First it’s my relationship, he’s 35 and I’m 26 we’ve been together since I was 16. Now we have an 8 year old son together. In the beginning I felt happy and in love. But after my son was born I started feeling like something was missing so I broke up with him and stated dating someone else, since then my son’s dad and I have been off and on. We decided that we’d give it one last try so it’s been 3 months and I’m feeling like I want out again. He is a good man treats me and our son right and my family loves him and really wants us together, they think I’m crazy not to appreciate a good man, and I can understand that because my sister is 19 and has 2 ½ kids by a good for nothing little boy who doesn’t help her at all, and my mom has been through a divorce, but I’m just unhappy. We never have any money because he has to pay his mom’s mortgage because she’s bipolar and refuses to get help, we live in boring Orlando, FL. I have ONE friend and she is always depressed so we hardly even talk. I’ve stressed to him how badly I would like to move, I really love NY or even NJ and he’s from Connecticut so I was cool with that too altleast he would know people, but we can’t save any money because I have to pay all the bills with my checks and the 0 he just started giving me every 2 weeks (because his brother got a temporary job and started helping his mother out , so who knows how long that’s going to last) but he’s always had my back when I’m short on a bill, but it just seems like moving is on the bottom of his priority list. I want more but he seems content with how his life is, as long as we have sex he has no complaints. We argue almost every day because he thinks he knows everything and he’ll change things around to make it seem like he was right even though it’s not at all the way it happened….. I really would just rather be single but I know he’ll think I want someone else. (then he’ll start acting like an asshole like he does every time we’re not together) Plus I don’t want to keep putting my son through that. I tried to pray about it but I’m not sure if I even believe in God, I mean my family does but I don’t really buy into things that easily. They’re so many Priest, Pastors, etc. that turned out to be frauds that going to church is out of the question. I don’t know what to do anymore I think this world is a never ending cycle your born, you live, which to me is more like survive, then you die, because even if you’re are a good person Heaven isn’t promised……. So where do you end up? In hell, with all the murders and psycho paths that did wrong purposely, and didn’t care, yet they still were more fortunate to experience all the luxuries life had to offer….. It’s all so confusing to me. I don’t want to complain because I am grateful that I at least have the money to pay those bills but, is this it? I want to live the life that supposedly God gave me instead of just surviving it. Sorry so long I just wanted everyone to understand the whole reason I feel this way.

Here we go again, another wonderful day
My mind full of nothing but decay
Try to kill the pain, about to go insane
Walking out in the rain, with no name
Need another drink, but forgot my wallet
Trying to get by, but forever in debt
Go and rob another damn liquor store
Just trying to survive, not to be hardcore
To progress further, sell some coke or weed
Running from the cops, such an evil deed
Avoid my warrants, try not to get myself caught
Because when I get to jail, I’ll be left rot
Nothing but a juvenile, but all grown up
Steal from my mother, stuck inside a rut
Moving from town to town, every month
Hard to get by, I’ve almost had enough

Addicted to love, addicted to hate
Addicted to this, so I’ll jump state
Addicted to drugs, take another drink
I’m on the brink, eyes turning pink

Pop another pill, make the world stand still
Helps take away the pain I hate to feel
Can’t take things anymore, just another bill
Donations every week, just a third wheel
Grab the gun, and hope Jesus is with me
So one day I can quit feeling empty
Go to church, maybe the problem will leave
Maybe God can give me some time to breathe
Take the can goods, back to the mobile home
Stop at the bank try to get another mortgage loan
Hopefully someday I can put this all behind
Look toward the future in the back of my mind
Just waiting for chance to finally come along
She’s still young, got to change all that is wrong
But caught up in my addictions, drink the booze
Sitting on the porch, knowing I’m about to loose

Addicted to love, addicted to hate
Addicted to this, so I’ll jump state
Addicted to drugs, take another drink
I’m on the brink, eyes turning pink

Start out small, work up to the big time
Taken every chance I could to make mine
Risk and reward, got me work’n even harder
The tricks of the trade, got me getting smarter
Putting food on the table, in a nice house
What the American dream is truly about
She’s a young woman now and me at the top
What happened next made my whole world stop
My past friends jealous of my great success
Plugged bullets through my house and wife’s dress
Burned down my house, my daughter on the inside
Flames and ash on the ground, no one left alive
When I was on top of things, the sky had to fall
Why is my life circled around Murphy’s Law
Back in the trailer park, stealing TVs and DVDs
Back to my old ways, as I start to flee

Addicted to love, addicted to hate
Addicted to this, so I’ll jump state
Addicted to drugs, take another drink
I’m on the brink, eyes turning pink

The Midwest Arsonist

Why would two people enter into a legal agreement based on little more than a feeling? Would anyone do this on a car loan? Two, If in fact marriage is a religion institution, why should the government be involved with marriage? After all what about separation of church and state?

The divorce rate is pretty high wouldn’t you say, doesn’t that illustrate the absurdity of the institution?
Godless: I would have expected better from you.
Brutally Honest: What you have stated about men living longer if they are married is a correlation, not a statement of causation.

It could be just as easy to assume that simply because there is a correlation between lifespan and being married, healthy and wealthy men are more inclined to get married.
If you’re poor and unhealthy you are much less likely to marry. (women wouldn’t want to live with a man that could be considered a potential liability.

Strictly hypothetical people so don’t be nasty!

If you were married to a man who made a decent wage, lived in a house that needed some major repairs, didn’t have any savings, everything broke down at the SAME TIME, found out you needed a major surgery your insurance didn’t cover, you didn’t have a job, no one wants to loan you money and all your bills were due, you’ve recently gotten out of bankruptcy, have maxed out your credit cards, had no food in the house for your kids, and no one you know has any extra to help you out, what would you do?
A) Go to the government for help.(try to get food stamps, etc.)
B) Give your kids to Children’s services until you got on your feet.
C) Leave your spouse and try to start over.
D) Sell your body.
E) Give up and live on the streets.
F) Go to your poor church and ask for a handout(even though you haven’t been in years).
G) Let the creditors ruin you and take the bill money and take care of your kids and live in the dark.
The no job thing comes in b/c you have a disability and can’t get assistance b/c they say it can’t be proven.

I am going to be homeless in about a week. I can’t find a job even at McDonalds. There are no homeless shelters within an hour and a half from where I live and I don’t know what I am going to do. I live in Effingham, Illinois and the local CEFS programs say they have no funds to help me. I have no friends around here to stay with and all my family has passed and I have nowhere to go. I have to stay in this area because I have a son and I can’t move away from him. I have my taxes coming in a month and a half but I can’t get a loan against them. Someone please help me, I am so desperate. I don’t go to church or anything and with the economy the way it is, I dont see getting any or enough help from them to get me on my feet.

example: the link below is to a youth pastor at morning star valley christian church in san fernando valley, calif…a pastor, who is taking advantage of me and my credit, he is purposely not paying mortgage that’s in my name so i’d get foreclosed on while he lives in the house for free, until the house gets foreclosed on…would you want a pastor of his character teaching your kids? who knows how many other innocent victims he has in his closet?

http://www.morningstarvalley.org/publicstaff/?id=5

I can’t mow lawns or babysit. No one in my neighbor hood has a baby, and I know almost everyone. I have my own garden ,and I need 20 dollars for a new PSP screen, mines messed up. My parents are broke, they have no money. I can’t get money off of them. I doubt any of my friends would loan me money.
I can’t get a job because Im only 13 years old.
The church thats near me is volunteer and already pays someone for work , so I can’t go there.
Please help..? Thank you.

My husband has been 100% permanently disabled for the past 6 years. Because of his disabilities, I cannot work outside the home – someone has to be here to care for my husband. We live well below the poverty level. My husband recently needed surgery to repair an aortic aneurism just beneath his heart that was ready to burst as well as a 2nd aneurism in his leg. During the surgery, the doctor had to put my husband on a heart-lung bypass machine. The surgery cost more than one million dollars of which Medicare paid 97% of the cost. Our problem is that because of our other bills (rent, electricity, car payment for our only car – we live in the country miles from anywhere & can’t afford to move, furniture payment, car insurance montly payments, loan payment), we have literally no money to pay toward my husband’s remaining medical bills. Our church gives us groceries every month & our children’s schools supply our children with their clothing, shoes & school supplies.

I’m going through a very difficult financial time in my life because my job of 13 years went bankrupt and I live in the state with the highest unemployment rate and my gf has at least a 750 credit score and 3 credit cards which 2 has zero balance on them of ,500 each and she gives 0 a month to her own church and she does not even go to any more. I asked her for a small loan of 0 and I’m making small payments back to her, last week I got a decent check and give her 0 but this week I got hurt and didn’t work as much and got a small check so I’m like short on bills and may go into overdraft on Friday if I don’t have the money and she will not give it to me for some reason. So I’m pissed at not just her but the whole situation of not having my own money but she keeps talking about going on trips and taking me to meet her parents and all this stuff but she can’t help me out with ?? I didn’t have to give her that 0 last week but I did.

Like many Americans I was out of work for a year. As a CA teacher I was ineligible for unemployment (apparently CA teachers and public school employees don’t get unemployment…who knew?) It was the worst time of my life. I have a Masters but was on food stamps, my church paying my PGE bill, my 12 year old son was selling things on Craigs List so we would have money for enough gas to get to essential places. We lost our phone, my car, basically we had electricity and food stamps. If we needed shampoo or soap it was scraping spare change or selling something. I took jobs like helping people move, babysitting, housecleaning. I finally got a great job but was 5 months behind in rent and owed many friends money for helping us survive. 13 months later and there is just the tiniest glow at the end of a very dark gloomy tunnel. One half of one month’s rent left to pay. My apartment is ghetto, no furniture, everything is broken down, a friend gave me some clothes for my job and I have two pairs of ratty sweats and old flip flops. That is it. Needless to say, we take each day one at a time. Many people judge me, they think I am some poor welfare Mom. They do not understand why I have such a great job and a Masters but live like a homeless person. Each check gets meticulously budgeted. I do not go out because I have just a few lame outfits to get by at work. I have no shoes.
My question….finally….how do I respond to a friend who has a beautiful nice car, nice condo with brand new furniture, all the trimmings, kids have cell phones and gadgets and beautiful clothes basically they are wealthy compared to me…how do I respond to the email I just received: “can you loan me 0-0 until April, my car is about to be repossessed, I am desperate, I know it is xmas time but can you put the money in my account?”
Ummmm…I do not have let alone 0. Really???! I am pretty outraged. How dare she?? I am so offended. I am the last person to ask for help. Don’t get me wrong, we collected food for a local food drive and bought toys for less fortunate children and I am all about giving back….to someone who really needs it! I am ignoring her email so far.

I am sprit filled beleiver. This being said, I was led to let a women from church move in with me. How can I get her to cook at least once a week. When I ask I generally get a response like this, no one like what I cook, you are a better cook, I am tired I worked all day or my personal favorite you are already cooking for your children,etc, etc.
I do not think I am asking to much
I pay for everything, )God enables me to pay for it) including cleaning supplies for her batheoom, mortgage, water, gas electricity, groceries. She could cook anythign I have already purchased, there is a deep freezer in the home.
I cook 28 out thirty days, I guess it would help if I did not dispuise cooking so much. We generally have a meat, starch and green vegetable .

i know part of it is, i am trying to be lazy. I guess I was hoping someone would agree with me..not because she does not pay anything but because it is commen courtesy.

my spellcheck is not working ..sorry.
I am a women and SHE has 2 bedrooms and a bathroom downstairs.
Chores are out of the question..she is a massage therapist and says chores are to hard on her bad back.
Believe me, when she cook my kids and I are over the top with compliments about her cooking. She is not a bad cook

When the primary season began Tim Russert was as responsible as anyone to give Obama a huge boost and now at 58 gone. Sen. Kennedy endorses Obama, stroke. Iowa, the first state to vote went to Obama, flooded as well as Montana, Missouri, Kansas, flooding and tornadoes, Illinois and Wisconsin, all states that went to Obama or at least a draw. Pelosi, a strong advocate for Obama is now being investigated for her role in the mortgage debacle! I have never believed in coincidences and with the number of events cannot help but feel the wrath of God is being felt in so many different parts of our country for electing an individual who comes from a church teaching hatred for his fellow man!
Bob, God does not hate his own creation!
Sen Larry Craig His wife is exacting revenge!
Gore"s already been punished by being exiled!
Jolie I am not speaking for the Lord, this is just a question!
Hobbit Lass Read some bible stories and you too would at least question the similarities!
It was just a question people. I have no hot line to the Lord, just was wondering something out loud. Of course I would never wish harm on anyone but when so much is happening I always fall back to cause and action. Sorry if anyone thought I meant more than that but it was just a question and a thought to ponder!

mailed.
I took over the payments of a car for a close friend of mine that goes to my church, it seemed like a good deal. We drew up a contract that said he owed 00 and the notes were 5.00 a month for 26 or 27 months, and the only way he could get the car back if I was delinquent on the notes. I have kept up my payments and despite of major car problems lately have paid all the repairs. Well recently the motor went out and I owe 00.00 left to get it out the shop, the only reason I wasn’t to upset about it is because it will be paid of in a few months. I owe only 5 payments on the car, and with the refund for my student loan I was going to pay it off. When I called him to confirm how much I owe he says 00.00 because only 0.00 of my car payments went toward the note, the other went toward the interest. I thought he only owed the bank 00.00. If I pay the other 00.00 he says is left I would have paid almost ,000. To my knowledge interest and everything is already figured in total price of the car when you sign the loan. On the contract its states that I pay 5 a month toward a 00 car and it also show the month and year I should make my last payment in like Jan or Fed 2010. Now this. I suppose to pick up the the car and pay the 00.00 for the new motor. The dude has made it clear that if I stop paying the notes at 00 which is agreed on the contract, he’ll let it go back. He said "this was my first time doing something like this and I didn’t know, how to set up the contract so you would understand". Even I was to take things as he says and believe that 0 was towards the actual price of the car I still dont owe but like 00, he is lying. I pay my car note on the 15th of every month, and I have the 00 that I was going to take to mechanic and I haven’t paid my car note 5. Should I take that money and pay down on me a car. And let him get it out the shop and deal with since he has made perfectly clear that he is not putting any money into the car once I pay the 00 agreed in our contract? I really didnt want the car once the motor went out I was just trying to do the right thing by him. But I see he’s not.

The catholic church my parents go to always posts how much they make each week from the collections they take. The Sunday collection is usually over 00. I looked at their flier this past week and saw this. Then, under that, it said they had a heating bill of 00 that month. Now, at 00+ a week, that is over 00 for the month, Yet they said they need to take another collection to pay that, and that they "generally do not take in enough to pay the bills" (mortgage is paid, by the way) so the people need to give more. They also take separate collections every week for utilities (which should include heat), flowers, and maintenance.

So, with all that money, how can they not be able to pay the bills?

Or is it just more of their greed, and knowledge that they can feed off the brain-washed?
Keep in mind, it is a church, so they pay no taxes. And I am sure they do not pay the person that cleans a lot, minimum wage, I am guessing. (If that, and most likely only part-time)

Need to pay mortgage, groceries and other bills, so I work 9-5 Monday to Friday, sometimes I work overtime until seven to get some extra money. Weekends, I have my family, so I help my son with his math homework as he’s having some difficulties, and I help out with my daughter’s softball team, I also drive my elderly neighbor to his appointments at least once a week, I go to church on Sunday and sometimes help out with the canned food drive because I am a Christian…so where on Earth could I find the time to go to a tea party and help the movement if I am busy being a typical productive citizen with a job and family responsibilities? Perhaps if I didn’t work or didn’t care about my family or did nothing to benefit my community, I could spend weekdays at rallies or spend time travelling to other cities for protests, but I am busy doing what I am supposed to be doing —working, raising a family, not depending on government handouts like welfare programs, helping my neighbors, etc.
Right, 45 minutes on Yahoo is such a major percentage of time as opposed to spending hours at a rally, time to get there, time to come home, time to put together my sign, etc.

I am 22 years old, my husband is 25. I got married 2 years ago and we planned to start a family after about 5 years, in 2011 when my husbands student loan and another loan would be paid off, that way I could stay at home. That is something we both wanted, was for my to be at home with our children. Well, February of this year I found out I was pregnant. We were surprised but happy. We have looked at every way possible and it just doesn’t look like it’s going to work out for me to stay home right now. We don’t have internet, no cable, basic phone plan, we are very frugal and because my husband cannot put us on his health insurance, to buy health insurance would be a lot of $ every month. My question is, was it difficult? Were you determined to make it work? I have my mother who could watch the baby at no cost but she doesn’t seem real crazy about the idea. She would like to start working but won’t if we need her. With every passing day I want more and more to be at home with this baby. We are very busy – youth pastors at our church. It would be a blessing all the way around. Please share your stories. Thank you.
I used to nanny when I was in college (for 3 years) – I was never bored, lol. I enjoyed it immensely.

By difficult I mean financially.
You are both so blessed

Another reason it’s so tough $$$ is because we just bought a house last year. That doubled what we were paying in rent.

Just curious how other households work. I have a rough estimate of our budget in my head. I’ve tried several times to create an Excel Spreadsheet and do it in the computer. It works for a month or 2, but then hubs stops giving me receipts or I get side tracked. I try to keep track of the things we buy. We only write about 4 checks a month. We put all purchases on the credit card (we get 4 % cash back) then pay it off every month. So we write a check for the credit card, house payment, and car insurance (only ever 6 months).

How do you do your budget? On the computer, on paper, in your head? Do you pay cash/write checks/put it on the credit card for your every day purchases?

You don’t have to go into too much detail. Here’s our budget:
Mortgage: 00.00
Gas: $ 90.00
Cable/internet/Phone 0.00
Groceries/shopping 0.00 (includes food,diapers, cleaning stuff)
Food (out to eat) $ 40.00
Clothing $ 15.00
Prescriptions/doctor $ 10.00
Church(Donation) 0.00
Misc. $ 50.00

i also need a car so badly because without a car im having trouble getting to work, school, gym, church and friends!! When i go to work 4am i have to wake my dad up to take me then again he has to come pick me up, its just a hassle and i hate bothering people even if that dad, mom, wife(if i had one), friend’s, no matter who it is i dont like asking people for help. I used to have a car but when my sister got a new car last year my parents ended up selling mine and said theyll get me one later, but now financially they cant afford another car and i know if i keep forcing them they will buy me one to keep me happy but i cant do that to them and put them in more debt. I’m only 20, i go to school full time and i’m working like a lotta other kids now a days anyways. I dont get financial aid, scholarships or anything, so i pay for my classes out of my pocket same with books, bills so on. All i work is 24hrs every 2 weeks i want to get more hours but since i dont have a car its hard. Everytime i try to apply for a loan no bank of lender qualifies me because i dont make 00/month. Im trying to get a loan so i can pay of my debt (00) and buy a used car for like (1500-2000 or less)…Please help if me find someone or some place that can lend that money. I sure will do payments every month without any questions asked!! I just need to find a place that will qualify me..Please help, please!!
Thank you so much..God Bless you!!

They tell me I’m a Bad American…..BECAUSE:

I like big bikes, big trucks, big boats, big houses, and naturally, pretty women.

I believe the money I make belongs to me and my family, not some mid-level governmental functionary with a bad comb-over who wants to give it away to some crack addict squirting out babies. I don’t care about appearing compassionate.

I don’t think playing with toy guns makes kids killers – I believe ignoring your kids and giving them Prozac might.

I think I’m doing better than the homeless.

I don’t think being a minority makes you noble or victimized. I have the right not to be tolerant of others because they are different, weird or make me mad. This is my life to live, and not necessarily up to others expectations.

I know what SEX is and there are not varying degrees of it.

I don’t celebrate Kwanzaa. But if you want to that’s fine; I just don’t feel like everyone else should have to.

My uncles and forefathers shouldn’t have had to die in vain so you can leave the countries you were born in to come disrespect ours, and make us bend to your will. Get over it.

I believe that if you are selling me a Dairy Queen shake, a pack of cigarettes, or hotel room you do it in English. As of matter of fact, if you are an American citizen you should speak English.

I think the cops have every right to shoot your sorry ass if you’re running from them after they tell you to stop. If you can’t understand the word ‘freeze’ or ‘stop’ in English, see the previous line.

I don’t use the excuse "it’s for the children" as a shield for unpopular opinions or actions.

I know how to count votes and I feel much safer letting a machine with no political affiliation do a recount when needed. I know what the definition of lying is, and it isn’t based on the word "is"– ever.

I don’t think just because you were not born in this country, you qualify for any special loan programs, Gov’t sponsored bank loans, etc., so you can open a hotel, 7-Eleven, trinket shop, or anything else, while the indigenous peoples can’t get past a high school education because they can’t afford it.

I didn’t take the initiative in inventing the Internet.

I thought the Taco Bell dog was funny.

I want them to bring back safe and sane fireworks.

I believe no one ever died because of something Ozzy Osbourne, Ice-T or Marilyn Manson sang, but that doesn’t mean I want to listen to that crap from someone else’s car when I’m stopped at a red light. But I respect your right to.

I don’t want to eat or drink anything with the words light, lite or fat-free on the package.

Our soldiers did not go to some foreign country and risk their lives in vain and defend our Constitution so that decades later you can tell me it’s a living document ever changing and is open to interpretation. The guys who wrote it were light years ahead of anyone today, and they meant what they said — now leave the document alone, or there’s going to be trouble.

I don’t hate the rich.

I help the poor.

I know wrestling is fake.

I’ve never owned, or was a slave, and a large percentage of our forefathers weren’t wealthy enough to own one either. Please stop blaming me because some prior white people were idiots — and remember, tons of white, Indian, Chinese, and other races have been enslaved too — it was wrong for every one of them.

I believe a self-righteous liberal with a cause is much more dangerous than a Hell’s Angel with an attitude.

I want to know exactly which church is it where the "Reverend" Jessie Jackson preaches; and what exactly is his job function.

I own a gun, you can own a gun, and any red blooded American should be allowed to own a gun, but if you use it in a crime, then you will serve the time.

I think Bill Gates has every right to keep every penny he made and continue to make more. If it makes you mad, then invent the next operating system that’s better and put your name on the building.

I don’t believe in hate crime legislation. Even suggesting it makes me mad. You’re telling me that someone who is a minority, gay, disabled, another nationality, or otherwise different from the mainstream of this country has more value as a human being than I do as a white male. If someone kills anyone, I’d say that it’s a hate crime. We don’t need more laws! Let’s enforce the ones we already have.

I think turkey bacon, turkey beef, turkey fake anything sucks.

I believe that it doesn’t take a village to raise a child — it takes a parent with the guts to stand up to the kid and spank his butt and say "NO!" when it’s necessary to do so.

I’ll admit that the only movie that ever made me cry was Ole Yeller.

I didn’t realize Dr. Seuss was a genius until I had a kid.

I will not be frowned upon or be looked down upon or be made to keep silent because I have these beliefs and opinions. I thought this country allowed me that right.

I will not conform or compromise just to keep fr

Short recap of a months events. Last month my wife of 2 1/2 years, known each other for 4 years went to Las Vegas with her best friend. We have always been very closed, worked together at the same place, lived together, bought our home 5 months ago. We have had our share of fights mainly because she would get so out of control screaming and crying around the house and i am ashamed to say it got physical on both parts. She had recently started taking alot of pictures with her best friend in our bathroom i guess trying to build up their self steem and now i am coming to the conclusion that I need to let go of her and this is why. A month ago during her trip to Las Vegas, she met a Swiss guy and kissed at the club then later hung out with him. She says nothing happened the first time but after her 4 day trip was over, her and her friend took 2 more trips and she did everything with the guy. 4th trip took place a couple of weeks ago and the guy bought her a plane ticket for San Diego where he rents a beach house. He has gone back to his country and has plans to come back to hang out with her in Vegas in December. That month is going to be so hard for me, we got married the day of my birthday. I know this is stupid and we have had sex 3 times since then but not spoken or seen eachother for a week. She would tell me she is confused and is happy and confident that she now knows that she doesnt have to cry for me and she doesnt want to settle. I am stuck in a position where I have the responsibility for my mortgage and she wants to sign off the house to me by december. I have always been supportive throughout this and I told her to live life without regrets and only one time did she break down through text messages and calling me but i never answered. She seems to be enjoying her single life with her friends. Ive had so much support from people at church and am getting biased opinions about this. I am leaving the country for 3 weeks this week to clear my mind but of course i am not going down to her level. She tells me she is in love with me and that she feels that she may be the one for me later on. Should I have cast her out and ignore her texts that range from "i am going to pick up the rest of my things" "are you happy" "did you drop the college classes". I am trying to be strong but these emotions really suck I believe in my heart that we can be strong together but then again I am a 21 year old that needs a lot of changes in his life. Please if you have any advice, I really want to help her and I dont know if I should have told her to not communicate with me. Thank You

I can’t seem to locate the words "separation of church and state", mine says ‘congress shall make no law establishing religion or prohibiting the free exercise thereof’.

And where the heck is the health care clause? I hope my dog didn’t eat that part.

I can’t find education either. Somebody please help me.

I’ve read this thing until my eyes are bleary, but "cash for clunkers" is entirely missing. Is that under the 10th amendment?

I’m also missing the section on money. My copy says a "dollar" is an ounce of silver, not ink on paper. I must be missing an entire section.

Good Grief! Did someone spill alphabet soup on the government’s copy of the Constitution? What’s with all these?:
* AAA – Agricultural Adjustment Act, 1933
* CAA – Civil Aeronautics Authority (now Federal Aviation Administration), 1933
* CCC – Civilian Conservation Corps, 1933
* CCC – Commodity Credit Corporation, 1933
* CWA – Civil Works Administration, 1933
* EBA – Emergency Banking Act, 1933
* FAP – Federal Art Project, part of WPA, 1935
* FCA – Farm Credit Administration, 1933
* FCC – Federal Communications Commission, 1934
* FDIC – Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, 1933
* FERA – Federal Emergency Relief Administration, 1933
* FHA – Federal Housing Administration, 1934
* FLA – Federal Loan Agency, 1939
* FMP – Federal Music Project, part of WPA 1935
* FSA – Farm Security Administration, 1935
* FTP – Federal Theatre Project, part of WPA 1935
* FWA – Federal Works Agency, 1939
* FWP – Federal Writers’ Project, part of WPA 1935
* HOLC – Home Owners Loan Corporation, 1933
* NIRA – National Industrial Recovery Act, 1933
* NLRB – National Labor Relations Board, 1934
* NRA – National Recovery Administration, 1933
* NYA – National Youth Administration, part of WPA 1935
* OC – Office of Censorship, 1941
* OWI – Office of War Information, 1942
* PRRA – Puerto Rico Reconstruction Administration, 1933
* PWA – Public Works Administration, 1933
* RA – Resettlement Administration, 1935
* REA – Rural Electrification Administration (now Rural Utilities Service), 1935
* RFC – Reconstruction Finance Corporation (originally a Hoover agency), 1932
* SEC – Securities and Exchange Commission, 1934
* SSB – Social Security Board (now Social Security Administration), 1935
* TVA – Tennessee Valley Authority, 1933
* USHA – United States Housing Authority, 1937
* USMC – United States Maritime Commission, 1936
* WPA – Works Progress Administration, 1935

I went to college for a 24 credit certificate in baking back in 2002-03. While doing this, I worked at an in store bakery part time for less than per hour. The last few months after I graduated before going to my present 40 hour job, I think it was exactly per hour, but only 35 hours a week, no benefits.
Where I have been since 2/04 I started as a Baker I making per hour. After 6 months, I was eligible for .50 per hour as a Baker I or per hour as a Baker II. It takes a full year to be eligible for benefits, vacation, sick days, paid holidays, etc. One can also become a Baker III for per hour. I think if are half decent, you become a Baker II automatically if you haven’t already. Baker II maxes out at per hour after 2 years of service. I know a person who should have been promoted to Baker III at least 3 years ago but wasn’t. Baker III maxed out at per hour after 3 years of service, 2 of which have to be at Baker III level. The wage scale has been exactly the same since I was hired in 2004. I’m a Baker III maxed out at per hour. I am the foreman of the cookie department. That is a a week stipend. I have to work 40 hours to get the stipend. If I take a sick day, I lose that week’s stipend. If we have a holiday, and I take off, like Christmas Day, I lose the stipend. We are given as much as 2 sick days, 1 personal day and the paid holidays are New Year’s, July 4, Thanksgiving and Christmas. For the first time since I was hired, in 2011 the top of scale for Baker III is going to .25 per hour for those with over 5 years at Baker III level. I just made it!
A few days ago, I came into a bit of luck. My parents bought 2,500 shares of Ford for about .50 two years ago. They gave me 500 shares. I have about ,000 left on my student loan. I have about ,000 in credit card debt. I don’t own a car. Part of the credit card debt is the 0 Schwinn bike I own. I plan to pay off my debts next week. I sold 400 shares Friday for .80. It was worth .95 when it was given to me. I have about ,500 to start my little project. The oven will set me bake about ,100. It plugs in to a 208 volt line. The mixer is about 0. I am giving my church (not my parents church) a 0 Energy Star refrigerator as a gift for them letting me use their kitchen to start my business. They have a very basic electric range and refrigerator, but plenty of space.
My pastor says he used to "lend" the kitchen out for a per hour "donation" several years ago, but will allow me 45 hours for free to get started. I have several delis and restaurants interested in buying my stuff.
I will do it "on the side" of my regular job, which is a real dead end.
My parents say I’m nuts. Not for starting a business, but for "getting involved with that right-wing fundamentalist I call my pastor".
What do you think? Sorry for giving you almost my life’s history.

http://www.ibdeditorials.com/IBDArticles.aspx?id=303088377885894

‘I consistently believe that when it comes to . . . reparations," Obama recently told a gathering of minority journalists, "the most important thing for the U.S. government to do is not just offer words, but offer deeds."

A few days later, he clarified his remarks, saying he’s not calling for direct cash payments to descendents of slaves, but rather indirect aid in the form of government programs that will "close the gap" between what he sees as white America and black America.

He says government should offer "universal" programs — such as universal health care, universal mortgage credits, college tuition, job training and even universal 401(k)s — that "disproportionately affect people of color."

In other words, reparations by another name.

Obama knows that if he pushes too hard on reparations, he might scare off white voters. So he couches race-specific welfare as "universal" social programs that appeal to broad-based political coalitions — "even if they disproportionately help minorities," he confides in his book, "Audacity of Hope."

Obama has a name for his scheme: "universal strategies."

"An emphasis on universal, as opposed to race-specific, programs isn’t just good policy," he wrote. "It’s also good politics."

Maybe so. But not all his plans for reparations are roundabout. His book and Web site outline a separate plan calling for essentially a government bailout of the inner cities. Among other things, he proposes:

• Doling out faith-based grants "targeting ex-offenders."

• Subsidizing supermarket chains that relocate to the inner city to deliver "fresh produce" to blacks, helping wean them off unhealthy fast food.

• Imposing "goals and timetables for minority hiring" on large corporations whose work forces are deemed too white.

• Continuing to fund the Community Development Block Grant program, Head Start and HUD public housing subsidies.

• Funding Small Business Administration loans for minority businesses who train ex-felons, including gangbangers, for the "green jobs" of the future, such as installing extra insulation in homes.

• Doubling the funding for federal after-school programs such as midnight basketball.

• Subsidizing job training, day care, transportation for inner-city poor, as well as doubling the funding of the federal Jobs Access and Reverse Commute program.

• Expanding the eligibility of the earned income tax credit to include more poor, and indexing it to inflation.

• Adopting entire inner-city neighborhoods as wards of the federal government.

• Spending billions on new inner-city employment programs, including prison-to-work programs.

This is just a down payment on the "economic justice" Obama has promised the NAACP — financed by "tax laws that restore some balance to the distribution of the nation’s wealth," he says in his book.

And the indirect aid he’s proposing now could quickly turn into cash transfers once Obama is safely ensconced in the White House.

Claiming "blacks were forced into ghettos," Obama is certainly sympathetic to the idea of reparations. His church has actively petitioned for them for decades. And he’s strongly suggested there’s a legal case to be made for them.

"So many of the disparities that exist in the African-American community today can be directly traced to inequalities passed on from an earlier generation that suffered under the brutal legacy of slavery and Jim Crow," he said. "We still haven’t fixed them."

He assumes the economic gap is a legacy of discrimination and largely unrelated to personal responsibility. He also makes it seem things haven’t gotten better for blacks.

In this, Obama is intellectually dishonest. In his book, he cites statistics showing a 70% rise over the past two decades in the number of "Latino families considered middle class," but never cites one stat showing the even more impressive gains of the black middle class. He complains about low black wages, but never mentions the quantum leap in black home-ownership rates.

Why? Such stats would undermine his case for roundabout reparations. Even if it were true, he says, "better isn’t good enough."

"The problems of inner-city poverty arise from our failure to face up to an often tragic past," Obama said.

Now it’s payback time.

Sign at Railroad Station
"Beware! To touch these wires is instant death. Anyone found doing so will be prosecuted."

Rest Stop in Wisconsin
"Do not eat urinal cakes."

At a Santa Fe gas station:
"We will sell gasoline to anyone in a glass container."

In a New York restaurant:
"Customers who consider our waitresses uncivil ought to see the manager."

On the wall of a Baltimore estate:
"Trespassers will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.
–Sisters of Mercy"

On a long-established New Mexico dry cleaners:
"38 years on the same spot."

In a Los Angeles dance hall:
"Good clean dancing every night but Sunday."

In a Florida maternity ward:
"No children allowed."

In a New York drugstore:
"We dispense with accuracy."

In the offices of a loan company:
"Ask about our plans for owning your home."

In a New York medical building:
"Mental Health Prevention Center"

On a New York convalescent home:
"For the sick and tired of the Episcopal Church."

On a Maine shop:
"Our motto is to give our customers the lowest possible prices, and workmanship."

At a number of military bases:
"Restricted to unauthorized personnel."

In the window of a Kentucky appliance store:
"Don’t kill your wife. Let our washing machine do the dirty work."

In a funeral parlor:
"Ask about our layaway plan."

In a clothing store:
"Wonderful bargains for men with 16 and 17 necks."

In a Tacoma, Washington men’s clothing store:
"15 men’s wool suits, . They won’t last an hour!"

On a shopping mall marquee:
"Archery Tournament — Ears pierced"

Outside a country shop:
"We buy junk and sell antiques."

In the window of an Oregon store:
"Why go elsewhere and be cheated when you can come here?"

In a Maine restaurant:
"Open 7 days a week and weekends."

On a radiator repair garage:
"Best place to take a leak."

In the vestry of a New England church:
"Will the last person to leave please see that the perpetual light is extinguished."

In a Pennsylvania cemetery:
"Persons are prohibited from picking flowers from any but their own graves."

On a roller coaster:
"Watch your head."

On the grounds of a public school:
"No trespassing without permission."

On a Tennessee highway:
"When this sign is under water, this road is impassable."

In front of a New Hampshire car wash:
"If you can’t read this, it’s time to wash your car."

And one for Valentine’s Day
On a display of "I love you only" Valentine cards:
"Now available in multi-packs

here is the setup for the situation, my wife and I lived on her parents property in a small trailer, we had purchased land and had plans on building a new house, but i lost my business and had to get a new job and we couldn’t afford to build, so one year passes, and on nov 04′ on the same day as my wife’s father told her mother that he is leaving her and moving in with another woman, I found out that my mother had terminal cancer, both of us went off to take care of our mother’s.
My mother passed in Dec 04, my wife and I fought about whether or not to buy my mother’s house, we had a ton of bills and car payments, and I had a deal too good to pass up, I got a house at less than half price, and was able to take out some extra to pay off all of our bills and our cars. The mortgage broker put the house in just my name cause they said it would be easier. That ticked my wife off even though i told her i could add her to the title. I was a jerk and tried to pull a ultimatum, move in with me or else, me and her fought a great deal, but eventually came to a agreement, I would live in the house and fix it up, while she would stay at her mom’s to help her through this time, ( the houses are within walking distance to each other) over a year passed and she became more and more distant, then in 06 she tells me that she wants a divorce, I told her that I didn’t want a divorce and I think we should try to go to counseling, she went to the church counseling twice and then quit going, and stuck to her guns that she wants a divorce, she has been treating me pretty crappy for two years now, the last time we had sexual relations was last December and again in June, on Monday she filed for divorce stating that we have been separated since Dec 04 with no sexual relations, (it matters in the state I’m in, have to have no sexual relations for one year). I want to keep my marriage together, and raise our son, but in the last year of this she has been acting more secretively, and has gotten to the point where she wont even have her cell phone around me…… so half of me think that she is just emotionally disturbed, and we can work things out with some help of counseling if she would just open up to it. The other half of me thinks that she is cheating, and just running away, the two houses are only a half mile apart, She has agreed to joint custody of our son, and wants no child support or alimony, she just wants the marriage over.(and she also agreed to take responsibility to the 13k in credit card bills she raked up in the last 2yrs since i paid off her 10k worth of bills, and her 16k new car when i bought the house), I believe in marriage, but I just cant think of any good reason to contest the divorce she wants. P.S., her parents still haven’t gotten a divorce even though her dad has been living with another woman for over three years now.,

I feel left out, like every body is moving at a speed I can’t catch up with. I started going to church about two years ago and faithfully about a year ago and I know he hasn’t left my side, but every day I feel like he has forgotten about me. I’m at a point where I’m looking back at when I didn’t go to church and it was much easier. I’m sad all the time and nothing I mean nothing goes my way. I wanted to pay a loan off when I got my taxes back and now that’s not going to happen because my car is not running and I need the money to fix it. I’m ready to give up.
Lets me also say I still believe in God and know he died for our sins. I guess I’m just at a cross road and It’s going to take faith to get through this.

My girlfriend Ann and I have been together for a little over 2 years and we have a beautiful baby girl together. Ann had gotten herpes prior to us being together and I took the chance to stay with her but she did admit this to me and let the decision be mine. Ann is now 25 and I am 34. Our relationship has been strained heavily from the beginning due to Ann always lying to me about big and small stuff. She has lied to me about talking to an old friend who she was talking to prior to us seeing each other and I found out that she was texting and talking non stop from morning till dark to him and had gone out to lunch with him on occasion. I have no problem with this, its just that she lied to me about it and when I confront her about the lying she makes it out that I am being controlling and over looking the fact that she lied. I have asked her to be in my shoes and she wont, I have female friends and I don’t lie about them and I think that’s fair. Ann had also lied to me about getting a new car and then one day showed up with a new car and said that her father bought it for her as a gift, turns out after several months that she had her father get a loan in his name and that she is making payments to him. My problem with this is that money is so tight and that she says that she doesn’t have money to help with the house payment and bills, but it turns out that she does. I will admit though that Ann does pay for our daughter’s daycare.

My problems, Prior to meeting Ann I went through a divorce and I started drinking a good bit. At some nights I would sit in the garage just to get away and drink. This drinking cost me 2 jobs and I got a DUI.

Now up to day, we recently lost our home in South Carolina due to foreclosure. I suggested moving to Pennsylvania with my parents whom I have not gotten to spend much time with since leaving for the Marines in 1994, getting back on our feet, attending church and me starting AA and we would move back to SC in 2 years. Ann said at first she didn’t want to leave SC and that I could move up and then she would bring our daughter to see me and we would still spend time together and be together but then agreed to it so we moved our stuff up one weekend, all but some clothing and came back to SC to work out notices at work. Well after a week I woke up one morning to find her grabbing some clothing and saying her father was there to pick her up. So she left me and wouldn’t even let me see our baby. I knew I still needed to go to Pa to get my life right and stop drinking for the sake of my children and for myself. Before I went to leave I wanted to see my daughter at the daycare, take her some diapers, and set it up for the daycare to bill me each month for half the cost of the daycare. Ann called the daycare and had them place me on trespass notice, but Ann then did let me see her the day I left to come to Pa. During those days and till even now, Ann ignores most of my text, and says now she isn’t sure what’s going to happen. She said maybe we could start dating when I move back depending on how I do about the alcohol. But why does she ignore my text and calls and make it hard for conversation. I failed to mention she is living at her father’s house now but she acts like she doesn’t have time to talk. It was never a problem when we lived together for her to text non stop or call people any time of the day. She deleted me as a friend on facebook and changed her status to single and put seeking just friendship but even though one of her friends told her to delete pictures of me and her she has still kept them up. I know this cause a mutual friend told me. I have now gone 3 weeks without alcohol minus the communion in church and have been attending AA classes every Wednesday. I now it’s not long but it’s a start. I have been blowing her phone up with text just wanting answers because I either need closure or something. I now found out that I have herpes also, and of course I got them from her. I have let her know this but I am not mad because it was my decision and she fairly advised me. I want to know what to do, I still love her and I have committed myself to not drinking, but I think she needs to admit to herself that her lying is not good and destroys trust. Does she still love me? Why wont she text me? How can I let her know I am committed to fixing my problems? I am pretty sure she isn’t seeing anyone but should I start seeing someone to get my mind off of her.

Family, gas bill, exams, children, electric bill, your business, coursework, friends, water bill, rent, sickness, money, mortgage, break-ups, work, Arsenal losing that match . . .

The list is endless isn’t it? These thoughts frequent our minds so much that we often repeat the same thoughts we’ve had on one subject and we don’t even notice. We become experts at juggling these thoughts so that the most important ones at the moment are directed to the front of our minds for days, weeks or even months of analysing, complaining, wishing it was different and trying to find a solution as soon as possible.

Unfortunately for us, when we focus on these thoughts, our mind isn’t capable of focusing on the good parts or our lives; those tiny buds of happiness that can grow big and tall in our minds if we only poured our attention on them. God, family, friends, health, birthdays, that meal you ate last night . . . One man’s problem could be another’s blessings.
Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be – Abraham Lincoln

Usually I don’t feel comfortable reaching out for help when it comes to my private life, but in this circumstance I feel quite hopeless. Please read everything before making a proper assessment.

I’ve been married for almost 3 years now. My husband and I come from very diverse cultures. I’m 1st Generation Italian-American and my husband is an immigrant from the Philippines. I’m not quite sure how heavily culture weighs in on all of this so I thought maybe I’d mention it just in case.

When I moved in with my husband (before we were married), there was a lot of pressure by his mother for us to get married. She didn’t want her son living unmarried with someone. So to please his mother I agreed to elope in Las Vegas with him. I loved him, he loved me and I didn’t want to add any unnessesary stress on our relationship, it made his mother happy and due to that, made my husband happy.

His mother then started to push things on us. She made us buy a car prematurely when we were not ready financially for it. I felt I did not have a say since my husband would do anything she asked. When we moved to a new apartment it was her who convinced us to take on two roommates who were her friends who made our lives miserable for almost 2 years of almost 3 years of marriage, but they were friends of my husband’s mother so we were not to complain about them. My husband wouldn’t even let me have a sit down with his mother about the problems we were experiencing. His mother forced her religion and church on me and my husband and even though I am Roman Catholic and she was aware of that, she refused to respect it. My husband’s step-father would make all these radical claims that I was an atheist or agnostic to family and church members because I didn’t feel comfortable abandoning my own religion for theirs. They never apologized for it. My husband always defended them for it as well.

Then it got to the point where my husband and his mother started doing things behind my back and without consulting me first. My husband signed a ,000 car loan for my mother-in-law because she could not do it herself and even though my future in the marriage is at stake in this matter because we were planning on purchasing a house and I was planning on going back to college, I was not even let in on this matter until it was all done with. Imagine my surprise. Imagine how hurt I felt.

I’m not a perfect person mind you and I am aware that I have my own faults. I have a large amount of patience, but a bad temper. I also have known to be over-sensitive at times. I have pulled away from his family because I don’t like being judged on my religious choices. I feel very awkward around his mother and anxious on many occasions.

He is always threatening me that he is going to divorce me and find someone who can get along with his mother better. I love him very much, please understand that, but I feel as if I am third wheel to him and his mother. I feel that I have no choice or say in any matter and that I am not respected. I’m very scared because he is a good person, he has taken care of me, but he puts his mother first. I have sacrificed a lot of my own values and personal beliefs to make him and his mother happy. They seem to forget it all. When I bring it up, my husband doesn’t want to hear any of it.

What do I do? I’m quite scared and if it is me who is to blame, I want to figure out what to do to change it so I don’t ruin my marriage.

My mother was never a "motherly" type. She has never had to work my dad always did.They are very well off. I have never asked anything from her because she will not give it anyway. She is one to give to her church and put on errs to others,but as for me and my brother nothing. I have found myself in a predictament though, I have a 6 year old that I transport to school and am 6 months pregnant. Me and my husband both work. She offered to loan us money for a car as she saw our car was unfit, I drive her everywhere shopping, appts.etc. and she wanted to feel safe too.Well the next day our car blew up & I asked her about the loan she said I changed my mind. But good luck to u!I do her hair 3 times a week, even when I had been sick with morn. sickness, She is the type that buys a candy bar for my daughter then tells everyone she bought my groceries for the month! We live next door, & I’m thinking she is nuts! She forgets things & makes up things that hasn’t happened too. She’s only 57.Help?
Well now I know she is crazy. She e-mailed me to let me know that she is no longer getting my children anything because of my attitude and has taken the baby car seat back to get her money. She also informed me she is no longer available to my kids and that I need help! Oh boy…