2011 Quality of Living survey

The quality of living in the United States continues to fall, when measured by most objective standards. Much of Europe, Canada, and Australia/New Zealand are ahead of the highest-ranked city in the US: Honolulu. Our country appears to continue to refuse to make the difficult decisions to plan for the long term, and avoid the "live for today" decisions necessary to improve the overall quality of life.

2011 Quality of Living survey:

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Panel Advises Cholesterol Tests for Kids Before Puberty - WSJ.com

Not just adults should be tested for cholesterol --but kids also!

Panel Advises Cholesterol Tests for Kids Before Puberty - WSJ.com:

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Online Education: My Teacher Is an App - WSJ.com

This article points out the revolution in education is underway! Some school systems are allowing school at home on computers
Online Education: My Teacher Is an App - WSJ.com:

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Our view on the federal budget: Tax debate reflects breathtaking disconnect - USATODAY.com

In September 2010, the USA Today Editorial hit the nail right on the head! We should have let the tax cuts expire!
Our view on the federal budget: Tax debate reflects breathtaking disconnect - USATODAY.com:

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FSAs encourage rather than reduce unnecessary healthcare spending - latimes.com

Michael Hilzik wrote an excellent editorial in today's (Nov 20, 2011) Sunday LA Times Business Section. He pointed out how stupid our flexible savings accounts are for medical benefits. In general, they are a good idea, however the devil's in the details. Congress and the IRS distorted the law such that

FSAs encourage rather than reduce unnecessary healthcare spending - latimes.com:

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The conservative case for healthcare reform's individual mandate - latimes.com

I've never understood why Republicans and Conservatives are against the healthcare reform law. It seems natural, and simply requires everyone to act responsibly and pay for some sort of health insurance. I suspect that the only reason they are against it is "Not Invented Here" syndrome --they don't want Obama to take credit for it. This editorial seems to summarize very well what I think.

The conservative case for healthcare reform's individual mandate - latimes.com:

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Michael Nielsen on Networked Science - WSJ.com

I think I agree that the US has to make some major changes in how we do things if we think we're going to continue to lead the world in technology.

Michael Nielsen on Networked Science - WSJ.com:

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Toughest Exam Question: What Is the Best Way to Study? - WSJ.com

Good article in October 26, 2011 Wall Street Journal, which has good recommendations for studying for exams.

Toughest Exam Question: What Is the Best Way to Study? - WSJ.com:

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Judges Challenge Phone Location Tracking - WSJ.com

Judges Challenge Phone Location Tracking - WSJ.com:

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First Report: Is Israel Over? - The Daily Beast

It appears that others are recognizing that Israel's foreign policy is potentially helping Israel to self destruct. Israel had many opportunities to resolve the conflicts in the Middle East, but opted to keep the conflict going, in order to continue the unbelievable amount of United States foreign aid.

First Report: Is Israel Over? - The Daily Beast:

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More Visitors Leave U.S. Off Travel Itinerary - WSJ.com

The US is losing a lot of tourist business due to the lengthy waits to get visas. See this WSJ article

More Visitors Leave U.S. Off Travel Itinerary - WSJ.com:

Our whole process of arrival at airports is also somewhat demeaning to both residents and visitors, which I think also discourages visitors.

Yeah we need jobs in the US. Jobs in the hospitality industry are good ones because they hire the lower skilled citizens and give them a way to work up to better paying positions. They also bring in foreign currency to help our balance of payments.

However our paranoia over immigration and terrorists have (rightly so) made it difficult for people to come to the US.

China now holds much of our money and has an immense population--if even a small percentage of them visited the US we'd be doing great!

Military Update: TRICARE Fees, Retiree COLA

It looks like Congress is going to further erode the military retiree medical benefit:

Military Update: TRICARE Fees, Retiree COLA:

Plan for high-speed rail more realistic and pricey

Plan for high-speed rail more realistic and pricey:

I agree, we have to prioritize what we spend on. I do have mixed emotions on high speed rail. I'm astounded at the cost projections for this project. However I'm also astounded at the costs of our new aerospace systems.

• $70B for 173 F-22s --which may or may not see actual air-to-air combat against peers.
• $1 Trillion to own and operate the fleet of F35s (see this WSJ article).
• I know you are aware of the breathtaking costs of our new space systems.

Much of the cost of our high speed rail is in buying and preparing rights-of-way. Once the Government owns the rights-of-way, it becomes an asset to the taxpayer. New aircraft depreciate, and only resemble an asset if they help us win a war. The cost and value of the rail right-of-way land is only going to go up. If we are ever going to build a high speed rail, it seems that it would be better to buy that land now, rather than later, when there is even more development to relocate. When the Washington beltway was built it cost $1 Million/mile. Now sound walls on one side of a freeway cost more than $1 Million/mile. When the Century Freeway in LA was built the 17 miles cost $2.3 Billion ($135 M/mile). An expansion of 30 miles of I-5 here in San Diego is proposed to cost only $4.5 Billion ($150 M/mile). In comparison, the high speed rail is roughly an 800 Mile project at $100B --$125 Million/mile. It's in the "ballpark."

Yes, the high speed rail may not have a good return on investment (ROI) in comparison with other business endeavors. However airports and freeways don't necessarily have good ROIs either, if based only on revenue earned by landing fees and freeway tolls. There are other ways of evaluating ROI for transportation projects: See this.

I'm in favor of a "slow and steady" approach to improving our transportation infrastructure. We need a vision of where we're going, and a plan to get there. However we don't need to rush into it. We can spread this project over 30 to 50 years, if necessary - no time pressure.

The public voted for high speed rail. Diane Harkey, the State Representative of our area is continually pushing to kill it and other similar ones. I know that if her right-wingers were in power, the first thing they'd do is push through this sort of project, and propose large bond issuance.