How many self-help seminars have you attended over the years that left you so energized you just knew your life had just changed for the better? Have you ever had a conversation with someone who truly connected with your feelings and you knew your life was about to change? Have you ever gone to a church, temple or synagogue where you were so moved by a sermon you just knew your life had changed for the better?

Yogi Berra said “It’s déjà vu all over again,” and as I read Congressman Paul Ryan’s 2012 third edition of “The Pathway to Prosperity,” it seems like “déjà vu all over again. But the problem is that if you are old or poor, it doesn’t get any better with repetition. The other problem is that the U.S. House of Representatives approved his plan on March 29, 2012 on a vote of 228-191 with zero Democratic votes and 10 Republicans voting against it.

The nation’s 50 legislatures will face tough choices if all of Obamacare is thrown out by the U.S. Supreme Court when its decision on the Affordable Healthcare for America Act is delivered in June. Put simply – how should America respond to the health needs of the poor? Should America continue the de facto policy of allowing the poor to go to hospital emergency rooms to get care?

In this increasingly avaricious world of ours, there are still people all around us who quietly and anonymously provide not only their own money, but their time and expertise to help others without any compensation. These people often volunteer in hospitals and senior centers. Then there are those whose humanitarian activities not only take up their own time, but cost thousands of dollars out of their own pockets. I am not talking about millionaires such as the Bradleys or the Kohlers, but ordinary people, most of whom you’ve never heard of.

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On April 11, 2012, a crowd of over 150 seniors gathered at Washington Park Senior Center to hear Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius discuss the Medicare benefits that are included in the federal Affordable Health Care Act. The event was sponsored by the Milwaukee Department on Aging and the Wisconsin Alliance of Retired Americans.

Sometimes, I really feel as if I should just give up. In fact, if it were not for the encouraging emails I get from many of my readers telling me to "hang in there" and "keep up the good fight," I probably would have stopped addressing bogus emails that spread lies and misinformation about Social Security a long time ago.

Our parents are in their 70s and remain healthy. Dad takes care of the checkbook and groans about handling details. As their only child, I have never asked what their final wishes are because I feel uncomfortable about doing so. I know little about their plans, goals or finances, and they have never volunteered details about their wishes. How can I now comfortably introduce the subject?

Are we angry about the inexcusable and irresponsible mortgage lending starting in the year 2000, culminating in the mortgage meltdown of 2008? Are we upset about losing value in our homes from 2008 until present? Here is perspective that may provide some peace and solace as well as allow you the freedom to move forward! Here is a graph that charts mortgage prices back to 1890, for existing housing as an inves

Tommy Thompson predictably has adopted the national Republican stance on energy, joining the two other major Republicans – Assembly Speaker Jeff Fitzgerald and former U.S. Rep. Mark Neumann – who are running for the U.S. Senate being vacated by incumbent Herb Kohl.

While Republican presidential candidates are competing to see who is the most conservative on issues such as religion, abortion and birth control. There has been very little discussion on their positions on Social Security and Medicare. So, here they are:

Hey there, all you senior males; pay attention! How would you like to join a group that always has a barrel of fun; that will help you stay in shape, and where the women outnumber the men five to one? Five to one!

I talked to someone at my local Social Security office about possibly claiming divorced wife's benefits from my ex, but she told me I'm not eligible. Do you think I can claim benefits? And if so, would I need a lawyer to do this?

There are times when the creation of a baseball franchise is made possible by the actions of one or just a few men. A case in point was the formation of the Milwaukee Brewers Major League organization some 53 years ago by Allan H. “Bud” Selig. Without his efforts, neither the Brewers nor Miller Park stadium would exist today.