BY THE POUND: The State Health Plan sent information to its 660,000-plus members giving details on its plans to hike rates for smokers and obese people. The mailing probably prompted a series of early New Year's resolutions.

BAD WATER=GOOD POLITICS: U.S. Sens. Kay Hagan, a Democrat, and Richard Burr, a Republican, have been pushing for benefits for Marines and their families who were exposed to toxic tap water at Camp Lejeune in the 1980s. Before long U.S. Rep. Brad Miller, a Democrat, was ready to introduce a House version of the bill.

NOT NOW: Gov. Beverly Perdue was one of six Democratic governors who did not sign a letter urging health care reform. Turns out there wasn't an ideological reason. Perdue was too busy on a business recruiting trip to give the letter a read.

IN OTHER NEWS: A conservative advocacy group is copying the Amway business model. U.S. Rep. Larry Kissell gets a fundraising boost from Vice President Joe Biden. John Edwards' name causes an awkward moment at the U2 concert in Raleigh.

Wake Up America thinks there's good politics to be found in Mary Kay, Amway or Tupperware parties.

The organization, which is seeking to be a national conservative answer to MoveOn.org, is offering to pay commissions to volunteers who recruit more volunteers and raise money.

In short, the group is building a multi-level marketing pyramid. The commissions wouldn't likely amount to a whole lot of money, but would be intended to help compensate volunteers for their time and effort.

"We're not offering any pink Cadillacs," said state Sen. Andrew Brock, a Mocksville Republican, a reference to the Mary Kay cosmetics sales prize. "We're wanting to grow and not get rich."

The commission rate has not yet been determined, Brock said.

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LOW KEY BIRTHDAY: The Highway Patrol turns 80 this year and it may be a good year for a quiet celebration. Another misconduct allegation involving sex has been exposed and the patrol is not having a lot of success reversing a culture in which some troopers expected on-duty escapades as an unofficial fringe benefit. Patrol leaders asked employees to try to knock it off in honor of the patrol's anniversary.

CONS BEATING PROS: Republicans dug in on their opposition to Democratic health care reforms with U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick saying that a Democrat health care system might not have caught her breast cancer in time. Sen. Richard Burr said the plan would just shift the cost of the health care system to taxpayers. On the other side, Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan isn't ready to pick a reform plan, although she's sure one is needed.

WE'RE SAVED: A television advertisement funded by a conservative group catalogues corruption scandals involving Democrats. The group proclaims that it's here to rescue America from "radical socialism." A 30-second spot will probably just about do it.

IN OTHER NEWS: President Bill Clinton wasn't rattled by Sen. Jesse Helms inflammatory statements. Sen. Joe Lieberman is watering down an energy bill in an effort to get Republicans, including Burr, on board. State Rep. Ty Harrell has resigned his seat over questions about his campaign finance reports.

An ad airing on local television stations asks viewers to vote on whether state Democrats are the most corrupt.

The 30-second ad by the conservative Wake Up America, highlights notable Democrats who have gone to prison as well as Mary Easley's job at N.C. State University as well as a recent tax increase approved by Democrats in the House and Senate.

The ad encourages viewers to go to the organization's Web site to vote on whether our state is more corrupt than New Jersey, Illinois or New York. Wake Up America aims to be the conservative answer to MoveOn.org and proclaims that one if its missions is to rescue "America from radical socialism."