The Economy today

This week, President Bush solicited Congress to accept his economic plan.

I have listened with interest as the many economists and politicians around the country have offered their solutions to our economic ills.

What is great about America is the resiliency of the American people.

The issues that impact our prosperity are rather complicated and interrelated. Whether Congress accepts President Bush's Plan or not is probably not the most important issue. What is important is the way that the American people continue to be resilient and whether or not the morality of the American people will keep us strong and prosperous.

It seems to me that the debate needs to focus on the age old argument of capital versus labor.

President Lincoln focused on this issue as did President Theodore Roosevelt.

The concept is simply one of the propensity to consume, to save, to invest and to make wise economic decisions.

A lot of economic decisions are not wise. But they are made as a result of current economic policies, conditions and expectations. These three items change as a basis of the choices that individuals, corporations, and government make under the existing conditions.

I applaud those in government who work hard for us, hopefully to create the propensity for us to make the best decisions possible.

I would recommend that we first and foremost focus on a strong and stable dollar; secondly, a proactive energy policy; thirdly, a more equitable and less costly healthcare policy; and fourthly, a strong American balance sheet.

If we will then wrap this with honesty and morality, we are going to be fine and good things will happen.

Allergies

What do you do to alleviate allergies?

From April to June, my allergies are terrible. The complications resulting from these allergies can become quite severe. They often lead to colds and infections. I avoid antihistamines because the side-affects seem to be as bad as the cure.

Here are some things that help me. What helps you?

1. A humidifier. It filters the air and alleviates sinus irritations.
2. Shower. It washes off the pollens, dirt, etc., adds humidity to the air and helps drainage in the head.
3. Taking Excedrin, Anacin, Aspirin. These seem to help open the air passages in the head without drying them up too much. The antihistamines create too much dryness in the naval passages for me. The combination of aspirin and caffeine seems to work the best for me.
4. Adrenalin. Being active seems to help. Exercise is a natural source of adrenalin. I've had adrenalin shots when my asthma has been too severe, and that helped.
5. Drinking fluids. Water seems to be the best. The mist from a hot drink seems to help (I believe it acts like a very small humidifier), and drinks with caffeine seem to help. It soothes the throat and creates a natural drainage of the nasal passages.
6. Cough drops. I like the ones with vitamin C only. I'll use the others only if I have a cold and I need a little extra help. But the dryness they create in the naval passages seems to delay the recovery.
7. Wearing a mask when I'm outside mowing the lawns or working in the yard. It creates a little humidity and acts as a filter.
8. I've been blessed to work in nice air-conditioned offices. Staying indoors is not my first choice, but working indoors definitely helps.

The air passages to my ears get blocked easily during the allergy season. I have not found a consistent solution to this problem. This blockage often leads to colds and infections. It has also created a problem for me when I scuba dive. It is nearly impossible for me to dive without taking an antihistamine, anacin or excedrin. These three medications seem to work well for me. But I'd like to find a better and more consistent solution.

I would like your suggestions. What works for you to mitigate allergic reactions to pollens, dust, etc?