Friday, March 21, 2014

Health Income Gradient Steeper in Canada than USA


This is from MarginalRevolution.com:

Indeed, the health-income gradient is slightly steeper in Canada than it is in the U.S. 


Now the folks over at theincidentaleconomist.com knew this at one time and yet they post this:


Fairfax County, Lowrey explains, is one of the richest counties in America, and in turn has one of the highest life expectancies in the country: 82 for men and 85 for women. McDowell County, on the other hand, is one of the poorest in the country, with predictably short life expectancy: 64 for men and 73 for women—about the same as in Iraq.It’s excellent reporting, especially with its grasp of the underlying research, so go read it in full. One thing Lowrey didn’t mention, however, was the link between the social determinants of health (which often correlate with geography) and healthcare costs. That’s where The American Health Care Paradox, a new book by Elizabeth H. Bradley and Lauren A. Taylor, comes in.
Just me trying to set the record straight. Even if you are all for more Government Social spending you should avoid the use of irrelevant arguments even if they are for more Government Social spending.  

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Anthropogenic Global Warming

BTW anthropogenic global warming is the correct description the description climate change is not a good description. The only solid scientific prediction from increased co2 is higher highs and lower lows.  

Interesting discussion  here, Summers, Lomborg, Tabarrok, and Cowen on climate change.  

My thoughts are that you need a carbon tax and a payout to those who net remove CO2 from the air then you could reach equilibrium. 

But, could rationally ignorant voters ever get the politicians to properly implement such a scheme, not until AGW brings temperatures to a level where negative effects are obvious. So sit back and enjoy milder winters for now.

Another possibility would be geoengineering measures to cool the planet.
I am not worried though because I think that removing co2 from the air or cooling the planet will not be very expensive.

So don’t worry be happy.