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God created the oceans along with everything else. There's a problem with determining who "owns" them. Aside from that, ownership comes with responsiblilty. All the oceans and everything else that the Creator made, are connected. Who owns what's IN the ocean, like "the garbage patch"? And who's responsibility is it to clean it up? We've created a monster, and no one wants to admit it.

posted 2 years, 11 months ago
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It's just so sad that many people, patients and professionals, do not realize that a chemical imbalance is not due to a lack of prozac or other drugs. What CAUSES a chemical impalance? Nutrition (along with a number of other lifestyle choices) is a major key to the puzzle.

posted 2 years, 12 months ago
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Lifestyle choices and p-e-r-s-o-n-a-l  r-e-s-p-o-n-s-i b-i-l-i-t-y. Why don't people get it? We are a sick nation, and we have a sick care system that is out of control. As long as people do what they want to do, and hope for a quick fix with drugs, surgery or whatever the medical field can come up with, and as long as THEY put so much emphasis on studies, screening, testing and "finding a cure" instead of focusing on what caused the problem in the first place, well, all this is an opportunity for doctors, hospitals, drug companies, pharmacies, nursing homes, etc. to make a buck. And why not? Think of all the JOBS it provides!

posted 3 years, 1 month ago
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A major contributing factor to the cost of so-called health (sick) care in this country, and it's not generally addressed, is that people make lifestyle choices which are counterproductive to the whole picture. Most people don't HAVE to be sick. We can deal with the majority of health conditions, and avoid many of them in the first place by adoping healthy diet and lifestyle patterns. It's a lot about making good choices and taking personal responsibility. Of course, it's not in the interest of  the medical community (many of whom have very little real "health" training) for this to be implemented into the plan. Hospitals and and drug companies would go out of business.  I'd like to know, what's the lifestyle of some of the people pushing for these changes? Are they lifestyles that they would recommend for others... 

or not?

posted 3 years, 4 months ago
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Why are there so many "homeless vets" standing on the street corners asking for money, and will work for food etc? Would they maybe claim to be such when they are not? What would be the point of that? If they are homeless vets, (from whatever war or military service) why are they not provided for by our government?

posted 3 years, 6 months ago
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Some or all of us may pay some or all of the following:

Cigarette Tax, Corporate Income Tax, Dog license Tax, Fed. uemployent Tax, Fishing License Tax, Food License Tax, Gasoline Tax, Hunting License Tax, Inheritance Tax Interest expense Tax, Liquir Tax, Local Income Tax, marriage License Tax, Porperty Tax, Retail Sales Tax, Recreational Vehicle Tax, Road Toll Booth Tax, State Income Tax, Telephone taxes (federal excise tax, universal service fee, local and state surcharges, minimum usage surcharge, usage charge tax), Toll Road, bridge and tunnel taxes, Traffic Fines (indirect taxation), Utility Taxes, Vehicle License Registration, Vehicle Sales Tax, Well Permit Tax. Have I missed any?

posted 3 years, 11 months ago
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Part of the issue is, who decides where to draw the line on this sort of thing? What is offensive, and to whom? Who should we not offend? I'm offended by the disignation of some establishments, performances, language, themes etc. as "adult". I am an adult, and I would not set foot in a place that labels itself as such, knowing what they mean by that label. What is it about some people that causes them to WANT to be exposed to this sort of material? I'm too busy and have better things to do. I guess that as far as so-called censorship of books, plays and movies is concerned, I CHOOSE to vote with my pocketbook and with my presence or lack thereof. What WOULD be considered objectionable? In our society, there is no allowance anymore for the concept of what is sin or evil, except in the minds of some who have a set of values based on "old fashioned" traditions. I suppose I am one of those individuals. I wouldn't have it any other way.

posted 4 years, 2 months ago
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I'm no expert; just a low wage worker who still has a job. I've never owned a home (and glad of it) and I live paycheck to paycheck. I'm trying to pay down debt, while living concientiously and responsibly. The American Dream is such a big part of the reason we have arrived at this economic crisis. As a nation, we always manage to put a bandaid on the situation and continue to strive for what we are "entitled" to, ( spend, consume, waste etc.) and we sell our lifestyle to the rest of the world. And why would developing civilizations not want what we have? It all comes down to supply and demand and balance in the system. The global  economy is unchartered territory. Everyhting is too big and too complicated, and we tend to expect too much, and who knows how it will all turn out? There are a lot of greedy people out there able and ready to take advantage of this situation, and they will. I'm sure that's not going to help. Things will get worse. So, hang on for the ride...

posted 4 years, 2 months ago
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I'm concerned about the food supply in general. I support local and organic with an emphasis on REAL food; mainly fruits and vegetables. Technology is taking over, and even with the local and organic process, the issue of GMO's, irradiation, and other technical interference (which I understand that Sec. Viilsack supports) is, I believe not consistent with the organic process, and is something that concerns me, We depend too much on large scale (even local) growers for our food. I choose to grow as much of my own food as I am able, and it's something more people ought to be doing. The food safety issue, I believe is a result of more and more people wanting/needing more and more food, much of which is not really food; packaged and highly processed dead "food" products which fill the pantries of many homes.

posted 4 years, 3 months ago
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Most health problems are preventable and could be avoided with lifestyle choices. We depend too much on the medical/insurance industry for THEIR solutions of drugs and surgery. We could take more personal responsibility for our health, and I don't mean getting in for testing for cancer, high cholesterol, high blood pressure etc. What about eating right, exercising, not living at high risk with smoking, excessive drinking and such. The overall ingoranace of the American people about what is a healthy lifestyle is appalling.

posted 4 years, 4 months ago
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