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The right to be left alone

Columns

“The makers of our Constitution undertook to secure conditions favorable to the pursuit of happiness. ... They conferred against the Government the right to be let alone — most comprehensive of rights and the right most valued by civilized men.” — Justice Louis D. Brandeis (1856-1941) The rapid spread of public surveillance cameras represents something far more consequential than a new piece of police technology. It represents a fundamental change in the relationship between the individual and the state. These cameras allow government agents to record, identify, catalog ...

Why can’t we fix the oil problem?

Columns

“We are the United States of America and there is nothing we can’t do if we do it together.” — President Joe Biden I am not in the habit of favorably quoting the former president, but he was right when he said this. Why, then, are we still beholden to Iran and Saudi Arabia for so much of our oil needs? A Wall Street Journal headline says: “Gulf States are Resigned To Iran Control of Straight (of Hormuz).” Must we also be resigned to an unending dependence on Middle East oil? Presidents since Jimmy Carter have said we must overcome that dependence and loosen their ...

Americans get rare break from quietly expensive law

Columns

Since March, America has been running an accidental experiment and glimpsing what the country might look like without one of its dumbest statutes. The results are in, and they embarrass a century’s worth of U.S. lawmakers and defenders. The statute is the Jones Act, passed in 1920 to rebuild and protect the U.S. merchant marine fleet after World War I disrupted American shipping capabilities. It requires that any vessel moving cargo between two American ports must be built in an American shipyard, be American-owned and be at least three-quarters American-crewed. Miss any one of these ...

High-dose statin appears to be too much for cholesterol patient

Columns

DEAR DR. ROACH: I had a preemployment physical for my current position as a firefighter/EMT back in January. I had another preemployment physical for a new position with the fire department last month, and both physicians suggested a statin based on my high cholesterol. Both tests had similar results; my cholesterol was 272 mg/dL, my HDL was 52 mg/dL, and my LDL was 199 mg/dL. My other blood tests and electrocardiogram were fine. I figured that I should probably try to get on a statin and manage the situation. I had a telehealth visit with a physician’s assistant who put me on 40 mg ...

Breaking up with the in-laws — again

Columns

Dear Annie: I’ve been married to a wonderful man for 30 years. His family has always made me feel like an outsider — rude, dismissive, the works. Ten years ago, I finally stepped back from them. We reconnected briefly five years ago when his father passed, mostly with his mother, but this year they’ve slid right back into their old habits. It’s to the point where it’s affecting my health: I’ve developed real anxiety, even depression, over it. I’ve decided to cut them off again, for good this time. I’ve given them more chances than they deserved. What I don’t know is ...

Medicare for all? Here’s the missing truth

Columns

Ever since I was in Congress there was a group of people that wanted some form of universal healthcare. It would include one healthcare provider through the federal government, which they frequently refer to as “Medicare for all.” However, there is a huge difference between Medicare which is for the elderly and disabled in contrast to Medicaid which is for the indigent and their children. Working Americans contribute by paying into Medicare, while Medicaid is paid by the federal government. Essentially healthcare for Medicaid individuals is free. You simply cannot combine the two ...