Small Business Relief or Another Economic Stress?

As autumn winds blow threw Washington D.C., President Obama is also causing new winds of change to sweep through the nation.

On September 27th, 2010, Mr. Obama signed a new bill to aid small businesses. The bill will hopefully give small businesses more financial assistance by cutting taxes and making loans more available. The struggling economy has negatively impacted small businesses and entrepreneurs. Obama blamed the delay of this bill on Republican leadership and according to The New York Times' political blog, The Caucus, the president regretted that the bill was blocked by a Republican minority in Congress.

As he hits the campaign trail over the upcoming weeks beginning at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Obama will be sharing his message about this bill. However, will his audience listen? Experts have noticed that the Obama administration's efforts to bring relief to the economic crisis have not helped as much as promised on the previous campaign trail. Will this bill provide relief or add financial stress to other businesses, as well as tax payers? Also, if this bill is not as successful as planned, who will the president blame this time?

*For more information, read The Caucus. The link is as follows:
The Caucus (September 27th, 2010)

My Journalism Heroine

The writing styles of of many journalists have inspired my personal work. However, the writings and works of Nellie Bly (a.k.a. Elizabeth Cochrane Seaman) have inspired me most. Her voice stood out in her stories, and the creativity she had with story ideas amazes me. I am still shocked by Bly's story about insane asylums. To willingly emerge one's self in that environment in the name of journalism is just astounding. Without a doubt, Bly was a daredevil reporter and took on any and every task to tell her story. She really paved the way for women journalists and set the bar high for present and future reporters not just in writing but in creativity, as well.
One of my favorite quotes by Nellie Bly is as follows:

"It is only after one is in trouble that one realizes how little sympathy and kindness there are in the world."
 
I hold this quote to be very true, especially in today's society. It is hard to ask people for help sometimes, because people act as if they are being bothered. There are people out there who will help at the drop of a hat, but some will only help if and when it is at their convenience.

Bly was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame in 1998. The following is a link to her page on the Hall's website:
Nellie Bly in the National Women's Hall of Fame

The following is an excerpt from Nellie Bly's "Ten Days in a Mad-House:"

"My instructions were simply to go on with my work as soon as I felt that I was ready. I was to chronicle faithfully the experiences I underwent, and when once within the walls of the asylum to find out and describe its inside workings, which are always, so effectually hidden by white-capped nurses, as well as by bolts and bars, from the knowledge of the public. "We do not ask you to go there for the purpose of making sensational revelations. Write up things as you find them, good or bad; give praise or blame as you think best, and the truth all the time. But I am afraid of that chronic smile of yours," said the editor. "I will smile no more," I said, and I went away to execute my delicate and, as I found out, difficult mission."