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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:

Using Discounted Closed Ended Funds designed to Increase Income and Reduce Risk

Currently focuses on: Cohen & Steers Select Utility Fund (nyse: UTF)

Its investment objective is to achieve a high level of after-tax total return through investment in utility securities. In pursuing total return, the Fund equally emphasizes both current incomes, consisting primarily of tax-advantaged dividend income, and capital appreciation. Under normal market conditions, the Fund will invest at least 80% of its managed assets in a portfolio of common stocks, preferred stocks and other equity securities issued by companies engaged in the utility industry.

The Utility and Electrical industry is forecasted to grow at 8.5% for then next 5 years.*

Currently the Cohen & Steers Select Utility Fund is at a 16.89% discount

That means for every 100,000 invested in principle you invest roughly only 83,000.

Using regression to the mean* theories believing that historical mean for US based closed end funds historically trade at a 5% discount we would forecast Cohen & Steers Select Utility Fund would increase in principle about 12 percent assuming no change in the market value.

** Regression to the mean is a technical term in probability and statistics. It means that, left to themselves, things tend to return to normal levels, whatever that is.

Cohen & Steers Select Utility Fund has a short but profitable history of growing principle

The current income from this fund is 6.14%

We believe due to the fact you could buy 100,000 pounds of income producing utilities that produce over 5% income or over 5,000 pounds per year for around an investment of 83,000. Those how invest with the much lower amount of 83,000 still has the same income of over 5,000 giving a much higher income of 6.14%

Performance:

If you’re patient, buying funds at a steep discount can be extremely lucrative? For example, suppose you divided the closed-end universe into fifths, starting with the most expensive. The priciest 20 percent gained 48 percent in the past five years. The 20 percent with the steepest discounts, however, soared 160 percent. ***

To Reduce Risk

With an effort to reduce the risks associated with closed ended funds at deep discounts with high income we recommend diversification using many different asset classes and fund families utilizing asset allocation approach. In our growth and income model we use 7 different asset classes to provide a balanced portfolio. This structure was designed to minimize fluctuations. An event that might hurt one class of investments might benefit another. Two examples of this is after the 911 terrorist attack and the 2000 stock market crash. In both cases the stock market had a tremendous sell off, but the high grade bonds had very large rallies. During those two events the stock market and high grade bonds had no correlation. Many experts believe diversifying between non-correlated asset classes is the single best way to reduce volatility risk.

When building portfolios we use a selection criteria that focus on: unique asset classes, deep discount , high yield, consistency of payments, ongoing fees and other factors we incorporate into the selection are, past track record of the fund, and past track record of the management team, and of course the management team. We apply our selection criteria to over 600 closed ended funds with a goal to find only 1 or 2 in each asset class that fits our needs.

Simply dont put all your eggs in one basket. If the assets classes are non-correlated this reduces the portfolio risk.

To summarize Cohen & Steers Select Utility Fund:

1) A conservative industry
2) Diversifies investments inside the utility industry
3) An industry forecasted to grow at 8.5%
4) Investing at a 16.89% discount
5) Receiving a 6.14% current income
6) Regression to the mean would indicate principle growth of about 12% with no market change.

We forecast Cohen & Steers Select Utility Fund to achieve industry growth rates plus regress to a more historic means these two combined events would indicate a total return of 10.9% percent per year over the next 3 to 5 years.

Randy Durig manages several Portfolios including the Growth & Income Portfolio to see the full list go to www.durig.com or www.money-manager.us

Randy Durig owns Cohen & Steers Select Utility Fund in his discretionary client’s portfolios and in his personal account. Past performance is not a guarantee for future returns. All information we believe to be correct but make no guarantee to accuracy.

Durigs Monopoly Blue Chip Portfolio National Performance Rankings: 3rd In the United States, Ranked by 3 year annual return, for Large Capitalization Blend, 4th Quarter 2005, By Money Manager Review.

Durig Capital is a registered investment advisor. If you know someone that would like to receive our research call toll free 877-359-5319.

For those looking for articles on closed and mutual funds Randy recommends www.investment-investment.us there are about 75 articles focused on mutual funds and Exchange trade funds.

*Zacks Utility industry forecast
** Source http:www.visi.com
***Source USA Today newspaper

Use The Home Secured Loans To Fund Your Financial Emergency

Buying a house is one of the major investments in life. The amount used to purchase the house is available as the home equity. If a house is mortgaged, the installments we repay gradually build the home equity for us. Property prices are not static, they increase or decrease keeping pace with the economic indicators. With this the value of home equity also rises and falls. Any loan taken against this home equity or the property we own is called home secured loan. Home-secured loan as the name suggests uses the home as the collateral.

Many times in our busy and demanding lives we confront a situation where our monthly incomes and the bank balance that we own, fall awfully short in funding some financial exigency. It could be the mounting debts requiring urgent consolidation, buying a new car, escaping on that seven star cruise, buying a new speedboat, getting that cosmetic surgery or any medical emergency. We require funds and they are simply not available. Waking up to the stark reality that the only thing, which can salvage the solution for us is a loan, we look toward the lenders. The lenders, driven by their concern for profits and security of the loan amount ask for a collateral. Finding comfort with the ownership of a home by the borrower they are happy to lend against the available home equity.

www.ukfinanceworld.co.ukuk_secured_loans.htmlhome secured loans are gaining popularity both with the borrowers and the lenders. These loans are available to citizens of UK, which have a home of their own and are aged between 18 and 65 years. Lenders provide a wide ranging amounts as home secured loans. The lenders feel comfortable giving sums that match the collaterals value. If the collateral is of sufficiently high value and the borrower has a good credit history he can get a loan amount of 1 million very easily. The repayment period of any such loan is also quite long. The borrower can repay the loan between 3 to 30 years and this coupled with the fact that a collateral is being offered drastically brings down the interest rates charged on such loans.

People with bad credit also find it easy to get a home secured loan and can use it to improve their credit ratings. The application process for a home-secured loan is quite easy and can be done from the comfort of your home or office. Most of the lenders now offer an online application process, which save time for both parties. A borrower can also apply through a telephone, by visiting the lenders office or by asking a representative of the lending company to visit him. Any lender, no matter how comfortable he might feel with the collateral, will go for the borrowers credit check. He will use credit rating agencies, your pay slips, employment history and bank balance to get a clear picture about your financial soundness. The entire process of granting a home-secured loan will take between 2 to 4 weeks. During this time a property consultant will visit the borrower to value the collateral. Signing of the legal contract between the borrower and the lender will most probably be the final step before the loan is delivered.

Getting a competent legal attorney to interpret and understand the fine prints of the credit contract will be in the best interests of the borrower. Since, it is too risky to blindly believe a lender who is in any case driven by his economic interests.

This is a series of articles about The Foreign Exchange Market. You will learn here what Forex is , how it works and how profitable it can be. The whole series contain the following articles . . .

1.What is Forex

2.Technical analysis

3.Fundamental analysis

4.Money management

5.Compound interest

Fundamental analysis.

Forex fundamental analysis strategies consist on studying economic factors of a country to forecast the future value of its currency. This includes, but it is not limited to: economic condition, monetary policy, etc.

Fundamental analysis focuses on studying economic, social and political factors that drive supply and demand. Some important indicators are interest rates, inflation and unemployment. Political decisions are also important.

Bellow you can find some of the most important fundamental analysis indicators and their definition. You can learn more about these indicators and how they are used on www.investopedia.com.

Producer Price Index – PPI

A family of indexes that measures the average change in selling prices received by domestic producers of goods and services over time. PPI measures price change from the perspective of the seller.

Consumer Price Index – CPI

A measure of price changes in consumer goods and services such as gasoline, food and automobiles. Sometimes referred to as “headline inflation”.

Gross Domestic Product – GDP

The monetary value of all the finished goods and services produced within a country’s borders in a specific time period, though GDP is usually calculated on an annual basis. It includes all of private and public consumption, government outlays, investments and exports less imports that occur within a defined territory.

It is important that you pay attention to financial news when you trade using a fundamental analysis trading system. You can find financial news on the following websites . . .

1.www.bloomberg.com
2.www.businessweek.com

3.money.cnn.com

4.www.economist.com

5.news.ft.commarketscurrencies

6.www.fxstreet.com

Fundamental analysis is very important as you can see, but it is also important to implement some other techniques on your trading strategies. You can learn about other aspects about Forex trading like technical analysis and money management in my other articles on this series.

EasyWebRiches 2006

The One Thing You Must Do To Skyrocket Your Fundraiser!

Every fundraiser group struggles with the impossible quest of finding the ultimate all-in-one fundraising idea. However, the best idea doesn’t have to be too crafty. Actually it’s very simple: just have fun! And let everybody else have fun as well. It doesn’t matter what type of campaign you’re running, as long as everybody is having fun success will become inevitable. The following 5 surefire ways to having fun during a fundraiser can be easily applied to any scenario:

- Reward your volunteers: If you offer attractive incentives and prizes to your contributing volunteers they might have more fun. The idea is to create a competitive but friendly environment. The prize doesn’t have to be one million pounds; a simple gift such as a custom trophy is more than enough.

- Plan: Before even starting your campaign plan to have fun. Think about a day’s fundraising activities and how you can make every part of the process enjoyable to work with. Always ask yourself the key question: How can I make this fun? It doesn’t always have to be boring work.

- Show your appreciation: Constantly remember your contributors and volunteers you’re grateful for their work with the words “thank you”. Keep smiling all the way through and everyone else will smile back at you. Be sure to provide snacks and drinks to keep your supporters energetically in action.

- Make a movie: You can film an entertaining movie about your fundraising quest and have everybody appear on it. Make it a sort of a fun documentary in which everybody gets to tell their story and experience with the fundraiser. Give it a funny title related to the theme of your campaign. Then you can throw a party where everyone can watch the movie.

- Challenge your team: Promise you’ll do something daring and funny if your team reaches a certain goal. For example doing the chicken dance or wearing a funny costume for a day. This will give your volunteers a very attractive incentive to do good work.

It’s no secret that people perform better on their tasks while they’re feeling good and having fun. As a leader, stimulating fun into your supporters has the potential of multiplying your group’s rewards!

Mutual funds asset allocation refers to the adjustment that is done to the various mutual fund classes that exist so that, they can fit into the description of the investment portfolio. This is done on a regular basis, bearing in mind that the requirements for the funds securities keep changing with the changing market conditions. The process of asset allocation tends to be generally accepted and is not faced with a lot of criticism. Many investors are of the view that the process brings about more merits than demerits.

In the process of mutual funds asset allocation, the two most crucial factors that are normally considered are the probable return and the probable volatility of each mutual fund asset class. Volatility of a fund is a sensitive factor that needs to be looked into every now and then. To be able to get the most suitable results, it is important to come up with strategies that are oriented towards risk reduction and improvement of the objectives at hand.

Some of the common pitfalls that arise and which need to be dealt with in mutual fund asset allocation process include the overlying categories, duplication and use of unsuitable funds. For this reason, a three-step process has been recommended for use in the allocation. It all begins by coming up with an appropriate plan that captures all the necessary aspects of a fund.

These factors include;
1) The size of the portfolio,
2) The investment period or the rime it takes for the asset to mature,
3) The risk factor per asset and
4) The return objectives.

Once the plan is in place, the next step is to come up with the most suitable strategy for its execution. The strategy entails allocation of funds by category. Each category should be defined by the objectives and risk tolerance levels it is subject to. Third, the funds are given a recommendation depending on whether they are load or no-load types. Funds that are recommendable for the no-load category are those that are above average in terms of performance, those which adhere to objectives and have below-average operating expenses.

Other factors to consider in the mutual funds asset allocation process is whether the funds are growth or income oriented. When these factors are all combined, you will find that the risk factor generally goes down, and there is a tendency for the funds to survive a full cycle before they can be revised. For a more comprehensive strategy in asset allocation, age factor of investors has been brought into the limelight and you will find funds being classified according to different age categories. The age brackets will help you determine whether to invest in the long or short term, growth or income oriented classes.

Peter Gitundu Creates Interesting And Thought Provoking Content on Mutual Funds. For More Information, Read More Of His Articles Here MUTUAL FUNDS ASSET ALLOCATION If You Enjoyed This Article, Make Sure You Read My Most Recent Posts Here MUTUAL FUNDS ASSET ALLOCATION