Layoff at Dell

Unfortunately, Dell fired several hundred people. I believe that we need to consider what we can do to help the less fortunate and we do our best to insure our job safety. I encourage each of you to get additional training and do what it takes to make yourself invaluable to the company. Each of us need to make sure that we are the best candidates that we can be. Please consider what I am saying very seriously.

Soldier suicides

The number of suicides in the Army rose 20 percent in 2007. Despite the efforts to improve the mental health, the soldiers are immensly stressed due to the length of this war. Apparently the staggering numbers are that there have been 89 confirmed suicides and 32 deaths that are suspected suicides. A psychiatry consultant said that besides the war, failed personal relationships, legal and financial problems are also to blame for the suicides. We need to figure out a way to support our soldiers better or at least in a way that perhaps we can help to deter suicides in the men and women that protect our lives.

Rebate Checks

I was looking at this rebate check that many people will be receiving from IRS and I think there has been some confusion. Some are saying that individuals will get $600, couples will get $1200, and you will get $300 per child. This is not necessarily the case. That is the maximum amount a family or person can get. It will depend on your income how much you receive. The very poor and the rich will not receive anything. I encourage you to go to the following website and read the story. Just don't expect something that may not come.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080126/ap_on_go_co/stimulus_rebate

Our schools

I know that many people believe that our school districts are not working for our children anymore. However, I believe differently. I think that as parents we are taking less responsibility in the teaching of our children and we need to step up. I am as guility as anyone else. In the last year or so, I have noticed that I have slacked off of being so demanding and insuring that my children are doing all they can to have a successful future. I got caught up in my own classes and the things that I needed to get done. Our teachers can not do it all, we have to be willing to put in the effort for our children. I have created a plan for our family and it has been working well. My step-son came to live with us 2 years ago. He had been making C's and D's and he is now making A's, B's and only a few C's. Children need to be encouraged and made to believe that they can do it. They need to understand that regardless of the past they can succeed. Some may call what we do as bribing children but if it is working then I will continue to do it. We give them $5 for an A, $3 for a B, nothing for a C, they owe us $5 for a D, and $10 for an F. However, if they receive a 0 on a paper, they owe us $10. This is for each 0 they get on papers. They originally were coming home with 10 or more 0, because to them it didn't matter because they had made a B in the class but now it does matter because it costs them money. The money they owe they have to either pay in cash, by working it off, or a combination of the two. I encourage every parent to come up with some kind of plan to help their child to succeed. Take responsibility for their education!

Elections

This years elections have lead to ad after ad about how the U.S. is in need of change. Therefore, it is pretty apparent that we all agree on that part but what kind of change do we need. I believe that we need to really look at the beliefs of each of the candidate and choose carefully rather than simply looking at political party. There are now websites that offer you an overview of what each candidate believes in. There are also a few that will match up the you with the candidate that believes as closely as you do. I encourage you to do this so that we will be informed. Exercise your rights!

I know that this subject is getting tiresome but I saw something today on Inside Edition that made me laugh. Brittany Spears has developed a British accent. She was telling the press to get out of her face and yelling at her new British photographer boyfriend to hurry up and get her to the car. It was so completely incredible that even the media was making fun of her. One even asking her if she was now a British citizen. I just watched the news program thinking that for someone who is having nervous breakdowns because her children are no longer allowed to be alone with her, she really does get herself into some pickles. Sorry for my rant but this is completely ridiculous.