It was several years ago when I posted a short piece on the cycle of democracy. At the time, I was very surprised at the vast number of visits that piece received. I believe that even back then (it was posted in October 2008) people were aware that changes were in the wind. How much things would change only the most rich and powerful knew – the rest of us just felt the first rustlings of a breeze.

Is It True? Is There Really A Cycle of Democracy?

“…the average age of the world’s great civilizations from the beginning of history has been about 200 years…”

“A democracy cannot exist as a permanent form of government. It can only exist until the majority discovers it can vote itself largess out of the public treasury. After that, the majority always votes for the candidate promising the most benefits with the result the democracy collapses because of the loose fiscal policy ensuing, always to be followed by a dictatorship, then a monarchy.” (Cycle of Democracy)

The Cycle of Democracy Often Referred to as the “Fatal Sequence”

* From bondage to spiritual faith;
* From spiritual faith to great courage;
* From courage to liberty;
* From liberty to abundance;
* From abundance to selfishness;
* From selfishness to complacency;
* From complacency to apathy;
* From apathy to dependence;
* From dependence back into bondage.

My reason for writing this information yet again stems from a piece I read on how the bill proposed and passed to assist homeowners to keep their homes is under attack (see Mortgage Reform Storm Is Brewing (CNBC).

Will we once again allow apathy to win out?
What do you think?
Is the cycle of democracy rounding the final bend?

Tonight as I do a last round, the following caught my eye in my Twitter account.

10 Great Philanthropists Who Are Kids

Now, actually there are 12 children and their stories, each with their own YouTube video for you to watch. But someone decided to say 10 (maybe because two of the stories are two young people teamed up). If you think kids don’t know or care, you’re sadly mistaken.

Making A Difference

o Abby Miller, age 12 (helping a friend with cancer)
o Olivia Bouler, age 11 (raised $200,000 for the National Audubon Society)
o Cameron Cohen, age 11 (see what he did after bone tumor surgery)
o Jordan Somer, Nebraska teen (events for females with physical/mental disabilities)
o Phoebe Russell, age 5 (raised $1,000 for the San Francisco Food Bank)
o Brittany and Robbie Berquist, ages 12 and 13 (paid an $8,000 phone bill for a soldier)
o Mackenzie Bearup, age 16 (donated over 50,000 books to treatment centers)
o Timothy Hwang and Minsoo Han, both 14 (5 cities, 800 volunteers, all students)
o Zach Bonner, age 11 (2,448 mile March Across America, $25,000 raised)
o Harry Mosley, age 9 (inoperable brain tumor, incredible story!)…

Incredible stories giving me more than a glimmer of hope for the future – hope most of us need desperately in today’s world!

Below is just one story, use the link above to hear the rest – you will not be sorry!

These are our world’s next leaders – whether they know it or not! If 12 kids can set out to save a piece of the world, don’t you find that awe-inspiring!?

The value of attending a class on foreclosure mediation cannot be over stressed. With housing prices continuing their downward spiral in many areas, particularly in the West, as the homeowner you need as much information as you can possibly gather.

Here in the Las Vegas area, the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada in conjunction with UNLV’s William S. Boyd School of Law, regularly hold classes to help homeowners facing lender foreclosures. Their class is a few hours long and worth every minute. You will walk away armed with the information you need should you choose to go the route of Mediation with your lender.

We have firsthand experience with this – due to a long span of unemployment for my husband. Our dilemma is similar to many who, through no fault of their own, purchased homes they could afford before the economy took its nose dive affecting so many. However, having exited Round 1, we came out winners. Being prepared – having every single piece of paperwork ready and with you – is your key to a successful mediation.

For us, the lender side was unprepared. This is a sharp stick in the eye for them, and a winner of a conclusion for us. It’s not over, but we have high hopes that when all is said and done, we will have something we can live with – an affordable payment to make each month.

Whether you decide to keep your underwater home or not, choosing Mediation is your best choice for both individuals and families. There are numerous other factors to consider that go beyond the stay or go decision. Six states are labeled recourse states. Be sure to know what sort of laws govern your state, and take these factors into consideration.

Your life strategy lesson for the day… do not sit back and let things happen to you. Be proactive. Be prepared. Be knowledgeable. Take the bull by the horns. After all, those you “go up against” are mere humans working in a highly flawed system. These are two points in your favor if you are prepared!

I’m curious what your thoughts are regarding the internet as a means to make money. Actually, more specifically, I’m wondering do people naturally assume because it is easy to access the internet, that translates into “easy money”, too?

Evidence I receive day to day suggests more and more desperate individuals (and with an unemployment rate at worse than scary heights it’s not small wonder) are making their way to the internet in the search for money. The primary question asked, “How fast can I make that money?”

Actually this question comes in many forms. From the “how many sales” to the previously mentioned, “how soon” to the “what should I promote to make some fast money?”

People are desperate, because these are precarious times. However, don’t let your desperation let you do something stupid. If you’re down to your last dollars (hopefully not!), then hoping to suddenly strike it rich online is foolish. (more…)