Election Day is approaching. Are you registered to vote?

If you didn’t know, Tuesday, November 4, 2008 is Election Day. On this day many Americans will exercise their right to vote; will you be among them? Our vote is our power. It’s our political currency. Voting is a way to be part of the solution instead of sitting completely on the sidelines. People that don’t vote can’t complain about what’s going on around them if they didn’t vote and take the first step in making a change.

In most states the deadline to register to vote is thirty days before an election. You can visit the web site or call you state Board of elections to find out about deadlines for registering, absentee ballots, and early voting. You can also go to DeclareYourself.com to learn about voting information in your state and to register to vote.

Social Networking sites can help you find your next clients

Social networking sites are no longer just for catching up with old classmates or communicating with friends. Now business owners and professionals can use these sites to find potential clients, venture capital or even a new boss. Here are six sites worth checking out.

Linkedin.com: This site uses contacts from your email provider to invite peers

Ryze.com: This site allows users to join groups with similar interests

Tribe.net: Local online communities connect users and help their search for services

Facebook.com: This site is popular with young professionals and is a good place to network with college alumni and find jobs

Plaxo.com: This site is good for midcareer-level professionals who can use the site to streamline contacts, news sources, and other web content

MySpace.com: This site caters to the needs of young professionals, artists and entertainers that use site to search and post classifieds and community events. You can also share photos, videos, and blogs as well.

Don’t believe the ads-High Fructose Corn Syrup is Not Good for You

Ok. Have you seen the new ads about high fructose corn syrup? Basically they say that in moderation high fructose corn syrup is ok and no more harmful than sugar. It seems that the Corn Refiners Association has started an advertising blitz to change the image of high fructose corn syrup which they believe has gotten a bad rap. According to them, high fructose corn syrup is no more fattening than sugar.

Here’s the real deal. High fructose corn syrup is used in a lot of products from beverages to bread and manufacturers like it because it’s cheaper than sugar. Telling me that this product is no more fattening than sugar does not change the fact that it is fattening and aiding in the obesity of our citizens. And it’s especially bad for diabetics or those groups extremely susceptible to becoming diabetic.

I don’t see the sugar makers trying to change their image. Our citizens are fatter than ever before and it’s because of what we eat. Food manufacturers are counting on us to continue to stay fat because it helps their bottom line. Well, I’m not interested in their bottom line so in response to their ads I think I’ll stick with water.

Is she a politician or a political distraction?

Governor Sarah Pallin of Alaska has garnered a lot of media attention since the announcement of her as Senator McCain’s running mate. But is the attention positive or negative. Is she really an asset or a distraction? I still don’t know much about this woman and the stories that are being reported about her are not very positive.

As an independent voter, I need to know about each candidate to make an informed decision. Senator Obama has been on the scene since his speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention and for almost two years since he started campaigning to be the next President. Senator Biden has a long history in the Congress and his record on the issues can be traced. The same can be said about Senator McCain. I don’t even know if Governor Pallin and Senator McCain are really on the same page on the issues. I feel as if the McCain campaign is trying to pull a fast one just to win the White House and we may be in for four more years of trouble on the domestic front, at least. I’m not sure America can afford that. I have no problem voting for Senator McCain if I feel he is the right man for the job but I need more information on his running mate before I can make that call. Until then, my vote is still up for grabs.

Great Ways to Market Your Business Online

The internet has changed how things are marketed. More people can be reached through the internet. Now don’t stop your direct mail and word of mouth campaigns because those are still good ways to get the word out about your business. However, the internet is a good addition to any marketing plan. Here are four simple ways to get the word out on the internet.

1. Create a simple web site. Use your web site to give pertinent information about your business. Then, place your web site url on all your marketing material and drive people to your web site.

2. Do some blogging. Write some interesting, conversational articles about your business and your industry. It will go a long way to creating buzz and creditability.

3. Try podcasting. Putting a voice to your business goes further than written material. It creates relationships without meeting face to face. It also gives you an opportunity to be creative and gain the attention of industry leaders and experts.

4. Don’t overlook YouTube. This is not the time to do a cheesy infomercial. Create an interesting how- to video and then lead them to your web site for more information.

Try one or all of these tips and see an increase of business in the coming months. If you have products or services that you believe the world should know about, don’t wait, get online and start sharing with the world.

Smoking increases heart attacks in women

Studies have shown that women get heart disease much later than men but not if they smoke. Studies are showing that women who smoke have heart attacks 12 years earlier than women who smoke while men who smoke have heart attacks only 6 years earlier than men who smoke.

Women who smoke, provided they have no other health problems, could have their first heart attack at age 66 rather at age 81; the age for women who don’t smoke. Studies have shown that estrogen may protect women from heart attacks but as they age and go through menopause, estrogen decreases leaving then at risk for heart disease; smoking increases that risk.

This is another good reason for women to stop smoking. The earlier they stop and start eating better and exercising, they may decrease their chances of heart disease dramatically.

Gustav pushes back Republican convention

The Republican National Convention kicked off this week in St. Paul, Minnesota but its first day speeches were halted due to Hurricane Gustav hitting land in our gulf states. In Louisiana the levees held but the lower ninth ward, which is still in a serious state of rebuilding, was flooded heavily.

Today, President Bush will address the convention via satellite from Washington, DC and Senator Joseph Lieberman will also address the convention. The convention is being retooled since the last nights activities were cancelled.