I don’t know whether to begin with the positive or the negative. Oh, if only I remembered what the I/O literature said to giving feedback.. is it negative positive negative.. or the other way around?
- Lets start with the positive. Senate Democratic Majority Leader Harry Reid announced earlier today that the sweeping healthcare reform bill will include a public option. Although the White House has been indecisive at best on the issue, I’m glad the Senate is moving it along. With 57% percent of the population supporting it, there is no reason not to pass it.
- There is another interesting story relating to healthcare today. A Thomson Reuters report today detailed that United States healthcare system wastes around $500 to $800 billion annually. Of that figure, 37% percent is estimated to be spent on unnecessary procedures and another 20% is lost due to fraud.
- While it looks like healthcare fighting is slowly beginning to approach the end, the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan seem at this point, for the lack of a better word, eternal. Another suicide bombing claims over 150 lives in Iraq. Meanwhile, Obama need more time in Afghanistan. However, it appears no one is holding their breath.
- American casualties keep piling up in Afghanistan, as helicopter crashes killed 14 Americans in Afghanistan.
- According to analysts at the Environmental Protection Agency, a Senate plan to fight Global Warming would cost each American family about $100 a year. With Copenhagen Climate Conference less than two months away, the progress on the climate bill has been slow. I don’t this story about the cost will help. Faced with a choice between $100 and saving the world.. supporters are probably not optimistic. Perhaps more Americans should vacation in the Maldives.
- Another sad story from Iceland. Not to long after the economic collapsed collapsed their economy, it appears that the Icelandic population is facing another tough blow. McDonald’s is officially pulling out of the country, due to the currency collapse. However, there is some positive news, as it appears McDonald’s departure ensures Iceland is a lock to repeat as the world’s healthiest nation.
- The best is always saved for last. Those smart guys at MIT just don’t stop. Chemist Daniel Nocera has developed a way split water into hydrogen and oxygen. That means mankind is one step closer to mimicking photosynthesis. According to Nocera, all that’s left is a ‘catalyst’ for fuel cells, and he believes that can be developed within 10 years. Of course the hardest part remains: How do you convince Americans to drive flower shaped cars?
Till next time..
