Pharmaceutical Companies React to "Dollars for Docs"

In their reporting on drug company speakers, ProPublica's Tracy Weber and Charles Ornstein found five of the seven companies that disclose payments to physicians -- AstraZeneca, GlaxoSmithKline, Lilly, Merck, and Pfizer do not check state medical boards to see if doctors who speak for the companies have been sanctioned. This information is publicly available in many of the nation's largest states.

Here are some of the comments I received back from the companies on the "Dollars for Docs" series:

AstraZeneca:

"As is part of our routine annual processes, AstraZeneca is currently reviewing contracts for the coming year. This review includes ensuring that all health care providers meet the company's eligibility criteria to participate in our speaking program."

GSK:
"We do have criteria in place to evaluate potential speakers. However you have raised some issues to our attention that we are investigating further. We will also use this information as we continue to improve the processes by which our speakers are evaluated."

Source: http://www.pbs.org/nbr/blog/2010/10/pharmaceutical_companies_react.html

Loans and Mortgages Household Moving House Plans Home Warranties

White House Staff: It Gets Better

Ed. Note: President Obama, Vice President Biden and Administration officials recorded their own video messages to give support to young people who are being bullied because of their sexual orientation. Visit WhiteHouse.gov/itgetsbetter for more videos and resources.

Inspired by President Obama’s It Gets Better video, several LGBT White House staffers decided to add their voices to the project. President Obama has more LGBT appointees than any previous Administration and he is committed to making his Administration reflect the diversity of our nation.

Resources

If you’re a young person who’s been bullied or harassed by your peers, or you’re a parent or teacher who knows a young person being bullied or harassed, here are a few resources that can help you:

The Trevor Project 

The Trevor Project is determined to end suicide among LBGTQ youth by providing resources and a nationwide, 24 hour hotline.  If you are considering suicide or need help, call: 866-4-U-TREVOR (866-488-7386).

BullyingInfo.org

BullyingInfo.org is a project of the Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs (IWGYP) focused on providing tools and resources for youth, parents, teachers and mental health providers to prevent and address bullying. 

It Gets Better Project

President Obama's video and Vice President Biden’s video are just a couple of the thousands of videos submitted by people across the country to inspire and encourage LGBT youth who are struggling.  You can watch more videos at ItGetsBetterProject.com.

For even more information and resources visit or call:

• Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
• Matthew Shepard Foundation
• Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)
• National Suicide Lifeline 800-273-TALK (8255)

Source: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/12/20/white-house-staff-it-gets-better

Short Sale Waterfront Homes Real Estate Agent Foreclosure Homes

News Hub: Housing Still on Edge as Credit Tightens

Nick Timiraos discusses worry among economists that the housing market could be headed toward another downdraft as mortgage lenders tighten credit.

Source: http://online.wsj.com/video/news-hub-housing-still-on-edge-as-credit-tightens...

House Plans Home Warranties Commercial & Investment Homes

Our Goal: Advancing Better Trade Agreements for American Workers and Businesses

This weekend, experts from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative are in Seattle, Washington, hammering out the legal language for the landmark trade agreement President Obama announced earlier this month: improvements on the US-Korea trade deal that make the pact better for American workers and businesses, particularly in our recovering auto sector.

That agreement was reached after the President walked away from an earlier offer at the G20 meeting in Seoul, Korea. What our Korean counterparts put on the table wasn't good enough for you then, and the President chose to take more time to get the agreement right. The result of that bold decision was an agreement that won wide acclaim on announcement, and we're eager to work with its supporters on both sides of the aisle in Congress to advance it as quickly as possible.

Many are asking whether two other pending trade agreements - those with Colombia and Panama - should move forward with the Korea deal. A story posted on the Politico website Friday caused some confusion about our position on that question, but it is exactly the same as it has been. While the President has not yet discussed a timeline for moving the Colombia agreement or the Panama agreement, he has said consistently that he wants his Trade Representative, Ron Kirk, to resolve outstanding issues with these agreements. The USTR office is working to do so for the express purpose of moving each agreement forward at the right time for Congress's consideration. 

This is a solid promise. The President's determination to get the Korea deal right resulted in a landmark achievement with significant support, and we'll seek the same on other trade pacts. We intend to conclude the best deals possible for American workers and businesses - agreements that are responsible and responsive to Americans' concerns, and that can soon bring home the jobs and economic prosperity that come when trade is done right. That's been our commitment from the start, and it's our commitment today. We look forward to working with the new Congress to fulfill it.

Source: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2010/12/18/our-goal-advancing-better-trade-agreements-american-workers-and-businesses

Vacation Properties Loans and Mortgages Household Moving House Plans

My 2011 Predictions

2010 Predictions

1) A year of bruising battles. There is some hope the New Year will build on the cooperation shown in cutting the recent deal on taxes and lead to more progress on deficit reduction. Don't count on it Both sides are gearing up for a nasty series of battles over spending. While this will lead to reductions in non-defense discretionary spending, the cuts are unlikely to be very deep. The good news: Once Republicans and the White House have scored points and fought each other to a draw, the possibility of a bigger deal that involves give on both sides - Republicans on taxes, Democrats on spending - goes up.
2) Federal Reserve on QE2. The Fed will finish its announced plans to buy $600 billion in bonds. But it is unlikely to go further. Given the tough political resistance on Capitol Hill and divisions in the Fed itself, the bar to further action by the Central Bank has been raised. The only way the Fed can expand QE2 will be if the economy is clearly weakening significantly. And who hopes for that next year?
3) Republican in-fighting will grab headlines. Yes, fights with Democrats are tough, but the battle within the GOP to control the Republican agenda - that's a death match. Senate Tea Partiers rallied under the banner of Sen. Jim DeMint who successfully battled back a bill containing numerous earmarks. This could be read as an implicit challenge to Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. In the House, soon-to-be Majority Leader Eric Cantor and Speaker-to-be Boehner are already denying press reports they don't get along. Not a good sign. Reporters love in-fighting stories and will be looking for any excuse to run one.
4) Read up on your Constitutional trivia. Tea Party activists are already talking about moving forward on a "nullification amendment" to the Constitution. Under the amendment, if 2/3rds of the states voted to nullify a federal law, it would be repealed. If you're not familiar with nullification, read up on your Civil War history or the recent court case in Virginia overturning the Obama health care individual mandate.
5) The payroll tax cut will not be extended. Republicans didn't want to do it this year, and they will have the power to stop renewal next year. At best, the President gets a different tax cut or stimulus, but only if the economy is really hurting.
6) From Lawmaker to Rulemaker. Obama has already passed more legislation than most Presidents dream about. Now he can turn to writing rules and executives orders to get things done - without going through Congress. Regulation is a powerful tool and the President is already using his enforcement powers. Look for more action in 2011.
7) Feel like Presidential campaigns are never-ending? Well, the 2012 campaign shifts up a gear in 2011. Gov. Tim Pawlenty has a book tour scheduled for Iowa and New Hampshire in January. Newt Gingrich has practically moved to Iowa, he's been there so often. It you love politics, you'll love 2011. If you don't . . . sorry, that's just the way it is.

Source: http://www.pbs.org/nbr/blog/2010/12/my_2011_predictions.html

Household Moving House Plans Home Warranties Commercial & Investment

Don?t we all wish we had a secretary?

AM Report: Tax Deal Set to Clear Crucial Hurdle

Democrats are predicting that a tax deal will clear a crucial hurdle comfortably in the Senate today, with a margin they hope will add momentum to the deal in the House. Aaron Zitner and Neal Lipschutz discuss. Also, Nick Timiraos discusses worry among economists that the housing market could be headed toward another downdraft as mortgage lenders tighten credit.

Source: http://online.wsj.com/video/am-report-tax-deal-set-to-clear-crucial-hurdle/0A...

Homes Foreclosures Home Sales Outlook Housing Starts