Articles written by Liz McGuire

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About me - Liz McGuire

I love to write. I majored in English in college, switching to journalism when I didn't believe my Adviser when he said "It's not what you DO with and English major, it's what you ARE." But I hated journalism. So, while I did get my first real job writing

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Politics, News & Issues > Government & Policies Should the words "under God" be in the US Pledge of Allegiance?: 1 of 32
The words "under God" were added to the US Pledge of Allegiance in 1954, in a response that began with a campaign by the Knights of Columbus and ended with a sermon preached by a Scottish Presbyterian minister with President Dwight Eisenhower in attendance. But, in a country with a Constitution that calls for separation of ch... More..
Personal Finance > Retirement Should Social Security benefits be abolished?: 3 of 60
The main reason Social Security should not be abolished is the fact that life never turns out the way you planned. Social Security is an insurance program meant to provide a safety net to keep America's workers out of poverty. That task is often ignored in today's popular "ownership society" dogma.An often ignored fact is tha... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Energy Issues How to cool your house naturally: 1 of 15
In the summertime, before there was air conditioning, we loved going to Grandma's house because it was always cool. Grandma had a morning and evening ritual that was so predictable, it's been imprinted in her grandchildren. The landscaping was designed with the weather in mind, and her daily tasks were scheduled around the he... More..
Personal Finance > Spending & Saving (Other) 10 Steps to financial freedom: 1 of 10
Ask ten people what financial independence means and you will get ten different answers. The responses are as different as the financial situations and desires of the people you ask. But ask ten people who consider themselves financially independent how they got there and their answers will include a combination of most of th... More..
Style & Beauty > Business & Formal Clothing Business casual tips for women: 1 of 9
The key to appropriate business casual attire is to understand your company's definition of "business casual". When my current company allows us a business casual day, they are giving permission to wear jeans. At one place of business, it meant shorts!If a company has a written dress code policy, half your work is done, once ... More..
Relationships & Family > Elderly Parents & Care Finding a retirement home for your aging parents: 1 of 7
No one wants to think about placing aged loved ones in a retirement home. We like to think of our parents as they were when we were raising us - independent, healthy and mentally fit. We don't want to talk to them about the issue. And often, parents feel the same way. The discussion can be awkward. But when we put it off, and... More..
Home & Garden > Pet & Pest Problems Best ways to get rid of skunk smell: 1 of 6
It seems that there are as many skunk odor remedies available as there are skunks. When skunks spray, they emit an oily substance containing thiols. Thiols contain a sulfuric aroma that can make the eyes sting and the stomach turn. So how do you get Fido and yourself back to normal?Tomato juice is a time-honored remedy. As a ... More..
Home & Garden > Home & Garden (Other) What's the best defense against burglars in your home: Alarm system or dog?: 3 of 16
While an alarm system is not as cuddly and loyal as man's best friend, a good system is the superior defense against home burglars. For decades, I have always insisted on at least one dog in the house. With a traveling husband, I want the advantage of having the dog wake me before the burglar does, and, if necessary, protect ... More..
Home & Garden > Cleaning Products Product reviews: iRobot Roomba vacuuming robots: 1 of 5
In the advertisements, iRobot's Roomba vacuums make it seem like we are now living in a the era of the Jetsons. But are they right for you? Do they work? Can you really sit back and relax while "Rosie" does all the work?I put a Roomba Pro Elite to the test in a typical house to find out. I let the vacuum loose on carpeting, t... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Political Issues Should lobbyists have access to elected officials?: 1 of 5
Lobbyists are a necessary evil in all countries with voting officials. The very nature of the lobbying process requires contact with elected officials. Consider the United States lobbying system.In a republic with over 300 million citizens, where would the United States be without lobbyists? With only 435 House Representative... More..