House sends tax-cut compromise to president

The house wants tax-cuts for all. All they need is the president to sign. The measure would extend tax cuts for families at every income level, renew jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed and enact a new one-year cut in Social Security taxes that would benefit nearly every worker who earns a wage. The vote was 277-148, with each party contributing an almost identical number of votes in favor (the Democrats, 139 and the Republicans, 138). Opposed were 112 Democrats and 36 Republicans.

This would be very nice if taxes would be cut for awhile. This would give people time to provide presents to their children over the holidays. The favor votes were very close in number which means that no one knows the solution to our economic problem.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40697296/ns/politics-capitol_hill/

The snow storm of December 11

In Minneapolis heavy snow and storm wind hit and caused a blizzard conditions. The storm started Friday in the Rocky Mountains and moved into eastern Nebraska and Iowa, southeastern South Dakota and Minnesota after midnight, the National Weather Service said, Its expected to spread east into Wisconsin and Michigan Later Saturday and Sunday. The storm delayed the New York Giants from getting to Minnesota for their game against the Vikings. A foot of blowing snow falling in the Twin Cities area closed the airports.

This was a huge storm that affected many places. Currently in my town the snow was not a problem but the wind was. It was making two foot drifts. Even some of the interstates were closed. The freezing cold wind took the breath out of you. It was a good thing that it was a weekend so that little children would not be standing out in the cold waiting for their bus.

Issue #3 Safe to Eat?

Food-borne illnesses caught our attention when many people got sick from the fresh fruit and vegetables. Dangerous bacteria called E. coli was found in bagged spinach in 2006. This killed three people and sickened more than 200. Tests found out that it came from a pig farm that their cow manure had E. coli in it and spread into the spinach Field. Meat and poultry are looked upon by the Department of Agriculture. Fruit and vegetables are looked regulated Food and Drug Administration. Some believe that food supply should be regulated by one company. Also the other problem is if the people get sick should we have national health care? The government wants to decided what we can and can not eat. medicare

I believe that we need to put more rules towards making our food and even the beginning of the start of our food. We could make it mandatory to test the cow manure before its put on the fields. This would save many people from having to spend money to go to the doctors. I think that having two food departments is better than one because they can focus on their types of food. I dont think that the government needs to spend anymore of our tax payer's money with posting warning labels on our fast food companies. This example came from San Francisco where they wanted "McDonald’s Happy Meals and other fast-food meals that come with toys to meet new nutritional standards." Forbes

Teen kills mom

Michael Richard Swanson, a 17-year-old from St. Louis Park, Minnesota was charged as an adult with two counts each of first-degree murder and first-degree robbery in slayings in Kossuth and Humboldt counties. Monday while wearing a ski mask and demanded cash and cigarettes from the clerk, 47-year-old Vicky Bowman-Hall. Swanson shot her even though she complied with the request. About an hour later, Swanson walked into a Kum and Go convenience store in Humboldt, about 30 miles south of Algona and shot and killed Sheila Myers, 61, who died at the scene.



We all think that our world what you make it. That is true most people think that these students that do bad things are their own choices. Now I'm not defending murders but i am defending science. Research has found people may be born with more rage and shorter tolerance.

Rhino killed, horns cut off, while inside refuge

A female rhino, nicknamed Stumpy was slaughtered last Saturday. The mother of eight was shot then her horns were hacked off. The rhino's were located in an African sanctuaries for black rhinos. The rhino had a baby calf; it suffered a minor wound to the neck. Rhino horns in Asia are used for medical purposes therefor there is a high demand for them.

This is a really sad story because the rhino's were in a safe place we shouldn't have be worried so much. Now days everyone wants money and will stop at nothing to get it. PETA is a good organization to help stand up to these inhumane things that people do to innocent animals. We need to protect the things that cant themselves. Although using natural things for medical reasons i agree with but not like this.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39990866/ns/world_news-world_environment/

Hotel replaces room keys with mobile phones

Visitors to a Stockholm hotel will be able to use their mobile phone instead of keys to unlock the doors to their rooms. Before arrival and have their phones activated as "keys." They will then be able to skip the registration desk and unlock the door by holding the phone next to it. The short-range radio technology, known as Near Field Communication, is expected to be built into smart phones in the coming years. It is also envisioned for ticketing and card payments.

I think this is a good idea but we rely on technology to much for our own good. If we use technology for everything then we will completely go insane when technology crashes. The idea of using the phone for a key of a hotel room might make it more easy to break into. This does save on plastic and recycling is very popular now days.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39976610/ns/technology_and_science-wireless/

Health care costs rising

Insurance with in a company is decreasing because they don't have the money to give to the employees. Some employers aren’t just blaming the casual for rising premiums like the unhealthy workers, over-paid doctors and hospitals, and a bad economy. Now the insurance people are blaming health care reform.

I believe that this health care reform is just the government giving out more money to people that already take advantage of the situation of the economy. Yes it is bad and yes jobs are really hard to find but when people are getting unemployment money plus getting free health care, where is the ambition to go out and find a job? Its not there if i didn't have to work i wouldn't but because i believe in if you work hard you will get paid back in the end.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39911555/ns/business-careers/

-Spending What We Can Afford

The government will spend more than $2.9 trillion on programs and tons of agencies each year. The national debt has gotten out of control with the deficit spending. National deficit has been normal for the government to do for many years now but till now it hasn't been that much of a problem. To attempt to help, congress in 2007 passed pay-as-you-go plan (Paygo). This insures that if increased spending occurs in one program, then it will decreased spending in another. Thus causing equal spending allowances. Although this sounds like a good plan it would cause a increase in taxes. The Us treasury needs to watch out where they are using our money.



This pay as you go plan can help with the government stop spending money we don't have. Money that generations and generations are going to be paying off. Our taxes are going to be increased dramatically by next year. Obama announced "Paying for what you spend is basic common sense." Then why are we in so much debt? I think only buy what we can afford is a better logo. This paygo will cause there to be less earmarks.

BMW had a recall of nearly 200,000 luxury vehicles due to leaking breaking systems. Five series, 6 Series and 7 Series vehicles powered by V8 and V12 engines and almost 6,000 Rolls Royce Phantom models could be affected by the problem.


There has not been any reports of accedents or injuries caused by this problem.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39454021/ns/business-autos/


I believe that now days things are expensive but made cheap. Although luxury car should not be built cheap some parts may be. People are willing to buy the expensive thing thinking that it will last longer than the cheaper ones but

Blockbuster expected to file for bankruptcy

Blockbuster, a movie store that has been around for a long time is now about to be bankrupted. This is because of the outlets in favor services such as Netflix. They are about $900 million of debt, according to filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.The company is working with debt holders on a plan to solve their problems.

Personally i think that this was bound to happen sometime and soon our food is going to be sent by mail as well. Face it would you rather drive to Blockbuster or watch movies from your laptop or sent to you? Yes we are lazy people but i think that we need to support these companies because without them it would cause a monopoly.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39311334/ns/business-retail/

Explosion

Late Thursday a massive explosion from a gas company happened near San Francisco, killing 6 people and destroying more than 50 houses. About 300 customers of the company were without gas service and about 700 without electricity. Fire officials said at the Friday morning press conference that the exact cause of the blast is still under investigation.

This was a accident that was costly to six lives. All because of one company, many people lost there houses and many lost electricity. Mistakes happen but because of the technology now days we should have less of them. For example the oil spill off the coast of gulf of Mexico that company knew it wasnt running right but it passed the regulations and disaster happen anyways. I think we should have higher expections for companies.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39089768/ns/us_news/