You heard it here first, the Obama Administration will be investing heavily into the nation’s future by spending your (future) tax dollars on further developing renewable energy, retrofitting federal buildings to be energy efficient, and upgrading the nations’ energy and transportation infrastructure.

To quote President-elect Obama, “However we got here, the problems we face today are not Democratic problems or Republican problems. The dreams of putting a child through college, or staying in your home, or retiring with dignity and security know no boundaries of party or ideology.”

Friends, we must all participate in building up America, again, to be the leader that the world expects and demands.  We must lend our support (time, money, expertise and skills) to the endeavors that move the United States and world in the right direction.  Be sure to communicate with your representatives in Congress to tell them about the problems and your communities face.  Our government officials need our input as leaders can not lead without the feedback from their followers.

Also, be active in reviewing the legislation that eventually is proposed in Congress.  It may contain provisions that do not move America in the right direction.   Tell our government leaders your opinion.  This, my friends, is more valuable than voting and you have earned the right to voice your opinion.

We first wrote about President-Elect Obama’s transition into office by commending his use of new media technologies to interact with the public and he will be continuing his weekly address during his administration.

This week’s address is of particular note because he has unveiled a few key parts of his economic recovery plan.  The main points of his plan are:

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Ladies and gentlemen of the United States of America, make no mistake, you voted for change when you elected Barack Obama as President of the United States.  The Obama administration has brought change to the way the White House is run.  It is best demonstrated by President-elect Obama posting weekly videos to YouTube.

President-elect Obama understands that media consumption habits have changed and he is adapting to that change by posting his weekly addresses to internet video sites.  I applaud this effort and I look forward to his administration embracing other forward looking technologies once he assumes office on January 20th, 2009.

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Here are some great tips from the National Geographic Channel.  I really like their tip about adding sand or pebbles to your toilet to reduce the amount of water it uses each flush.  With water prices soaring, I appreciate any tips to conserve water and to save money on the water bill each month.

Feel free to add any tips you have discovered in the comments area below.

I have said in earlier posts that The first International Cochrane Collaboration Systematic Review in Public Health and Medicine to review programs for the prevention of alcohol abuse found that SFP10-14 was the most effective universal, school-based prevention program in the world.

The Cochrane Collaboration authors (Foxcroft and associates 2003) at Oxford University found only 56 programs in the world with research data solid enough to include in their review of what works in substance abuse prevention. About 20 of these programs were found to have negative results or no positive results. Of the remaining programs, the Cochrane review found that SFP10-14, a 7-session plus four boosters version for low risk universal populations, had twice the effectiveness (effect size) of the next best school-based program. SFP was found three times as effective as any life or social skills training program implemented with youth only.

Visit the Strengthening Families Program online to find out more.

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Remember any of the last 1000 articles you read in the paper? I rest my case.   Read an article that you will never forget, guaranteed.