MedWorm provides a medical RSS filtering service. Over 6000 RSS medical sources are combined and output via different filters. This feed contains the latest medical blog items that have been tagged with 'domestic'. Sat, 03 Sep 2011 01:54:46 +0100 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5103345&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=39261&url=http%3A%2F%2Fvactruth.com%2F2011%2F08%2F05%2Fbig-pharmas-share-in-the-consumer-price-index%2F This article will concentrate on No. 5, Medical Care, and, in particular, pharmaceuticals, which include vaccines that are tantamount to annuities for Big Pharma. But first we need to consider that some healthcare costs may not be included nor calculated in the CPI because parents often pay medical care costs for their autistic children that they receive from the alternative healthcare community, which may not be factored into statistical data. The two largest government health care programs, Medicare and Medicaid, purchased $877.2 billion of health care goods and services in 2009, accounting for 38.3 percent of total health care spending. (Martin et al. 2010). https://www.cms.gov/NationalHealthExpendData/downloads/dsm-09.pdf   Consumer Price Index If we compare 1960 healthcare costs ... vactruth.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5103345 Fri, 05 Aug 2011 14:43:41 +0100 5103345 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5069477&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Finstitute-of-medicine-suggests-8-new-preventive-services-to-improve-womens-health%2F2011.07.26 Eight preventive health services for women should be added to the services that health plans will cover at no cost to patients under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, according to a report by the Institute of Medicine. The recommendations encompass diseases and conditions that are more common or more serious in women than in men. They are based on existing guidelines and an assessment of the evidence on the effectiveness of different preventive services. They include: 1) screening for gestational diabetes in pregnant women between 24 and 28 weeks and at the first prenatal visit for women at high risk for diabetes, 2) adding high-risk human papillomavirus DNA testing in addition to conventional cytology testing in women with normal cytology results starting at age 30, ... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5069477 Tue, 26 Jul 2011 18:00:00 +0100 5069477 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=5062225&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FmUjuFzdO54U%2F Council on Foreign Relations President Richard Haass has just published an article in Time magazine (also available here) that challenges many of the comfortable nostrums guiding U.S. foreign policy for at least the last twenty years. He scores a 9 out of 10 in his analysis of what is wrong: we have an inordinate fear of things that shouldn’t be that frightening; we have a misplaced faith in our ability to fix nettlesome problems in distant lands; and we repeatedly stumble into costly and counterproductive wars that we should generally avoid. Haass then proposes a new doctrine to “help establish priorities and steer the allocation of resources” and “that fits the U.S.’s circumstances.”  It is one that judges the world to be relatively nonthreatening and... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=5062225 Mon, 25 Jul 2011 14:53:14 +0100 5062225 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4934273&cid=t_110205_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FZn-3rXMO8F8%2Fmuseum-exhibit-violence-women-and-art.html I stumbled upon the news of this exhibit when I visited the CDC’s website and clicked on the button  “CDC Museum.”    Did you know the CDC had a museum?  Well, I don’t think I was aware of it. This exhibit opened June 6th and will run through September 9, 2011 at the CDC’s Global Health Odyssey Museum.  The exhibit, Off the Beaten Path: Violence, Women and Art, focuses on the prevention of violence against women.  (photo credit) The work of 28 contemporary artists from 24 countries is presented.  The art works address the issues of violence against women and girls around the world and their basic human rights to a safe and secure life. Among the artists featured in Off the Beaten Path are: Yoko Ono (Japan), Louise Bourgeois (France), Wang... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4934273 Mon, 13 Jun 2011 11:15:00 +0100 4934273 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4911816&cid=t_110205_150_f&fid=35777&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FPharmalot%2F%7E3%2F4jKI0-1MqaI%2F A former Pfizer sales rep claims she was illegally fired by the drugmaker because she sought a leave after her husband kidnapped her at gunpoint and she was advised by the police to go into hiding until his trial was over, according to a lawsuit filed by Lesley Goodson. At the time of the May 2010 incident, Goodson was separated from her husband and a ‘no contact’ order had been in place. Here is what happened, according to the suit: her estranged husband, Nick Uraga, threatened her life with a .35-caliber handgun at close range in a crowded restaurant and then threatened to kill himself as well. She escaped by handing a note to a restaurant employee, who called police. Urage was arrested and charged with kidnapping in the first degree and felony harassment. But he posted bail ... Pharmalot blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4911816 Wed, 08 Jun 2011 14:08:25 +0100 4911816 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4902697&cid=t_110205_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2F12-things-i-like-about-recovery%2F AA is the guide to my Higher PowerRecovery gives many benefits such as those related in the 12 promises of recovery. Each and every member of any 12 Step Fellowship has things they value.One day I began to think about what I liked about recovery. I excluded the 12 Steps, Traditions and Promises and came up with a simply worded list.This was my list on that day.12 Things I like about recoveryNo more domestic violenceNo fear of the policeEconomic stabilityBetter libido and sexual enjoymentA Higher Power that helps me in all of lifeBetter relationships with familyWake up without a hangover – every dayA Fellowship that is my second familyClear, rational thinkingNo deep, crippling depressionNo chronic, hurtful anger or resentmentsI can laugh at myself.That was couple of months ago and as ... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4902697 Sat, 04 Jun 2011 19:24:40 +0100 4902697 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4780298&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FbPmt1oEIodw%2F By Daniel GriswoldAdvocates of the U.S. sugar program like to claim they are protecting our “food security.” It turns out that trade barriers deliver higher prices for consumers while making our food supplies LESS secure. According to a story in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal, titled “Sugar Squeeze in U.S.,” bad weather has curbed the amount of sugar cane produced in Florida and sugar beets in the Midwest. When combined with restrictive import quotas that virtually guarantee U.S. producers 85 percent of the domestic market, domestic sugar prices could soon spike upward. Americans currently pay more than 36 cents for a pound of sugar, more than 50 percent above the world price. The sugar program not only imposes extra costs on American consumers but also hurts U.S. small business... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4780298 Tue, 03 May 2011 12:48:14 +0100 4780298 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4762890&cid=t_110205_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2FcXlzUItMs6E%2F As you well know, despite what the weather’s currently doing where you live, it’s spring in North America. So how much spring cleaning have you been busying yourself with lately? Frankly, I haven’t been doing much at all myself, thanks to a divine person I like to call my cleaning lady. (I’m not crazy about the term “cleaning lady,” but I think “maid” is worse.) Before you write me off as an elitist snob, you should know that I actually like to clean house. Some experts claim that it can be emotionally therapeutic, and I definitely believe that’s the case for me. (Plus, nobody, no matter how expert, really cleans your own house the way you do.) But people work, are busy, and have other commitments, so sometimes hiring a cleaning lady (o... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4762890 Thu, 28 Apr 2011 21:17:44 +0100 4762890 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4747800&cid=t_110205_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2Fo3hmoU1fMWE%2F We recently published two controversial posts here on Blisstree, Domestic Violence Debate: It’s Not Wrong for Women to Hit Men and the follow-up, Women vs. Men: The Domestic Violence Double-Standard, but your heated comments told us that we weren’t quite finished with this often-taboo subject. However, I knew we needed a specific type of expert to weigh in on the tricky debates that surround issues of domestic violence. So, based on the recommendation of a clinical psychologist friend, I tracked down Dr. Linda G. Mills, who’s a professor of social work, public policy, and law at NYU, as well as a recognized authority on the subjects of violence and recovery. I asked her eight questions that challenge the typical perception of domestic violence (she prefers the term &#8220... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4747800 Mon, 25 Apr 2011 17:10:49 +0100 4747800 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4742386&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fdomestic-violence-has-become-one-of-the-top-public-health-issues-facing-us-women%2F2011.04.22 Domestic violence knows no boundaries: cultural, socio-economic, religious, level of education, gender or age. It can occur in any relationship and to anyone, but especially to women. In fact, roughly 25 percent of women will become a victim at one time or another during her lifetime. Abuse is defined as any act used to gain power and control over another person, which can take on many forms. It can include physical, sexual, emotional, economic, coercion, threats, isolation and/or intimidation. Domestic violence is abuse that occurs within interpersonal relationships and has become one of the top public health issues facing women in the United States. It is a leading cause of injury to women between the ages of 14 and 44 in this country. There are risk factors that may increase the likelih... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4742386 Fri, 22 Apr 2011 16:00:00 +0100 4742386 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4684209&cid=t_110205_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2011%2F04%2F05%2Fdiversity-in-health-and-care-2011-vol-8-no-1%2F Diversity in Health and Care 2011 (Vol. 8 No.1) Contents Page Fade fave: Independent domestic violence advocates: persceptions of service users Fade skinny: This paper draws on the findings of a qualitative evaluation that examines user perceptions of the services provided by an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) to victims of domestic violence in one rural local authority area in the UK. Service users described being reluctant to report experiences of domestic violence but, having done so, finding the involvement of the IDVA invaluable in being able to provide them with the independent advice, information and emotional support that they would not otherwise have received. To access this article online requires an NHS Athens password. To register for an Athens password follow thi... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4684209 Tue, 05 Apr 2011 15:28:46 +0100 4684209 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4592604&cid=t_110205_131_f&fid=34989&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FGeneticsHealth%2F%7E3%2F07YLpZYJY8M%2F photo: Thinkstock Usually I’m fiercely against double-standards, but I have to admit: I don’t think that a woman hitting a man is the same thing as a man hitting a woman. Don’t get me wrong: I’m anti-domestic violence (physical and emotional), or any violence for that matter, but I just don’t believe that if a woman hits a man, the ramifications are the same as when the reverse happens. Now, I’m not talking about slugging your boyfriend or husband with a brass-knuckled left hook. Or smashing him over the head with a portrait painting. Or bludgeoning him with a blunt object. Obviously these acts are wrong, violent, and possibly a felony. I don’t mean pulling a Lorena Bobbitt or a Phil Hartman’s wife or a Francine Hughes in The Burning Bed (alt... Genetics and Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4592604 Mon, 14 Mar 2011 18:32:55 +0100 4592604 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4560236&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FuwJDMvYZKdE%2F By Tad DeHavenLast week I compared “other mandatory” spending in fiscal 2007 to the president’s proposal for fiscal 2012. Several readers requested that I produce a chart showing a similar breakdown for nondefense discretionary spending (or “domestic discretionary”). The following chart breaks down nondefense discretionary outlays according to Budget Enforcement Act categories. These categories generally consist of programs from multiple departments and agencies. For example, “Science, Space, & Technology” includes programs at the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, and NASA. Note: The president’s fiscal 2012 budget proposes that surface transportation outlays, which make up the majority of spending in the transportation category, be budgeted as mandator... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4560236 Tue, 08 Mar 2011 19:50:43 +0100 4560236 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4489677&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fviolence-as-a-means-of-miscarriage%2F2011.02.16 In less than six months after I wrote ”Seven Reasons Why Pregnancy Becomes a Deadly Affair,” the public outrage is faint and inaudible regarding domestic violence committed against pregnant women. The subject therefore needs to be revisited again. On a college campus less than 90 minutes away from my home, a 17-year-old woman was kicked and punched in her abdomen for no apparent reason other than that she carried life within her womb. The alleged father of her baby, Devin Nickels, a college student at Florida State University (FSU), was apparently not happy about his new prospective role. He purportedly contacted a high school buddy, Andres Luis Marrero, who now attended the University of Tampa, and asked him to beat his girlfriend until she had a miscarriage for $200.00. Ma... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4489677 Wed, 16 Feb 2011 19:00:47 +0100 4489677 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4445986&cid=t_110205_136_f&fid=39025&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2Feverythingchangesbook%2F%7E3%2FOvY8ljUZCck%2Fhaving-children-after-cancer The thought of carrying a child for nine months and having them pass through my crotch is about as appealing to me as having a recurrence of my cancer.  I’ve flat out never wanted to become pregnant or be a mom. When I met my husband, I told him on date number two that I had cancer.  On date number three I told him I didn’t want to have kids.  I added the caveat that if I ever changed my mind, I’d want to adopt.  Agreed.   That was six years ago and we are still happily “childless by choice.” But what choices would I have available to me if I do someday change my mind and as a cancer patient want to adopt or even foster a child?  Cancer conferences, organizations, or projects dealing with family planning dominate the issue with an often exclusive focus on fertility. Adopti... Everything Changes blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4445986 Mon, 07 Feb 2011 12:27:49 +0100 4445986 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4419143&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=39187&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgetbetterhealth.com%2Fshiver-yourself-thin%2F2011.01.30 British researchers are trying to causally link raising the thermostat to obesity prevalence. “Domestic winter indoor temperatures” appear to be rising, the researchers wrote, as is obesity. They focused on a causal link, focusing on acute and long-term effects of being comfortable in the winter. They write: “Reduced exposure to seasonal cold may have a dual effect on energy expenditure, both minimizing the need for physiological thermogenesis and reducing thermogenic capacity. Experimental studies show a graded association between acute mild cold and human energy expenditure over the range of temperatures relevant to indoor heating trends.” They also look at brown adipose tissue (BAT), aka “brown fat,” the type of fat that actually consumes energy inste... Better Health blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4419143 Sun, 30 Jan 2011 17:00:00 +0100 4419143 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4399513&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FUQLK8clRt6Q%2F By Benjamin H. FriedmanLindsay Graham isn’t alone when he imagines an emerging “isolationist wing” of the Republican Congress. Pundits have lately both lamented and celebrated the arrival of a Tea Party foreign policy, where deficit fears restrain military adventures and Pentagon spending. I wish there were such a thing. My op-ed in yesterday’s Philadelphia Inquirer shows that there isn’t.  I report there on research that I did (really research that intern Matt Fay did) on support among Republicans in the House and Senate for cutting defense spending and getting out of Afghanistan. I found little. I also tested the idea that the Tea Party is restraining Republican militarism, by comparing the 101 freshmen that largely claim adherence to that movement to other... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4399513 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 14:03:55 +0100 4399513 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4394419&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FUQLK8clRt6Q%2F By Benjamin H. FriedmanLindsay Graham isn’t alone when he imagines an emerging “isolationist wing” of the Republican Congress. Pundits have lately both lamented and celebrated the arrival of a tea-party foreign policy, where deficit fears restrain military adventures and Pentagon spending. I wish there were such a thing. My op-ed in yesterday’s Philadelphia Inquirer shows that there isn’t.  I report there on research that I did (really research that intern Matt Fay did) on support among Republicans in the House and Senate for cutting defense spending and getting out of Afghanistan. I found little. I also tested the idea that the tea-party is restraining Republican militarism, by comparing the 101 freshmen that largely claim adherence to that movement to other... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4394419 Tue, 25 Jan 2011 14:03:55 +0100 4394419 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4394422&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FJHtVMOW7kH0%2F By Tad DeHavenLast week the conservative House Republican Study Committee released its Spending Reduction Act of 2011, which would cut federal spending by $2.5 trillion over the next ten years. Sen. Jim DeMint (R-SC) will introduce it in the Senate. The vast majority of the savings, $2.3 trillion, would come from freezing non-defense discretionary spending at fiscal 2006 levels over the next ten years. The rest would come from cutting the federal civilian workforce, privatizing Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, repealing the state Medicaid FMAP increase, repealing remaining stimulus funds, and immediately reducing non-security discretionary spending to fiscal 2008 levels. Of the $2.3 trillion over 10 years that would be saved by freezing nondefense discretionary spending at fiscal 2006 levels, o... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4394422 Mon, 24 Jan 2011 19:45:54 +0100 4394422 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4337915&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FCMMX1H-G8kY%2F By Chris EdwardsThe Obama administration is showing interest in reforming the U.S. corporate income tax. That’s good news because a lower corporate rate would boost domestic investment, which in turn would generate more jobs and higher wages and incomes. A lower corporate rate would also attract more inflows of direct investment from abroad—foreign-based businesses expanding their plants and building new plants in the United States. I updated this chart from our book, Global Tax Revolution. It shows that during the 1980s, the United States enjoyed higher inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI) than outflows. But since then, the pattern has reversed—our companies are now investing more abroad than foreign-based companies are investing in the United States. (Data is from the BEA). ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4337915 Tue, 11 Jan 2011 20:10:40 +0100 4337915 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4214086&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F_2z-16QiXAc%2F By Daniel J. MitchellI’m understandably fond of my video exposing the flaws of Keynesian stimulus theory, but I think my former intern has an excellent contribution to the debate with this new 5-minute mini-documentary. The main insight of the mini-documentary is that Gross Domestic Product (GDP) only measures how national output is allocated between consumption, investment, and government. That’s useful information in many ways, but if we want more output, we should focus on Gross Domestic Income (GDI), which measures how national income is earned. Focusing on GDI hopefully would lead lawmakers to consider ways of boosting employee compensation, corporate profits, small business income, and other components of national income. Focusing on GDP, by contrast, is misguided since ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4214086 Mon, 29 Nov 2010 15:56:30 +0100 4214086 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4082006&cid=t_110205_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F10%2Fexnfl-star-junior-seau-drives-suv-cliff%2F Former San Diego Chargers football star Junior Seau was the driver in an SUV that drove off a cliff in southern California. He was reportedly released from detention on a domestic violence charge immediately prior to the motor vehicle accident. (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4082006 Mon, 18 Oct 2010 18:41:15 +0100 4082006 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4036719&cid=t_110205_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F10%2F06%2Fchild-protective-services-ineffective%2F How effective is your local child protective services department? You know, that agency which is charged in protecting the health and well-being of children in your community. Child protective services are not very effective at all, at least when it comes to specific risk factors that could improve a child’s well-being and mental health. In a nationwide study that examined children in 595 families over a period of 9 years, researchers discovered that in the households where child abuse was substantiated by evidence, risk factors remained unchanged during followup interviews with the families. The risk factors are considered “modifiable” risk factors — those things which could be changed to enhance the health and well-being of the child. They include things such a... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4036719 Wed, 06 Oct 2010 17:05:56 +0100 4036719 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3946537&cid=t_110205_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F09%2F08%2Fsuicide-risk-amongst-college-students%2F Suicide is a serious concern amongst young adults, and the isolation and loneliness of some college students’ experience appear to be some of the factors that may trigger the behavior. Suicide is the second leading cause of death amongst college-aged students. Suicide is most commonly viewed as a symptom of severe depression. Depression of this nature often goes undiagnosed in a young adult, because they don’t know what it is, or have no energy or motivation to seek out help. But other risk factors can also be in play. In a survey of 1,085 University of Maryland college students, 12 percent said they had contemplated suicide. Eight out of 10 students reported having had a depressed mother. Other risk factors the researchers identified included: exposure to domestic violence, fe... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3946537 Wed, 08 Sep 2010 12:33:39 +0100 3946537 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3924814&cid=t_110205_83_f&fid=34856&url=http%3A%2F%2Finsidesurgery.com%2F2010%2F09%2Fhealthcare-spending-united-states%2F United States healthcare spending in 2009 averaged more than $8000 per person, for a total of $2.5 trillion (17.6% of gross domestic product.) By 2018 these totals are projected to be $4.3 trillion (20.3% of GDP and $13,100 for every resident.) (Source: Inside Surgery) Inside Surgery blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3924814 Thu, 02 Sep 2010 06:54:28 +0100 3924814 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3880848&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fp5bmoVU2B2s%2F China is now officially the world’s second largest economy, overtaking Japan in the quarter that ended in June and likely for all of 2010. While the story has been widely reported (more than 1,500 articles on Google News this morning), it is less significant than it first appears. The news will probably ruffle the feathers of the China hawks, who will see in it a threat to America’s influence in the world, but China’s rise to no. 2 is really another sign of the world returning to normal. China is home, after all, to one-fifth of mankind. Its population of 1,330 million is more than 10 times that of Japan (127 million) and more than four times that of the United States (310 million), according to the CIA Factbook. So even though China’s gross domestic product is now larger than Japa... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3880848 Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:24:11 +0100 3880848 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3862054&cid=t_110205_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F08%2F12%2Fnurses-at-greater-risk-in-er%2F The emergency room can be a pretty hectic place, even under the best of circumstances. So imagine how much worse it gets as the economy sputters, people start having shorter fuses and less patience, and domestic abuse and alcoholism concerns rise. Not for patients, but for those who provide them with their health care. In this case, the harm is coming to emergency room (ER) nurses, who have to deal not only with the typical patients who may present at a hospital’s ER, but also a lot more patients that may have a tendency to ignore appropriate boundaries, especially when it comes to physical touch. Emergency room nurse Erin Riley suffered bruises, scratches and a chipped tooth last year from trying to pull the clamped jaws of a psychotic patient off the hand of a doctor at a suburba... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3862054 Thu, 12 Aug 2010 23:49:47 +0100 3862054 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3833568&cid=t_110205_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Falcoholism-is-a-disease-of-the-family%2F Not only is there a significant genetic component that is passed from generation to generation, but the drinking problems of a single family member affect all other family members. The family environment and genetics can perpetuate a vicious and destructive cycle. Many marriages break up over a husband’s or wife’s drinking. Domestic violence typically erupts when one or both spouses have been drinking, and drinking makes domestic violence more dangerous. Families play a critical role in recovery from alcoholism. They can be instrumental in encouraging a family member with alcoholism to seek treatment. Strong family support also increases the chances for successful recovery. Alcoholism and Problem Drinking – Pervasive in Family Life More than half of adults have a close family... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3833568 Thu, 05 Aug 2010 18:22:00 +0100 3833568 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3786271&cid=t_110205_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2FSLC_K4IFmm8%2F Conclusion: Mental health benefits were observed at a minimal level of at least 20 minutes per week of any physical activity, although there was greater benefit for activity at a higher volume and/or intensity. Br J Sports Med. Published Online First: 10 April 2008. Relationship between physical activity and mental health: The Scottish Health Survey. See also; HALT being Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired What is anxiety? The Promises of Recovery from Addictiveness -           Conquering Depression and Anxiety Through Exercise by Keith Johnsgard Read more about this title… - Share, print or e-mail this article Dance FeverDomestic Abuse VideoWhat is Domestic Abuse?4 Healthy Habits to Score a 10 on App... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3786271 Sat, 24 Jul 2010 18:24:00 +0100 3786271 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3710537&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2F3-ways-to-maximize-your-leisure-time%2F photo: Thinkstock We know. It feels weird to unplug and just think about nothing for a few minutes, let alone an hour. But leisure time really is important for our mental and physical health. Women get about a half-hour less of daily leisure time than men – which translates to four weeks every year. Excuse us? We women do more of the domestic chores at home than our partners, so we cannot tolerate this news. Jane Has a Job gave us three big tips for making the most of our free time and being as relaxed and happy as we can (and at least as much as a dude): 1. Sign up for a scheduled group activity: Though it might seem like just another commitment, if you’re a part of a book club or tennis league, you probably won’t blow it off to do some chores. It’ll encourage you to s... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3710537 Tue, 29 Jun 2010 18:59:03 +0100 3710537 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3641335&cid=t_110205_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fdomestic-abuse-video%2F A great video from Face The Issue about abuse narrated by Halle Berry. The following is an anonymous quote from a victim of abuse. ..when I’m being beat, just hit, or shouted at. Been bullied by mam all my life, which is probably a factor. With a few people I almost wanted them to hurt me, usually people I love. I wanted to be told. I really have no idea why, of course I want to be treated good and that, but theres just that underlying need to be hurt. I feel like I deserve it. Aye, I feel like sh!t about it, even now when other people shout at me or raise their hand(it’s only been once or twice), I almost always cut after. With other people, it isn’t rage though, just sadness. But in the actual moment I can’t help myself, I laugh, I usually dont try and protec... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3641335 Sun, 06 Jun 2010 01:42:00 +0100 3641335 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3556139&cid=t_110205_106_f&fid=36682&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FSutureForALiving%2F%7E3%2FyFltCade3jU%2Fdomestic-violence.html A car door slammed.  My husband rose quickly and went to look out the kitchen window.  Not sure who held the two flashlights, he shouted “Who’s there?  Identify yourself.” “County Sheriff officers,”  the reply came. I opened the front door (as my husband went to put up his gun).  Rusty ran through the door and down the walk towards the officer who quickly went back out the gate.  “He’s friendly,” I called. “Do you know YN?”  “Yes, she lives across the street.” “We received a call saying her boyfriend had beaten her up and she has a head injury.  We can’t get anyone to answer the door.” By this time my husband had reappeared.  “Give me a minute to get some shoes and go over with you.” “Do you know your neighbo... Suture for a Living blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3556139 Tue, 11 May 2010 18:50:44 +0100 3556139 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3538394&cid=t_110205_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2FqrfSOMKjTZQ%2F A violent storm approaches What is the definition of domestic abuse? Domestic abuse between spouses or intimate partners is when one person in the relationship tries to control the other person. The perpetrator uses fear and intimidation and may threaten to or actually use physical violence. Domestic abuse that includes physical violence is called domestic violence. Domestic abuse and alcoholism / addiction often go hand-in-hand. The victim of domestic abuse or domestic violence may be a man or a woman. Domestic abuse occurs in traditional heterosexual marriages, as well as in same-sex partnerships. The abuse may occur during a relationship, while the couple is breaking up, or after the relationship has ended. The key elements of domestic abuse are: Intimidation Humiliation Physical i... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3538394 Wed, 05 May 2010 16:25:01 +0100 3538394 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3453871&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36050&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblisstree.com%2Flive%2Fparenting-is-adoption-right-for-you%2F Adoption is a permanent lifelong commitment to a child that can be extremely rewarding. You may be thinking of adopting because you have fertility problems, because you don’t want to give birth to a biological child, or just because you’ve always felt that you wanted to adopt. Before making a decision, be sure that you’re prepared to give the child all the love, attention, and support they will need. The Requirements The state or country where the adoption will take place has adoption laws and procedures in place. In addition, adoption agencies may have specific criteria for adoptive parents including minimum and maximum age limits. In an open independent adoption, the birth parents may also be involved in the selection of the adoptive family. Therefore, they may have add... Breastfeeding 1-2-3 blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3453871 Fri, 09 Apr 2010 13:32:33 +0100 3453871 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3440779&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FBdeYkmvYjd8%2F By Chris EdwardsIn a recent bulletin, I argued that public-sector unions impose various costs and burdens on state and local governments. Here is some more evidence. The chart below shows a scatter plot of the union shares in state/local government workforces and state/local government debt levels as a share of state gross domestic product. Each blue dot is a U.S. state. The variables are correlated — as the union share increases, a state tends to have a higher government debt load. The chart shows the fitted regression line in pink dots (R-square=0.27; F-stat=18; t-stat on the union share variable=4.2). The correlation is likely caused by the fact that unionized government workers are powerful lobby groups that push for higher government-worker compensation and higher governme... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3440779 Mon, 05 Apr 2010 17:59:56 +0100 3440779 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3433175&cid=t_110205_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fsex-abuse-and-violence-complicate-female-recovery%2F Women seeking recovery from alcoholism/ addiction often must also overcome a history of sexual abuse as well as the challenges of raising children, poverty, lack of education and other obstacles, the Lexington Herald-Leader reported. Sexual abuse, domestic violence and depression can be both a cause and effect of alcohol and drug use among women, experts say. One study estimated that 70 percent of female addicts have a history of sexual abuse, compared to 12 percent of men, including incest and sexual trauma as children or teenagers. Moreover, female addicts/ alcoholics are "a good target for a predator," said T.K. Logan of the Center on Drug and Alcohol Research at the University of Kentucky. "They know that you are either not going to report it or you are not going to be... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3433175 Thu, 01 Apr 2010 14:51:27 +0100 3433175 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3378456&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FZ5r_O6He898%2F By Chris Moody Busy with an ambitious domestic agenda, the Obama administration has put trade issues on the back burner. Let’s hope it stays that way. A little lesson on how government works. (As opposed to how it’s supposed to work.) There has been talk that House Democrats are planning to “deem” the health care bill into law without calling for a vote. If you’re not sure how that process works, read this. Contrary to a growing belief in Washington, revaluing China’s currency will not cure the trade deficit. Podcast: “ObamaCare Threatens Innovation” featuring Michael F. Cannon. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3378456 Wed, 17 Mar 2010 20:10:12 +0100 3378456 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3318670&cid=t_110205_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2FPI5ODijK5mE%2F AA is the guide to my Higher Power Recovery gives many benefits such as those related in the 12 promises of recovery. Each and every member of any 12 Step Fellowship has things they value. One day I began to think about what I liked about recovery. I excluded the 12 Steps, Traditions and Promises and came up with a simply worded list. This was my list on that day. 12 Things I like about recovery No more domestic violence No fear of the police Economic stability Better libido and sexual enjoyment A Higher Power that helps me in all of life Better relationships with family Wake up without a hangover – every day A Fellowship that is my second family Clear, rational thinking No deep, crippling depression No chronic, hurtful anger or resentments I can laugh at myself. That was couple of... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3318670 Mon, 01 Mar 2010 01:46:00 +0100 3318670 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3283830&cid=t_110205_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2FBVflGFkvShk%2F This report is somewhat obvious to many women but sometimes it is reassuring to know there are others also suffering. Violence by alcoholic men toward their partners is common, especially on the days men drink; rates have been estimated at 50% to 65% in those starting alcoholism treatment. Cohabitating women are the victims of violent crime or multiple injuries, mood and anxiety disorders, and fair or poor health. The risks were two to three times higher in these women than in partners of men without alcohol problems. Women with a partner with alcohol problems experienced 46% more negative life events, and they rated their psychological and physical quality of life 11% lower, than did women without partner alcohol problems. Reference; Dawson DA et al. The impact of partner alcohol problems... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3283830 Tue, 16 Feb 2010 06:21:53 +0100 3283830 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3271215&cid=t_110205_165_f&fid=36770&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmetaot.com%2Fblog%2Fare-western-societies-guilty-trivialising-female-male-violence I was a little surprised to read the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy’s Annual Representatives Conference 2010 motion 18: “Conference is outraged that in 2010 violence against women is still prevalent, and in some places in the world openly tolerated. As a healthcare profession, we are in a great position to add our voice to the many who call for an end to violence against women. This Conference calls on the CSP to work with Amnesty International on its campaign to Stop Violence Against Women. Virtually every culture in the world contains forms of violence against women that are nearly invisible because they are seen as ‘normal’. Even in countries where laws criminalise violence against women, tolerance of violence may be found at all levels of society. Violence against women is... meta-ot blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3271215 Sun, 14 Feb 2010 10:17:08 +0100 3271215 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3239618&cid=t_110205_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2010%2F02%2F04%2Fsuper-bowl-sunday-domestic-violence-your-health%2F It’s that time again… When Super Bowl Sunday dominates the U.S. headlines, and people plan their Sunday evenings around a get-together, party, or the game. It’s also a good time to look at two stories related to Super Bowl Sunday. The first is the largely debunked myth that domestic violence calls spike around Super Bowl Sunday and other drinking holidays of the year (like New Year’s). Snopes originally tracked down the myth and showed it to be nothing more than another urban legend. Since their last update on the myth in 2005, however (and our article 4 years ago), there’s been further research examining the myth. A 2007 study by Oths & Robertson examined 2,387 crisis call records covering a previous 3-year period. They supplemented the call records with... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3239618 Thu, 04 Feb 2010 12:53:23 +0100 3239618 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3167090&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F6hNK1oMEAhA%2F By Daniel IkensonWhy blame only media and politicians for the public’s confusion about imports and trade deficits? Surely economists deserve some scorn. Some of the misunderstanding can be traced to the famous National Income Identity, which expresses gross domestic product, as: Y = C + G + I + (X-M). That is, national output (Y) equals personal consumption (C) plus government spending (G) plus investment (I) plus exports (X) minus imports (M). The expression clearly lends itself to the wrong interpretation. The minus sign preceding imports suggests a negative relationship with output. It is the reason for the oft-repeated fallacy that imports are a drag on growth. Here’s why that conclusion is wrong. The expression is an accounting identity, which “accounts” for all of the... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3167090 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:03:39 +0100 3167090 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3159663&cid=t_110205_86_f&fid=34445&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwomenshealthnews.wordpress.com%2F2010%2F01%2F10%2Fweekly-news-round-up-110%2F Thanks to Academic OB/Gyn for pointing people to their local medical library for access to the medical literature, along with a reminder that you can’t get by just reading the abstracts of articles. Feminists with Female Sexual Dysfunction has info on an upcoming segment on vulvodynia on the Dr. Oz show. [I've never seen the show so I can't speak for how well it covers health, although I know the ScienceBlogs folks have been critical of Dr. Oz and the whole Oprahsphere when it comes to health] Via Lauredhel at Hoyden, the 20th Down Under Feminist Carnival is up, and includes several health-related links. I particularly liked this rant against the “save the tatas” brand of sexiness breast cancer talk, especially after this week’s Facebook bra nonsense. [Note: some l... Women's Health News blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3159663 Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:14:39 +0100 3159663 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3129686&cid=t_110205_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fwhat-is-domestic-abuse%2F A violent storm approaches What is the definition of domestic abuse? Domestic abuse between spouses or intimate partners is when one person in the relationship tries to control the other person. The perpetrator uses fear and intimidation and may threaten to or actually use physical violence. Domestic abuse that includes physical violence is called domestic violence. Domestic abuse and alcoholism / addiction often go hand-in-hand. The victim of domestic abuse or domestic violence may be a man or a woman. Domestic abuse occurs in traditional heterosexual marriages, as well as in same-sex partnerships. The abuse may occur during a relationship, while the couple is breaking up, or after the relationship has ended. The key elements of domestic abuse are: Intimidation Humiliation Physical i... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3129686 Wed, 30 Dec 2009 03:28:27 +0100 3129686 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3079323&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FUKClRcE7WKw%2F By Chris EdwardsThe expansion in government and poor state of the economy got me thinking about how government growth is reflected in measured gross domestic product. So here is a wonky look at the treatment of government in the Bureau of Economic Analysis GDP data. Data notes: By “government,” I mean total federal, state, and local. For 2009, I’m using the average of second and third quarter data. All data from BEA Tables here. GDP measures total production. In 2009, government production was 20.7 percent of U.S. GDP.  Government production is roughly the sum of government value-added (the stuff it produces itself) and government purchases. The first item, government value-added, was 12.4 percent of GDP and mainly consists of employee compensation. For exampl... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3079323 Thu, 10 Dec 2009 19:37:11 +0100 3079323 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=3012590&cid=t_110205_136_f&fid=37858&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdessertyears.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F11%2F20%2Fif-his-burden-is-light-%25e2%2580%25a6%2F “What in the world am I carrying??” I still vividly remember the steamy Spring afternoon — sitting in my minivan, parked and watching my sons practice baseball — I read a devotional based on Matthew 11:28-30. Things like trusting God, light burdens — and rest? Honestly, I don’t remember much of the content, but I do remember saying: “If this is true, God, then why do I feel like I am carrying a Toyota truck on my back?” While I have to admit I went on to throw a small pity party, I was also being honest with myself — and with God. I was exhausted. At that particular moment, I was sitting amidst papers that needed to be graded, lesson plans that needed writing, and a massive bag of mail to be sorted. And when I finished there … [Click here to continue reading... The Dessert Years . . . (the sequel) blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=3012590 Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:21:13 +0100 3012590 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2992667&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2F8wnWRclg0MI%2F A study published in last month’s issue of Obstetrics and Gynecology suggests that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is quite common in pregnant women. In fact, among the 1,581 women evaluated, more than 80% reported experiencing trauma (i.e. domestic violence, previous history of a difficult abortion or miscarriage) that could trigger PTSD. Other risk factors included socioeconomic status and a history of mental health issues (i.e. depression, anxiety, family problems). PTSD also tended to be common among women attending publicly insured clinics. In a recent post, I wrote that that pregnancy, a prior history of C-sections and a history of domestic violence are considered preexisting conditions by insurers in several states as well as in the District of Columbia. This implies that ma... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2992667 Fri, 13 Nov 2009 17:33:40 +0100 2992667 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2967539&cid=t_110205_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fsymptoms-of-alcoholism-video%2F The symptoms of alcoholism are graphically illustrated in this video narrated by Nicole Kidman.From; Facetheissue.com Related Reading: Share/Save (Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com) Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2967539 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 23:19:20 +0100 2967539 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2875957&cid=t_110205_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F10%2F09%2Frecent-statutory-instruments-relevant-to-health%2F SI 2009 No. 2649. Social Security. The Social Fund Cold Weather Payments (General) Amendment Regulations 2009 SI 2009 No. 2616 (C.117) Criminal Law, England And Wales. Criminal Law, Northern Ireland. The Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 (Commencement No. 12) Order 2009 SI 2009 No. 2611 (C. 115). Children And Young Persons, England And Wales. Children And Young Persons, Northern Ireland. Protection Of Vulnerable Adults, England And Wales. Protection Of Vulnerable Adults, Northern Ireland. The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (Commencement No. 6, Transitional Provisions and Savings) Order 2009 SI 2009 No. 2610 (C. 114) Children And Young Persons, England And Wales. Protection Of Vulnerable Adults, England And Wales. The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (Regulated A... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2875957 Fri, 09 Oct 2009 16:05:26 +0100 2875957 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2865658&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2F3C-7teLlK_U%2F As politicians battle it out across party lines, there’s an important base of constituents that are taking a lot of the hits: women. In fact, “it’s becoming obvious that just having a female reproductive system is a pre-existing condition in the healthcare debate,” writes Wisconsin-based reporter Ellen Goodman. Goodman is referring to several issues that have recently come to light, such as tighter restrictions on abortion (a measure that was recently defeated in the Senate Finance Committee), or the debate over comprehensive maternal care. Indeed, the Kaiser Family Foundation reports that only 18 states have a requirement for such coverage, (the number falls to 14 when applied to individual insurance markets) while the numbers of plans without or adding expensive policy riders con... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2865658 Tue, 06 Oct 2009 12:00:25 +0100 2865658 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2823960&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fni3JeY2oNBA%2F The NYC/Denver terrorism investigation has Andy McCarthy all riled up. In this article at National Review, McCarthy says that the risks associated with terrorism require a domestic preventive detention regime where investigators can go to a court with something less than probable cause and detain individuals without charge until they can gather the evidence for an indictment. This is a pretty bold proposition, given the fact that he lays out in this post on The Corner the power that investigators already have to detain material witnesses while gathering evidence. Not to mention the power to detain allegedly dangerous individuals picked up on relatively minor charges such as lying to federal agents, the current disposition of the NYC/Denver suspects. Then McCarthy comes full circle in this ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2823960 Wed, 23 Sep 2009 15:25:29 +0100 2823960 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2859156&cid=t_110205_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FRecoveryIsSexycom%2F%7E3%2FsvuZno-0vWY%2F Test Yourself Have you ever thought you needed help for your sexual thinking or behavior? That you’d be better off if you didn’t keep “giving in”? That sex or stimuli are controlling you? Have you ever tried to stop or limit doing what you felt was wrong in your sexual behavior? Do you resort to sex to escape, relieve anxiety, [...] [[ This is a content summary only. Visit my website for full links, other content, and more! ]] (Source: Recovery Is Sexy.com) Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2859156 Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:55:12 +0100 2859156 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2770244&cid=t_110205_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2F10-benefits-of-love%2F “I need somebody to love,” sang the Beatles, and they got it right. Love and health are intertwined in surprising ways. Humans are wired for connection, and when we cultivate good relationships, the rewards are immense. But we’re not necessarily talking about spine-tingling romance. "People who fall in love say it feels wonderful and agonizing at the same time.” All those ups and downs can be a source of stress. Says Harry Reis, PhD, co-editor of the Encyclopedia of Human Relationships. “There is very nice evidence that people who participate in satisfying, long-term relationships fare better on a whole variety of health measures,” Adds Reis. Most of the research in this area centers on marriage, but Reis believes many of the perks extend to other close relationships &#... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2770244 Sun, 06 Sep 2009 10:15:00 +0100 2770244 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2744054&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fim1QPFz52KY%2F The White House and the CBO announced this week that: The nation’s fiscal outlook is even bleaker than the government forecast earlier this year because the recession turned out to be deeper than widely expected, the budget offices of the White House and Congress agreed in separate updates on Tuesday. The Obama administration’s Office of Management and Budget raised its 10-year tally of deficits expected through 2019 to $9.05 trillion, nearly $2 trillion more than it projected in February. That would represent 5.1 percent of the economy’s estimated gross domestic product for the decade, a higher level than is generally considered healthy. What is the right response to these deficits? One view holds that most current expenditure is desirable — indeed, that expenditure should ideall... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2744054 Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:55:57 +0100 2744054 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2738018&cid=t_110205_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fhelp-an-alcoholic-index%2F Over the last few weeks we have published 10 short articles on what wives, husbands, parents, partners or adult children can do to ‘Help an Alcoholic’. This is an index to those articles. Help an Alcoholic 1 – Don’t make it easy for the drinker to keep on drinking Help an Alcoholic 2 – Don’t stop loving them Help an Alcoholic 3 – Don’t nag, criticize, preach, or complain Help an Alcoholic 4 – Address the drinking problem directly Help an Alcoholic 5 – Seek help Help an Alcoholic 6 – Detach, separate, walk away Help an Alcoholic 7 – Set a good example Help an Alcoholic 8 – Take care of yourself Help an Alcoholic 9 – Be there for them when they’re ready Help an Alcoholic 10 – Learn about the disease ... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2738018 Thu, 27 Aug 2009 10:38:00 +0100 2738018 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2730147&cid=t_110205_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F08%2F24%2Favoiding-the-angry-reply-airing-your-dirty-laundry-online%2F There’s a subset of the unemployed who are so embarrassed by their unemployment, they pretend to go to work every day — getting up, showering and shaving, dressing, and then heading out the door to a nonexistent job. The Washington Post published the story of such folks earlier this month. What they hadn’t counted on was a domestic dispute taken to their comments’ section of the online version of the story. The man profiled in the article agreed to have his real name published. In hindsight, this may have not been the wisest idea. His wife soon found the article online and disagreed with some of the things written about her husband in the article: Cole’s wife blasted her husband. Rather than being laid off, Lori Cole wrote in a comment, he was “fired fo... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2730147 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 16:15:42 +0100 2730147 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2727064&cid=t_110205_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F24%2Finjury-prevention-2009-vol-15-no-4%2F This article looks at the issue of television tip over-related injuries among children along with injury rates compared to sales of newer digital televisions which tend to be lighter than their predecessors. (Online access with NHS Athens account) Posted in Journals Tagged: Accidents, Children, Domestic Accidents, Wounds and Injuries (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2727064 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 10:57:43 +0100 2727064 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2727074&cid=t_110205_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2009%2F08%2F23%2Fnational-domestic-violence-delivery-plan-annual-progress-report-2008-09%2F Title: National domestic violence delivery plan: annual progress report 2008-09 The Skinny: Annual report from the Home Office setting out the progress that has been made against its national domestic violence delivery plan. Publisher: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/ Size of Publication: 45p Published: 21/08/2009 Posted in Grey Literature Tagged: Annual Reports, Domestic Violence, Grey Literature (Source: Fade Library) Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2727074 Sun, 23 Aug 2009 18:18:46 +0100 2727074 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2716255&cid=t_110205_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fhelp-an-alcoholic-10%2F Learn about the disease This is a bit like the picture at left – can you see other faces in the flowers and the disease of alcoholism? Understand the nature of the chemical alcohol, how alcohol affects the alcoholic and the non-alcoholic in different ways, and why the alcoholic continues to drink when drinking is obviously harming them. Learn about the early-, middle-, and late-stage symptoms of the disease and how these symptoms change as the alcoholic continues to drink. Learn about the underlying physiological changes, including adaption, tolerance, physical dependence, and the withdrawal syndrome, all of which have a profound effect on the alcoholic’s behaviour. Finally, learn why the alcoholic needs to drink, why he becomes irritable, frustrated, and depressed when he is not drink... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2716255 Thu, 20 Aug 2009 00:43:00 +0100 2716255 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2712373&cid=t_110205_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fhelp-an-alcoholic-9%2F Be there for them when they’re ready Most comments on this subject go like this: "Be available when the alcoholic reaches out." "When they hold out their hand for help, grab it." "Help as many times as you are asked. Be there." When I asked an alcoholic why she thinks her husband stayed with her through her drinking days, she responded, "His parents taught him that if you care about someone, you never give up on them. I think he always thought I’d come out of it. He just didn’t know it would take twenty years!" She feels that one of the most important messages for friends and family is to "encourage the problem drinker to try again and again." One adds, "Be loving but firm, and understand that they may need a number of tries to... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2712373 Wed, 19 Aug 2009 00:15:00 +0100 2712373 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2709394&cid=t_110205_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fhelp-an-alcoholic-8%2F Take care of yourself "Live a full life of your own." "Make sure you live a life of your own that does not depend on the undependable person." "Carry on with your life after you’ve let the alcoholic know you aren’t babysitting anymore." "Let them go, and focus on your own health and peace of mind.” These comments from masters underline the importance of taking care of yourself despite the problems with the drinker. Often, however, in an attempt to hide a family member’s alcohol abuse from others, spouses withdraw and isolate themselves from friends and other family members. Taking care of yourself might mean signing up for a class in the evenings, getting together with buddies from the past, or going away by yourself for a weekend. See al... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2709394 Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:26:00 +0100 2709394 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2705343&cid=t_110205_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fhelp-an-alcoholic-7%2F Set a good example From her own experience, a wife thinks it’s important for family and friends not to drink in front of people they’d like to stop drinking. Indeed, one of the common themes in advice to loved ones is to be good role models, setting an example by taking steps like avoiding drinking around them and not bringing alcohol into the house. She adds, “Don’t let your good times revolve around drinking.” She recalls how many of the things she and her husband did together used to involve alcohol: “Every event I perceived as a good time revolved around booze. And he just went along with me. We would go to his softball games and out for beer afterward. And if we went to parties or summer picnics, alcohol was always involved.” In short, if a major focus of your relati... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2705343 Sun, 16 Aug 2009 14:11:00 +0100 2705343 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2705344&cid=t_110205_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fhelp-an-alcoholic-6%2F Detach, separate, walk away Somewhat at odds with the message of continuing love and compassion is the more "tough-love" message that comes from many people – some of whom give both suggestions. A more compassionate approach may be in order in the beginning, but a time may come, particularly after you’ve tried to help repeatedly and failed, when you need to walk away from the situation. One suggests, "If it’s adversely affecting you, don’t put up with it. It’s hard to do, but sometimes losing the people you love is what it takes for the message to sink in." Another advises, "Decide how much you are willing to put up with. Let the person know what will happen if he doesn’t stop. And whatever you decide, stick to it. Don’t make idle threats." Re... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2705344 Sun, 16 Aug 2009 13:51:00 +0100 2705344 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2702534&cid=t_110205_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fhelp-an-alcoholic-5%2F Seek help It’s dumbfounding to learn that some never seek help of any kind with severe alcohol abuse. One wife says, "If my husband had sought help, he would have been admitting how serious my problem was. It was a big family secret." But other people emphasize the importance of not going it alone when someone you care about has a drinking problem. This comment captures the essence of many suggestions: "Join a support group to keep your own life buoyant and prosperous and to analyze your own negative coping strategies." Not surprisingly, many people who take traditional twelve-step recovery routes suggested going to Al-Anon, also a twelve-step-based program. Also, a number of people make a general comment that family and friends should seek counselling for their ow... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2702534 Fri, 14 Aug 2009 15:33:00 +0100 2702534 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2695637&cid=t_110205_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fhelp-and-alcoholic-3%2F Don’t nag, criticize, preach, or complain Many say that nagging, begging, confiscating liquor, and sorrowfully reminding the person of the night before are to little or no avail. One alcoholic attests, "The more I was urged to cut back or quit, the more I denied I had a problem. My advice is, ’Don’t push.’ A wife offered insights about why this approach doesn’t work. She told me, "Nagging makes you feel bad, and alcoholics and addicts use it as another reason to use alcohol and criticize you at the same time. It’s a bad cycle to get into. He saw nagging as my attempt to control him, and it gave him another reason to believe that I was the problem and not him." A lady alcoholic says "Long before I walked through the doors of Alcoholics Anonymous, suggesti... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2695637 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:36:00 +0100 2695637 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2691776&cid=t_110205_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fhelp-an-alcoholic-2%2F Don’t stop loving them A powerful theme in advice for families and friends is continuing to love the problem drinker unconditionally – being supportive, offering encouragement, and not abandoning him or her. One husband says “Work with them to recognize that you care for them but that their behavior is harmful to themselves and others." A wife says, "Reassure them that you love them unconditionally – that you will be there for them, but that does not include picking up the pieces for them." A somewhat different but important message is to "be supportive and nonjudgmental – as much as you can without compromising yourself." A husband sums it up: "Love from family can be crucial to the alcoholic’s recovery. It does not necessarily include accept... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2691776 Tue, 11 Aug 2009 16:13:00 +0100 2691776 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2688925&cid=t_110205_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fhelp-an-alcoholic-1%2F Don’t make it easy for the drinker to keep on drinking Discontinuing “enabling,” along with putting the onus for the drinker’s behavior and its consequences on the drinker. Do not cover up for them. Let them be responsible for their actions. Accept your responsibility, if any, for enabling, and then transfer 100 percent of the responsibility back to the alcoholic once you have talked it over. He or she is then unable to use you as an excuse. Enabling includes protecting the problem drinker from the negative consequences of alcohol use. After all, if someone makes excuses when you miss appointments because of drinking too much, reheats dinner because you’ve missed it after stopping at the bar on the way home from work, readily has sex with you even if you’re drunk, or lends... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2688925 Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:00:01 +0100 2688925 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2667628&cid=t_110205_133_f&fid=35096&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.b5media.com%2F%7Er%2Fb5media%2FAutismVox%2F%7E3%2FxwfRVho5dyg%2F Not that Ned doesn’t have such an inner voice, but Alex seems to just have the drive to help. I don’t know how much of this has been domestic training and how much just Alex doing what comes naturally, but who cares when the laundry’s piled up? “Alex! Shorts! Top drawer, please.” I hand him the four or five pair, neatly folded since I don’t think he can do that yet. Off he goes into his bedroom, and the odds are actually 3:1 that when I go in there in a few minutes I will in fact find the underwear in the top drawer and not thrown on the beds or the floor. It’s not in the right place in the top drawer, but there’s no way I’m going to be that picky. “Alex, socks! Top drawer please! And come right back for the pants.” And he d... Autism Vox blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2667628 Mon, 03 Aug 2009 19:53:24 +0100 2667628 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=4060677&cid=t_110205_109_f&fid=34859&url=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.davemsw.com%2Farchives%2F2009%2F07%2Fsexist_jokes_may_be_linked_to_domestic_violence.php Image by angela7dreams via FlickrI tripped over an article at Psych Central News describing some recent research on sexist humor. "...those who had listened to sexist jokes were much more tolerant with male battering than those who had not." The results ring true. I have found domestic violence, even street violence is justified in the mind of the offender by disrespect. People in general tend to diminish in importance even dehumanize a party they wish to assault. This has been true in war of all kinds throughout history. Abusive men justify their behavior by diminishing the value of women. Related articles by Zemanta Rahul Parikh: Does violence on TV and in the media really lead to violent behavior? (kevinmd.com) Media Violence, Aggression, and Policy (terranova.blogs.com)Violent med... Ψ Dare To Dream... blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=4060677 Thu, 30 Jul 2009 02:58:40 +0100 4060677 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2458044&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2FyeyiZ29wawI%2F As I warned in my “deferral” video, the president’s proposal to increase the tax burden on U.S. companies competing in global markets is horribly misguided. The White House has now been put on notice by high-tech executives that they will be compelled to move jobs out of America if this destructive policy is adopted. Bloomberg reports: Microsoft Corp. Chief Executive Officer Steven Ballmer said the world’s largest software company would move some employees offshore if Congress enacts President Barack Obama’s plans to impose higher taxes on U.S. companies’ foreign profits. “It makes U.S. jobs more expensive,” Ballmer said in an interview. “We’re better off taking lots of people and moving them out of the U.S. as opposed to keeping them inside the U.S.”... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2458044 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 12:38:18 +0100 2458044 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2609168&cid=t_110205_46_f&fid=38788&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmsf.ca%2Fblogs%2FChrisH%2F2009%2F04%2F29%2Femotional-extremes%2F It’s been a while since I last wrote. A lot has happened since then. Our clinic extension project was a success and our contractors did a brilliant job, but sadly about 2 days after we got enough office space to work properly things started to go wrong: At first the circuit breakers cut off our power occasionally, but within a few days the clinic was only able to get power if we turned off all the fridges and air conditioning units. Our clinic is quite nice when it is air conditioned. When it isn’t, I quickly realised that our structures are essentially insulated metal boxes sitting in the sun. The temperature was somewhere between 40 and 50 and that’s not a great environment to provide medical care, to counsel someone or to try and do any sort of work. So myself, my new ... MSF Blogs blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2609168 Wed, 29 Apr 2009 14:11:29 +0100 2609168 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2375867&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2Fr_MRDTJaqwc%2F In Tax Notes International today, two Ernst and Young experts describe how corporate tax reforms in Japan have made America an even bigger outlier in its punitive treatment of multinational corporations: Japan’s recent adoption of a territorial tax system as part of a broader tax reform reduces the tax burden on the foreign-source income of Japanese multinational corporations. Before the Japanese reform, the two largest economies had both high corporate income tax rates and worldwide tax systems. Now the United States not only has the second-highest corporate income tax rate of the OECD countries, it is also one of the few that still have a general worldwide tax system. The Japanese corporate tax reform is part of a global trend toward reduced taxation of corporate income, which oft... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2375867 Mon, 27 Apr 2009 19:03:05 +0100 2375867 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2306562&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=38368&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeedproxy.google.com%2F%7Er%2FDisruptiveWomenInHealthCare%2F%7E3%2Fp9gNXNmbXUQ%2F Women and girls turn to domestic work as one of the few options available to them in order to provide for themselves and their families. Instead of guaranteeing their ability to work with dignity and free of violence, governments have systematically denied them key labor protections extended to other workers. Domestic workers, often making extraordinary sacrifices to support their families, are among the most exploited and abused workers in the world. In New York State, there are 200,000 nannies, housekeepers and eldercare workers. They provide primary care including healthcare to many people. Virtually all of them are immigrants, the vast majority of them undocumented, and mostly women of color - which makes it all too easy for employers to exploit them, wittingly or not. Workers usually ... Disruptive Women in Health Care blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2306562 Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:45:17 +0100 2306562 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2261025&cid=t_110205_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fwomens-sexual-addiction%2F Sex addiction: not just for men Any time I met a guy who didn’t respond to me sexually, it would make me determined to have him,” confesses Valerie, 35, a human-resources manager in the City. “It became a challenge, a game, regardless of whether he was married or with someone. The lowest point came when I tried to seduce my best friend’s fiancé. I couldn’t bear the fact that, when they were together, he wouldn’t so much as look at me. It was an itch I had to scratch.” “Sex addict” is the last phrase that would come to mind if you met the demure and sober-suited Valerie. Yet she is in 12-step recovery for that very issue. “Everyone used to tell me how lucky I was, as I could get any man I wanted. I’m quite a competitive person and it was important for me to know that... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2261025 Tue, 10 Mar 2009 16:39:30 +0100 2261025 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2249453&cid=t_110205_151_f&fid=35818&url=http%3A%2F%2Frecoveryissexy.com%2Fphysical-abuse%2F What is physical abuse of a spouse or intimate partner? When someone talks of domestic violence, they are often referring to physical abuse of a spouse or intimate partner. Physical abuse is the use of physical force against another in a way that ends up injuring that person or putting him or her at risk of being injured. Physical abuse ranges from physical restraint to murder. Physical assault or physical battering is a crime, whether it occurs inside or outside the family. The police are empowered to protect you from physical attack. Physical abuse includes: Pushing, throwing, tripping. Slapping, hitting, punching, kicking. Grabbing, choking, shaking. Pinching, biting. Holding, restraining, confinement. Assault with a weapon. Burning or freezing. Throwing things. Subscribe to Re... Recovery Is Sexy.com blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2249453 Sun, 08 Mar 2009 12:38:29 +0100 2249453 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2147598&cid=t_110205_136_f&fid=35315&url=http%3A%2F%2Fkrankipantzen.blogspot.com%2F2009%2F01%2Ftidbit.html I am debating on whether or not to buy a Roomba. They are going on sale for super cheap next week. I fear the Roomba might terrify Yoshi. I also am afraid that Dexter will terrify the Roomba AND Yoshi. However, I hate vacuuming so my selfish desires might win out.What do you think? (Source: Von Krankipantzen) Von Krankipantzen blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2147598 Sat, 31 Jan 2009 01:27:00 +0100 2147598 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2081066&cid=t_110205_109_f&fid=34750&url=http%3A%2F%2Fpsychcentral.com%2Fblog%2Farchives%2F2009%2F01%2F05%2Fabuse-in-teen-relationships%2F The New York Times ran a chilling article the other day about abusive relationships among youths, which are far more prevalent than I realized. According to a 2007 Center of Disease Control and Prevention survey of 15,000 teens cited in the Times article, 10 percent of respondents reported physical abuse “like being hit or slapped by a romantic partner. Nearly 8 percent of teenagers in the survey said they were forced to have sexual intercourse.” Statistics such as these, and in extreme cases murders in which a jealous ex is implicated, have spurred several states to adopt legislation requiring schools to present dating abuse prevention programs to students. The Times article blames unmoderated technology for worsening the problem: Experts say the abuse appears to be increasing as m... World of Psychology blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2081066 Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:58:10 +0100 2081066 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=2065351&cid=t_110205_136_f&fid=35315&url=http%3A%2F%2Fkrankipantzen.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F12%2Fmerry-christmas-everybody.html It is 11pm and I've finally finished wrapping all the gifts and have a moment to sit down to write a little note. I'll be posting soon now that things have settled down a bit.Here is what has been happening with me:-still working the part-time job.-trying desperately to sell calendars in a horrific economic climate (and failing dismally).-organizing a large gala fund-raising event as well as participating in it.-getting my Occupational First Aid Level 1 certificate.-making Christmas gifts as well as shopping.-working some free-lance jobs to attempt to pay off my huge calendar printing bill.-yelling at Dexter (all 9lbs of him!) to GET DOWN! and LEAVE YOSHI ALONE!-volunteering as much as I can.-driving down to the US for business.-hanging out with my friends who are visiting from London, Eng... Von Krankipantzen blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=2065351 Thu, 25 Dec 2008 07:01:00 +0100 2065351 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1947436&cid=t_110205_109_f&fid=35671&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.anxietyinsights.info%2Fveterans_ptsd_and_domestic_violence.htm By Jessica Martin Washington University in St. Louis Treatments for PTSD and domestic violence are very different, effective collaboration needed Even as the demographic of the veteran population changes as World War II veterans reach their 80s and 90s and young veterans completing tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, the numbers of living veterans who have served in the United States military is staggering. Current estimates indicate that there are 23,816,000 veterans. Research by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs shows that male veterans with PTSD are two to three times more likely than veterans without PTSD to engage in intimate partner violence and more likely to be involved in the legal system. "The increasing number of veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) raises... Latest entries from www.anxietyinsights.info blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1947436 Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:04:00 +0100 1947436 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1888269&cid=t_110205_136_f&fid=35315&url=http%3A%2F%2Fkrankipantzen.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F10%2Fcornucopia-of-feline-delight.html A Cute Photo To Reduce Your IreOk, I am sorry I haven't posted. Very very VERY sorry. But after I spill my brain onto this blog about what has happened over the last month you may regret your recent inquiries into my, Yoshi's and Dexter's well being.We all all good.Now that I got that out of the way I'll get into a little more detail.I've been heinously busy. Partly because I am a terrible procrastinator, partly because I am a good citizen and partly because I need to pay the bills. Against all promises I made to myself, my graphic designer, my family and my friends I once again left the creation of the 2009 Iconic Women By Yoshi Calendar to the last minute. What can I say? I work better under pressure. Just not this much pressure. So it is almost done and will be sent to the printer by ne... Von Krankipantzen blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1888269 Sat, 18 Oct 2008 19:16:00 +0100 1888269 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1886300&cid=t_110205_86_f&fid=36669&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffadelibrary.wordpress.com%2F2008%2F10%2F17%2Fmental-health-act-2007-guidance-on-the-extension-of-victims-rights-under-the-domestic-violence-crime-and-victims-act-2004%2F As a result of the Mental Health Act 2007, from 3 November 2008 victims’ rights under the Domestic Violence Crime and Victims Act 2004 will be extended to victims of offenders who are detained, or on supervised community treatment, as unrestricted patients under Part 3 of the Mental Health Act 1983. This will involve new duties on hospital managers, responsible clinicians, approved mental health professionals and on NHS bodies who fund treatment of such patients in the independent sector to assist them the following document has been produced by the Department of Health, Mental Health Act 2007 - Guidance on the extension of victims rights under the Domestic Violence, Crime and Victims Act 2004 Posted in Grey Literature, NHS   Tagged: Domestic Violence, Grey Literature, Leg... Fade Library blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1886300 Fri, 17 Oct 2008 14:12:29 +0100 1886300 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1862714&cid=t_110205_111_f&fid=34712&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdigitaldoorway.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F10%2Fdomestic-violence-awareness-month.html Since 1987, October has been recognized as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which was founded by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV). Prior to and since that year, many people around the country have been working tirelessly to end the widespread domestic violence that effects women, men, and children of all ages and backgrounds.The national domestic violence hotline (1-800-799-SAFE) was also established in 1987, with many states creating their own individual hotlines for added protection and advocacy for those in need.For more than seven years, the NCADV has worked closely with The Wireless Foundation to distribute donated and discarded cellphones to victims of domestic violence for emergency use. If you would like to donate a used cellphone to the program, please cl... Digital Doorway blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1862714 Thu, 09 Oct 2008 00:07:00 +0100 1862714 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1764467&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F382708713%2F The Friedman Foundation has just published the latest state poll – Maryland – in their very helpful education survey series. There are a lot of interesting things here, but I’ll highlight just a couple: Maryland spends more than $12,000 per student. Only eight percent of Maryland residents guessed that spending was more than $10,000. Taxpayers have absolutely no concept of how badly they are getting fleeced by the teachers unions. Education tax credits once again outperform vouchers in popularity. Credits pull in 52 percent support, with 48 percent opposed. Vouchers get just 42 percent support, with 58 percent opposed. Following the recent EdNext and a mountain of other evidence, it’s clear that education tax credits are the best bet for school choice supporters. (Source: Cato-at-... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1764467 Wed, 03 Sep 2008 21:54:09 +0100 1764467 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1764468&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F382629377%2F With barely a moment’s reflection, the Florida Supreme Court has stricken two amendment questions from the state’s November ballot. The first would have allowed religious institutions to participate in state programs, subject to the limits imposed by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The second would have overturned a 2006 Florida Supreme Court decision that essentially forbids the legislature from creating any alternative education programs alongside the required public school system. The written decision has yet to be published, but whatever it says, it will be hard not to see this ruling as the latest turf battle between the Court and the voters — with the Court coming out on top yet again. This is bad news for Florida families, whose elected representative... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1764468 Wed, 03 Sep 2008 20:10:31 +0100 1764468 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1764471&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F382410107%2F As with most other issues, Sarah Palin’s record on health care reform is, well, thin.  But what we do know suggests that she leans in the right direction.  She has said that the key to health care reform is to “allow free-market competition and reduce onerous government regulation.”   As governor, she called for abolishing Alaska’s anti-competition certificate-of-need (CON) requirement.  (CON requires that health care providers seek state approval before building or expanding hospitals, purchasing capital equipment, or offering new or expanded services).  She also established a state office to provide health care consumers with information about price and quality.  While this should more properly be handled by the private sector, it shows she understands the importan... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1764471 Wed, 03 Sep 2008 14:51:00 +0100 1764471 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1760410&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F381531376%2F Glenn Greenwald has a good roundup of militarized police actions in St Paul. Radley Balko looks at police actions in Denver.  For related Cato work on this disturbing trend, go here and here.  We’ll be hosting a forum on no-knock police raids here at Cato next week. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1760410 Tue, 02 Sep 2008 17:03:18 +0100 1760410 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1750212&cid=t_110205_136_f&fid=35315&url=http%3A%2F%2Fkrankipantzen.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F09%2Fhow-smelly-is-he.html There is something wrong with the kitten. Nothing obvious. To the casual observer he is a regular kitten doing regular kitten things like attacking his tail, being bad and looking cute. However, if you are unlucky enough to be around him for any length of time you will soon come to realize that something dark is brewing in the bowels of his being. Literally. This kitten stinks. He emits such revolting odoriferous clouds of funk playing with him becomes an exercise in gag reflex control. Cleaning his litter box of his rank deposits is not so much a kindness to him but a desire to breathe in my own home.If his smell was a book it would be War and Peace-The Director's Cut. If his stink was a biblical reference it would be the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse pulling a manure cart. If his stenc... Von Krankipantzen blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1750212 Mon, 01 Sep 2008 23:38:00 +0100 1750212 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1750607&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F379686694%2F Why did McCain pick the governor of Alaska instead of the governor of South Carolina? Sarah Palin may well be generating more instant buzz than Mark Sanford would have. But much of it is negative, as people discuss whether someone who has been governor of a very small state for less than two years is ready to be a heartbeat away from making national security decisions. Even the devout conservative Ramesh Ponnuru of National Review can’t avert his eyes from the problem: “Palin has been governor for about two minutes. Thanks to McCain’s decision, Palin could be commander-in-chief next year. That may strike people as a reckless choice; it strikes me that way. And McCain’s age raised the stakes on this issue.” Mark Sanford was a congressman for six years, where he s... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1750607 Sun, 31 Aug 2008 14:09:51 +0100 1750607 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1734471&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F375398826%2F The Census Bureau’s release this morning of the latest income, poverty and health insurance numbers did not follow the script of those who want to paint a picture of a nation in crisis. Opponents of free trade, immigration, and limited government constantly tell us that the middle class is shrinking, the poor are getting poorer and more numerous, and the number of Americans without health insurance is climbing inexorably. Their solution is always to restrict trade and immigration and launch expensive new programs to alleviate the obvious misery. Spoiling the pity party is this morning’s widely anticipated report, “Income, Poverty and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2007.” Among its major findings: The number and percentage of Americans without health insurance actu... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1734471 Tue, 26 Aug 2008 17:23:30 +0100 1734471 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1734472&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F375349898%2F Reporting from the Democratic National Convention two days ago, Salon’s Mickey Kaus was stunned to find a room packed with 500 people cheering as Newark mayor Cory Booker defended school choice. Booker complained of the viciousness of education politics, noting that “he’d been told his political career would be over if he kept pushing school choice.” And when Booker told the crowd that their party would “have to admit, as Democrats, we have been wrong on education,” he was greeted by “Loud applause!” [emphasis in Kaus' original]. Liberal columnist and Newsweek editor and Jonathan Alter, who moderated the next panel, said it would have been hard to imagine such an event at previous Democratic conventions.  According to Kaus, Alter &#822... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1734472 Tue, 26 Aug 2008 16:19:13 +0100 1734472 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1723483&cid=t_110205_136_f&fid=35315&url=http%3A%2F%2Fkrankipantzen.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F08%2Fsummer-lovin-happened-so-fast.html Well, let’s see what I’ve been up to lately. You know; typical summer stuff. My very good friend, Pablo came for a visit from Montreal and we went to the beach a couple times and even went Par 3 Golfing with my mom. I was caddy with the putters. I put my panic disorder to the test and actually ate out in a restaurant twice. So YAY! On the down side I mysteriously broke out in terrible hives for about three days. I had huge welts or hives on my knees, shins, one foot, upper arms hands (including palms) and chest. A monstrous dose of antihistamines did the trick. No clue what I might have reacted too. My doc thinks it could be sun. I may have to rethink a Cuban vacation in the near future. Also Pablo had to cut his Vancouver vacation very short due to work issues. Dammit! So I’ve ... Von Krankipantzen blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1723483 Fri, 22 Aug 2008 02:47:00 +0100 1723483 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1705147&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F364230116%2F Last Monday, the Los Angeles Times published an op-ed written by Indur Goklany and me about gasoline prices.  Yesterday, it ran in the Minneapolis Star Tribune Today, that same piece has been posted at the Christian Science Monitor and it will appear in their print edition tomorrow.  Our argument: Once you adjust gasoline prices in 1960 for both inflation and changes in per capita disposable income, you find that gasoline prices today are actually more affordable than they were back then.  Faithful Cato@Liberty readers might well recognize this argument given that it was first offered in a blog post here a few days back by Indur Goklany. While the predictable grousing on the newspaper comment boards followed (hell hath no fury like a motorist who thinks he was told to stop whining abou... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1705147 Wed, 13 Aug 2008 21:19:46 +0100 1705147 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1705148&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F364175758%2F Opponents of immigration are now trying to hitch their wagon to worries about high oil prices and global warming. An ad on page A12 of today’s Washington Post asks, “If foreign oil has us over a barrel now, what happens when our population increases by another 100 million?” The text of the ad tries to provide the answer: “With America’s population at a record 300 million today, [oil] supplies are again tight in spite of record high prices. And the U.S. Census Bureau projects that another 110 million people will be added to our population between 2000 and 2040.” So, if we want lower oil prices, we need to reduce America’s population growth and that means reducing immigration. Get it? The ad is sponsored by five anti-immigration, anti-population-growth groups, including the Fed... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1705148 Wed, 13 Aug 2008 19:55:37 +0100 1705148 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1705151&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F364003831%2F Stephen Colbert on the Gary Ross case. Thanks Colbert.  Interestingly, bad-ass Michael Levine spoke at my Drug War conference several years back.  Levine acknowledges that we waste billions on drug interdiction and other follies, but he can’t bring himself to join other cops that are for calling off this war.  For additional Cato research, go here. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1705151 Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:57:10 +0100 1705151 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1705152&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F363980643%2F USA Today reports this morning that the TSA has been making a list of people who fly without ID. Asked about the program, TSA chief Kip Hawley told USA TODAY in an interview Tuesday that the information helps track potential terrorists who may be “probing the system” by trying to get though checkpoints at various airports. The report says that TSA changed its policy yesterday and will stop collecting these records, expunging the 16,000+ records collected to date. The folks at TSA evidently believe fervently that watch-listing is an effective measure against terrorism. When someone behaves inconsistently with their watch-listing program, they take this to be potential terrorism. It’s a mistake. Let’s say I fervently believed that terrorists were mounting a dengue fev... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1705152 Wed, 13 Aug 2008 15:24:16 +0100 1705152 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1696621&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F362034876%2F In recent years, Republican governors have been doing a fantastic job of carrying the torch for fiscal conservatism and burnishing the GOP’s brand name as the tax-cutting party. This leadership is clear from two stories in State Tax Notes today [subscription req'd]: “In an effort to break the budget impasse that has lasted over a month, California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) has proposed a temporary 1 percentage point sales tax increase. The increase would run for three years and is expected to raise between $5 billion and $6 billion yearly, or over $15 billion for the three-year period.” “Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour (R) said August 4 that he would plug the state’s $90 million Medicaid funding hole by raising taxes on state hospitals. Barbour wants to... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1696621 Mon, 11 Aug 2008 15:39:02 +0100 1696621 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1692195&cid=t_110205_136_f&fid=35315&url=http%3A%2F%2Fkrankipantzen.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F08%2Fcrush-your-cats-head-friday.html When I recently dog-sat Lulu and Xiola for 5 days I bought them some new toys to play with at my house. Their particular favourite was this hedgehog that made an alarming "ack ack ack" noise when shaken. The dogs LOVED it. They loved it so much I found myself tripping on it quite often when it was left in the middle of my floor. Except when that would happen I'd do that awkward 'sacrifice your spine alignment' avoidance skip/jump/lurch because I always thought this toy was actually Yoshi and I was about to step on her. If I didn't actually have any reflexes and had the luxury of time to think about it I'd never make that mistake as Yoshi, for the first 3 days never left my bedroom. Never.I started calling the hedgehog Yoshi since it was under my feet far more than she was that weekend.Then... Von Krankipantzen blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1692195 Fri, 08 Aug 2008 23:41:00 +0100 1692195 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1692525&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F358483140%2F Things are getting worse for Prince George’s County, Md. police officials after last week’s botched no-knock raid (previously chronicled on C@L here).  Not only did the police not have a warrant to conduct a no-knock raid, but it now appears they were well-aware that a drug ring was delivering large shipments of marijuana to innocent addressees’ homes in the D.C. suburbs. The packages would then be intercepted by other members of the ring, all without the addressees’ knowledge or involvement. Nonetheless, the cops executed their guns-ablazin’ raid on the home of Berwyn Heights mayor Cheye Calvo and his wife Trinity Tomsic, where the cops shot the couple’s black Labs and detained Calvo and his mother-in-law in handcuffs for hours. The cops have n... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1692525 Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:09:16 +0100 1692525 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1686287&cid=t_110205_136_f&fid=35315&url=http%3A%2F%2Fkrankipantzen.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F08%2Fone-of-those-life-posts-filled-with.html Do you ever find yourself in the same difficult and perplexing situations over and over again? You start to wonder if the universe is trying to teach you something or it is some heinous personal defect since the only constant element in all these situations is you. Or in this case, me. My particular situation is that am finding it increasingly difficult to be in the company of people. I have a couple things going against me. First of all I have terrible social anxiety complicated by some pretty weird phobias. Any social situation is pretty agonizing on most levels. Secondly I am very sensitive to the emotions of others and so called ‘vibes’. Just very aware of the undercurrents of most interactions. Some therapists think this is why I have such bad anxiety. It is like I am lacking s... Von Krankipantzen blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1686287 Thu, 07 Aug 2008 07:12:00 +0100 1686287 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1689353&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F357764135%2F I recently explained that, “If [the price of] oil keeps falling, then headline inflation will drop below the ex-energy rate, and the ex-energy rate will itself drop thanks to cheaper transportation and petrochemicals.”  This followed my equally controversial (at the time) June 3 column, “Get Ready for the Oil-Price Drop.” Blogger Stefan Karlssson thought I had said “inflation is not a problem.”  Huh? What I said was that a monthly or year-to-year increase in the overall CPI “gives us a fair picture of what has happened to the cost of living over the past month or year. But it’s near-useless for telling us where inflation is headed in the future.”  I offered a graph and several examples. The price of oil fell this February, for instance, and that month’s CPI... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1689353 Wed, 06 Aug 2008 21:02:54 +0100 1689353 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1689357&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F357589333%2F Federal prosecutors are patting themselves on the back for branding Charles Lynch (no relation) as a criminal that must be locked up for five years.  Charles Lynch ran a medical marijuana dispensary in California.  Reason’s Nick Gillespie has the outrageous details here. For related Cato work, go here and here. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1689357 Wed, 06 Aug 2008 17:13:49 +0100 1689357 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1677548&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F353651114%2F Just north of D.C., in the small suburb of Berwyn Heights, a county SWAT team raided a house last week after a shipping service delivered a large quantity of illegal drugs to the front door. Good police work in the war on drugs? Probably not. The house is home to Berwyn Heights mayor Cheye Calvo and his wife Trinity Tomsic, and their two black Labs (pictured left). Though the package containing more than 30 lbs. of marijuana was addressed to Tomsic, the couple may have had nothing to do with the drugs. In recent months there have been incidents in which large quantities of drugs were delivered to homes in the D.C. area, where they were then supposed to be intercepted by drug dealers — all without the package addressees’ knowledge or involvement. Calvo and Tomsic may have been ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1677548 Sat, 02 Aug 2008 15:48:02 +0100 1677548 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1672049&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F351814452%2F Greedy politicians in Annapolis doubled the cigarette tax in Maryland for the ostensible purposes of reducing a budget deficit and financing more government spending. They increased spending (of course), but their tax hike is not generating much additional revenue. As the Washington Post reports, consumers are adjusting their behavior to minimize their tax burden: Cigarette sales have dropped by nearly 25 percent in Maryland since the state’s tobacco tax doubled in January, as sticker shock apparently has curtailed some residents’ smoking and sent others across the border for better deals. Maryland lawmakers voted last fall to raise the tax to $2 a pack to help bridge a budget shortfall and expand subsidized health care. Fiscal analysts predicted that the new rate, the sixth hi... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1672049 Thu, 31 Jul 2008 19:00:34 +0100 1672049 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1672052&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F351704503%2F Since it’s Milton Friedman’s birthday today, take a moment to watch this brief video clip.  It is an interview conducted by our friends at the Marijuana Policy Project shortly before Dr. Friedman passed away. For related Cato work on the disastrous drug war, go here. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1672052 Thu, 31 Jul 2008 16:26:23 +0100 1672052 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1672053&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F351674011%2F The Department of Commerce released second quarter national income data today. The data includes estimates of state and local spending and revenues. (See Table 3.3) Here is what I found comparing the first two quarters of 2008 with the first two quarters of 2007. - State and local tax revenues have grown about 2.1 percent over last year, with personal income taxes up 4.2 percent and property taxes up 4.3 percent. (I say “about” because I estimated the missing data item for corporate tax revenues). - State and local total expenditures have soared 6.8 percent over last year. There are two items of interest here. First, leading newspapers have been running stories in recent months about the horrible cutting and slashing going on in state budgets. With spending growth a... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1672053 Thu, 31 Jul 2008 15:57:05 +0100 1672053 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1672054&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F351606731%2F Steve Chapman takes a look at the problem of ‘voluntary’ roadside searches.  Excerpt: If I approach as you pull into a parking space and ask if you’d mind my rummaging through your car, the chances are at least 90 percent that you’d decline. But if a police officer stops you with the same request, the chances are higher than 90 percent that you’d agree. Something about that badge makes citizens eager to be helpful. Or maybe not. In civics class and 4th of July speeches, we are told that American democracy rests on the consent of the governed. But interactions with the police serve as a useful reminder that government rests less on voluntary cooperation than on fear and force. A nation is free to the extent it prevents the rulers from bullying and coercing th... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1672054 Thu, 31 Jul 2008 14:41:02 +0100 1672054 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1672059&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F350659299%2F A law that would prevent fast-food restaurants from opening in South Los Angeles neighborhoods was unanimously approved by the LA City Council on Tuesday. Paternalist? You bet. Violation of equal protection? It would seem so. The City Council trusts white people, but not the blacks and Latinos who live in South Los Angeles, to make their own food decisions? Ouch. But I was particularly struck by this statement from Councilwoman Jan Perry, sponsor of the measure: “I believe this is a victory for the people of South and southeast Los Angeles, for them to have greater food options.” Greater food options? All the council is doing is banning some restaurants. How will that give residents more options? Maybe — maybe — other restaurants will open in South Los Angeles beca... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1672059 Wed, 30 Jul 2008 16:43:43 +0100 1672059 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1660808&cid=t_110205_136_f&fid=35315&url=http%3A%2F%2Fkrankipantzen.blogspot.com%2F2008%2F07%2Fwell-on-my-way-to-crotchetyoldwomanvill.html I live in an apartment building that has retail spaces on the ground floor. Right below my balcony is a little cafe that has outdoor seating. Most sunny days this guy sits outside for a couple hours and chats with friends while enjoying a beverage. He is disabled and he parks his scooter-thingie on the grass and ties his dog up to it. His dog is this seriously cute Miniature Pinscher. Well, cute until he starts barking. And barking. AAAAANNND barking. Yip! Yip! Yip!The damned dog barks pretty much constantly the whole time this guy is at the cafe. Honestly, I'm not sure what bugs me the most, the incessant yapping or the fact that the guy just sits there about 10 feet away and does nothing about it.Here's the thing. I could go downstairs and ask the guy to deal with his dog. Or I could pho... Von Krankipantzen blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1660808 Mon, 28 Jul 2008 21:57:00 +0100 1660808 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1661133&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F348345426%2F Advocates of limited government often joke (otherwise we would cry) that Republicans are the Stupid Party and Democrats are the Evil Party (this is why taxpayers should hide their wallets the moment there’s talk of “bipartisanship,” but I digress). One of the reasons that the GOP is the Stupid Party is that Republicans generally are easy to manipulate. Most people understand that their enemies don’t want them to succeed. As such, they are - at the very least - skeptical about any advice coming from their opponents (as a Georgia Bulldog, for instance, I wish the coaches of the Florida Gators took suggestions from the Bulldog coaches, but I digress again). Republicans, however, are a tad bit gullible. When statists give them a few kind words and a pat on the head for ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1661133 Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:22:53 +0100 1661133 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1655887&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F345702285%2F In a recent Cato@Liberty post that I’m particularly proud of (because it’s about TV! - “TV is Great“), I pointed out an example where a midwestern farming couple victimized by the recent flooding weren’t expecting help from the government. Said Barb Boyer: We’ve always lived our life that we’re responsible for our own choices, our own destiny. And we chose not to carry the flood insurance. That was our responsibility. …[O]f course, we are going to need help, but do I expect it? No. We’ll start over. That’s all I know right now. Well, it looks like they might get help from the government anyway. Introduced in the House on Wednesday, H.R. 6587 would provide various forms of tax relief for the victims of the recent harsh weather in the Midwest. When... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1655887 Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:19:41 +0100 1655887 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1655888&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F345702286%2F Chris Edwards rightly takes the Wall Street Journal to task for its breathless report that “the stumbling U.S. economy is forcing states to slash spending and cut jobs in order to close a projected $40 billion shortfall in the current fiscal year.” Like he says, smaller spending increases are “certainly no crisis after the orgy of budget expansion in recent years.”And Medicaid spending is dangerously out of control. I’d only add that states are spending much more on k-12 education than Medicaid. At 25 percent of all state-derived expenditures, it’s almost double Medicaid’s 13 percent share. State spending on k-12 education dwarfs any other category. And while cuts in government spending are a good thing, saving money with a huge expansion of freedom is even better. That’... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1655888 Fri, 25 Jul 2008 14:09:56 +0100 1655888 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1652795&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F345215019%2F The WashingtonWatch.com blog has a breakout of all 36 bills in the “Coburn Omnibus.” #36: a greenhouse in Suitland, Maryland! (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1652795 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 17:34:57 +0100 1652795 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1652796&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F345215021%2F The New York Times reports that Providence’s police would prefer to spend their federal grants on crime rather than terrorism. That is because there is crime in Rhode Island but no terrorism. This conflict is national, as I discussed here. Because our domestic counter-terrorism bureaucracy is largely our crime-fighting bureaucracy, the more you chase terrorists, the less you chase criminals. Some of the counter-terrorism money is new, but much of it comes by cutting back on other things. The FBI only has so many agents and the Justice Department so much grant money. Police officers only have so much time. The result is pressure to divert counter-terrorism resources to crime-fighting. There are not enough terrorists to go around, so terrorist fusion centers become all-hazards fusion c... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1652796 Thu, 24 Jul 2008 15:11:49 +0100 1652796 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1597135&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F330295729%2F My friend Ezra Klein puts some more meat on the goofiness for which I recently dinged my friend Jonathan Cohn.  The Left’s approach to health-care cost containment is to give more health coverage to more people with more ailments, all the while making everyone pay less.  (What do you mean it doesn’t make sense?  Don’t you believe??) Cohn expressed that strategy like so: The better way to control costs is with a variety of approaches that starts with a guarantee of coverage to everybody. Klein adds: This is, at least in the abstract, the political logic of focusing on access first: Expanding access creates pressures that force the system to figure out how to control costs. So if you have an alcoholic friend, Klein suggests you keep buying him drinks until he hits rock botto... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1597135 Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:28:58 +0100 1597135 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1597137&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F330141513%2F Delegates and others attending the Democratic convention may want to stock up on Twinkies before heading to Denver. According to the Rocky Mountain News, the DNC has politically-correct rules promoting “organic” foods and barring “fried” foods. What I don’t understand, though, is the rule requiring three different colors per plate. Is this the Democrats’ quota mentality run amok? But surely this can’t be the case. If anyone knows the reason for this rule, I’m genuinely curious (especially since it may just be a matter of time before we have a Federal Food Police imposing these rules on the rest of us): The Democratic National Convention host committee guidelines for caterers suggest serving mostly organic fare or Colorado products, and avoiding fried foods. The guidelines e... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1597137 Tue, 08 Jul 2008 20:45:08 +0100 1597137 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1594140&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F329215384%2F In case my last post didn’t convince you that universal coverage is a religion, here is its apostle’s creed: To believe in universal health care is to believe that we can do more and do better, all at once — that it is possible to have hospitals full of high technology and emergency departments with room for all comers; that it is possible for people to choose their doctors and have a say in their treatments; that it is possible to make the economy more free and more efficient; and that it is possible to do all of this for everybody, not just an economically or medically privileged few, in a way we can all find affordable.  [Emphasis added.] (As delivered by Church of Universal Coverage high priest Jonathan Cohn and chronicled in the book Sick, chapter 9, p. 231.) I may ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1594140 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 21:13:45 +0100 1594140 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1594141&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F329215385%2F Since America’s economy is still growing and our living standards are far above the vast majority of people in other developed nations, any game entitled “Who Killed the Economy” is guilty of overstatement. But setting aside that small detail, Portfolio.com has an amusing interactive game that allows you to choose, via an NCAA-style bracket, who is responsible for America’s economic woes. Sadly, there is no entry for Congress, Democrats in Congress, or Republicans in Congress, but there are plenty of good choices. Even though I think Greenspan and Bernanke probably deserve to win because of their easy-money policies, I decided to award first place to Fannie and Freddie because they are such loathesome examples of how subsidies and favoritism distort markets and har... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1594141 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 21:13:00 +0100 1594141 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1594142&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F329169599%2F I have blogged before about the “Church of Universal Coverage,” my affectionate term for those whose support for universal health insurance coverage is impervious to reason — or would be, were they to subject it to reason.  I read something today that has me wondering whether the Church might be waking up to the fact that it is indeed a religion. The July/August 2008 issue of the journal Health Affairs contains a letter from Mitch Roob, the Indiana official who oversees Gov. Mitch Daniels’ (R) health care agenda.  Roob writes: Like other advocates for children’s health, I have an almost religious conviction that the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) is effective public policy . . . Although I have no empirical evidence to support the as... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1594142 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 20:10:02 +0100 1594142 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1594149&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F328840494%2F The new WashingtonWatch.com blog (a project of yours truly) has a post up about the Don’t Let the Bed Bugs Bite Act of 2008. In case you had any doubts, there is nothing Congress and the federal government won’t try to tackle. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1594149 Mon, 07 Jul 2008 12:32:15 +0100 1594149 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1583122&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F328150233%2F In “Pointless to rush a carbon emissions plan,” the Toronto Globe and Mail’s Neal Reynolds compares Yale Professor William Nordhaus’s “optimal” approach to controlling greenhouse gases and finds it superior to approaches that would impose deeper controls more rapidly, such as those favored by Stern, various EU leaders, and many in the US. Under the Nordhaus approach, which is also discussed by Keith Johnson at the Wall Street Journal, costs of control would start at 0.3 per cent of global GDP in 2010 (currently around $60,000 billion), increase to 0.5 per cent in 2015, 0.6 per cent in 2020 and peak at 0.9 per cent in 2065. He estimates the net present value (NPV) of climate change damages absent any controls at $22 trillion. Under this so-called “optimal” approach, the ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1583122 Sun, 06 Jul 2008 16:15:33 +0100 1583122 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1575800&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F325935103%2F An article at Doublethink Online quotes me as saying the following regarding Medicare reform: Cannon asserts that: “For Medicare, we have to realize we simply cannot provide unlimited amounts of free healthcare to every senior. We only have two options: bring more money in or cut benefits. If we simply increase taxes, they would eventually reach 40 percent of GDP. We shouldn’t arbitrarily cut back, either. We are better off finding an amount of money that we can spend per senior on healthcare, and allow them to choose their own options according to the spending guidelines…Politically, you may need to raise taxes, but it should be a last resort.” Hmm.  Doesn’t.  Sound.  Like.  Me.  The first (positive) part of that sentence certainly could be true.  But the second (norma... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1575800 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 16:48:35 +0100 1575800 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1564488&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F325088060%2F Over at The Plank, my friend Jonathan Cohn makes a first pass at a Center for American Progress paper on John McCain’s proposed health insurance tax credit. The main thrust of the CAP paper is that McCain’s tax credit would raise taxes on some people. I can’t really argue with that. If you replace an unlimited tax break with a limited tax break (especially one whose growth is limited), then some people are going to pay higher taxes. The fact that McCain’s tax credit is “refundable” makes the tax-hike problem worse: high-income people must suffer higher tax increases to pay for the new welfare payments. For what it’s worth, I have forwarded a proposal to reform the tax treatment of health insurance that does a much better job of protecting people fr... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1564488 Wed, 02 Jul 2008 18:09:15 +0100 1564488 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1564491&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F324933270%2F According to the Raleigh News & Observer: The [North Carolina medical] board, charged with licensing and disciplining the 22,000 doctors who practice in North Carolina, has proposed posting all malpractice payments going back seven years as part of a new effort to broaden the kind of information patients can see about the doctors who treat them. About 25 states have adopted similar rules. What does North Carolina’s health care industry think about the proposal? [T]he measure has met opposition from doctors and hospitals, the insurers who write their medical malpractice policies and the lawyers who defend them against patient lawsuits… The hearing Monday drew 32 speakers, with 24 speaking against the board’s plan to post all payments, no matter how large or small, goin... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1564491 Wed, 02 Jul 2008 14:30:47 +0100 1564491 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1561582&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F324140483%2F With a sluggish economy and rising costs for everything, state and local governments are facing serious budget problems. It’s clear that there’s a lot of spending that they should simply cut outright. But politicians hate doing that. But there is one way to save billions of dollars without cutting a single program or budget; broad-based education tax credits. A fiscal impact analysis of our Public Education Tax Credit from our own Andrew Coulson and economist Anca Cotet was released today that shows the potential savings for 5 states. Education spending makes up about half of most state budgets and is the biggest item at the local level, so we expected major savings from our broad-based program. But the totals surprised even us. Here are the pretty stunning highlights: Illinois saves $... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1561582 Tue, 01 Jul 2008 15:41:09 +0100 1561582 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1561583&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F324034103%2F In some heartening news, new poll results from Gallup show that Americans decisively reject redistributionist policies by an 84 percent-13 percent margin. Even Democrats prefer that government focuses on growth rather than redistribution by a margin of 77 percent-19 percent. A blogger for the New Republic claims the question was poorly worded, but that seems like wishful thinking. People were basically asked whether government should focus on making the pie bigger or focus on re-slicing the pie, and the results are very encouraging: …given a choice about how government should address the numerous economic difficulties facing today’s consumer, Americans overwhelmingly — by 84% to 13% — prefer that the government focus on improving overall economic conditions and the jobs... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1561583 Tue, 01 Jul 2008 13:00:26 +0100 1561583 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1552308&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F321530317%2F To echo Tim Lynch’s previous post . . . Bob Levy, Alan Gura, Dick Heller, and the other original plaintiffs in District of Columbia v. Heller are to be commended for securing a landmark Supreme Court ruling affirming that the Second Amendment protects the right of law abiding individuals to keep and bear arms.  It’s silly and sad that we needed such a ruling, and we should not forget the uncertainty and the threats to liberty that were made possible by so much constitutional revisionism over the past 40 years. Levy and Gura deserve special recognition for their foresight and courage in pursuing this ruling despite considerable resistance.  That resistance came from a lot of people, with a lot of knowledge about the Second Amendment and the Supreme Court, a lot of influenc... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1552308 Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:57:42 +0100 1552308 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1552309&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F321520490%2F USA Today reports today on the findings of a preschool study, which concludes that Oklahoma’s government-run preschool gives a boost to the performance of all students in the short-term. Its news because the collective conclusions of previous studies overwhelmingly suggest that preschool boosts at-risk children in the short-term, but not children from middle and upper-income families. An ambitious public pre-kindergarten program in Oklahoma boosts kids’ skills dramatically, a long-awaited study finds, for the first time offering across-the-board evidence that universal preschool, open to all children, benefits both low-income and middle-class kids. . . More than any other state, Oklahoma has pushed for universal pre-kindergarten, with the USA’s highest enrollment rate. There�... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1552309 Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:54:37 +0100 1552309 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1547338&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F320743211%2F Steve Moses is a one-man long-term-care-reform juggernaut.  No, literally. Moses is currently conducting a whirlwind National Long-Term Care Consciousness Tour.  The tour aims to educate the public about the damage that government has done to the market for long-term care, the fact that the government will not be able to provide long-term care to baby boomers as it has for their parents, and the need to plan for one’s own long-term care needs. As he passed through D.C. last week, Moses stopped to have lunch with me and to conduct a mini-interview with me, which he has posted on the tour’s YouTube page. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1547338 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 19:06:15 +0100 1547338 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1547342&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F320624187%2F Here is the first of what might become a series depending on the fan mail . . . We have tax credits for all manner of things at the federal, state, and local levels that we don’t need and shouldn’t have tax credits for . . . like hybrid cars, movie production, and lemonade stands (the last one isn’t real as far as I know, but I wouldn’t rule it out). One of the more popular tax credits is for saving old buildings that some people don’t want torn down but don’t care enough about to save with their own collective money. So they subsidize the renovation with credits. The Plain Dealer editorializes in support: A state historic tax credit that, shortsightedly, was drastically scaled back this spring has now been expanded, thanks in large part to advocacy by Russell Township Rep. Mat... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1547342 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:56:57 +0100 1547342 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1547343&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F320583677%2F Good news on the economy, sort of. The Commerce Department reported this morning that it has revised the economy’s growth rate in the first quarter of 2008 to 1.0 percent. That is slightly higher than the government’s earlier two estimates and it means we have probably dodged a technical recession, at least for the first half of this year. Politicians on the campaign trail should take note of the report for a couple of reasons. First, let’s not exaggerate the U.S. economy’s current difficulties. Politicians love a full-blown crisis because it can be used to justify all sorts of regulatory and spending programs. This is not a crisis (and government “stimulus” efforts typically have little effect, anyway). Second, they should give thanks to America’s more globalized economy for... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1547343 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 14:55:32 +0100 1547343 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1544368&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F319771203%2F The state of Florida announced yesterday that it will pay $1.75 billion to buy out the nation’s largest sugar producer and 300 square miles of land it owns north of the environmentally sensitive Florida Everglades. Although most news stories ignored the connection, the deal is yet another cost Americans continue to pay for our misguided agricultural programs. The company selling the land, United States Sugar, has for decades benefited from a federal program that guarantees a minimum price for United States Sugar’s crop through a system of loan guarantees and strict import quotas. This means American families and sugar-consuming industries are typically paying two to three times the world price for sugar. The sugar program also imposes damage on the environment, which motivated yesterda... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1544368 Wed, 25 Jun 2008 14:52:16 +0100 1544368 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1544374&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F318935725%2F The Washington rumor mill has Minnesota Governor Tim Pawlenty as the leading candidate to be John McCain’s running mate. If so, that would be a clear slap in the face to small-government conservatives. Pawlenty, who reportedly coined the term “Sam’s Club conservative” to describe his political philosophy, has been an economic populist and big-spender generally. Among other things, he: Supported government subsidized health care for all children as the first step toward universal health insurance, and opposed President Bush’s veto of a Democratic bill that would have expanded the State Children’s Health Insurance program (SCHIP) to families earning as much as $83,000 per year; Supports Massachusetts-style health care reform, including a “health care exchange” and an individ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1544374 Tue, 24 Jun 2008 14:28:08 +0100 1544374 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1532144&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F316223770%2F A recent Government Accountability Office report highlights another way Medicare keeps its administrative costs down: sending checks to providers without bothering to check whether those providers owe back taxes. According to today’s Washington Post: Health-care providers are allowed to collect millions of dollars in federal Medicare payments each year despite owing the government more than $2 billion in back taxes, congressional investigators said yesterday. The Government Accountability Office found that more than 27,000 nursing homes, hospitals, physicians and other providers flouted the tax system while collecting Medicare fees in 2006. That represented 6 percent of all providers [who participate in] Medicare…. Some cases cited in the new report were especially egregious. ... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1532144 Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:55:02 +0100 1532144 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1532154&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F315450685%2F Today’s New York Times ran my response to the Grey Lady’s recent editorial on the Massachusetts health plan: Your editorial lauds the Massachusetts health care reforms as “off to a good start” and “heartening.” The editorial addresses the reforms’ higher-than-projected costs thus: “The shortfall occurred mostly because the state underestimated the number of uninsured residents and how fast low-income people would sign up for subsidized coverage. It is a warning to other states to keep projections realistic.” I’m sorry, but if states can low-ball the cost of reforms to get them enacted, and still get praised by the paper of record, that’s exactly what they’ll do. Some “warning.” (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1532154 Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:13:56 +0100 1532154 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1517049&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F311334359%2F InBev, a giant Belgian beer conglomerate, has made a bid to purchase Anheuser-Busch, the brewer of popular beers like Budweiser, Bud Light, and Michelob — not to mention lesser-known, though equally-delicious beverages such as Bud Dry, Busch Ice, Hurricane High Gravity, and King Cobra. Anheuser-Busch is of course, headquartered in St. Louis.  So it should come as no surprise that Missouri politicians have sprung into action to block the deal. Senator Claire McCaskill is “nervous” and “upset” and plans on contacting the board of director’s at Anheuser-Busch to urge them to stop the deal.  Governor Matt Blunt finds the deal “deeply troubling” and is frantically searching for a state law that would allow him to intervene. Senator Kit Bond has honed in on a specific set... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1517049 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 18:34:34 +0100 1517049 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1517051&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F311181095%2F How is it that a government bureaucracy like Medicare can keep it’s administrative costs so much lower* than private health insurance?  Today’s Washington Post may have the answer: “Medicare Pays Most Claims Without Review.”  That was the sub-head of an article on today’s front page.  The headline was, “Medical Fraud a Growing Problem.” So, what kind of fraud are we talking about here? All it took to bilk the federal government out of $105 million was a laptop computer. From her Mediterranean-style townhouse, a high school dropout named Rita Campos Ramirez orchestrated what prosecutors call the largest health-care fraud by one person. Over nearly four years, she electronically submitted more than 140,000 Medicare claims for unnecessary equipmen... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1517051 Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:56:09 +0100 1517051 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1512490&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F310392664%2F Happy Loving Day. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1512490 Thu, 12 Jun 2008 12:51:01 +0100 1512490 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1512492&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F310392666%2F In Part 1 of this series we saw that even if one gives credence to the oft-repeated but flawed estimates from the World Health Organization of the present-day contribution of climate change to global mortality, other factors contribute many times more to the global death toll. For example, hunger’s contribution is over twenty times larger, unsafe water’s is ten times greater, and malaria’s is six times larger. With respect to ecological factors, habitat conversion continues to be the single largest demonstrated threat to species and biodiversity. Thus climate change is not the most important problem facing today’s population.  In Part 2 we saw that even if we assume that the world follows the IPCC’s warmest (A1FI) scenario that the UK’s Hadley Center projects will increase ave... Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1512492 Thu, 12 Jun 2008 12:46:57 +0100 1512492 http://www.medworm.com/index.php?rid=1509628&cid=t_110205_87_f&fid=36438&url=http%3A%2F%2Ffeeds.feedburner.com%2F%7Er%2FCato-at-liberty%2F%7E3%2F309902711%2F Last year, I reported that Cato@Liberty was ranked #24 on the healthcare100.com rankings of health care blogs. As of June 9, 2008, we’ve rocketed all the way up to #14. Matthew Holt, you’re still on notice. Sure, there may be problems with healthcare100.com’s methodology that tilt the rankings in our favor. But like a leftist reading a World Health Organization report, I’m just going to assume that everything’s fair and balanced. (Source: Cato-at-liberty) Cato-at-liberty blogs http://www.medworm.com/rss/comments.php?id=1509628 Wed, 11 Jun 2008 21:07:07 +0100 1509628