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Back in the '90s, Clark first talked about breakthrough laser technology being developed for the dentistry field. He went for a cleaning shortly after and discovered his dentist was very upset with him. Several other customers heard Clark on the air and were already asking about the laser! It turns out the technology is very expensive, but it eliminates most of the discomfort for common dental procedures.

USA Today now reports that less than 10% of dentists use laser technology. Yet if people become aware of the laser, they'll ask for it and dentists may comply just to seize market share. Dentists also would be able to charge more for laser services.

Clark has an old filling that he needs replaced. Why should he go the Novocain route when he can have the laser instead? There's even a special laser for root canals that reduces discomfort and the time you're in the chair by 30 minutes.

Laser could be a very promising option for people who take care of their teeth. But 1 out of 3 people don't get dental care in the United States. We're a developed country, yet we have people with rotting teeth! Clark thinks one possible solution would be to allow dental techs to do a special 2-year program that certifies them for basic dental procedures. Such a plan has already been enacted in Alaska.

We in America have historically enjoyed cheap energy prices. Of course that's all reversed now. There's a lot of evidence to suggest that energy could be costly in the future. While people are clamoring about finding more supply, what we really need to do is reduce our demand for energy.

One way to do that is build efficient structures. Architects who focus on "green" building can create savings of about 30% to 50% for the end user.

One American city that knows all about energy costs is Houston. In the heart of oil country, they're requiring commercial builders to construct energy-efficient properties. They're also trying to put those same standards on residential builders. The pushback from the residential sector has been intense so far. Montgomery County in Maryland is one place that has already successfully established mandatory green building standards.

Clark applauds Houston's efforts and hopes the city extends the standards to new residential homes. This can make a huge difference in energy costs. It's not about whether you buy into the idea of global warming or not; the reality is we're spending a fortune on energy. Green building is not about the environment, it's about your wallet.

CLARKONOMICS: The headlines about unemployment have created a lot of anxiety across the land. Initial claims climbed to a 4-year high and workers are remaining jobless for longer; about 3 million have lost a job and not been able to rebound with employment. Meanwhile, Challenger, Gray & Christmas -- a leading outplacement consulting firm -- found a 19-month high in the number of planned job cuts.

Should you be worried? You know from your own industry and place of work whether or not you'll be OK. Be realistic when you're facing that onslaught of headlines. Maybe you don't need to fret as much as you have been.

If you are in danger of being pink-slipped, that's fair warning to get your financial house in order. Start pulling back on the spending and reducing your debt. That way you'll be more prepared in the event of a layoff.

This time is not even close to the worst we've seen, yet it's not the best either. Things could decline even further, but Clark doesn't see overwhelming doom and gloom ahead. It's steady as you go for most of us.

Would you take out a loan with a 782% interest rate? Probably not. Yet that's the interest that payday lenders are ripping Ohioans with everyday. Payday loans are illegal in about 25% of the nation's states because they create extreme financial hardship for families. States that are rife with payday lenders include California, Texas, Tennessee and Ohio.

The Buckeye State is currently trying to cap the interest rate at 28% on payday loans. One major lender, Rent-A-Center (RAC), had been giving money to a local food bank that was part of a coalition supporting the loan cap. So what did the RAC do? It threatened to pull all charitable contributions. Such an action may be illegal -- that's for the lawyers to decide. Clark doesn't understand how you can pretend to be good by giving food and then turn around and rip people at 782% interest.

The payday loan industry knows it has a reputation for destroying lives. Its lobby has been giving a lot of money to influential politicians in the hopes of preventing caps or getting them overturned.

How does Clark's disgust with payday lenders square with his free market stance? In some ways it may seem inconsistent. But the lenders never disclose the high rate. Instead they do everything to make sure it's hidden. He'd be fine with 728% interest and full disclosure, but that's not the reality. Meanwhile, there is a reasonable level above which interest rates are usurious. 728% might just be that point. Clark invites any RAC representative to come on the air and explain their actions with the food bank.