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Lawmakers Push Ultrasound Bills as More Americans Say They're Pro-Life - Political News - FOXNews.com: "The number of Americans who consider themselves pro-life has climbed significantly -- a shift that some doctors and abortion opponents say may be due to advances in the use of ultrasound, which allows pregnant women to see images of their babies before they're born.
'Ultrasound used to be less available, very grainy. Now the baby is very clear, very distinct,' said Charmaine Yoest of Americans United for Life."
Monday, June 01, 2009
What you need to know about e-health records - CNET News
What you need to know about e-health records - CNET News: "'If the government's money goes to cement the current technology in place,' Mandl said, 'we will have a very hard time innovating in health care reform.'
Instead, as Mandl and a co-author suggested in their New England Journal of Medicine column in March, the federal government should encourage 'interoperability and substitutability'"
Instead, as Mandl and a co-author suggested in their New England Journal of Medicine column in March, the federal government should encourage 'interoperability and substitutability'"
Obama Faces Uphill Battle in Blocking Release of Detainee Photos - Political News - FOXNews.com
Obama Faces Uphill Battle in Blocking Release of Detainee Photos - Political News - FOXNews.com: "'It is essential that these photographs be released so that the public can examine for itself the full scale and scope of prisoner abuse that was conducted in its name.'
Obama defended his decision Wednesday.
'My belief is the publication of these photos would not add any additional benefits to our understanding of what was carried out in the past by a small number of individuals,'�he said in a brief appearance. 'The most direct consequence would be to further inflame anti-American opinion and put our troops in greater danger.'"
How can he claim to know what it best for us. The backlash is caused by the action -- not the evidence of the action. Hiding evidence just reduces credibility.
Obama defended his decision Wednesday.
'My belief is the publication of these photos would not add any additional benefits to our understanding of what was carried out in the past by a small number of individuals,'�he said in a brief appearance. 'The most direct consequence would be to further inflame anti-American opinion and put our troops in greater danger.'"
How can he claim to know what it best for us. The backlash is caused by the action -- not the evidence of the action. Hiding evidence just reduces credibility.
Talking Health Care Reform | Michael D. Tanner | Cato Institute: Commentary
Talking Health Care Reform | Michael D. Tanner | Cato Institute: Commentary: "What, if anything, is wrong with President Barack Obama's proposal for a 'public option' being made available to purchasers of health insurance?
Regardless of how it is structured or administered, such a plan would have an inherent advantage in the marketplace because it would ultimately be subsidized by taxpayers. It could, for instance, keep its premiums artificially low or offer extra benefits, then turn to the U.S. Treasury to cover any shortfalls."
"It is estimated that privately insured patients pay $89 billion annually in additional insurance costs because of cost-shifting from government programs."
"The one common characteristic of all single-payer health care systems is that they ration care."
"We should change the tax treatment of health insurance so that individuals who purchase their own insurance receive the same tax break as those who receive employer-provided insurance. By breaking the link between employment and insurance we can ensure that insurance is personal and portable."
"At its most basic, no one wants to die. If a treatment can save our lives, or increase quality of life, we want it. This problem becomes even more acute when someone else is paying. Right now, consumers pay only about 15 cents out of every dollar spent on health care in this country."
"Ultimately, controlling costs requires someone to say "no," whether the government (as in single-payer systems with global budgets), insurers (managed care) or health-care consumers themselves (by desire or ability to pay)."
Regardless of how it is structured or administered, such a plan would have an inherent advantage in the marketplace because it would ultimately be subsidized by taxpayers. It could, for instance, keep its premiums artificially low or offer extra benefits, then turn to the U.S. Treasury to cover any shortfalls."
"It is estimated that privately insured patients pay $89 billion annually in additional insurance costs because of cost-shifting from government programs."
"The one common characteristic of all single-payer health care systems is that they ration care."
"We should change the tax treatment of health insurance so that individuals who purchase their own insurance receive the same tax break as those who receive employer-provided insurance. By breaking the link between employment and insurance we can ensure that insurance is personal and portable."
"At its most basic, no one wants to die. If a treatment can save our lives, or increase quality of life, we want it. This problem becomes even more acute when someone else is paying. Right now, consumers pay only about 15 cents out of every dollar spent on health care in this country."
"Ultimately, controlling costs requires someone to say "no," whether the government (as in single-payer systems with global budgets), insurers (managed care) or health-care consumers themselves (by desire or ability to pay)."
The New World Order (Part III) | Christopher Preble | Cato Institute: Commentary
The New World Order (Part III) | Christopher Preble | Cato Institute: Commentary: "'The United States should conduct itself,' wrote diplomat and historian George F. Kennan, 'as befits a country of its size and importance.'
The qualities of U.S. foreign policy, Kennan wrote, should include 'patience, generosity and a uniformly accommodating spirit in dealing with small countries and small matters,' and 'reasonableness, consistency and steady adherence to principle in dealings with large countries and large matters.'
'The greatest service this country could render to the rest of the world,' Kennan concluded, 'would be to put its own house in order and to make of American civilization an example of decency, humanity and societal success.'"
"[Thomas Jefferson] predicted that one day, in the not-so-distant future, Americans 'may shake a rod over the heads of all, which may make the stoutest of them tremble. But I hope our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us, that the less we use our power, the greater it will be.'"
The qualities of U.S. foreign policy, Kennan wrote, should include 'patience, generosity and a uniformly accommodating spirit in dealing with small countries and small matters,' and 'reasonableness, consistency and steady adherence to principle in dealings with large countries and large matters.'
'The greatest service this country could render to the rest of the world,' Kennan concluded, 'would be to put its own house in order and to make of American civilization an example of decency, humanity and societal success.'"
"[Thomas Jefferson] predicted that one day, in the not-so-distant future, Americans 'may shake a rod over the heads of all, which may make the stoutest of them tremble. But I hope our wisdom will grow with our power, and teach us, that the less we use our power, the greater it will be.'"
Is Aid Working? | Marian L. Tupy | Cato Institute: Commentary
Is Aid Working? | Marian L. Tupy | Cato Institute: Commentary: "Baltic countries, which were among the most enthusiastic reformers, benefited greatly from increased economic freedom. Between 1995 and 2007, real incomes in Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania rose by an astonishing 167 per cent, 146 per cent and 125 per cent respectively. In the eurozone, they rose by 24 per cent over the same period. Moreover, longevity, environmental quality and school enrolment rose throughout the region, while child mortality declined. The current economic troubles in CEB take some shine off the region's accomplishments, but they don't erase them.
A political consensus in favour of economic liberalization emerged soon after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Common people were transfixed by western cars and fresh oranges that they saw on German television. Though they disagreed about the speed and the extent of economic reforms — western European and American economic models were both popular — there was little opposition to the general direction of policy changes."
"No such consensus exists in Africa. During the 1990s, I lived in both, Czechoslovakia and South Africa. In the former, people saw socialism as a massive failure. In the latter, many saw it as respectable policy alternative. In the former, it was near impossible to find a self-declared communist. In the later, communists were in the government. In CEB, people tended to see the wealth of the western world as a result of high productivity in capitalist countries, while in Africa they tended to see it as a result of colonial exploitation."
"African incomes rose by mere 26 per cent between 1995 and 2007, less if countries rich in oil and mineral resources are taken out of the calculation. Nine out of 48 sub-Saharan African countries were poorer in 2007 than in 1960. Africa failed to grow in spite or perhaps because of all the aid that had poured to Africa over the last half-a-century. Instead of reforming their economies and growing their private sectors and domestic tax revenue, African governments relied on aid to survive."
"foreign aid is a way of 'taxing poor people in rich countries and passing it on to rich people in poor countries.'"
A political consensus in favour of economic liberalization emerged soon after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Common people were transfixed by western cars and fresh oranges that they saw on German television. Though they disagreed about the speed and the extent of economic reforms — western European and American economic models were both popular — there was little opposition to the general direction of policy changes."
"No such consensus exists in Africa. During the 1990s, I lived in both, Czechoslovakia and South Africa. In the former, people saw socialism as a massive failure. In the latter, many saw it as respectable policy alternative. In the former, it was near impossible to find a self-declared communist. In the later, communists were in the government. In CEB, people tended to see the wealth of the western world as a result of high productivity in capitalist countries, while in Africa they tended to see it as a result of colonial exploitation."
"African incomes rose by mere 26 per cent between 1995 and 2007, less if countries rich in oil and mineral resources are taken out of the calculation. Nine out of 48 sub-Saharan African countries were poorer in 2007 than in 1960. Africa failed to grow in spite or perhaps because of all the aid that had poured to Africa over the last half-a-century. Instead of reforming their economies and growing their private sectors and domestic tax revenue, African governments relied on aid to survive."
"foreign aid is a way of 'taxing poor people in rich countries and passing it on to rich people in poor countries.'"
The 'Unseen' Deserve Empathy, Too | John Hasnas | Cato Institute: Commentary
The 'Unseen' Deserve Empathy, Too | John Hasnas | Cato Institute: Commentary: "One can have compassion for workers who lose their jobs when a plant closes. They can be seen. One cannot have compassion for unknown persons in other industries who do not receive job offers when a compassionate government subsidizes an unprofitable plant. The potential employees not hired are unseen.
One can empathize with innocent children born with birth defects. Such children and the adversity they face can be seen. One cannot empathize with as-yet-unborn children in rural communities who may not have access to pediatricians if a judicial decision based on compassion raises the cost of medical malpractice insurance. These children are unseen.
One can feel for unfortunate homeowners about to lose their homes through foreclosure. One cannot feel for unknown individuals who may not be able to afford a home in the future if the compassionate and empathetic protection of current homeowners increases the cost of a mortgage.
In general, one can feel compassion for and empathize with individual plaintiffs in a lawsuit who are facing hardship. They are visible. One cannot feel compassion for or empathize with impersonal corporate defendants, who, should they incur liability, will pass the costs on to consumers, reduce their output, or cut employment. Those who must pay more for products, or are unable to obtain needed goods or services, or cannot find a job are invisible."
"Calling on judges to be compassionate or empathetic is in effect to ask them to undo this balance and favor the seen over the unseen. Paraphrasing Bastiat, if the difference between the bad judge and the good judge is that the bad judge focuses on the visible effects of his or her decisions while the good judge takes into account both the effects that can be seen and those that are unseen, then the compassionate, empathetic judge is very likely to be a bad judge. For this reason, let us hope that Judge Sotomayor proves to be a disappointment to her sponsor."
One can empathize with innocent children born with birth defects. Such children and the adversity they face can be seen. One cannot empathize with as-yet-unborn children in rural communities who may not have access to pediatricians if a judicial decision based on compassion raises the cost of medical malpractice insurance. These children are unseen.
One can feel for unfortunate homeowners about to lose their homes through foreclosure. One cannot feel for unknown individuals who may not be able to afford a home in the future if the compassionate and empathetic protection of current homeowners increases the cost of a mortgage.
In general, one can feel compassion for and empathize with individual plaintiffs in a lawsuit who are facing hardship. They are visible. One cannot feel compassion for or empathize with impersonal corporate defendants, who, should they incur liability, will pass the costs on to consumers, reduce their output, or cut employment. Those who must pay more for products, or are unable to obtain needed goods or services, or cannot find a job are invisible."
"Calling on judges to be compassionate or empathetic is in effect to ask them to undo this balance and favor the seen over the unseen. Paraphrasing Bastiat, if the difference between the bad judge and the good judge is that the bad judge focuses on the visible effects of his or her decisions while the good judge takes into account both the effects that can be seen and those that are unseen, then the compassionate, empathetic judge is very likely to be a bad judge. For this reason, let us hope that Judge Sotomayor proves to be a disappointment to her sponsor."
Which Side Is Bluffing in N Korean Standoff? | Ted Galen Carpenter | Cato Institute: Commentary
Which Side Is Bluffing in N Korean Standoff? | Ted Galen Carpenter | Cato Institute: Commentary: "Pyongyang is also aware that Washington has previously tried to use the isolation strategy against other 'breakout' nuclear powers with little success. The US sought to get India and Pakistan to reverse course following their nuclear tests and the deployment of arsenals in the late 1990s. Those measures seem like quaint memories today, as the US is busily establishing close ties with both countries.
North Korean leaders could legitimately speculate that, after initial fussing and fuming, the US (and other countries) would ultimately accept the new reality and fully normalise economic and diplomatic relations with the newest member of the global nuclear-weapons club."
North Korean leaders could legitimately speculate that, after initial fussing and fuming, the US (and other countries) would ultimately accept the new reality and fully normalise economic and diplomatic relations with the newest member of the global nuclear-weapons club."
The Social Security Scam - Mark Brandly - Mises Institute
The Social Security Scam - Mark Brandly - Mises Institute: "Even though the employers are legally liable for one-half of the tax, they shift the tax onto workers in the form of lower gross wages. Therefore, the Social Security tax burden, 12.4 percent of each worker's gross pay, falls on workers. Half of this burden is hidden from the workers."
"The government, however, thinks that it makes perfect sense to collect $100 of tax revenue, spend the $100, and then declare that it now owes itself $100. This scheme is not limited to Social Security. Currently, federal intragovernmental debt for all programs totals $4.3 trillion."
"The $2.4 trillion of bonds in the Trust fund represent Social Security revenues that need to be collected a second time, since the tax revenues did not go towards Social Security spending when they were initially collected. In fact, all of the intragovernmental debt represents future higher taxes."
"The government, however, thinks that it makes perfect sense to collect $100 of tax revenue, spend the $100, and then declare that it now owes itself $100. This scheme is not limited to Social Security. Currently, federal intragovernmental debt for all programs totals $4.3 trillion."
"The $2.4 trillion of bonds in the Trust fund represent Social Security revenues that need to be collected a second time, since the tax revenues did not go towards Social Security spending when they were initially collected. In fact, all of the intragovernmental debt represents future higher taxes."
Let’s Stay Together: On Direct Exchange and the Social Order - Gene Callahan - Mises Institute
Let’s Stay Together: On Direct Exchange and the Social Order - Gene Callahan - Mises Institute: "Even if a country is worse at producing everything than is some other country, it can still net a material gain by specializing in the areas where it has a comparative advantage and trading for other goods."
"We hear that international competition will result in some nations being "winners" and others "losers." We read a headline that some company has "crushed" its competition, or that the U.S. is at "economic war" with Japan or OPEC.
Employed as loose metaphors, such terms are useful. But the analogy does not extend very far. The key difference between a game and the market process is that, in the market, all participants gain from voluntary exchange."
"In a market economy, whether it is domestic or international in scope, everyone's standard of living can rise at once. America has not lost if Japan or China should become wealthier than the U.S. An increase in the standard of living anywhere benefits all people who are economically integrated with the area in question."
"We hear that international competition will result in some nations being "winners" and others "losers." We read a headline that some company has "crushed" its competition, or that the U.S. is at "economic war" with Japan or OPEC.
Employed as loose metaphors, such terms are useful. But the analogy does not extend very far. The key difference between a game and the market process is that, in the market, all participants gain from voluntary exchange."
"In a market economy, whether it is domestic or international in scope, everyone's standard of living can rise at once. America has not lost if Japan or China should become wealthier than the U.S. An increase in the standard of living anywhere benefits all people who are economically integrated with the area in question."
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