How To Balance The Budget In One “Easy” Step
March 7, 2011
By Terry Smiljanich:
Even though former Vice President Dick Cheney used to say that “deficits don’t matter,” back when the Republicans were running up huge budgetary imbalances, deficit reduction is the new mantra for Republicans, Tea-Partiers, and increasing numbers of Democrats, including the President. On the chopping block are billions of dollars in cuts in domestic discretionary spending, including home heating oil subsidies for the poor, Public Broadcasting, Pell Grants, and the Environmental Protection Agency.
Accepting for a moment that such draconian cuts in the federal budget are prudent, especially when the country is trying to recover from a serious recession, isn’t there a better way to achieve this goal?
Power Balance Wristbands – Back in the News With More Nonsense
January 17, 2011
By Terry Smiljanich:
Power Balance, the company that promotes its product line of bracelets with holograms, was forced by the Australian consumer protection agency to admit the following in a disclaimer:
In our advertising we stated that Power Balance wristbands improved your strength, balance and flexibility. We admit that there is no credible scientific evidence that supports our claims and therefore we engaged in misleading conduct . . . [under Australian law].
Less Government! No Deficit Spending! OK, How?
November 11, 2010
By Terry Smiljanich:
Common themes ran through most of the successful campaigns during this 2010 midterm election: less government, lower taxes, no deficits. Voters spoke loudly and clearly – we want chocolate fudge sundaes with no calories!
Now a bipartisan deficit reduction commission is also chiming in making some controversial proposals on how to reduce the deficit. Let’s take a look at what’s on the table.
The federal 2010 budget is $3.54 trillion. The deficit this year is $1.42 trillion. Thus, to bring the deficit down to zero, we would have to cut the budget by 40%. No politician could get elected on that impossible platform. There are certain sacred cows in the federal budget.
Surprise! Congress Sides With Banks and Robo-Signers
October 26, 2010
By Terry Smiljanich:
The debate over who controls Congress – the voters or the financial industry – is finally over. Your congressman believes that what is good for Bank of America and JP Morgan Chase is good for the country.
How can we be so sure? Just look at how Congress responded to the recent “robo-signer” foreclosure mess, in which banks have been filing false affidavits by the thousands throughout the country in support of their foreclosure actions. What was Congress’ response? Well, why not just pass legislation making it easier for the banks to continue this practice?
Here Come the Robo-Signers
Replacing Cigarettes with Smoke Sticks – Is it Safe?
September 29, 2010
By Terry Smiljanich:
Katherine Heigl, formerly of TV’s Grey’s Anatomy, recently “lit up” an electronic cigarette on the Letterman Show, thereby providing some free advertising to a relatively new smokeless tobacco product which is showing phenomenal sales in the United States. These “smoke sticks,” also known as “e-cigarettes,” deliver nicotine without the combustible smoke by-products found in regular cigarettes which contain most of the deadly carcinogens – but are they safe?
First Look at the Galaxies from World’s Largest Telescope
September 20, 2010
What will the world’s largest telescope see when it’s pointed to the stars and planets? CWN is bringing you an insider look from our very own Senior Editor Terry Smiljanich. Terry is on location in the Canary Islands guest blogging as Historian for the University of Florida on this expedition to explore the galaxies… and beyond!
Click here to learn more.
Who’s In Charge of Food Safety And What Is He Doing About It?
August 27, 2010
By Terry Smiljanich:
The latest outbreak of salmonella illnesses (2000 reports between May and July), traced to contaminated eggs from two major Iowa producers and involving more than half a billion eggs, raises once again the issue of food safety in America. Who’s in charge?
Until recently, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) had exclusive jurisdiction over inspection of egg producing facilities. Once eggs entered the marketplace, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) had authority to investigate any problems. That has all changed under new rules, effective July 9, 2010, giving the FDA authority to inspect food production facilities along with the USDA.
Cholesterol-Lowering Drugs for Children: When Is Enough Enough?
July 20, 2010
By Terry Smiljanich:
Could we really be headed for a future where kids take Lipitor with their Flintstone vitamins? Childhood obesity is an epidemic, but this has the potential of going too far. A new study in the latest issue of Pediatrics, the leading journal of pediatric medicine, argues that current standards for pediatric cholesterol screening are inadequate, and that universal cholesterol screening of children 8 years and older should be instituted. Children are now being shoved into the spotlight, even though questions still surround the widespread use of cholesterol-lowering statin drugs by adults.
Yep, Grandmom Is Still Renting Her Old Telephone!
July 6, 2010
By Terry Smiljanich:
It seems that the expensive leasing of inexpensive telephones is still good business for AT&T. A Consumer Warning Network reader reported to us that her elderly mom has been renting her old phone for nearly 30 years.
It doesn’t seem to ring true, but unfortunately it is. Read on.
Who Is BP? Will It Survive?
June 23, 2010
By Terry Smilijanich:
As BP (formerly British Petroleum) continues to struggle with the massive amounts of oil leaking from its Deepwater Horizon disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, many are wondering just how big this company is and whether it can make good on its promise to clean it all up and compensate all its victims. Let’s take a look at a little history of BP and see if we can answer these questions.
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