Tuesday, July 13, 2010

The Root Of The Injustice In Our Political System

With the recent turmoil in our economy, the uncertainties shown on Wall Street, and the inconsistent if not blatantly "disconnected" thinking we find in our elected officials; do you ever wonder just why things are going wrong?? Well, I have always felt that it is because once a person decides to enter public service and face our political system, that person immediately becomes a "victim" in that he/she is required to seek monetary support in order to pursue their political goals (no matter how "noble" or "pure" they are initially). It is a simply a matter of fact, precipitated by human nature, that campaign contributors "EXPECT a RETURN on their INVESTMENT". So when one accepts money in support of their campaign, there comes with it an "IOU for that expectation" which will inevitably be "called in".

So how can anyone, then, expect a politician to act and/or make decisions with a clear reliance on simply the facts or whatever may be in the best interest of the constituents?? It simply can't and won't happen!

Until we find a way to get our elected officials into office without having "sold away their souls" it will never happen. I often thought that it was admirable for individuals like Ross Perot and Malcolm Forbes, who ostensibly could afford to run for office with their own funds and did not need to raise money from "supporters", to try to truly change things. But such efforts on any "individual" basis is also simply in vain!! Any solution will require a CHANGE in the way ALL our elected officials are chosen.
So, how can this be done??

There could be a host of methods... but ALL MUST eliminate the need for acquiring campaign funds.
First, we obviously have an overwhelming ability these days to "host" all the necessary campaigning through the mammoth media network we have...TV, Radio, Internet, Print, etc,etc...

A system similar as has been done with "Pres. & VP Debates" could be expanded upon and developed on both local and national levels with the time and cost being paid for by advertisers (as is always done anyway). ALL Candidates would be allocated equal time and opportunity to discuss issues and their platforms in all the media outlets. No need for "handshaking", baby-kissing, and buying $3,000 plate dinners. I have always felt that they were ridiculous in the first place. Most importantly, there would be no need for any candidate to "obligate" oneself for any "IOU" promised for campaign money!!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Wealthy Domestic Abuse Survivors - Why the Affluent Fall Through the Cracks of Public Services

When it comes to healthcare, the wealthy are considered privileged. Yet when that care involves the social services of domestic violence intervention, the wealthy fall through the cracks of the system. Why?
Because one wealthy family has the potential to utilize the resources of an entire annual budget for a domestic violence victims' program. The net result of this is the wealthy often fall through the cracks of domestic violence assistance services.
When families of marginal means require domestic abuse services, they are easily managed through public domestic abuse agencies. Yet, when women of greater means come knocking at the door, they can be told "your case is a career," "the staff resources you may require could utilize, or even exceed, our entire annual budget."
I believe this is one of the reasons upper middle class women linger in what I call the "family violence transition zone" longer than their less economically advantaged counterparts. And the damage to these women in limbo aggravates their circumstances and compounds the aftermath of their trauma.
If you are in an affluent family and in an abusive relationship, you do not have to prolong your exit to safety, stability and well-being. If you are turned down for assistance, you do not have to give up on "getting out," or getting help, or most definitely on yourself.
Seek to uncover services suitable to you through professional networks. And call upon the public services for that which can be offered to you by them at little cost. Leaving an abusive relationship can be difficult and if you deal directly with the "money factor" in this sector of social services, you will walk this road with less frustration and disenchantment.

Friday, July 2, 2010

Ensuring That You Live Near Public Transportation

Purchasing your own home is a big step. A step that has many considerations you must take into account. While the neighborhood and crime rate is important, there is one common criterion that gets overlooked. That being public transportation.

Today more than ever we face a global crisis when it comes to population and energy. In order to help the green movement, you should choose a location near public transportation.

Although using public transportation is good for the environment, it also has a lot of other benefits. For example, your children will learn a lot from this method of transport.

By using public transportation, you can rest easy knowing your children are safe. This is especially true if your schedule does not allow you to drive them to places. When they grow into their teenage years and begin driving, they may just opt for public transportation if they want to save money on gas.

Of course, the most obvious reason for using public transport is the fact that you are helping the environment. It certainly saves on emissions and money you would usually spend on gas.

Furthermore, using public transport can also significantly reduce the amount of stress you have. You will no longer be getting frustrated with daily commutes or traffic jams. You may even find yourself with some free time - giving you the chance to read a report or catch up on certain assignments.

You may just be surprised by how much more refreshing it is to have another person do the driving. Not only that, but the cost savings you are benefiting from.

Often times when a community has a well developed public transportation system; it will also have a large array of other benefiting services you will be able to use. For the above reasons, take a serious consideration for an area with public transport.

Wednesday, June 30, 2010

Notary Public Classes

A notary is a public servant selected by a state official. He is an impartial witness to the signing of legal documents such as affidavits, deeds or powers of attorney. Many states offer notary public classes and seminars to help aspiring notaries achieve their commission.
The objectives of all notary public classes are to enable applicants to become responsible, skilled candidates for notary public commission. Syllabi are designed to teach the applicant the basics of being a notary and to prepare him for the notary public examination. The classes also include a thorough introduction to the statutes that regulate the acts of notaries.
Notary public classes provide a complete outline of how to rebuild yourself in your new position as a notary public. This information is necessary for everyone since it assists them to spot their market and start building their business effectively. For a beginner, the instructors offer classes regarding the procedure to become a notary public.
Notary public classes are normally short duration courses. To receive a notary license, a notary attends a few day or week classes and then appears for a notary exam. Local community colleges and universities offer the courses necessary to become a notary. If there are no notary public teaching institutes in your area, you can find institutions that offer online courses. Online notary courses guarantee an easy and complete learning experience. For the student's ease, most courses offer system-automated registration and payment.
It is recommended that any course you attend fulfills your particular state?s notary public needs for receiving a notary license. The cost of a notary public course is small, usually about $200. That is, a small investment brings you big returns in the future. It is also wise to check out the opportunities for notary public services in your location. Of the many businesses that require reliable notary public services are financial institutions of all types, attorneys, nursing homes, real estate offices and insurance companies.

Entrepreneur Bootstrapping Business Idea - Create a Mobile Notary Public Service

Many small businesses need a notary service on various occasions, but they do not have a notary on staff. There are also occasions where private individuals need a notary at odd hours as well. You will create a business where you will travel to the person that requires notary service.

Becoming a notary is fairly easy. You just have to pay the appropriate fees, obtain a surety bond, and make sure that you are following all of the laws for your area. Once you are certified, all you need is a cell phone and a car.

You will either obtain appointments over the phone, or on-line. You can charge a certain fee for the distance you have to travel as well as emergency fees (nights and weekends) and the actual notary fee. Make sure that you charge a minimum so that you are not wasting your time by going a long distance just to sign a single document.

You can broaden the scope of your business eventually by hiring a series of notaries, creating an appointment setting system and taking a cut of the profits every time someone goes out for signature. If you make each person an independent contractor, then you will not have to provide for vehicle maintenance and other benefits.

You will need to perform and aggressive marketing campaign in order to stay in business. Although a notary is something that will always be needed, you will want to position yourself as much more convenient than having to go to city hall or some other location where there is a notary.

Make sure that you never sign documents that are against the rules, even if someone is offering to pay you. You can get your license removed and face serious legal issues.

Thursday, June 17, 2010

Living Near Public Transportation is Very Beneficial

When you purchase your new home, consider the option of living near public transportation. There are many benefits from living near transport.

Most of all, it's very convenient. Living near transportation, you are able to hop on a bus or train in matter of minutes to get you where you need to go and you don't have to worry about driving to the destination.

Public transportation allows for easy access to an unlimited amount of destinations. Malls, parks, markets, places of employment, hospitals, and schools can be easily accessed thanks to transportation.

With access to public transportation, it can eliminate the need to purchase a vehicle. If you do have one, you can save money each month by not purchasing gas as well as other related expenses that result from driving vehicles to work or school.

With access to public transportation, there would be fewer cars on the road, which aids in a cleaner environment. Transportation lets you keep your sanity, by diminishing the stress from driving, traffic jams and long commutes.

Well-maintained public transportation systems are indicators of government values in maintaining public infrastructure. When the government takes care of their transport services, most likely other services they offer will be just as well taken care of.

Communities near public transportation services have a lower foreclosure rate. This is proven by research performed by the Natural Resources Defense Council. They conducted research in cities across California, Florida, and Illinois to find the affects of transportation on communities.

The low foreclosure rates may be a result from people being able to save money by not using their car, so they can afford their house payments. When you don't need to spend money on transportation, you can use the money to pay for other necessities.

Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Taking Public Transit Systems Back to the Drawing Board For Better Energy Efficiency

Many 21st Century Eco-friendly upgrades are rapidly taking place in all sectors of industry; looking for ways to improve energy efficiency and reduce waste. Main areas of Eco-friendly focus include everything from water delivery systems to energy grids; green building applications to solar and electric vehicles. Public transportation is right at the top of the list. Experts are hard at work; developing new advanced Green technologies and energy efficient alternatives for reducing dependency on carbon based fuels. In regards to the public transit sector; many solar powered public transit system designs are currently in the works; some of which are based upon different solar harnessing designs.

Solar power is one of the most common and seemingly most viable fossil fuel alternatives that are currently being considered by leading scientists from all over the world. Solar powering technology is being implemented into areas of large industry such as the automotive industry and the construction industry; and is now being seriously considered in new solar powered public transit system designs.

Though there are a variety of possible designs for new energy efficient public transit systems currently being contemplated; a Michigan based designer, Dave Owsen, has come up with a design for an energy efficient solar powered public transit system. Mr. Owen's Eco-friendly design is considerably detailed; outlining everything from how the Green system would be powered to the designs of the individual carts that are attached to the rail system.

Mr. Owen's energy efficient powering designs call for the harnessing of natural sunlight in a way that is similar to how plant's absorb energy through Eco-friendly photosynthesis. Each rail cart would be equipped with photovoltaic panels, or solar panels; which would be the primary source of powering for the Green rail system. In addition to the solar panels; the windows in this Eco-friendly design are ones that were specially designed by MIT to harness sun light aimed at the window; redirecting the power into the rail cart itself.

Dave Owen's solar powered public transit system design calls for private individual Green "rail carts" that would consist of two seats facing each other; similar to a railroad passenger compartment design; each being able to accommodate either two adults and a small amount of cargo or one adult and two children with a very small amount of cargo. The individual energy efficient rail carts would travel along a duel rail system; essentially; one side being for departures and the other being for arrivals.

On one side of the Eco-friendly rail cart there would be a futuristic sliding door for exiting and entering the unit; while the other side would consist of a touch screen navigation system where the occupant could input their desired destination and route.

In addition to the Eco-friendly design being specifically structured to accommodate the general public; the solar powered public transit system could also serve as a new method of energy efficient shipping. Again; very similar to a traditional locomotive system; there are Green designs for cargo rail carts in addition to the passenger rail carts; of which would expand the energy efficient possibilities into the commercial market as well. The Eco-friendly shipping rail carts would be designed a little differently than the passenger rail carts in that they would call for larger openings in the doorway and additional space for the cargo (without seats). Other than the clear energy efficient benefits that come along with a solar powered public transit system; local and small business would be more inclined to order their goods from local manufactures; as the shipping costs would be nominal compared to using traditional shipping alternatives powered by fossil fuels.

Dave Owsen had this to say about his Eco-friendly solar powered public transit system design:

"Public transportation will feature diverse options depending on the needs of people and businesses. This design replaces bus systems with a more efficient and private "Cells" that also provide incentive for small business shipping and service industry distribution."

According to the American Public Transportation Association (APTA); an estimated 30% of all carbon dioxide emissions contributed from the United States comes from transportation. This includes both personal transit units; cars, trucks, bikes etc; as well as public transit systems. It is estimated that about 14 million Americans currently use public transportation and that the other 88% of the country uses some form of their own personal mode of transportation. The United States is said to save approximately 1.4 billion gallons of gasoline each year as well as about 1.5 million tons of carbon dioxide with the current public transit systems that are in place.

With larger cities such as Los Angeles and New York implementing such an innovative Eco-friendly solar powered public transit system would cost a considerable amount of money and time to construct. While it is no secret that implementing such a large scale remodeling of public transportation within large cities of the like would be costly; one must weigh the possible Eco-friendly benefits that could arise from embarking upon such a Green endeavor.