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The only error I saw was that the “hockey stick” restatement of historical temperature data was proposed by a professor at Penn State University rather than the University of Oklahoma.  – Dr. David Legates

(The reference has been corrected.)

I always believed that our gas prices were the result of speculators taking advantage of a difficult energy environment. The supply and demand has not changed as much as the increase in the price of a barrel of oil in the last year. What does global warming have to do with this? – Attorney, Florida

We are not sure how the change in supply and demand can be measured quantitatively, but at a certain point unmet demand will force prices up very sharply until a balance is reached.

Meaty is right!  Will read this more in depth when I get a chance, but I hope SAFE is emailing these links  to senators and representatives  as they are updated weekly. – Technology consultant

This entry drew some encouraging responses, but no suggestions for the next issue on how to make the sale.  Please be thinking about that part, folks, because being right is only half the battle.

Yes, we have a terrible fiscal problem hanging over us, and I like your solution for social security. The rising medical costs are a continuing problem, but maybe the next president will try to get those in hand.  And how about all the debt for the Iraq war! – Family connection

A lot of good info and insight re the topics.  – Financial manager

Excellent! Comprehensive. Shows a lot of effort.  – SAFE member

SAFE member comment: As to individual coverage, did you consider the idea of having funds made available that are the person's own money to the extent that he does not use all dollars in any year for healthcare costs?  That is an incentive to use only what is really needed while having funds to use where care is required.”

Our response: Such an arrangement, commonly referred to as a health savings account (HSA), offers considerable advantages over the “use it or lose it” plans that represent the current norm for healthcare insurance. Many people would appreciate being rewarded for staying healthy, and there would be greater incentive for younger workers in good health to sign up.

HSA coverage would predictably be more expensive than catastrophic loss coverage, however, because routine healthcare expenditures would be part of the package.  The decision involved would be somewhat analogous to choosing between “full life” and “term life” coverage.  People who liked the combination of insurance and forced saving with an HSA might be quite willing to pay the extra cost.

Great job!  I was somewhat concerned that Bill Moyers had not covered the moves announced by Pres. Bush.  

I hope over the next 5-10 years, we can agree on a few solutions that will provide good healthcare at reasonable prices.  However, I don't think it will come from our Government.  No accountability!  -  Stockbroker

Somebody has got to think about improving the productivity of medical personnel and  procedures.  And it wouldn't hurt, in addition, to end billion-dollar rip-offs as in the case of United Health Care's CEO, reported several times in WSJ.  Whatever happened to dedication, serving mankind, reducing suffering -- the values communicated in medical schools? – Princeton alumnus

I agree with S.A.F.E. that we want government out of healthcare.  It is an oxymoron to say that we cannot afford healthcare, as if healthcare were some service that comes with a set price which is either affordable or not. 

Healthcare is a consumer good like any other.  In a free market the public will purchase just as much healthcare as it wants, no more and no less, just as we do with housing, food, clothing, fuel, you-name-it. - Economic commentator

10/29/2007

In your blog, you wrote:

"Responsibilities" is not an accepted word, "guardians" would sound pompous, "white hats" is too breezy, etc. If any of our readers has suggestions, we would love to hear them!

How about "Visionaries"?....with an eye to the future, it fits with the aim of "Securing America's Future Economy."

7/26/2007