Hartley Nagel

Welcome to Delaware’s leading online source for local news and politics.  We created this site to give you the scoop on the latest political developments in Delaware and around the world.  Our articles will give you an objective look at the state’s politicians and lawmakers.  Find out how Delaware compares with other states and stay informed on the big issues.  With a frequently updated archive of articles and news, we provide you with the information you need from a source you trust.  You will also enjoy reading stories of Delaware’s finest citizens as they share inspirational thoughts and daily experiences.

Delaware will soon be joining the ranks of states like Nevada and New Jersey with a new bill that will allow online gambling in the state. Currently there are only three state approved casinos in Delaware. After the House passes Bill 333, there will be online sweepstakes type gambling facilities popping up everywhere in Delaware. Of course the members of Delaware’s State Assembly argued that new bill will preserve jobs and in fact create jobs.

Personally this is a load of garbage is you ask me. Recently in North Carolina they passed the same kind of Bill. Then all of a sudden these little “Business Centers” started popping up. Later we realized that these business centers were really just mini-casinos with video poker machines. I think Delaware has made a huge mistake by allowing this Bill to pass. This is just a prime example of lobbying for Bills that are going to hurt the overall economy of the state. Rather than creating jobs, these mini-casinos create more poverty. They are a tax on poor people who think that they can beat the odds.

I used to work for a company that built these kinds of computer based poker machines, and let me give you a little insight. They cannot be beaten. The house will win, and you will lose your welfare check.

Delaware has made a mistake on this one. While I disagree with the Bill itself, they are going to see their economy go down because people are going to start losing money. When they lose money, they don’t pay their bills. When they don’t pay their bills, they get their home foreclosed on. Then you go into a recession. I am tired of seeing state and federal laws making it easier for us to get into debt and creates the recession.

When I first heard that electronic cigarettes were being marketed as a valid alternative to traditional cigarettes is check out what the FDA had to say about the tiny, battery powered electronic devices. I assumed that I would be reading a glowing recommendation. I was wrong. The FDA had nothing good to say about the electric cigarette. Since this seemed strange to me, I decided to do some additional digging and find out why the FDA was withholding their approval.

According to the FDA one reason that they are reluctant to support electronic cigs like Blu Cig and EverSmoke is because they don’t want people to assume that the electronic cigs are healthy. After doing some research, I decided that the FDA’s reasoning was ridiculous. Yes, most people don’t use the nicotine free vapor juice, and yes, some health problems like strokes have an increased likelihood of happening when you consume nicotine. There’s also a lack of evidence about what the long-term effects that the ingredients used to create the vapor will have on your health.

My problem with this complaint is that I just don’t see how, considering the known health risks connected the constant inhalation of cigarette smoke, how any possible side effects that could eventually be connected with the use of electronic cigarettes could possibly be worse. I’m not saying that electronic cigarettes are healthy, just that I can’t believe they will take nearly as huge a toll on human life as standard cigarettes have.

Electronic cigarettes haven’t been around very long. I get that. I think that researchers need to take the time to do some more, practical experiments and start looking at what the long term effects of the electronic cigarettes might be, but in the meantime, I think the FDA needs to butt out and let consumers make up their own minds. Since there’s no proof that the electronic cigarettes are any more dangerous than any of the other products currently on the market, including nicotine patches and gums, the FDA needs to relax.

Clearly, I’m not the only one who feels this way. The Supreme Court recently shut down the FDA’s attempt to file a lawsuit, restricting the sale of electronic cigarettes. For the moment, there’s very little the FDA can do but watch as more and more people fall in love with electronic cigarettes.

After doing my homework and reading through the South Beach Smokes review, I decided that I had nothing to lose, so I purchased a starter kit and couldn’t be happier with the results.

Many people who live on lakes need boat docks. Most boat docks that were built more than 20 years ago are now falling apart or need some major repairs. Many of the boat docks are made of a wood that is no longer used to build many boat docks. Most people are finding that they like aluminum or a wood that lasts longer and is treated so that it can withstand weather and water damage. New track systems provide a wide range of dock layouts for people to choose from.

Building a pier dock and walkway can be very time consuming and tedious. Many people want to build their own so that they can save money on labor costs. There are many companies that sell boat dock building kits and finding the right one is crucial. Many piers company websites show you the kits by the size of a dock you need or even by the frame. Most boat dock companies will sell kits that are accompanied by a frame. The costs all vary because the sizes are unlimited and you can pretty much choose any type you want or need.

Boat dock building kits have everything you will need in them and give you the exact steps as to how to build the dock from beginning to end. This helps you know exactly where to start and what will happen throughout the process, which will give you the encouragement you need to know that you are capable of building your own boat dock.

When shopping for a boat dock building kit, make sure you read a dock review of each kit you are considering. They will tell you how the company helped and assisted when they needed help and also if the materials were durable and worth the cost. Companies that sell these kits should be ready and willing to assist you at any point during the process of building your boat dock. Find a company that has positive reviews that are all about their customer service and how the kit was set up and how easy it was to understand.

When you find a boat dock building kit that matches the criteria you need and has positive reviews, you can purchase it with confidence. These kits are great and can save you a lot of money in the long run. It will take a little longer when doing it yourself but the money you will save is well worth the extra effort.

I had suffered with migraines since I was a teenager. It has only gotten worse since I ventured into a career in politics. Tylenol helped at first and then aspirin but lately the pain had gotten worse. It seemed like I had a migraine almost every week. I tried to self diagnosis and self prescribe myself rest, over the counter medications, and trying to avoid potential triggers but nothing seemed to help no matter what I did or tried. I even decided to buy medicine online to treat migraines and that didn’t help. I finally got so tired of always having a headache I decided to contact my primary care physician for a referral to a neurologist.

I got the referral very quickly and I got the appointment just as quick. Within a week I was going to see a great neurologist that had good marks in this town. I was a bit concerned because of internet research. I had a fear that it may not be migraines at all but something like a brain tumor. The neurologist did a very thorough neural exam on me. He told me that he saw nothing from a neurological stand point that would be causing my migraines. No signs of a brain tumor but he decided to order a MRI and a carotid artery scan just to rule out anything. He scheduled all those tests for the same day and would have the results the next day.

When I went in for my visit after a very concerned night I found that all my test results were completely normal. No problems with anything in my brain or neck and that I was just having migraines. He decided to start me out on a medication that was actually for high blood pressure but was an off label use for migraine treatment. I was grateful for anything that would help with the migraines I was having.

I got the prescription for Fioricet filled and started by taking my first dose that afternoon. There was a huge problem with the prescription. I was highly allergic to it. Within fifteen minutes of taking it I was at my local emergency room being treated. I broke out in severe hives and my face and neck had swollen. I spent several hours in the hospital correcting the allergic reaction. I called the neurologist the next day. We discussed my options: I could buy Flexeril or Ultram 50 MG. Ultimately, he decided just to give me a regular pain medication to see if that would help with my headaches.

He gave me a new prescription and I sent my husband out to buy Tramadol. I had heard things about Tramadol before as my grandmother swore by it for her gout pain. I got that prescription filled, crossed my fingers and hoped that I would not have an allergic reaction. I waited until a migraine hit and took one of the Tramadol. Within fifteen minutes my migraine was completely gone. I was amazed at how quick the medication worked, without causing me any side effects. I know how fewer migraines thanks to Tramadol.

I know that everyone always says that there isn’t a link between weight loss and nicotine, that the main reason people gain weight when they quit smoking is because they eat in an attempt to keep their hands busy. I’m even ninety percent positive that it true. The problem is that I’m a jockey, if I gain weight I am out of a job, even gaining just a single pound or two can result in a loss of income. I can’t afford to take any chances and quit smoking.

My one concession was last year when I made the change from the tobacco and tar I’ve been smoking since I was sixteen and replaced them with V2 Cigs electronic cigarettes. I was one of the first jockeys at my local track to make this change.

I had two reasons for making this choice. The first was that I was starting to worry about the toll smoking was starting to take on my health. There is more to being a jockey then just sitting on a horse and being able to steer. Guiding a horse around a track requires enormous amounts of upper body strength and stamina. I was worried that if I continued to smoke, I wouldn’t be able to continue racing because I wouldn’t be able to take deep enough breaths. If I can’t breathe, I can’t maintain control of a two year old that is running thirty miles an hour. According to the electronic cigarette review sites that I found, the best electronic cigarettes can really improve your health when compared to tobacco smokes.

The other reason I made the change is that I have gotten good enough that I am dealing with a much higher class of owner than I did when I was younger. Many of these clients want to meet the person who is going to be riding their horses, and since many of them are doctors, I was becoming increasingly self-conscious about the fact that I smelled like cigarette smoke. I couldn’t shake the feeling that the scent of the smoke was making them think less of me.

I’ve found the electronic cigarettes are very satisfying and that they are really easy to use. People always claim they are better on the Safe Cig review sites, but now I really believe it. I actually think that they are a great deal more convenient than real cigarettes. I now longer have to worry about lighting a cigarette and what I’m going to do with the ash and butts. I’ve been saying so many good things about the electronic cigarettes that several of my fellow jockeys have also started to use e cigarettes. I’ve even contributed to the Pure Cigs Review online with my experiences. I haven’t gained any weight since making a switch and my racing career is still going strong.

If you have paid any attention to the news in the past few weeks, you have undoubtedly heard about the candidates running in the race for the republican primary elections. Whether you’ve heard about Herman Cain’s famous 9-9-9 Tax Plans or Mitt Romney’s take on illegal immigrants, you must admit that the debates are sometimes more like a circus show than a productive political process. As a staunch conservative, I always keep an eye on politics and I have closely followed the race this time as I am desperately hoping to see President Barack Obama leave the White House before any more damage is done.

This week, I tuned into the debates and was astounded by the chaos. I was playing Sky Vegas games on my laptop while I watched and there were several times when I completely missed my time limit because I was so caught up in the arguing on the television. I kept waiting for Anderson Cooper to step in and intercede when some of the arguments got heated and personal. As I was surfing the net and playing games at some of the best online casinos, I couldn’t help but wonder if the American economy could benefit more from online game bonuses than it does from our current budgets.

As the candidates argued over job creation, the national debt, and immigration, I finally got so disgusted that I turned the television off completely. I really wish we could find a candidate to really approach the election with some serious ideas. Instead of simply ranting about Obama, why don’t they present some potential solutions? That’s what I’m interested in!

Since everyone just wanted to keep attacking each other, I just forgot politics completely for the night and spent the rest of the evening playing GuruPlay and BetFred Casino games. They always help me unwind and I can really just be alone with my thoughts as I play all of my favorite games like Blackjack and Slots. Sometimes I enjoy talking to other players through the interactive chat feature, but lately even the people playing casino games are going on and on about the state of the country’s debt and the different candidates who might run against Obama in the 2012 elections.

Personally, I think we would all be a lot better off if politics became less of a popularity contest and more of a united effort to better America. If I wasn’t so old and crabby, I would run for president myself. Of course, that would never work because they would undoubtedly hate that I play casino games every single day. Still, it seems like online gambling at MrGreen Casino with my own money is safer than gambling with the country’s finances and that’s exactly what today’s political leaders do all the time.

Tamara’s days are filled with play dates, naptimes and kissing skinned knees. She is a young mom of two very active toddler boys. She and her husband moved to Delaware just a few short years ago. Her husband gained a promotion from their hometown plant that sent them across the country. Tamara loves their new town, but it has been lonely at times. With two young boys it was hard for her to find employment. She and her husband agreed that by her staying home they would make the best possible situation for their children. Back home, the boys stayed at grandma’s all day while mom worked part-time as a nurse in the local nursing home. Despite her search, Tamara just could not find a position that would meet their needs. She is lonely and has found it difficult to make new friends while stuck at home with her little boys all the time.

Despite the struggle, her boys are her life and she is willing to do whatever it takes to make a good life for them. Her parents were sacrificial in providing love and attention to her and she wanted that for her children as well. She wishes she lived closer to home so that he parents could watch their grandchildren grow up.

Tamara loves to play on her laptop during her boys’ nap time. It is one of her favorite ways to escape for awhile, at least mentally.  She plays wowbingo and wonder bingo. She tries out new bingo sites all the time and looks for the x factor slot games that are her favorite. Tamara finds this passes her time quickly and makes her day not feel as long.

Another great perk of playing UK bingo is the social aspect.  While Tamara doesn’t get to visit her parents often, she can make friends and have some much needed adult conversation from time to time!  Most of the new bingo sites have interactive chat features that allow players to talk while they play.

Tamara recently figured out that she could actually win cash prizes by playing x factor slot games.  When she got into the gambling aspect of bingo, she worried that her husband wouldn’t approve.  Then she started studying the game further through bingo reviews and forums and she discovered a way to play for cash jackpots without investing any money.  She could sign up for no deposit bingo offers at landmark bingo and use the sign up bonus to start playing.  Then she could put her initial earnings into future games.  Eventually she could roll her winnings over until they reached a big amount.

Her ultimate dream is to cash out how secret bingo cash stash and pay for airplane tickets to take her boys home for Christmas.  She hopes that her husband will get a few weeks off during the holiday season so they can fly home to visit friends and family in the town that she loves and misses.

When it comes to politics, Delaware’s relatively small population works as a bonus. Because there are not as many people, there are not as many causes, organizations, businesses, and other interests vying for political attention and funding.  Currently the hot political topics in Delaware include taxation, large business demands, environmental issues which includes concerns about urban sprawl. One of the hardest things that the members Delaware’s government find themselves facing is trying to focus on the entire state of Delaware and not just areas where a bulk of the population is located such as the northern section of the state.

Another thing that makes the political situation in Delaware a little easier than it is in other states is that Delaware residents are usually very consistent in their voting and political opinions. Most of the people who live in Delaware are on the conservative side, which is reflected in the state’s overall political stance. The consistently conservative stance of the voters makes it easier for the elected members of the state government to make political decisions. If there is any debate about anything, the elected officials simply take the more conservative route; this is especially true with issues that deal with matters of money. If an issue is a social nature, the state tends to take a moderate attitude when it comes to social issues.

One of the biggest differences between the politics in Delaware and the politics in other states is the elections. Most places there are going to be some surprises when it comes to the elections, but that is not usually the case in Delaware. Just about everyone who lives in Delaware has already guessed the outcome of the political races several months before the voting booths open.

As of right now, the most interesting person who currently hold political office in Delaware is the attorney general, who just happens to be the son of the current United States Vice President, Joe Biden. Biden, along with all of Delaware’s federal political seats are members of the democratic party.

Delaware is one of the places that always seems to get forgotten. When people plan vacations, the only time that they seem to think about Delaware is if they have plotted a route that happens to take them through the state. That Delaware has fallen through the cracks is never more apparent than when you take a few minutes to check out the national park service. All of the states, with the exception of Delaware, are involved in the national park service. Not only does Delaware not have any national parks, but it also does not have any battlefields or memorials that are considered national treasures.

What we tend to forget is that Delaware is very important, especially when you look at its history. Delaware was one of the original thirteen colonies, and many fine men who called Delaware their home died in an attempt to win freedom from England. These men were a huge factor in the win over Great Britain.

Although there was only one battle fought on Delaware soil during the Revolution, when the United States was first being formed Delaware was well represented. Two of the founding fathers, John Dickinson and George Read, helped to draft the original constitution hailed from Delaware.

Perhaps the most important bit of Delaware’s history is that, even though it is a state that is often forgotten, it was in fact the very first state. Delaware officially stopped calling itself the colony of Delaware in June of 1776 and created its very own constitution and it the residents said that they lived in Delaware state. It was later, Dec. 7, 1787, that Delaware officially became the very first state in the Union. A few years later, Delaware returned to its constitution and made another change, this time calling itself the State of Delaware.

One of the more interesting things found in Delaware’s history is that it was a slave state, at least according to Congress. The problem was that most of the people who lived in Delaware were Quakers who did not approve of slavery, so when the Civil War started, Delaware did not succeed, but instead stayed in the Union.

When it comes to places that have a great deal of culture, it is doubtful that Delaware is one of the first states that springs to mind. While the rest of the country might be willing to forget about Delaware, the people who live there are well aware of both their historical and cultural heritage, and are delighted whenever they have an opportunity to celebrate their heritage.

Oktoberfest

Several people who live in Delaware can trace their heritage back to German ancestors. Even those who do not have any German blood are invited to come to Delaware’s Oktoberfest which lasts for three complete days, and take place in late September. Each year the event is hosted by the Delaware Sängerbund which was first formed in the mid 1800’s. The purpose of the Oktoberfest in Delaware is to mimic the same festival which is held in Germany each year. The Oktoberfest, which features authentic German foods, entertainment, and amusement rides usually gets about 15,000 people each year and is something that many of the people who live in Delaware look forward to.

Return Day

One of the more unique festivals that Delaware uses to celebrate their culture is like nothing you will find anywhere else in the entire United States. The festival is called the Return Day festival. The Return Day festival is only held biennially and happens on the Thursday following an election Tuesday and is a Georgetown event.  The festival was first created late in the 18^th century when the electors showed returned to Georgetown to hear the results of the election. Now the festival is no longer needed since the by Thursday, everyone already knows the results, but it is tradition and gives everyone a chance to simply enjoy life and appreciate democracy.

The winner and loser of the election set aside their differences long enough to sit together in a carriage that is pulled through the streets. In addition to the two people who were running for office, marching bands, a few clubs, and any pageant winners also participate in the parade. The Return Day festival is viewed as an opportunity for people to bury the hatchet and forgive any political differences. In addition to the parade the ox roast is another big part of the festivities.

Many of the festivals that celebrate Delaware’s culture are small affairs that are designed to bring the local community together rather than to attract droves of tourists.

One thing about little states is that the politics tend to be way less convoluted than in larger states where there are so many more opinions to be heard.  Some obvious trends are apparent with regards to certain political issues in the state of Delaware.  For example when it comes to financial issues most of the voters in Delaware tend to take a more conservative approach when it comes to financial legislation.  On the other hand when it comes to social issues there tends to be more of a slant toward the moderate stance on these issues.

One group that tends to fare pretty well when dealing with Delaware’s leading political figures is big business.  Much of the economy of Delaware is developed around big business, so as it grows and thrives so does Delaware.  This political slant is especially apparent when looking at voting patterns in some of Delaware’s wealthiest neighborhoods around the Wilmington area.  This slant is also shared by those in some of the more progressive beach towns located in southern Delaware.

One of the major political issues that are constantly debated include the taxation rate, since Delaware’s current rate ranks as one of the lowest amount the northeastern states in the U.S.  Education is another issue that receives quite a bit of attention.  Currently Delaware spends one of the smallest amounts on education per student in the nation.  Environmental issues also find their way into the political conversation, as well as the disparity between the wealthy and the poor and the steps that can be taken to rectify that disparity.

The current representatives of the state of Delaware are all Democrats, but in a tense political climate the party dominance is subject to change at a moment notice.  While at one time Delaware had a larger role during primary season as one of the first states to hold its primary, that role has decreased as other states have opted to change the date that their primary is held on to ensure that they remain relevant to candidates during primary season.

The one thing that you should not plan on doing while you are in Delaware is spending a great deal of time in its national parks. While Delaware does have some state parks that have excellent hiking trails, when the federal government was doling out federal land, Delaware somehow fell through the cracks. There are no national parks, battlefields,  or memorials in the state of Delaware. The lack of national land should not dissuade you from planning a trip to Delaware. There are many things that you should plan on seeing and doing. There is no way that you are going to be bored.

The Chesapeake Bay

Without a doubt, one of the best things you can do in Delaware is spend some time on the Chesapeake Bay. This is one of the most important bits of water in the United States and is an important part of the shipping channels. The great thing about being on the bay is that you will never get bored. You can sail or kayak in the water, choosing to either stay in the bay or you can travel out into the Atlantic Ocean. If you are not really into spending time on the water, you can go to any of the local grocery stores and purchase a Turkey leg which is the perfect bait to use when you want to catch some crabs which you can boil and have for dinner. The Chesapeake Bay is the home to several different species of birds and wildlife, making it a great vacation destination for anyone who is interested in photography.

Indian River Marina

This is an excellent choice if you crave time on and near the water. The Marina has a charter fleet so that you can spend some time doing some sport fishing. The great thing about the Indian River Marina is that it is located so that you can fish in the Atlantic Ocean, or if you prefer something a little less open, there are several great access points for inland fishing.

Brandywine Zoo

No trip to Delaware is complete until you have taken the time to visit the Brandywine Zoo. The zoo is 12 acres big and features a ton of exhibits so you are going to want to give yourself plenty of time to see everything.  The Brandywine Zoo, which was established in the early 1900’s, is part of the state park system and loves nothing more than to see the entire family come.