Jay Ross's Blog, page 2

March 15, 2017

Genetic Testing Bill

Q: Anxious to hear you defend the genetic testing bill HR1313.
-Kate, Houston


DoA:  Defend a bill that can punish you if you don't submit to genetic testing?  Can't do it.  If you're from North Carolina, Michigan, or New York, please take a minute to contact the sponsors of this thing--Virginia Fox (NC), Tim Wahlberg (MI), Elise Stefanik (NY), and Paul Mitchell (MI) and tell them it sounds insane and that they should be ashamed of themselves.  If you're from anywhere else, contact your rep and tell them if they vote yes on HR 1313 you'll vote them out of office.

​(Got a question?  Send it to DiaryOfAmerica@gmail.com)  ​​


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Published on March 15, 2017 17:48

March 14, 2017

Health Care

Q: How can the GOP fix healthcare?
-Ben, Providence

DoA:  Six years ago--when I was briefly trying to solve all of the world's problems--I came up with a fix for Medicare, which might work here.  Unfortunately, it could never work under Trump...Our culture prevents us from just looking at countries that do it more efficiently and copying them...so this is what we seem to be forever stuck with.  (Sorry about the curse word.)


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Published on March 14, 2017 09:38

March 13, 2017

March Madness

Q;  Who's winning -Maurice, Spring

DoA:  UCLA (over Virginia).  And I feel pretty good about it...Here's some completely unrelated to betting (but fascinating) March Madness statistics and fun facts.

Who do you think is gonna win the madness?

(Got a question?  Send it to DiaryOfAmerica@gmail.com)  ​​
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Published on March 13, 2017 13:49

March 12, 2017

St. Patrick

Q; Are there any good St. Patrick's Day books?
-Bonnie, Playa Del Rey

DoA:  Not that I know of.  Which is strange.  (I've tried writing one for the past month, but couldn't get it quite right.)  The true story of St. Patrick is actually really fascinating.  If you have forty minutes, this is DEFINITELY worth a listen.

(Got a question?  Send it to DiaryOfAmerica@gmail.com)  ​​
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Published on March 12, 2017 09:49

March 11, 2017

Ben Carson

Q:  I know you love Carson, but "immigrants?" How can such a smart man say something so ridiculous?
-John, Chicago

DoA:  It is (hopefully) well known by now that Obama said almost exactly the same thing as Dr. Carson with not a peep from the media, Chelsea Clinton, the NAACP, or Mace Windu.  I would like to give both men the benefit of the doubt that they--like anyone with half a brain--know the difference between slavery and voluntary immigration.  I think our collective reaction to this story is telling about where we are politically, though.  In fact, I think how we all react to Ben Carson in general says a lot about how we see the world. 
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Published on March 11, 2017 10:19

March 6, 2017

Out Til Friday

I'm going to be out til Friday.  Please keep your questions coming.  Have a great week!  -Jay

(Got a question?  Send it to DiaryOfAmerica@gmail.com)  ​​

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Published on March 06, 2017 05:35

March 3, 2017

The New Hillary

Q: How is Mike Pence different from Hillary?
-Nicole, Baltimore

DoA:  He's a man.  He's conservative.  And "his use of private e-mail was permitted by state law, he did not lie about it, and he did not handle any classified information on an unclassified system."  But more information may always come out.  Let's wait and see.

(Got a question?  Send it to DiaryOfAmerica@gmail.com)  ​​



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Published on March 03, 2017 14:00

March 2, 2017

Good News

Q: Any good news today, America?
-Dale, Madison

DoA: This story is pretty good.  Have a good day!

(Got a question?  Send it to DiaryOfAmerica@gmail.com)  ​​
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Published on March 02, 2017 05:39

March 1, 2017

Address to Congress

Q:  Best and worst things about Trump's address to Congress?
-Sarah, West Covina

DoA: The worst things can be debated somewhere else.  I'll just stick to the positives.  I liked how he condemned the hate right out of the gate.  I like how he stayed presidential.  And I like how he offered an optimistic view of the future.  Here are some of my favorite lines:

“Education is the civil rights issue of our time.”

"Free nations are the best vehicle for expressing the will of the people –- and America respects the right of all nations to chart their own path. My job is not to represent the world. My job is to represent the United States of America. But we know that America is better off, when there is less conflict -- not more."

“Everything that is broken in our country can be fixed. Every problem can be solved. And every hurting family can find healing, and hope.”

"True love for our people requires us to find common ground, to advance the common good, and to cooperate on behalf of every American child who deserves a brighter future."

What did you think was positive about last night's address?

(Got a question?  Send it to DiaryOfAmerica@gmail.com)  ​​
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Published on March 01, 2017 04:58

February 28, 2017

Trump's Budget

Q: Trump has proposed to add $54 billion to our military.  Will that be enough to make America great?
-Vince, Memphis

DoA:  Ike probably wouldn't think so.  We already spend more on our military than the next ten countries combined, and that new money has to come from somewhere--either our wallets or other domestic programs.  I understand the world is a dangerous place, but if the president is looking to find money (and waste) it seems like looking within the $600 billion existing military budget would be a much better place to start.

What did you think?

(Got a question?  Send it to DiaryOfAmerica@gmail.com)  ​​


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Published on February 28, 2017 05:08