In the latter part of the 2008 Presidential campaign, there was a groundswell of enthusiasm and passion for Barack Obama. "Yes We Can" fever took off and people were excited for the first ever black President. They were excited for the eight years of George Bush to end and the return of a Democrat to the White House.

Some 18 months down the track, the excitement isn't what it once was.

Looking at last week's U.S. Senate special election in Massachusetts, the future of health reform legislation is increasingly unclear.

While the debate continues, those who have delayed getting health insurance while waiting for a government solution may be leaving themselves open to unnecessary risk.

Here's a list of five reasons why holding off on health insurance can be risky, and also provided a list of helpful resources for the uninsured.

Last week The Capital Area Association of Realtors released the official numbers for 2009. There was much joy as a four year slide in the number of home sales was stopped as 2009 bested 2008 by 6.5% with 3716 home sales. Throw in a 4.8% increase to a new record high $109,000 median sale price, and it appears the local housing market is in great shape going forward.

Most people would agree that from the announcement of the financial crisis in September of 2009 through the first months of the Obama administration, the country was griped with uncertainty at best, and fear at worst.

There are tell tale signs one can observe from their own local vantage point. We watched the housing market shrink the fourth quarter of 2009 through the first five months of 2009 in Springfield, and then rally on the first time buyer tax credits, and record low interest rates through the end of the year.

The year 2010 will reveal which direction our economy, housing market, and culture are headed. The greatest economy in the world when left to its own recuperative powers will rebound. After all, people need to earn a living. Historically, no matter the challenge, the American worker and small business owner have led the way to recovery. The engine to employment and success for the economy, and all of America is the entrepreneur and small business owner.

The price for gas in most countries typically costs four dollars per gallon. Most companies selling oil gain hundred billion dollars every year. Most people would like to know the answer to the question, why is gas so expensive. Gas stations that operate everyday have a complex process of doing their transactions before they can even serve cars.

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A vacation destination that will fit any budget can be found when travelling to South Africa. Whether you wish to visit Cape Town, Johannesburg, or the Karoo Desert, you will be assured of having a memorable and enjoyable time.

Travel visas to South Africa are easy to obtain as most nationalities do not even need to obtain a visa in order to enter the country, as long as your visit is for no longer than thirty to ninety days.

South Africa does not issue a visa on arrival and the immigration officer has a right to refuse you entry if you do have a visa. Many people who have been under the impression that South Africa gives visa on arrival were refused entry and sent back on a return flight.

If you are planning to visit South Africa for a holiday you need to submit your visa application to your local embassy or consulate.

Reading the pedophilia fantasies and other smut that Obama's "Safe Schools Czar" Kevin Jennings and his organization, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN) are pushing on American schoolchildren left me feeling incensed. This organization started out as Jennings' own personal project and has grown to be the mammoth organization that it is today, working towards making schools safe for all children, irrespective of their gender identity and sexual orientation.

In the children's story, The Emperor's New Clothes, a group of charlatans convince a vain emperor that they can make a suit of clothes that will enable him to always pick out the best people for a task because those who are unfitted for their job will be unable to see the new clothes.

The emperor wanted to obtain the best possible advisors and workmen, and when the crooks finished telling him how wonderful the new clothes would look, and what a wise ruler he would be to take advantage of their offer, he provided the expensive things they requested to do the job.

Chapters four through twelve of Exodus describe the plagues on Egypt that resulted in Israel being freed. Historically it takes place at the very end of the Middle Kingdom, shortly before the Hyksos domination around 1600 B.C. It is probable that the events listed in Exodus were major factors in the Hyksos being able to conquer Egypt even though they were rather weak.

Gay couples are obviously not afforded the same rights as hetero couples, and we've all heard the arguments on both sides of the fence. Anti-gay groups and individuals protest loudly while the GLBT community pays out more into the system per household than their hetero counterparts. The straight community certainly doesn't turn away the money generated by keeping gay couples separated.

Remember to old story of the goose that laid golden eggs? A fellow took the goose away from an evil giant. For several years, he and his wife kept the goose and became quite prosperous as a result of her eggs.

One day a thief observed them getting the eggs, and stole the goose. For a little while he enjoyed the benefits, but he wasn't getting rich as fast as he wanted.

Crises, whether real or contrived, open opportunities for ignoring constitutional issues. With almost every state experiencing budget shortfalls, The Dow Jones newsletter Tomorrow's News Today predicts that states will be forced to lay off 900,000 employees to balance their budgets. Such conditions may well encourage leaders to act, without following due process.

All is well in the Land of Lincoln. The Springfield Illinois economy is doing better than most with unemployment second lowest in the state, home sales up, home prices up, and running on optimism.

As the spokesperson for the University of Illinois Economics department said of their rating on the local economy, they are cautiously optimistic.

A lady went into the hospital for a common type of surgery. It was successful, and she received the bill for some $20,000 in just a few days. Her insurance was an 80-20 co pay policy, meaning she is required to pay 20% or $4,000. She paid her balance in full and assumed that the insurance company would take care of the rest. Months later, she received another bill for the balance.

Getting a tax deduction is every tax payer's goal. Luckily, the laws in taxes make it simple and easy to reach this goal. One can decrease taxable income through several tax deductions or lessen tax liability through a range of credits.

Here are lists of achievable tax deductions. The lists are helpful guide to taxpayers.

Business Expenses

1) For employees, job expenses that were not reimbursed.

It is a growing trend online and at local malls to see the new e cigarette for sale and people, both smokers and non smokers flocking to them as more and more information is released on the effect they are having on the population.

Most of the smokers that have tried them swear by them with claims of leaving tobacco cigarettes behind and claims of better health and appearance to boot.

Local Realtors in Springfield Illinois have posted the fifth consecutive month over month increase in the number of home sales June through October. Good news. Or is it? Has the local housing market returned to normal, or is it a false market driven by financial incentives provided by the government with your tax dollars?

Unemployment jumped in September in Springfield to 7.

The official numbers were released by The Capital Area Association of Realtors (CAAR) for the month of September. It was great news both locally and nationally on home sales. The local market finished up 14.1% to 364 closed home sales, and the median sale price was up 7.9% to $109,000 September over September. Nationally the number of home sales jumped 9.