Economic recovery is not reaching all Minnesotans
from Minnesota Budget Bites by Clark Biegler
Even six years into the economic recovery, too many Minnesotans are struggling to support themselves and their families. Minnesota workers are earning about the same as they did 15 years ago, after adjusting for inflation. That’s despite economic growth that could have fueled wage gains, since national productivity has increased by 21.6 percent since 2000.
Eight Keys to Better Health Policy
from MN HealthBasics by Dave Durenberger
A lot of time and energy is spent on blaming partisan politics and politicians for the gridlock in St. Paul and Washington, D.C. What we often forget in our finger-pointing is to look in the mirror. Those who represent us usually reflect those who elected them.
That’s certainly true when it comes to health policy. The HealthBasics survey found that more than two-thirds of Minnesotans see the health system challenges and solutions through the perspective of their political ideologies. Conservatives place cost and quality above coverage, believe these goals are best reached through the marketplace and want the government largely to stay out of health care. Moderates and liberals are more inclined to put affordable universal coverage at the top of their priorities, and believe government must focus on how to achieve these goals.
Traveling Art
from Minnesota Prairie Roots by Audrey Kletscher Helbling
I’VE SEEN THIS CAR tooling around Faribault and parked at the local library. It’s memorable. One-of-a-kind. Definitely photo-worthy. But I never had my Canon DSLR with me when I spotted it. On a recent Saturday I did.
I practically flew from the van with my camera upon sighting the colorful car parked along Central Avenue in front of the Paradise Center for the Arts. And then, bonus, the owner strode across the street toward his vehicle as I was snapping frames.
Creating a Workable World: Transforming the United Nations System
from Thoughts Towards a Better World by Dick Bernard
Friday evening and Saturday,October 9&10, at the University of Minnesota Humphrey School of Public Affairs, Dr. Joe Schwartzberg’s book, Transforming the United Nations System, will help focus attention on transformation of the United Nations, this year celebrating its 70th birthday. All details about this “Creating a Workable World” conference, including about conference convenor Joe Schwartzberg, can be seen here. … The conference promises to be a very interesting exchange of ideas about making the UN better.
5 Ways to Make Your Office Space Healthier
from I Think I Can Fitness by Megan Dottermusch
It’s 2015, and gone are the luxury of short workdays. For blue-collar office workers, seven, eight, sometimes nine hours are spent daily at a desk or cubicle during the week. Such a lengthy sedentary lifestyle can have lasting negative effects on your health. Staring at a computer screen can affect your posture and your eyesight and give you migraines. Long periods of time spent sitting is just as bad for your body and your metabolism. And all of these negative physical side effects can have serious consequences on your mental health.
Mental health counselors nationwide stress the power of the mind/body connection and how a healthy physical being leads to a positive mentality. So, do these five things to make your office space healthier for your mind, body and soul.
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