The Minnesota Medical Association apparently understands that taxing harmful products can pay off for society. The physicians group recently called for a 10-cent per drink increase in excise taxes on alcohol, with one member arguing it will “lead to a…
Disability insurance strains budgets
It would be a mistake to go Dutch — at least if that means repeating the disability insurance experience of the Netherlands. Thirty years ago, that nation structured its government programs in a way that resulted in granting permanent disability…
U.S. economy isn’t mobilized for terror war
The United States is a large and wealthy country. Everyone knows that. That is why my jaw dropped during an ABC Nightline broadcast this Sept. 11. Describing the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan, reporter Terry Moran asserted, “It could all be…
Blue Cross proposal spurs healthy debate
One of the advantages of our federal system of government is that states can take the initiative when Washington does not. Congressional paralysis — at least in terms of substantive issues — certainly is the case right now. So we…