In Snowden’s Privacy Fight, the Spies Are Likely to Win

My Comments: I just can’t seem to get worked up about the probablility that my privacy is being invaded by the government. Yes, I do have interactions with people and places that need to remain private, but none of them to my knowledge have anything to do with national security. So the fact that they …

Continue reading In Snowden’s Privacy Fight, the Spies Are Likely to Win

It’s Scary

My Thoughts About This: I think today is the day that the House of Representatives is scheduled once again to hold a vote to repeal the PPACA. I find this disturbing, ludicrous, a waste of taxpayer money, grandstanding and any number of other perjorative words. This opinion by Darwin Carmichael points to the crux of …

Continue reading It’s Scary

Fallout for States Rejecting Medicaid Expansion

My Thoughts on This: As you know, I fully support the passage a few years ago of the Affordable Care Act. I’m also a realist in that I expect it to change shape over the years. Here’s an article that suggests what might happen in those states where the governor is married to the “anyone …

Continue reading Fallout for States Rejecting Medicaid Expansion

Why an MRI costs $1,080 in America and $280 in France

My Comments: I spent time this morning with someone who is best described as a capitalist. He understands how money works, he understands the existing health care system, he understands the changes that are taking place, and he is actively looking for financial opportunities. He sees them everywhere. I’ve posted before about the need for …

Continue reading Why an MRI costs $1,080 in America and $280 in France

Intervention: the US Won’t, Europe Can’t

My Comments: Most of you know that I am a center left Democrat. And I want the Republican Party to become relevant in American politics. That’s what going to keep the Democrats from moving too far to the left. Which is where they will go if there isn’t a legitimate, electable force coming from the …

Continue reading Intervention: the US Won’t, Europe Can’t

At Last, an Original Thought!

I don’t remember the last time I said something to the effect that “I’d give my right arm to be able to do________________.” What I’m looking for right now is the ability to express an original thought about how I feel about gun control, given the nature of the national debate. Then last night my …

Continue reading At Last, an Original Thought!

The Feminization of Politics

My Thoughts About This: This is essentially the blog post from January 16th by Tom Barnett. Though not stated, it’s clear to me that if we are to have a rational Republican Party going forward, those old white guys now in charge are going to have to go. Otherwise, they and the party are going …

Continue reading The Feminization of Politics

The Crisis of the Middle Class and American Power

My Comments: Yesterday, a friend attended a luncheon where the speaker focused on our “debt crisis”. His position was that it is much worse that suspected, that it approaches $65 Trillion. That’s Trillion, with a “T”. I have no way to know if this is true or not, but to whatever extent it is real, …

Continue reading The Crisis of the Middle Class and American Power

State Versus Citizen in Tomorrow’s World

My Thoughts on This: There is a right vs left component here that will determine the state of the world that our grandchildren inhabit. We can argue ‘till the cows come home which is better but at the end of the day, none of us individually has much influence on the outcome. So, today we …

Continue reading State Versus Citizen in Tomorrow’s World

Respect for Those Who Finish the Job

My Thoughts on This: It’s usually pretty easy to be critical of those who either don’t think like we do or act in ways that we don’t think are appropriate. Especially when you’re a grumpy old man like me, as my wife is prone to remind me from time to time. This article caught my …

Continue reading Respect for Those Who Finish the Job