The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Politics is different now as the worldwide recession continues and countries struggle to restore the economy or at least to change it for the better. There appears to be better cooperation between nations as recently witnessed by the Americas conference in which there was a more friendly spirit between the US/Canada group and the socialist countries of Venezuela, Bolivia and others. Stephen Harper was pleased with the difference, which may be a good sign for the future. One of the biggest problems in the US is the continued high cost of health care and the difficulty huge numbers of people have in maintaining and paying for their health insurance. Without a Medicare system like Canada and many other nations, the US is really ruled by private, for-profit systems and shows few signs of changing. A number of recent studies show that a high percentage of people do not have health insurance, do not see doctors, and are even cutting back on medications. A lot of workers have/have had health insurance through their employers, but with nearly five million workers losing their jobs since December 2007, they have been forced to pay the premiums themselves. The costs range up to $500-$900 per month and few living on unemployment can afford it. A study of Americans who could not pay for health care in the past year shows quite a variation from state to state, with the greatest percentage in Mississippi at 29 per cent and similar high numbers across the South, while Hawaii has the least at 12 per cent. By income, 39 per cent make less than $2,000 a month,and 24 per cent make $2,000 to $4,000. Will Obama and his Congress be able to help solve this problem considering the billions of in-debt money they have given out in bailouts? Let's hope they can, but it remains a major social concern in the world's most powerful nation. One industry that is being affected worldwide is the travel industry, as one would expect. Many countries, especially poor ones, depend on tourism, much of which has dried up as people cannot afford to travel as much or at all. This will affect cruiselines, some of which have come up with new vessels at the wrong time. Watch for massive bargains by travel agencies in the months to come, especially for the high tourist season next winter. And be careful about who you use, as some have gone bankrupt and even left some travelers high and dry. Most credit cards guarantee that if the holiday is not delivered, you get your money back. Thinking of going to Europe? One expert says to hold off buying any flights to Europe until after October 26, as he expects air fares to be cut by another 25-40 per cent. Fares are falling because of extremely weak demand for international travel Ð as much as 18 per cent for one major airline. Of course some airlines may go under bankruptcy protection or even out of business. Airlines such as WestJet are really fighting back to keep attracting fliers. Recent full-page ads in several dailies introduces WestJet's Care-antee, a plan to provide more for their clients plus continuous reduced prices. There are no charges to cancel your flight for 24 hours after booking, no charge for two checked bags, accommodations if your flight is delayed, better leg room and space, and free snacks and refreshments. They also promise friendly and accommodating flight attendants. Some of WestJet's prices seem better, but all include taxes and fees, so get the real price before you book. Let us see if other airlines will follow, as they should. As mentioned before, the recession has increased the consumption of so-called junk food, causing apparent concern with medical associations and those worried about child obesity. Los Angeles even proposes to ban new fast-food outlets in south LA where kids are poorer and fatter than usual. One writer complains that this is the first time fast-food has been treated as a health threat like tobacco and alcohol. With obesity being treated as the new smoking, some are advocating extra taxes on soda and sugar drinks. The writer scoffs at this thinking, claiming there is no clear link between moderate obesity and death rates, junk food and obesity, or junk food and diabetes. She has a point in saying that genetics is a far more important factor. Watch for lots more studies on the obesity issue. Roger's Right Corner runs Wednesdays.
