Punctuating Compound and Complex Sentences

The Boston Red Sox are in the finals of the American League pennant, and I am going to talk to you about punctuating compound sentences! The Congress of The United States has just borrowed $700 billion; however, none of us can count that high. America will hold its Presidential election on November 4th as it does every four years;the decision it makes this time is crucial.
YOU HAVE JUST READ THREE COMPOUND SENTENCES: One about the Boston Red Sox, one about the U.S. Congress, and one about America's forthcoming election. They are compound sentences because each of them have two INDEPENDENT CLAUSES each......Huh? (Review what an independent clause is before going on.)......Notice now that each of these sentences is punctuated differently. If you can figure it out on your own, or already know why, let me know in an e-mail: leocoleman@rocketmail.com. If you are silent, I will assume that you don't know or don't care. However, since the odds are that there will be at least ONE person who might want to know, I will explain it to that one person who might be here in the United States or half way around the world! One never knows. (I will wait until tomorrow and see what happens.)
On another subject: Do you remember that 1989 Oldsmobile I told you about. It passed inspection with flying colors.....$29.00.....84,000miles....Where have you seen a 20 year old car with 84,000 miles on it?...STUDY THOSE THREE SENTENCES. Remember the motto of this blog: "There is no hope for a dope!" (I will talk about punctuating complex sentences another time.)