Issues

Stephen Fehr writes: The Oklahoma Capitol is one of many statehouses around the country that need fixing. Visitors enter the building under scaffolding so they don’t get bonked on the head by falling rock. Minnesota Gov.Dayton and Pennsylvania Gov. Corbett have called for money to repair their declining capitols, as have officials in Alaska, Colorado, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Oregon and Wyoming. New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Tennessee and Wisconsin have refurbished parts of their statehouses in the last few years, and major restorations are winding down in Illinois and Kansas. more »

Traditionally, suicide prevention efforts have been focused mostly on youths and older adults, but recent evidence suggests that there have been substantial increases in suicide rates among middle-aged adults in the United States. Suicide deaths have surpassed deaths from motor vehicle crashes in recent years in the United States. more »

"Some people walk because they choose to do so. Some of these may have chosen not to own a passenger vehicle. Others may have vehicles available but choose to walk for some of their travel. On the other hand, there are people who walk because they have little choice of alternative modes. These are largely captive walkers. While risk of riding in a passenger vehicle has been declining considerably over the last several decades, it is the captive walkers who have been adversely affected by the increased exposure to vehicle traffic." The Fatality Risk of Walking in America more »

Frances Perkins speaks: One thing I know: Social Security is so firmly embedded in the American psychology today that no politician, no political party, no political group could possibly destroy this Act and still maintain our democratic system. It is safe. It is safe forever, and for the everlasting benefit of the people of the United States. more »