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Democrats will be making a profound mistake if they follow through on Senate Majority Leader Harry Reids insistence that the party will refuse to provide any funding for the war in Iraq, absent some benchmarks for withdrawal of our troops at least by September 2008.

To be sure, as everyone knows, the American people quite strongly support the notion of cutting off funding for the war in the absence of achieving benchmarks of success for the war in Iraq. And at this point, given the failure of our efforts in Iraq to either stabilize the situation on the ground or to provide the basis for political reconciliation, this is an entirely understandable reactionone that I share.But as a matter of policy and politics it is simply the wrong judgment. If as is expected, President Bush vetoes the Democrats legislation that sets a timetable, a stalemate will inevitably result. President Bush will argue, as he already has begun to do, that American troops are being put at risk and the military campaign jeopardized. He will argue that the Democrats are undermining the war effort, as well as national security. The failure to negotiate in good faith, he will maintain, proves the Democrats lack a commitment to protecting our troops and doing what is right.

And while in the short term, the presidents arguments can be rebutted, the longer term presents real problems for the Democrats. If the party proves to be intransigent about continuing funding for the war and refuses to even meet the president to discuss the subject, they provide the Republicans with an issue that can be used against them in the run up to election day in 2008.

It is the so called clean bill simply providing funding for the war that offers the greatest hope to Democrats going forward. By compromising with the White Houseeven if it be largely on the presidents termsthe Democrats will be able to maintain the high ground with swing voters. At the same time, there is every reason to believe that Democrats canand indeed shouldcontinue to criticize the prosecuting of the war for its failure to promote political reconciliation, end sectarian violence, and develop an equitable distribution of oil revenue. They should give the President the funding he seeks now, as Senator Carl Levin has suggested, so that there can be no claim that Democrats are undermining the war effort.

Sadly, the most likely result is that the war will continue to go badly. And while that is a very bad result for the United States and our troops, it will take away the only potent argument Republicans have against the Democrats: they are too partisan, they are unwilling to compromise, and that they have jeopardized national security.

Rest assured, the appetite of the American people for this conflict is well beyond its limit. And by working to provide funding for the war with no strings attached, the Democrats will avoid allowing the Republicans to distract the American people from the failed policies of the Bush administration. To be sure, if things do not take a turn for the better on the ground, it is only a matter of time before Republicans as well begin defecting from the White House line. And that matter of time is measured in months not years.

So rather than risking confrontation with the Commander in Chief, the Democrats should provide the funding the White House is seeking for the war effort all the while making it clear that they have not in any way abandoned their commitment to a specific timetable to conclude the war effort as well as benchmarks of success that should be reached along the way.

Where Can You Find Sources Of Funds For Your Business?

If you need help to fund your business, there are some things you need to do first, that can make your business more attractive to investors. The followings are an easy way to improve your business image and make it become good-looking in investors eyes.

The most important thing, you should always talk to a qualified business attorney. There are a lot of laws pertaining to how equity capital can be raised from the public, and the laws change often. You need someone who understands not only these laws, but also how to make sure that any business contracts are written to protect you and your business, especially the fine print.

1. Using your savings or credit cards. This is the most common way for entrepreneurs to raise needed business capital. Before choosing this method however, talk with your financial advisor. You want to look at the long-term consequences of using your savings, life insurance or credit cards, especially in the event that your business venture fails, or does not bring in the projected return on investment (ROI). If you do end up financing your project using credit cards, make sure that you shop around first, and find the card that will offer you the best rate and gives you the most “bang” for your buck.

2. Venture Capital and Angel Investors. Before even looking for venture capital, look at your company from an outsider’s point of view. Ask yourself these questions: Does your company have a solid track record? (Most venture capitalists don’t invest in start up companies). Does your company have the potential of becoming very large in the next five to seven years? (People don’t invest in your company out of the goodness of their hearts. They’re looking for a return on their investment — the larger the better.) Does your company own a good percentage of its market, or does it stand to gain a large percentage in the next 12 to 18 months? (Contrary to popular belief, your company doesn’t have to be involved in high tech to attract venture capital). If you can answer yes to the above questions, your next step is to find a venture capital firm whose ideals and goals are in line with yours. Your next step should be to look at your “circle of influence” and see if you know someone who can give you a personal introduction to someone at the venture capital firm. (People invest in people, not just companies.)

3. Taking your company public. Although security laws in the U.S. have made it easier for companies to go public, and offer stock as a way to raise needed funds, this is still probably the most risky choice. It is usually not a recommended option for very new or very small companies. Because of the number of legal issues involved, consulting with a knowledgeable attorney beforehand is vital. There is also a lot of stress involved in running a public company, and a considerable loss of autonomy and control. Before making this choice, be absolutely sure that this is the wisest course of action for your business.

4. Potential or Current Employees. Surprisingly, one of the most common ways (especially for new companies) to raise equity capital, is by inviting your potential or current employees the opportunity to become investors. With this method, not only do you get a really committed workforce, but many equity employees are also willing to accept a below-market wage in the beginning (especially if you do the same). There are other benefits, but this choice is not without its pitfalls as well. Again, before going this route, talk to your business attorney, and put policies into place that plan for potential problems. For example, what do you do if an employee’s work becomes substandard? Or an employee quits and goes into competition with you after learning all of the company secrets? Putting a risk management plan into place and considering all contingencies is your best bet for this option.

5. Getting money from relatives. Yes, it can seem like begging, and it’s a difficult thing to have to swallow your pride. Surprisingly, in a recent survey, almost 30% of entrepreneurs said that they raised all or part of the capital they needed through family members. If this is your choice, make sure that you have your attorney draw up a regular business contract. When approaching family members, talk to them about their investment the same way you would any other outside investor. Tell them about how much money they can make, not about how much you need their help. And make sure that you keep to your end of the agreement.

It is mot crucial which source you decide to use. What important is that you spend time on planning and following the advice of your personal. With this strategy, you will increase the probability of raising the money you need and making the relationship between you and your investors a profitable one.

Trading stocks can be a confusing business in its own right. We are seeing more and more people take the roles of financial planners upon themselves and empowering themselves when it comes to investing in the stock market. The prevalence of online trading companies has been instrumental in breaking the barriers between the super wealthy being the only ones that could afford to regularly trade in the market and the average man who now has the power to make the same trades for less than half the commissions that once would have been necessary for the same amount of work on the part of broker.

Oddly enough you need to be careful when picking your online trading source as not all companies are created equally in this manner. One of the first things you need to check out is the security with the company you are considering. In most cases, the bigger names will offer the better security. If it’s a name you know there is some safety in knowing the name. They do not want to risk their reputations by risking your money.

Another thing you will want to check out before deciding to sing up with any one online trading firm is the costs per transaction and how those costs are determined. There are all kinds of ways that little fees can hit you and become big headaches later on. You want to know ahead of time what those fees will be, when they will be charged, how they will be charged, and what exactly the fees cover. The more you clarify from the beginning the less room there is for misunderstandings later on.

Be sure you have a way to discuss problems, ask questions, and get answers should there be a problem or a misunderstanding. This is as important as knowing what the fees are going to be. If you cannot find a way to communicate with an actual person, then I suggest moving along. There is nothing I hate worse than endless cycles of holds and button pushing while listening to bad music and fuming over why my time is being wasted and I’m paying XYZ company for the privilege of them wasting my time.

Can you get around their website and do you understand the charts, bars, and graphs? It is much easier to work on a website that isn’t confusing to you. Granted the first couple of days working on any site are likely to be somewhat confusing the problem is that if you are having too much trouble navigating through the website chances are you’re going to have a little bit of difficulty even in those moments when seconds count. The easier the website is for you to get around the better it is going to be for putting you in the business of making money.

If you can find all these things and more in an online trading website then you’ve probably found a great website to begin your time as a stock market investor. If the website also offers education and advice free of charge please take the time to read through the suggestions they offer for a little bit of guidance so that you do not feel as though you’ve been thrown to the sharks-feeling as though you have someone working with you can make all the difference in the world.

If you are looking for a truly risky venture for your investment dollar then you may want to investigate the roller coaster ride that many know as day trading. While those that swear by it for making and breaking fortunes will swear there is a formula those that have been raked onto the rocky shores of this particular trading business will be the first to tell you that their luck ran out. Whether it’s luck or science, day trading for many has proven to be risky business at best.

The Risks

In order to be successful in day trading you must be absolutely prepared to lose. You do not have time to think about failure, as it is likely at any moment. This is a lightening quick business and sometimes the market moves much more quickly than your fingers. This can result in unexpected losses as well as unexpected gains along the way. These bumps in the road are nothing compared to the highs and lows of actually being a day trader though. Forget the finances for a moment and consider the risks of heart attacks, heart palpitations, and strokes brought on the by excitement and heartburn (not that this can bring about a stroke but it sounded good) of the moment.

Day trading is very taxing. You must constantly watch your computer throughout the day for signs of life from your stock and act immediately. This is a high stress job that many simply cannot handle long term. Unfortunately day trading must become your day job because you have little time or energy to invest in anything else. There are those that get a huge charge from day trading but this is not a job for the average citizen it takes a huge toll on their health much too quickly-especially those that are sensitive to stress as it is.

Perhaps the biggest risk is that you can become addicted to the highs and lows. This is a huge problem because once you become addicted it is much more difficult to temper your purchases and counter your losses. When you aren’t looking at it with a clear mind and unhampered perspective it doesn’t seem nearly as dangerous as it can be. Lives are ruined financially because of irresponsible day trading and addictions to day trading that are much like addictions to gambling. If you suspect you or someone you love is the victim of this particular addiction please get him or her or yourself the help that is needed as quickly as possible.

You should also understand that day trading isn’t investing in the strictest sense of the world. Day traders don’t invest in stocks so much as they trade stocks and while some may claim this is a simple case of semantics there are a few major differences. Investors hold onto stocks for a little while with the expectation of gains over time while traders buy and sell quickly hoping for immediate gratification. Investors research and study a specific stock before jumping in while traders study patterns and formulas and hope they made the right decision.

Investing in and of itself is risky; day trading adds another layer of risk to the equation. If you think you have what it takes to participate in day trading you need to keep in mind that you should make sure that you have a few other options in place for your investment future that require a little less risk.

Selecting a car cover for your truck, van, SUV, or passenger car is a matter of finding one that fits your car and going with that one, right? Well, there is a lot more to it than simply purchasing a car cover. Size does matter, but so do quality, durability, and price. Lets examine some of the fundamentals in selecting a car cover for vehicle.

Car covers — or weather covers as some prefer to call them — have been successfully covering vehicles for several generations now thanks to the ingenious and persistent work of designers who properly measure each new model to make sure that every cover is custom fitted. One of the first companies to get started in the business was Covercraft, founded in 1965 in Southern California. Covercraft, like so many American success stories, was a two man operation that outfitted car covers for street rods, import makes including Porsche, and for the aftermarket supply network. The company boasts of having produced 55,000 styles of car covers for just about every make and model of vehicle on the road. There are other brands on the market; however Covercraft is dominant and favored by automobile wholesalers such as the Auto Parts Warehouse.

When selecting your car cover, you will learn that a manufacturer can make several different car covers for one model. Basic covers offer limited protection from such hazards as bird excrement and flying debris while premium car covers offer extensive protection from the following: