stillnessinthestorm--2020-11-02--By Their Own Criteria, Democrats Are The Ones Undermining American Democracy

( Carina Benton ) The Democratic Party ’ s policies and tactics since Trump ’ s 2016 nomination are , almost to a letter , right out of leftist Harvard professors ’ litmus test for detecting assaults on democracy .
Related The Democrats and the Presstitutes Will Not Admit a Trump Win Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt , professors of government at Harvard University , issued an ominous warning for the United States in 2018 in their book “ How Democracies Die.
” Today , democracies are more likely to perish due to the insidious erosion of fundamental democratic institutions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as a result of a dramatic coup .
If the United States were to experience a democratic crisis , it would most likely begin at the ballot box .
While the book clearly displays the left ’ s obsession with President Donald Trump ’ s alleged authoritarian tendencies , the authors concede that the president hasn ’ t really broken any democratic rules .
Democracy and its institutions remain intact under Trump .
The book ’ s real albeit unintended takeaway is the disturbing extent to which the Democratic Party ’ s policies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nomination are , almost to a letter , right out of the authors ’ litmus test for detecting assaults on democracy .
The use of the pandemic to justify gross violations of civil liberties , threats of a court-packing scheme , the persistent and fanciful Russian collusion narrative , the failure to condemn Antifa and Black Lives Matter violence , and media-tech silence , suppression , and censorship don ’ t just raise red flags ; they sound so fearful an alarm that , at this point , only the willfully deaf are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ziblatt warn that although America ’ s institutions are robust , citizens must not take democracy for granted .
Political parties should avoid stoking the flames of authoritarianism by making devil ’ s bargains with radical elements , both within the party or with extremist outsiders , to secure electoral victory .
The authors propose four indicators for discerning undemocratic trends .
Predictably , they argue Trump checks every box .
But the claims rely heavily on off-color banter from campaign rallies that never translated into policy , as well as Trump ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ electoral fraud that have ended up being more perspicacious than authoritarian .
In any case , the authors have admitted Trump has not been much of a dictator .
If you apply the behavioral warning signs to the Democratic Party , however , the results are uncanny .
1 .
A Weak Commitment to Democratic Rules of the Game The first red flag goes up when politicians suggest a “ need for antidemocratic measures , ” such as the “ restricting of basic civil or political rights.
” One example is politically exploiting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ politicians rely on expanding executive powers during emergencies and leverage public support for measures that would ordinarily be regarded as authoritarian as a way of dismantling civil liberties and seizing power .
True to script , Democrat governors such as Gretchen Whitmer and Andrew Cuomo have relied on COVID panic to justify disproportionately severe restrictions .
These tyrants have been keeping their constituents and economies hostage , forcing businesses to close , putting ordinary Americans out of work , and repressing religious freedom .
Another concern is “ a willingness to violate the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has grave implications for the separation of powers .
Levitsky and Ziblatt describe Hungary ’ s Prime Minister Viktor Orban ’ s 2010 court-packing scheme as a way of bypassing judicial independence .
Similarly , they call Franklin D. Roosevelt ’ s failed court-packing plan an “ executive excess ” that “ would have set a dangerous precedent.
” They cite the San Francisco Chronicle ’ s assessment of FDR ’ s proposal as an “ open declaration of war on the Supreme Court.
” If this is correct , then a “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ once again being waged .
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer responded to Republicans ’ constitutional move to fill a Supreme Court vacancy by threatening that a court-packing scheme was “ on the table.
” During the Democratic primaries , several candidates , including vice-presidential nominee Kamala Harris , all gave court-packing the thumbs-up .
Sen. Mazie Hirono , D-Hawaii , has cynically described it as “ court reform , ” while Sen. Elizabeth Warren , D-Mass.
, suggested it ’ s about “ depoliticizing ” the court .
Presidential nominee Joe Biden has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that , in any case , the public doesn ’ t deserve to know .
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” The second red flag involves baseless suggestions that political rivals “ are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a foreign government.
” Unsubstantiated claims that political rivals are treasonous and subversive weaken democracy .
If an opponent is falsely cast as an existential threat , it becomes easier to justify using any means necessary to subvert or overthrow him .
This is why the Russian collusion hoax was such an affront to American democracy .
It was a baseless smear job by the Hillary Clinton campaign and enabled by the Obama administration , including its intelligence and law-enforcement apparatus , in order to derail a political opponent ’ s election campaign @ @ @ @ @ @ @ administration .
Bogus allegations of a Russian conspiracy have once again been resurrected to discredit the Hunter Biden email scandal .
Although Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe has refuted the disinformation allegations , the propaganda has persisted .
Democrats ’ intent is to delegitimize objectively verifiable evidence and demonize critics through fanciful accusations of treason and conspiracy .
The same dynamic is at work within the left ’ s “ progressive or bigot binary ” that casts all opposition to their ideas as the work of racism , sexism , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ differences to work out through civil discourse and winning elections .
The third criterion asks whether politicians have “ tacitly endorsed violence by supporters by refusing to unambiguously condemn it and punish it.
” Levitsky and Ziblatt warn that partisan violence often precedes democratic breakdown .
So what are we to make of Democrats ’ calculated silence and tacit encouragement of Black Lives Matter and Antifa terror ?
For months , Americans have witnessed the destruction of private and public property , terror tactics , violent attacks on police and ordinary people , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Biden has refused to condemn the violence by name , even insisting that Antifa is just “ an idea.
” Harris threatened that the rioters wouldn ’ t stop , “ nor should they.
” In other words , expect that Democrats will continue to leverage violent but politically expedient chaos to intimidate the public and silence opposition .
The final category is the silencing of opponents and critics by restricting civil liberties , including , for example , freedom of the press .
Levitsky and Ziblatt insist that an independent press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bulwark ” of democratic institutions .
It is therefore worrying that 77 percent of Americans believe that traditional news outlets report “ fake news , ” but it is hardly surprising .
Anyone not already suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome , and armed with basic listening comprehension skills and a sense of integrity , can witness the media ’ s distorting and selective editing for himself .
Any lingering illusion of a free press has now been destroyed by Big Tech ’ s censorship of the New York Post ’ s reporting of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partisan bias and dishonesty .
This is a two-pronged strategy of media silence and suppression as well as tech censorship to shield Joe Biden from allegations of corruption .
The media-tech alliance is effectively serving as a public relations arm for the Democratic Party and the Biden campaign .
Sen. Ted Cruz , R-Texas , roasted Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey at a Senate inquiry this week , arguing that by censoring the New York Post ’ s reporting , Twitter had “ crossed a threshold that is fundamental in our country.
” Don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ebb should Trump be booted from office .
There is a legitimate concern that media channels will be manipulated to disseminate state propaganda and indefinitely stamp out opposition .
This is not tit-for-tat chipping away at democratic norms .
The very institutions that undergird this country are under vicious attack by a party that regards them as an obstacle to consolidating power .
Under a Biden-Harris administration , Democrats would savage democracy .
We know this because they ’ ve been magnanimous enough to offer a sneak preview of what ’ s in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it ’ s going to be a “ dark winter.
” Levitsky has bizarrely insisted that “ there is no evidence that the Democratic Party is becoming particularly radical and certainly no evidence that the Party is becoming a threat to liberal institutions.
” In his view , the party remains “ pragmatic and moderate.
” The message is clear : Democracy is in grave peril , so long as the left can label Trump as the bogeyman .
When the assassins are within the Democratic Party , however , it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ here ” line peddled by party acolytes .
Champions of democracy and democratic institutions must recognize abuses and disturbing trends wherever they arise , not merely when it suits a political narrative .
Hand Mask : It ’ s never been about safety .
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Your truth .
Support alt-media and help raise awareness .
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Carina Benton is a native Australian living in Washington state .
She is a practicing Catholic and has taught for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She is a mother of two young children .
Stillness in the Storm Editor : Why did we post this ?
The news is important to all people because it is where we come to know new things about the world , which leads to the development of more life goals that lead to life wisdom .
The news also serves as a social connection tool , as we tend to relate to those who know about and believe the things we do .
With the power of an open truth-seeking mind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wise and the collective can prosper .
Not sure how to make sense of this ?
Want to learn how to discern like a pro ?
Read this essential guide to discernment , analysis of claims , and understanding the truth in a world of deception : 4 Key Steps of Discernment – Advanced Truth-Seeking Tools .
Stillness in the Storm Editor ’ s note : Did you find a spelling error or grammatical mistake ?
Send an email to corrections @ stillnessinthestorm.com , with the error and suggested correction , along with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think this article needs an update ?
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(Carina Benton) The Democratic Party’s policies and tactics since Trump’s 2016 nomination are, almost to a letter, right out of leftist Harvard professors’ litmus test for detecting assaults on democracy.
Related The Democrats and the Presstitutes Will Not Admit a Trump Win
Source – The Federalist
by Carina Benton, November, 2nd, 2020
Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt, professors of government at Harvard University, issued an ominous warning for the United States in 2018 in their book “How Democracies Die.” Today, democracies are more likely to perish due to the insidious erosion of fundamental democratic institutions at the hands of elected leaders than as a result of a dramatic coup. If the United States were to experience a democratic crisis, it would most likely begin at the ballot box.
While the book clearly displays the left’s obsession with President Donald Trump’s alleged authoritarian tendencies, the authors concede that the president hasn’t really broken any democratic rules. Democracy and its institutions remain intact under Trump.
The book’s real albeit unintended takeaway is the disturbing extent to which the Democratic Party’s policies and tactics since Trump’s 2016 nomination are, almost to a letter, right out of the authors’ litmus test for detecting assaults on democracy. The use of the pandemic to justify gross violations of civil liberties, threats of a court-packing scheme, the persistent and fanciful Russian collusion narrative, the failure to condemn Antifa and Black Lives Matter violence, and media-tech silence, suppression, and censorship don’t just raise red flags; they sound so fearful an alarm that, at this point, only the willfully deaf are refusing to take heed.
Levitsky and Ziblatt warn that although America’s institutions are robust, citizens must not take democracy for granted. Political parties should avoid stoking the flames of authoritarianism by making devil’s bargains with radical elements, both within the party or with extremist outsiders, to secure electoral victory.
The authors propose four indicators for discerning undemocratic trends. Predictably, they argue Trump checks every box. But the claims rely heavily on off-color banter from campaign rallies that never translated into policy, as well as Trump’s allegations of media dishonesty and potential electoral fraud that have ended up being more perspicacious than authoritarian.
In any case, the authors have admitted Trump has not been much of a dictator. If you apply the behavioral warning signs to the Democratic Party, however, the results are uncanny.
1. A Weak Commitment to Democratic Rules of the Game
The first red flag goes up when politicians suggest a “need for antidemocratic measures,” such as the “restricting of basic civil or political rights.” One example is politically exploiting crises to justify power grabs. Some politicians rely on expanding executive powers during emergencies and leverage public support for measures that would ordinarily be regarded as authoritarian as a way of dismantling civil liberties and seizing power.
True to script, Democrat governors such as Gretchen Whitmer and Andrew Cuomo have relied on COVID panic to justify disproportionately severe restrictions. These tyrants have been keeping their constituents and economies hostage, forcing businesses to close, putting ordinary Americans out of work, and repressing religious freedom.
Another concern is “a willingness to violate the Constitution.” Court-packing, for example, has grave implications for the separation of powers. Levitsky and Ziblatt describe Hungary’s Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s 2010 court-packing scheme as a way of bypassing judicial independence. Similarly, they call Franklin D. Roosevelt’s failed court-packing plan an “executive excess” that “would have set a dangerous precedent.” They cite the San Francisco Chronicle’s assessment of FDR’s proposal as an “open declaration of war on the Supreme Court.”
If this is correct, then a “war on the Supreme Court” is once again being waged. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer responded to Republicans’ constitutional move to fill a Supreme Court vacancy by threatening that a court-packing scheme was “on the table.” During the Democratic primaries, several candidates, including vice-presidential nominee Kamala Harris, all gave court-packing the thumbs-up.
Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, has cynically described it as “court reform,” while Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., suggested it’s about “depoliticizing” the court. Presidential nominee Joe Biden has refused to rule it out, arguing that, in any case, the public doesn’t deserve to know.
2. Denying the Legitimacy of One’s Opponents
The second red flag involves baseless suggestions that political rivals “are foreign agents … working in alliance with a foreign government.” Unsubstantiated claims that political rivals are treasonous and subversive weaken democracy. If an opponent is falsely cast as an existential threat, it becomes easier to justify using any means necessary to subvert or overthrow him.
This is why the Russian collusion hoax was such an affront to American democracy. It was a baseless smear job by the Hillary Clinton campaign and enabled by the Obama administration, including its intelligence and law-enforcement apparatus, in order to derail a political opponent’s election campaign and then delegitimize and undermine the incoming administration.
Bogus allegations of a Russian conspiracy have once again been resurrected to discredit the Hunter Biden email scandal. Although Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe has refuted the disinformation allegations, the propaganda has persisted. Democrats’ intent is to delegitimize objectively verifiable evidence and demonize critics through fanciful accusations of treason and conspiracy.
The same dynamic is at work within the left’s “progressive or bigot binary” that casts all opposition to their ideas as the work of racism, sexism, and the like, rather than well-intentioned and legitimate differences to work out through civil discourse and winning elections.
3. Toleration or Encouragement of Violence
The third criterion asks whether politicians have “tacitly endorsed violence by supporters by refusing to unambiguously condemn it and punish it.” Levitsky and Ziblatt warn that partisan violence often precedes democratic breakdown.
So what are we to make of Democrats’ calculated silence and tacit encouragement of Black Lives Matter and Antifa terror? For months, Americans have witnessed the destruction of private and public property, terror tactics, violent attacks on police and ordinary people, and even the harassment of political opponents.
Biden has refused to condemn the violence by name, even insisting that Antifa is just “an idea.” Harris threatened that the rioters wouldn’t stop, “nor should they.” In other words, expect that Democrats will continue to leverage violent but politically expedient chaos to intimidate the public and silence opposition.
4. Readiness to Curtail Civil Liberties of Opponents
The final category is the silencing of opponents and critics by restricting civil liberties, including, for example, freedom of the press. Levitsky and Ziblatt insist that an independent press is essential to democracy and a “bulwark” of democratic institutions.
It is therefore worrying that 77 percent of Americans believe that traditional news outlets report “fake news,” but it is hardly surprising. Anyone not already suffering from Trump Derangement Syndrome, and armed with basic listening comprehension skills and a sense of integrity, can witness the media’s distorting and selective editing for himself.
Any lingering illusion of a free press has now been destroyed by Big Tech’s censorship of the New York Post’s reporting of the Hunter Biden laptop story. Forget partisan bias and dishonesty. This is a two-pronged strategy of media silence and suppression as well as tech censorship to shield Joe Biden from allegations of corruption. The media-tech alliance is effectively serving as a public relations arm for the Democratic Party and the Biden campaign.
Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, roasted Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey at a Senate inquiry this week, arguing that by censoring the New York Post’s reporting, Twitter had “crossed a threshold that is fundamental in our country.” Don’t expect these anti-democratic assaults to ebb should Trump be booted from office. There is a legitimate concern that media channels will be manipulated to disseminate state propaganda and indefinitely stamp out opposition.
This is not tit-for-tat chipping away at democratic norms. The very institutions that undergird this country are under vicious attack by a party that regards them as an obstacle to consolidating power. Under a Biden-Harris administration, Democrats would savage democracy. We know this because they’ve been magnanimous enough to offer a sneak preview of what’s in store. In Biden’s words, it’s going to be a “dark winter.”
Levitsky has bizarrely insisted that “there is no evidence that the Democratic Party is becoming particularly radical and certainly no evidence that the Party is becoming a threat to liberal institutions.” In his view, the party remains “pragmatic and moderate.”
The message is clear: Democracy is in grave peril, so long as the left can label Trump as the bogeyman. When the assassins are within the Democratic Party, however, it’s the predictable “nothing to see here” line peddled by party acolytes. Champions of democracy and democratic institutions must recognize abuses and disturbing trends wherever they arise, not merely when it suits a political narrative.
About The Author
Carina Benton
Carina Benton is a native Australian living in Washington state. She is a practicing Catholic and has taught for many years in Catholic and Christian schools. She is a mother of two young children.
Stillness in the Storm Editor: Why did we post this?
The news is important to all people because it is where we come to know new things about the world, which leads to the development of more life goals that lead to life wisdom. The news also serves as a social connection tool, as we tend to relate to those who know about and believe the things we do. With the power of an open truth-seeking mind in hand, the individual can grow wise and the collective can prosper.
– Justin
Not sure how to make sense of this? Want to learn how to discern like a pro? Read this essential guide to discernment, analysis of claims, and understanding the truth in a world of deception: 4 Key Steps of Discernment – Advanced Truth-Seeking Tools.
Stillness in the Storm Editor’s note: Did you find a spelling error or grammatical mistake? Send an email to corrections@stillnessinthestorm.com, with the error and suggested correction, along with the headline and url. Do you think this article needs an update? Or do you just have some feedback? Send us an email at sitsshow@gmail.com. Thank you for reading.
Source:
https://thefederalist.com/2020/11/02/by-their-own-criteria-democrats-are-the-ones-undermining-american-democracy/


stillnessinthestorm--2020-11-02--Deep State Takedown News: November 1st to 2nd 2020

This is a video post .
See the videos below .
EPISODE 2317A – THE [ CB ] S ARE DOING EXACTLY WHAT THE PATRIOTS WANT THEM TO DO EPISODE 2317B – REMEMBER , REMEMBER THE 3RD OF NOVEMBER , ARE YOU READY TO TAKE BACK THE COUNTRY DE-MYSIFYING THE FAKE NEWS CARICATURE OF Q .
‘ SATANIC CABAL OF DEMOCRATS EATING CHILDREN ’ V CITIZEN J Stillness in the Storm Editor : Why did we post this ?
The news is important to all people because it is where we come to know new things about the world , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ life goals that lead to life wisdom .
The news also serves as a social connection tool , as we tend to relate to those who know about and believe the things we do .
With the power of an open truth-seeking mind in hand , the individual can grow wise and the collective can prosper .
Not sure how to make sense of this ?
Want to learn how to discern like a pro ?
Read this essential guide to discernment , analysis of claims , and understanding the truth in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Discernment – Advanced Truth-Seeking Tools .
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Send an email to corrections @ stillnessinthestorm.com , with the error and suggested correction , along with the headline and url .
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Thank you for reading.
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stillnessinthestorm--2020-11-02--This Austin Restaurant May Be Making the Wittiest Pandemic Signs Anywhere

( Good News Network ) A restaurant that ’ s famous for its hilarious signs has been pulling out all the stops to bring laughs in the era of COVID-19 .
Related Nashville Democrat Mayor ’ s Office Accused Of ‘ Fabricating ’ Coronavirus Numbers To Hide LOW Numbers Tied To Bars , Restaurants Austin-based restaurant El Arroyo started making comic signs in the early 80s , and they ’ ve been perfecting the art ever since .
When the pandemic reached the States ’ shores , and bars and restaurants began shuttering across the country back in spring , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decided that it was time to put even more effort into bringing comic relief to others .
“ The signs bring a lot of laughter , ” said Laura Schulte , 27 , social media manger for the Mexican eatery .
“ It ’ s a running joke that people who live in Austin are a bit hippy , so one of my favorite signs is : “ Last queso stop before a load of yoga studios .
Are you ready for a run-down of some of El Arroyo ’ s wittiest pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Surely you ’ ve had this thought over the past few months ?
If only this trick applied to more than just smart phones… We ’ ve all been there , no ?
Excuse us while we wipe a nostalgic tear from our eye… Body For Awareness Project : Your clothes , your body , your truth .
Support alt-media and help raise awareness .
On Sale Now .
Stillness in the Storm Editor : Why did we post this ?
The news is important to all people because it is where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world , which leads to the development of more life goals that lead to life wisdom .
The news also serves as a social connection tool , as we tend to relate to those who know about and believe the things we do .
With the power of an open truth-seeking mind in hand , the individual can grow wise and the collective can prosper .
Not sure how to make sense of this ?
Want to learn how to discern like a pro ?
Read this essential guide to discernment , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ truth in a world of deception : 4 Key Steps of Discernment – Advanced Truth-Seeking Tools .
Stillness in the Storm Editor ’ s note : Did you find a spelling error or grammatical mistake ?
Send an email to corrections @ stillnessinthestorm.com , with the error and suggested correction , along with the headline and url .
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Thank you for reading .


stillnessinthestorm--2020-11-05--Urinary Tract Infections: How Can You Treat Them Naturally, Efficiently and Long Term?

( Raluca Schachter ) Urinary tract infections are among the most common diseases , affecting more than half of all women at some point in life and repeatedly , 25 percent of them .
The idea that the urinary tract is a sterile environment has been successfully challenged with the help of technological advances , including culture-independent techniques ( qPCR ) .
We now know that urine is not sterile , even in the absence of a clinically relevant infection , and that the entire urinary tract is home to microorganisms , with each unique urinary microbial community .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and vagina is a key factor in women ’ s health .
A substantial amount of research supports the idea that , similar to microorganisms in other areas of the body , some bacteria in the urinary microbiome help maintain health and determine , to some extent , which pathogens can colonize the urinary tract .
Twenty to 40 % of women treated for urinary tract infections have at least one relapse in six months .
These recurrences are often caused by the same bacterial colony that was responsible for the initial infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evade host defense and antibiotic treatment .
A urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria enter and multiply in the urinary tract ( usually through the urethra ) .
The urinary tract consists of the urethra , bladder , ureters and kidneys .
Any part of the urinary tract can be infected , but these infections usually start in the urethra or bladder .
If left untreated , the infection can reach the kidneys .
Most urinary tract infections are caused by E. coli , a bacterium that is found naturally in the human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tract .
However , the rest of the urinary tract infections can be caused by other bacteria such as Proteus mirabilis , S. saprophyticus , Pseudomonas aeruginosa , Enterococcus faecalis and Klebsiella .
• Pain or burning sensation in the vagina when urinating • Pain and discomfort in the lower abdomen • Pink or reddish urine – a sign that there is blood in the urine These infections can be caused by poor hygiene , poor immune function , dysbiosis of the intestinal and vaginal microbiome , excessive use of antibiotics , use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pH balance of the vagina ) and intercourse .
Women are eight times more likely to develop a urinary tract infection than men ; having a shorter urethra , bacteria can reach the bladder more easily .
A low level of estrogen ( such as in pre- and menopause ) has a direct effect on the urethra ( the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside ) ; this causes the opening to the bladder to be less tight and thus allow leakage .
Also , without enough or bioavailable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thin and dry , the protective barrier lowers and inflammation and infections develop easier .
In my previous article here , you can learn more about vaginal microbiome and health .
Many women developed their first urinary tract infection during pregnancy .
The reason is that the risk of bacteria reaching the kidneys increases during pregnancy ( due to changes in the pelvis and urethra ) .
How Can You Heal Urinary Tract Infections Naturally , Effectively and Long Term ?
Consume a proper diet for your metabolic type , without processed foods @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fibers and polyphenols with prebiotic effect , as well as fermented foods .
These will improve the amount and type of bacteria in your digestive system and will also have an effect on the vaginal microbiome .
However , if you suffer from candidiasis , which often co-exists with urinary tract infections , fermented foods are contraindicated during the acute period of the infection .
Consume enough water and nettle tea to help eliminate pathogenic bacteria from the urinary system faster .
Eliminate caffeine , chocolate , tomatoes , citrus fruits and acidic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for urinary tract infections consists of antibiotics .
However , they are not successful in 25 % to 35 % of people , can cause resistance , can alter the intestinal microbial flora and the function of the immune system .
The low success rate of this treatment may be due to the fact that synthetic antibiotics are ineffective for microbes that hide in the bladder wall .
From a functional perspective , the use of synthetic antibiotics does not provide the necessary support for such infections and therefore does not help solve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or recurrence .
From clinical trials it can be concluded that probiotics can play an important role in preventing urinary tract infections , but considering that although probiotic bacteria can colonize the intestine and vagina , they can not colonize the bladder .
Due to the anatomical and microbial links between the gut – vagina – bladder ecosystems , probiotics have the best effect when working simultaneously at these three levels .
The mechanism of action of these probiotics refers to : co-aggregation with pathogens , lactic acid production , immunomodulation – by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ number of lactobacilli .
The intestinal microbiome protects us from infections in many ways and even trains our immune cells !
It also plays a very important role in regulating inflammation and how our immune system works .
A healthy intestinal microbiome provides protection against colonization and overcrowding with pathogens in the body .
D-mannose is one of the most effective nutrients for both the treatment and prevention of urinary tract infections .
Similar to glucose , D-mannose is a sugar that is found naturally in fruits such as apples , blueberries and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ diabetics and those who avoid sugar , because it ’ s differently metabolized compared to other sugars .
D-mannose is effective because it attaches to E. coli bacteria , causing them to stick together and preventing them from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract .
Bacteria can then be easily eliminated from the body during urination .
In case of more persistent infections , I recommend to my clients a combination of the following plants , which are very potent in the fight against urinary tract infections caused by E.coli but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ coptis chinensis , uva ursi , juniper berry , bidens pilosa , propolis .
Monolaurin is also another beneficial extract , with a broad spectrum and especially useful for infections caused by other gram-positive ( and not gram-negative ) bacteria such as E.coli .
It works by disrupting the integrity of the bacterial cell membrane , blocking replication and helping the immune system to destroy the pathogen .
It ’ s also a very potent antifungal .
It ’ s important to note that especially in the case of more persistent infections , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of microorganisms and their extracellular products that form structured communities attached to a surface , such as the mucosa of the urogenital tract , is recommended .
The development of a biofilm can make infections extremely difficult to treat .
There are specific natural enzymes , such as nattokinase , that can disrupt the biofilm matrix where the pathogens are hidden .
To support the function of the immune system in the process of eliminating the infection , I often recommend immunoglobulin therapy and / or colostrum consumption .
It helps the body @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Colostrum is also rich in lactoferrin , which reduces inflammation , binds to endotoxins , acts as a prebiotic and stimulates the growth of good bacteria in the gut , acts to stimulate immune T cells and increases natural white blood cells .
For specialized consultation for your health problems you can schedule an appointment here .
• Andersen TE , Khandige S , Madelung M , Brewer J , Kolmos HJ , Moller-Jensen J. Escherichia coli uropathogenesis in vitro : invasion , cellular escape , and secondary infection analyzed in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Immun 2012 ; 80:1858-67 .
• Reid G , Bruce AW .
Urogenital infections in women : can probiotics help ?
Postgrad Med J 2003 ; 79:428-32 • Bao Y , Al KF , Chanyi RM , et al .
Questions and challenges associated with studying the microbiome of the urinary tract .
Ann Transl Med 2017 ; 5:33 .
• Pearce MM , Zilliox MJ , Rosenfeld AB , et al .
The female urinary microbiome in urgency urinary incontinence .
Am J Obstet Gynecol 2015 ; 213:347 e1-11 .
• Whiteside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Reid G , Burton JP .
The microbiome of the urinary tract—a role beyond infection .
Nat Rev Urol 2015 ; 12:81-90 .
Worried about toxins from geo-engineering ?
Headaches , digestion issues , emotional problems ?
You might be chem-sick .
Detox NOW with : Stillness in the Storm Editor : Why did we post this ?
The news is important to all people because it is where we come to know new things about the world , which leads to the development of more life goals that lead to life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a social connection tool , as we tend to relate to those who know about and believe the things we do .
With the power of an open truth-seeking mind in hand , the individual can grow wise and the collective can prosper .
Not sure how to make sense of this ?
Want to learn how to discern like a pro ?
Read this essential guide to discernment , analysis of claims , and understanding the truth in a world of deception : 4 Key Steps of Discernment – Advanced Truth-Seeking Tools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s note : Did you find a spelling error or grammatical mistake ?
Send an email to corrections @ stillnessinthestorm.com , with the error and suggested correction , along with the headline and url .
Do you think this article needs an update ?
Or do you just have some feedback ?
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(Raluca Schachter) Urinary tract infections are among the most common diseases, affecting more than half of all women at some point in life and repeatedly, 25 percent of them. The idea that the urinary tract is a sterile environment has been successfully challenged with the help of technological advances, including culture-independent techniques (qPCR). We now know that urine is not sterile, even in the absence of a clinically relevant infection, and that the entire urinary tract is home to microorganisms, with each unique urinary microbial community.
Related
Source – Wake Up World
by Raluca Schachter, October 30th, 2020
The female microbiome in the gut, bladder and vagina is a key factor in women’s health. A substantial amount of research supports the idea that, similar to microorganisms in other areas of the body, some bacteria in the urinary microbiome help maintain health and determine, to some extent, which pathogens can colonize the urinary tract.
Twenty to 40% of women treated for urinary tract infections have at least one relapse in six months. These recurrences are often caused by the same bacterial colony that was responsible for the initial infection, suggesting that uro-pathogens are able to evade host defense and antibiotic treatment.
A urinary tract infection occurs when bacteria enter and multiply in the urinary tract (usually through the urethra). The urinary tract consists of the urethra, bladder, ureters and kidneys. Any part of the urinary tract can be infected, but these infections usually start in the urethra or bladder. If left untreated, the infection can reach the kidneys.
Most urinary tract infections are caused by E. coli, a bacterium that is found naturally in the human gut and can migrate into the urinary tract. However, the rest of the urinary tract infections can be caused by other bacteria such as Proteus mirabilis, S. saprophyticus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococcus faecalis and Klebsiella.
The most common symptoms include:
Pain or burning sensation in the vagina when urinating
A frequent need to urinate
Pain and discomfort in the lower abdomen
Cloudy, dark or unpleasant smelling urine
Pink or reddish urine – a sign that there is blood in the urine
Causes of Urinary Tract Infections
These infections can be caused by poor hygiene, poor immune function, dysbiosis of the intestinal and vaginal microbiome, excessive use of antibiotics, use of spermicides (which can change the pH balance of the vagina) and intercourse. Women are eight times more likely to develop a urinary tract infection than men; having a shorter urethra, bacteria can reach the bladder more easily.
A low level of estrogen (such as in pre- and menopause) has a direct effect on the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside); this causes the opening to the bladder to be less tight and thus allow leakage. Also, without enough or bioavailable estrogen, the vaginal walls can become thin and dry, the protective barrier lowers and inflammation and infections develop easier. In my previous article here, you can learn more about vaginal microbiome and health.
Many women developed their first urinary tract infection during pregnancy. The reason is that the risk of bacteria reaching the kidneys increases during pregnancy (due to changes in the pelvis and urethra).
How Can You Heal Urinary Tract Infections Naturally, Effectively and Long Term?
Consume a proper diet for your metabolic type, without processed foods and sugars and add a variety of fibers and polyphenols with prebiotic effect, as well as fermented foods. These will improve the amount and type of bacteria in your digestive system and will also have an effect on the vaginal microbiome. However, if you suffer from candidiasis, which often co-exists with urinary tract infections, fermented foods are contraindicated during the acute period of the infection.
Consume enough water and nettle tea to help eliminate pathogenic bacteria from the urinary system faster. Eliminate caffeine, chocolate, tomatoes, citrus fruits and acidic foods during infection.
The standard treatment for urinary tract infections consists of antibiotics. However, they are not successful in 25% to 35% of people, can cause resistance, can alter the intestinal microbial flora and the function of the immune system. The low success rate of this treatment may be due to the fact that synthetic antibiotics are ineffective for microbes that hide in the bladder wall. From a functional perspective, the use of synthetic antibiotics does not provide the necessary support for such infections and therefore does not help solve the risk of long-term infections and / or recurrence.
From clinical trials it can be concluded that probiotics can play an important role in preventing urinary tract infections, but considering that although probiotic bacteria can colonize the intestine and vagina, they cannot colonize the bladder. Due to the anatomical and microbial links between the gut – vagina – bladder ecosystems, probiotics have the best effect when working simultaneously at these three levels.
The mechanism of action of these probiotics refers to: co-aggregation with pathogens, lactic acid production, immunomodulation – by reducing the pro-inflammatory response and increasing the number of lactobacilli.
The intestinal microbiome protects us from infections in many ways and even trains our immune cells! It also plays a very important role in regulating inflammation and how our immune system works. A healthy intestinal microbiome provides protection against colonization and overcrowding with pathogens in the body.
D-mannose is one of the most effective nutrients for both the treatment and prevention of urinary tract infections. Similar to glucose, D-mannose is a sugar that is found naturally in fruits such as apples, blueberries and cranberries. It is allowed for both diabetics and those who avoid sugar, because it’s differently metabolized compared to other sugars. D-mannose is effective because it attaches to E. coli bacteria, causing them to stick together and preventing them from sticking to the walls of the urinary tract. Bacteria can then be easily eliminated from the body during urination.
In case of more persistent infections, I recommend to my clients a combination of the following plants, which are very potent in the fight against urinary tract infections caused by E.coli but also by other pathogens: cryptolepis, coptis chinensis, uva ursi, juniper berry, bidens pilosa, propolis.
Monolaurin is also another beneficial extract, with a broad spectrum and especially useful for infections caused by other gram-positive (and not gram-negative) bacteria such as E.coli. It works by disrupting the integrity of the bacterial cell membrane, blocking replication and helping the immune system to destroy the pathogen. It’s also a very potent antifungal.
It’s important to note that especially in the case of more persistent infections, an action against biofilm – an accumulation of microorganisms and their extracellular products that form structured communities attached to a surface, such as the mucosa of the urogenital tract, is recommended. The development of a biofilm can make infections extremely difficult to treat. There are specific natural enzymes, such as nattokinase, that can disrupt the biofilm matrix where the pathogens are hidden.
To support the function of the immune system in the process of eliminating the infection, I often recommend immunoglobulin therapy and / or colostrum consumption. It helps the body eliminate bacteria, viruses and other antigens. Colostrum is also rich in lactoferrin, which reduces inflammation, binds to endotoxins, acts as a prebiotic and stimulates the growth of good bacteria in the gut, acts to stimulate immune T cells and increases natural white blood cells.
For specialized consultation for your health problems you can schedule an appointment here.
Resources:
Andersen TE, Khandige S, Madelung M, Brewer J, Kolmos HJ, Moller-Jensen J. Escherichia coli uropathogenesis in vitro: invasion, cellular escape, and secondary infection analyzed in a human bladder cell infection model. Infect Immun 2012;80:1858-67. Reid G, Bruce AW. Urogenital infections in women: can probiotics help? Postgrad Med J 2003;79:428-32 Bao Y, Al KF, Chanyi RM, et al. Questions and challenges associated with studying the microbiome of the urinary tract. Ann Transl Med 2017;5:33. Brubaker L, Wolfe A. The urinary microbiota: a paradigm shift for bladder disorders? Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol 2016;28:407-12. Pearce MM, Zilliox MJ, Rosenfeld AB, et al. The female urinary microbiome in urgency urinary incontinence. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2015;213:347 e1-11. Whiteside SA, Razvi H, Dave S, Reid G, Burton JP. The microbiome of the urinary tract—a role beyond infection. Nat Rev Urol 2015;12:81-90. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/06/130619164620.htm
About The Author
Raluca Schachter
Raluca Schachter is a dedicated Clinical Nutritionist / Natural Health Practitioner a.k.a “The Health Detective”. Raluca was able to naturally reverse chronic health conditions she was struggling with most of her life, and now uses her knowledge to help as many people as possible do the same. Her health programs and diet plans offer a very unique and comprehensive approach to health, where individual nutritional and biochemical requirements are firstly met using specific nutrients and foods that each metabolism thrives on. Raluca offers her services to international clientele and her practice is fully online based. You can connect with Raluca at www.metabolicenergy.net and https://www.facebook.com/raluca.schachter.metabolicenergy
Stillness in the Storm Editor: Why did we post this?
The news is important to all people because it is where we come to know new things about the world, which leads to the development of more life goals that lead to life wisdom. The news also serves as a social connection tool, as we tend to relate to those who know about and believe the things we do. With the power of an open truth-seeking mind in hand, the individual can grow wise and the collective can prosper.
– Justin
Not sure how to make sense of this? Want to learn how to discern like a pro? Read this essential guide to discernment, analysis of claims, and understanding the truth in a world of deception: 4 Key Steps of Discernment – Advanced Truth-Seeking Tools.
Stillness in the Storm Editor’s note: Did you find a spelling error or grammatical mistake? Send an email to corrections@stillnessinthestorm.com, with the error and suggested correction, along with the headline and url. Do you think this article needs an update? Or do you just have some feedback? Send us an email at sitsshow@gmail.com. Thank you for reading.
Source:
https://wakeup-world.com/2020/10/30/urinary-tract-infections-how-can-you-treat-them-naturally-efficiently-and-long-term/


stillnessinthestorm--2020-11-05--FDA Warns Pregnant Women, Children, and People with Pre-Existing Conditions May Be Harmed by Mercury

FDA Warns Pregnant Women, Children, and People with Pre-Existing Conditions May Be Harmed by Mercury Dental Fillings

( B.N .
Frank ) The FDA is supposed to protect Americans from harmful products before they are made available to the public AND recall harmful products quickly when there is evidence that they are unsafe .
They have a long history of failing to do so .
Some examples include opioids , countless other medications , medical devices ( see 1 , 2 , 3 ) and even hand sanitizers .
Related Large Study Concludes Mercury Can Now Be Listed “ As A Cause of Autism ” Last month , the better-late-than-never agency announced that mercury dental fillings MAY @ @ @ @ @ @ @ September 24 , 2020 , the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released its long-overdue safety communication on amalgam • The FDA warns mercury fillings may adversely affect people in certain high-risk groups and should be avoided • Groups identified as being at increased risk for harmful effects from dental mercury fillings include pregnant women and their developing fetuses , nursing women , women who are planning to become pregnant , infants and children under the age of 6 , people with neurological diseases , impaired kidney function or heightened sensitivity to mercury or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pressure from Consumers for Dental Choice and its allies , the FDA finally agreed to reopen the amalgam issue , and now admits dental amalgam releases mercury vapor that can cause health problems in some individuals • The FDA also advised against use of the misleading term “ silver fillings , ” and urges patients to discuss all dental filling options with their dentist Just four weeks after we celebrated our 10th annual Mercury Awareness and Mercury-Free Dentistry Week , the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a long-overdue safety communication on amalgam @ @ @ @ @ @ @ previous stance , the FDA issued a warning that mercury fillings may adversely affect pregnant women , children and other susceptible individuals , and should be avoided by these groups .
The safety communication1 was posted September 24 , 2020 , and with this , we have suddenly achieved an incredibly important goal that we ’ ve had our sights on for the last decade !
As noted in the FDA ’ s statement:2 “ Today , the FDA is issuing updated recommendations concerning dental amalgam and potential risks to certain high-risk individuals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fillings … The FDA has found that certain groups may be at greater risk for potential harmful health effects of mercury vapor released from the device [ amalgam ] .
As a result , the agency is recommending certain high-risk groups avoid getting dental amalgam whenever possible and appropriate.
” Groups identified by the FDA as being at increased risk for harmful effects from dental mercury fillings include : • Women who are planning to become pregnant • Nursing women and their newborns and infants • Children , especially those younger than 6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as multiple sclerosis , Alzheimer ’ s disease or Parkinson ’ s disease • People with known heightened sensitivity ( allergy ) to mercury or other components of dental amalgam After years of pressure from Consumers for Dental Choice and its allies , the FDA finally admits the unvarnished truth about amalgam , noting3 that “ Dental amalgam is a mixture of mercury and a powdered alloy made up of silver , tin and copper ” that “ releases small amounts of mercury vapor over time.
” The agency also admits there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this mercury vapor release , especially for the high-risk groups listed .
In particular , there is “ the potential for mercury in dental amalgam to convert to other mercury compounds in the body , ” and mercury could potentially accumulate in body fluids and tissues , resulting in “ unintended health outcomes.
” “ These uncertainties in the most vulnerable patients are why today we are recommending people who may be at high risk for adverse health effects of mercury exposure use non-mercury alternatives to dental amalgam , such as composite resins @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the FDA states.4 While the FDA downplays the importance of its changed recommendation by stressing that the benefits of dental amalgam likely “ outweigh their risks for most patients , ” this update is nothing short of monumental , and opens the door , finally , for the elimination of dental mercury for all patients in the U.S. , as has been done in many other countries already .
I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have supported Consumers for Dental Choice during these past 10 years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unwavering dedication that has now borne fruit .
The FDA is legally required to classify — that is , issue a rule for — all medical devices , including dental amalgam .
But for 30 years , FDA dodged its legal duty to classify amalgam .
Consumers for Dental Choice put an end to FDA ’ s negligence when , in 2008 , this dynamic nonprofit organization assembled plaintiffs and sued FDA , demanding that amalgam be classified .
The judge agreed and told FDA to sit down with Consumers for Dental Choice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compelled to commit to classifying amalgam by July 2009 .
But when July 2009 came around , it was clear the FDA had not considered the science — especially the evidence of harm amalgam can cause vulnerable populations like children , pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers .
Its abysmal rule reflected this shortcoming , as it did not restrict the use of amalgam for these most vulnerable individuals .
The rule did not even require that patients be told that amalgam is made of mercury .
Nonetheless , FDA ’ s 2009 rule @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and that there was no proof of safety for the populations most susceptible to this toxin .
In response , Consumers for Dental Choice challenged FDA ’ s rule , while simultaneously pursuing other opportunities to advance mercury-free dentistry , like defeating pro-mercury state dental boards , fighting for amalgam fact sheet laws for patients at the state level , and getting amalgam into the Minamata Convention on Mercury .
As Consumers for Dental Choice racked up win after win — regaining licenses for mercury-free dentists persecuted by state boards , gaining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ achieving an amalgam reduction requirement in the Minamata Convention — the FDA ’ s rule was looking increasingly archaic .
Nearly a decade after the FDA issued its flawed amalgam rule , Consumers for Dental Choice launched a nonstop campaign focused on getting the FDA to move on amalgam .
They assembled an accomplished team of experts to approach the FDA , and in 2018 , unveiled the “ Chicago Declaration to End Mercury Use in the Dental Industry ” at the University of Illinois School of Public Health .
This declaration , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups , called on the FDA “ to bring its policies in line with the Federal Government as a whole and with its responsibilities under the Minamata Convention and to publicly advise a phase down of the use of mercury amalgams with the goal of phasing out entirely.
” The declaration also called for the immediate ban on amalgam use in children , pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers .
Working with key signatories to the “ Chicago Declaration , ” Consumers for Dental Choice were able to secure meetings with top officials at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to submit scientific studies for the FDA to review .
The first sign of progress came with the FDA ’ s September 2019 scientific review5 of amalgam , “ Epidemiological Evidence on the Adverse Health Effects Reported in Relation to Mercury from Dental Amalgam , ” which recognized that the elemental mercury in dental amalgam can convert inside the body into toxic methylmercury — the same type of mercury that the FDA warns about in fish .
The FDA also recognized bioaccumulative effects of mercury .
Since patients are exposed to many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their diets , occupational exposures and environmental mercury from waste incinerators — the mercury from amalgam could be the proverbial straw that breaks the camel ’ s back .
Consumers for Dental Choice also organized a strong showing of public support from you .
Its online petition , which had nearly 50,000 signatures , was presented to the FDA in person at its first meeting with the agency .
Many of you also submitted public comments on patient preferences to the FDA .
FDA was also made aware of the changes to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world , such as amalgam phase-out dates set by the Philippines , Ireland , Slovakia , Finland , Nepal , Moldova , Czech Republic and New Caledonia , and the bans on amalgam use in children issued by the European Union , Vietnam and Tanzania .
Having finally reached the top of the FDA , Consumers for Dental Choice succeeded in persuading the agency to reopen and take another in-depth look at the amalgam policy .
A scientific advisory committee meeting — which included testimonies by 16 experts from the Children ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the International Indian Treaty Council , the Organic & Natural Health Association and the Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice , as well as city and county commissioners , a physician expert in environmental justice , a pharmacist specializing in toxicology and several attorneys — took place in November 2019 .
You can see Consumers for Dental Choice ’ s team and their colleagues in action in the video below , which features highlights of the advisory panel meeting .
Ultimately , the FDA advisory committee members recommended the agency provide information to patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ especially for vulnerable populations .
Many even agreed that the use of amalgam needs to end , which has been the goal of Consumers for Dental Choice all along .
Now that the FDA has finally broken its silence on the dangers of mercury for pregnant and nursing mothers , children and people with certain underlying conditions , the final step — a full ban on amalgam for all — looms near .
The American Dental Association , which has long defended amalgam ’ s safety , is now running out of allies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ADA still maintains its contrarian view .
In response to the FDA ’ s updated recommendations , the ADA stated6 that there was “ no new scientific evidence cited as part of the FDA recommendation , ” and that the ADA “ reaffirms its position that dental amalgam is a durable , safe and effective cavity-filling option.
” On the upside , the ADA affirmed its support of patient decision-making , agreeing with the FDA ’ s statement that “ all dental restorative decisions and treatment options should be made by the patient @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ADA ’ s ethical rules in the past were used by state dental boards to bar dentists from even informing patients about the fact that mercury is a key ingredient in amalgam , and how the ADA deceptively promoted amalgam as “ silver fillings , ” this shift , while small , is better than nothing .
In its September 24 , 2020 , safety communication on dental amalgam,7 the FDA specifically advises dentists against using the term “ silver filling , ” “ as this may imply the filling is made solely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the mercury component of this restorative material.
” The FDA also highlights this in its Dental Devices description page for amalgam , which received its last update September 29 , 2020 , noting that:8 Most of us who have fought for this updated FDA amalgam policy for the past decade are still in shock that it finally happened , and without any significant forewarning .
That said , it is fantastic good news , and we extend our thanks to all of you who have fought this battle with us .
The FDA @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because once amalgam is recognized as a hazard for specific high-risk groups , it doesn ’ t take much to expand that logic to include all people .
It ’ s estimated that 75 % of Americans are ignorant about the fact that amalgam fillings are actually 50 % mercury , and this is no accident .
The American Dental Association popularized the deceptive term “ silver fillings ” so consumers would think amalgam is made mainly of silver when actually it has twice as much mercury as silver .
Mercury is an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t take much to cause serious damage because it ’ s an absolute poison .
If you were to take the amount of mercury in a typical thermometer and put it in a small lake , that lake would be closed down due to environmental hazards .
Yet , amounts much higher than that are readily put into your mouth if you receive a “ silver ” amalgam dental filling , as the majority of material in the filling is actually mercury .
Download your free copy of “ Measurably Misleading ” and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are misleading consumers and why that ’ s bad for American families and our planet .
We believe in inspiring progress — and nowhere is the progress more evident than the work of Consumers for Dental Choice and its Campaign for Mercury-Free Dentistry .
So , consider donating your funds where you know it will get results .
Consumers for Dental Choice takes the holistic approach to advocacy .
You wouldn ’ t go to a traditional dentist who uses mercury amalgam fillings .
So why would you go to a traditional activist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s why so many people , including me , support Consumers for Dental Choice ’ s holistic approach to advocacy .
Resources to Help You Find a Biological Dentist The following organizations can help you to find a mercury-free , biological dentist : Stillness in the Storm Editor : Why did we post this ?
The news is important to all people because it is where we come to know new things about the world , which leads to the development of more life goals that lead to life wisdom .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tool , as we tend to relate to those who know about and believe the things we do .
With the power of an open truth-seeking mind in hand , the individual can grow wise and the collective can prosper .
Not sure how to make sense of this ?
Want to learn how to discern like a pro ?
Read this essential guide to discernment , analysis of claims , and understanding the truth in a world of deception : 4 Key Steps of Discernment – Advanced Truth-Seeking Tools .
Stillness in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Did you find a spelling error or grammatical mistake ?
Send an email to corrections @ stillnessinthestorm.com , with the error and suggested correction , along with the headline and url .
Do you think this article needs an update ?
Or do you just have some feedback ?
Send us an email at sitsshow @ gmail.com .
Thank you for reading .

Spread the love
(B.N. Frank) The FDA is supposed to protect Americans from harmful products before they are made available to the public AND recall harmful products quickly when there is evidence that they are unsafe. They have a long history of failing to do so. Some examples include opioids, countless other medications, medical devices (see 1, 2, 3) and even hand sanitizers.
Related
Source – Activist Post
by B.N. Frank, October 22nd, 2020
Last month, the better-late-than-never agency announced that mercury dental fillings MAY NOT BE SAFE for everyone.
Dr. Joseph Mercola
STORY AT-A-GLANCE
September 24, 2020, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released its long-overdue safety communication on amalgam
The FDA warns mercury fillings may adversely affect people in certain high-risk groups and should be avoided
Groups identified as being at increased risk for harmful effects from dental mercury fillings include pregnant women and their developing fetuses, nursing women, women who are planning to become pregnant, infants and children under the age of 6, people with neurological diseases, impaired kidney function or heightened sensitivity to mercury or other amalgam components
After years of pressure from Consumers for Dental Choice and its allies, the FDA finally agreed to reopen the amalgam issue, and now admits dental amalgam releases mercury vapor that can cause health problems in some individuals
The FDA also advised against use of the misleading term “silver fillings,” and urges patients to discuss all dental filling options with their dentist
Just four weeks after we celebrated our 10th annual Mercury Awareness and Mercury-Free Dentistry Week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a long-overdue safety communication on amalgam.
In an astounding about-face to its previous stance, the FDA issued a warning that mercury fillings may adversely affect pregnant women, children and other susceptible individuals, and should be avoided by these groups.
The safety communication1 was posted September 24, 2020, and with this, we have suddenly achieved an incredibly important goal that we’ve had our sights on for the last decade!
Goal Achieved: FDA Releases Amalgam Safety Communication
As noted in the FDA’s statement:2
“Today, the FDA is issuing updated recommendations concerning dental amalgam and potential risks to certain high-risk individuals that may be associated with these mercury-containing fillings …
The FDA has found that certain groups may be at greater risk for potential harmful health effects of mercury vapor released from the device [amalgam]. As a result, the agency is recommending certain high-risk groups avoid getting dental amalgam whenever possible and appropriate.”
Groups identified by the FDA as being at increased risk for harmful effects from dental mercury fillings include:
Pregnant women and their developing fetuses
Women who are planning to become pregnant
Nursing women and their newborns and infants
Children, especially those younger than 6
People with pre-existing neurological disease such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease
People with impaired kidney function
People with known heightened sensitivity (allergy) to mercury or other components of dental amalgam
FDA Admits Amalgam Dangers
After years of pressure from Consumers for Dental Choice and its allies, the FDA finally admits the unvarnished truth about amalgam, noting3 that “Dental amalgam is a mixture of mercury and a powdered alloy made up of silver, tin and copper” that “releases small amounts of mercury vapor over time.”
The agency also admits there are “uncertainties” and risks associated with this mercury vapor release, especially for the high-risk groups listed. In particular, there is “the potential for mercury in dental amalgam to convert to other mercury compounds in the body,” and mercury could potentially accumulate in body fluids and tissues, resulting in “unintended health outcomes.”
“These uncertainties in the most vulnerable patients are why today we are recommending people who may be at high risk for adverse health effects of mercury exposure use non-mercury alternatives to dental amalgam, such as composite resins and glass ionomer cement fillings,” the FDA states.4
While the FDA downplays the importance of its changed recommendation by stressing that the benefits of dental amalgam likely “outweigh their risks for most patients,” this update is nothing short of monumental, and opens the door, finally, for the elimination of dental mercury for all patients in the U.S., as has been done in many other countries already.
I want to take this opportunity to thank all of you who have supported Consumers for Dental Choice during these past 10 years, as it is this organization’s unwavering dedication that has now borne fruit.
Consumers for Dental Choice Sued FDA — and Won
The FDA is legally required to classify — that is, issue a rule for — all medical devices, including dental amalgam. But for 30 years, FDA dodged its legal duty to classify amalgam.
Consumers for Dental Choice put an end to FDA’s negligence when, in 2008, this dynamic nonprofit organization assembled plaintiffs and sued FDA, demanding that amalgam be classified. The judge agreed and told FDA to sit down with Consumers for Dental Choice to determine a deadline. FDA was compelled to commit to classifying amalgam by July 2009.
But when July 2009 came around, it was clear the FDA had not considered the science — especially the evidence of harm amalgam can cause vulnerable populations like children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.
Its abysmal rule reflected this shortcoming, as it did not restrict the use of amalgam for these most vulnerable individuals. The rule did not even require that patients be told that amalgam is made of mercury. Nonetheless, FDA’s 2009 rule did acknowledge that amalgam could be harmful, and that there was no proof of safety for the populations most susceptible to this toxin.
In response, Consumers for Dental Choice challenged FDA’s rule, while simultaneously pursuing other opportunities to advance mercury-free dentistry, like defeating pro-mercury state dental boards, fighting for amalgam fact sheet laws for patients at the state level, and getting amalgam into the Minamata Convention on Mercury.
As Consumers for Dental Choice racked up win after win — regaining licenses for mercury-free dentists persecuted by state boards, gaining fact sheets to protect dental patients, achieving an amalgam reduction requirement in the Minamata Convention — the FDA’s rule was looking increasingly archaic.
Decade-Long Wait Is Over
Nearly a decade after the FDA issued its flawed amalgam rule, Consumers for Dental Choice launched a nonstop campaign focused on getting the FDA to move on amalgam.
They assembled an accomplished team of experts to approach the FDA, and in 2018, unveiled the “Chicago Declaration to End Mercury Use in the Dental Industry” at the University of Illinois School of Public Health.
This declaration, signed by more than 50 heavy-hitter environmental groups, called on the FDA “to bring its policies in line with the Federal Government as a whole and with its responsibilities under the Minamata Convention and to publicly advise a phase down of the use of mercury amalgams with the goal of phasing out entirely.”
The declaration also called for the immediate ban on amalgam use in children, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. Working with key signatories to the “Chicago Declaration,” Consumers for Dental Choice were able to secure meetings with top officials at the FDA, during which they were able to submit scientific studies for the FDA to review.
The first sign of progress came with the FDA’s September 2019 scientific review5 of amalgam, “Epidemiological Evidence on the Adverse Health Effects Reported in Relation to Mercury from Dental Amalgam,” which recognized that the elemental mercury in dental amalgam can convert inside the body into toxic methylmercury — the same type of mercury that the FDA warns about in fish.
The FDA also recognized bioaccumulative effects of mercury. Since patients are exposed to many sources of mercury — including high-mercury fish in their diets, occupational exposures and environmental mercury from waste incinerators — the mercury from amalgam could be the proverbial straw that breaks the camel’s back.
FDA Reverses Stance on Amalgam
Consumers for Dental Choice also organized a strong showing of public support from you. Its online petition, which had nearly 50,000 signatures, was presented to the FDA in person at its first meeting with the agency. Many of you also submitted public comments on patient preferences to the FDA.
FDA was also made aware of the changes to amalgam rules in other parts of the world, such as amalgam phase-out dates set by the Philippines, Ireland, Slovakia, Finland, Nepal, Moldova, Czech Republic and New Caledonia, and the bans on amalgam use in children issued by the European Union, Vietnam and Tanzania.
Having finally reached the top of the FDA, Consumers for Dental Choice succeeded in persuading the agency to reopen and take another in-depth look at the amalgam policy.
A scientific advisory committee meeting — which included testimonies by 16 experts from the Children’s Environmental Health Network, Tuskegee University, the International Indian Treaty Council, the Organic & Natural Health Association and the Connecticut Coalition for Environmental Justice, as well as city and county commissioners, a physician expert in environmental justice, a pharmacist specializing in toxicology and several attorneys — took place in November 2019.
You can see Consumers for Dental Choice’s team and their colleagues in action in the video below, which features highlights of the advisory panel meeting.
Ultimately, the FDA advisory committee members recommended the agency provide information to patients about the risks of dental amalgam, especially for vulnerable populations. Many even agreed that the use of amalgam needs to end, which has been the goal of Consumers for Dental Choice all along.
Final Step Ahead
Now that the FDA has finally broken its silence on the dangers of mercury for pregnant and nursing mothers, children and people with certain underlying conditions, the final step — a full ban on amalgam for all — looms near.
The American Dental Association, which has long defended amalgam’s safety, is now running out of allies. For now, however, the ADA still maintains its contrarian view.
In response to the FDA’s updated recommendations, the ADA stated6 that there was “no new scientific evidence cited as part of the FDA recommendation,” and that the ADA “reaffirms its position that dental amalgam is a durable, safe and effective cavity-filling option.”
On the upside, the ADA affirmed its support of patient decision-making, agreeing with the FDA’s statement that “all dental restorative decisions and treatment options should be made by the patient and the dentist.”
Seeing how the ADA’s ethical rules in the past were used by state dental boards to bar dentists from even informing patients about the fact that mercury is a key ingredient in amalgam, and how the ADA deceptively promoted amalgam as “silver fillings,” this shift, while small, is better than nothing.
In its September 24, 2020, safety communication on dental amalgam,7 the FDA specifically advises dentists against using the term “silver filling,” “as this may imply the filling is made solely from silver and does not accurately convey the mercury component of this restorative material.” The FDA also highlights this in its Dental Devices description page for amalgam, which received its last update September 29, 2020, noting that:8
Dental amalgam is a mixture of metals, consisting of liquid (elemental) mercury and a powdered alloy composed of silver, tin, and copper. Approximately half (50%) of dental amalgam is elemental mercury by weight. The chemical properties of elemental mercury allow it to react with and bind together the silver/copper/tin alloy particles to form an amalgam. Dental amalgam fillings are often referred to as ‘silver fillings’ because of their silver-like appearance, although the use of this term in not recommended because the term does not correctly explain the materials in amalgam.
Most of us who have fought for this updated FDA amalgam policy for the past decade are still in shock that it finally happened, and without any significant forewarning. That said, it is fantastic good news, and we extend our thanks to all of you who have fought this battle with us.
The FDA’s updated recommendations change everything, because once amalgam is recognized as a hazard for specific high-risk groups, it doesn’t take much to expand that logic to include all people.
What’s Lurking in Your Silver Fillings?
It’s estimated that 75% of Americans are ignorant about the fact that amalgam fillings are actually 50% mercury, and this is no accident. The American Dental Association popularized the deceptive term “silver fillings” so consumers would think amalgam is made mainly of silver when actually it has twice as much mercury as silver.
Mercury is an incredibly potent neurotoxin; it doesn’t take much to cause serious damage because it’s an absolute poison. If you were to take the amount of mercury in a typical thermometer and put it in a small lake, that lake would be closed down due to environmental hazards.
Yet, amounts much higher than that are readily put into your mouth if you receive a “silver” amalgam dental filling, as the majority of material in the filling is actually mercury. Download your free copy of “Measurably Misleading” and learn how the FDA and dental industry are misleading consumers and why that’s bad for American families and our planet.
Help Support Mercury-Free Dentistry
We believe in inspiring progress — and nowhere is the progress more evident than the work of Consumers for Dental Choice and its Campaign for Mercury-Free Dentistry. So, consider donating your funds where you know it will get results.
Consumers for Dental Choice takes the holistic approach to advocacy. You wouldn’t go to a traditional dentist who uses mercury amalgam fillings. So why would you go to a traditional activist to fight for mercury-free dentistry? That’s why so many people, including me, support Consumers for Dental Choice’s holistic approach to advocacy.
Resources to Help You Find a Biological Dentist
The following organizations can help you to find a mercury-free, biological dentist:
Stillness in the Storm Editor: Why did we post this?
The news is important to all people because it is where we come to know new things about the world, which leads to the development of more life goals that lead to life wisdom. The news also serves as a social connection tool, as we tend to relate to those who know about and believe the things we do. With the power of an open truth-seeking mind in hand, the individual can grow wise and the collective can prosper.
– Justin
Not sure how to make sense of this? Want to learn how to discern like a pro? Read this essential guide to discernment, analysis of claims, and understanding the truth in a world of deception: 4 Key Steps of Discernment – Advanced Truth-Seeking Tools.
Stillness in the Storm Editor’s note: Did you find a spelling error or grammatical mistake? Send an email to corrections@stillnessinthestorm.com, with the error and suggested correction, along with the headline and url. Do you think this article needs an update? Or do you just have some feedback? Send us an email at sitsshow@gmail.com. Thank you for reading.
Source:
https://www.activistpost.com/2020/10/fda-warns-pregnant-women-children-and-people-with-pre-existing-conditions-may-be-harmed-by-mercury-dental-fillings.html


stillnessinthestorm--2020-11-05--Stop Being So Optimistic about a Universal Basic Income

( Christopher England ) On the topic of socialism , G.K. Chesterton once remarked , “ I do not propose to prove … that socialism is a poison ; it is enough if I maintain that it is a medicine and not a wine.
” Chesterton ’ s point is that socialist reform proposals , even if they really do address an underlying economic crisis , should never be mistaken for true human flourishing , which always requires a substantial degree of self-sufficiency and independence .
A man whose life depends on continual doses of strong medicine remains a sick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ partake of the good things in life , such as drinking wine .
Related Comey Testifies Under Oath He “ Doesn ’ t Remember Any Information ” Reaching Him About Christopher Steele ’ s Sources This admonition is more valuable now than ever , at a time when the American public is being bombarded with proposals for a universal basic income ( UBI ) as the panacea to all our socioeconomic problems .
The conventional wisdom now seems to be that massive cash transfers are the obvious solution to all that ails us @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poverty and inequality or nebulous social afflictions like crime , the breakdown of the nuclear family , and generalized feelings of modern ennui .
Even some conservative commentators have begun to refer to UBI as “ an idea whose time has come.
” Alas , the reality is more complicated .
The truth is that , like any strong medicine , a UBI is likely to have a number of unpleasant side-effects on the American body politic .
These downside risks are larger than many commentators realize , and they need to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ implemented .
The first question most people ask is , can the country afford it ?
This question can be deeply misleading .
The problem is that most analyses of the UBI focus on short-term budgetary considerations rather than examining the long-term structural factors that truly drive the economy .
For instance , Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang planned to pay for his $ 1,000-a-month UBI by introducing a new value-added tax on consumption .
Libertarians like Charles Murray have proposed paying for a basic income by eliminating America ’ s Byzantine morass @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these plans appear superficially plausible , at least over the short term .
However , budgetary legerdemain aside , it is crucial to remember that sustaining massive transfer payments over the long term depends upon a dynamic , productive , and growing economy .
The trouble is that well over 70 % of Americans now work in the service sector , perhaps the least dynamic component of the American economy .
Not coincidentally , a similar proportion of Americans live paycheck to paycheck .
So where is the money to be had ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the UBI schemes currently being touted quietly assume “ the permanent existence of high intellectual-property ( IP ) rents flowing from the rest of the world to tech tycoons , along with global financial rents flowing to money managers.
” Lurking behind the UBI are two massive assumptions about the global economy : that American I.P .
and finance will continue to return exorbitant profits in the years ahead and that the industries in question will therefore be happy to distribute their wealth to all and sundry .
Neither of these assumptions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The profitability of I.P .
depends on the artificial monopoly rights we call patents , a fact that renders these revenue streams extremely vulnerable to both theft and foreign competition .
The Congressional Research Service estimates that Chinese intellectual property theft alone has already cost United States more than the entire Vietnam War .
In addition , foreign competition in sectors such as software design and robotics will also increase in the years ahead , eating into American profit margins the same way that German and Japanese manufacturing did in the 1970s .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the financial sector continue to be propped up by the dollar ’ s status as the global reserve currency .
Were the dollar ever to lose that status , either because a growing national debt saps global confidence in the American economy or because foreign competitors launch a credible successor currency , we will witness a painful financial correction in short order .
Even in the best of times , American corporations are reluctant to pay taxes .
Despite the fact that the U.S. has some of the highest corporate tax rates in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ investigators that it paid a federal income tax of 1.2 % in 2019 .
The average among Fortune 500 companies is 11.3 % .
A UBI built on a foundation of I.P .
and finance is a sand castle , likely to crumble during the first economic storm .
But perhaps worrying about how to fund the UBI is “ the wrong way to look at it , ” as Canadian academic Evelyn Forget writes in Foreign Affairs , and the program should be seen as “ an investment in the kind of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , the benefits of a UBI seem self-evident and can be achieved in short order .
Such short-term thinking makes arguments in favor of a basic income difficult to resist .
Prudent evaluation of policy requires a longer view .
The truth is that the UBI presents America with a political double-bind , since deep structural problems will emerge even if a handful of highly productive corporations somehow prove willing and able to fund cash transfers in perpetuity .
Net recipients might easily be reduced to the status of vassals , whereas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wield as they see fit .
Thus , Karthik Ramanna , professor of public policy at Oxford , worries that “ [ i ] t is only a short road from a cash-based UBI to one that provides vouchers for Amazon only , meaning that tech titans could use the UBI to perpetuate their own monopolies.
” From the perspective of caveat emptor , the most important fact about a basic income is that we don ’ t know how it will work in practice .
We know that a UBI will have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t know exactly what they will be , and they are likely to become apparent only over the longer term , perhaps over the course of several generations .
Maybe UBI optimists like Forget are correct and there will be little impact on levels of workforce participation .
Conversely , we might see massive structural unemployment , with 10–20 % of the population choosing to opt out the labor market altogether .
What effects would this have on social order , human development , and family formation ?
We don ’ t know @ @ @ @ @ @ @ asked .
For instance , the UBI will significantly increase the purchasing power of hundreds of millions of people .
These numbers will grow as other wealthy nations experiment with a UBI .
Is this compatible with ecologically sustainable economic growth ?
Again , we don ’ t know .
Nor is it the case that easy money automatically entails social harmony .
Indeed , a UBI might actually increase social and political conflict .
As Lind notes , conflict might arise because families that have more children will effectively gain more from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ negotiate this problem , given that different groups have children at vastly different rates ?
Above all , we must avoid the easy sensibility that money is the root of all policy solutions .
A basic income should be seen as a medicine , not as a self-evident good in its own right , and treated with the requisite amount of Hippocratic caution .
Body For Awareness Project : Your clothes , your body , your truth .
Support alt-media and help raise awareness .
On Sale Now .
Stillness in the Storm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
The news is important to all people because it is where we come to know new things about the world , which leads to the development of more life goals that lead to life wisdom .
The news also serves as a social connection tool , as we tend to relate to those who know about and believe the things we do .
With the power of an open truth-seeking mind in hand , the individual can grow wise and the collective can prosper .
Not sure how to make sense of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ discern like a pro ?
Read this essential guide to discernment , analysis of claims , and understanding the truth in a world of deception : 4 Key Steps of Discernment – Advanced Truth-Seeking Tools .
Stillness in the Storm Editor ’ s note : Did you find a spelling error or grammatical mistake ?
Send an email to corrections @ stillnessinthestorm.com , with the error and suggested correction , along with the headline and url .
Do you think this article needs an update ?
Or do you just have some feedback @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gmail.com .
Thank you for reading .

Spread the love
(Christopher England) On the topic of socialism, G.K. Chesterton once remarked, “I do not propose to prove … that socialism is a poison; it is enough if I maintain that it is a medicine and not a wine.” Chesterton’s point is that socialist reform proposals, even if they really do address an underlying economic crisis, should never be mistaken for true human flourishing, which always requires a substantial degree of self-sufficiency and independence. A man whose life depends on continual doses of strong medicine remains a sick man, and he cannot fully partake of the good things in life, such as drinking wine.
Related
Source – American Thinker
by Christopher England, October 31st, 2020
This admonition is more valuable now than ever, at a time when the American public is being bombarded with proposals for a universal basic income (UBI) as the panacea to all our socioeconomic problems. The conventional wisdom now seems to be that massive cash transfers are the obvious solution to all that ails us, whether that be economic infirmities like poverty and inequality or nebulous social afflictions like crime, the breakdown of the nuclear family, and generalized feelings of modern ennui. Even some conservative commentators have begun to refer to UBI as “an idea whose time has come.”
Alas, the reality is more complicated. The truth is that, like any strong medicine, a UBI is likely to have a number of unpleasant side-effects on the American body politic. These downside risks are larger than many commentators realize, and they need to be faced clearly before radical policy shifts are implemented.
The first question most people ask is, can the country afford it? This question can be deeply misleading. The problem is that most analyses of the UBI focus on short-term budgetary considerations rather than examining the long-term structural factors that truly drive the economy.
For instance, Democratic presidential candidate Andrew Yang planned to pay for his $1,000-a-month UBI by introducing a new value-added tax on consumption. Libertarians like Charles Murray have proposed paying for a basic income by eliminating America’s Byzantine morass of existing welfare programs. Both of these plans appear superficially plausible, at least over the short term.
However, budgetary legerdemain aside, it is crucial to remember that sustaining massive transfer payments over the long term depends upon a dynamic, productive, and growing economy. The trouble is that well over 70% of Americans now work in the service sector, perhaps the least dynamic component of the American economy. Not coincidentally, a similar proportion of Americans live paycheck to paycheck. So where is the money to be had?
As Michael Lind rightly observes, many of the UBI schemes currently being touted quietly assume “the permanent existence of high intellectual-property (IP) rents flowing from the rest of the world to tech tycoons, along with global financial rents flowing to money managers.” Lurking behind the UBI are two massive assumptions about the global economy: that American I.P. and finance will continue to return exorbitant profits in the years ahead and that the industries in question will therefore be happy to distribute their wealth to all and sundry.
Neither of these assumptions can be taken at face value. The profitability of I.P. depends on the artificial monopoly rights we call patents, a fact that renders these revenue streams extremely vulnerable to both theft and foreign competition. The Congressional Research Service estimates that Chinese intellectual property theft alone has already cost United States more than the entire Vietnam War. In addition, foreign competition in sectors such as software design and robotics will also increase in the years ahead, eating into American profit margins the same way that German and Japanese manufacturing did in the 1970s.
For its part, large swaths of the financial sector continue to be propped up by the dollar’s status as the global reserve currency. Were the dollar ever to lose that status, either because a growing national debt saps global confidence in the American economy or because foreign competitors launch a credible successor currency, we will witness a painful financial correction in short order.
Even in the best of times, American corporations are reluctant to pay taxes. Despite the fact that the U.S. has some of the highest corporate tax rates in the world, Amazon recently told federal investigators that it paid a federal income tax of 1.2% in 2019. The average among Fortune 500 companies is 11.3%. A UBI built on a foundation of I.P. and finance is a sand castle, likely to crumble during the first economic storm.
But perhaps worrying about how to fund the UBI is “the wrong way to look at it,” as Canadian academic Evelyn Forget writes in Foreign Affairs, and the program should be seen as “an investment in the kind of society people want.” As Forget tells it, the benefits of a UBI seem self-evident and can be achieved in short order. Such short-term thinking makes arguments in favor of a basic income difficult to resist.
Prudent evaluation of policy requires a longer view. The truth is that the UBI presents America with a political double-bind, since deep structural problems will emerge even if a handful of highly productive corporations somehow prove willing and able to fund cash transfers in perpetuity. Net recipients might easily be reduced to the status of vassals, whereas net contributors will gain significant influence to wield as they see fit. Thus, Karthik Ramanna, professor of public policy at Oxford, worries that “[i]t is only a short road from a cash-based UBI to one that provides vouchers for Amazon only, meaning that tech titans could use the UBI to perpetuate their own monopolies.”
From the perspective of caveat emptor, the most important fact about a basic income is that we don’t know how it will work in practice. We know that a UBI will have unintended consequences, but we don’t know exactly what they will be, and they are likely to become apparent only over the longer term, perhaps over the course of several generations.
Maybe UBI optimists like Forget are correct and there will be little impact on levels of workforce participation. Conversely, we might see massive structural unemployment, with 10–20% of the population choosing to opt out the labor market altogether. What effects would this have on social order, human development, and family formation? We don’t know.
Myriad difficult questions need to be asked. For instance, the UBI will significantly increase the purchasing power of hundreds of millions of people. These numbers will grow as other wealthy nations experiment with a UBI. Is this compatible with ecologically sustainable economic growth? Again, we don’t know.
Nor is it the case that easy money automatically entails social harmony. Indeed, a UBI might actually increase social and political conflict. As Lind notes, conflict might arise because families that have more children will effectively gain more from a UBI. How will diverse societies negotiate this problem, given that different groups have children at vastly different rates?
Above all, we must avoid the easy sensibility that money is the root of all policy solutions. A basic income should be seen as a medicine, not as a self-evident good in its own right, and treated with the requisite amount of Hippocratic caution.
About The Author
Christopher England
Christopher M. England is visiting assistant professor of political economy at the College of Idaho. His political writing has appeared in outlets such as The National Interest and RealClearDefense.
Stillness in the Storm Editor: Why did we post this?
The news is important to all people because it is where we come to know new things about the world, which leads to the development of more life goals that lead to life wisdom. The news also serves as a social connection tool, as we tend to relate to those who know about and believe the things we do. With the power of an open truth-seeking mind in hand, the individual can grow wise and the collective can prosper.
– Justin
Not sure how to make sense of this? Want to learn how to discern like a pro? Read this essential guide to discernment, analysis of claims, and understanding the truth in a world of deception: 4 Key Steps of Discernment – Advanced Truth-Seeking Tools.
Stillness in the Storm Editor’s note: Did you find a spelling error or grammatical mistake? Send an email to corrections@stillnessinthestorm.com, with the error and suggested correction, along with the headline and url. Do you think this article needs an update? Or do you just have some feedback? Send us an email at sitsshow@gmail.com. Thank you for reading.
Source:
https://www.americanthinker.com/articles/2020/10/stop_being_so_optimistic_about_a_universal_basic_income.html