George Santos sitting in the House of Representatives is a national crisis. Generic “Congress” enjoyed a measly 21% approval rating in January 2023 public opinion polls -- after a 15 ballot whooping of the new Speaker of the House. Who -- in their right mind -- believes the House of Representatives, specifically the GOP House
Ten years ago – in December 2012 – a mentally unstable 19 year old shot and killed 26 souls at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Connecticut – where 20 of those 26 were 6 and 7 year old kindergarteners and first graders. A week and half ago, 10 Americans were shot to death by a
Until 1966, California had a part-time legislature. Honestly, are we better off today?
The human tragedy for two families this week underscores the FBI's responsibility to do a more thorough job in a new era. -- #metoo.
The children of Florida are demanding #NeverAgain. Never may not be possible in a society awash with guns -- but America can do much more to prevent school children from being murdered in their classrooms. The students of Marjory Stoneham Douglas High School are showing us the way. Through articulate arguments and determination, they (and
Early in my son's elementary school career I routinely got notes from his teachers asking me to stop by the following morning. "What happened," I would ask him? I'd listen to his story. The next morning I would talk with the teacher. Only after I'd heard both sides, I'd make up my own mind about
The media frequently mentions the "FISA Courts" while reporting on National Security Agency (NSA), FBI and other intelligence activities that may involve US citizens. Below is a brief description of the court's purpose and how it works.
Contrast the national median income for a family of four -- $55,775 -- against the average bureaucrat or congressional or presidential staffer, who earns twice what the average American family does (members of Congress earn 3.2 times their average constituent), and the picture becomes clear. They can't possibly understand the daily life of the average American. In this context, the GOP proposal to "repeal and replace Obamacare" makes perfect sense. From their cushy perch -- $16000 a year for health insurance is not such a big number.
The people who are coming to town halls have a point. Their justifiable anxiety (some of it sparked by politicians and the news media) stands in the way of a down-payment on reforming Obamacare in short run and reforming our health care delivery system in the medium to long term. These vocal town hall participants are part of the 1 percent of the USA population that incur 23 percent of the cost of health care in the United States. Here's how we can help these people without raising insurance premiums for the other 95 percent!
Recently my allergy doctor suggested a vapor treatment for my pollen-driven tightened chest. I said okay. It never occurred to me to ask how much does the treatment cost because I won't get a bill. The charge will merely be an object of curiosity when the insurance company sends me an explanation of benefits they paid. If the insurer is required to pay – no questions asked – for tests and treatments, our profit-making health care eco-system is going to prescribe more at a higher cost each. That leads directly to rising insurance premiums. If I had to pay the bill for that treatment, I would have asked more questions about the cost and efficacy.