One thing seems to be on everybody’s minds: Energy. With the upcoming presidential election and prices soaring, the debate on energy has become a crucial issue involving not just the United States, but the world. Everyone is on the energy train, looking for ways to cut back and to give back to our environment. Where rests the solution for this endless debate?

Keeping up with the candidates and their individual details can be difficult at times. This article, designed as a quick overview of four of the current presidential candidates, will help you feel and appear knowledgeable.

The main issue involved in the use of marijuana for medical reasons can be summed up as follows: Do the medical benefits of properly prescribed marijuana to certain patients outweigh the medical risks thereof, and outweigh society’s legal, moral, ethical, religious and public health concerns? The U.S. Supreme Court found that it is not under the landmark case of Gonzales vs. Reich (below).

Senate Joint Resolution 33, sponsored by Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) on May 21, 2008, recognizes the efforts of Ohio’s Departments of Mental Health and of Alcohol & Drug Services, in addressing the stigma associated with mental health and substance abuse disorders. The resolution pertains to, and recognizes, those American and Ohio citizens affected by mental illnesses and substance abuse disorders, as well the plethora of exceptional costs incurred through the neglect of treatment, and continued suffering, of American and Ohio citizens.

The “Close the London Loophole Act of 2008″, Senate Bill 3129, proposes to amend the Commodity Exchange Act to “prevent price manipulation and excessive speculation and to increase transparency with respect to energy trading on foreign exchanges conducted within the United States”.

The “National Guard & Reserve Mental Health Act of 2008″, Senate Bill 2939 as introduced by Senator Edward Kennedy on April 30th, 2008, is intended to “expand and improve the mental health care and reintegration programs for members of the national guard and reserve”. The bill calls for the implementation and creation of a “Joint Psychological Health Program”
(JPHP), various pilot programs, and a campaign to reduce pejorative perceptions associated with mental health care.

House Resolution 6088, the “National Domestic Violence Volunteer Attorney Network Act” as introduced by Congressmen Conyers and Poe on May 20th, 2008, will establish a domestic violence attorney network to represent domestic violence victims.