Police Giving More Speeding Tickets

Did you know that studies have been done by reputable sources on the behaviors of traffic cops? Did you know that those studies have proven conclusively that during recessions, police officers give out more speeding tickets?  Have you ever wondered why that is? Have you, yourself, fallen victim to a speed trap?
First, one should understand the concept of a speed cushion. The cushion referred to when discussing the policing of roadway traffic, is the difference between the stated speed limit and the maximum speed the average cop will accept when monitoring passing traffic. The differences are typically five to ten miles per hour. In other words, the average police officer in some areas will not stop a car traveling seventy-five miles per hour in a sixty-five mile per hour zone.
Now, though, as our country faces one of the most severe recessions that it has ever known, more and more people are being stopped at lower and lower speeds. The reason for this increase in issued tickets is that, just like other facets of this country, the police departments and the state are facing depleted financial accounts. With less funding being handed out, these agencies have to look to other money making venues in order to stay afloat. Speeding tickets are one great way for departments and the state to build the bank accounts back up. In a typical economy the country’s policing agencies and states gross more than three billion dollars as a result of traffic violations, and that is a low estimate. By doubling the number of issued tickets, those same agencies can potentially double their profits. If they triple the number of speeding tickets, they triple the profits. That difference in income can mean saving the jobs of members of the squad so, of course, there is going to be a push to target the speeders.
Unfortunately for the motorist who is driving at the same speeds that he or she always has and is also feeling the crunch of the downtrodden economy, but gets caught in the more widely spread net, the cost of the ticket isn’t the only fee he or she stands to pay. Insurance companies are also feeling the crunch and are, therefore, not going to cut any breaks for the “naughty driver.” You can bet that those yearly rates are going to increase substantially as well.
Since a single speeding ticket can cost an arm and a leg, not to mention rising insurance prices by two or even three times their existing yearly rate, one might be inclined to fight the speeding ticket. It is not a bad idea. In fact, he or she is probably better suited to fight a speeding ticket if he or she was only exceeding the speed limit by five or ten miles per hour.

There are people out there that understand the legal system that revolves around speeding tickets. They are even willing to share that information with that person, so that he or she does not end up paying increased insurance rates for years in a time when no one has extra cash lying around.

Senior Meal Programs Help Keep Elderly Independent

Children with elderly parents know the challenges Seniors face when it comes to maintaining a healthy, balanced and independent lifestyle.  A common problem is the ability to provide themselves with complete and nutritious meals on a regular basis.

Often times poor mobility or the loss of a spouse, especially a wife, can lead to poor eating habits, improper portions, and skipped meals at a time when good nutrition plays such a major role in the well being and longevity of a Seniors quality of life.  Poor nutrition can lead to decreased mental acuteness, less resistance to illness and disease, and lower energy levels.

Common elderly challenges like hypertension, diabetes, and arthritis can be lessened by proper diet and exercise.

Seniors must also take extra care to keep their food safe. Improper handling, refrigeration, and under cooking of food can actually cause serious illness

Good nutrition keeps muscles, bones, organs, and other body parts strong for the long haul. Eating vitamin-rich food boosts immunity and fights illness-causing toxins.

A proper diet reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type-2 diabetes, bone loss, cancer, and anemia and eating sensibly means consuming fewer calories with more nutrient dense foods, keeping weight in check. Research shows that people who eat a selection of brightly colored fruit, leafy veggies, certain fish and nuts packed with omega-3 fatty acids can improve focus and decrease the risk for Alzheimer’s disease.

Wholesome meals give you more energy and help you look better, resulting in a self-esteem boost. It’s all connected—when your body feels good you feel happier inside and out. If you or a Senior loved one have difficulty with shopping, mobility or availability, you may choose to look into the following Senior Meal Programs options:

Home Delivery – Many grocery stores have Internet or phone delivery services. There are also a wide range of delivery meal programs via the Internet.

Swap Services – Ask a friend, neighborhood teen or college student if they would be willing to shop and/or cook for you.

Share Your Home Consider having a housemate or companion who would be willing to do the grocery shopping and cooking.

Senior Programs – Contact your local Senior Center, YMCA, congregation or high school and ask about Senior Meal Programs

Eating well isn’t just a “diet” or “program” but part of a healthy lifestyle that you can adopt now and stay with in the years to come. Be sure to plan your meals and snacks to include plenty of fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or fat-free milk and milk products and lean meats, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts. Remember, you are what you eat.

How Do Politicians Raise Money?

Ever wonder how politicians raise so much money?  Here is one example that skirts the limits of propriety and shows that not all politicians are above strong arming lobbyist for cash.

This is, uh, Eleanor Norton, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. Uh, I noticed that you have given to uh, other colleagues on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. I am a, um, Senior Member, a twenty year veteran and am Chair of the Sub-committee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management. I’m handling the largest economic development project in the United States now, the Homeland Security Compound of three buildings being built on the uh, old St. Elizabeth’s hospital site in the District of Columbia along with uh, fifteen other, uh, sites here for, that are part of the stimulus .

I was, frankly, uh, uh, surprised to see that we don’t have a record, so far as I can tell, of your having given to me despite my uh, long and deep uh, work. In fact, it’s been my major work, uh, on the committee and sub-committee it’s been essentially in your sector.

I am, I’m simply candidly calling to ask for a contribution. As the senior member of the um, committee and a sub-committee chair, we have (chuckles) obligations to raise, uh funds. And, I think it must have been me who hasn’t, frankly, uh, done my homework to ask for a contribution earlier. So I’m trying to make up for it by asking for one now, when we particularly, uh, need, uh contributions, particularly those of us who have the seniority and chairmanships and are in a position to raise the funds.

I’m asking you to give to Citizens for Eleanor Holmes Norton, PO Box 70626, DC, 20024. I’ll send you a follow-up note with appreciation for having heard me out. Thanks again.

7 Nutrition Secrets for Great Abs

Many people say that “abdominals are made in the kitchen, not in the gym,” and there’s a lot of truth to that. You can do thousands of reps of ab work every week, but if your nutrition is not in order, you can forget about getting a great set of 6-pack abs.

Here are  7 nutrition secrets for great abs:

1. Eat about 15-20% below your calorie maintenance level.  If you use a more aggressive calorie deficit of 25-30%, then do not keep calories too low for too long; increase your calories to maintenance or maintenance +10-15% 1-2 days per week.

2. Spread your calories into 5-6 smaller meals instead of 2-3 big ones.  Be very conscious of portion size. If you eat too much of anything (even “healthy” food), you can say goodbye to your abs. Period.

3. Eat a source of complete, high quality lean protein with each meal (egg whites, lean meat, fish, protein powder, etc.)

4. Choose natural, complex carbs such as vegetables, oatmeal, yams, potatoes, beans, brown rice and whole grains. Start with approximately 50% of your calories from natural carbs and reduce carbs slightly (especially late in the day) if you are not losing fat.

5. Avoid refined, simple carbs that contain white flour or white sugar.

6. Keep total fats low and saturated fats low. Aim for 20% of your total calories from fat (and no more than 30%). A little bit of “good fat” like flaxseed oil, fish fat, nuts and seeds, and so on, is better than a no-fat diet. Essential fatty acids actually assist the fat burning process.

7. Drink plenty of water—a gallon a day is a good ballpark to shoot for if you are physically active.

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