Bloomberg Government and Bloomberg Businessweek held an exclusive two-panel event at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. examining President Obama's State of the Union Address.

 One panel focused on political impacts. Moderated by Bloomberg's Josh Tyrangiel, participants included: Margaret Carlson, Bloomberg View columnist; Former Congressman Tom Davis; Anita Dunn, Managing Director, SKDKnickerbocker; Josh Green, Senior National Correspondent, Bloomberg Businessweek; and Sam Stein, Political Editor and White House Correspondent, The Huffington Post.

 The other panel focused on economic and business implications. Moderated by Bloomberg's Al Hunt, participants included: Senator Bob Corker (R-TN); Senator Mark Warner (D-VA); Governer John Engler, President of the Business Roundtable; and Dr. Alice Rivlin, Senior Fellow, Economic Studies, Brookings Institution.

BGOV's Darin Ohlandt recaps the latter panel:

 State of the Union: What’s Next 

Senator Bob Corker, a Republican from Tennessee, center, speaks as John Engler, President of the Business Roundtable, listens during a discussion at The Newseum in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012. The event, sponsored by Bloomberg Government and Businessweek magazine, was titled "The Economic & Business Implications of the State of the Union Address." Photographer: David Rogowski/Bloomberg

The morning after the President’s State of the Union address Bloomberg Government and Bloomberg Businessweek hosted an event examining the business and political implications of the programs, proposals and issues identified in the speech.

Bloomberg Government sponsored a distinguished panel including Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), Senator Bob Corker (R-TN), Governor John Engler, now president of the Business Roundtable and Dr. Alice Rivlin, a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution and renowned economist and budget expert. Al Hunt, Executive Washington Editor for Bloomberg News, moderated the panel. This panel reviewed the economic, business, employment and budgetary consequences stemming from the President’s annual address.

The panelists agreed that the number one problem facing the economy and businesses is the federal budget deficit and the economic uncertainty that stems from it. Senator Corker emphasized that the best way to create jobs and to grow the economy is to tackle the deficit. All panelists agreed that political leadership needs to work out solutions for entitlement reform, tax reform and overall spending.

Senator Mark Warner, a Democrat from Virginia, right, speaks as Alice Rivlin, Senior Fellow, Economic Studies, Brookings Institution listens during a discussion at The Newseum in Washington, D.C., U.S.,
on Wednesday, Jan. 25, 2012. The event, sponsored by Bloomberg Government and Businessweek magazine, was titled " The Economic & Business Implications of the State of the Union Address."
Photographer: David Rogowski/Bloomberg

Dr. Rivlin pointed out that President Obama put Medicare and Social Security reform on the table during the speech, at some political risk. Governor Engler of the Business Roundtable specified many aspects of corporate tax reform that would help them grow and keep jobs in the U.S.

The panelists further discussed a wide range of issues at the intersection of business and government action, including small business policies, immigration reform, regulatory changes and the president’s proposed agency consolidation.

The event, held at the Newseum in Washington, DC, then moved on to the political fall-out with a panel led by Josh Tyrangiel, Executive Editor of Bloomberg Businessweek, and included Sam Stein, Margaret Carlson, Josh Green, Anita Dunn and Thomas Davis.

The 2012 Power 100 ranking of the most powerful athletes in sports (created by Bloomberg Businessweek and Horrow Sports Ventures) was just released. What's interesting is that athletes used to be measured more by their performance on the field than in business. Today, that is no longer the case. In order to be deemed successful, athletes not only have to perform well, they also must have a certain rapport with the public. This Power list looks at athlete's performance both on-and off-the field.

The top of the list is dominated by male athletes who have found their niche by winning championships and securing solid business deals. Three NFL elite quarterbacks, all with Super Bowl rings and lucrative endorsement deals, Drew Brees of New Orleans, Aaron Rodgers of Green Bay, and Tom Brady of New England, lead the pack. Also in the top 10 –  the now retired Shaquille O'Neal, action sports star Shaun White, and three male tennis players, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic.

There are no wallflowers on the list for sure.

Today we view the individual as a brand, one that can be marketed across the world as much as across the street. The 24/7 news cycle has put access to athletes in real time, and the public's interest is sometimes even greater with off-field activities than with on-field success.

Those in positions of influence need to balance the time they spend improving their vocation with something I call "brand time." For some, that's endorsements. For others, it's interacting with a voracious public, or telling their story through the various levels of social media.

Has this need to be a "brand" always been associated with elite athletes? Perhaps. You know Babe Ruth would have embraced the limelight today as much as he did when he was playing for the Yankees, while someone like Roger Maris probably would have been lacking on the list. Magic Johnson would be tops; Larry Bird, who spent the offseason mowing his lawn, probably not so much.

Dr. Harvey W. Schiller is CEO of Global Options Group and is former head of Turner Sports, YankeeNets and the United States Olympic Committee

Bloomberg's Curtis Ravenel walks the 8-acre site where construction of the 1.8-megawatt SunPower solar power system is underway.

Installed piles will support SunPower T0 Trackers, which position high efficiency solar panels to track the sun during the day, increasing energy capture by up to 25% over fixed-tilt solar systems.

Today, I'm happy to report that we are close to completing installation of a 1.8 megawatt solar power system that is expected to generate the equivalent of over 50% of the Skillman office's electricity. The Bloomberg facilities and sustainability teams have been working with SunPower Corp. and Integrys Energy Services to install this eight-acre, ground-mounted solar tracking system.

Here's how it works:

The system will use high-efficiency SunPower solar panels, the most efficient solar panels available on the market today, with the SunPower™ T0 Tracker system. The Tracker follows the sun’s movement during the day, increasing sunlight capture by up to 25 percent over conventional fixed-tilt systems, while significantly reducing land use requirements.

Bloomberg will buy the clean power generated from the system at prices below retail rates, providing a long-term hedge against rising power prices with no initial capital investment. The system will be owned by Solar Star NJ VI, LLC, a wholly-owned, indirect subsidiary of Integrys Energy Services, Inc. Solar Star will sell the solar renewable energy credits and environmental attributes associated with the system.

Curtis Ravenel, global head of sustainability at Bloomberg

To ameliorate independence and freedom of mobility many disabled,
Read the Entire Article Auto. Car. Automotive.

Every person in today

When you own a car what easily comes into our minds is car insurance. The law requires insurance for all vehicles. Legal actions will be taken to drivers who don’t have car insurance. Sanctions involved paying around $500, 000 for penalties. Not only that. The process will take several months. If you have a problem paying your insurance, applying for a credit card will solve the problem. You can use your credit card to purchase your needs and use your money to pay for your car insurance.

If you’re too busy and can’t go to the bank to apply for a credit card, use the online option. You can apply for a credit card online by providing your personal information. If your credit card online application is approved, the credit card will be sent to your mailing address or, you can pick it up at the credit card provider office.

Having car insurance gives a feeling of security when it comes to accidents and other unpredictable incidents. In case of accidents, you will be penalized if found out that your car is not insured. If you have car insurance, you will be refunded in case your car needs repair or needs a replacement.

These are the important things that we need to consider. If money is the problem just relax. Think and explore your options. You can loan money to pay for your car insurance. There’s also more. You know that you can actually apply for a credit card which you can use to pay your loan or buy your other needs. You can apply for credit cards personally or online as I have mentioned above.

You can apply for 0% APR credit card which offers many benefits. One of the benefits is balance transfer. This means transferring your balance from another credit card with 0% APR. You can choose between 12-month offer and 6-month offer. This will give you the chance to pay for the money you loan to pay for your car insurance. You can also use the 0% APR credit card to purchase other goods for your needs.

If you are looking for an affordable automobile car insurance that can offer more benefits than your expensive car insurance can, apply for GEICO Auto Insurance. The company offers spectacularly low rates on their plans coupled with great service all around. All these are backed up by one of the largest and most solid financial forces in the industry.

Bear in mind that in case of money problem, you can always apply for a credit card online for your convenience. You can say that having a car insurance is never been easier.

Tips on how to avail the best car insurance for you

Car insurance plans and your automobile should be inseparable for the fact that the law requires an automobile insurance on every vehicle. In applying for a car insurance plan, look for a lengthy term insurance plan policy that offers more benefits when choosing your car insurance. It’s necessary to understand the terms and policy of the car insurance prior to applying one.

In searching for the best car insurance plan, the benefits and coverage needs to be considered first. Best auto insurance plan will reimburse you for the cost of repair or replacement of your car. A best auto insurance plan should also include coverage on accident, natural calamity, fire, and theft. It’s very important to know the different costs and associated coverage of the car insurance plan to choose from. The costs of the car insurance plans vary from the benefits the insurance offer. You must at least make a comparison for five or six insurance plan company before making your decision.

Your high and excellent credit score gives you an advantage in applying for the best auto insurance plan. You can get lower insurance rates for better credit history and having the short period of time for your car insurance plan to be approved.

Finally, when choosing a car insurance the cost will not always be the first thing to consider. There are car insurance companies that offer lower rate but the credibility is low. You need to explore much detail about them. You can use the internet to check on their background and ratings. Go to customers’ forum and evaluate them according to minor and critical categories of complaints.

Choosing the best car insurance plan is not easy. What you need is the patience and time to research using your resources. Always remember, the word insurance comes with security.

How to find cheap auto insurance qoutes

Insurance companies provide online auto insurance qoutes , so as to give consumers who are shopping for a policy a better idea of the one that is tailored best to their unique needs. These quotes are an invaluable tool because they allow you to determine the exact amount that you will be charged by each auto insurance provider that offers coverage, anywhere in the country, regardless of car make/model/yr, your age, your gender, or any of the other minor details that make up the cost of a policy. If affordable, it is recommended that auto insurance seekers consult an independent insurance agent who is without ties to any specific provider. This way, he will be able to provide a complete comparison list of available policies and providers based on your location & financial needs.

Car insurance quotes are going to specifically reflect you as a driver, since the company providing the coverage is putting it’s trust in you as a driver. If you have a history of any of the following, then you should not be surprised to find it extremely expensive for you to insure your automobile:

• Accident prone: involved in more than 1 vehicular accident.
• Points on your driving record
  • Speeding violations
  • Moving violations
  • Driving Under the Influence (DUI)

On the other hand, if you have a clean driving record, you should expect to pay a much more reasonable/affordable premium. Auto insurance providers do offer discounts based on your driving record and other positive aspects relevant to your owning & operating an automobile. Some of these discounts can be realized if:

• Automobile meets certain safety criteria
  • Air Bags
  • Car Alarm
  • Vehicle make/model
  • Vehicle parked in carport
• Vehicle registered in rural community as opposed to metropolitan.
• Driver has good credit score
• Pay a higher deductible

Follow these criteria and you will get your self a cheap auto insurance qoutes

Low Auto Insurance Quote

1.  With the economy being how it is, everyone is looking to save money. The best way to save money on your car insurance is to get auto insurance quotes to find the best deals. The items listed below are some things that can help you get the best quote to save you the most money.

The first thing that you need to do is go around to a couple of companies and get quotes from each of them. The price of your quote will vary depending on which company you choose.

You should also try and get a quote from the various types of insurance companies. Some companies sell through their own agents that work for them, some sell through independent agents that sell policies from many insurance companies, and some do not even use agents and just sell directly to you. To get the best price you need to talk to all these different types of insurance companies.

If you have not bought a car yet you need to look into the insurance costs of the different cars. Some of the factors that go into auto insurance quotes are the cost to repair the car, the cars overall safety, the price of the car, and the chance of it getting stolen. If your car has a good safety record which will reduce the risk of injuries, and has a low likelihood of getting stolen, the insurer will offer you a discount.

2.If you own an older car you should consider dropping comprehensive and/or collision coverage. A good rule is that your car should be worth 10 times the premium. If your car is not worth 10 times the premium it is not cost effective to have the coverage you do.

A deductible is what you pay before the insurance policy starts to pay. You are able to drop the cost of collision and comprehensive coverage by 15 to 30 percent by simply increasing your deductible from $200 to $500. Even more impressive, if you go to a $1000 deductible you can save 40% or more! It is important that you do not raise your deductible to save money if you do not have the money to cover the deductible.

3.Low mileage discounts are offered to those who do not drive a lot of miles a year. If you drive a lower than average number of miles a year or you are apart of a car pool you can receive a discount on your premium.

A great way to save money on your auto insurance quote and your homeowners insurance quote is to get coverage on both through the same insurer. You can also save a little money if you insure multiple vehicles under the same company. You may save money by getting your coverage from different insurance companies, so still look around though.

With the economy how it is everyone is looking to save money, and auto insurance is one thing that is expensive. By using the tips above you can get a cheap auto insurance quote that will save you money but still insure your car.