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Frank Rich wrote an interesting column in the New York Times this past weekend that has generated over 600 comments so far, in which he asserts that the rage seen in the news lately, as expressed by the "tea baggers" and others  is not about health care.  The article implies that he believes that the underlying cause may be the ugliness of racism raising it's hideous head against our president. 

I was greatly saddened as I read that in his column, and it caused me to think further about the issue. Is that really what is making people so angry? For some perhaps, but I don't really think that is the root cause.   

Instead, I think that people who have always considered themselves to be in the American  middle class have a nagging sensation that something is wrong, but they do not know how to articulate or explain what is causing that feeling. They only have a sense that things are slipping all around them and under them and they do not know how to stop it. The sense of unease that that breeds causes some to "look for someone to blame." Unfortunately, that feeling tends to bring out racism in some, or a "blame the immigrants" attitude in others. Some people blame themselves and sink into depression. Frustration tends to lead to anger, then to depression. 

Those outcomes are by- products, however, and I do not think they are the root cause of the rage. I think that Elizabeth Warren has a better explanation. Click here to listen to her and see what you think. 

Instead of sinking back into racism and increasing our fear or blame of each other, we need to work together to fix our economy and to use our collective political clout to demand policies that keep jobs onshore, circulating money and opportunity for all throughout our economy. Current tension expressed as rage against health care reform is masking a real issue of loss of discretionary income. It is not that people want to deny their fellow Americans health care that is needed. The real cause of the rage is the sense that money seems to be flowing only upward (away from the middle class) and not circulating in small business and consumer lending or in the form of pay raises, and the resulting fear and sense of general dis-ease is horrifying to people. Fear and rage accomplish nothing productive.  But working together, we are some of the most productive people on earth. It is time to face up to what is bothering so many of us and get back to being the "can-do" nation that we are. Correcting unfairness in taxation and the sense that we no longer have representation are two good places to start. Instead of repeating talk show slogans and getting all worked up into a rage, let's contact our representatives with constructive ideas and rebuild our country with or without them! 

Pay attention to essential steps in starting a business, develop a strategy, weigh the pros and cons, make your decision and you can be up and running within a short timeframe. There are many books available to help you decide on a business that could suit your personality and time schedule in a way that is profitable for you. One book that is straight-forward and a quick read, with useful information, is Running a Side Business: How to Create a Second Income by Richard Stim and Lisa Guerin, J.D. 

If you are planning to multiply your income opportunities, or already have multiple streams of income coming in, share your ideas with us. Your story may be just the right encouragement that someone needs to get moving!

When did fairs turn into fat fests?  it is not just the Florida State Fair that offers such non-slimming fare. Unusual fried foods are the desired dishes at fairs across the country. There is even such a thing as fried Coca-Cola!  Park in a far lot and walk, walk, walk that midway. Meet up with friends,  laugh your head off and enjoy life - that is good for your health in itself.

One way to flush that fat out later and avoid a heart attack is to balance it with some healthy fiber. The Fiber-O-Meter is a clever website that can help you choose foods rich in fiber.  

I am looking forward to reading "Food Rules: An Eater's Manual," by Michael Pollan. There are 64 common sense principles outlined in the book. Two of my favorite quotes from Mr. Pollan are don't "get your fuel from the same place your car does," and "if it came from a plant, eat it; if it was made in a plant, don't." 

The bottom line in avoiding a bigger bottom is to eat what you want, but in smaller portions (remember "French Women Don't Get Fat"), and make sure you exercise.  To stay healthy, we need to eat more plants. 

After the Super Bowl this Sunday, with all it's accompanying cultural snacks and dips, and the State Fair, I had better do something. If you see me on my bike next week and I'm moving slow, don't run over me!

When I took my son to the airport for his holiday trip, I did not take a purse filled with cash or credit card. with me because his dad had purchased the ticket and my son had his confirmation code and his ID, so what more did we need, right? After all, he had stuffed everything into one duffle bag and I had a few dollars in the car to make sure I could successfully exit the airport parking garage.

Thankfully, I went into the airport with my son instead of dropping him off curbside for his departing 6 AM flight. When we arrived at the USAirways check-in counter, we were hit with the $25 bag fee for his one bag.

I admit that I had not flown with them recently and usually fly Southwest, so I did not realize that I needed cash to check my son in for his flight. Befuddled, when the automated check-in would not let me proceed without inserting a credit card, I asked for assistance.  The gentleman at the counter was as confounded as I was and told me that if I did not have my credit or debit cards with me, I would need to pay cash. 

As I explained to the manager that we did not have enough cash on us to meet the fee, I asked if UsAirways might just hold my son's bad for ransom at his Phoenix destination until either my son or his father paid the $25 to collect the bag. I was told, "No," that was not possible. Instead, I was told that I would need to phone someone to obtain a credit card number on which to charge the fee! At that point, I made a mental note to self to memorize at least one of my card numbers for future reference. The helpful folks at USAirways suggested that I call the person who would be meeting my son in Phoenix, but since it was not even 5 AM in Tampa at the time, I did not think that would be a good idea. 

In the end, I did reach my night owl sister who is a night nurse at Arnold Palmer Urgent Care Center in Orlando, who kindly surrendered her credit card number to obtain a boarding pass for my son and he was able to board his flight on time. His dad woke up in a panic when he saw his missed calls and our text messages. As he looked over his e-ticket purchase record, he did not see mention of the bag fee, nor did he remember being asked for it while booking online. He was relieved that we were able to reach my sister at the critical hour.

My son had a safe, smooth flight from Tampa to Phoenix, but given a choice we would pass on the shakedown at the airport for the bag fee. Ironically, if the young man had been flying with no luggage, he probably would have been pulled aside for a security check. Who knows? Maybe we will eventually end up all flying nude. I have learned my lesson to not leave home without $$$. What do you think? What experiences have you had?