An Indecent Proposal That Just Might Solve the Primary Care Crisis: Meet the 35 Hour Work Week |
The Health Care Blog: "Structuring the job of Medicare PCPs into a 35 hour work week would probably attract more clinicians to the job.
It would also help PCPs maintain the cognitive and emotional resources needed to do the job consistently well, and could reduce burnout in this group of key clinicians."
Important stuff you won't get from the liberal media! We do the surfing so you can be informed AND have a life!
Thursday, April 18, 2013
Former Muskegon Community College cashier charged with embezzling nearly $4,000
Former Muskegon Community College cashier charged with embezzling nearly $4,000 | MLive.com:
"According to Senior Assistant Muskegon County Prosecutor Matt Roberts, Boucher’s employers became suspicious when a bank deposit that should have been made, wasn’t.
Roberts said Boucher allegedly had been taking money from payments made to her at the college. "
"According to Senior Assistant Muskegon County Prosecutor Matt Roberts, Boucher’s employers became suspicious when a bank deposit that should have been made, wasn’t.
Roberts said Boucher allegedly had been taking money from payments made to her at the college. "
24 IRS workers in TN accused of theft
24 IRS workers in TN accused of theft | The Tennessean | tennessean.com:
"First it was the families of dead people and state employees.
Now, authorities say Internal Revenue Service employees in Tennessee were stealing unemployment and other benefits while fully employed.
On Thursday, 13 of those employees were indicted on federal charges that they lied to get unemployment, food stamps, welfare and housing vouchers.
An additional 11 have been indicted on state charges of theft greater than $1,000.
In all, authorities say the workers improperly received more than $250,000 in government benefits."
"First it was the families of dead people and state employees.
Now, authorities say Internal Revenue Service employees in Tennessee were stealing unemployment and other benefits while fully employed.
On Thursday, 13 of those employees were indicted on federal charges that they lied to get unemployment, food stamps, welfare and housing vouchers.
An additional 11 have been indicted on state charges of theft greater than $1,000.
In all, authorities say the workers improperly received more than $250,000 in government benefits."
Legislature targets drug users, lottery winners seeking state assistance
Legislature targets drug users, lottery winners seeking state assistance | Detroit Free Press | freep.com:
"Low-income people are a big topic of conversation in Lansing this week, from cracking down on public assistance recipients who happen to collect on winning lottery tickets, to impending discussion of bills that would require suspicion-based drug testing for people who are applying for public assistance.
Even store owners are facing harsher penalties if they continuously sell liquor or lottery tickets to people who are illegally paying for the goods with bridge cards, which replaced food stamps.
While the bills are labeled as commonsense solutions to fraud and abuse in the public assistance benefit rolls, other see them as the opening salvos of a war on poor people, punishing many for the sins of a few."
"Low-income people are a big topic of conversation in Lansing this week, from cracking down on public assistance recipients who happen to collect on winning lottery tickets, to impending discussion of bills that would require suspicion-based drug testing for people who are applying for public assistance.
Even store owners are facing harsher penalties if they continuously sell liquor or lottery tickets to people who are illegally paying for the goods with bridge cards, which replaced food stamps.
While the bills are labeled as commonsense solutions to fraud and abuse in the public assistance benefit rolls, other see them as the opening salvos of a war on poor people, punishing many for the sins of a few."
Poll: Most say redistribute wealth
Poll: Most say redistribute wealth - Kevin Robillard - POLITICO.com:
"Nearly 6 in 10 Americans say wealth is distributed unfairly in the United States, and a majority want the federal government to play Robin Hood to fix the problem, according to a poll released Thursday.
Only 33 percent of Americans think the current distribution of wealth in this country is fair, according to the Gallup Poll, while 59 percent say it is not.
Fifty-two percent said the United States should redistribute wealth through heavy taxes on the rich, while 45 percent disagreed.
While the percent of Americans who said the current distribution of wealth is unfair is down from 68 percent in 2008, the number of Americans who favor federal redistribution is at an all-time high."
"Nearly 6 in 10 Americans say wealth is distributed unfairly in the United States, and a majority want the federal government to play Robin Hood to fix the problem, according to a poll released Thursday.
Only 33 percent of Americans think the current distribution of wealth in this country is fair, according to the Gallup Poll, while 59 percent say it is not.
Fifty-two percent said the United States should redistribute wealth through heavy taxes on the rich, while 45 percent disagreed.
While the percent of Americans who said the current distribution of wealth is unfair is down from 68 percent in 2008, the number of Americans who favor federal redistribution is at an all-time high."
Your Tax Dollars at Work: Subsidizing the Security of Wealthy Allies
Your Tax Dollars at Work: Subsidizing the Security of Wealthy Allies | Cato Institute:
"The average American spends $2,300 on the military, based on the latest data available.
That is roughly four and a half times more than what the average person in other NATO countries spends.
These countries boast a collective GDP of approximately $19 trillion, 25 percent higher than the U.S.
They obviously can afford to spend more.
So why don’t they?
Because Uncle Sucker picks up nearly the entire tab.
Looked at another way, U.S. alliances constitute a massive wealth transfer from U.S. taxpayers (and their Chinese creditors) to bloated European welfare states and technologically-advanced Asian nations."
"The average American spends $2,300 on the military, based on the latest data available.
That is roughly four and a half times more than what the average person in other NATO countries spends.
These countries boast a collective GDP of approximately $19 trillion, 25 percent higher than the U.S.
They obviously can afford to spend more.
So why don’t they?
Because Uncle Sucker picks up nearly the entire tab.
Looked at another way, U.S. alliances constitute a massive wealth transfer from U.S. taxpayers (and their Chinese creditors) to bloated European welfare states and technologically-advanced Asian nations."
Times may be tough, but Green Bay schools still spending big on travel, cell phones and restaurant tabs
Times may be tough, but Green Bay schools still spending big on travel, cell phones and restaurant tabs - EAGnews.org :: Education Research, Reporting, Analysis and Commentary
That’s why the district was forced to make spending cuts and pay freezes in employee compensation in the current school year to erase a $9 million budget deficit
....That list includes nearly $200,000 for travel, mostly for hotel and airline costs; food service expenses that included more than $240,000 for restaurant-prepared pizza and Pepsi-Cola products; more than $112,000 on cell phones for school staff; nearly $300,000 in payments to law firms; and more than $30,000 spent at various restaurants.
That’s why the district was forced to make spending cuts and pay freezes in employee compensation in the current school year to erase a $9 million budget deficit
....That list includes nearly $200,000 for travel, mostly for hotel and airline costs; food service expenses that included more than $240,000 for restaurant-prepared pizza and Pepsi-Cola products; more than $112,000 on cell phones for school staff; nearly $300,000 in payments to law firms; and more than $30,000 spent at various restaurants.
The district also dropped more than $40,000 to hire a consultant that works with school staff on cultural sensitivity issues.
Muskegon Public Schools finances to be overseen by intermediate school district
Muskegon Public Schools finances to be overseen by intermediate school district | MLive.com:
"Muskegon Public Schools is turning its financial operations over to the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District, a move officials said isn’t directly related to the district’s budget deficit but one that will help address the deficit.
The board of education on Tuesday agreed to a “financial services agreement” with the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District.
The agreement will save the district between $100,000 and $200,000 per year, said Muskegon Public Schools Superintendent Jon Felske."
"Muskegon Public Schools is turning its financial operations over to the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District, a move officials said isn’t directly related to the district’s budget deficit but one that will help address the deficit.
The board of education on Tuesday agreed to a “financial services agreement” with the Muskegon Area Intermediate School District.
The agreement will save the district between $100,000 and $200,000 per year, said Muskegon Public Schools Superintendent Jon Felske."
Muskegon Public Schools are out of money, board approves $2.6 million budget deficit
Muskegon Public Schools are out of money, board approves $2.6 million budget deficit | MLive.com:
"The Muskegon school board originally adopted a $52.47 million budget last June that estimated the district’s fund balance at $545,546 at June 30, the end of this fiscal year.
However, the latest amendment, approved by the school board Tuesday, calls for $3.88 million more in spending – anticipated at $57.27 million – than revenues. That more than eats up the district’s $1.3 million fund balance.
Muskegon school board President Louis Churchwell said the community should be “aware, not alarmed,” by the budget crisis and said the board is ready to make the tough decisions necessary to eliminate the deficit.
“What the community needs to know is we’ll be OK,” Churchwell said.
“If we don’t do anything, it can become something bigger.”
"The Muskegon school board originally adopted a $52.47 million budget last June that estimated the district’s fund balance at $545,546 at June 30, the end of this fiscal year.
However, the latest amendment, approved by the school board Tuesday, calls for $3.88 million more in spending – anticipated at $57.27 million – than revenues. That more than eats up the district’s $1.3 million fund balance.
Muskegon school board President Louis Churchwell said the community should be “aware, not alarmed,” by the budget crisis and said the board is ready to make the tough decisions necessary to eliminate the deficit.
“What the community needs to know is we’ll be OK,” Churchwell said.
“If we don’t do anything, it can become something bigger.”
Michigan kids rank near bottom in improving test scores
Michigan kids rank near bottom in improving test scores | Detroit Free Press | freep.com:
■Michigan ranks 39th out of 50 states in overall improvement in fourth-grade reading
■Michigan ranks 41st out of 50 states in overall improvement in eighth-grade math
■Michigan’s ranking declined over time. In fourth-grade reading, for instance, Michigan went from being ranked 28th in 2003 to being ranked 30th in 2011. In contrast, Maryland’s rank rose from 30th to 3rd in the same time period."
■Michigan ranks 39th out of 50 states in overall improvement in fourth-grade reading
■Michigan ranks 41st out of 50 states in overall improvement in eighth-grade math
■Michigan’s ranking declined over time. In fourth-grade reading, for instance, Michigan went from being ranked 28th in 2003 to being ranked 30th in 2011. In contrast, Maryland’s rank rose from 30th to 3rd in the same time period."
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Dem proposes federal regulation of nurse-to-patient ratios in hospitals
Dem proposes federal regulation of nurse-to-patient ratios in hospitals - The Hill's Floor Action:
"Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) on Tuesday proposed legislation that would require hospitals to maintain a minimum nurse-to-patient ratio at all times, and allow the government to audit and penalize hospitals that fail to comply with this rule."
"Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) on Tuesday proposed legislation that would require hospitals to maintain a minimum nurse-to-patient ratio at all times, and allow the government to audit and penalize hospitals that fail to comply with this rule."
Republicans pull plug on Mark Sanford
Republicans pull plug on Mark Sanford - Alex Isenstadt - POLITICO.com:
"Republicans said they were caught off guard by news of Jenny Sanford’s complaint.
They worry other damaging revelations about Mark Sanford’s personal life that they aren’t aware of could come out in the coming weeks."
"Republicans said they were caught off guard by news of Jenny Sanford’s complaint.
They worry other damaging revelations about Mark Sanford’s personal life that they aren’t aware of could come out in the coming weeks."
New lithium-ion battery design that’s 2,000 times more powerful, recharges 1,000 times faster | ExtremeTech
New lithium-ion battery design that’s 2,000 times more powerful, recharges 1,000 times faster | ExtremeTech
"Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have developed a new lithium-ion battery technology that is 2,000 times more powerful than comparable batteries.
According to the researchers, this is not simply an evolutionary step in battery tech,
“It’s a new enabling technology… it breaks the normal paradigms of energy sources.
It’s allowing us to do different, new things.”
"Researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have developed a new lithium-ion battery technology that is 2,000 times more powerful than comparable batteries.
According to the researchers, this is not simply an evolutionary step in battery tech,
“It’s a new enabling technology… it breaks the normal paradigms of energy sources.
It’s allowing us to do different, new things.”
2 dogs maul Detroit woman
2 dogs maul Detroit woman | Detroit Free Press | freep.com:
"A Detroit woman is in critical condition today after being attacked by two dogs in front of her house, according to police and a neighbor."
"A Detroit woman is in critical condition today after being attacked by two dogs in front of her house, according to police and a neighbor."
Napoleon's office isn't responding to 911, but 61 workers get cars in case of emergency
Napoleon's office isn't responding to 911, but 61 workers get cars in case of emergency | Detroit Free Press | freep.com
"The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office doesn’t take 911 calls, but 61 employees have take-home cars in case they’re called out to an emergency.
That total, which is down from 80 take-home cars just a few weeks ago, is equal to Oakland County and higher than Macomb County, which combined handle 911 calls from 22 cities, villages and townships with more than 535,000 residents.
The vast majority of the take-home cars in Wayne County are assigned to command staff — unlike the other two counties, where more cars are assigned to detectives and officers on specialized units.
Some civilian employees also receive cars in Wayne County, whereas only sworn officers get vehicles in Oakland and Macomb counties."
"The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office doesn’t take 911 calls, but 61 employees have take-home cars in case they’re called out to an emergency.
That total, which is down from 80 take-home cars just a few weeks ago, is equal to Oakland County and higher than Macomb County, which combined handle 911 calls from 22 cities, villages and townships with more than 535,000 residents.
The vast majority of the take-home cars in Wayne County are assigned to command staff — unlike the other two counties, where more cars are assigned to detectives and officers on specialized units.
Some civilian employees also receive cars in Wayne County, whereas only sworn officers get vehicles in Oakland and Macomb counties."
p r e s i d e n t i a l h a i k u
p r e s i d e n t i a l h a i k u:
Millard Fillmore:
Forgotten Millard
You will rock the mutton chops
And precede Pierce
Gerald Ford:
Named Leslie Lynch King
You changed your name to Gerald
Then fell off a plane
For the Yellow Jacket in my room:
stingy bug of hate
have you met my flyswatter?
death can be sudden
my eyes were too big
i am one with the desserts
now i must digest
Obama administration has SLASHED budget for domestic bombing prevention by 45 per cent, says former Homeland Security Assistant Secretary
Obama administration has SLASHED budget for domestic bombing prevention by 45 per cent, says former Homeland Security Assistant Secretary | Mail Online:
"$20 million budget under Bush became $11 million under Obama"
"$20 million budget under Bush became $11 million under Obama"
Let’s hope the Boston Marathon bomber is a white American
Let’s hope the Boston Marathon bomber is a white American - Salon.com:
"In those awful episodes, a religious or ethnic minority group lacking such privilege would likely be collectively slandered and/or targeted with surveillance or profiling (or worse) if some of its individuals comprised most of the mass shooters.
However, white male privilege means white men are not collectively denigrated/targeted for those shootings — even though most come at the hands of white dudes."
"In those awful episodes, a religious or ethnic minority group lacking such privilege would likely be collectively slandered and/or targeted with surveillance or profiling (or worse) if some of its individuals comprised most of the mass shooters.
However, white male privilege means white men are not collectively denigrated/targeted for those shootings — even though most come at the hands of white dudes."
Boston bombings: Pressure cooker bombs used in past by militants
Boston bombings: Pressure cooker bombs used in past by militants | MLive.com:
"Homemade bombs built from pressure cookers, a version of which was used in the Boston Marathon bombings, have been a frequent weapon of militants in Afghanistan, India and Pakistan. Al-Qaida's branch in Yemen once published an online manual on how to make one, urging "lone jihadis" to act on their own to carry out attacks."
"Homemade bombs built from pressure cookers, a version of which was used in the Boston Marathon bombings, have been a frequent weapon of militants in Afghanistan, India and Pakistan. Al-Qaida's branch in Yemen once published an online manual on how to make one, urging "lone jihadis" to act on their own to carry out attacks."
Triple your income? Pay 10 TIMES as much toward national defense and food stamps, but Obama tax-day 'receipt' website makes it nearly impossible to find out
Triple your income? Pay 10 TIMES as much toward national defense and food stamps, but Obama tax-day 'receipt' website makes it nearly impossible to find out | Mail Online:
"Triple your income?
Pay 10 TIMES as much toward national defense and food stamps, but Obama tax-day 'receipt' website makes it nearly impossible to find out
Examples provided for $25k-$80k earners, but not for wealthy taxpayers
White House won't comment on failure to show massive tax burden of the 'one percent'
Watchdog says administration is hiding entitlement spending to make the Defense budget look bigger"
"Triple your income?
Pay 10 TIMES as much toward national defense and food stamps, but Obama tax-day 'receipt' website makes it nearly impossible to find out
Examples provided for $25k-$80k earners, but not for wealthy taxpayers
White House won't comment on failure to show massive tax burden of the 'one percent'
Watchdog says administration is hiding entitlement spending to make the Defense budget look bigger"
The calculator makes it easy to see numbers associated with its $80,000 example, along with four others ranging in income down to $25,000.
But no examples are provided for upper-income earners, despite the President's frequent argument for a 'Buffett Rule' tax that would ensure Americans who make $1 million or more would pay at least 30 percent of their income to the federal government.
While taxpayers who make more than $80,000 per year can consult their own tax returns for the numbers required to operate the calculator, lower-income earners would need to know how to use several online tools in order to estimate those numbers for someone who earns dramatically more than they do.
State: Some Michigan lottery winners lose welfare assistance, but 'loopholes' allow others to continue getting benefits
State: Some Michigan lottery winners lose welfare assistance, but 'loopholes' allow others to continue getting benefits | MLive.com:
"Certain programs – including food assistance, cash assistance and some types of Medicaid programs – have established asset limits and testing of those assets.
But other welfare programs don’t have asset testing – including certain child development and care programs, along with some types of Medicaid programs.
The Department of Human Services says that more than 2,000 cases involving lottery winners or other members of their household remain open because certain welfare benefits are not covered by asset tests.
“It’s inconceivable that this is what the legislature had in mind when passing those laws in 2012,” Maura Corrigan, Michigan’s DHS director, said in a statement.
“With the match system, we can now identify substantial winnings, but the loopholes that allow lottery winners to continue to collect various benefits need to be closed, through amending state and federal law and policy.”
DHS officials said data indicates nearly 14 percent of all lottery winners are either welfare recipients themselves or reside in a household with welfare recipients. "
"Certain programs – including food assistance, cash assistance and some types of Medicaid programs – have established asset limits and testing of those assets.
But other welfare programs don’t have asset testing – including certain child development and care programs, along with some types of Medicaid programs.
The Department of Human Services says that more than 2,000 cases involving lottery winners or other members of their household remain open because certain welfare benefits are not covered by asset tests.
“It’s inconceivable that this is what the legislature had in mind when passing those laws in 2012,” Maura Corrigan, Michigan’s DHS director, said in a statement.
“With the match system, we can now identify substantial winnings, but the loopholes that allow lottery winners to continue to collect various benefits need to be closed, through amending state and federal law and policy.”
DHS officials said data indicates nearly 14 percent of all lottery winners are either welfare recipients themselves or reside in a household with welfare recipients. "
Michigan road funding: House plan takes shape with wholesale fuel taxes, higher registration fees
Michigan road funding: House plan takes shape with wholesale fuel taxes, higher registration fees | MLive.com: "
As our economy is rebounding, now is the time to double down and get our transportation system working," Schmidt said after this morning's hearing, explaining his motivation to jumpstart the process.
"I think that will speed up our progress here in Michigan."
One of Schmidt's bills would increase gasoline and diesel taxes but levy them at the wholesale level, allowing for prices to rise or fall with inflation.
A gallon of gas that currently costs $3.75 would cost about 8 cents more under the new plan, he said, while generating an estimated $700 million a year in new revenue.
Schmidt also plans to introduce legislation that would raise vehicle registration fees, and he said future discussions could include higher rates for hybrid, electric or alternative fuel vehicles that use less gasoline and therefore pay fewer taxes at the pump."
As our economy is rebounding, now is the time to double down and get our transportation system working," Schmidt said after this morning's hearing, explaining his motivation to jumpstart the process.
"I think that will speed up our progress here in Michigan."
One of Schmidt's bills would increase gasoline and diesel taxes but levy them at the wholesale level, allowing for prices to rise or fall with inflation.
A gallon of gas that currently costs $3.75 would cost about 8 cents more under the new plan, he said, while generating an estimated $700 million a year in new revenue.
Schmidt also plans to introduce legislation that would raise vehicle registration fees, and he said future discussions could include higher rates for hybrid, electric or alternative fuel vehicles that use less gasoline and therefore pay fewer taxes at the pump."
NJ’s ‘$100K Club’ of retirees growing
NJ’s ‘$100K Club’ of retirees growing « Watchdog.org:
"All of the Top Five pensioners are retired school executives."
"All of the Top Five pensioners are retired school executives."
Letters: Gentrification of the Farmers Market has racist overtones
Letters: Gentrification of the Farmers Market has racist overtones | MLive.com:
"City Commissioner Spataro, a privileged, white, middle-class man, does not get to decide what is racist. Pretending gentrification is not racist is racist.
Deciding to move a desirable component of a historically black and working class neighborhood to a new location for the benefit of an imaginary future wealthy (white) condo-living people and thus, deciding to take from the working class and people of color to give to wealthy white people is racist.
Making decisions based on money and profit without regard for the destructive racial and economic consequences for working class communities and communities of color is racist.
If you are not capable of recognizing, understanding, respecting and conversing about the racial and economic consequences of development, you should not be making decisions for anyone, but especially not people of color and working class people who make up the majority of downtown Muskegon.
WENDY SAMPSON/Muskegon"
"City Commissioner Spataro, a privileged, white, middle-class man, does not get to decide what is racist. Pretending gentrification is not racist is racist.
Deciding to move a desirable component of a historically black and working class neighborhood to a new location for the benefit of an imaginary future wealthy (white) condo-living people and thus, deciding to take from the working class and people of color to give to wealthy white people is racist.
Making decisions based on money and profit without regard for the destructive racial and economic consequences for working class communities and communities of color is racist.
If you are not capable of recognizing, understanding, respecting and conversing about the racial and economic consequences of development, you should not be making decisions for anyone, but especially not people of color and working class people who make up the majority of downtown Muskegon.
WENDY SAMPSON/Muskegon"
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
It's true: Men can't read women's emotions, study confirms
It's true: Men can't read women's emotions, study confirms - The Body Odd:
"It's a cliché that men just don't understand women.
Now, new research suggests men really do struggle to read women's emotions — at least from their eyes.
The research, published Wednesday (April 10) in the journal PLOS ONE, showed that men had twice as much trouble deciphering women's emotions from images of their eyes compared with those of men.
Parts of the male brain tied to emotion also didn't activate as strongly when the men looked at women's eyes."
"It's a cliché that men just don't understand women.
Now, new research suggests men really do struggle to read women's emotions — at least from their eyes.
The research, published Wednesday (April 10) in the journal PLOS ONE, showed that men had twice as much trouble deciphering women's emotions from images of their eyes compared with those of men.
Parts of the male brain tied to emotion also didn't activate as strongly when the men looked at women's eyes."
Due to ObamaCare, Nation's Largest Movie Theater Chain Cuts Employee Hours
Due to ObamaCare, Nation's Largest Movie Theater Chain Cuts Employee Hours:
"In a memo to employees, management was blunt:
“To comply with the Affordable Care Act, Regal had to increase our health care budget to cover those newly deemed eligible based on the law's definition of a full-time employee.”
Fox News reports that, as a result of cutting employees' work hours (which is, of course, the same as a pay cut), full-time Regal managers have resigned in "a wave" after their hours and pay checks were slashed by as much as twenty-five percent.
"In a memo to employees, management was blunt:
“To comply with the Affordable Care Act, Regal had to increase our health care budget to cover those newly deemed eligible based on the law's definition of a full-time employee.”
Fox News reports that, as a result of cutting employees' work hours (which is, of course, the same as a pay cut), full-time Regal managers have resigned in "a wave" after their hours and pay checks were slashed by as much as twenty-five percent.
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