Wednesday Open Thread

5 thoughts on “Wednesday Open Thread”

1. Speaking of instruction and mistakes, as the quote of the day does, it seems relevant that the upcoming legislative session will need to consider the budget for education.

   Colorado Sun: After hopes of progress, some Colorado school districts fear deep cuts under Gov. Polis’ proposed budget

   In a letter addressed to members of the Joint Budget Committee on Monday, a band of education groups detailed why they strongly oppose Polis’ proposal, writing, “the impact would be nothing short of catastrophic in many communities.”

   The letter is signed by leaders of the Colorado Education Association, the Colorado Association of School Boards, the Colorado Rural Schools Alliance and the Colorado Association of School Executives.

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2. I found this Paul Krugman column interesting, as the economist argued and offered evidence that the health insurance industry doesn't really offer value to society. Titled "Health Insurance Is A Racket," he adds that folks with Medicare Advantage plans might be exposing themselves to the same "deny and delay" private insurer tactics that have generated some recent, um, "reactions."

   So we really have a system in which taxpayers foot the bill for around 80 percent of health insurance. Yet much of that money flows through private insurance companies. In fact, a majority of Medicare recipients now have Medicare Advantage plans, which means that even Medicare passes through the private insurance industry.

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   1. Unleashed! Paul Krugman is on a roll. 

      Do subscribe to his letter!

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3. I always follow the numbers because even if I don't like what they portend, facts win in the end. So I dove into the cost/benefits of wind energy, expecting that it would show a compelling agrument for wind.

   And I found that wind energy makes no sense. I'm hoping someone can point out where my calculations and/or assumptions are off. So if I got something wrong, please let me know.

   thanks – dave

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   1. Interesting analysis. One area that I see missing is the cost of extraction for natural gas. You could argue that is included in the cost of gas, but that ignores the carbon footprint associated with constructing wells, compressors, pipelines, etc. Assuming ongoing use of the gas there will need to be additional carbon footprint associated with maintenance and replacement, additional exploration, etc.

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