Just one more instance of the Bush Administration putting us at risk

Favoring business interests over public safety, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) finalized new guidelines to make it easier for drug makers to promote “off-label” prescription drug uses, which can be deadly. Off-label prescription drug use is when pharmaceutical companies encourage doctors to prescribe medication for broader uses than the one it was created in order to boost sales.

So a doctor could prescribe the drug Nuerontin, created to treat epilepsy, would be given to patients for other things like ADD, pain management, or migraines. What makes this so dangerous is that a lot of these drugs have strong side effects and many have not been definitively proven to be effective for the broader uses. A lot of the sales over the years for Nuerontin have been off-label. An increase in suicide and suicide attempts have been linked to this drug.

The Bush Administration allowed the FDA to relax its oversight on off label use while prosecutors across the country are cracking down. No wonder pharmaceuticals are making profits while the rest of us struggle to make ends meet. To add fuel to the fire, we now have to worry about the drugs our doctors prescribe. Thanks President Bush.

It’s time to hold our elected officials and bailout payees accountable

I believe it’s time a moratorium should be held on bonuses, corporate jets, and holding meetings at high-end hotels in exotic locations. The media is doing their part in exposing the excess and wasting of taxpayer dollars. When are we going to do our part?

It’s more than just voting. We have to make noise and let these elected officials and bailout money recipients know that politics and business as usual is no longer acceptable.
No more pay to play or corruption of public servants. No more bonuses until companies start showing gains and start lending again. Everyone should pay their taxes. So elected officials and corporate leaders beware - the people are watching.

Super Bowl XLIII is a nail biter until the final moment

Last night, Ben Roethlisberger and Santonio Holmes made it happen in the fourth quarter for the Steelers. This is the sixth win in the franchise’s history making the Steelers the winningest franchise in NFL history. Coach Tomlin, at 36, also became the youngest coach to be in and to win a super bowl. A penalty by Justin Hartwig almost put their win in jeopardy but it forced the Steelers defense and offense to step up their game.

We should take out hats off to Kurt Warner and the Cardinals for playing a great game. Penalties and time were against them. Warner is definitely one of the smartest quarterback to play in the NFL. Larry Fitzgerald finally got some receptions including two touchdowns. I look forward to amazing plays from him in the future. If Kurt Warner decided to retire, he should be proud of his NFL career.

Congratulations to my Pittsburgh Steelers and the Steeler Nation!

These 20 companies are hiring

Despite the massive layoffs being announced on a weekly basis, an article on Forbes.com says these companies have openings for workers (as of January 13, 2009). Search them out on the web to see if you have what they are looking for but be aware that these companies may not have openings in your home town so you may have to consider relocation.

Edward Jones
Google
Wegman Food
Cisco Sytems
Genentech
Methodist Hospital System (Houston, TX)
Whole Foods Market
Microsoft (they announced layoffs so double check this)
Burns & McDonnell
Ernst & Young
Booz Allen Hamilton
KPMG
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Scripps Health
Mayo Clinic
Baptist Health South Florida
Bright Horizons
Publix Supermarkets
T-Mobile
Accenture

If you think you can’t apply for some of these companies because you’ve never worked in that particular industry think again. Believe in yourself and let these companies know what you’re brining to the table. Take a risk you may be surprised. Companies are looking for good workers and they just may be looking for you. Happy job hunting!

The Top 5 Superfoods for Women of Any Age

In a July 17, 2008 article on Health.com, Joan Raymond shares five superfoods that women of all ages can benefit. As the winter months drag on, try some of these foods to keep the doctor away.

Cranberries
To help fight off nasty urinary tract infections try 10 ounces of juice a day. Plus, recent research shows that cranberries might also help fend off colds and fight stomach bugs, gum disease, and certain types of cancer.

Walnuts
Rich in omega-3s, walnuts may help reduce inflammation and increase good cholesterol. They may even help with depression and reduce your risk of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases.

Beans
Rich in two heart-friendly phytochemicals, beans are packed with magnesium, potassium, folate, and fiber. Good for heading off heart disease and colon cancer.

Fish
Eating seafood rich in omega-3s at least twice a week could reduce your risk of heart disease. Women of childbearing age and nursing mothers can safely eat as much as 12 ounces of seafood a week if they avoid high-mercury swordfish, shark, tilefish, and king mackerel; albacore tuna should be limited to 6 ounces a week.

Tomatoes
Filled with the antioxidant lycopene, tomatoes and cooked tomato products pack a big health punch. Women with lycopene-rich diets may have as much as a 50 percent lower risk of developing breast cancer. The antioxidant can also lower your blood pressure and bad cholesterol, reduce your risk of getting macular degeneration, and decrease your risk of getting many cancers.

Blagojevich chooses to be media darling while Illinois Senate begins his impeachment trial

Yesterday, Governor Blagojevich took to the national media circuit in search of public approval. Meanwhile, in Illinois, the state Senate began his impeachment trial. The governor decided not to attend a trial that he deems illegitimate because he is unable to call witnesses and defend himself. By law, the governor can call witnesses but they cannot be connected to the case the U.S attorney has against him. The governor will have an indictment hearing in April. It seems likely that the Senate will impeach the governor but that is the least of his worries. If indicted and found guilty, the governor could face many years in prison.

Blagojevich appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America and The View and on CNN’s Larry King Live. At each appearance he maintains he is innocent of any wrongdoing and that everything he’s done is for the good of the people of Illinois. Only time will tell if this media blitz worked. The governor engaged the national media against the wishes of his lead defense attorney, Ed Gensen, who has resigned as his attorney. This drama can only get stranger.

Our treasury secretary-elect hasn’t paid his taxes

I applaud Congress for grilling Timothy Geitner over his “mistake” over not paying his self-employment taxes. When Lehman Brothers failed he was the NY Fed Chairman. He stood by, allowed it to happen, and watched the domino effect as the economic crisis really got under way. If regular citizens didn’t pay their taxes or had an employee with illegal alien status there would be massive fines and the threat of jail time. I hope this man is the wunderkind everyone seems to think he is otherwise in terms of our financial system we shouldn’t expect much change.