I spent the weekend “checking out the competition” and my results are posted over at the MyWizardAds blog.

As an ezine advertising co-op owner, I value honesty and professionalism above all else. Just like you, I believe that people willing to do their best online MUST get what they are after – whatever help, service, assistance, or program to which that statement applies.

So take a look at Okay I Am So Ticked Off and Shame on You. At least I got to vent a bit.

Ah how life gets in the way of itself.

Recently, I’ve taken on an additional task of both Editor and columnist. And, the topic of the “day” (one long endless day consuming hours, days, even weeks of many millions of people’s lives) has been the antics of what happens when our government representatives get together.

One primary group of people struggling to figure out successful strategies to stay alive are the group becoming known as the 99ers. This no-where-to-be-found-with-representation group are those who have long since exhausted unemployment extensions and benefits. I’ve been covering a lot of news and options for them, because, living in Nevada, sooner or later this may have a direct impact on our family life as well.

So, as you travel the internet reading posts, news stories, articles and the like, remember those who have nothing.

Also remember that websites and blogs post “advertisements” for a reason. They are not just “pretty pictures” or “additional words” for many it is a form of financial livelihood.

Visit sponsors. You’re sure to find massive amounts of information, products, and services useful for you and yours by doing so.

It’s a rant day today. Actually this has been ranting around in my brain for more than a day and today just happens to be the day it comes pouring out.

I am SO angry at the manipulation of insurance and pharmaceutical companies and the inherent opposition to any proposed solution to bail this country out of the HUGE mess the former President and Company put us in – and yes it was him do not even try to tell me otherwise – that I am hoping, nay praying, that for those of you thinking health care reform means “pulling the plug on your grandmother” or some such idiotic nonsense, that you’ll be SENSIBLE ENOUGH to actually watch this.

In fact, all you Fox News fans, I dare you to watch this clip:

The most sensible thing I’ve read lately is this Letter to the Editor written by a local Henderson woman. I am quoting it in its entirety because for god’s sake all of us just waiting for things to magically happen for us (isn’t that what got us in this mess to begin with thanks to Bush, Cheney, and company?!? yes!), and for those who amazingly seem to believe anything their party tells them (yes I’m talking to Republicans or at least some – and remember I’m actually a registered Republican but that’s another story and NO I did not go the McCain/Palin way more than a half year ago) listen up because this woman, in a nutshell, expresses everything even our elected officials (and this time I’m talking to all you USELESS Democrats elected to office overwhelmingly this term, you bunch of idiots!!!) don’t have the GUTS to pull off (and here 70+ percent of the country believed YOU would make a difference – HA!):

Angry at industry’s misguided pawns

I hear there is “angry opposition” to health care reform.

Well, I’m angry, too, because these so-called angry opponents, in their zeal to “break” President Barack Obama at any cost, risk cheating themselves and the rest of us out of needed change and our very survival.

Please don’t refer to the town hall spectacles as “vigorous debate.” Unlike serious people who have real questions, concerns and suggestions, the “disrupters” have only been manipulated by the status quo forces (the insurance/pharma companies and lobbyists) to disrupt town meetings and unnerve legislators, to keep legitimate concerns and issues from being discussed. They prefer to scare people with outright lies.

If you don’t want your doctor to be reimbursed for counseling you on “end-of-life” decisions, then execute a living will yourself to make your wishes known.

If you don’t want “socialized medicine,” protest the Veterans Affairs system, our only health service that is in fact owned and operated by the U.S. government.

If you want fewer insurance benefits for more money, oppose a public option that would keep your insurance company honest and efficient.

The disrupters don’t seem to fear losing their insurance with their jobs, or worry that their employers will stop subsidizing their insurance, or that an insurance company bureaucrat will tell them they can’t have a procedure, or that a preexisting condition will disqualify them for coverage, or that high premiums and co-pays will force them into bankruptcy.

If we lose this chance to fix health care in America, it will be because the disrupters put their narrow political interests and the profits of insurance and pharmaceutical companies ahead of the best interests of the American people. We cannot let them!

(For privacy’s sake I am not putting in the woman’s name)

With 10% (or more most likely because a lot of people have run out of benefits) unemployment in this country and more states so underwater we’ll all need diving bells in the very near future just to breath, I am inflamed that so few can influence the outcome for so many.

How dare you Democratic’s sit there in Washington cringing and crippling not only yourselves but the rest of the country and LETTING THE SAME THING HAPPEN AGAIN.

Frankly, I HAD faith that the current President and his staff and Congress could finally pull off fixing the biggest challenges our country faces and put us back on course. Now, I sit here ashamed FOR THEM for not sticking to their guns. At the moment to hell with “bi-partisanship!” Just do what you were elected to do.

This country needs SERIOUS help willingly given by SERIOUS people. For god’s sake open your eyes and think and act with the brain given to you!

Here’s one more quoted Letter to the Editor (again written to our local paper by another local woman with a brain on her shoulders – and no I’m not putting in her name – though I’m sure neither of them would mind if I did):

Obama’s critics have selective memory

Many people are upset with President Barack Obama over the current conditions. Wow, what short memories!

Where was the anger in 2002 when the previous administration took a trillion-dollar surplus and began squandering it on tax breaks for big oil companies posting unprecedented profits, then started a war that was suppose to be paid for with Iraqi oil revenue?

The result of these actions was the precipitous rise in the price of oil (almost 400 percent) while the U.S. Treasury was drained of its surplus and plunged into debt by the cost of this unjustified war. The war cost is ongoing and the total treasure expended in lives is, as the commercials say, “priceless.”

Now the anger and the blame for the busted economy and tanked real estate get heaped on the current administration while it tries to right the ages-old wrong of poor, costly and unfair health care in this country. For many of us, this anger is eight years too late.

I’ll leave my rant – for now – with just this… ALL YOU TEMPORARY PUBLIC SERVANTS IN WASHINGTON – THE PRESIDENT INCLUDED WAKE UP AND DO YOUR PROPER AND RIGHTFUL DUTY TO THIS COUNTRY AND ITS PEOPLE.

I’m disgusted with the lot of you!

So at 2 minutes til midnight last night (11:58 pacific time), my son turned 18. Never has something so simple seemed so complex. He’s always been a serious child, now I watched as he felt as if the weight of the world had descended on his shoulders.

It wasn’t that long ago, when turning 18 means more joy and freedom. I can understand actually where he’s coming from… turning 18 in this economic conditions has got to be if not fear-filled at least an anxious time for many growing up “kids.”

He didn’t mind, so I’m helping celebrate this big event with/for him. Until Sunday night, May 9th, you’ll find a special surprise if you click here. If you come late to read, and the page is gone…. sorry!

Happy Birthday Sean – may you truly and uniquely enjoy being an adult!