The news that some key Republicans are now making changes to Medicare a condition of raising the debt ceiling should come as no surprise: apart from the upset election of a Democrat in New York 26 last month, various polls show Republicans taking a beating on Rep. Paul Ryan’s plan that that would effectively replace the current Medicare model with a voucher plan. And a new CNN poll underscores the GOP’s...

WASHINGTON — It always gets back to health care. That’s why 2009 and 2010 were so consumed by President Obama’s push for health care reform, and why Rep. Paul Ryan’s Medicare proposals are at the center of politics in 2011. Our long-term budget problem is primarily about two things: a shortage of revenue and rising health care costs. The revenue and health cost issues...

I may not agree on a philosophical, emotional, political or economic basis, but as a practical matter, we simply have to eliminate all discretionary domestic spending, and drastically reduce Medicare/Medicaid and Social Security. This may lead our nation quickly to a corporate feudalism. But if there are no plausible alternatives to the declining status quo, we might as well embrace dystopia and make the worst...

WASHINGTON — While the United States remains utterly frozen in a debate about budget deficits and all the things that government shouldn’t do, other countries are marrying public and private resources to make themselves stronger and more competitive. While the United States is not even sure we should have gone halfway toward providing health insurance to all of our citizens, other democratic...

The updated number of Joplin, Missouri, residents killed by last Sunday’s massive tornado is 132; 156 people are still unaccounted for. Joplin authorities say the bulldozers will not come out until every missing person is found.

The NYTimes on a new report, “Bait and Switch: How Seafood Fraud Hurts Our Oceans, Our Wallets and Our Health:” Recent studies by researchers in North America and Europe harnessing the new techniques have consistently found that 20 to 25 percent of the seafood products they check are fraudulently identified, fish geneticists say. Labeling regulation means little if the “grouper” is really catfish or...

Karl Rove thinks Republicans need a more “populist” narrative on Medicare (emphasis is mine):

It’s denial, of course.

Jared Loughner, who killed six and wounded thirteen in the January 8 assassination attempt on Congresswoman Giffords, had a troubling and well documented history of mental and emotional disturbance. An upcoming competency hearing is scheduled in court to determine his ability to stand trial. More than 200 emails have now been released as well as other records from his time at Pima Community College. A pattern...

Has the United Nations outlived its usefulness? For Bolivia’s Bol Press, Professor Alvaro Cuadra of Chile’s Universidad ARCIS writes that just as the League of Nations collapsed when World War II broke out – making it’s failure obvious, the U.N., born out of WWII, has similarly proven itself incapable of many of its central tenets, including ‘saving future generations from the...

After the audacious mission that took down the mastermind of 9/11, speculation has been rampant as to whether the perverse legacy of this man — his “dead hand” — will continue to control or influence future jihadist terrorist actions. No one knows for sure. Our intelligence agencies are still methodically analyzing the so-called trove of documents and data — “a bonanza of...

Before you buy another IPhone, or any IPhone if you are a first purchaser, read this article about almost a dozen suicides at the company in China that makes IPhones. The article is dated September 9, 2010, and the horror it describes happened in August 2010, but this is the first I’ve heard of it. And the only reason I heard about it now is because I am on TechRepublic‘s mailing list. The company’s...

GOP on Heath Care: Twist and Shout by Tina Dupay The best thing about the upcoming 2012 election is that the ominous “Obamacare” was a Republican idea. But now since this alternative to Hillarycare was signed into law by a (gasp) Democratic president the GOP has been trying to peg as a radical socialist Kenyan – Republicans now have to be against their own ideas. Politicians who are already adept wafflers...

Appearing on Meet the Press on Sunday, Newt Gingrich aired his objections to the mandatory health insurance provision of the ACA. He did agree that individuals should be responsible for their health care costs. His counter proposal, not unreasonable on its face, was that individuals who did not want to purchase health insurance be required to post a bond that would cover health care costs or provide other...

I once heard about a Texas reverend who asked his mega church congregation to participate in a seven day sex challenge. All married members of his church were admonished to have sex with their marriage partner for seven consecutive days. The pastor kicked off this copulation crusade by bringing a bed on stage and preaching a message on the virtues of married sex. The pastor’s discourse on . . . conjugal...

^WASHINGTON — As if our political system was not having enough trouble already, we now confront the possibility that a highly partisan judiciary will undo a modest health care reform that is a first step toward resolving a slew of other difficulties. As you watch the suits against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act work their way through the courts, consider that what you are really seeing...

Loopy Wisconsin Republican and U.S. Representative Paul Ryan proposed last month a much-maligned Medicare Voucher Plan to replace the current system for people under 55 today. It would be phased in when they eventually retire during the next decade. Perhaps the original proposal could be modified to improve the entire U.S. healthcare system. This idea might also fit in with the current House Republican demands...

The collective unconscous remembers everything that modern culture has forgotten and covered over. So here, let us go behind the Hallmark card displays, where there is a little door, and entering through, we find ourselves in a muddy field where the land has been fed by boys’ blood and the bloodshed of citizens. And, just this then whilst standing here on this field meant to grow life but which became a slaughter...

Not just any penises, mind you, but an effort by the nanny staters of San Francisco to ban male circumcision. These activists call circumcision “male genital mutilation.” They point out that it is extremely painful, although I can’t personally speak to that because it has been over 64 years since I was snipped. They also believe that circumcision is a breach of human rights and violates something...

As almost anyone with a comprehensive world view well knows, America’s future lies not in having the mightiest military but in marshaling its extraordinary assets — its people, its infrastructure and its renewable resources — to assure a more secure 21st century. That the wonks at Foreign Policy magazine recognize that reality in publishing a paper titled “A National Security Narrative”...

With the Trump uproar, and long form birth certificate release by his O’ness, sucking all the air out of the room, Part III of the Arizona Circus was held until there was a clearing in the blather before posting. For those waiting with breathless anticipation (both of you), here it is. Sideshow: The Birther Booth Since birtherism has already been mentioned, let’s return to the sideshow with a visit to...

With the royals gobbling up the morning news hole what’s a disinterested blogger to do? Relate! Obama Foodorama: May 4th in Washington, DC will be a big day for The Future of Food–the title of a day-long conference at Georgetown University, which will bring together some of the world’s leading figures in the sustainability movement to discuss food production. It will also be the first time...

With the WikiLeaks release of another data bomb of classified U.S. files, this one about Guantanamo, allies and adversaries alike are expressing shock at President Obama’s failure to close the facility. This editorial from Spain’s El Pais expresses dismay at what it regards as his betrayal of all those around the world who supported his election. The editorial from El Pais says in part: These reports...

I’m not one to spend an inordinate time on pointless issues when I generally prefer to write about the big picture. However, our nation is completely pre-occupied with the trivial that these issues simply overwhelm reality and the many important things in life. Thus I must again put on my rubber boots and grab the plunger. It is ironic that our shallow and manipulated 24/7 info-entertainment news media is...

The U.S. Supreme court has nixed a request by Virginia to rule on the controversial health care reform law — which means the case will continue to work its way through lower courts and most likely be considered later. It’s not a surprise that the court rejected it but this ruling suggests the issue could come for a ruling in 2012 — election year. The Supreme Court on Monday turned down Virginia’s...