ScientificMatch.com - Uses DNA to find your perfect mate
OCC.gov - Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

It's a very odd time in Washington, D.C., right now with the Democratic elected officials skewing too far left of most Democratic voters; and the Republican elected official leaning too far right for most GOP voters. Independent voters, meanwhile, are completely disenfranchised from both parties' elected leaders. There's a huge gulf, and it's almost like nobody is speaking the same language anymore! While there's paralysis on the federal level, the states have become the new center of action. Just look at healthcare, the airline industry or the credit reporting arena and you'll see states taking action, not the feds.

The latest example is toy safety. The feds haven't been able to get their act together on this simple issue. So the states have stepped in again. Toy makers are going berserk over a bill in Washington state that would set strict standards for lead and cadmium in toys. There are similar initiatives being considered in about a dozen other states. And, picture this: Toy manufacturers and retailers are even considering a boycott of Washington state to get the state to back down. Who wants to be grinch who stole Christmas in Washington state?!

The big picture here is that our federal government should not be paralyzed because the parties can't get along. We've got a country to run here. McCain and Obama both have spoken about opening dialogue among all elected officials. After all, Newt Gingrich talks to Hillary Clinton! Crazier things could happen!

When was the last time you got a notice in the mail from your bank that began, "We value your privacy…"? These privacy policies are typically printed in mice type and written in legalese. They explain all the harm that the bank will visit on you -- by selling your private information -- as part of their normal course of business. But ING Direct is reversing this trend. Their privacy policy explains in plain English that you'll have to opt in to their information-sharing program if you want them to share your info. Meanwhile, if you tell the average bank not to share your info, they're still allowed to do so with select "marketing partners." Clark thinks ultimately there's more money to be made from being honest to your customers than in taking advantage of them.

CLARKONOMICS: Americans of all education and income levels are feeling increasingly negative about the economy. The Conference Board finds consumer pessimism is the worst it's been since 1973. What is significant about that year? It marked the first energy crisis our country faced. Clark remembers being a freshman at a Washington, D.C.-area university in 1973. He had no car and took the bus everywhere. That was definitely the year not to have a car; people had to sit in unreal gas lines as the government tried to control the price of gas and the supply suddenly evaporated.

Today we're in the third energy crisis and paying all-time high gas prices, adjusted for inflation. We're also paying the largest chunk of our budgets ever for food, energy and medical care, according to a Merrill Lynch survey. People often want Clark to forecast the future, which is impossible. Things could get worse before they get better. How you respond to negativity is what matters. When the going gets tough, you have to get your own financial house in order. That's the only thing you have any control over at all. Clark predicts there will be a greater call for volunteerism to help out those who have been hit by an economic train-wreck. But be sure to keep your own finances on the track. You may have to cut down on eating out; use coupons at the store; buy store brands; or not fall for the latest clothing trends.

Clark is often taken to task for his horrible eating habits. As a young man, his family called him "the carryout kid" because his four food groups were fried, frozen, microwavable and takeout. Listeners always tell the penny-pinching guru that his eating habits will be the death of him. But DNA also plays a big role in lifespan. Remember the controversy over the Orwellian scenario of insurers mapping out your DNA before taking you on as a customer? On a lighter note, there are now dozen of outfits that will tell you (for about $1K) what diseases or addiction problems your offspring will have based on DNA. Clark can just hear the future generations dodging personal responsibility: "But I was supposed to be an alcoholic or a cokehead based on my DNA!"

Now there's a company called ScientificMatch that promises to find you the most perfect mates based on actual physical chemistry revealed via genetic mapping. They're offering a half-price deal ($995 bucks) right now. Presumably no one will pay $2K to find a soul mate! This whole marketing push reminds Clark of the full-body scans that were being offered in the '90s. There were mobile units that would come out and see what lurked inside you.