Free Republic

One in 300 million. The odds aren’t great, but your chances of winning the massive Mega Millions lottery are as good as the next person. The current jackpot is estimated to be more than $1.6 billion. That is 1,600 million for those who are used to seeing smaller prizes. According to the USA Mega lottery website, the lucky winner will take home approximately $687 million after taxes if he or she opts for the cash option -- life-changing wealth by any standard. It's fun just dreaming how would you spend or invest the money if you won. The opportunities would...

You don’t know me, though I’ve met both Collins and Murkowski when I worked for the late Montana Senator Conrad Burns. But my life, and the lives of everyone in this country, are hanging on what you do next in the confirmation battle over Brett Kavanaugh. I call it a battle rather than a process because it is a battle, a fight, even a war. I know each of you think you’re doing your best to stave off that war, but you’re only making it more likely. Senator Flake, you were confronted on national television by two activists, both claiming...

The wife and I are planning a trip down to southwest Missouri and northwest Arkansas in late September/early October. We're planning on hitting some national parks along the way - Fort Scott NHS, George Washington Carver NM, Wilson's Creek NB, etc. It's gonna be a leisurely "We'll leave from Kansas City and start driving and see where we end up" kind of trip. There's no set itinerary other than we'll be down that way for about 5 days or so. I've requested the usual travel guides - state of Arkansas, state of Missouri, Springfield Mo CVB, etc. But I'm looking...

You hit the fast food drive-through a couple times a week, and your grocery cart is regularly filled with cookies, packaged doughnuts, ice cream, chips (and dip). But you’re thin. You run—a lot—and you’re not gaining any weight, so all’s good, right? Well, not exactly. Put down the chocolate cupcake and hear us out. While runners do tend to be much healthier than the general population, with lower rates of diabetes and heart disease, that’s largely due to a healthy diet rather than running regularly, says Sara Mahoney, Ph.D., chair of the department of exercise science at Bellarmine University. In...

Husband just lost job. We're looking at health sharing ministries as a lower cost way of saving on premiums compared to COBRA. What has been your experience with health sharing ministries? Which one would you recommend? Which ones don't make processing medical bills/claims a hassle? What should I look out for?

Approaching 63 early next year I’m seriously considering retiring. Still plan to work, 3 day weekends every week. In ’17 you could make around 20K, after that they would take a dollar off funds for every $2 made over ... apparently that figure will go up in ’18. Naturally the apprehension is giving up 20% for the rest of my life but I have a small pension which evens it out. But money lost nevertheless. What price is wrong for a better quality of life and precious time? Did you retire early and regret it or not and wish you...

I need help from my fellow Freepers. An audiologist today found moderate hearing loss in the upper frequencies of my auditory system. She said my pattern is typical of high impact noises. I frequent the gun ranges, etc. Despite my proper use of hearing protection, I usually experience some temporary hearing changes after a couple of hours at the range. Today I discovered from my audiology appointment that these temporary effects are evidence of damage to my hearing, and some of that damage, however slight, has permanent consequences on my hearing, especially on the upper frequencies. Some people shrug off...

And why?

Society places such high importance on getting married that it’s easy to feel almost like a failure if you never manage to find a man to settle down with. While it’s fantastic if you do eventually find a guy you’d like to marry, it’s really no big deal if you never end up getting hitched as long as you have these things: 1. A solid group of friends It doesn’t matter whether your social circle is big or small — what DOES matter is the quality of the people in it. Even the most independent people need at least one...

Former President Barack Obama and President Trump have not spoken once since the inauguration in January, Mr. Trump confirmed to The Washington Times, adding it’s “too bad” they haven’t been in communication, but he is not surprised given their history. Mr. Trump also brushed aside Mr. Obama’s recent public attacks on him, acknowledging his own barbs aimed at the man whose legacy he upended with his stunning election victory in November. “I wouldn’t say I’ve been exactly great to him either,” Mr. Trump said by way of explanation. {..snip..}

"...The party's leader is at best indifferent to, and often is hostile to, much of the party's recent catechism: limited government, the rule of law, a restrained executive, fiscal probity,..."

I know Trump must have a lot of professionals advising his campaign, but much of the appeal of Trump is that he is like us. Rich, but like us. I hope that his staff reads FR, and since there are a lot of smart people here that are more middle America, we could probably give Trump some excellent advice that would resonate with middle-America. So that's the idea here. Assuming Trumps staff is lurking here, what advice would you give?

I am about to embark on a career as an Independent Contractor -- I am a computer consultant (37 years) in the ERP space. I have some pretty good laptops now but I really think I need a high-powered, high-performance Wintel laptop. I would like to keep it at 15" to take with me, although I have a Surface (which I like but has idiosyncrasies) I use for mobility. This is business, not gaming (which I eschew), so I don't think Alienware and its derivatives are what I am looking for.

I am looking to make a transition in my career this year, and I am starting the process of setting up my own consulting business in my industry. I've got a reputation and track record that my clients seem to value, and I'm looking to break free of the constraints of my corporate role. I will be working with a lawyer and a CPA once I get a little further down the road here (probably when I am ready to get an EIN#), but in the meantime I'd be interested in getting input from other Freepers who may have followed...

Go ahean Post 'em here.

I just need general advice and links to resources on home schooling. I'm finding the topic a little daunting because I don't know where to begin. My kid is bright and being bullied relentlessly at school. Not by just the kids, but also staff. Admin do nothing because of nepotism, etc. He's 8th grade level, now. I'll leave this here and catch up later to replies. I know there are many FReepers here who home school and would appreciate feedback. I just don't know where to begin and I'm terribly disorganized. I'll make dinner and BBL. Thanks!

A huge thunderstorm ripped through here four days ago. It blew out my TV and my computer. My small town only has a Walmart and an Office Depot. I would prefer to go buy a new computer at Walmart. I'm thinking a laptop would be a better purchase. I have no idea how to install it on my own. I'm thinking of asking a clerk to come home with me to install it and I will pay him $50. I need this new computer installed before the start of our FReepathon on July 1 I will also need one that...

Some politically incorrect parenting tips to make sure you don't end up with a Miley Cyrus wannabe in your family......

I have a chance to apply internally for a position as US Postal Police Officer. I find the opportunity fascinating and exciting. Right now I have a steady schedule as a postal clerk in Wichita, Kansas, after downgrading from supervisor not long ago. Recently divorced, I have few ties other than immediate family. None of the positions available are anywhere near Wichita, and looking at the vast, truth-telling population of Free Republic, I'm wondering if it would be worthwhile to change positions and move to any of the following locations that have opened up. San Francisco, CA Los Angeles, CA...

A new bill aims to make it easier for veterans to talk to their doctors about medical marijuana. The Veterans Equal Access Act, introduced Thursday by Reps. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore. and Dana Rohrabacher, R-Calif., would lift a ban Veterans Affairs doctors face that prevents them from giving opinions or recommendations on medical marijuana to veterans living in states where its use is permitted. "Post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury are just as damaging and harmful as any injuries that are visible from the outside," Blumenauer said in a statement, according to the Huffington Post. “Sometimes even more so because of...