This is a quick response to my diary about Healthcare.  Obviously this community is in favor of Universal Health Care.  I'm not.  

Some people brought up the issue of life expectancy and incorrectly believed the US ranks poorly in terms of life expectancy.  

I think we all should agree that life expectancy is probably our best metric for health care efficacy.  If you have a better metric feel free to suggest it, but I can't think of one.

But, if you think life expectancy is a useful metric than you have two problems.

The recent ABC documentary isn't perfect, but its worth watching.

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

I know there are some strong opinions on this issue, but unfortunately Universal Heathcare is not the best solution to our problems.  This documentary is easier to watch than reading lots of dull economic literature, but for a more thorough analysis this article is good too:

How to Cure Healthcare by Milton Friedman

It's an unfortunately popular belief that There Is No Worker Shortage, but this is wishful thinking.  The reality is there is indeed a tech worker shortage.  This issue was addressed by Google today in their testimony to Congress.  And they followed-up with a post on their blog entitled What Immigration Policies Mean to Google.

According to Google:

due to limits on the number of H-1B visas, Google is regularly unable to pursue highly qualified candidates. This year, an estimated 133,000 visa applications were filed by H-1B candidates in the first two days of the filing period for only 65,000 available spots. Over the last year alone, the artificially low cap on H-1B visas has prevented more than 70 Google candidates from receiving H-1B visas. Therefore, Laszlo said, "We would encourage Congress to significantly increase the annual cap of 65,000 H-1B visas, to a figure more reflective of the growth rate of our technology-driven economy."

I was happy to hear Google speak up on this issue, because I had similar frustrations at my job dealing.

I just did a search for "Gravel" and was saddened to find the lack of stories on his candidacy.  In fact the top result was Kos complaining about the guy. The way I see it Mike Gravel is the only candidate speaking honestly and intelligently about the issues, but it seems we prefer eloquence to intelligence.

So let's review the issues:

Gas prices, global warming, and foreign policy
Mike Gravel is the only candidate with a reasonable opinion on these issues.  If you're an environmentalist you shouldn't fight for lower gas prices.  Higher gas prices decrease consumption and lower consumption is what we need to combat global warming.  Lower consumption will also have a positive affect on our foreign policy.  High consumption is why we're prone to meddling in the affairs of others.

The war on drugs
Mike Gravel is the only candidate with the courage to admit the war on drugs is bullshit.  He's the only candidate that understands addiction is an issue of health care, not law enforcement.  It's ironic that the other candidates talk so much about health care, but are for punishing people with drug addictions.  Mike Gravel is the only candidate that advocates legalizing marijuana.  

Steve Jobs speaks his mind on the Teachers Unions:

Jobs compared schools to businesses with principals serving as CEOs.

"What kind of person could you get to run a small business if you told them that when they came in they couldn't get rid of people that they thought weren't any good?" he asked to loud applause during an education reform conference.

"Not really great ones because if you're really smart you go, 'I can't win.'"

"I believe that what is wrong with our schools in this nation is that they have become unionized in the worst possible way," Jobs said.

I'm a big Steve Jobs and Apple fan.  And I have to say I agree with him wholeheartedly.  So I'm wondering what the general opinion is here on dKos.

Are you for or against teacher's unions?  Poll on the flip.

I've written a few diaries on the negative effects of a min. wage increase.  Among the worst effects of a min. wage is that it increases teenage unemployment.  Many doubted this possibility, but its reality is undeniable.

From a recent article in the Arizona Republic:

Oh, for the days when Arizona's high school students could roll pizza dough, sweep up sticky floors in theaters or scoop ice cream without worrying about ballot initiatives affecting their earning power.

That's certainly not the case under the state's new minimum-wage law that went into effect last month.

Some Valley employers, especially those in the food industry, say payroll budgets have risen so much that they're cutting hours, instituting hiring freezes and laying off employees.

And teens are among the first workers to go.

We joke that Bush listens to his "gut" instead of the facts.  But most people that supported min. wage increases do just the same.  There are plenty of reasons to believe opposing min. wage is the right thing to do.  Unfortunately its more fun to be a pretend do-gooder.

Sorry, but while I appreciate Dkos, on occasion we need a reality check on certain issues.  The minimum wage is an issue that this community often refuses to think reasonably about.   So I came across some commentary on the issue and decided to share it.

George Will's recent thoughts on a "minor episode of moral grandstanding:"

Most of the working poor earn more than the minimum wage, and most of the 0.6 percent (479,000 in 2005) of America's wage workers earning the minimum wage are not poor. Only one in five workers earning the federal minimum live in families with household earnings below the poverty line. Sixty percent work part-time and their average household income is well over $40,000. (The average and median household incomes are $63,344 and $46,326 respectively.)

The dirty secret about min. wage is that it does little to help the poor and often hurts them.  That's why he correctly called raising it a "moral grandstanding."  For the many democrats that believe min. wage helps that is what we're seeing. For those Dems who know the truth... min wage legislation is simply vote buying.  But let's learn a little more:

I liked these suggested new years resolutions.  

I won't show the entire article but here some favorites:

#3: This year I will ask farmers to accept the free market. While I believe the government should provide a safety net for the truly needy, taxpayers shouldn't have to finance handouts to farmers, many of whom are wealthy. Farmers should meet the market test as much as anyone else. I will vote to repeal all federal subsidies to growers of corn, wheat, cotton, soybeans and rice. I will vote to allow unrestricted import of sugar. I will tell Americans that eliminating our farm subsidies should not be a "concession" made in trade negotiations but a policy change that we affirmatively embrace.

#4: This year I will admit that there are some good taxes. Everyone hates taxes, but the government needs to fund its operations, and some taxes can actually do some good in the process. I will tell the American people that a higher tax on gasoline is better at encouraging conservation than are heavy-handed CAFE regulations.

There's more.

It's the religious time of the year, so I'm curious:

How many of us in the "reality-based community" really believe in God?

I'm personally alarmed when I hear the statistics, but the polls show:

• 90% of the US population believes in God
• 80% believe in miracles
• Even a majority believe in ghosts (51%)
• 68% believe in the devil

and so on.  So where do you stand?  Is our community any different than the rest of the population?

Arnold Kling makes a valid point:

Since World War II, our economy has evolved in ways that reinforce the financial differences between strong families and weak families. As the earnings of women have risen, "assortive mating" (men and women of similar educational levels tending to marry) tends to widen income differences. The surge in entrepreneurship further rewards strong families. Finally, the rise in divorce and single motherhood puts severe stress on the lower part of the income distribution

Worth considering?

This was encouraging news.  I didn't realize so many people supported a gas tax, but apparently they do.  From treehugger:

Seventy percent of Republicans were in favor of new gasoline taxes compared with 78% of Democrats.

So do you support increasing the gas tax?

It's depressing to hear so many people bring up a minimum wage hike as if its definitely a good thing.

It's depressing because minimum wage hikes are not a wholly good thing.  There are side-effects to a minimum wage hike, and they aren't wholly felt by the rich corporations.  Poor people are hurt too.

What's most troubling is that there is an alternative policy tool that can help the poor, but it is neglected in favor of raising the minimum wage.

I was annoyed about two things today.  First, an article by Time Magazine on The GOP's Secret Weapon which suggests they are better marketers than we are. Second, by my experience with a number of political websites which were sorely lacking in quality.  

I'm not a programmer, but I'm somewhat of a tech-nerd, and I think we're sorely under utilizing technology to push our political agenda.  

Specifically, I think our candidates need a framework for web design that would let them maximize this form of political marketing.  I propose...

If your stuffed, exhausted, and looking for a way to give back for all your thankful for without much effort take a little time this evening and join the World Community Grid.  The Grid is currently working on a new project called FightAids@Home.  All you have to do is download a tiny bit of software that will donate your spare processing power to scientists developing new anti-HIV drugs. The software only uses 'spare' processing power so it doesn't slow your computer at all.  In fact, I'm sure you won't even notice it running.  

Take some time to check out the links below to learn more about this amazing use of technology.  

World Community Grid Website

FightAIDS@Home Project Website

If you're already a member of WCG you can show your support for the project by recommending this diary to increase its exposure.  Once you sign up there is even a Daily Kos Team you can join.  

Today Drudge was proudly displaying this:

DRUDGEREPORT CHASES NYT FOR WEB TRAFFIC...

A bit frustrated to learn that a trashy propagandist is competing with the NYT for online traffic I thought about what could be done to fight this trend.  What I came up with is nothing particularly amazing, but I believe it possible to significantly decrease drudges by simply creating a mirror site that offers his same list of links.  That way those of us who read drudge but dislike the idea of giving him money with every click, can access his content without actually accessing his site.  

I really don't have a lot of time at present, but I do believe it is worthwhile to have a lengthier discussion on what we can do to minimize the influence of conservative media.  This should be an ongoing battle, and I believe we need to start thinking about creating action plans and strategies to continually broaden the reach of our message.  If you've been feeling much the same now may be the time to begin such a discussion, and I promise to post a lengthier and more succint outline of my thoughts in new diary.  

I'm sure most Kossacks are tech savvy (many of you more so than I), but nonetheless I thought I'd share with you a brief list of web tools & sites I believe are of use.  If you haven't come across these programs and sites take some time to check them out.  Below a brief list and after the fold a description of each:

Bloglines

Furl & Del.icio.us

Firefox & Extensions : Google Toolbar & Greasemonkey & BBCode

Gmail

Bit Torrent

eMule &  eMule Plus

You Send It

Openoffice.org

World Community Grid

Go below the fold for a description of each and add to this list in the comments section.  BTW if there is one program which I feel deserves special attention its the World Community Grid. Its an awesome piece of software that allows you to donate your spare processing power to assist scientific research. If don't have time to check all of these out definitely at least look at that one.

For some reason Rush is claiming GWB has had the lowest perecentage of judicial nominees confirmed of any president. From a recent transcript:

Someone needs to call him on this bullshit.  Anyone got a clue as to what kind of fuzzy math he used to come up with that number? link.

The NY Times reports that USA Next, a lobbying group founded in 1991 by Richard Viguerie to attack Social Security, has hired a couple of Swift Boat Consultants to attack AARP head on.  

The group claims it will spend up to $10 million dollars in the coming months assailing AARP over its opposition to SS Reform.

More below...