Much has been made during the Presidential Campaign of income inequality and the undue influence of the so-called 1%. The quantifiable facts on income inequality are stunning, and it’s true that this reality can and will have a serious impact on both the American economy and social structure. Between 1979 and 2007, real household income … Continue reading
Latest Entries
Medicaid Expansion: The Bigger Picture
With 63 million enrollees, Medicaid provides coverage to low-income families, individuals with disabilities, and elderly individuals on Medicare who need assistance with cost sharing or services not covered under Medicare (dual eligibles). In 2009, the Medicaid program dished out $346 billion on health care services, or $5492 per enrollee (obviously spending varies per person depending … Continue reading
How the Procurement Process Hurts the US Military
There has been a disturbing trend in the US military in recent years. The weapon systems that have been touted as the most advanced, most game changing, have been almost uniformly late, over budget, and under performing. The F-22, F-35, V-22, and Littoral Combat Ship have all fallen into this trap. And this trend does … Continue reading
The Politics of Healthcare Reform
It’s not often that an election is a major determinant to a single issue. Concerning the upcoming Presidential election, though, it “is all about health care.” One of the few things we know is true in this election is that if Barack Obama wins, the Affordable Care Act will be fully implemented. If Mitt Romney wins, we … Continue reading
Another Wrench in Obamacare
A proposed settlement to a nationwide class action suit filed in the U.S. District Court in Vermont could become yet another headache for the world of healthcare. The lawsuit was filed by patient advocacy groups asserting that Medicare eligibility was flawed regarding skilled nursing and home health care. Under current law, Medicare is only required to … Continue reading
Can Romney Win without Ohio?
Ohio has successfully chosen the presidential winner in every election since 1960 and no Republican has ever won the White House without first winning the buckeye state. In the upcoming election, it is generally believed that Ohio is the linchpin to electoral victory once again. From the bastions of liberal thought at the New York … Continue reading
The Enablers: How China Undermines U.S. Sanctions In Iran
The sanctions imposed against the Iranian regime have had crippling implications on the nation since their enforcement. On Tuesday, the European Union added to the fusillade of sanctions by toughening restrictions on the central bank, and by imposing new ones against major Iranian state companies in the oil and gas industry, including the National Iranian … Continue reading
Accountable Care Organizations: Straying Further from A Free Market System
Accountable care organizations (ACOs) are federal programs under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) that incentivize health care providers to reduce costs and improve quality of care. Theoretically, under the ACO model, physicians coordinate with hospitals to create a large organization that provides streamlined, coordinated care to patients. The ACO model hopes to … Continue reading
Why Micronesia Matters
China has an eye to increasing its investments in the Pacific, and a new development plan on the island of Yap in Micronesia (see map below) has been turning heads in the region. Kaselehlie Press, a Micronesian newspaper, has reported that the plan calls for 8 to 10 hotel complexes and 8 to 15 golf … Continue reading
Banks vs. Borrowers: Who are reaping the benefits?
On September 13, Chairman of the Federal Reserve Ben Bernanke announced a third round of quantitative easing that the Fed would enact to further jumpstart the sluggishly recovering U.S. economy. QE 3, as it is known, has the Fed buy 40 billion dollars worth of mortgage backed securities per month to make it cheaper for … Continue reading
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