Articles written by Tom Koecke - Page 5

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About me - Tom Koecke

With thirty years experience in consumer finance, having raised two daughters as a single father, and trying desperately to get through my second childhood, I bring two things to the table when I write: an overload of experience, and a sense of humor!

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Politics, News & Issues > Politics, News & Issues (Other) Voter apathy and its effect on democracy in the U.S.: 16 of 49
Who cares about voter apathy? The answer, of course, is we all should. However, we need to consider what voter apathy is, and how it affects democracy in the United States. Most people likely regard voter apathy only as having the right to vote, and not casting it. There is, however, a second type of voter apathy that is lik... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Political & Economic Theory Are the Fed's recent interest rate cuts good for consumers?: 1 of 3
The Federal Reserve Boards reduction in the rate can be best categorized under the heading "Desperate Measures." The government is on the hook for so much money it guaranteed to banks, and banks will fail without those guarantees. One thing history has proved is when you have "government and banks" on one side of an equation... More..
Business > Online Business (Other) Benefits of affiliate marketing: 1 of 3
Imagine how different life would be if retailers sold only items they manufactured. Almost nothing would be available to us. Retail giants would not exist. In fact, almost everything would not exist. Manufacturers of goods would be crippled by limited sales opportunities. It is through distribution networks and retail outlet... More..
Society & Lifestyle > African-American Issues Important milestones in African-American education: 1 of 3
Homer Plessy looked like an average white man, but he was part of a conspiracy to challenge Jim Crow laws that relegated Black people to second-class citizen status. Once he was seated with his first-class train ticket that day in June of 1892, he told the conductor that he was one-eighth black! It worked! The US Supreme Cou... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US News Humor: Daily news (11/25/07): 1 of 3
Welcome to Helium Daily News for November 25, 2007. Australian Labor Party Leader Kevin Rudd has soundly defeated Prime Minister John Howard, ending the twelve year reign for the Liberal-National coalition leader. In his departure speech, John Howard said he leaves the office with Australia a "stronger and prouder nation" th... More..
Politics, News & Issues > US News Humor: Daily news (12/05/07): 1 of 3
The latest intelligence report on Iran's development of nuclear technologies caught President Bush by surprise. It indicates the country abandoned plans to build bombs with the technology in 2003. Democratic hopeful Joe Biden said he "can't believe the President hasn't known for months" about the intelligence report. Preside... More..
Creative Writing > Humor Humor: Self reflection: 25 of 72
For many, many years, I lived with the belief that if everybody else in the world would conform only to my standards, then that elusive peace and happiness I sought would come to fruition. My unresolved issues had accumulated to the toppling point, exponentially intensifying with increased frequency and duration, my feelings... More..
Politics, News & Issues > Political & Economic Theory Ideas to solve the American economic crisis: 22 of 62
President Bush recently held a press conference in which he announced some temporary cures for the ailing financial and mortgage markets. The gist is that the federal government is changing the way it deals with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac by allowing about a one hundred fold investment from $3.25 billion to $300 billion, and... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Memoirs: Childhood memories: 112 of 308
I cannot imagine having meaner parents. There I was, still at the table refusing to eat my rice salad, while my siblings were watching The Beverly Hillbillies. Then another taunt from my older sister. "Don't be such a baby, Tom. Eat it so you can watch TV." "I AM NOT BEING A BABY," I screamed as I broke out in tears! Then Mo... More..
Creative Writing > Memoirs Memoirs: Death of a friend: 23 of 62
If Dana were not on time, he was early. If he were not showing up, Dana called. We were to get together, but it was not Dana calling. It was a beckon call to hightail it if I intended to say goodbye. My longtime friend was not there, though the machines said he was two-thirds. He would last two hours without the machines; on... More..