when it comes to corruption, according to Transparency International’s Corruption Perceptions Index for 2018. The index ranks 180 countries and territories by their perceived levels of public sector corruption according to experts and business people. We rank below Luxembourg, Estonia and France.
Zoe Reiter, Acting Representative to the U.S. at Transparency International said this about the report:
“A four point drop in the CPI score is a red flag and comes at a time when the US is experiencing threats to its system of checks and balances, as well as an erosion of ethical norms at the highest levels of power. If this trend continues, it would indicate a serious corruption problem in a country that has taken a lead on the issue globally. This is a bipartisan issue that requires a bipartisan solution.”
Wednesday, January 30, 2019
Tuesday, January 29, 2019
Monday, January 28, 2019
$11 billion down the drain
That's what CBO estimates was the result of reduced economic activity caused by the shutdown. GDP in the fourth quarter of 2018 was down by $3 billion and $8 billion in the first quarter of 2019.
What will an emergency shutdown cost us?
What will an emergency shutdown cost us?
Sunday, January 27, 2019
16 and speaking strongly about climate change
Greta Thunberg is a 16-year-old Swedish student who is really pushing our leaders to act about climate change. Every Friday she stands impatiently on the threshold of powerful institutions making the case for zero carbon. She has convinced 100,000 fellow teens around the world to follow her example in striking for the climate.
“At Davos, people like to talk about success, but financial success has come with a price tag, and on the climate we have failed. And unless we recognize the failures of our system, there will be unspoken suffering.”
She was able to make a presentation to the World Economic Forum.
Was this a PR bit by the Forum? Or, will some thing really happen?
Thanks to a fellow Duncaster resident for making me aware of Thunberg's work.
“At Davos, people like to talk about success, but financial success has come with a price tag, and on the climate we have failed. And unless we recognize the failures of our system, there will be unspoken suffering.”
She was able to make a presentation to the World Economic Forum.
Was this a PR bit by the Forum? Or, will some thing really happen?
Thanks to a fellow Duncaster resident for making me aware of Thunberg's work.
Dog earns a master's degree
Clarkson University just awarded a Master's degree to Griffin Hawley, a Golden Retriever. He happens to be a service dog of another graduate, a woman.
This is not the first time Clarkson has done this. Their raison d'etre:
Clarkson University welcomes service animals trained to assist people in all aspects of education, research, and campus life. The Board of Trustees recognized that Griffin has demonstrated extraordinary effort, steadfast commitment, and diligent dedication to the wellbeing and student success of his owner Brittany. The two have pursued 100% together a graduate degree in Occupational Therapy attending all the same classes, lectures, faculty appointments, group study sessions, social activities, research projects, and clinical experiences, fully making Griffin an equal member of the Clarkson Golden Knights family.
This is not the first time Clarkson has done this. Their raison d'etre:
Clarkson University welcomes service animals trained to assist people in all aspects of education, research, and campus life. The Board of Trustees recognized that Griffin has demonstrated extraordinary effort, steadfast commitment, and diligent dedication to the wellbeing and student success of his owner Brittany. The two have pursued 100% together a graduate degree in Occupational Therapy attending all the same classes, lectures, faculty appointments, group study sessions, social activities, research projects, and clinical experiences, fully making Griffin an equal member of the Clarkson Golden Knights family.
Saturday, January 26, 2019
Friday, January 25, 2019
Should we start to worry about the economy?
Significant housing declines have foreshadowed nine of the 11 post-World War II recessions in the US. In December, US existing-home sales declined to 4.99 million, 10.3% below the mark from the year-ago period, according to data released earlier this week by the National Association of Realtors. That's the steepest decline in more than seven years, and it followed year-over-year declines of 7.8% in November and 5.1% in October. Home sales dropped in every month in 2018 except February, but the trend grew more aggressive in the final quarter of the year.
Some banks are showing problems. At Wells Fargo, mortgage-banking income fell by 50%, to $467 million, in the fourth quarter, while originations declined by 28%, to $38 billion. JPMorgan saw mortgage income fall to $203 million, a 46% drop from the same period last year. Originations fell by 30%, to $17.2 billion.
Some banks are showing problems. At Wells Fargo, mortgage-banking income fell by 50%, to $467 million, in the fourth quarter, while originations declined by 28%, to $38 billion. JPMorgan saw mortgage income fall to $203 million, a 46% drop from the same period last year. Originations fell by 30%, to $17.2 billion.
Eat more carbs
You may be hearing that in the future. In Okinawa they have a high ratio of carbohydrates to protein (10:1) in their diet. Yet, they have the longest life expectancy of anyone on Earth and the vast majority of those years are lived in remarkably good health too. For every 100,000 inhabitants, Okinawa has 68 centenarians – more than three times the numbers found in US populations of the same size. Even by the standards of Japan, Okinawans are remarkable, with a 40% greater chance of living to 100 than other Japanese people.
Some studies have shown that a low protein, high carbohydrate diet sets off various physiological responses that protect us from various age-related illnesses – including cancer, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease. And the Okinawan Ratio may achieve the optimal dietary balance to achieve those effects.
The typical Okinawan centenarian appeared to be free of the typical signs of cardiovascular disease, without the build-up of the hard “calcified” plaques around the arteries that can lead to heart failure. Okinawa’s oldest residents also have far lower rates of cancer, diabetes and dementia than other ageing populations.
They have a relatively rare gene variant - APOE4 - which decreases the risk of heart disease and Alzheimer’s. They may also be more likely to carry a protective variant of the FOXO3 gene involved in regulating metabolism and cell growth. This results in a shorter stature but also appears to reduce the risk of various age-related diseases, including cancer.
Okinawans are less likely to smoke than most populations, and since they worked predominantly in agriculture and fishing, they were also physically active. Their tight-knit communities also help the residents to maintain an active social life into old age. Social connection has also been shown to improve health and longevity by reducing the body’s stress responses to challenging events. (Loneliness, in contrast, has been shown to be as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.)
Although they do eat pork, fish and other meats, these are typically a small component of their overall consumption, which is mostly plant-based foods.
The traditional Okinawan diet is therefore dense in the essential vitamins and minerals - including anti-oxidants - but also low in calories. Particularly in the past, before fast food entered the islands, the average Okinawan ate around 11% fewer calories than the normal recommended consumption for a healthy adult.
Some studies have shown that a low protein, high carbohydrate diet sets off various physiological responses that protect us from various age-related illnesses – including cancer, cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s disease. And the Okinawan Ratio may achieve the optimal dietary balance to achieve those effects.
The typical Okinawan centenarian appeared to be free of the typical signs of cardiovascular disease, without the build-up of the hard “calcified” plaques around the arteries that can lead to heart failure. Okinawa’s oldest residents also have far lower rates of cancer, diabetes and dementia than other ageing populations.
They have a relatively rare gene variant - APOE4 - which decreases the risk of heart disease and Alzheimer’s. They may also be more likely to carry a protective variant of the FOXO3 gene involved in regulating metabolism and cell growth. This results in a shorter stature but also appears to reduce the risk of various age-related diseases, including cancer.
Okinawans are less likely to smoke than most populations, and since they worked predominantly in agriculture and fishing, they were also physically active. Their tight-knit communities also help the residents to maintain an active social life into old age. Social connection has also been shown to improve health and longevity by reducing the body’s stress responses to challenging events. (Loneliness, in contrast, has been shown to be as harmful as smoking 15 cigarettes a day.)
Although they do eat pork, fish and other meats, these are typically a small component of their overall consumption, which is mostly plant-based foods.
The traditional Okinawan diet is therefore dense in the essential vitamins and minerals - including anti-oxidants - but also low in calories. Particularly in the past, before fast food entered the islands, the average Okinawan ate around 11% fewer calories than the normal recommended consumption for a healthy adult.
Thursday, January 24, 2019
Americans crossing the Mexican border
6,000 Americans cross the border from Yuma to the Mexican town of Los Algodones. They are seeking mainly dental care,but also vision care and prescription drugs. And they get it in Los Algodones, where there are more dentists per capita than anywhere else in the world.
Approximately 74 million people in the US (nearly a quarter of the population) have no dental insurance, according to the National Association of Dental Plans. Most dental plans don’t cover much at all beyond regular check-ups, cleaning, X-rays and fillings. Beyond that, patients are expected to fork over much of the cost of large but common procedures like crowns, root canals and implants. Dental plans also generally pay a maximum of $1,500 annually, a number that’s hardly changed in 50 years. And $1,500 doesn’t go far when you consider the cost of major dental work. The cost of a single crown can be as much as $2,000 and the cost of an implant can run $5,000 a tooth.
Dental work in Mexico is on average two-thirds less than in the US and customers may save 80 percent or more on some costly operations. Those savings derive partially from Mexico’s less expensive real estate and labor costs, but also, Mexico’s dentists don’t graduate with a ton of student debt.
Approximately 74 million people in the US (nearly a quarter of the population) have no dental insurance, according to the National Association of Dental Plans. Most dental plans don’t cover much at all beyond regular check-ups, cleaning, X-rays and fillings. Beyond that, patients are expected to fork over much of the cost of large but common procedures like crowns, root canals and implants. Dental plans also generally pay a maximum of $1,500 annually, a number that’s hardly changed in 50 years. And $1,500 doesn’t go far when you consider the cost of major dental work. The cost of a single crown can be as much as $2,000 and the cost of an implant can run $5,000 a tooth.
Dental work in Mexico is on average two-thirds less than in the US and customers may save 80 percent or more on some costly operations. Those savings derive partially from Mexico’s less expensive real estate and labor costs, but also, Mexico’s dentists don’t graduate with a ton of student debt.
Wednesday, January 23, 2019
Tuesday, January 22, 2019
Monday, January 21, 2019
Oxfam's latest report
The planet’s richest people saw their fortunes soar by $2.5 billion per day last year as the world’s poorest lost wealth.
26 billionaires now own as much wealth as the world’s poorest 3.8 billion people combined.
The number of billionaires has doubled since the global financial crisis of 2008, even as average families have struggled mightily to recover.
The wealth of the world’s poorest fell by $500 million each day in 2018—an overall decline of 11 percent.
26 billionaires now own as much wealth as the world’s poorest 3.8 billion people combined.
The number of billionaires has doubled since the global financial crisis of 2008, even as average families have struggled mightily to recover.
The wealth of the world’s poorest fell by $500 million each day in 2018—an overall decline of 11 percent.
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