comfortable bed. They’re available in a variety of colors, designs and price ranges, and if you and your family has frequent guests, they are an excellent resource for entertaining. They’re also great for spontaneous overnight visitors following a great dinner party or theme party.

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As a truck driver you must always be thinking about how to reduce your fuel costs as prices continue to rise each day.

However, just switching to another alternative is not enough if you are not aware of how to get the maximum mileage out of your truck. A few simple pointers in your mind can help you save more than you could have imagined.

Good maintenance: Like all other machines or devices, automobiles also need proper maintenance; this will ensure that your truck gives you the maximum mileage possible. Check the alignment of the wheels on your truck.  If they are not aligned properly, you will get less than ideal gas mileage. Also be careful about choosing tires; more friction generally leads to less mileage.

Aerodynamics: Try employing aerodynamics best practices to enjoy maximum mileage out of your truck. Install a bed sheet in such a way that your truck has less friction with the air it is cutting through.

Do not over burden your vehicle: Always be careful not to overload your truck. Get anything that’s not absolutely critical off your truck and you’ll observe a significant difference.

Plan your route and time intelligently: If you do not have to reach your destination at a particular time of the day, opt for a time when traffic is less. In the event you have to be there at a certain time, pick off peak hours, and try to think of the alternate routes that could let you avoid the traffic, while saving fuel in the process.

Speeding up and Braking: Frequent acceleration and braking puts a lot of pressure on the engine and burns gas so it helps to maintain a consistent speed. Even when you get the road clear, do not accelerate like a jack-rabbit! Gain speed slowly and steadily. Keep an eye as to where must you slow down, and do it gradually.

Mark is an automotive enthusiast and also a writer for TruckertoTrucker.com, a site dedicated to helping owners sell trucks and to discuss the joys of trucking from being an owner operating to the steps it takes to become financially comfortable in the trucking industry.

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With a 55-year reunion for the first generation of mousketeers from one of history’s most fascinating children’s shows, another reassessment of the effects of icons on pop culture began to resurface. There was certainly a connection between the images that retain their shine, and the ideas that have become more worn with time. Like the physical artifacts in a museum, some of the ideas from the past become worn, while others remain pressed sharp, or at least appear so.

It is a peculiar phenomenon, and one that has a weight made much denser in light of Disney World accidents , technological shifts, as well as a larger cross-section of the world’s populations that have connections to the icons. Some of these connections are only relics or remnants that come as the by-product of time passing, while others can serve as reminders of sophisticated shifts in thought.

Times have changed in 55 years. Whether or not the way these icons serve as needles pulling cultures like threads into a more eclectic future, or whether they are roadblocks is not necessarily important. It does matter, however, that the relationship between human beings, technology, and images is still enormously important for an idea of self-definition, and here is where the real challenge of pop culture starts to find potential for enormous changes.

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New York City is a sprawling and dense metropolis. It is literally bursting with activities, landmarks, and sights to be seen by visitors. Staring at a long list of things to do in the city is likely to drive a simple tourist crazy. It is impossible to see everything in a single lifetime, let alone a single trip. It can seem like it requires a masters degree in logistics in order to see even the top attractions in one visit.

There is a much easier way to approach a visit to New York . Prioritize and economize. Using those two guides, it becomes very easy to figure out what to see and what to put off for a future trip.

The ability to prioritize should be the first skill applied. Ranking or rating attractions will quickly uncover an underlying theme to a specific visit. Some people favor historic sites while others want to focus on music, art, or food.

Next, think in terms of affordability. If enough attractions on the priority list are part of the New York Pass , then by all means use one to get discounted admission. If not, look into other ways to get discounted or free admission. It is possible to get discounts on pretty much everything in New York — even sold out Broadway shows release same day tickets at reduced prices. Make a rule to only do things if there is a discount or free option. That will quickly eliminate many other things from the list.

The result will be a manageable itinerary of sites and attractions that are both important and affordable. What could be easier than that?

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