Free Event

Creating a Caring Economics: the Future of a Humanitarian Economy

Monday, April 23, 7:00 pm
2040 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Are current economic systems working? What is missing from
finance-based systems?

Social scientist and author Riane Eisler will read from her latest book, The Real Wealth of Nations: Creating a Caring Economics at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 23rd. The event will take place at In These Times' offices at 2040 N. Milwaukee Ave. Copies of The Real Wealth of the Nations: Creating a Caring Economics will be available for purchase at this free event. Donations are encouraged.

In The Real Wealth of Nations: Creating a Caring Economics, Eisler exposes a fundamental problem in modern economics – the lack of visibility and value of the most essential human work of all: the work of caring and caregiving. As a solution, Eisler develops a new full-spectrum model that encompasses the life-sustaining activities in both households and the natural environment. Through her proposed measures, policies, and practices, Eisler seeks to achieve the ultimate goal: the realization of our enormous human potential.

Soldiers Shortchanged...again?

The Army might be shortchanging injured soldiers by rating the severity of their disabilities with a system that is both unwieldy and inconsistent, the head of a special commission said Thursday.

Walter Reed, Building 18, now this.

Happy Friday!

This one's for Janie...

Author Kurt Vonnegut Dies

"Human beings will be happier - not when they cure cancer or get to Mars or eliminate racial prejudice or flush Lake Erie - but when they find ways to inhabit primitive communities again. That's my utopia."
-Kurt Vonnegut
(1922-2007)

Members of the Rutgers women's basketball team are shown during a news conference held on campus in Piscataway, N.J., Tuesday, April 10, 2007, to react to derogatory remarks directed at their team made on air by radio personality Don Imus. The team said they would meet privately with Imus. (AP Photo/Mike Derer)


In case you're behind.

Wisconsin Seniors Left Behind

I hate when stories like this one are so easily swept under the rug on a national level.

Wisconsin's SeniorCare Program Dropped by Federal Government

With drug costs rising steadily, it's no surprise that more than 105 thousand seniors in Wisconsin depend on the state's SeniorCare prescription drug program.

But, that program has reached an end, as the federal government announced Wednesday Wisconsin can't continue the popular plan.

The Doyle administration received a letter from the federal government saying by June 30th SeniorCare will no longer be federally funded. Those seniors on the program will soon need to switch to Medicare Part D, the federal program, Doyle and several other Wisconsin lawmakers say will mean additional cost and confusion for Wisconsinites.

From the message boards:

Apparently the entire Congressional delegation from Wisconsin asked for an extension on the waiver to this program, which is the only one of its kind still left in the country- but it was denied. There are 104,000 seniors using it-about half will be able to switch to Medicare Part D without too much trouble but there are an estimated 45,000 who are very poor and will have trouble meeting the deductible, not to mention filling out the paperwork.

I think this was the last state program of its kind to be cut, so maybe it was inevitable-the Feds are just not going to pay for anything related to health care. Fortunately, a lot of State legislators who care about this issue, but without any Federal backing, its pretty expensive.

It appears several town hall meetings are scheduled re: the issue.
Stay tuned to www.WisPolitics.com for further developments.

In other news, we have snow flurries and 32 degree weather in Chicago this morning.
Ha! Try playing in that Cubbies!

Happy Friday, diverse fellow office workers

The Radio and Television Correspondents Association dinner

Ladies and gentlemen, MC Rove...