Government Grants for All

Underdog Snaps and Snarls As He Enters the Final Round

In three days’ time, by most reckonings, John McCain’s most cherished ambition – one that has absorbed him for the best part of a decade, the defining goal of a lifetime in politics – will go up in smoke. He faces a defeat on Tuesday that some experts predict will be solid, others catastrophic. No presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan in 1980 has overturned such a poll deficit at this late stage and won the White House.

With such grim prospects, McCain could be forgiven for spending his final days on the campaign trail bemoaning his fate, but there was no sign of any weakness of purpose in the past week. Last Tuesday he was on stage in Fayetteville, North Carolina, shaking his fist not up at the sky but out towards the packed crowd, exhorting his followers never to give up hope, never to give up the fight.

There was an urgency, an energy, to McCain that hadn’t been seen before. His running mate, Sarah Palin, may be a self-declared “lipstick-wearing pitbull”, but this week he proved himself a wiry Jack Russell terrier, snapping at the heels of his Democratic opponent.

“I’m an American and I chose to fight!” Snap! “America is worth fighting for!” Snap! “Nothing is inevitable here – we don’t hide from history, we make history!” Snap! Snap!

This unexpected side grew more pronounced as the final week of campaigning progressed, on a trail that took us from Fayetteville, with its large military population, through the Cuban exile haven of Miami, Florida, and on to the rustic towns in the crucial battleground state of Ohio. With defeat looming, and an ugly blame game already bubbling up within his party, McCain’s spirits appear to have soared in inverse proportion to his declining poll ratings.

As one placard, held by a supporter in the aptly named Ohio town of Defiance, put it: “Mac is back.” Yes, he is back, but not in the way the supporter meant it.

McCain is back in his comfort zone – fulfilling his traditional role as the underdog. “I think he enjoys the underdog role,” said Lincoln Diaz-Balart, a Republican congressman who campaigned alongside McCain in Miami.

Turning adversity into opportunity has been a running theme, not just of this election but of the Republican candidate’s life. When he was snared in the Keating Five political funding scandal in the late 1980s, he reinvented himself as an anti-corruption crusader and salvaged his reputation; his defeat against George Bush in the 2000 primaries was converted into a positive by spawning his current image as a maverick; after he ran out of money and was on the verge of giving up his second run on the White House last summer he rallied in a swing through New Hampshire. Now he is at it again, staring oblivion in the face yet drawing succour from it. “The pundits have written us off just like they have several times before. They were wrong then and they are wrong now,” he told the faithful in Miami’s Little Havana.

His team insists there is method in his madness. Bill McInturff, who conducts private polls for McCain every day in 14 battleground states, circulated a memo this week suggesting the race was tightening and Obama’s lead in several states now fell within the margin of error. McCain was also gaining ground among three crucial demographic groups – men without university degrees, poorer women and rural voters.

The plucky comments coming from the McCain camp, therefore, may be more than mere whistling in the wind.

One aide said: “Sure we’ve had ups and downs, but the senator is confident, the staff are confident, and the campaign is ready for victory next week.”

The most extravagant chutzpah came from McCain’s senatorial friend Lindsey Graham, who bragged to the rally in North Carolina that he would take on and beat swimmer Michael Phelps before Obama ever won the state – a brave wager, given that he cannot swim.

But in reality there are some hard truths. That McCain devoted most of his final week to North Carolina, Florida and Ohio in itself told a story. All three were won by Bush in 2004 – and North Carolina has been solidly Republican since 1976 – so the deployment was purely defensive. Pennsylvania is the only state won four years ago by John Kerry in which McCain is still on the offensive.

Then there is the extraordinary inequality in resources. Obama has poured more than $270m (£170m) into TV advertising – more than twice as much as McCain. Republicans are as aware of these disparities as anybody else. Interviews with loyalists in all three states uncovered intense anxieties that their 30-year dominance is about to be swept aside. Javier Souto, an elected official in south Florida, said he was concerned that the alliance that formed the base of the party was breaking up. “The Democrats have been in disarray for many years. It’s a pretty clear risk that the same could now happen to us,” he said.

Others were more intemperate. Christina Shores, a campaign volunteer in North Carolina, was born in Cork and raised in London; she emigrated to the US 20 years ago with her military husband and is now a naturalized American.

Scared to death

She said she was “scared to death” that Obama and the Democrats will win control of the of presidency, the house and the Senate. Then the next four years would see America transformed into a socialist state. “I’ve never owned a gun. But I’ve told my husband that if Obama is elected, I want one in my house.”

Shores was one of many who were critical of McCain for being “over-gentlemanly” in his attacks on Obama urging him to go in harder over what they believe are his opponent’s links with extreme-left politics and terrorism. “I’m so upset,” she said. “Every night I watch the TV and I’m shouting at McCain: ‘Come on! You’ve got to say something. Do something!’”

Palin has already let it be known she thinks the campaign has lacked bite. Others have accused McCain of lurching from issue to issue, like a signalman uncertain which lever to pull so he pulls them all. It is only in the past fortnight that he appears finally to have found the right lever, and as even he admits, that came about almost by chance. If Obama had not bumped into Samuel Wurzelbacher in Holland, Ohio, they would never have started a conversation in which the Democrat talked about his desire to “spread wealth”, Wurzelbacher would not have morphed into Joe the Plumber and McCain would still be floundering, in search of his voice.

“Senator Obama is running to be distributionist-in-chief; I’m running to be commander-in-chief,” he told crowds this week. “Senator Obama is running to spread the wealth; I’m running to create more wealth.”

At every stop the response from the faithful was as identical as his words. “Fight! Fight! Fight!” they chanted. “USA! USA! USA!” By uttering that oldest of conservative war cries – the clash between the individual and society – McCain had at last engaged with their fears.

But it has come so very late. The fight is almost over, the snapping all but done. Underdogs bear the name for a reason: they usually lose.

Tags: Enters, final, Round, Snaps, Snarls, Underdog

Last Will and Testament: The Only Way to Have the Final Say

Executing a last will and testament is the only way to have the final say in how you want your affairs handled. The last will is used to designate beneficiaries, establish guardianship, express burial preferences and appoint an administrator to oversee the estate.

Drafting a last will and testament is the greatest gift you can leave your family. When people do not have a Will in place it creates a tremendous burden for those left behind. Someone will have to make burial arrangements and tie-up financial affairs. Instead of having a say-so in how your belongings will be distributed, a judge will make decisions based on probate law.

Dying intestate (without a Will) creates a horrific burden for your loved ones. Unless you have expressed your wishes verbally and informed others of where life insurance policies and legal documents are located, no one will know what you desire. If you died today, would anyone know what to do? If not, it is time to put your affairs in order.

There are many options for creating a Will. Forms can be downloaded online, filled out and notarized. Preformatted wills are sold through office supply stores, which only require filling in the blanks.

Banks, credit unions and investment brokers oftentimes offer estate planning services to their customers for a nominal fee. Estate planning can be as simple as executing a basic last will to establishing an irrevocable trust. Fees range from less than $100 to several thousand; depending on the estate value and services rendered.

Individuals who own property, valuable assets, or a business should consider setting up a trust. A trust is a container that holds the will. All assets are exempt from probate and inheritance tax.

Probate is the process used to validate decedents’ wills and distribute assets to heirs. The probate process takes between six months and three years. Much depends on the complexity and value of the estate, as well as family dynamics.

Trusts are normally reserved for estates valued at $100,000 or more. Smaller estates can implement strategies to avoid probate. These can include designating beneficiaries on bank and investment accounts, life insurance policies, real estate, automobiles and other titled property.

Death has a tendency to bring out the best and worst in people. When family strife exists, probate provides a platform where disgruntled heirs can contest the will. This act rarely accomplishes anything other than bankrupting the estate by escalating legal fees.

Experts suggest retaining the services of a probate attorney or estate planner when family dysfunction exists. Family disputes are less likely to occur when a professional administers the estate.

Before appointing a probate administrator in the last will and testament, it is best to discuss the decision with the person. Estate administration duties can be difficult to manage while grieving. It is best to appoint someone who is organized, good with finances, and able to work under pressure.

Probate personal representatives are compensated for their duties. Probate law dictates how executors are paid. Some states require executors to charge an hourly rate, while others pay a flat fee or percentage of the estate value.

Establishing a Will can be accomplished in a few hours unless you are a multi-millionaire. Procrastinating can result in endless hours of estate management and prolong the probate process. Don’t put off what can be done today.

Tags: final, Last, Only, Testament

The final mock draft is in

Let’s just assume that there won’t be any trades involving draft picks in the next few days. Now, that would be sad, but for the sake of my last mock draft, let’s pretend.

At this point, there are a few teams trying to trade up, like the Raiders and Redskins. There are also teams trying to trade down like the Cowboys, and perhaps the Jags and Seahawks.

The big questions focus on two high-profile players — Joey Harrington and William Green.

Harrington could go as high as No. 3 if Detroit trades down, or as low as No. 18, the latter is not likely though.

Green looks as though he is now the No. 2 running back behind T. J. Duckett, and could slide late into the first round, or drop out of the first round altogether.

Here is how I see things as of right now, but be ready for anything.

1. Houston: David Carr, QB, Fresno State

The ink is almost dry on the contract.

2. Carolina: Julius Peppers, DE, North Carolina

The Panthers can’t go wrong here. Julius has all the makings of a future Hall of Famer.

3. Detroit: Quentin Jammer, CB, Texas

It looks like they’ll pass on Harrington, making Mike McMahon the “future” in Detroit. They get what everyone seems to need — a shutdown corner.

4. Buffalo: Mike Williams, OT, Texas

The Bills like Williams’ mean streak, so they take him over Bryant McKinney. Both will be in the Pro Bowl in a few years.

5. San Diego: Bryant McKinney, OT, Miami (FL)

They too wanted Williams, but this is a nice consolation prize. Drew Brees will be protected nicely for years to come.

6. Dallas: Roy Williams, S, Texas

Dallas was hoping to grab Jammer, but getting the next Ronnie Lott is nothing to scoff at. Williams could have the most immediate impact of anyone in the draft. Don’t look now, but Dallas could have a top 5 defense this year.

7. Minnesota: Albert Hanesworth, DT, Tennessee

Hanesworth is a bigger version of teammate John Henderson and has been shooting up the charts. He is a little raw, but has tons of upside.

8. Kansas City: Ryan Sims, DT, North Carolina

Sims keeps moving up the charts, and may have the quickest impact of any of the defensive lineman in this draft.

9. Jacksonville: Wendell Bryant, DT, Wisconsin

The Jags need a big guy, and Bryant is a really big guy. He can also play defensive end, and that kind of versatility is needed these days.

10. Cincinnati: Joey Harrington, QB, Oregon

They bite the bullet and spend another high first-round pick on a QB; they know Jon Kitna is not taking them to the Super Bowl anytime soon. Harrington’s intangibles are just too much to pass up.

11. Indianapolis: John Henderson, DT, Tennessee

Henderson has been dropping like a tech stock, but I have to think that someone grabs him earlier than late in the first round. He should really aid an Indy defense that needs help everywhere. He is big, and has a lot of talent.

12. Arizona: Phillip Buchanon, CB, Miami (Fla.)

Arizona gets the best cover guy in the draft to rebuild their defensive backfield. Buchanon is an exceptional athlete, and should flourish in Arizona. Did I just say “flourish in Arizona?” I guess someone has to.

13. New Orleans: Charles Grant, DE, Georgia

A true DE at 6-3 282 lbs. has scouts drooling. Let’s make believe we don’t know that five of his six sacks came in one game last season.

14. New York Giants: Jeremy Shockey, TE, Miami (Fla.)

Shockey has great hands and should really be able to help the Giants passing game. He’s big, fast, and should contribute right away.

15. Tennessee: Toniu Fonoti, OG, Nebraska

He’s big, nasty, and broke his own record when it comes to pancakes (no, the other kind). At 6-4, 325 lbs. he manhandles people.

16. Cleveland: T.J. Duckett, RB, Michigan State

They shock the world by taking Duckett over Green. Duckett has fewer question marks and is a bull. They could go with an offensive lineman, but getting your pick of running backs is hard to pass up.

17. Atlanta: Donte Stallworth, WR, Tennessee

After signing Warrick Dunn to that ridiculous contract, they don’t need to go with a running back in the first round. Stallworth has all the makings of a big-time receiver.

18. Washington: Jabar Gaffney, WR, Florida

“Stevie Offense” goes with his former player — Gaffney, who will contribute right away because he knows the coach and the system. It would be nice for the ‘Skins to have a QB to throw the ball though.

19. Denver: Levi Jones, OT, Arizona State

They’re still looking at WR, but also need to upgrade the offensive line. Jones was a stud at the Senior Bowl and would be a great addition for the Broncos.

20. Seattle: Daniel Graham, TE, Colorado

The Hawks swung and missed on both Shannon Sharpe and Ken Dilger. Make no mistake about this: they NEED a tight end. Graham is a stud, and Mike Holmgren coached him at the Senior Bowl.

21. Oakland (from Tampa Bay): Napoleon Harris, OLB, Northwestern

Harris is the best linebacker in a linebacker-thin draft, and the Raiders really need one. Thank you Tampa Bay!

22. New York Jets: Lito Sheppard, CB, Florida

They lost both starting corners in the expansion draft. What other way could they go? Sheppard is a name that has been rising up the charts recently.

23. Oakland: Ashley Lelie, WR, Hawaii

The Raiders are extremely happy Lelie dropped to them. It’s time for this WR corps to get much younger.

24. Baltimore: Kalimba Edwards, DE, South Carolina

With salary cap problems, the Ravens are going to have to reload on defense when they lose pass rushers to expansion and the cap. He’ll just need to learn to pray to the “Football God” Brian Billick.

25. New Orleans (from Miami): Antonio Bryant, WR, Pittsburgh

The slide for Bryant stops here. You can’t ignore the talent he possesses, plus a workout is not football.

26. Philadelphia: William Green, RB, Boston College

Hey, what are you doing here?????

27. San Francisco: Andre Gurode, G, Colorado

Versatile enough to be able to play guard or center, Gurode can step right in and help the Niners.

28. Green Bay: Josh Reed, WR, LSU

All he does is catch footballs. Reed should be able to help right away, and the Pack needs to think about life after Antonio Freeman (this is a little personal, Freeman killed my Fantasy team). They would like to go with Ramsey here, but can’t ignore the hole at receiver.

29. Chicago: Dwight Freeney, DE, Syracuse

He’s short, not really big, but has great moves. He’ll find a home here. They really need a QB, but can get roughly the same talent in the second or third round.

30. Pittsburgh: Ed Reed, S, Miami

Reed is too good to pass up this low in the draft. He was a ball-hawk at Miami, and would really add depth to the Steelers defensive backfield.

31. St. Louis: Mike Rumph, CB, Miami

Rumph made up a big part of a talented Hurricane secondary. He has great size, and remember; you can’t teach size.

32. New England: Javon Walker, WR, Florida State

This gives young QB Tom Brady one more weapon to work with.

Tags: draft, final, mock