Although the minimum wage was created to ensure a better life for Americans, it’s not always the exemplary choice in some people’s views. A great deal of Americans struggle to make minimum wage and barely make ends meet.

As a college student I understand how difficult it is to work a minimum wage job, go to school, buy food, buy necessities, do homework, pay rent, buy books, and pay car payments.

Over the past couple years, college students have discovered that the adult industry has been a relief to their money issues. Students have found various ways in the adult industry to pay back loans for school or pay for any other basic need of a college student.  The “Sugar Daddy Solution,” is becoming a fad for college students across America.

It seems as though students looking to find a job in the adult industry most commonly end up escorting or seeking sugar daddy’s. Finding a job in the adult industry is not always on purpose. Chloe, a “pro girlfriend,” states that she found her arranged relationship on “accident.”

Chloe had been working at Buffalo Wild Wings in Las Vegas, when her car broke down and “needed a new alternator and starter which was going to cost about $1500.”

Chloe had found herself on craigslist looking for a more beneficial job. Unfortunately it’s hard to find a job that pays more without a degree. Chloe was embarrassed to say that she wandered off into the adult section of craigslist. She viewed ads for hookers, strippers, and porn stars. She realized she did not want to do any of those jobs.

Although she wasn’t interested in becoming Vegas’s next big strip show, she continued to view the adult section. Soon an ad for a “pro girlfriend,” appeared. Chloe wasn’t completely sure about what a “pro girlfriend,” was exactly, but was open to finding out about how it worked.

Chloe met up with the man who posted the ad on craigslist. While Chloe was 18 and still adapting to life on her own, he was 50. The first day Chloe and him met he immediately fixed her car, after a nice lunch of course.

According to Chloe there are many benefits to her arrangement. Not only is money a benefit, but Chloe has benefited in various ways. Chloe went from being as desperate as looking in the adult section on Craigslist, to earning a 3.8 GPA at the University of Las Vegas and establishing a stable life for herself.

Although her arranged boyfriend does receive sex, it is not the only way he benefits from the relationship. Chloe says she has helped him become a healthier person, supports his ideas, and his over all well-being.

Some might say that having an arranged relationship may be the same thing as becoming a prostitute. Prostitution is pretty straight forward; you have sex for money. Chloe does not consider herself only having sex for money. Chloe and her arranged boyfriend have established an actual relationship, and support each other’s wants and dreams, something most people in a relationship don’t even accomplish.

What’s not to love? Love and Money are things people search for the most and now it’s just a click away on craigslist. It seems simple, become a “pro girlfriend,” make good money, pay your bills, go to college, receive stability. It seems like the perfect fantasy. But is it all it’s cracked up to be?

According to Chloe she’s making over $100 grand a year just by being a “pro girlfriend.”Chloe receives “$1,000 in cash a week, rent for her townhouse, about $1,500 a month, about a thousand a month for a clothing expense, payment of her BMW and her insurance.”

Chloe has created a good savings account for herself,  established rental properties, has no student debt, and is financially stable.

I always hear people talking about how prostitutes make a lot of money. It seems as though it depends on the type of business you are in, within the adult industry. In my opinion being a prostitute or stripper is not the dream job I fantasize about. although Chloe’s relationship with her arranged boyfriend makes me reconsider the aspects of having an arranged relationship.

When I look at all the aspects of the adult industry, I see drugs, violence, and unstable people. When I look at escorts and arranged relationships compared to prostitution, stripping, webcam models, and porn stars, it’s easy to differentiate.

The stability and safety of having a “sugar daddy,” or “arranged relationship,” is far from the position a prostitute working in the middle of the night on dangerous streets would have.

Although I don’t personally agree with the Adult industry overall, Arranged relationships seem like the most logical way to have a job in the adult industry. People in arranged relationships are not prostitutes, strippers, or porn stars. “Pro girlfriends,” hardly consider themselves part of the adult industry. They are people striving to have a better life and perhaps create a lifelong relationship and promote stability within each other.

A huge variety of dating websites for wealthy men and women are sprouting across the internet, and creating a higher demand for wealthy people in the dating life.

Dating is now considered a sub category for the adult industry all thanks to the idea of pro girlfriends/boyfriends, arranged relationships, and escorts. Seekingarrangements.com and sugardaddyforme.com are only a few out of the many growing sugar daddy websites.

To be quite honest, it’s difficult for me to distinguish the difference between having a sugar daddy and an arranged relationship. I would much rather be honest as to why I’m with someone and have them support my decisions, then fake love with someone for their money.

It would be nice to extinguish both options and the sex industry overall, but unfortunately desperate times call for desperate measures, and someone has to keep the porn business going for all those demanding late night viewers.

Perhaps there were other routes a person in an arranged relationship could have taken, but if working in the adult industry is someone’s “only option,” becoming a pro girlfriend seems like the best choice.

The people who we solely rely on to protect our freedoms can barely be honest with us? Shameful, in my opinion.

To be quite honest it makes me not even want to vote. The right that Elizabeth Cady Stanton fought for with great effort, is meaningless if no canidates can even be honest as to whom they are.

Every day I hear politicians and their administrations promote themselves. I don’t care who they claim to be; I care about how everyone else feels about their experiences with the politician.

Various citizens feel as though the Obama Administration is perhaps as curropt as the Nixon Administration was. Times have changed, technology is at its peak and entrepeneurs are crowding indutries.

However, Politicians have stepped in places we never imagined. Political Curroption is destroying America. We are destroying ourselves!

“Obama for America,” or Obama against America?  Obama’s recent $447 Billion plan to create new jobs seems brilliant from the outside perspective. However, I am not as easily convinced.

Obama claims the benefits, money, and effort put into this plan will outweigh the extreme amount of money required to follow through with the plan.

Obama is sadly mistaken and could possibly cause America even more debt and a lovely increase in taxes. After all, American’s love taxes! I mean we only fought for taxation without representation in our Declaration of Independence, but what does Independence matter anymore? Were just a forming colony for China.

The only plan Obama needs to create in regards to jobs, is a plan that disallows American companies from hiring overseas operators and engineers. He needs to help preserve American jobs. I’m not sure if Obama has noticed, but people are still losing jobs. America needs to focus on bringing back jobs taken overseas and preserving jobs still existent.

That in itself will help rebuild America, not spending more money. Besides wanting to put America in to a larger pit hole, “This proposal is really not credible,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell.

Although Republicans are not my most favored party, but neither are liars, criminals, and Presidents heading America towards a whirl wind of debt. It seems they have became a Political party all their own.

Well if you were wondering there are some keywords that you can use on your blog or website that will very likely get you more money per click. Of course, you won’t make money if you do not have any traffic or if people don’t click your Adsense ads but if those things are not a problem for you then you could potentially make a huge profit with these keywords.

Insurance – This is a high paying AdWords keyword. It is highly likely to find insurance companies and insurance aggregators paying $50+ dollars for a click. You would only see a percentage of this but it could range anywhere from $5 – $15.

Loans – In this economy a lot of people are searching for loans. This could be mortgage loans or refinancing, credit cards, student loans or even personal loans. That is why this keyword is so competitive. Average pay for a click on this could be $5 – $13.

Attorney – There is no doubt a lot of attorneys out there but how much are they paying for advertising? The question is a lot. You could make anywhere from $3 – $10 for just one click.

Even innocuous over-the-counter medications, such as ibuprofen or aspirin, are not recommended for use during pregnancy.  If you have a health condition that requires regular medication, your doctor can evaluate whether it’s safe for you to remain on the drug.  Before you take any medication – prescription or over the counter – talk to your doctor first.

As a general rule, it’s best to use caution and avoid use of any medications during pregnancy.  Exposure to pharmaceuticals is accounts for 2-3 percent of birth defects.  Some of the most dangerous drugs include the acne drug Accutane, the sleep aid/morning-sickness drug Thalidomide, and the psoriasis treatment Soriatane.

In addition, the anti-convulsant, Topamax, has recently been shown to cause severe congenital birth defects, such as cleft lip and cleft palate.  Earlier this year, the Food & Drug Administration strengthened warnings regarding Topamax during pregnancy.  If you took Topamax prenatally, and have a child with a birth defect, contact an attorney today to see if you qualify for a Topamax lawsuit.

FDA Topamax Warnings

The development and approval process for drugs is the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research (CDER), a division of the U.S. Food & Drug Administration.  CDER evaluates all new drugs before they are sold, evaluating their efficacy, as well as ensure that their health benefits outweigh their known risks.

Drugs are first tested in laboratories and on animals to evaluate safety.  Next, clinical trials are performed on people to determine whether the drug is safe, and to document any potential side effects.  The pharmaceutical company will send the results of these tests to CDER for evaluation.  If the drug is proven to be safe and effective, it will be approved.

Due to the dangers of clinical trials on pregnant women, many drugs lack information regarding the effects of taking the drug prenatally.  For example, the anti-seizure and migraine drug, Topamax, was recently shown to cause serious birth defects in infants whose mothers took the drug while pregnant.  In fact, women taking Topamax had an 11 times higher rate of congenital birth defects.

Due to this new data, the Food & Drug Administration recently increased the pregnancy warning of Topamax to Category D, meaning there is positive evidence of fetal risk.  Though the warning has been updated, many children suffer Topamax birth defects due to this FDA-approved drug.

Thankfully, many parents are filing Topamax lawsuits to ensure that they obtain compensation for the defects caused by the drug.  If you or someone you know took Topamax prenatally, and has a child with a cleft lip or cleft palate, you should contact an experienced Topamax attorney today to assist you with your claim.

Studies show that 64 percent of pregnant women use at least one prescription drug during pregnancy.  However, with all prenatal drugs, doctors must weigh the potential benefits against the risk of possible fetal harm.  Unfortunately, little information exists because of the ethical issues surrounding clinical trials on pregnant women.

Topamax Birth Defects

Many women may have taken the anti-convulsant, Topamax, for the prevention of seizures or migraine headaches.  On March 4, 2011, the Food & Drug Administration increased the pregnancy warning of Topamax to Category D, meaning there is positive evidence of fetal risk.  The previous designation was Category C because of lack of human data.

The new label states, “there may be an association between the use of Topamax during pregnancy and congenital malformations.”  A 2008 study published in Neurology found that women who took Topamax prenatally had a higher rate of babies born with cleft lips, cleft palates, or other congenital defects.  In fact, the rate of birth defects in women taking Topamax was 11 times higher than the normal rate.

Cleft lip and cleft palate are variations of a type of congenital deformity caused by abnormal facial development during gestation.  A cleft is a fissure or opening—a gap.  An older term for cleft lip is harelip.

Cleft lip and palate birth defects can increase the risk of ear infections and cause problems eating and communicating.  A cleft lip or palate can be successfully treated with surgery, especially if conducted soon after birth or in early childhood.

According to a scientific study published by the American Academy of Neurology in April 2008, taking Topamax significantly increases the risk of cleft lip and palate birth defects.  The published study reviewed 203 pregnancies.  Overall, the rate of oral clefts observed was 11 times more prevalent than the normal rate.

Approximately 1 in 700 infants are born with a cleft lip and/or a cleft palate.  Therefore, the normal rate of cleft palates is 0.0014 percent.  However, according to this study, persons taking Topamax during pregnancy had a cleft palate rate of 0.0157 percent – 11 times the normal rate of congenital malformations.

Due to these and other serious side effects, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued additional warnings for Topamax.  The warning was raised to Pregnancy Category D, which means there is positive evidence of human fetal risk.

Topamax has serious side effects.  Taken prenatally, it can significantly increase the risk of congenital birth defects.  If you or someone you know took Topamax while pregnant and has a child with a birth defect, contact an experienced products liability attorney today to discuss your possible Topamax lawsuit.

Due to the insufficient pregnancy warnings, many women are filing Topamax lawsuits to seek compensation for their infant’s birth defects.  If you took Topamax prenatally, you should contact an experienced Topamax attorney today to assist you in evaluating your claim.

PPH Symptoms

PPH is generally diagnosed by physical examination.  Typical signs of persistent pulmonary hypertension include altered heart sounds, parasternal heave, pulmonary regurgitation, elevated jugular venous pressure, peripheral edema (swelling of the feet/ankles), ascites (abdominal swelling due to fluid), hepatojugular reflux, and clubbing.

Further testing can include pulmonary function tests, electrocardiograph (ECG), arterial blood gas measurements, chest x-rays, CT scans, and ventilation or perfusion.  Normal pulmonary pressure is 12-16 mm Hg – pulmonary hypertension is present when the pressure exceeds 25 mm Hg.

There are five different types of PPH:

1. Arterial PPH;
2. Venous PPH;
3. Hypoxic PPH;
4. Thromboembolic PPH; and
5. Miscellaneous PPH.

PPH is often difficult to diagnose because the symptoms begin very gradually.  Symptoms of persistent pulmonary hypertension include shortness of breath, dizziness, fainting – all of which are exacerbated by physical exertion.  Other symptoms include non-productive cough, angina pectoris, fainting or syncope, lips and skin that turn blue, peripheral edema (swelling around the feet and ankles), and hemotysis (coughing up blood).  Finally, PPH can result in a significant decrease in exercise tolerance, and even lead to heart failure.

PPH Treatment

Treatment is determined based on the typed of PPH.  Arterial PPH can be treated with lifestyle changes, oxygen therapy, oral anti-coagulants, diuretics, and digoxin.

Pulmonary venous hypertension is synonymous with congestive heart failure, meaning treatment options center on optimizing left ventricular function.  This can be achieved though the use of diuretics, ACE inhibitors, beta-blockers, or to simply repair/replace the valve.

Left untreated, PPH patients have a survival rate of 2-3 years.  However, with proper treatment, expected survival rates can exceed 10 years.

Fen-Phen and PPH

The drug combination fenfluramine/phentermine, usually called Fen-Phen, is an anti-obesity treatment that utilizes two anorectics.  Fen-Phen was sold under two trade names: fenfluramine (Pondimin) and dexfenfluramine (Redux).

A three-year study, published in 1992 showed that Fen-Phen was extremely effective in maintaining a significant weight loss.  However, when the patients stopped taking Fen-Phen, most regained their weight.

In 1996, an article in the New England Journal of Medicine showed a statistically significant rise in persistent pulmonary hypertension in patients taking Fen-Phen.  Due to these and other side effects, in late 1997, the FDA recommended that Fen-Phen no longer be prescribed.

The FDA ordered fenfluramine and dexfenfluramine off the market in September 1997 after those drugs were linked to heart valve problems.  Fenfluramine is one of the ingredients in Fen-Phen, and dexfenfluramine is closely related to fenfluramine.  These drugs are manufactured by Wyeth Pharmaceuticals and American Home Products.

PPH Lawsuits

Clearly, this drug combination used for rapid weight loss was extremely unsafe.  The manufacturers of Fen-Phen promoted this drug as safe and effective.  As shown in the study referenced above, the drug is not safe – thousands of patients taking Fen-Phen now have various cardiovascular and lung problems, such as persistent pulmonary hypertension.  In addition, the drug is not effective – studies show that patients who stop taking Fen-Phen almost always regain the weight they originally lost.

Upon the release of the information regarding the pulmonary and cardiac risks of Fen-Phen, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America formed a group to seek damages from American Home Products, the distributor of fenfluramine (Pondimin) and dexfenfluramine (Redux).

Estimates of total liability ran as high as $14 billion.  As of February 2005, Wyeth was still in negotiations with injured parties, offering settlements of $5,000 to $200,000 to some of those who had sued, and stating they might offer more to those who were most seriously injured.

According to a 1999 article in The New York Times, a Texas woman was awarded $23.3 million for heart damage she suffered after taking the diet drug combination known as Fen-Phen.  The final settlement amount is undisclosed.

If you or someone you know has primary pulmonary hypertension, you should contact a Fen-Phen lawyer today to discuss your case.  If you have been diagnosed with primary pulmonary hypertension (PPH), please contact a PPH lawyer today for a free consultation.

If you are suffering from dizziness, chest pains, skin turning blue, or difficulty breathing, you may have persistent pulmonary hypertension – a difficult disease to diagnose.  The best step you can take is to contact your medical provider for further testing.  If you believe you have PPH, you should contact an experienced PPH lawyer today to assist you with your Fen-Phen claim.

The deadly beast we’re speaking about is pictured to the left.  His name is Albus (yes, my son named him after a Harry Potter character), and he is an Akita.  He is about as big a marshmallow as a dog has ever been.  Unless you’re thinking about breaking into my house, in which case Michael Vick wanted to buy him, until Vick decided he didn’t feel safe around Albus.  

The whole insurance thing stinks of racism if you ask me, but I still had to wonder, what accountability I have when it comes to the actions of my dog?

I decided to consult my friend, Austin personal injury lawyer, Justin Demerath.  Here is what I asked him.

Q: Does the type of dog bred make a difference in a dog bit lawsuit?  I have an Akita, is that worse?

A: The type of dog does not matter that much.  If a dog looks really scary, a jury may be more apt to award damages, but technically it doesn’t make that much difference.  What really matters from a legal perspective as to whether there’s a good case or not is whether the owner lives in a city that has an ordinance that requires you to keep control of your dog (most do), whether the owner was on notice of the dangerous propensities of the animal, whether there’s significant enough injury to justify a case, and whether the dog owner is covered by an insurance policy, like a homeowners policy.

Q: What precautions can I take to help me in the event my dog does bite someone?

A: Don’t buy a dangerous breed (Pitbulls are the worst).  Train your dog.  Keep it under control.  If the damage has already been done, be sure that you get medical attention to the victim, alert your insurance company to the facts of the incident so they can start an investigation, and don’t admit fault.

Q:If my dog bites another dog at a dog park, am I liable?

A: If it’s an accidental injury caused in the act of playing with another dog at a dog park, there is probably no liability.  Most places have a one strike and you’re out rule.  If your dog mauls another dog for the first time in an area where the dog is not expected to be under your control, you are most likely not liable. If your dog mauls another dog after you have notice that the dog has dangerous propensities, your could face a valid claim for damages.

I’m not sure if this makes me feel better or worse.  If you look at the facts Malcolm Gladwell laid out in his New Yorker article, Troublemaker, the breed of the dog is far less of an indicator of aggression than the criminal record of a dog owner.  When you eliminate owners with criminal records, even the notorious Pittbull doesn’t really attack more than any other dog.  This leads to the simple conclusion that a-hole owners are likely to raise a-hole dogs.

But if you want to cover your assets, it’s best to still maintain as much insurance as anyone will sell you, and follow Mr. Demerath’s advice.

Looks may be deceiving when it comes to the Spyder, this small convertible is packing a v10 with 560 horsepower. If your like me, speed is your drug of choice; the faster the better. The Audi Spyder will not let you down with a 0-62 time of 3.8 seconds.

This Audi has some intense power, and although it may be aggressive it doesn’t fall short in performance. The Spyder is incredible outside and under the hood. It’s the complete package of high tech design, speed, and agility.

Packed with all wheel drive and a strong rear-wheel disposition to create more controlled turns and traction. Not a lot of Audi’s competition offers this all wheel drive, and created a definite selling point in my opinion; then again I am all about speed and preserving it the best.

There is no doubt in my mind that the Spyder could be the best Audi available at the time; this car in nothing short of perfect. When it comes to design, the Audi design team has developed a sporty yet classy design that appeals to almost every automobile lover.

Although this trendy sports car is only a two-seater, it doesn’t fail to provide space and comfort. Of course with any Audi luxury car there are many features included; the Spyder goes above and beyond Audi’s standard features.

Navigation, DVD, a built-in Bluetooth seat microphone, air conditioning, a Bang & Olufsen sound system, an alarm system, LED head and tail lights, carbon-fiber ceramic brake discs, 9 second soft top, extendible glass rear window and bucket seats are only a few of the standard features offered in this Audi R8.

Performance, speed, handling, and technology all wrapped in one automobile; what more could someone ask for?

Technology can be a great new tunnel to improve our earth. Recently, Smartphone’s have made our “save paper,” dreams a reality.

Mass production of paper obviously doesn’t help the environment. Smartphone’s create an amazing way to conserve paper and “save the earth.” All you need to do is download any applications that allow you to present tickets, coupons, boarding passes, maps, instructions, concert passes.

Considering the world produces over three hundred billion tons of paper a year, the effects of buying a smart phone would help preserve our world greatly.

Since people today are always striving to take the technical route, why not take the “green approach,” at the same time? Smartphone’s are amazing for providing a “greener world.” They also help businesses decrease the need to commute back and forth to a home office; in turn creating another great aspect of Smartphones.

Businesses can also save paper by tracking labor productivity, shrink rates, and sale averages off of their smartphones,

Overall Smartphone’s are extremely environmentally friendly; they help save gas, save the earth, and help promote rebuilding the economy. I mean who doesn’t want to help the economy? It seems as though all aspects of a Smartphone draw customers in. It sure attracts my attention.

I used to constantly get directions from MapQuest and print them out. With my Smartphone I don’t even have to think about touching a computer for GPS, it’s all inclusive.

Excitedly, I downloaded every possible app I could to save our Earth. Most of which consist of the ability to download airline boarding passes, coupons, and concert tickets. I’ve taken advantage of Groupon.com, Tickets.com, ArXiv Reader, and Living Social.

It’s truly unbelievable that a simple portable device has the capability of changing the world.

Border’s obviously isn’t aware that all book stores have had to reconstruct their business because of the economy and growing technology of e-readers. The economy may be to blame, but Borders’ faulty business attempts are a large contributing factor as well.

Borders recently employed financer, Bennett LeBow, has not been able to help Borders reconsider Bankruptcy.

Unfortunately, Borders Books employs over 10,700 people. Laying off over 10,000 people will not help rebuild the American economy. The last thing our country needs is more people on unemployment.

Although taxes may help pay for unemployment, unemployment only last for a certain amount of time, and takes away from money that could contribute to reconstructing our economy or getting the U.S out of debt.

Many Borders Bookstores are located in shopping malls and strip malls; both  will suffer a large loss considering how large Borders Bookstores are.

Borders employees, customers, lease owners, and the U.S economy shouldn’t have to suffer due to a poor business organization and adaptation. Borders claims the growing success of online bookseller is the reason their business failed. In reality, Borders has failed to adapt to the online bookselling and e-reader industry.

Borders has already let go of thousands of employees and closed down over 300 stores. It seems like the reasonable thing to do is let go of the rest of the company. This seems unfair to employees, but it may be the only option for the poorly organized company.

It seems everyone is going to be punished for Border’s failed attempts to reconstruct their business. If Borders plan’s to liquidate the remaining stores is approved, Borders will hit a quick down spiral towards unemployment and a great amount of unhappy former employees.

It’s a shame that the technical rise and economic fall hit industries at the same time.

Throughout Beckham building her way through the fashion industry as a renowned designer and model, she has also recently been awarded the executive design position for Range Rover, during the 40^th Range Rover anniversary at London’s Kensington Palace.

It’s no doubt that Victoria Beckham’s style will attribute to the design team. Beckham’s knowledge on trends and design will be a pleasant change of pace for the automobile industry. Considering most men control automobile design teams, Beckham’s support will add a woman’s touch.

Beckham’s contributions to the design team will create a new view of women and from women as she helps design the newest Range Rover, The Evoque; the all original Evoque will be present at this Septembers Paris Motor Show. Range Rover has began to stray away from their traditional SUV designs and Beckham has definitely changed the company for the better.

Throughout the world, almost everyone is in search of the latest and newest design and technology. The Evoque will definitely not let you down if you qualify as one of those people. The Evoque will add a sleek compact SUV design to Range Rovers usual distinct characteristics.

As someone who finds herself interested in sportier, sleek designed cars, I would not normally be attracted to the traditional choppier style of the classic Range Rovers and Land Rovers. Although, I find myself extremely drawn to Range Rovers change in design and up keep with the sleeker styles.

Nowadays standing out in the automobile industry helps business greatly. In Beckhams case, It seems as though standing out as a woman in design will give Range Rover a new view and appeal towards diverse buyers. Not to mention the publicity Beckham will give to Range Rover.