Beware the taxman!

I have nothing to hide from the taxman but that doesn't mean I go posting a lot of information about myself online either. However, based on this article, it appears that the IRS has been getting more creative about tracking down tax deadbeats by using social networking sites. Even if someone doesn't have a Facebook or MySpace page, they often still post in other places all over the internet and can be found with a little bit of creative Google searching.

And the Yeti shows up too!

Someone thinks they have videotape of the Yeti running around in Poland.

Why is it that the picture is always blurry and taken from a long ways away?

Oh look! The Loch Ness Monster!

I don't use Google Earth but this is the second time I think someone has found an interesting thing that I've blogged about here. Someone thinks they may have spotted the Loch Ness Monster there. I don't know if it's true or not but it's an interesting picture nonetheless.

The real problems with the healthcare industry

Now here's an article that makes sense about the healthcare problems facing our country. It is written by a self-identified Democrat who has spent some significant time studying the problems with the industry. However it's a long article so I don't know who will have time to read it.

Some high points are:

• It doesnt make sense that people expect the insurance company (or government) to pay for routine care.
• Insurance makes the most sense for unexpected, big emergencies.
• There isn't a lot of real competition in the healthcare industry except for elective care items like LASIK eye surgery and cosmetic procedures.
• The lack of competition is largely driven by the fact that most services are not paid by the consumer of the service, the patient.
  
• At the end he suggests using a government option but only for emergencies over a very high threshold like $50,000 and using health-savings accounts for all other services.
• It would take a transition period to get to this point but it would be better in the end.

I've been thinking some of these very thoughts for a long time but never saw it written down so eloquently before.

They don't get it do they

Arkansas protesters shout down their blue dog congressmen

Well dressed protesters want to "hurt the president"

Carrying swastikas

The Natives Are Getting Restless!

Wow. It seems our nation's congress critters are up against some tough questions out there in the heartland.

Lloyd Doggett D-Texas 25th district (near Austin)

Arlen Specter D-Turncoat senator from Pennsylvania (do it fast?)

Tim Bishop D-New York 1st district (east end of Long Island)