Final press conference as Bush administration closes in on the end

On Monday, President Bush gave a final press conference. I’ve never been a Bush fan but for me his approval rating has grown because of two bright spots – his policies in Africa and his handling of the transition from his administration to Obama’s.

President Bush has given more money to fighting disease and other issues in Africa than any other president to date. He’s also been very generous in helping Obama move smoothly into the Oval office. Only time will tell how history will treat Bush’s presidency. Hopefully these two bright spots won’t be overshadowed by the many dark ones.

Is 2009 the year of the consumer?

Businesses are hoping that consumers will get off the sidelines and start spending again. The deepening recession is not helping. As oil inches back toward $50, gas prices are inching back up towards $2. Homeowners will also be paying more to heat their homes this winter. And there is the threat of more layoffs across industries.

All this bad news is not deterring businesses. Hyundai has a new incentive program for buyers. If you buy a new Hyundai and lose your job within a year, Hyundai will take it back. To get this benefit the buyer has to make two payments before filing a claim to walk away from the loan. Walkaway, who manages the program, says that they have been selling a similar program through various auto dealers in Canada since 2000. Hyundai is the only US automaker offering this program nationwide. Hyundai already offers cash back on most of its vehicles. The Assurance program, in addition to cash back, offers buyers value in the car buying process. The American automakers should take a lesson.

Trying to lose weight? Try on of these top ten diets.

Health magazine gathered a panel of experts to analyze 60 diets and narrow them down to the top ten diets in America. Below are the ones that made this year’s list.

The Structure House Weight Loss Plan, structurehouse.com: takes a holistic approach to weight loss including addressing the “why” in the relationship between people and food and exercising. This home-based plan follows the residential treatment plan of the actual Structure House in Durham, NC.

The Step Diet: This diet has participants walking and cutting their current food intake by 25 percent. For dieters who like things simple, like having choices and control, this plan is for you.

Weight Watchers, weightwatchers.com: This is a classic plan that continues to work for millions of people. The online option helps those not interested in going to meetings.
The EatingWell Diet, eatingwell.com: The focus of this plan is on behavior changes and sustained weight loss.

The Volumetrics Eating Plan, volumetriceatingplan.com: This plan focuses on making sure that people feel full but eat healthy.

The Best Life Diet, thebestlife.com: This program, created by Bob Greene who has helped Oprah in the past, offers people a way to ease into losing weight and does not advocate keeping strict track of calories.

The Solution: This program helps people figure out why they are overeating

You: On a Diet, realage.com/ct/shape-up-slim-down/you-on-a-diet: This program motivates and educates about weight loss in a fun way.

The Sonoma Diet, sonomadiet.com: This diet is based on the Mediterranean way of eating.

The Spectrum, ornishspectrum.com: This program emphasizes nutrition, exercise, stress management, and personal relationships.

The new first family has arrived in Washington

President-elect Obama and his family arrived in Washington this week. The first daughters are attending the prestigious Sidwell Friends School in Washington, DC. Yesterday was their first day of school. The President-elect is making the rounds in Congress to discuss the details in his economic plan. While his focus is on the economy, the President-elect has been silent on what’s been going on in Gaza between Hamas and Israel. President Bush and Secretary of State Rice are working to negotiate a cease fire in the region. While the numbers are not definite, it is reported that 500 Palestinians and 5 Israelis are dead. This is just another issue in a long list of issues facing the President-elect in two weeks. He’ll also have to nominate a new commerce secretary because Governor Bill Richardson withdrew his nomination after being investigated by the Fed in the CDR investigation, a possible scandal that he said would be a distraction and delay his nomination. In other news, Al Franken may be named the new Senator from Minnesota. He won the recount but the incumbent has a week to challenge this and file a lawsuit.

On Thursday the President-elect is set to give a major speech on the economy. As part of his economic rescue plan, the President-elect is pushing for $300 billion in tax cuts for individuals and businesses. Even though a number has not been given, advisers say that the total rescue plan will be $675 - $775 billion. The plan, called the American Recovery and Reinvestment Plan, includes tax cuts, proposals to double renewable energy production and making public buildings more energy efficient, to rebuild roads, schools, and bridges, computerize the health care system, and modernize classrooms, labs, and libraries. In his Thursday speech it is important for the President-elect to spell out how the items included in his rescue plan will jumpstart the economy.

It’s vacation time but the work continues

President –elect Obama is taking a much needed vacation in his native Hawaii. The media is calling it a working vacation because he is keeping abreast of what’s going on with the economy and abroad as well as work being done by his economic team on the bold and very large stimulus package. Vice-President Biden is still in DC working with the economic team and doing his best to sell this stimulus package to members of Congress.

The Obama transition team is issuing a report today that will state that there was no unlawful contact with the Illinois governor. This is an internal investigation by team Obama. The main investigation and final word on this will come from the U.S. attorney.

Beware of lowering credit scores

I was talking with a friend yesterday and she told me a story that gave me pause. Apparently a woman’s line of credit was lowered because she was not using her credit card. This in turn lowered her credit score. In essence she was being penalized for saving her credit line for a rainy day. Her credit card company is trying to force her to use her credit. She is worried about losing her job and the state of the economy.

Of course I should be surprised but I’m not. Those greedy bastards will try anything to make a buck. My question is who is going to force these companies to start lending again. They seem to be saving all that government money they got for a rainy day. Who is going to penalize them?

A big breakfast may help with weight loss

A new study suggests that a big breakfast with carbohydrates and lean protein may aid obese women in losing weight. The clinical trial studied women who ate a big breakfast with carbs and women who ate a low-carb breakfast. In an eight month period, women who ate a big breakfast lost 40 pounds. The low-carb women lost nine pounds. Researchers at Virginia Commonwealth University conducted the study.

Some are calling for more research but many nutritionists agree that a good breakfast help with weight loss. The earlier you get your calories the sooner your body can use them up efficiently. This also aids in feeding your metabolism which can slow down when not fed enough or later in the day on a consistent basis. So if losing weight is on your list of New Year’s resolutions, commit to eating a good breakfast. It may put you on the right path towards a slimmer, healthier you.