One of the complaints from the Occupy movement protesters is that gambling by the banking sector is what created the economic crisis gripping the globe. And they’re partially correct in placing blame at the feet of bankers who recklessly played the markets like a game of Monopoly. But risk is an inherent part of business, politics and life – and demonizing the private sector for taking chances without presenting viable alternatives is nonsensical. Ironically, one of the surest bets for the Super Committee in Washington currently looking for ways to cut spending and balance the federal budget involves opening the United States to regulated, safe and legal gambling. It’s time for Washington lawmakers to pass the bill that taxes online gambling revenues and makes it legal.

Make no mistake about it, Billionaire Michael Bloomberg is a technology whiz.  But his energy ideas are bankrupt.  His $50 million gift to support the Sierra Club’s anti-coal agenda and to stop coal-fired power plants will undoubtedly help move American jobs to China.  As the Mayor of America’s largest city, Bloomberg should understand the overwhelming demand for affordable energy.

California has long been the preeminent home for dreamers, seducing the world’s most talented and successful movie stars, musicians, writers, techies, developers and deal makers. California is the place the talented and driven go to turn dreams into reality. Their personal success has, in turn, fueled government’s economic engines for decades, pushing California from the country’s dusty western outpost into the eighth largest economy in the world. But some politicians are seeking quick fixes for the decades of their out of control spending habits by extorting some of the world’s most innovative companies. San Francisco Mayor Ed Lee and the Board of Supervisors reached a 20 year low this past week when proposed a new tax scheme to raise revenue from innovative entrepreneurs. What an anti-American idea; this isn’t Russia.

Today, my mom finishes 6 weeks of radiation to treat Stage 2 breast cancer. While most people think she is quiet and shy — the fact is she probably is in some ways. But since my dad passed away roughly 10 years ago she has slowly become more confident in dealing with life’s many issues. She has negotiated a car purchase, re-modeled a bathroom and maneuvered through Medicare all on her own. But she really proved her strength when she was diagnosed with breast cancer early this summer. When Drs. Caughran and Padulla from Grand Rapids’ Lack’s Cancer Center informed…

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