Layaway makes a comeback

The layaway plans of the past seem to be making a comeback this year to "entice customers back to shop for Christmas gifts despite tighter credit and slumping retail sales," the Tennessean reported. 

For the first time in 19 years Sears will reintroduce its layaway plan. Kmart, which is owned by the same company has been highlighting its layaway plan on TV commercials. Something that was never done before. Everyone knows Kmart has layaway, but today's economy warrants the reminder.  

Using layaway became unpopular a number of years ago when the use of credit cards became the primary method of payment. Now some people are having a hard time keeping above water where their credit card payments are concerned. 

Layaway could be one of the safest ways make a large purchase if you can not pay for it cash. 

Philly Atlanta and Phoenix want their share

Well what the prediction has come true. When the bailout was still in the negation stages some predicted, that everyone would want a piece of the $700 billon dollar action. According to the Huffington Post, Friday three major cities asked the government for a piece of the bailout action.

“The mayors _ Michael Nutter of Philadelphia, Shirley Franklin of Atlanta and Phil Gordon of Phoenix _ made their request in a letter to Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson,” the Huffington Post reported.

Each city is undertaking their own financial crisis and believes that they are entitled to assistance, just as the financial institutions. If every major city makes request’s it will cause a major problem, the government will not be able to bail out every city.

Image costs too much

Fashion is often an issue discussed in many circles. In some cases if a person does not have the right clothes, he or she may or may not be accepted.

One might argue that having the right clothes says something about a leader. In the game of politics, image is everything. So isn’t it befitting that political figures be the best dressed.

Some might argue yes, but to the tune of $150,000. I don't think so. That’s how much was spent this campaign season on Sarah Palin’s wardrobe.

Don’t get me wrong I do believe in dressing nice, but when the country is in financial shambles, spending that kind of money, that isn’t your own isn’t the best of ideas. 

History's Made

Well after the long months, the results are in and the 2008 presidential election is over. Barack Obama is our president-elect. He will be sworn in next January. 

January 2009 will mark the 100th year of the establishment of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. 

Obama is the first black person to be elected President of the United States. 

Free food in exchange for First Amendment rights

Recently I attended a conference and absorbed a lot of information, but there was one idea that resonated harder than the others. That is the importance of the First Amendment and all the rights that it grants, which are overlooked on a daily basis.

The conference hosted a free breakfast, you could eat all the food you want, and the only requirement was to sign away your First Amendment rights for the duration of the meal.

To some college students a free breakfast sounded good, but they quickly realized that their First Amendment rights were more important.

Upon entrance to the breakfast, students were separated into categories based on dress, actions and or diction. A student could blink his or her eyes wrong and receive unfair treatment because he or she gave up their First Amendment rights.

The First Amendment guarantees five things that are not granted in any other country in the world.

“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances,” according to the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Democrats and Republicans dominate

Each election year the Republicans and Democrats run the political show. For weeks news concerning McCain, Obama, Palin and Biden have invaded our lives, well not so much Biden, but the fact remains, they are the media’s target.

This has been the practice of main stream media for as long as I can remember. Last Monday I reported on a third party presidential debate in Nashville for MTSU’s Sidelines.

Many of my peers were surprised to know that there were other candidates running for president besides Obama and McCain.

"I think that as vibrant as our political system seems some time that alternative views just simply don't permeate the conventional wisdom often enough," Said Bruce Barry, debate’s moderator. "However realistic their candidacies might be, what they have to say is important."

The debate was open to all third party candidates only six were in attendance.

Confirmation

Our fears last week were confirmed when gas prices soared, Hurricane Ike is gone but its effects are causing many people to feel a pinch at the pump.

In some areas of the country, drivers were lined up for miles trying to purchase gas. This activity was extremely prevalent in the Middle Tennessee area, where some stations ran out of gas.

It is a sad situation for our country, when citizens are not complaining about the price of gas, but the availability of gas. Some

Nashville residents were running out of gas on the interstate and had to receive rescue from Tennessee Department of Transportation workers.

In other areas of the country, prices are averaging around $3.89. My mother in New Orleans said that she purchased gas for $3.69.

The price of gas depends on your location.

Ike may cause a spike

As Ike threatens the Gulf Coast, in a panic Americans believe their gas supply is threatened.

This combination sent many in frenzy to their local gas stations to stock up, for anticipated price jumps.

Last night, around 11 p.m. my roommate warns of long lines at the pump, the Tennessean, reported several other incidents around the Middle Tennessee area of similar sightings.

Some local stations were asking patrons to limit their fueling purchase to 10 gallons.

The public is extremely concerned with a possible fuel price spike, as they should be. Although, I do agree that a panic before Hurricane Ike hits may contribute to the problem.

Depending on what Ike does, there will most definetly be a spike in fuel prices, but I don’t believe that their will be a shortage of fuel, especially if drivers keep their cool.