Centerfield

What I find interesting about most of the Democrats elected is how many of them are moderate to conservative in their leanings. I realize that there must be many nutroots out there celebrating the Democratic victory. I wonder what their reaction was to the reasonableness of Pelosi's victory speech and her apparent willingness to be bi-partisan. I'd probably know, but I refuse to read their blogs.

Posted by: Heather at November 9, 2006 04:45 PM

Heather,
See the link I left on the Hitchens post. They think the victory was the first shot in the impeachment campaign and disbanding the military. The centrist element seems to have escaped Kosworld.

Hell, some Righties thought Bush was going to make America a Christian country and have creationism in classrooms........

Posted by: Maxtrue at November 9, 2006 04:54 PM

Althouse.

I mistrust both parties. I'm hopeful that the kinds of candidates the Democrats relied on to win -- people like Webb -- will transform the party and make it into something I can support.

Me too.

Posted by: Todd Pearson at November 9, 2006 04:59 PM

good news for Democrats is that their candidates, moderates and liberals alike, ran on two common themes: that the Bush Iraq policy had to change, and that the Washington Establishment simply does not understand the personal struggles and economic insecurities confronting so many Americans.

Unfortunately you have to "go to Washington" to address these issues. As Republicans found out over the 12 years from '94 to '06, Washington tends to change the outsiders and not the other way around. I'd love to believe that the moderate democrats will change the powers that be in the party but given the leadership and the expected committee chairs, I doubt it. Posted by: c3 at November 9, 2006 06:23 PM

C3,
You have to see Jon Stewart's tribute to the conservative era. The Daily Show site might have the video replay. It was so funny. Colbert was very funny too. I didn't know that one half of Hall and Oates won. He sang the national anthem with Colbert. It was on last night, but I'm sure there will be re-runs of both shows about now on the comedy channel.

Let us pray the Democrats consolidate center. Did I say that?

I am curious...what field of medicine are you in? I always love running interesting medical news items past professionals. Kind of a hobby of mine.

Posted by: Maxtrue at November 9, 2006 06:43 PM

Max;
I'm trained as a family physician but have had careers as a Residency Director, hospitalist and now full time administrator with a large health insurer (i.e. the "Dark Side"...
"It is your DESTINY...")

Posted by: c3 at November 9, 2006 09:59 PM

Max,

I hate to disillusion you, but the new Democratic Rep is John Hall. He doesn't have anything to do with Hall and Oates, though he is a former rock musician; he cowrote "Still The One", for those of us old enough to remember it.

I can see how everyone's confused him though, with Darryl Hall and John Oates.

Posted by: Blue Jean at November 9, 2006 10:04 PM

Too bad. If Hall or Oates were running as candidates for the Democratic Party-- for whatever office-- I would totally vote for them! Likewise, Belinda Carlisle, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, J. Geils, Corey Hart, Andrew Ridgeley from Wham!, Tommy Tutone, Eddie Money, Toto, Cutting Crew, Pat Benatar, El Debarge... Those would be Democrats I could vote for!

Posted by: Bobby at November 10, 2006 02:27 AM

watch out Bobby, some of those folks are from California, even San Francisco.

I do find it interesting this year that in neither the House or Senate race voters ousted an incumbent Tuesday in favor of someone more conservative. The choice was either status quo or someone more liberal.

The group that Hall was in was Orleans.

Posted by: Marcus at November 10, 2006 02:47 AM

Blue Jean,
Thank you so much. It caught me by surprise on the Colbert Repor(t) and I thought to myself, "This guy doesn't look like Darryl Hall, I hope he doesn't have medical issues..." Then he sang the anthem and I felt a bit badly.

Alice Cooper (not that I was a big fan) might have a chance, but my favorites from the seventies and eighties might be a bit too blown out for Congress. They're better off on reality TV.

An old friend of mine wrote "Your Kiss is on my Lips" (Jerry Marata-drummer -sorry Jerry if I spelled that wrong)and made his break in music on "Dance with Me", so I am amazed I missed the connection to "We're the One" of Orleans. Pat Benatar's manager, Spector, told me she was retiring by the time I sent her a number of great rock ballads to sing in the mid eighties. Rap sent me away from the music business a decade ago as a keyboard/songwriter after I moved to NYC looking for a great female vocalist. I was much better at that than blogging.....

Maybe I can make the big stage by sixty.

Eddie Money? Bobby!!! (What do soldiers listen to before battle. I used to listen to Santana or Hendrix before playing football games) Maybe the Eagles over Tommy Tune. Bonnie Raitt has class, Paul Simon and Neil Young might draw some votes. I'm surprised Neumann or Redford never ran as Democrats (to change the field).

C3, I live in NYC so who would you say is the best health insurance as my Cobra runs out? Oxford? Empire, US heathcare? Or does it depend on what the doctors take? I have Empire now. I don't have enough employees at the moment to get a business plan unless the Democrats give small business a better deal. Also, do you recommend DHEA for those over forty who DON"T have any medical issues. Lastly, will taking saw palmetto interfere with prostate tests? How long should you discontinue use before an annual check up? I figure you still keep up with medical news.

Thanks

Posted by: Maxtrue at November 10, 2006 08:49 AM

Max;
Answers below (since they're free you get what you pay for)

who would you say is the best health insurance as my Cobra runs out? Oxford? Empire, US heathcare?

US News just completed a survey and its broken down by regions. A very rough measure but somwhat useful

Or does it depend on what the doctors take?

Its very important to have an excellent primary care doctor who will help you navigate the system.

I have Empire now. I don't have enough employees at the moment to get a business plan unless the Democrats give small business a better deal.

So far what I've heard regarding business legislation hasn't been good.

Also, do you recommend DHEA for those over forty who DON"T have any medical issues.

No. Just recently researched; no benefit.

Lastly, will taking saw palmetto interfere with prostate tests?

Shouldn't.

How long should you discontinue use before an annual check up? I figure you still keep up with medical news.

I try to keep up. But you know as an aging man that can be hard...Good luck with the check up.

Posted by: c3 at November 10, 2006 09:02 AM

C3,
Thank you for your answers. You don't sound too aged. I've been taking about 50mg of DHEA a day (with breaks) for a while now under the assumption that it might help keep up levels of hormones as they decline with age. In addition, there is the idea that DHEA counters increased cortisol levels and inflammation for those with stress and physical activity. If you could identify those "recent reports", that would be helpful. Some suggest that digestion destroys most DHEA. I wonder if nasal ingestion would produce better results. Any supplements you swear by? Anyway, sorry to clog the blog with personal requests........

My physician's group is affiliated with NYU and they suggest the ones I mentioned above. Still, $400 a month for single coverage is one reason I hope Democrats actually DO SOMETHING. You are also quite right that the uninsured represent the biggest part of our medical premiums. And Worker's Comp.....holy crap!! Carpenters pay much more than plumbers or electricans. I guess hanging a door is more dangerous than installing high voltage lines?

Posted by: Maxtrue at November 10, 2006 11:15 AM

Carpenters pay much more than plumbers or electricans. I guess hanging a door is more dangerous than installing high voltage lines?

Two words: power tools. A few more pairs? Nail guns. Circular saws. The actuaries know what they are doing. I believe the guys in the trades regard electricans as generally having the easier(elbow-greasewise), cleaner jobs. I once heard a carpenter say to his electrician buddy "hey, look, a dirty electrician!"

Posted by: bk at November 10, 2006 01:31 PM

Small disagreement on DHEA, Chris--very small. Not with your sound recommendation but the "no benefit" answer. The Mayo study was a small one, and was focused on patients over 60. It showed some very minor benefits, but no major ones. Other studies have also shown some minor benefits (emphasis on "minor") in elderly patients, and minor to moderate benefits in middle-aged patients in specific applications.

For those wondering, DHEA is a precursor "building block" hormone touted as an anti-geriatric (anti-aging) drug, but doesn't seem to nearly live up to any of the claims. For almost everything that it's touted for (especially those anti-geriatric claims) where it shows any positive effect there are better approaches, and the side effects of long-term high-dose use are unknown. In particular on the bad side, in middle-aged patients DHEA can potentially increase considerably the growth rates of prostate and breast cancer.

Max, google Mayo DHEA "no benefit" for the study Chris refers to. The most positive shown effects for DHEA (and study results are mixed) are increased bone density in elderly women, and lowered mid-life depression in middle-aged men. Both of which are kinda minor results that can be bettered with other approaches. Both of which also required higher doses than 50mg/day.

He's a doctor and I'm not, so I'm just giving a report on what I found and it should be taken with a grain of salt. I researched the research on this one last year for something, and came away seriously underimpressed with the claims made for off-hand self-administration of DHEA. There appear to be some positive specific applications, but non-monitored higher-dosage use would appear to be, as they say, "contra-indicated."

Posted by: Tully at November 10, 2006 08:06 PM

Thanks Tully,
I have kept it under 50 mg for the cancer concerns. I have a slight family history of benign tumors (but little cancer). One should NOT take DHEA if there is any indication of cancer. I could post numerous medical studies appearing at the back of Life Extension mag (and the internet) that SUGGEST pluses for DHEA. The more reported benefits include lower depression and reducing the effects of cortisol from stress and inflammation. One doctor told me the problem with most supplements is how they are introduced to the body. Swallowing tends to destroy them before they can enter the blood stream. That is why Q-10, DHEA, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, and others are appearing more in nasal spray. There are also reports that numerous supplements work better together. Kind of like a synergy, or great advertising. Omega, Bilberry extract, and others show more positives when taken together. My doctor says a number of her patients swear by Horse Chestnut extract for cardio support in legs. I run, so what the hell.

In addition, we do rust. Men accumulate iron, which acts like a free radical. Some studies indicate Lactoferrin found in lactating Cow milk (Colostrum) can reduce free iron and taking a mineral supplement with iron in men over forty might not be a great idea. Family history and past problems are important in guiding one's supplements. I do feel more "up" taking DHEA. Too much E is bad, but a full spectrum B is a good idea. Omega oils usually have some E already in it.

I could feed a family from Africa with my supplement spending. What do I know? I haven't gotten sick in years.

Lastly, who makes the vitamins is important. If anyone uses newsgroups on internet, go to life-extension. Papers are discussed daily. Also, visit life extension on the web. L-Carnitine and other supplements may work, but there are few long term studies. As long as the long term effects are not obviously dangerous, reasonable intake may not be a bad idea.

I put HGF, testosterone and other powerful supplements in another class, not to be taken without medical supervision.

Anyway, I am not a doctor so reading is about all I can do. If there was substantial proof that many supplements worked, would insurers pay for them? We must move towards prevention. I assume life is our greatest “possession” and death our ultimate foe.

But that is another thread………

Posted by: Maxtrue at November 11, 2006 10:00 AM

PS. Brian

Yes, Carpenters use all sorts of things that can cut off a finger or two or nail our feet to the floor. Plumbers stick their faces in walls of pre-war buildings full of mold, asbestos and lead. They often hurt their backs with heavy pipes and equipment and work with cutting tools too. Electricians also, go into horrible pre-war walls, use grinders to channel lead-painted walls, handle dangerous voltage and run new service through cement floors using power tools producing dangerous dust. See 9/11.

There should be degrees of carpentry from finishing work to extreme carpentry. Mason workers, tilers, flooring specialists all have exposure to power tools and environmental issues. I bet non-carpentry trades have as much long term disability and medical problems as carpenters do.

In any case, fraud plays a big role in worker compensation rates. Beside outright fraud, bosses (some with BIG pockets) often by-pass this problem altogether with illegal workers, or having one legal worker on the books and four off. I have seen illegals cutting and installing ac ducts and units using far more tools than I might in a given day. I see them outside twenty floors up on scaffolding. It is out of control. By having such an off-the-books labor pool not contribute, the rates rise for others. I hope immigration reform addresses these problems and as Tully, pointed out, enforcement in the work place will have a positive impact on MY ability to compete and MY worker's ability to have decent coverage.

This situation is getting worse, not better. How is your blue state fairing in this regard? Even, in Weston, Mass., where my sister lives, I see illegals driving around in SUVs and in the suburbs it is easy to have workers off-the-books.

Posted by: Maxtrue at November 11, 2006 12:26 PM

Back to the origianl subject about this middle or whatever.It wasn't revenge of the center unless the center has moved left. Of the 27 Democrats who replaced GOPS or open seats most support abortion, stem cell research, oppose privatizing social security, are "greener", etc.

Posted by: Marcus at November 11, 2006 05:37 PM

It wasn't revenge of the center unless the center has moved left.

If independents voted for democrats instead of republicans this time, then that probably counts as "the center moved left," doesn't it? Even though it may just mean "the center chose differently this time."

Max, I'm without an "illegal alien construction worker" counter. But my knowledge of the trades and how they work suggests strongly to me that bending the various rules is endemic. Lots of people work under the table or partially under the table without being an illegal, undocumented alien worker. Aliens are part of the story, but far from the whole story. There are lots if blue collar folks, American and imported, who are doing what they have to in order to get by, and they plan to worry about Uncle Sam if and when he comes knocking. And there are plenty of folks ready to profit off of such attitudes.

Posted by: bk at November 13, 2006 02:28 PM