Category Archives: Economics and the like

The Individual Mandate And The Constitution

Posted on February 11, 2011 by Ampersand

In this week’s open threads — mostly this one, also a bit here — there’s been quite a bit of discussion of the Constitutionality of the individual mandate provision of the Affordable Care Act. There are two senses in which … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care and Related Issues, In the news, Supreme Court Issues | 9 Comments

A Chronic Pain Patients Bill Of Rights

Posted on February 10, 2011 by Ampersand

I came across this, and thought it worth reproducing here. A Chronic Pain Patients Bill Of Rights 1. I have the right to have my pain believed by health professionals, family, friends and others around me. Patients: The person in … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care and Related Issues | 7 Comments

How To Avoid Being Seen As A Drug-Seeker (if you have chronic pain)

Posted on January 31, 2011 by Ampersand

(This is a comment Jake Squid left on a prior thread on “Alas.” Jake’s wife has had chronic pain for 12 years. –Amp) Almost anything you do, if you suffer chronic pain, is viewed as drug seeking behavior. Going to … Continue reading →

Posted in Health Care and Related Issues | 237 Comments

The Government's Cruel War On Pain Medication

Posted on January 27, 2011 by Ampersand

Several years ago, Mark Kleiman wrote a long, well-researched article on drug policy which was so overflowing with being sensible that it has no chance of being paid any attention to in legislative circles. Most of the article was focused … Continue reading →

Posted in crossposted on TADA, Health Care and Related Issues | 47 Comments

More Americans Are For Expanding Than Repealing Health Care Reform

Posted on January 26, 2011 by Ampersand

A new poll by Kaiser and Harvard shows the problem the Republicans have: the only thing as unpopular as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) would be to repeal the Affordable Care Act. 28% of Americans want to expand the ACA; … Continue reading →

Posted in crossposted on TADA, Health Care and Related Issues | 7 Comments

Republicans Want To Take Insurance Away From Sick And Raise The Deficit $230 Billion

Posted on January 18, 2011 by Ampersand

In the House today, Republicans are arguing for a repeal of the Affordable Care Act. A few points: 1) The Republicans want to leave up to 129 million Americans with pre-existing conditions without protection. According to the Department of Health … Continue reading →

Posted in crossposted on TADA, Health Care and Related Issues | 41 Comments

Krugman on Inequality of Opportunity

Posted on January 10, 2011 by Ampersand

Krugman: The first thing one should say is that our system does reward hard work, up to a point. Other things equal, those who put more in will earn more. But a lot of other things are, in fact, not … Continue reading →

Posted in Class, poverty, labor, & related issues, crossposted on TADA, Economics and the like | 31 Comments

The Wyden-Brown Health Care Proposal: Will Conservative States Put Their Money Where Their Mouths Are?

Posted on December 31, 2010 by Ampersand

Mid puff-piece about how Democrat Ron Wyden and Republican Scott Brown are, like, totally this odd couple!, the Washington Post inadvertently discusses Wyden and Brown’s policy proposal for a single paragraph: In short, the legislation would allow states to opt … Continue reading →

Posted in crossposted on TADA, Health Care and Related Issues, In the news | 8 Comments

In Defense Of The Tax Cut Compromise

Posted on December 10, 2010 by Ampersand

There’s a lot I’d criticize Obama for: His Bush-like despotic abuse of civil liberties and presidential powers when it comes to US prisoners, for example, is nothing less than loathsome. His ridiculous habit of making concessions to Republicans in return … Continue reading →

Posted in crossposted on TADA, Economics and the like, Elections and politics, In the news | 15 Comments

Krugman: Let The Tax Cuts Die

Posted on December 6, 2010 by Ampersand

The Republicans have filibustered tax cuts for all Americans who pay income tax, because they want the extra-large cuts only for those who earn more than $250,000 a year extended. Paul Krugman argues that rather than compromising, Obama should veto … Continue reading →

Posted in crossposted on TADA, Economics and the like, In the news | 32 Comments