DC Sacrifice, Blood & Lives, Merits DC Statehood

In recent weeks I have attended/taken part in/responded to a number of DC candidate forums and questionnaires.  One important question has been, "What would you do to promote DC Statehood if elected?"  First of all I will continue to work for Statehood whether I am elected or not.  However, I do have several thoughts/ideas on the whole issue.  One reason I have joined the DC Statehood Green Party is that we do not accept corporate financing and thus have no part in the recent electoral scandals and questions.  Therefore we can promote Statehood with clean hands and a pure heart throughout the country.

Thus, I encourage our voters to vote the DC Statehood Green Party ticket.  We will have 6 candidates printed on the November ballot.  Some may be tempted to vote for President Obama.  Last election he had 93% of the vote in DC.  Has this gained us anything in DC?  For those who rightfully fear a Romney administration, voting for Dr. Jill Stein in DC is not going to change the fact that President Obama will still get a majority of DC votes and our electoral votes.  However, if his count drops by 10 or 15% perhaps he will realize that we are disappointed that while living here full time he has done so little for our city or our Statehood quest.  Continuing to pay 100% federal taxes, while only electing 2 out of the 5 representatives we ought to have simply is not fair.

Second, it has come to my attention that Republicans have expressed an interest in having Puerto Rico, with potentially 5 Representatives and 2 Senators, become a state.  Although a majority of those elected might be Republicans, if we in DC were to enter as a state at the same time, the major political parties would probably be represented roughly in equal numbers.  Pairs of states entering the Union with different political views has been arranged several times in the past.  Since we lost the Utah redistricting pairing idea, this seems to be our next best strategy as DC is unlikely to win a supermajority of approvals by the 50 states in the near future.

On Sept. 24th I raised this idea at the DC for Democracy candidate forum when my competition for the "Shadow" Representative to Congress and I were questioned, which you can see at this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7zQwr_YXPI&list=UUMiMKm6VpDuRi9lgGH30Big&index=5&feature=plcp
The chance to use this strategy for the moment depends on the results of the November 6th vote in Puerto Rico when they will decide if they want Statehood, Independence, or status quo.  I am considering making a fact finding trip there, where I have family already living, to make contacts for potential future joint action.   Unlike Rick Santorum, who says PR would have to make Spanish language secondary, rather than co-equal with English as it is now, I suspect that we in DC would honor their cultural diversity and language.

A third idea is to raise national awareness of the very real sacrifices in blood and lives that we in DC have made in our military.  This is also true for Puerto Ricans who have served bravely in the US military as well.  I propose that each Veteran's Day and Memorial Day we have a press conference/demonstration in front of the column with Washington DC carved on it at the World War II Memorial.  There is a large blank granite rectangular block holding a tall column.  We should prepare a poster the size of this rectangle.  Written on it should be:  DC soldiers DIED (              ), DC soldiers WOUNDED (              ), DC soldiers SERVED
(            ).  Supporters of Puerto Rican statehood could join us in doing the same.  Photographed against our memorial column this would be a powerful statement to send the nation.

The failure of candidate Romney to even mention our service people in his major Republican Convention address is especially indicative of his lack of concern for the common man.  You would think that after getting 6 draft waivers while selling Mormonism in France, he would recognize the need to make an extra effort with the group that has sacrificed so much more than the rest of us.  The fact that so many of the 47% that he says don't matter to him are service people or families, and often living in "red" states, shows just how ignorant and unconcerned he is with the economic condition of people in our country.  I have encountered several wonderful summaries of opinion regarding the Romney campaign that deserve quoting.  They are comments at a Huffington Post article titled,  Mitt Romney Ohio Ground Game: A Frantic Race to Catch Obama, by San Stein.

"redhead55, (1089 Fans)  Redhead informs me he quoted this from the blog:  Crooks and Liars.

"Introducing President Obama in Virginia Beach, retiring Sen. Jim Webb (D-Va.), condemned Mitt Romney for failing to mention veterans or the military in his GOP convention speech.  The omission was all the more damning, Webb suggested, because Romney is of an age where he might have served in Vietnam but did not.

“If nothing else, at least mention some word of thanks and respect when a presidential candidate who is their generational peer makes a speech,” said Webb, a former Navy secretary and decorated Marine who served in Vietnam. Romney was exempted from the draft, first as a student and then as a missionary.  “This was a time when every American male was eligible to be drafted. People made choices,” Webb said. “Those among us who stepped forward to face the harsh unknowns did so with the belief that their service would be honored.”

Webb also tied in Romney’s much criticized remark that 47 percent of Americans believe they are “victims” who feel entitled to federal handouts, saying some of those benefits go to veterans.  “Those young Marines that I led have grown older now. All gave some. Some gave all. That’s not a culture of dependency,” he said. ”They paid. Some with their lives, some with their wounds, disabilities. Some with emotional scars. Some with lost opportunities. Not only did they pay, they are owed. They are owed.”  excerpt from C&L"

"RandomJ, (170 Fans)  This was reacting to a Romney volunteer, a Marine "trying to save his country."

A former Marine is for his presidential nominee NOT mentioning ONE word of the Afghanistan war, the LONGEST war in American HISTORY, and NOT saluting our brave American troops in his RNC coronation speech...?! A candidate running for president better mention THIS, and Sir Mittens DIDN'T!

"When you give a speech you don't go through a laundry list, you talk about the things that you think are important." –Mitt Romney, when asked about failing to mention the troops in his nomination speech at the Republican National Convention, Fox News interview (Sept. 7, 2012)  "It's not worth moving heaven and earth, spending billions of dollars just trying to catch one person." —Mitt Romney, speaking in 2007 about killing Osama bin Laden

A former Marine is for his presidential nominee NOT having a timetable to withdraw troops out of our endless war where American soldiers are getting shot and killed every week...?!  A former Marine is for his presidential nominee attempting to politicize the killings of American diplomats in Libya by falsely accusing President Obama of apologizing for America and getting the facts of the situation backwards...?!

A former Marine is for Republican lawmakers BLOCKING a just recent $1 billion dollar veterans jobs program putting 720,000 veterans who are unemployed across the nation back to work tending to the country's federal lands and bolstering local police and fire departments...?!  Way to go Marine..."
_  _  _  _  

I believe we have a powerful argument when we point out to the rest of the country, just how much our vote deprived citizens have sacrificed because they live in Washington, DC or Puerto Rico.  Taxation without Representation is just plain unAmerican.  Personal note:  My older son who participated 3 years in DC schools ROTC program still has 2 years to go before his 20 year retirement from Special Forces.  He has already served in Iraq and Afghanistan, and his wife and two children will soon again be deprived of their husband/father for another 8 months.  He and his family are just one of many and all deserve the right to vote for Senators and Representatives.

[If any local historian has the figures for our WWII DC military service, please place the information or source in the Comments box.  Thanks, G. Lee Aikin]

Chicago School/Conservative Views of Economics

Guest post by Don Wharton

Milton Friedman

Economic theories are to a great extent ethical claims. They say that shared outcomes will be better if we engage in certain policies of governance, taxation and finance. The outcomes for people living under those laws will be vastly different depending upon which theories and which laws we adopt. Economics is asserted to be a science and in theory we should be able to compare these theoretical claims with the factual data.

Milton Friedman was one of the central figures creating the conservative Chicago School of economics. A prime feature of this variety of economics is a belief in largely unrestricted free markets. This can be very effective in increasing or decreasing commodities, manufactured goods and services in response to changes in relative demand by our society. If there is a shortage of corn the price will rise. There will then be more land, labor, fertilizer and machinery used to produce corn, satisfying the demand.

Friedman wanted an extremely minimal government and disliked things such as permits and licenses as a matter of almost quasi-religious belief. He was opposed to licensing medical doctors. Of course, this would have opened up medical services market to a vast variety of medical fraud and quackery. To be fair, there are laws against fraud and in principle Friedman would argue that these laws would limit misbehavior.  On the other hand, we have seen how well this worked for the banking industry this past decade.

Alan Greenspan was a supporter of Friedman's views. He saw no problem with the mushrooming of sub prime, low documentation loans for real estate or the slicing and dicing of bundled mortgages to finance the recent housing bubble. This fraud was endorsed by rating agencies that seemed willing to give AAA ratings to repackaged mortgage instruments sold to credulous buyers. The ratings agencies were in effect bribed by the financial institutions that were requesting the ratings. Once again laws against fraud in theory apply. A few people have been prosecuted under such laws, but only a very tiny percentage of the army of people who built the housing bubble that destroyed many trillions in the American people's assets. The fear of prosecution was almost totally absent during the building of the housing bubble. The very minimal current levels of prosecution suggests there would be no fear of  bad legal consequences when future markets become similarly disconnected from reality.

A major contributor to the recent credit bubble was the abolition of Glass-Steagall Act which was installed at the height of the Great Depression in 1933, but partially repealed in 1999.  These provision limited the abilities of banks to directly participate in risky investments for their own profit. This reflected the assumption made by Friedman and others that free markets worked and the best government was one that governed least. The result was a disaster with overall median family net worth falling 38.8 percent from 2007 to 2010 (June 2012 report from Federal Reserve).

Friedman was a monetarist asserting that inflation was always a result of an increase in money supply. He argued that the Fed should be abolished and the money supply should be increased at a fixed rate based on the increase in the national economy. He also argued that government should never use government spending to increase demand in recessionary times. The April 2012 GDP rate was slightly over 8% more than the peak rate prior to the crash recorded in April 2008. The M2 money supply increased 28.7% over the same time. Over $1 trillion in federal budget deficits has occurred every year of the Obama administration.

 Based on these facts there has been an avalanche of predictions by conservative economists and politicians that inflation and the fear of inflation will vastly increase the cost of funding our national debt, destroy the value of the dollar, and put us on a pathway to becoming the next Greece. The yield on the ten year US note has collapsed from a recent peak of 4% on 4/5/2010 to 1.51% on 8/2/2012. The dollar index, DXY, at the beginning of August 2012 is higher than at the beginning of August of 2011, 2010, 2009 and 2008.  Their predictions have obviously been flat wrong.

The Neo-Keynesian concensus is that during the recessionary period following a liquidity crisis the government should provide demand which makes use of the people and productive capacity that would otherwise not be put to good use. There was a very large inventment in skills, organization and tools in the construction industry during the housing boom. After years of disuse a large fraction of these investments now have no value. People are unemplyed for years and are living with a sense of desperation with no options to support their families. At the same time we have thousands of schools which are desperately in need of renovation. We have bridges that are in danger of collapse and we have a transportation system which is in near dysfuntional gridlock in many areas of our country.

Much of our society is now focused on paying down debt resulting in an increased demand for safely stored money and lower than normal desire to invest or consume. The result is extremely low interest rates at every future maturity date of Federal debt. Thus, the cost to our national government for most borrowing is less than current or expected rates of inflation. This means that any public sector investment that yields any positive efficiency in our economy creates a net positive benefit for society.

 The Friedman economic view is that these investments will always create distortions and inefficiencies that damage the economy. The obvious net value of children learning better in renovated schools or people getting where they wish to go more rapidly and safely with an updated trasnportation system is strong evidence against conservative economic claims. Public health, fire safety and police protection are other obvious areas where positive value can be generated at low or negative net cost.

A sweaping claim made by conservative economists is that fiscal deficits are financial warfare against our children. The reality is that forcing so many children to live in poverty or the stress of near poverty is an unneeded war against them in the here and now. The impact of forced austerity on employment has been illustrated by the nearly 25% unemployment rates in Greece and Spain. Statistical analysis of changes in budgets and subsequent changes in GDP in Euopean countries suggests that less than half of any reductions in government spending will be seen as smaller deficits. If we slash Federal budgets by a trillion dollars the deficit will be reduced by less than half that amount because the GDP will be reduced and the tax revenue will be much less. That means that in order to balance the US budget there would need to be multiple waves of massive budget slashing.

 The result would certainly be many millions added to the unemployment roles and a huge increase in deprivation for American children. Given the impact on both state budgets and parent's ability to save for education our next generation would be significantly deprived of the education that would be needed for our nation to deal with the problems of the future. Conservatives claim that a balanced budget would create economic growth, but there is no nation that has confirmed the current conservative theory that government austerity creates growth.

As noted before Friedman asserted that the money supply should be increased by law only in response to an increase in the economy. Implicit in his assumption is that the velocity of money will remain constant. This assumption is false. As we know, during and after a liquidity crisis the desire for safe stores of money is sharply increased and the desire to consume and invest is reduced. The net effect is that a given money supply will be associated with a far lower level of economic activity. If the Fed is abolished as Friedman suggested there is no mechanism to increase the money supply in respond to this abnormal situation. If Friedman's rule were in effect our current M2 money supply would have to be reduced 17.5% to be in line with the increase in GDP since 2008. Of course, with a much lower money supply we would not have our current GDP.

Major concepts of conservative economics have not been confirmed by recent evidence. They are about as valid as the phlogiston theory of combustion and the flat Earth theory of geography. It is profoundly sad that one of our major political parties is addicted to demonstrably false economic theories. If these theories are more fully implemented they will yield massive suffering to the citizens of our nation.

Are You Better Off Today vs 4 Years Ago: "Better" Defined

Are you better off today than you were 4 years ago?  This seems to be a major theme of both the Republicans and the Democrats.  The Republicans insist that we are worse off than 4 years ago.  Of course, they are NOT asking if we were better off 4 years ago than we were 8 years ago.  The Democrats are saying that we are indeed better off in 2012, because millions more are now covered by health insurance, GM and the 3 million related jobs was saved, Osama bin Laden is gone, we have pulled out of Iraq and are moving out of Afganistan, among other things.

Also, although unemployment figures are not as low as many feel they should be, the rate of disemployment was very high as George Bush left office, but since that rate bottomed out in 2009, 4 1/2 million private sector jobs have been added.  Unfortunately, public sector jobs continue to fall as local and state governments struggle with reduced tax income to pay for government employees.  Nevertheless, some jurisdictions continue to pay outrageous amounts in overtime, when it would be better to use this money, (perhaps at time and one half rates) to hire other employees, reduce the total unemployment and enable additional workers to pay their property taxes (instead of loosing their homes) and buy commodities that produce sales taxes.  Frankly I was appalled to see a recent article showing that some Maryland employees were working 60 to 80 hours per week and almost doubling their take home pay, while others in Maryland are unemployed.

As I listen to both parties insist that our goal requires that each generation have a better life than the one before, I find myself thinking.  What is a better life really, and when do we have enough.  A few years ago I wondered the same thing as I watched the  McMansion craze.  I wondered how so many people could think that a huge house would make them any happier, other than for bragging rights.  I thought of Aesop's Fable about the magic fish.  A fisherman caught a fish that offered to grant his every request if only he could be freed.  The fisherman released the fish.  He and his wife lived in a shack.  His wife first wanted a nice cottage, then a big house, then a palace and ultimately the stars and the moon.  At this point the fish put them back in the shack.  Will our reckless use of resources eventually put most of us back in shacks?

I have just read "Lost on Planet China" by J. Maarten Troost (2008).  This amusing but distressing book should be on the reading list of anyone who cares about the future of Planet Earth.  He describes the almost unbreathable air in most of China that kills about 700,000 people a year (more than the population of Washington, DC), and that gives traffic policemen a life expectancy of 45 years.  He points out that the US has 5% of the world's population and emits 25% of the world's pollution.  In the US there is one vehicle for every 1.25 inhabitants.  In China there is one for every 40 Chinese.  He asks what will happen when the Chinese (1/5th the worlds population) start to live like us?  Do they have less right to air conditioning, central heating, a car, an office or factory job?  He concludes that "from an environmental perspective, this is a terrifying development."

And make no doubt about it.  The Chinese are developing as fast as they can, although the recent world economic setback has been slowing things down there too.  They are spreading throughout the undeveloped and developing world as fast as they can, to nail down the resources that will become very scarce as they and the Indians continue to develop their countries. One example specific to our country is the XL Pipeline.  The Republicans have been screaming that failure to support this project is a failure by the Obama administration, and causes higher gas prices.  Fortunately, he has had to listen to the conservationist wing of the party.  We are already exporting some of our own oil production, and this will only result in more oil to export, not lower gas prices.  By all means lets hurry up and deliver it to the Chinese.

Surely it is imperative that we look at a newer and greener way of determining what makes our world and country a better place.  The Republicans tend to look at obvious wealth and goods as the measure of doing well.  Democrats tend to give more value to health, security and employment.  Another value is more time to enjoy with family, to work on creative projects, travel in and study the world, etc.  I think that many of us who are not neurotically greedy reach a point when we have a big enough home, have earned enough money and now wish we could relax and enjoy our relative prosperity.  If we are not emotionally invested in "keeping up with the Joneses" then our enjoyment of non material resources and services can become a sign and goal of being better off.

This is much harder to quantify, but the tiny country of Bhutan has developed a formula.  In addition to Gross National Product (GNP), they also consider Gross National Happiness (GNH).  The 4 components of GNH include sustainable economic development, environmental preservation, cultural preservation and good governance. The have even abolished TV advertising, and smoking.  Bhutan has made environmental preservation a top priority in its development policy.  Our own national Green Party has done the same.  If only our major parties would do the same.  Of course, it helps that Bhutan has an enlightened absolute monarch, which we never will, nor should want.  I encourage you to Google search more information about this fascinating GNH policy in Bhutan.

Thus, as we listen to the parties insist that they will help the next generation be even better off than this one is, let us consider carefully, what we really need to make us happier.  Is it a big house or SUV, a much bigger salary, or greater health security, time to enjoy our life and families, and explore this wonderful earth?  Once you have examined your own priorities, then you can evaluate what each party is trying to sell us.  In my own case I have concluded that much of what I value most is provided by the Green Party platform and least by the Republican platform.

Rape, Republicans, & now Zika Virus: Their Rape Ideology & Todd Akin Ignorance

This morning (August 2012) I was listening to the Sunday political talk shows and found myself getting more and more angry.  Last week we were treated to the spectacle of Republican Todd Akin declaring that women victims of "legitimate rape" had some magical means of preventing a pregnancy from occurring.  Even though the immediate instinct of most raped women is to quickly rinse out the invading sperm, at least if they are fortunate enough to have the rapist run off quickly; a conservative site posted a figure of 5% as the percentage of rapes that result in pregnancy.  Of course, many victims are raped repeatedly, and held prisoner for longer periods of time, or beaten unconscious.  Thus they cannot exercise this most immediately effective means of preventing pregnancy.

The conservative take on this 5% figure was that this was a very low rate of pregnancy and thus tended to confirm Todd Akin's ignorant science ideas.  I was so ticked off reading this I decided to do a Google search.  There I found a figure of 36,000 rape pregnancies a year, of which one half were terminated.  Regarding the important issue of how many unprotected sex acts result in pregnancy, I could find no specific figure.  However, a statistical analysis of estimated unprotected sex acts per year per couple, the average number of days per month a woman was likely to be fertile, and similar factors resulted in a figure of 3% to 5% probability of a single unprotected sex act producing a pregnancy.

Thus, it appears there is absolutely NO statistical basis for imagining some unknown protective means a rape victim can use to stop implantation by an alien invading parasite.  Since it appears pregnancy rates actually might be lower in non-rape situations, Akin's remarks are without foundation.  Perhaps rapists favor younger women who do get pregnant at a higher rate per act than do older women.  Also if a consenting woman does NOT want to get pregnant, she can always say no, or use a condom.

It is bad enough a MAN running for Congress could be so ignorant of basic science, but we also must look at the issue of what constitutes "legitimate rape". He has tried to apologize for this statement by explaining he meant rape by "force and violence."  However, Paul Ryan, Todd Akin and other Republicans attempted to include a provision to limit abortion to forcible rape in a proposed Federal anti-abortion bill to rewrite the Hyde Amendment.  This also suggests they think a 10 year old being raped by her "loving" father or uncle would be likely to fight to the point of bruises and broken bones.  Or that a 28 year old man has the right to seduce a physically developed 13 year old girl.

 Now (August 2015) an interesting chart of  various  Republican politicians' statements on rape has been posted.  These choice statements range from sincere statements that "a rape child should be considered a 'gift' from God," to the cute statement, "that when rape is inevitable you should relax and enjoy it."  Regarding this current election cycle see the 2012 quote from current Republican presidential candidate, Rick Santorum  "The right approach is to accept this horribly created, in the sense of rape, but nevertheless...the gift of human life, and accept what God is giving you."  I'm sorry, but if God is giving such "gifts", to quote a friend, "If God would do that to unborn babies, I might believe in him, but I would NOT WORSHIP him."  See also Ron Paul's statement there.

[In March 2015 we are now seeing Republican ideology at work to sneak the Hyde Amendment into a bill to protect women from sex slavery and trafficking.  They are trying to use this abortion prevention law to interfere with spending of a special dedicated fund to help women. This fund is made from fines against traffickers, NOT FROM TAXPAYERS as many are being led to believe.  How can they be so incredibly callous as to withhold funds from girls and women who may be escaping from a terrible situation but carrying the spawn of a criminal and rapist.  Of course, to Republican men it appears that any male seed, however tainted, is more important than a rescued girl or woman.  They are also using the controversy to withhold approval of an eminently qualified female candidate for Attorney General.  In April 2015, Loretta Lynch was finally confirmed by the Senate.  Although in this article the delay was attributed to the immigration issue.

[March 2017] - Amazingly, Mexico City has begun a highly creative program to shame men into changing their behavior that is insulting to women.  In addition to the evocative "penis seat" described at the above link, a video experiment is being conducted.  This involved installing cameras that would take tight shots of male buttocks and displaying them for all to see.  A number of men are shown in the video expressing disgust and embarrassment.  Recently unveiled print ads show guys giving women lascivious looks with slogans like "this is how your mother gets looked at every day."

[April 2017] - A creative female Texas state legislator has introduced a bill to fine men for their "masturbatory emissions."  This bill, is her satirical response to the many anti women's rights and reproductive interference bills being introduced in the Texas legislature by men.  It should cause lively debate in the committee which normally discusses abortion related bills.

In the late 1990's a significant drop in murder rates and other crimes was noted.  It was suggested that legalization of abortion in 5 states in 1970, and the Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion nationwide  in early 1973 was the main factor.  This detailed May 2001 article in The Quarterly Journal of Economics concludes it was an important factor.  In 2008, Fox News attempted to explain why this detailed analysis was wrong.  Their article concluded, "Even if abortion did lower crime by culling out 'unwanted' children (a conclusion derived from flawed statistics), this effect would be greatly outweighed by the rise in crime associated with the greater incidence of single-parent families that also follows from abortion liberalization.  In short, more abortions have brought more crime."
     The conclusion that abortion rights have brought more crime is ridiculous considering that crime rates have continued to drop significantly.  Nor does the Fox News (Republican's go-to news source) article provide any useful charts and statistical analysis.  This 2008 article is an early example of the Republican lie machine at work.  FactCheck in July 2016 has several charts showing what a lie the 2008 article was.  Some major cities, including DC, have had significant murder rate increases since 2014, but there are those who attribute that rise to publicity regarding stupid and malicious police killings and the rise of the"black lives matter" movement.  More timid policing has been suggested as a factor too.
     President-elect, Donald Trump has exaggerated this temporary increase as the FactCheck article points out.  Someone should tell him that if he succeeds in following through with all the abortion restrictions his far right backers propose, some day he may have to explain why his administration had much higher crime rates than did the Obama years.  On the other hand if his reaction turns out to be much more aggressive policing, we may see a far higher rate of deadly police shootings.
 
Here is a significant quote from an article outlining the way Republicans highjack laws that are sold as helping women, which are then used to hurt them even more.  Sickening!!

"...'The same Gospel that compels us to war against sex trafficking compels us to address sexual immorality in all its forms.'  That, of course is the main point.  Religious crusaders against sex trafficking say they're against trafficking--but really, they're against sex.

Trafficking is the "tip of the wedge," where evangelicals might make common cause with liberals and feminists.  But ultimately, the wedge includes pornography, sex work, homosexuality, sex for pleasure, abortion, contraception--anything that might be construed as "sexual immorality."  That broader agenda is evident in the way...laws have been written and enforced, and in the way the religious anti-trafficking movement has cast the struggle."]

[Nov. 19, 2016]  In the light of the Trump victory, we need to be aware that changes forced on  "Obamacare" and Planned Parenthood will have many consequences.  This link on sexually transmitted diseases shows the danger budget cuts because of the Recession, have had on disease rates.  With Republican attacks on existing sources of health care these rates will only get worse, and as the article points out the resulting health care costs are far greater.
     Also of great interest is the "rape" case against President Elect Donald Trump, which will be heard in court this December (too bad it wasn't held before Nov. 8).  There are many links to this story at Google, but I picked one from the British media, considering they might be more objective.  Apparently there are two witnesses to this attack on a 13 year old.

[Now in January of 2015, Republican Brian Kurcaba, of the West Virginia House of Delegates, has weighed in on this appalling subject.  “Obviously rape is awful,” Kurcaba said. “What is beautiful is the child that could come from this.”  This quote was connected with a fight to limit abortion to the first 20 weeks of pregnancy with NO exceptions for rape and incest.  There are many insightful and useful comments at this site:  http://www.dailykos.com/story/2015/02/06/1362725/-GOP-lawmaker-opines-on-rape-What-is-beautiful-is-the-child-that-could-come-from-this#comments.  Hopefully WV voters  will make sure he never reaches the national stage.  The comments point out some states even allow jailed rapists visitation rights.  I wonder how Mr. Kurcaba would feel about raising the child if his wife were raped, plus forcing her to provide visitation rights to the rapist?]

Apparently the Federal bill would have denied Federally funded medical help for victims of drugged rape, statutory rape, and the like. Force and violence has to include the woman fighting hard and showing evidence of being beaten into submission.  It is not enough to make a rational decision if a knife is held to your throat, or a gun displayed with a statement that you will be shot if you resist, that perhaps the wisest course is not to resist.  The question can be raised, "where is the knife, where is the gun and did you know if it was loaded or not??"  This form of a glib approach by Republicans to the whole subject of rape was personified in 1990 by Texas Republican gubernatorial candidate Clayton Williams who wisecracked comparing bad weather and rape:  "if it's inevitable, just relax and enjoy it."  Democrat Ann Richards had been behind by 11 points, but ended up winning by 2 points.

Even more disturbing is that Ryan seems to be against most forms of birth control.  You would think someone who wants to reduce abortion would want to encourage women to plan for wanted pregnancies.  People who recognize our planet is under severe pressure from population growth, including Green Party members, realize it is a highly ethical and moral stance not to produce excessive numbers of children, and especially unwanted, unloved babies.  Here is a particularly ugly story of a religious country forcing an 11 year old girl to bear the child of her rapist stepfather.

What is it about "pro-life" (let's call them anti-choice) people that so many seem to want to force others to reproduce as much as possible??  Yet many of these same people are very pro- military and pro-hunting which tends to be anti-life.  They are also very active in their efforts to destroy Planned Parenthood even though only 3% of Planned Parenthood activities are associated with terminating pregnancies.  They don't seem to care about the other 97% of health care so many women especially poor women need.  Also, although many are against government interference, in this case they want to use the government to promote their agenda.  I guess part of their agenda is the production of "cannon fodder."

[2/9/16] - How will Republicans respond to the Zika virus.  This mosquito borne virus already seems to have caused hundreds of infants in Brazil to be born with shrunken heads and brains (microcephaly).  Now infected people have been found in the US and it also appears to be spreadable by sexual activity.  Ilyse Hogue, President of NARAL Pro-Choice America has started a petition to Republican president frontrunner candidates Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, and Donald Trump.  She urges these candidates, who each come from states where the Zika virus has been detected, to support universal contraceptive coverage and women's access to to the tools to delay pregnancy if so wished (such as provided by Planned Parenthood, which Republicans are trying hard to destroy).  She points out that millions of American women don't know whether it would be healthy to become pregnant with the spread of the Zika virus--and they deserve to have the ability to delay a healthy pregnancy.  She says each of the GOP frontrunnes has attacked universal contraceptive coverage in the past.Click here to add your name to this petition, and then pass it along to your friends.

 "U.N.: Zika-affected nations must increase contraception access," USA Today, February 5, 2016http://act.moveon.org/go/1253?t=4&akid=161863.23102069.RM6HSa

[11/30/15] - This just in, Republicans are not the only ones making outrageous rape statement.  The first lady of Zimbabwe has publicly implied that girls who wear mini-skirts in public deserve to get raped.  Her husband, meanwhile, is using the United Nations to promote his anti-gay agenda.  He says that even Satan is NOT gay.  On the other hand their legislature appears to be moving to require castration of rapists.

[1/10/17] - I have just seen an email urging support to prevent Mike Pence from passing a law that would enable parents to electroshock their minor children to cure them from homosexuality.  Researching this concern I found this article claiming Pence said Conversion Therapy enabled him to get married.  In light of the controversy regarding Pence, Conversion Therapy, and electroshock for minors, The New York Times published this 11/30/16 article regarding their findings.  Given the overall Republican attitude toward women and the helpless, it pays to remain alert, especially since the Trump election.

To top it all off,  the draft of this year's (2012) GOP platform calls for a constitutional amendment banning access to abortion, making no exceptions for women who have been victims of rape or incest, or when the life of the mother is at risk.  They are even using the Constitution to justify this "cruel and unusual" amendment.  There are at least a few sensible blue state Republicans who do not favor including this provision.  Let us hope there are even more sensible voter who will reject this moral insanity promoted by the GOP.  [Actually in January 2015, a revolt of GOP women stopped the new GOP majority from pushing such stupidity.]

Obesity Epidemic, Diabetes, Sugar, Fat and "Obamacare"

The other day I was astonished to hear TV health promoters declare it has recently been discovered that sugar is a toxic poison, and we should avoid it as much as possible.  Dr. Robert Lustig, Dr. Oz and others have worked hard to bring to our attention the dangers of the typical American diet.  However, any suggestion that the dangers of sugar is a new and amazing discovery completely ignores the long history of this controversy.  There is now strong additional scientific proof of what has been known and/or suspected for more than half a century.  Anyone wishing to learn more should Google their disease of choice--diabetes, cancer, heart disease, etc. and sugar effects on that disease.

[11-10-15]  Scientists are finally getting serious and plan to urge world leaders at their upcoming G-20 meetings to take concrete action against the seriously bad health effects of eating too much sugar.  Sugar would far better be used to produce ethanol, and keep all but bad corn to be used for food instead of ethanol.

[1-7-16]  A recent study suggests that obese fathers may have poor sperm quality and also predispose their offspring to problems related to diabetes.  This study was done on mice and will be followed up with humans.  Forty-six year ago when we contemplated reproducing, both my husband and I went into "training" 6 months before trying for a pregnancy.  We ate the best food we knew, stopped any drinking, etc.  Both sons are strong and healthy, and neither has had more than one cavity.

[5/30/16]  Unfortunately there has been an increase in the cost of "Obamacare" for several reasons in a number of states.  This article and map provide more details.

[6/1/16]  Another important health factor that if corrected can save billions of dollars is smoking.  This article emphasizes $63billion in potential savings by achieving a 10% reduction in number of smokers plus a 10% reduction in amount of smoking.   This site also has an informative map showing heavy smoking or light smoking states.  http://www.aol.com/article/2016/05/30/healthcare-costs-nosedive-when-smokers-quit/21385078/

Whereas some of the diseases in the first paragraph can be influenced by our behavior, others are the result of exposure to unidentified toxins decades ago.  A mesothelioma law firm or asbestos lawyers can provide some financial help for the people with asbestos lung cancer developed by working in boiler factories or ship yards.  It is less certain that mere exposure to asbestos in homes has caused much disease in home owners.  On the other hand new dangers are appearing or being identified even with  foods commonly considered healthy.  An important issue is that of GMO foods.  The long term medical effects of these genetically modified foods on human health and fertility have not been adequately studied. Already some disturbing effects have been reported.

On the environmental front, a spill of Canadian tar sands oil from an Enbridge pipeline in the Kalamazoo River is costing over $1billion in clean up costs.  I was recently told that people in the area of the spill are now dying from toxic effects.  Then there is the Lake Megantic oil tank car crash and explosion which has cost 47 lives.  This oil seems to have been western ND Bakken Shale oil which can have high levels of flammable, corrosive, poisonous and explosive hydrogen sulfide vapor.  Once burned Enbridge has now requested permission to refuse transport of some shale oils.  If the asbestos lawyers run out of clients, the Keystone XL Pipeline, fracking and toxic oil accidents should provide much future business.

During the 1930s, exciting pioneering research was being done.  Dr. Francis Pottinger studied the effects of various proportions of raw and/or cooked meat and milk fed to cats.  The conclusion was that at least for cats, a diet of 1/2 raw food or more was needed for successful health and long term reproduction.  Pottinger style long term studies are needed on GMO foods.  Dr. Weston Price traveled the world and studied and photographed primitive people both in their original state, and after they had been exposed to western diets for a number of years.  He determined that before the introduction of refined western foods, these people were generally healthy (regarding degenerative disease) and had excellent teeth and bone structure.

Other researchers have concluded that it takes about 20 year for the western diet to begin causing degenerative diseases in primitive peoples. Personally, I try to eat at least one half my food raw and avoid sugar and refined grains.  I am currently experimenting with a raw food diet. Here is a link for preparing raw vegie and fruit smoothies.  Recently a family of 4 decided to experiment with totally eliminating all added sugars to their diet by only buying products without them.  Here is their experience and the benefits it brought.

After WWII, the rise of corporate food companies and their influence in government and on academia began to be felt.  Dr. Frederick Stare, Harvard nutritionist, became notorious in some circles for his promotion of sugar and sugar containing products like cereal.  His nutrition department received large contributions from industry.  Fighting these trends were people such as Michael Jacobson of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, and Frances Moore Lappe whose well received Diet for a Small Planet (1975) showed how to reduce consumption of meat by mixing grains and legumes with complementary proteins.

CSPI is still making the good fight for the peoples' interest, and Anna Lappe the author's daughter has continued to write to alert the world to our need to eat more wisely.  For those who don't know, the amount of land/food needed to raise beef, chicken, and hogs can be from 5 to 10 times the land needed to grow wheat, corn, rice, beans, lentils, chickpeas, etc which when unrefined and properly mixed supply a complete amino acid complement.

Now, however, we have a new problem.  Dueling diets have proposed severe reductions of fats, carbohydrates, or calories, or eating patterns like "The Mediterranean Diet".  As early as 1972, Dr. Robert Atkins had proposed a diet based on reduction of carbohydrates.  The most intensive phase of his diet, The Induction Phase, requires eating no more than 20 grams of carbohydrate a day.  Then as one approaches one's target weight, you gradually add small amounts of carbs until you find how much you can actually eat without regaining weight.  There is much information through Google on all phases of his diet, as well as newer editions of his books with more recent data and recipes.  Significant amounts of research have confirmed his initial conclusions about the excellent health benefits of his diet approach.

Here is a link to an extensive YouTube video on the science of sugar/carbohydrate metabolism and general health.  It is titled:  Sugar: The Bitter Truth.  Below it are extensive comments by people who are not convinced, and people who really believe that limiting carbs has helped their health and weight.  There are also other interesting experiences and insights offered.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBnniua6-oM

A recent report of a new experiment shows that weight reduction can significantly reduce the need for surgery like knee replacement.  They first experimented with a 5% weight loss and were so encouraged by the results that they continued the experiment with a 10% weight loss target.  Here is the complete story.
http://www.everydayhealth.com/osteoarthritis/0925/ten-percent-weight-loss-may-relieve-arthritic-knee-pain.aspx?xid=aol_eh-arth_8_20130923_&aolcat=AJA&ncid=webmail22

I have tried Atkins' diet on two occasions and found the weight did come off quite nicely, and I did NOT feel very hungry or deprived.  I have also found that under stress the craving for carbs has increased and weight has crept back on.  Here is an interesting link about diabetes with many comments on personal experience with diet, diabetes and other health issues.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/sugar-ray-leonard/diabetes-prevention_b_2356846.html

After studies by others comparing the low fat, low carb, and mixed diets, it was determined that the greatest weight loss was with the low carb diet.  There is only one problem.  If you agree with the Lappes that animal protein production is hard on the earth, then following the Atkins diet for a lifetime will not help.  Also, so far as sugar consumption is concerned, we would be far wiser to use sugar cane for ethanol production, and use most of our corn to help feed the hungry of the world at reasonable prices.  Many people rev up their energy every day with coffee.  However, while one or two cups a day may be OK, three and more can have a negative influence.  Here are a number of ways to start your metabolic motor in the morning while avoiding excess caffiene and sugar.

Unfortunately, the foods that the Lappes recommend have a significant carb content. Having thought about this problem from a "Green" perspective, I am going to try the following:  do the Atkins diet until I reach my weight goal, then gradually switch over to predominantly vegetable protein sources with plenty of fresh and mostly low carb vegetables, a little bit of fruit and almost no sugar.  The above link lists carb counts of veggies, fruit and berries.  Strive to eat no more than 20 grams of carb a day for several weeks, then gradually add about 5 grams a week until you reach a level that maintains your desired weight.  Hopefully, along with more exercise, this will do the trick.  I will also experiment with a mostly or all raw food diet for a while and report back.

Another significant concern is the implementation of the new Obama Health Care initiative.  Unless we all do our part to stop poisoning ourselves with the diet the food industry spends so many dollars trying to persuade us to buy, the suggested savings from preventive care, will not happen.  Our economy will suffer, and so will we and our pocketbooks, because we are too lazy, or greedy to make the dietary changes that will save us, our country and our planet.

We must all help fight the Medical/Pharmaceutical/Charitable Industrial Complex.  Many of us are aware that big Pharma is a major lobbyist for drug use.  However, medical societies and illness charities for Cancer, Diabetes, Heart Disease and others also work to promote medical interventions rather than use common sense and the good things the earth has always produced for us.

Spam Scams from Craigslist and Elsewhere, Buying, Renting, Selling, Responding

In the past few days I have spoken with several people who experienced contact from scammers after they tried to rent, buy or sell on Craigs List or other popular sites.  Since "Green" type people are particularly fond of recycling by buying and selling good used items, I thought this would be a timely topic.  Whether it is renting, buying furniture or a used car, etc. one must exercise great care.

To start with I would suggest never giving out your address or phone number if possible before actually calling and speaking with the interested party.  Craigs List makes this easy by providing an anonymous service option.  If receiving a response from posting there, ask the person to provide a phone number that you can use to contact them.  If your instinct is that they seem like reasonable people after a phone conversation, you can proceed from there.  Never give out bank or other financial information in the early stages of contact.

Here are some typical features in a SCAM answer.  Something will be said like:  I am a religious person and go to church every Sunday (these guys are really giving religion a bad name).  I am very respectful of property (in case of rental).  In one case the "property owner" said it was a magnificent property, but they were out of the country and would rent it out sight unseen for a very low price if the potential renter would just mail a cashiers check without seeing the place.

In fact, there always seems to be some reason why the parties cannot meet--out of the country, in a remote area without phone service doing some great humanitarian work, on the road and lost cell phone, etc.  They often say their father will be responsible for all payments, and in the case of renting your property will even give several months in advance as soon as you provide the requisite full name, address, phone number, and your bank information so they can send the money there.

There is often a convoluted personal history.  My mother is from Brazil, my father is from Austria, and I am on a remote island in Hawaii with no phone, but that's OK because my father will pay everything.  In one case several years ago I got two different scam emails apparently from the same person with varied details except they said they were a female 5'8", and they were NOT a lesbian.  I have never had anyone legitimate  volunteer their height or weight, or their non-homosexual status.  I have had a few male renters mention that they were gay, but this is the DC metropolitan area and some might find that a plus.

[Feb. 2017]  Here is one of the more bizarre scam stories I received recently.
     "I will introduce myself first to you, My name is Miss. Xxxxx Xxxxxx, I lost my Father, my hero and my lord Mr. Xxxxxx Xxxxxx years ago. He was poisioned to death by his associate in business. He formed a company by one Mr. Xxxx Xxxxx who poisioned him only to take benefit of the multi million venture. He was arrested immedaitely my Father died and he entered an agreement with my father's brothers that I and the immediate younger brother of my father will represent my father's interest in the company. After six months I was kicked out of the company because I said that we have to change the company's lawyer who I termed was part of the elimination of my father.
     I did not know that they have changed all the company's document without my name appea ring any where. I will have to let you know more detail on that but let me move to the point why I am contacting you. I have been nick named bastard by my father's relations, They have named me all source [sorts] of names even calling me outcast because my father is late [dead], while my father was the bread winner of the family. They have pushed me out of my father's mansion and still want to eliminate my life.
     I got through the records of my father account books three weeks ago while crying and meditating, which I beleive was inspired by the spirit of God, I discovered that there is a huge sum of money he deposited in a bank, which is $x,x00,000. The note attached to the deposit agreement he made with the bank indicated that, the money was to be used to purchase machinery for the establishment of a new company of his own.
     Please all I need from you is to do all you can to help me to get this money out of the bank. etc. etc."  [So of course all Miss X needs from me is all my bank information, etc.  Spelling mistakes left in.]

This past year I have received two urgent emails from acquaintances of mine saying they were in a country in Europe, everything had been stolen from them and they desperately needed money to get back home.  There were also more details about their "tragedy".  Fortunately, I had their phone numbers.  NEVER answer this kind of email.  When I phoned they explained that someone had hacked their email and contacted all their contacts, and they were working with the police to try to stop/catch these crooks.  They also had to change their email service and a lot of other messy detailed actions.

In this case there may have been a "worm" infecting their system that could actually catch their key strokes while being made, even their passwords. You need to back up your data, then need to clean your system [don't ask me now that is done]. Don't use simple minded passwords, leave your email information lying around were it can be looked at like in the office, change your password often, and have good virus protection.  One friend had lost her cell phone with a lot of information on it.

I even called the FBI a few years ago when a number of these scams came my way.  These mostly seemed to have an African origin.  The FBI said there was a lot of this coming out of Nigeria, but the problem is that they could have their phone or email service coming from anywhere, so it was very hard to track them down and prosecute.  So I guess the first principle has to be ALWAYS BE ALERT FOR A SCAM.

Here is the content of a scam email I have received.  They even have the nerve to say they are anti scam workers with the IMF.   Recently Bank of America was hit by these types too.
   "Attention: Beneficiary

WORLD BANK AUDITORS/INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUNDS (IMF) had meeting

with the British Government, Nigeria and as we received a report of

scam against you and other British/US citizens Etc. The countries of

Nigeria have recompensed you the following  meeting held with the

four countries' Government and various countries' high commission for

the fraudulent activities carried out by the four countries' Citizens.

     According to the number of applicants at hand, 184 Beneficiaries has

been paid, half of the victims are from the United States, and we

still have more 37 left to be paid the inheritance fund of Nine

million, seven Hundred Dollars ($9.7Million USD. Signed by British

Government of United Kingdom,On behalf of IMF.

     Did you sign any Deed of Assignment in favor of (TOM BROWN) Thereby

making  him the current beneficiary with his following account

details?  [omitted for space, but they say he is CITI Bank]

     We shall proceed to issue all payments details to the said Mr. TOM

BROWN,if we do not hear from you within the next two working days from

today.

     DR.ERIC UBA, DIRECTOR OF PAYMENT/ SPECIAL DUTIES, WORLD BANK AUDITORS"

And then there is this next one.  Can you believe the Federal Reserve wants to give me $1,570,000.  Well, neither can I!  Hey you pikers at the Fed, the IMF wants to give me $9.7 million.

     "Attn; Beneficiary 

     We use this medium to inform you of the payment approved to be made to you by the WORLD BANK through the Federal Reserve Bank New York.  In a meeting that took place on the 21st of Aug. 2014, you have been granted Financial Assistance/Sponsorship and awarded compensation by the WORLD BANK Charity Humanitarian Mission aimed at providing financial support for people around the world.

     We have been asked by the WORLD BANK to Compensate/Award you the sum of US$1,570,000.00 from a reserved account which shall be released to you either by wire transfer or Pre-loaded VISA ATM card. This payment has been approved by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the WORLD BANK and the FBI/INTERPOL. These precautions were taken to prevent legal issues while receiving your funds so be rest assured you will have no legal issues.                                       To receive the funds immediately contact our offices directly via all of the information below: OFFICE OF CHAIRMAN FEDERAL RESERVE BANK

JANET YELLEN

Email: xxxxxxxxxx@gmail.com

xxxxxxxxxx@yahoo.com                [I put x's in place of their addresses]

OFFICE FOR FUND REMITTANCE

Email: xxxxxxxxxxx@careceo.com

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx@usa.com

     Furthermore, we wish to inform you that we recently received a letter from a Mr. Bradley Williams detailing explicitly that you passed away and him being your next of kin is entitled to the funds. He requested for your funds to be transferred to him.

     To avoid remitting your funds into the wrong account, all mails should be directed to office of the chairman Federal Reserve Bank JANET YELLEN with your FULL NAMES, ADDRESS, LOCATION, AGE and CONTACT NUMBER.

     The Federal Reserve Bank New York will not be held liable if funds are transferred into the wrong account. Your funds will be remitted to you immediately we hear from you.

The WORLD BANK charge you to use these support funds wisely for it is our aim to help as many individuals become financially independent.

     We assure you of the legitimacy of this transaction and its safety, contact Janet Yellen now by email (xxxxxxxxxxx@gmail.com or xxxxxxxxxxxxxx@yahoo.com) and call our office directly (202 xxx-xxxx) to receive your funds ASAP. Congratulations!

Yours in service, Janet Yellen, Chairman Federal Reserve Bank New York"

Most recently (Jan. 2017) comes this email I condensed from an "anti-Spam group", HA.
     "Attention: Beneficiary
...the World Bank president...treated on solution to Scam victim problems.  ...your name submitted...therefore the United Nations...agreed to compensate...USD$500,000.00.
     ...contact Agent xxxx...forward...Your full name, your country/city, your delivery address, your telephone number, your age, your occupation and your ID card or passport."
     How can anyone be so stupid to think the UN is giving them 1/2 million dollars??  And the gall to say these Spammers seek "solutions to Scam victim problems", as they Scam you.

I recently went to clean out my Spam folder and found the following examples:
1)  Alanna Dow wanted to offer me a"customer service assignment" paying $200.  All "she" wanted was my name, address, phone number, sex, age and email address.  What, no request for bank account numbers and SS number??
2)  Several Bank of America notices they "detected unusual activity" and I should "download" since some of my activities would be suspended until this was fixed.
3)  Fed Ex International Mail Service "could not deliver your(my) item."  I should "download" their "shipping label."
4)  Wells Fargo detected "unusual activity" at my [nonexistent] ON LINE account, and of course I must "download" to fix it.
5)  American Express said I must "authenticate account" by "downloading file and update account."  Since for years I have sent back all their mail to every variant of my name they could find, with the request to take me off their mailing list and DO NOT SOLICIT, this Spam was either a very sneaky attempt to get me for their customer, or another typical Spam email.
   Of course there were many of the usual solicitations for male enlargement (my sex is ambiguous because of my name), Viagra, Dr. Oz weight loss help, Canadian pharmacy, million dollar offers from Africa with inheritances, instant loans, service repair contracts, and messages in Chinese that I cannot read.  Delete, delete, delete, delete.........  There were also a few legitimate contacts that were sent to Spam and I got them too late to act on the invitations, so I guess I just have to look at the Spam folder more often.  Grrrrrrr!!

One thing you can do if you suspect a message might be legitimate is to go to Google and place the email address of the sender there and see what appears.  You may get information that the email has been identified as a scam or other useful facts.  I was recently getting a big red screen view saying that I must phone a certain "legitimate" IT company to keep from loosing important stuff.  When I Googled the phone number provided, sure enough, it was tagged as a scam phone number.  

[7-22-16] - This creative scammer (so called bank official) wanted to give me 40% of $37million of a dead mans unclaimed deposit:  "My proposals is that i will like you as a foreigner to stand in as the next of kin or distant cousin for us to claim this money, so that the fruits of this old man’s labour will not get into the hands of some corrupt government officials who will later use the money to sponsor war in Africa and kill innocent citizens in the search for political power."  So much better to put money in the hands of corrupt non government people.

[11-18] - I recently receive a notice I believe was from my bank which offers some advice which seems useful:  "Unfortunately, scammers target your information year-round. Watch out for scams and other scenarios that target your payment information.

• Fake receipts, shipping notices and too-good-to-be-true offers  These email scams could infect your device or trick you into disclosing payment card information. A new scam claims to notify people about recent iTunes^® purchases linked to their Apple ID. Keep in mind, criminals can copy and paste any company logo on an email. Stay safe by checking your account information through the actual company website.
• Unexpected requests to update your account  In a new direct deposit scam, employees receive a phony email appearing to be from their HR department with a link to log in to their account. Scammers capture their information and use it to redirect their direct deposit to another bank account. Be sure to never supply log in credentials or personal information in response to an email.
• Conducting sensitive transactions on public Wi-Fi connections  Your payment card information could be intercepted if you use unsecured Wi-Fi connections to shop online. Instead, use an internet connection that you know is secure, like your mobile service provider or home Wi-Fi network.
• Sending money electronically  The holiday season could mean more meals out with friends and family. Zelle^® is a great new way to split the check and send money to people you know. But, we don't recommend using Zelle with people you don't know or if you aren't sure you'll get what you paid for (like items bought from online bidding or sales sites)."

So be careful out there there this holiday season and the rest of the year too.  Cheers

If you have had an internet scam/fraud experience, by all means share it with a Comment.

Obama & Roberts Give Health Care, Now Our Duty Begins

Well folks, there is a whole lot of excitement now about the Supreme Court decision on President Obama's health care program.  Some pundits say Roberts was an idiot, others say he is a Machiavellian who has successfully motivated the far right base to run Obama out of office in November.  Of course, many feel just as strongly this is a great victory for the President which will motivate his base to reelect him in November, and it appears they were right.

What not many people are talking about is our share of responsibility in making this program a success.  There is certainly much potential for lowering health care costs if everyone takes more personal responsibility for their own health care.  Whether it is improving our life style choices to maintain our good health, learning more about our individual health problems so we can do things that will improve them, or going for routine regular check-ups to keep problems from appearing and getting out of hand, we have a lot of power.

For example, here is the experience of one family that decided to eliminate all sugar from their diet for one year and the benefits experienced.  In 2016, a study has reported the potential for saving $63billion in smoking health care costs if 10% of smokers quit, and others would reduce their amount of smoking by 10%.

[12/27/16]  Republicans continue to declare their intentions of defunding Planned Parenthood and shutting down "Obamacare" (Affordable Health Care) as soon as possible.  This 2015 article shows how one Republican Congresswoman perpetuated lies and misinformation on behalf of her candidacy.  Many comments tear Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers viewpoint to shreds.
     People at this site, which described Trump voters' distress at the idea of defunding Planned Parenthood, also had a lot to say. One commented "It's Obamacare because Pres. Obama DOES care, it will be called the Trump DOESN'T care plan when he and the GOP get done!"  I like  "TrumpNoCare" plan, or "TrumpCareless" plan, or "TrumpLessCare"plan for a label.
     Unfortunately, many people do NOT realize the well liked Affordable Care Act is "Obamacare". Mostly poorer states refused to expand their Medicaid services (fully funded by the Federal government) leaving many of their citizens underinsured.  If Trump succeeds in destroying "Obamacare" as promised, all the lower income people who voted for him in states with expanded benefits will loose them.  [States expanding Medicaid – AZ, AR, CA, CO, DE, DC, HI, IL, IA, IN, KY, MD, MA, MN, MA, NH, NV, NJ, UT, NM, NY, ND, OH, OR, PA, RI, VT, WA, WV]  If you live in one of these states and voted Trump you voted against your own interest.  This long, detailed article with maps and listing of who has benefited from this program and by how much will answer your question.

[11/19/16]  One casualty of reduced spending on preventive health care and education has been the increase in the rate of sexually transmitted diseases (STD's) since the major recession began in 2008.  Let us hope that Republicans in Congress are not penny wise and dollar foolish with their cutting of Obamacare, Planned Parenthood, and other programs that help prevent or reduce STD rates.  Health care costs for increasing rates of STD are far higher than prevention.

Of course, sometimes danger are not apparent until some years have passed.  Black lung disease has plagued miners, and asbestos lung cancer has made $millions for mesothelioma law firms, also known as asbestos lawyers.  Unfortunately, such lawsuits have been so expensive that doctors are forced to carry  extremely costly liability insurance.  This is one contributor to current high medical costs.  Something has to be done in the way of tort reform, that is lowering the amount that can be collected in lawsuits.  Trial lawyers will fight this tooth and nail.  Some balance has to be found between the extremely high legal settlements that excessively benefit lawyers and very low recompense that is unfair to injured parties.

Doctors can do a lot to fix serious problems, just as a mechanic can fix your car when it breaks down.  However, if we change the oil regularly, inflate the tires, keep other fluid levels up, and drive carefully, we have the ultimate power to preserve our autos.  It is the same with our health.  If you are reading this blog, then you know how to use a computer.  You can always Google to find information about different health needs, problems and symptoms.  You can also order useful books on line.  Of course the medical profession has been slow to get on board with this approach as it tends to reduce their business.  Concern has now been expressed that we do not have enough General Practitioners to care for the millions of new people with health insurance.  This will be less of a problem when we take fuller responsibility for our own health.

A very important influence is the quality of our nutrition.  We can choose foods that will build up our health or break it down.  If you do the latter, then you are betraying the President's efforts to provide affordable care for all.  If you have developed health problems through age, neglect or stress you may also need to learn about vitamin, mineral, and herbal supplements for restoring health in addition to good foods and exercise.  It is very easy to Google the name or description of the health problem and then add "nutritional treatment for".  Sometimes foods will be recommended and sometimes supplements of one sort or another.  These "neutriceuticals" can do many wonderful things.  They are not as quick as drugs, but they are much better at creating permanent cures or improvements, and rarely have side effects.

Good books are available in health food stores and on line that will help you learn more about the great variety of things you can do through nutrition.  It is well worth your while reading some and learning how to take care of yourself and your family.  You will save your own money, and that of your country.  Paying attention to exercise and emotional health and equilibrium are also valuable and you should learn about those aspects of health as well.  Unfortunately in 2016 there are increases in "Obamacare" costs in many states as shown on a this map.

In a broader vein, we must take a more intelligent approach to serious illness, and death and dying.  Today I heard someone report it is known that 10% of the sick run up around 90% of the health care costs.  It is also the case that often half of the lifetime medical costs for an individual are spent in the last 6 months of their life.  Almost 40 years ago, I and some friends formed something call The Health Action Committee.  I testified before Congress when attempts were being made to reduce the availability of nutritional supplements.  Thank goodness we won, and I know I owe much of my generally good health now to our success then.

We also approached a well known health insurance company.  They allowed us to examine their records for our area.  We determined that indeed it was10% of their policy holders who were causing 90% of their costs.  We then proposed an experiment where this 10% and/or their spouse/caregiver would be given focused information on how to improve their health with an emphasis on diet and neutriceuticals.  We explained to the insurance company that if this training resulted in lower costs, then they would make money, because lowering fees always falls behind lower costs.  Unfortunately, we were 40 years too early.  Now, however, would be a perfect time for insurance companies, businesses and labor unions to take another look at this approach to lowering health care costs.

When first proposed, the far right made a big fuss about the idea of people being able to discuss decisions around dying and death with their physicians.  This was even mislabeled as "death panels".  Every one of us is going to die, and it is wise to make plans about it while one is still healthy and communicative.  Our culture has also made dying a fearful and technical process.  It has been taken out of the hands of families and turned over to the "experts".  My late mother, who died of congestive heart failure at 89, and my late husband who died of Alzheimers at 75, both begged me not to let them die in some impersonal hospital.  They also made a point of getting legal help with wills and advanced directives while they were still mobile and mentally active.

I had to confront my own feelings about death, and also learn how to give them the care they needed.  Fortunately, they were not in a lot of pain or it might have been a lot harder to care for them.  I had gotten my whole family interested in therapeutic nutrition some years earlier.  When caring for them I made sure they got the nutritional inputs that would help them the most.  The result is that they were mobile and active until the last few months, which greatly reduced the need for costly medical inputs.  When the time came that they could no longer eat much or take their supplements, the end came quickly.  I also was able to get home hospice services to come to my home on a daily basis in the last week or two.  They explained and helped me do what would be most helpful, and also gave some emotional support.

One very important help was through the Medicare program.  There was, and probably still is, a provision that up to 20 days of free Medicare treatment in a Rehabilitation Nursing Facility can be used if one has been hospitalized for 3 days or more.  This is not nursing care.  There must be a real goal for some sort of rehabilitation.  In my husband's case the goal was for him to be able to walk the stairs to our second floor bedroom after he was hospitalized for 4 days.  This service has to be used within 30 days of the hospitalization.  I found out about it after my mother had been out of the hospital for 25 days.  We frantically  found a facility for her.  I don't remember what our rehabilitation goal was, but it did enable us to drive to her home state, close down her room in the boarding home where she had been living, put her possessions in storage, and bring back her winter clothes and other items she wanted with her.  She stayed there for 5 days, and lived with us for another 4 months without further hospitalization.  Here is more on this service from a legal information site.

AARP has pointed out that some hospitals are holding patients for several days without legally/formally admitting them.  The family is then shocked to discover that the 3 qualifying days for free Medicare rehabilitation care have not actually occurred and they are stuck with a large Rehabilitation Nursing Facility bill.  Be sure you or your relative is actually admitted to the hospital and yell like hexx if they are not.

Thus, by learning skills and being able to care for my mother and husband, we saved both ourselves and the medical/insurance system many, many treatment and hospitalization dollars.  We can all help the Obama health care program be a success if we learn how to take maximum responsibility for our own health and that of the ones we love.