by Permilla Contributor on November 19, 2009
The South African sports ministry declared that runner Caster Semenya will keep her 800 meter gold medal from the world championships. In addition, the results from her gender tests will not be released. A little late for that.
The ministry also disclosed that the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) will allow the 18 year old Semenya to keep the prize money.
The sports ministry explained that “whatever scientific tests were conducted legally within the IAAF regulations will be treated as a confidential matter between patient and doctor.” This means no one will definitively know the truth, though the information leak which happened when the tests first started pretty much paints the whole picture even if the officials refuse to acknowledge anything. The sports ministry is urging “all South Africans and other people to respect this professional ethical and moral way of doing things.”
Unfortunately, this is of no comfort to the female athletes who have been training their hearts out, only to be surprised by an unknown South African runner at the world championships. Some maintain that Semenya should not be allowed to run in any women’s events again.
The IAAF has publicly said the gender tests have not yet been completed. The body was planning on announcing its findings Friday, but alas, that’s not to be.
Prior to the 800 meter finals in Berlin, the IAAF ordered gender tests on Semenya, owing to her muscular build and unnatural improvement in times. Understandably, South Africa was outraged, and accused the IAAF of violating her privacy. South African track officials were castigated for failing to protect her.
No matter how the Semenya case turns out, the question is now out in the open. Should a hermaphrodite be allowed to compete against women?
by Permilla Contributor on November 19, 2009
In order to pay for his vision of Health Care Reform, if you can even call it that, senator Reid is championing several new taxes, and that may not sit well with many. First, he intends for the government to levy a 40 percent tax on the value of insurance exceeding $8,500 for individual coverage and $23,000 for family coverage.
Economists argue that the tax could slow the growth of health spending by having the unintended consequence of employers paring back health benefits. Labor unions unsurprisingly oppose the tax, arguing that it would impact many workers who have passed on wage increases in exchange for added health benefits.
Senator Reid is also proposing an increase in the Medicare payroll tax. Currently, employers and employees each pay a tax equal to 1.45 percent of wages. Under Mr. Reid’s plan, there will be an increase in the rate to 1.95 percent for individuals, if the individual earns more than $200,000 annually. Couples are on the hook if in aggregate, they bring home over $250,000 annually. The employers escape unscathed, as the tax on them would be unchanged.
The democrats claim that the payroll tax increase would raise $54 billion over 10 years. Unlike the Senate’s version, the House bill plans on seeking additional new revenue by taxing the high-income people. Anything exceeding $500,000 for individuals, or $1 million for couples would be taxed at 5.4 percent under the House plan.
Senator Reid’s bill also plans to extract revenue by levying annual fees on health insurance companies, as well as pharmaceutical manufacturers. Senator Reid plans to impose fees of $2 billion annually.
by Permilla Contributor on November 19, 2009
Nancy Pelosi had her show, and now it is Harry Reid’s turn. The majority leader from Nevada seeks to impose new regulations on insurers and provide coverage to 31 million people who currently are without health insurance. New benefits are also to be added to Medicare. What does this all mean for us?
Before we explore that, we need to understand that this bill’s price tag is north of $840 billion over ten years. Early estimates are that it would reduce budget deficits by $130 billion over a decade if assumptions about new taxes and fees exceeding costs are to be believed. Reductions in the growth of Medicare is also assumed. Any time we count on new revenue to cover new cost, there will be considerable risk.
Senator Reid is seeking the votes of all 58 Democratic senators, as well as two independents who side with the Democrats. So far, it seems like everything is a go. But not so fast, say the Republicans, who have vowed to fight the legislation at every turn. Republicans will not accept an increase in the size of government to go along with increased taxes. Republican senator Orrin Hatch of Utah hints at what’s coming by stating “It’s going to be a holy war.”