Politer Politics

[SnarkyGoblin]

20 minutes ago, snow_wizard said:

It's pretty much diet that accounts for the different life expectancy.

Australia is I think fatter than the US and their life expectancy is 83 vs. 76 for us. 

Where the hell is all the money going we pay to our healthcare industry?

This is what I'm saying - populism on the left and right might come to some agreement to start a third party.  It's appealing in a lot of ways.

Edit: Australia is less fat than I thought.

[Tenochtitlan]

3 minutes ago, SnarkyGoblin said:

Australia is I think fatter than the US and their life expectancy is 83 vs. 76 for us. 

Where the hell is all the money going we pay to our healthcare industry?

This is what I'm saying - populism on the left and right might come to some agreement to start a third party.  It's appealing in a lot of ways.

It pays for a bloated bureaucratic system. I see it at my job all the time, an absolute mess of debt collection, byzantine hospital billing systems, insurance shenanigans, etc…

[Tenochtitlan]

10 minutes ago, Front Ranger said:

The top causes of death in this country are mainly related to heart disease, which is strongly correlated with an unhealthy diet.

It’s just too simple to say “it’s all because of diet”, plenty of other countries have obesity problems too and have longer life expectancies. If preventative care were more accessible in the usa, people wouldn’t have to wait before getting a heart attack to find out they have heart disease. 

I’m not discounting that we have poor diets here, but it would help if our healthcare system weren’t so broken. If that wouldn’t make a difference then what is the point of having healthcare in the first place?

There must also be a way of improving how we eat. I tend to feel that it’s less of an individual choice than people make it out to be. In the EU for example there are a lot more rules and regulations around food than there are here. 

Finally, if we could work towards improving our cities’ pedestrian infrastructure then it would be easier for people to walk more. That wouldn’t hurt either. It’s part of why things like crosswalks are so important. 

[Tenochtitlan]

11 minutes ago, SnarkyGoblin said:

Australia is I think fatter than the US and their life expectancy is 83 vs. 76 for us. 

Where the hell is all the money going we pay to our healthcare industry?

This is what I'm saying - populism on the left and right might come to some agreement to start a third party.  It's appealing in a lot of ways.

Edit: Australia is less fat than I thought.

Australia has a high obesity rate though it’s still below the US’. It is really interesting how ours is apparently the fifth highest in the world…I admit I didn’t realize we were so “exceptional” in this way. 

[Front Ranger]

8 minutes ago, Tenochtitlan said:

It’s just too simple to say “it’s all because of diet”, plenty of other countries have obesity problems too and have longer life expectancies. If preventative care were more accessible in the usa, people wouldn’t have to wait before getting a heart attack to find out they have heart disease. 

I’m not discounting that we have poor diets here, but it would help if our healthcare system weren’t so broken. If that wouldn’t make a difference then what is the point of having healthcare in the first place?

There must also be a way of improving how we eat. I tend to feel that it’s less of an individual choice than people make it out to be. In the EU for example there are a lot more rules and regulations around food than there are here. 

Finally, if we could work towards improving our cities’ pedestrian infrastructure then it would be easier for people to walk more. That wouldn’t hurt either. It’s part of why things like crosswalks are so important. 

Didn't say it was all diet. But that's almost certainly the largest factor. And a big part of why you see such disparity in life expectancy throughout the US.

[Tenochtitlan]

7 minutes ago, Front Ranger said:

Didn't say it was all diet. But that's almost certainly the largest factor. And a big part of why you see such disparity in life expectancy throughout the US.

Maybe it’s more important than I realized.

But even if so…there are other countries with higher life expectancies than ours, that also have poor rural areas. I think that either our poverty leads to worse diets than in those countries for some reason, or there are some other confounding factors. 

The opioid crisis kills tens of thousands of people per year which does have a measurable influence on life expectancy. Also like I said earlier, ours dropped quite a bit more than many other countries during Covid and has yet to fully recover.

[SilverFallsAndrew]

45 minutes ago, Tenochtitlan said:

Maybe it’s more important than I realized.

But even if so…there are other countries with higher life expectancies than ours, that also have poor rural areas. I think that either our poverty leads to worse diets than in those countries for some reason, or there are some other confounding factors. 

The opioid crisis kills tens of thousands of people per year which does have a measurable influence on life expectancy. Also like I said earlier, ours dropped quite a bit more than many other countries during Covid and has yet to fully recover.

Yeah we have a real glut of processed foods and fast food. I work with people who literally eat fast food every meal. It’s unbelievable. And they all have the same pear shaped body.

[StormchaserChuck1]

Projected Male obesity rates in 2025 (that's just the guideline that I saw it posted as). 

[TT-SEA]

Some good stuff from Donnie on Truth Social in the last 24 hours.   He has been too quiet and low energy lately.  We need way more of this from a presidential candidate.   This is how you lose a campaign... much improved.  

 

[snow_wizard]

2 hours ago, Tenochtitlan said:

It’s just too simple to say “it’s all because of diet”, plenty of other countries have obesity problems too and have longer life expectancies. If preventative care were more accessible in the usa, people wouldn’t have to wait before getting a heart attack to find out they have heart disease. 

I’m not discounting that we have poor diets here, but it would help if our healthcare system weren’t so broken. If that wouldn’t make a difference then what is the point of having healthcare in the first place?

There must also be a way of improving how we eat. I tend to feel that it’s less of an individual choice than people make it out to be. In the EU for example there are a lot more rules and regulations around food than there are here. 

Finally, if we could work towards improving our cities’ pedestrian infrastructure then it would be easier for people to walk more. That wouldn’t hurt either. It’s part of why things like crosswalks are so important. 

It could have something to do with what methodology of medicine various countries use.  I am super critical of our doctors in the US prescribing pills for literally every single ailment.  That does not get to the root cause.

[snow_wizard]

1 hour ago, StormchaserChuck1 said:

Projected Male obesity rates in 2025 (that's just the guideline that I saw it posted as). 

Horrible.

[snow_wizard]

58 minutes ago, TT-SEA said:

Some good stuff from Donnie on Truth Social in the last 24 hours.   He has been too quiet and low energy lately.  We need way more of this from a presidential candidate.   This is how you lose a campaign... much improved.  

 

Hillary definitely deserves to be in prison.  She was squarely behind the Russia collusion hoax which is certainly an act of sedition.  

[TT-SEA]

4 hours ago, snow_wizard said:

Hillary definitely deserves to be in prison.  She was squarely behind the Russia collusion hoax which is certainly an act of sedition.  

Ahhh... I see.    So then Trump is good and not hurting his chances with all the lunacy?   Got it.  

[hawkstwelve]

7 hours ago, SnarkyGoblin said:

Australia is I think fatter than the US and their life expectancy is 83 vs. 76 for us. 

Where the hell is all the money going we pay to our healthcare industry?

This is what I'm saying - populism on the left and right might come to some agreement to start a third party.  It's appealing in a lot of ways.

Edit: Australia is less fat than I thought.

I've wondered this lately myself. Obviously Trump attempts to embrace populism, and Kamala seems to have some similarities there with her newfound political identity. Bernie is a self-identified socialist but there are currents of populism under there as well. Both parties have made a bent in that direction and share commonalities in their political rhetoric now. One has to wonder if this would help open the door to an actual populist third party candidate some time in the future.

Unfortunately, our system is so two party reliant and those two parties will hold on to power however is necessary. The shenanigans revolving around RFK prove that.

[Andie]

8 hours ago, SnarkyGoblin said:

Australia is I think fatter than the US and their life expectancy is 83 vs. 76 for us. 

Where the hell is all the money going we pay to our healthcare industry?

This is what I'm saying - populism on the left and right might come to some agreement to start a third party.  It's appealing in a lot of ways.

Edit: Australia is less fat than I thought.

I think a lot has to do with stress and lack of activity.   
Our food industry is not our friend either.  
When I was in Australia I ate better. Loads of fresh fish and vegetables.  It reminded me of the US in the 50’s and 60’s.  
Less pressure too.  New Zealand was even better.  

[Iceresistance]

11 hours ago, Anti Marine Layer said:

Oh no!

Either ragebait or another thing they are trying to tie to racism. They tried that on roads, birds, and other forms of nonsense

[Tenochtitlan]

6 hours ago, snow_wizard said:

It could have something to do with what methodology of medicine various countries use.  I am super critical of our doctors in the US prescribing pills for literally every single ailment.  That does not get to the root cause.

I agree with that. Too much emphasis is placed on pills as a quick fix for any problem.

[Tenochtitlan]

1 hour ago, Andie said:

I think a lot has to do with stress and lack of activity.   
Our food industry is not our friend either.  
When I was in Australia I ate better. Loads of fresh fish and vegetables.  It reminded me of the US in the 50’s and 60’s.  
Less pressure too.  New Zealand was even better.  

Yeah I think diet is a bigger factor than I realized. 
One interesting thing is that in Japan people actually work longer hours on average than here, and stress in the workplace is high, but life expectancy is higher.

It seems like quality, healthy food is more accessible in Japan, even their 7-11s have good food. I think their healthcare system is pretty good too. And they take pandemics seriously. 

[Andie]

Trying to be politer, I still must say the Harris interviews lately have been girl’s soft ball tournaments.   
Do we really think the international leaders and press will toss her softballs?  And she’s anything but fast on her feet.   

Interviews have become like tea parties.  She won’t get that from the European press.  
Let’s get real.  No One is scared of her in the US and the Middle Eastern folk will consider her an amateur and certainly no Margaret Thatcher (who they DID respect) and even fear.  
 

[Andie]

Has anyone seen this story.   
The amount of weapons is stunning.   This will happen in other cities.  
I can see the National Guard being activated once Trump is in office. Biden won’t do a thing.  
DaniJurinsky (@Danielle Jurinsky) posted: And I repeat... A GANG HAS TAKEN OVER several apartment complexes in Aurora! https://x.com/danijurinsky/status/1828913585793466618?s=51&t=JgUuw7-5fL-9WTMoZstSRQ

[Deweydog]

10 hours ago, Front Ranger said:

Didn't say it was all diet. But that's almost certainly the largest factor. And a big part of why you see such disparity in life expectancy throughout the US.

I’ve long wondered if the 1980’s cocaine era is a significant factor too. It was a snortathon for quite some time and there are a ton of weakened arteries out there because of it.  

[SnarkyGoblin]

22 minutes ago, Andie said:

Trying to be politer, I still must say the Harris interviews lately have been girl’s soft ball tournaments.   
Do we really think the international leaders and press will toss her softballs?  And she’s anything but fast on her feet.   

Interviews have become like tea parties.  She won’t get that from the European press.  
Let’s get real.  No One is scared of her in the US and the Middle Eastern folk will consider her an amateur and certainly no Margaret Thatcher (who they DID respect) and even fear.  
 

I agree the lack of impromptu interview is not a good look.  I think a kind interpretation of that is she's trying to be completely confident that she will not give a social media soundbite for the Ben Shapiros of the world to dwell on.

A less kind interpretation is that she's not confident at all and will delay as much as possible until she's done riding the initial wave of enthusiasm.

I'm not entirely sure what is pointing you to believe some of what you wrote, but let's take a look at what we know for the alternative option to be our commander and Chief:

Internationally, he is on record of asking for a personal benefit to get the US to do something we should have already done - like military aide to Ukraine.  It was bad enough for at least 1 Republican senator to convict him of High Crimes and Misdemeanors.

He's very well known to be self-interested.  Not even Stormy would deny that. There's no reason to believe he wouldn't ask for personal favors again, especially with the scotus immunity ruling.  That makes him vulnerable to our adversaries. 

Imagine what deal with the devil trump would make if Putin had a sex tape of Harris. And he would be immune.

[snow_wizard]

39 minutes ago, Andie said:

Trying to be politer, I still must say the Harris interviews lately have been girl’s soft ball tournaments.   
Do we really think the international leaders and press will toss her softballs?  And she’s anything but fast on her feet.   

Interviews have become like tea parties.  She won’t get that from the European press.  
Let’s get real.  No One is scared of her in the US and the Middle Eastern folk will consider her an amateur and certainly no Margaret Thatcher (who they DID respect) and even fear.  
 

I would love it if our first female President is a Margaret Thatcher type.

[Hoosier]

11 hours ago, SilverFallsAndrew said:

It's been 10 years since Obama shocked the nation by wearing a tan suit. 

Never forget!

[snow_wizard]

3 hours ago, TT-SEA said:

Ahhh... I see.    So then Trump is good and not hurting his chances with all the lunacy?   Got it.  

I just singled out Hillary.  I think the graphic you showed was a bad idea for people who are on the fence.

[snow_wizard]

1 minute ago, Hoosier said:

Never forget!

OMG!  The rumors are true! 

[Hoosier]

Nice discussion about life expectancy.  I think the key to civility in this thread is to not discuss politics.  

[SilverFallsAndrew]

8 hours ago, StormchaserChuck1 said:

Projected Male obesity rates in 2025 (that's just the guideline that I saw it posted as). 

Look how healthy Africa is! 

Also I think more women are obese than men, but I have also read obesity in women does not correlate to life expectancy as much as it does in men. 

Edited August 29 by SilverFallsAndrew

[snow_wizard]

1 minute ago, Hoosier said:

Nice discussion about life expectancy.  I think the key to civility in this thread is to not discuss politics.  

Even our resident goblin has had some thoughtful posts!

[snow_wizard]

1 minute ago, SilverFallsAndrew said:

Look how healthy Africa is! 

Also I think more women are obese than men, but I have also read obesity in women does not correlate to life expectancy as much as it does in women. 

You have a typo here.

[Hoosier]

1 minute ago, SilverFallsAndrew said:

Look how healthy Africa is! 

Also I think more women are obese than men, but I have also read obesity in women does not correlate to life expectancy as much as it does in women. 

Women are meant to have higher body fat than men.  Of course there's a point where it can be too much.

[snow_wizard]

9 hours ago, StormchaserChuck1 said:

Projected Male obesity rates in 2025 (that's just the guideline that I saw it posted as). 

The United States is so fat it looks like the northern border is bulging a bit.

[SilverFallsAndrew]

Emerson released a spate of swing state polls this morning. As I've said before I consider Emerson one of the better polling operations. They basically show the swing states tied. 

Arizona: Trump +3

WI: Trump +1

NC: Trump +1

PA: Tied

MI: Harris +3

GA: Harris +1

NV: Harris +1 

It's possible this thing comes down to a few thousand votes in PA.

[snow_wizard]

2 minutes ago, SilverFallsAndrew said:

Emerson released a spate of swing state polls this morning. As I've said before I consider Emerson one of the better polling operations. They basically show the swing states tied. 

Arizona: Trump +3

WI: Trump +1

NC: Trump +1

PA: Tied

MI: Harris +3

GA: Harris +1

NV: Harris +1 

It's possible this thing comes down to a few thousand votes in PA.

PA has been looking great.  They almost totally avoided the post Biden bounce.  They are engaged for this election.  Could PA be the next Ohio?

WTF is up with GA though.

[SilverFallsAndrew]

Just now, snow_wizard said:

PA has been looking great.  They almost totally avoided the post Biden bounce.  They are engaged for this election.  Could PA be the next Ohio?

WTF is up with GA though.

Demographics my friend. Only 50.1% of GA residents are white, about 1/3 are Black. PA is about 75% white with only about 13% Black. 

Also GA's population is increasingly suburban which hasn't been as friendly territory for Trump, whereas PA is very rural with a lot of small cities. 

The biggest difference between PA and OH is Philadelphia. 

Edited August 29 by SilverFallsAndrew

[Hoosier]

2 minutes ago, SilverFallsAndrew said:

Emerson released a spate of swing state polls this morning. As I've said before I consider Emerson one of the better polling operations. They basically show the swing states tied. 

Arizona: Trump +3

WI: Trump +1

NC: Trump +1

PA: Tied

MI: Harris +3

GA: Harris +1

NV: Harris +1 

It's possible this thing comes down to a few thousand votes in PA.

One thing that has shown up pretty consistently in polling is that of the 3 northern states, Harris' best state seems to be Michigan.

Pointed this out before, but there's definitely a scenario where somebody wins 2 of those 3 northern states and not all 3.  They all do tend to vote in the same direction, but super close margins carries the possibility of that not happening.  

[Hoosier]

1 minute ago, SilverFallsAndrew said:

Demographics my friend. Only 50.1% of GA residents are white, about 1/3 are Black. PA is about 75% white with only about 13% Black. 

Also GA's population is increasingly suburban which hasn't been as friendly territory for Trump, whereas PA is very rural with a lot of small cities. 

The biggest difference between PA and OH is Philadelphia. 

James Carville once described the state of Pennsylvania as Pittsburgh and Philadelphia with Alabama in between.  Pretty much.

[SilverFallsAndrew]

Just now, Hoosier said:

James Carville once described the state of Pennsylvania as Pittsburgh and Philadelphia with Alabama in between.  Pretty much.

I've never been to Western PA, but rural PA is just beautiful countryside. Wasn't impressed by Philly. 

[SilverFallsAndrew]

A lot of chatter about George W. Bush planning to endorse Harris. I read an article saying "Trump is terrified of GWB endorsing Harris." I think it would be a huge boost for Trump. 

[snow_wizard]

1 minute ago, SilverFallsAndrew said:

Demographics my friend. Only 50.1% of GA residents are white, about 1/3 are Black. PA is about 75% white with only about 13% Black. 

Also GA's population is increasingly suburban which hasn't been as friendly territory for Trump, whereas PA is very rural with a lot of small cities. 

The biggest difference between PA and OH is Philadelphia. 

I guess I'm just still not accepting GA has shifted from being a reliably red state.  They did elect their Republican governor by quite a margin though.  That's one thing that amazes me about the Eastern part of the country.  You have many states with mixed government unlike the far West who just mindlessly vote Democrat.