If your plans are the visit Italy, then Rome is a must see. Prior to your trip, do some research. I find the local library an excellent resource to do homework before I travel. Not only do they have tourist books, history books, maps, but they also have DVD's, that you can check out. When traveling alone to a foreign country, it might be wise to become part of a tour. You can search for artists, writers, photographers, wine tasting, cooking or any interest you are passionate about, and join the vacation group. You will become familiar with Rome with your group, then can stay on a week or more on your own. A travel agent is an excellent source of information, as is AAA, or you can go it alone on the internet. Most people are familiar through movies and TV, of the must see sights in Rome. There is the Trevi Fountain (most famous of 300 fountains), the Roman Forum, The Pantheon, the Colosseum and the Vatican, just to name a few. Watch a great video of Rome on YouTube.

The Italian people are friendly and English is widely spoken, but you might want to learn a few key phrases before your trip. Remember to check on the weather as it may vary greatly from your home.

Ciao

Largest Financial Reform Since Great Depression

President Obama proposed this reform in June, 2009, in order to stop the 2008 global credit crisis from every happening again. The house passed the Financial Regulatory Reform bill, very similar to what the President had proposed on Friday, June 25th. Two republicans and all by two democrats voted to pass the bill.

There are three basic steps:

1. Regulators receive more power to monitor everything from mortgages to securities.

2. Financial firms are forced to reduce the debt they take on and hold more capital in reserves.

3. If a financial firm is collapsing, the government can seize it, similar to now, they are authorized to seize traditional banks.

The bill will put government in charge of Wall St.. There will be a nine person board, led by the Treasury Secretary. It also puts the President of the United States in charge of appointing the President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, not by a board of member bank representatives as done in the past. It also creates a new Consumer Protection Bureau, although the auto dealers won an exemption from this oversight, which will regulate most consumer loans.

After a 20 hour, all night session, which included last minute rapid fire votes from confused lawmakers, last minute deals cut in conference rooms and private discussions between the Obama administration and democratic lawmakers, Friday morning the bill was complete but left people wondering what was and was not in the bill. The bill will go to the senate on Tuesday for a vote, as the President expects to sign it on the July 4th.