January

On Staying Sane in an Insane World

We all share responsibility for the mess our country is in. We lived beyond our means, and we reveled in our skyrocketing home values. We bought our SUVs and were proud of the granite countertops in our kitchen. Oh, what's wrong with wanting the good life, I hear from some friends? And just what is your definition of the good life? $600 shoes, a Tiffany bracelet and a Coach purse? A

And, if we were fortunate to not have a son or daughter serving in the military, we could avoid the fact that our country was at war. We could duck the moral responsibility we should have all taken allowing an illegal war to continue, one that left thousands of US service men and women killed, and hundreds of thousands of Iraquis, not to mention all the people on both sides who will live the rest of their lives with traumatic, life-changing injuries. Oh, and this was a war that is helping to bankrupt our country financially and morally.

Only when we start to take responsibility can we begin to move forward.

Reader Response

"We all share responsibility for the mess our country is in."

I respectively wanted to disagree with this statement.

There were those who were given the responsibility to make sure that the rules of the game were followed and failed in doing this. S&L mess one example of failure and a hint that something was wrong. Internet Bubble next big one, again nothing. Sub-Prime and Credit Bubble pluse the wars have finally busted the game.

As for "We all", yes in part we are responsible but don't forget the power of media and advertisement. This was a 24/7 year after year persuasion campaign to convince all that you can live on credit and tomorrow will be OK.

This graph (http://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/data/PSAVERT_Max_630_378.png) should have been ringing bells in DC and for some reason was not. The big question is why not?

Wish Everyone All The Best in 2009

On Gone but not Forgotten

I will never forget that day. It will be with me forever! Like the day Kennedy was shot!

It is nice to see that some stores still have the "Missing" poster in the window.

I would bring those posters to the Oakland Airport every Friday when I met my husband returning from Southern California. Many people would take one with them, to any destination. Just to get the word out to help find her. Remember, we didn't have the internet yet!

On Star of the Scissors

I'm am so thrilled to see my stylist in your magazine. He really deserves to be recognized for his achievements in the beauty industry. I love how I feel and look after i leave the Clark Russell Salon. Clark is a hidden jewel. I encourge you all to visit Clark at his salon, you will be glad you did!

It's a true find to have Clark Russell cut my hair. A good hair cut creates my image, as a financial conultant; stylish and yet conservative. I do get more noticed, after Clark Russell became my hair stylist. Clark is very talented in creating the utimate look and responding to our request of our preferences.