One of the reasons that Branson, Missouri does not want casinos nearby is they are afraid that they will lose their family friendly atmosphere.

Branson appeals to people of all ages, from the very young to the very old. If you are looking for a particular vacation package, you can find one for your whole family. There are many attractions in Branson including museums, caves and caverns to explore, water rides, miniature golf, movie theaters, golf and shopping.

After you are finished with fun day time activities, you can also catch a show! With so many shows to choose from, it might be difficult to find the perfect entertainment. I would love to see the Acrobats of China show. I am always amazed at how they can bend their bodies in so many different ways. Of course, I wouldn’t want to miss the Hits of the 60s either!

If you are looking for a great family getaway without a casino or slot machine in sight, Branson has a lot to offer!

Whenever hard times hit, the answer always seems to be a casino. Here in New Jersey, the horse race tracks are lobbying to add slot machines to increase and keep business. Near Branson, Missouri, Rockaway Beach is hoping that a casino can be built there to help the depressed economy. Not everyone believes that casinos actually help the economy. Dr. John Kindt, a professor commerce and legal policy at the University of Illinois is one of those. Dr. Kindt reported a few years ago that according to his conservative statistics, that gamblers often spend 10 percent less on food, 25 percent less on clothing and they dip into their savings to pay for gambling.

Also expected is an increase in crime and more bankruptcies and people use money to gambling instead of paying their mortgage.

Kindt also reported that some businesses will not open near casinos and jobs can also be lost when a casino is built.

Certainly, some one is getting rich off casinos, but it is not always the local town.

With Governor Corzine’s approval rating at an all time low, rumors have been flying that Lou Dobbs may run for Governor in 2009. You know Lou Dobbs. He is the host and managing editor of CNN’s Lou Dobbs tonight. Dobbs was registered to vote as a Republican but switched to Independent in 2006.

Dobbs is strongly opposed to illegal immigration and outsourcing for the sake of cheap labor. He believes that voters have little choice in the two party system and it was one of his reasons for switching to Independent. Dobbs is also pro-choice, anti-gun control and supports gay rights.

Since it seems that he leans both left and right, he might fit right in New Jersey politics where it seems that no one can make up their mind.

Federal agencies love to send their employees to conferences. They just say the word and they are ready with their Briggs and Riley luggage to travel to Las Vegas, Florida or Hawaii.

In fact, between 2000 and 2006, federal agencies spent over $2 billion dollars on conferences for their employees. In the year 2000, they spent $200 million. This increased to over 95% by 2006, when they spent $400 million on conferences.

Medicare was the first attempt at national health insurance. Now that there is a lot of talk about implementing a new national health insurance program, I thought I would take a look at how medicare was started.

In 1945, Harry Truman asked congress to fund a national health insurance program. However, too many were afraid of “socialized medicine” and Truman eventually backed off the idea. Instead, officials in the Social Security administrations determined that adding a health insurance program for Social Security beneficiaries would be a good idea.

It is not until 1965 that Medicare and Medicaid (for indigent people) are signed into law by President Johnson and over 19 million enroll. Truman is the first to enroll in the Medicare and the premium is $3 per month. In 1972 the program is expanded to cover disabled persons under 65 and those with kidney failure.

Federal employees become covered under Medicare in 1983 - 1984. This includes the President and members of Congress. Other coverages (such as for mammography) are added over the years.

Medicare spending may reach $500 billion by 2012 and yet it still does not cover all the necessary procedures for some seniors. Many participants relay on a medicare supplement to help defray medical costs.

When Medicare was first enacted, there were few who believed that retirees over the age of 65 would live much more than 5 to 10 years. However, since people as living much longer today, the strain on Medicare has become enormous. Some predict that eventually the federal government will not be able to afford this benefit.

Army Spc. Jeffrey A. Williams
20 years old from Warrenville, Illinois
Support Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment
September 5, 2005

SPC. Jeffery A. Williams was killed in action when an IED was detonated near his combat patrol in Tal Afar, Iraq.

Your time with us was far too short
Dealing with your loss will be hard,
When I think about what this world has lost
I want to just shut out the world and cry,
But I will not do that.
Because you gave your life for something much greater than you or I
So, I will remember you as the Hero that you are
And never let what you did in your life cut short be forgotten
And that is the best way I know to honor you

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Out here in New Jersey, our polling facilities are usually located in local schools. I found it interesting that this year a court allowed vegas hotels in Nevada to be used as polling places. This move was supposed to help Obama in Nevada since the casino workers union endorsed him, however Clinton won the Nevada caucus 51% to Obama’s 45%.

Something truly must be in the water in Minnesota. First, they elect a pro wrestler as Governor (Jesse Ventura) in 1999, now they are thinking of electing Al Franken to the Senate. Al Franken, whose humor often lands him in hot water, has told reporters that his jokes are “off the record.” Currently, the incumbent, Norm Coleman is leading in the polls, but the numbers keep getting closer.

Gennifer Flowers and Paula Jones have teamed up together. They are offering videos on their website that detail their encounters with Bill Clinton and thoughts about Hillary Clinton as well. Both of these ladies look like they have had extensive plastic surgery and maybe used a diet pill or two and this will be a good way to pay off those debts. You can view each of the videos for $1.99 each. I wonder how well they are doing?

Mitt Romney has faded from the picture, or has he? He is campaigning for McCain and is on short list for Vice President. If Ted Kennedy resigns, I wonder if he will go run for the Senate seat in Massachusetts or if he will look for other jobs in Boston suited to his management style. Mitt recently appeared in Oregon supporting McCain.

I would love to hear Mitt speak, but being from New Jersey, I might not get the opportunity. We are pretty liberal out hear and the Republicans often write us off before even giving us a chance!