Monday, July 02, 2007

Digg Report: Today's #1 Digg, at 6263 Diggs, is about a Digg tool for attracting more Diggs.

Must not be that effective. 6263 isn't all that impressive, really.

Blogs and Politics

Is it true that blogs are having this much of an impact on politics? If so, I'm not sure if this is a good or a bad thing.

American Pharmaceuticals Thrive, Europe's are Dying

The next time you want to fall for the idea of universal healthcare a la Europe's socialistic schemes, read this essay by Andrew Sullivan. It points out that innovation thrives in a free market and dies under socialism. The American pharmaceutical industry is making remarkable--some might say miraculous--advances in treatments for all sorts of deadly and debilitating diseases.

If you want to kill those advancements, vote for universal healthcare. If not, fight like hell to retain our current, even mixed economy approach, and then fight even harder for a true free market healthcare system.

I remember looking into a CT lung scan, having been a smoker for a number of years. I don't know what the insured price for a scan would be, but I know that I can get a high-quality scan performed outside of insurance for about $300. That seems entirely reasonable to me, since it could locate any problems while they're still treatable (which a normal x-ray may or may not identify). I imagine that if such scans were covered under insurance, and thus not subject to normal market pressures, they'd be far more expensive (although I personally might pay a little less after deductibles have been met). Imagine the impact on healthcare spending in general if the market were allowed to set prices.

I've read accounts that we're on the cusp of curing various forms of cancer, and already, certain forms have been turned from terminal diagnoses to manageable diseases. And that's due entirely to the efforts of the American pharmaceutical industry. Rather than attacking these companies, we should be honoring them.

More Evidence for Iran in Iraq

More on Iran's proxy war against the US in Iraq. I suppose that when (if?) we go to war with Iran over this (and the nuclear issue) such news items will be quickly forgotten and the "no evidence" mantra will emerge once again.

Media Tells Terrorists We're Onto Them

Once again, the mainstream press reveals our knowledge of a possible terrorist attack. Why this is "news," and not a blatant breach of national security, is beyond me.

Healthcare Independence

An essay on "universal healthcare" at Capitalism Magazine... It's an important read if you're at all concerned about healthcare and would like to have something to counter the upcoming movie on the topic (which shall remain nameless).

Town Surprised that Public-Private Partnership Goes Sour

And the line is blurred between public and private in such instances because government spends tax money (directly or through "incentives) developing private property. It's an inherent contradiction that must result in this or other kinds of conflict.

Breaking News - Babies Cry to Get Attention

And it took scientific research to discover this?