We tend to focus on the ‘headline’ unemployment number (9.1%). Occasionally, some, economist will cite the U-6 figures for the un/under-employed, including ‘discouraged’ workers- guestimating a total of 16.5% in this broader category.The best measurement (for my money, at least), is something called ‘the labor participation rate’. This is simply the percentage of age-eligible people who are actually employed. According to statistics released just this month, that percentage stands at 58%- 2% higher than the historical average. In other words, we may not have hit bottom yet.

Medicine can really help and prevent some serious health issues. I actually think the prescription drug plan of president Bush was more thought out than the socialization of healthcare by Barack Obama and his liberal allies. I think it will hurt America in the long run. On the bright side many of the liberals will be out of office come 2010.

The problem is that we really don’t want to play. We set up complicated rules. We ask the homeless for ID, their last addresses, jobs skills and phone numbers. Then, we give them cast off clothing, a hot meal and shower and wonder why no one will hire them when they’re cleaned up. Only a fortunate few break free from homelessness.

The one concern to keep in mind while trimming is the location of the quick, which is the blood supply to the nail. Have a veterinarian or experienced friend show you how to locate the quick. Make sure you don’t trim into the quick as this can be painful and the bleeding is often hard to stop.

A family history could be of assistance in finding a pattern. Also, a skin and/or blood examination could also be practiced even for determining food allergic reactions in youngsters.

It’s a good idea to have some local currency on your person when you arrive. You might need to get a bus, taxi or train to your hotel, and won’t want to have to find a bank to change travellers’ cheques, or be worried about having to use a cash machine in a foreign language in the middle of the night.

Bartering is fun and you can get nearly anything. Most people have a special skill or talent to trade. You may not be able to make much of a living with your talent, but it is still tradable.