I’m No Expert…

President Obama is being blamed for increasing the nation’s deficit to anywhere from 7 – 9 trillion dollars through 2019. But an analysis from the independent Congressional Budget Office and the administration’s Office of Management concluded that almost 90% of the projected deficit is inherited. Policies such as extending the Bush tax cuts, adjusting the alternative tax for inflation and blocking cuts mandated for doctors’ medicare reimbursement add hundreds of billions more. They concluded that President Obama’s policies probably added 2 trillion but so would any president, republican or democrat, since the amount reflects policy adjustments that have bipartisan support.

As for President Obama’s new policies such as healthcare and energy, they probably do not add to the projected deficit since they have proposed saving and tax increases to offset costs.

It seems that the same people telling us about the cause of our deficit may be the same people screaming about “death panels.”

See full story in NY TIMES

Tags: Economy, National Issues, Politics by Jay Stuart
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Here’s an exciting new technology that could revolutionize energy production–Solar cells soon could be painted onto the sides of buildings or rooftops with nanoparticle inks. [Read more →]

Tags: Energy, Renewable energy by Jay Stuart
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The regular use of sunscreen lotion might provide some protection from sunburn, but it may also have quite serious health risks – for ourselves and the wider environment.

The sunscreen industry is huge – worth billions of dollars annually. It rose to mega-profitability when a link was made between skin cancer and overexposure to the sun in the late 60′s/early 1970′s. Yet the incidence of skin cancer continues to rise even though these products are widely used.

An investigation by the Environmental Working Group of over 1,500 sunscreens and other sun-blocking products currently on the market found that 3 of 5 sunscreens either don’t protect skin from sun damage or contain hazardous chemicals – or both. Leading brands were the worst offenders. Of all the preparations tested, only  92 were recommended, 1,203 scored the “caution” flag and the EWG recommended avoiding 319 products altogether.

It’s quite disturbing what’s in sunscreen. Take a look at this partial list of ingredients that can be found in many sunscreen lotions: [Read more →]

Tags: Health by Jay Stuart
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Mob politics has taken root and is growing. It’s interesting to note that opponents of healthcare reform have been promoting violent behavior as a means to shoot down the bill. “Become part of the mob!” was posted on the Web Site of Sean Hannity. Not “become part of the solution” or “Become part of the debate” but become a mob. I guess when you don’t have a valid or rationale argument the next best thing is to distort the truth and promote irrationality.

Tags: Health, Medicine, Politics by Jay Stuart
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This past week three American tourists were arrested by Iranian border guards after mistakenly crossing into Iranian territory while hiking in a mountainous area near the resort town of Ahmed Awaa.  As Americans what are you doing hiking along the border of one of the two most hostile countries to the United States? Didn’t you read the news about the two American reporters who mistakenly crossed the border into North Korea? There are millions of beautiful and/or challenging hikes on this planet and you picked the border of Iran. Isn’t there another place in the entire world where you can hike?  I’m no expert, but what were you thinking?

Tags: National Issues, Politics by Jay Stuart
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I’m as lazy as can be and if I lowered my electric bill 25% by doing these three things—you can too!

1. Use Compact fluorescent bulbs
First replace your traditional incandescent light bulbs with the new energy saving compact fluorescent light bulbs. They use about 75 percent less energy than standard incandescent bulbs and last up to 10 times longer. They cost a little more than regular light bulbs, but you make up the cost difference in no time. So that’s easy!

2. Unplug unnecessary electronics
Next unplug all electronic equipment that you don’t regularly use. Believe it or not all our electronics, such as TVs, DVDs and CDs players, are on stand-by mode and still draw electricity even while we are not actually using them. You may think it’s just a little power so what’s the difference, but it adds up. So if you have a TV or DVD player in your guest room or someplace else in your home that you do not regularly use, unplug it.

3. Turn off computer equipment
The third thing is switch off all your computer equipment and accessories at night. Your printer, modem, external hard-drive, computer, display, and USB hubs are all drawing electricity. If you’re not using them while you’re asleep at night why leave them and finance the electric company? To make it easier I turn off my computer then turn off the powerstrip/surge protector to all my computer equipment. That’s just 2 switches!

Saving money, using less fossil fuels, producing less CO2—I’m no expert, but it seems like a no brainer! save money, save electricity, save money, save electricity, save money, save electricity, save money, save electricity, electric bill, cut electric bill, electric bill, cut electric bill

Tags: Economy, Energy, environment by Jay Stuart
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