Wednesday, June 17, 2009

How President McCain Might Have Handled Iran

Days like today are one reason I supported the no-nonsense war hero John McCain over Barack Obama.

After the presidential election in Iran was apparently stolen, thousands of protesters took to the streets. Instead of the United States boldly supporting the cause of liberty, and defending dissidents, President Obama meekly said, "It's not productive given the history of U.S.-Iranian relations to be seen as meddling."

That -- of course -- was not a great moment in leadership.


President John F. Kennedy did not say we would "bear any burden -- so long as we don't interfere." Nor can one imagine Winston Churchill saying, "We will fight on the land -- so long as we don't meddle." Nor can one imagine Ronald Reagan saying "Tear down this wall! -- if you're cool with it..."


If the strongest nation in the free world is not willing to take a stand and at least provide moral support for those willing to risk their lives for liberty, the America I know is long gone. While it is understandable for Obama to not invade a nation over this injustice, it is quite another thing to not even bother to forcefully condemn it. Having a humble foreign policy does not preclude one from moral clarity.


Meanwhile, Republican House Whip Eric Cantor (R-Va.) released a statement calling on Obama to "take a strong public position in the face of violence and human rights abuses." Cantor added that the United States has a "moral responsibility to lead in opposition to Iran's extreme response to peaceful protests." Cantor's full remarks are here.


We'll never know what President McCain would have said, but it's pretty safe to say that he would have taken a forceful stand -- once again positioning America as a beacon of freedom and the last, best hope on Earth.


Instead, we risk becoming a cynical nation that makes decisions based on perceived short-term diplomatic gain.


That's not change I can believe in.



Tags: Car Dealer Pictures, credit repair va, F&I Manager Blog, credit repair blog, dealership denial solution, f&i compliance blog

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Auto Lease Rates - Tips And Techniques For Affordable Leasing
By Amy Wells

Depending on your situation, auto leasing may be a more attractive option than buying a vehicle. If you are looking for a 2-3 year commitment, it may make more sense to lease instead of own. With auto leasing, since almost every vehicle depreciates or goes down in value, you are only paying for the cost of the vehicle's value that you use when you drive the vehicle, or its depreciation. In effect, you have a long term rental and you can return the vehicle at the end of the lease agreement. In order to make auto leasing work, its key to get the best auto lease rates.

Knowing what goes into your overall lease rate is the first step to getting a good deal. Similar to buying a new or used car, auto leasing rates can vary from dealership to dealership. There are three major components of every auto lease: a finance fee, depreciation fee, and in most states, a sales tax. If you are looking to receive a competitive auto lease rate, its a good idea to figure the overall cost of the lease and the monthly fees.

The depreciation fee is the amount you are paying the leasing company for the loss of the car value, which is averaged over the amount of months in the lease, and also factors in the amount of miles you drive. The finance fee is similar to an auto loan payment you may pay to a bank or dealer. Your monthly payment should accurately reflect these two fees, averaged over the term of your lease, and also including sales tax, if necessary.

Its easy to overpay if the dealer is offering you low monthly payments, but when added up, the payments are way more than the sticker price of the vehicle. The monthly payment can often be manipulated to appear much lower than the overall price would suggest. Your contract should show you a lease charge, which is the amount of all of these monthly finance fees over the term. This will give you a better idea of the actual cost.

If you are thinking of an auto lease, give yourself plenty of time and check your local media. The best auto lease rates are often pre-packaged for you. These are often the deals you may see in the newspaper or on television, and are usually sponsored by both the dealer and the leasing company. They will often have a set package that is unchangeable, but will usually provide a better deal than what you can negotiate on your own. Another option would be to try an online auto-pricing service that handles the negotiations for you, if you fill out an application with several companies, you can choose the best deal being offered.

Finding competitive auto lease rates does not have to be intimidating. By doing your homework and keeping an eye out for dealer incentives, you can often get a great rate. If you take your time, you won't feel pressured when shopping for an auto lease, and can make an informed choice.

Amy Wells writes and reports on consumer finance

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amy_Wells


Check out: The Chronicles of Barack Obama, Credit Repair va, repair credit, f&i, Credit Repiar Blog, F&I Manager Blog