The physician said the scheduling was a result of the epidemic of skin cancer among the "Baby Boomer" generation who grew up when tanned skin was considered healthy and sun screen was unknown. In fact, for many Baby Boomers the teen-aged and early 20s were a time of oiling up and basking in the sun to seek the perfect tan.
We are paying a price for that now. Non-melanoma skin cancer rates have soared from one mission in 1994 to 3.5 million in 2010, according to a study by the Skin Cancer Foundation. Rates of melanoma also have been increasing as my generation ages. Most skin cancers are diagnosed in people after their 65th birthday.
So, we cannot undo the past, but we can take advantage of the excellent sun screens and skin care available today.
Three economists authored the annual "Rich States, Poor States" study that identifies which government policies actually result in economic growth and prosperity. They follow 15 policy areas.
Economist Arthur B. Laffer, Stephen Moore (chief economist for the Heritage Foundation) and Jonathan Williams (American Legislative Exchange Council) compile two lists based on their studies—one is a forward-looking outlook, while the other ranks states on economic performance.
Utah, North Dakota (despite plunging prices for petroleum and natural gas) and Indiana are the top three for economic outlook, while Texas, North Dakota and Utah rank in the top three for performance. The Golden State? 44th for economic outlook and 37th for performance.
Given the taxes, fees, aggressive regulators and the difficulty of doing business here, those rankings are no surprise.
A radio advertisement that particularly gripes me is the one running for the "earned income tax credit." The notion that you earned the taxpayers' money by not making enough money yourself is a logic that defies me. Of course, it may be way too high an expectation to assume government policies will be logical.
