Many Americans have been duped into believing that President Obama's Administration and his band of Merry Men can bring us out of the recession, that's laughable. First, the government cannot do much of anything right, can you name one thing they do efficiently or well? Secondly, it's the government's fault we are in this mess in the first place; their policies caused it; it's all due to the law of unintended consequences.

The economy will recover as it always does, and as it does it will begin to go back up, not because of anything they government does, but rather in spite of what it does. That's right in spite of its bad policies and shock doctrine approach to control what it clearly doesn't understand. It's obvious the government is inept, and it hardly matters which side of the political spectrum.

Oh sure, the latest neo-liberal-socialists are a disaster waiting to happen, but the mistakes of the past are not anything to write home about either. Do people really believe in this president that much, a man who has never run a business before? An ivy league politically correct trained Constitutional trained lawyer - that's absurd.

How can destroying capitalism and bringing about "Change" in the form of socialism help the United States remain the strong point in global economic might and recover from the recession (labeled a depression)? Exactly how is that suppose to help the economy?

If you are waiting for the government to solve the financial economic crisis by way of committee, legislation, law making, more regulation, and throwing trillions of dollars of debt spending at the problem then you must be smoking something, and thus, probably believe that California can solve its budget crisis by legalizing marijuana and taxing it? Whatever.

By: Lance Winslow
Lance Winslow's Bio Lance Winslow's Bio. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net.

The European Union promises to cut twenty percent in carbon dioxide emissions, but is this really going to help the Earth's Atmosphere or even appease the Global Warming Alarmists. A reduction of 20% is very little considering China increases every two years by the EUs proposed 20% reduction by 2020. Still, the EU is billing it as the "20-20-20" climate plan.

Worse, the unions and labor parties in Europe are even complaining about that. Meanwhile both China and India are refusing to participate in a cap-and-trade program, which the Obama Administration proclaims is the answer. If the US goes for the cap-and-trade, and China and India don't then the overall CO2 output will still go up Worldwide, but the United States' economy will suffer, along with her manufacturing base.

And energy costs in the US will go up, thus making companies less competitive. The EU sees this problem too, and thus, they have the "20-20-20" plan, which is to save us from Global Warming but in name only. Interestingly enough, it was the European Union that was behind much of the concept of Global Warming and planned to enforce this on the rest of the world, especially the USA. Why?

Simple, so they could have an advantage over the United States in the global market place, but even with a modest cut of 20% on their own soil, it puts them at a severe disadvantage with India and China. The union workers already see the problem and the labor parties are backing off their own carbon emissions while insisting that the Obama Administration go full-steam ahead in cutting US emissions.

By: Lance Winslow
Lance Winslow's Bio Lance Winslow's Bio. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net.

It is so nice to have someone to blame for something.

It seems that by blaming someone else, or even something for a problem or disaster, the individual is absolved from any blame.

Now, how many out there would like your weight problem to be blamed on someone or something else.

I have good news for you. It the spoons fault. If you have spoons in your kitchen, get rid of them NOW! Spoons will just make you fat.

If you eat with a fork, the fork may also be to blame. Get rid of the forks NOW!

My father in law used to eat his black eyed peas with a knife. If you happen to be one of those rare talented people who eats with a knife, then you better get rid of the knife NOW! Your weight loss depends on it.

If you get rid of all silverware/eating utensils in your home, you should lose ten pounds by the end of the week. Your muscles will probably firm without exercise. Your waist line will shrink the most of all. Your posture will improve as well. The world will be a better place. (IF that doesn't work, you might consider breaking all your fingers so you can't pick up pizza or hamburgers, and banning straws from all supermarkets so you will not be able to suck up milk shakes either.)

By getting rid of your eating utensils, you will have taken control of your future and made the world a better place to live. YOU will have made the world a better and healthier place.

Now, how would you like to live in a world without crime?

The solution is just as simple as losing weight.

Get rid of weapons!

Weapons cause crime.

What could be easier?

The truth is that crime is a result of people who have set themselves as above the law. For whatever reasons, drug addiction, greed, elitist ideology, selfishness, or just plain meanness, there will always be some people willing to do violence to those who get in their way.

Take the case of the murder of Able by his brother Cain.

Cain was just in a bad mood because God had specific rules, and Cain did not want to obey God's rules. He took it out on his brother Able. Cain was mad because Able did the right thing. So, he killed Able.

Now at that time, there were no guns that we know of. Still, Cain managed to kill his brother.

Currently, 48 states have some form of concealed handguns permits. Only two state, Wisconsin and Illinois, do allow law abiding citizens to carry a handgun.

It is pretty well conceded that states who allow handguns definitely have seen no rise in crime because of their laws. In fact, most people will admit that crime has gone down in those state. The argument might be whether the drop in crime is related to citizens carrying handguns or not.

Currently law abiding citizens in the state of Illinois are fighting for the right to carry a weapon.

Their opposition includes Tom Mannard, of the Illinois Council Against Handgun Violence, who says that he would expect problems with increased violence even though that hasn't been the experience in other states where concealed carry is allowed.

"We haven't seen mayhem in the street - that doesn't mean the potential isn't there," he said. (worldnetdaily.com)

Now, let me see, 48 states with gun permits prove that violence has NOT gone up, but has instead gone down, but this man thinks his state will be different. He certainly has a low opinion of the citizens of his state.

I hope that Illinois becomes the 49th state that recognizes the constitutional right of citizens to self protection that includes carrying a gun if they so choose.

By the way, many more people are killed by drunk drivers than by handguns. You don't see anyone trying to ban automobiles do you? I know - that argument is such a cliche - but it happens to be the truth. How many lives would be saved by strictly enforcing impaired driving laws? The frustrating thing to me is that so much effort is put into 'gun control', but not a fraction of that effort is put into controlling drunk and drugged driving. I know a number of people who have been killed by drunk drivers, but I don't anyone who was murdered at all, much less with a handgun. How about you? (To those reading who may have lost someone through drunk driving or gun violence, I am truly sorry for your loss. May God bless you and comfort you.)

The bottom line is personal responsibility. Responsible people carrying handguns are not a threat to society. Criminals on the other hand, are criminals because they don't obey the laws to begin with. They certainly will not be deterred from carrying a gun regardless of the laws.

Actually, I believe Alaska is correct in confirming the right to carry a hand gun to all citizens. Why should a law abiding citizen have to go through the trouble and expense of getting and renewing a permit when criminals don't have to do it?

For the government to attempt to control crime through regulating the actions of law abiding citizens is a complete and utter misuse of public funds and resources. The government knows this will not lower crime rates. Law enforcement knows the same thing.

So, the bottom line is that 'gun control' is really an issue of controlling the population in general. A population that is disarmed is much more easily controlled than a population that is armed.

I will end this article by saying that I wish weight loss was simple as getting rid of spoons. I wish crime control was as simple as getting rid of guns. To wish something so does not make it so.

By: Barbara Henderson
Barbara Henderson writes articles to help and encourage Christians. These articles reflect her Christian World View.

Barbara is the author of 'The Broad Way', a Christian fiction book available online through most major book sellers.

Barbara loves to hear from her readers. You may visit her at http://www.tobarbara.blogspot.com

Barbara and her husband Jerry have been married since 1971. They live in Olympia near their children and grandchildren. They have a dog, a cat, and a bird as pets. They love the Bible, camping, hiking, photograph, and any family activity.

Barbara says, 'If you need an article on a specific Christian subject, please let me know. If I have something already written I will send it to you; or I will write something specific for you. Thank you.'

People are beginning to catch on about the stimulus bill and all the bailouts that our government is so freely handing out. Those of us that live within our means are having to pay for the irresponsible behavior of those that chose to live on the credit bubble. Well the bubble has burst and guess who's getting rewarded? Not those of us who make a practice of doing the right thing. The right thing in this case is only buying what we can afford and living up to our obligations. The mortgage bailouts are nothing more than an entitlement program, redistributing our money to the irresponsible.

I for one resent the fact that I am being punished for doing the right thing and living up to my obligations. My parents raised me to be responsible and to plan for the future. While I do genuinely feel for the people that are suffering through foreclosure or the threat of foreclosure, I don't believe that we should be forced to pay for their poor planning.

CNBC reporter Rick Santelli said, "Government is promoting bad behavior . . . Do we really want to subsidize the losers' mortgages? This is America! How many of you people want to pay for your neighbor's mortgage? President Obama, are you listening? How about we all stop paying our mortgages! It's a moral hazard." He went on to call for a new tea party in support of capitalism. I for one agree with him and the traders on the floor of the Chicago commodity pits must agree with him too because they all cheered.

President Obama should come up with a program to help young families buy starter homes, instead of bailing out the people who will not live up to their obligations. However, one of the facets of liberalism is what I learned to call situational ethics. Defined as doing what seems right for the moment instead of what is right period. Sometimes doing what is right means letting people feel pain and suffering in the short term, but it makes them better people in long term. Bailing out the people that can't afford the obligations they made makes us all feel better in the moment, but those people learn nothing from the experience. More and more I believe the statement, "the most patriotic thing we can do for our country right now is pray."

By: Bill Trehern
Bill is a 51 year old IT Professional who enjoys political blogging at http://www.theconservativenation.com in his spare time after work and after the daily grind at the gym.