Medicine Sometimes Cheaper Without Insurance In US?

Frustrated pharmacists are opting out of the insurance system, saving some customers hundreds of dollars a month

Propecia, treatment for hair loss, costs $124 a month in the US and around $40 a month in Korea. I used to buy Propecia until a few years ago when I found out that the generic version, Finasteride, costs about $15 a month.

Wormholes Or Another Dimension?

Black Holes May Hide a Mind-Bending Secret About Our Universe

The New York Times article is about black holes, wormholes, and quantum entanglement.

Keep imagining that wormholes and quantum entanglement are evidence of a non-local dimension. Why?

Korean Media Compliments Moon Administration Policies?

This has not ever happened before. The mostly conservative media has always criticized and incited anger against the Moon administration. Why become objective all of a sudden? Sort of scary.

If President Yoon, the ruling conservative party, and most of the Korean media criticize and slander the previous Moon Jae-in administration in concert, then Korean media would likely lose credibility and seem to be under Yoon's control. 

In an unusual move, Korean media has complimented the Moon administration efforts to reel in real estate loans the past few years due a booming real estate market caused by low interest rates. Recent drops in real estate prices have caused concern about foreclosures. Luckily, the criteria for real estate loans were set high enough that the drop in real estate prices will not result in foreclosures.

There was another report that stated that Yoon's policy on North Korea is the same as Moon's since they both promise economic aid in return for nuclear disarmament. Normally, the media states that Moon's administration is giving money to North Korea while South Koreans go lacking, is pro-North Korea, ignoring North Korea's human rights violations, and the like. Never a good word or comparison.

A lot of Koreans like and respect former President Moon, all the criticism is probably reflected in Yoon's low approval ratings in spite of the president's office constant daily public relations efforts.

OPEC Antidote?

Why haven't all the oil buyers and non-OPEC oil producers formed a cartel or group to counter OPEC?

At least the oil buying nations. Start stockpiling secretly, wait till OPEC is financially stressed due to ambitious projects and then negotiate reasonable prices?

Oil prices shouldn't be a big matter in a couple of decades. OPEC countries know that.

Cognitively dissonant people seem to almost always accuse others or opponents of crimes and unethical actions that they have been doing. 

Putin accusing Ukraine of terrorism. Kind of rich.

President Yoon accusing others of corruption and dishonesty.

Trump accusing the FBI of crimes and dishonesty.

Korean conservative party accusing others of dividing the nation, inciting anger and violence, and corruption.

Why? That is their world. That is all they see. That is the way of their world.

Remote Working Trend?

Most major American corporations employ remote workers. Why? They are contracted workers with little benefits and paid less than in-office employees. So, the trend should become even more pervasive.

See Very Few Homeless In Seoul

Several decades ago, there were many homeless people in Seoul living in the streets.

About a decade or so ago, after the National Basic Living Security Act was enacted and other government policies (shelters, etc.). the number of people living in the streets dropped significantly.

Now, I have not seen any homeless people living in the streets for a year now. I saw one person last year.

Korea must be doing at least some things right, including national medical insurance for all Koreans and legal foreign residents. National medical insurance working well in Korea, even though my insurance payments went up this year. Supposedly earned a lot more than usual last year.

If I were North Korea, I would shoot missiles too, but maybe not develop nuclear weapons. South Korea, United Nations Command and the US hold periodically training exercises to show their overwhelming military superiority over North Korea, and test out weapons all the time.

If North Korea were less authoritarian, Kim Jong-un would likely be deposed in short order. Same for Xi, Putin and other authoritarian leaders. Free speech, dissent and liberal democracy are the greatest threats to their rule. 

Just reflecting. President Yoon seems to be intent on stomping out any opposition and dissent, especially from labor unions. Acting like ___ ? 

Yoon administration’s trouble with freedom of expression

Yoon is on the news EVERY DAY stating obvious things and most media reports on Yoon are almost always very favorable. Reminds me of North Korea, for some reason.

Yoon bashing. Good for relieving stress resulting from Yoon's actions and words. Rhetorical revenge is sweet.

Despite denials from the president's office that Yoon used cuss words and subsequent media blitz trying to limit damage from the incident, 70% of Koreans feel that Yoon should apologize.

70% of Koreans think Yoon should apologize for hot mic gaffe

Korean media is reporting on drug arrests and condemning drug use almost daily, while even Japan and other Asian countries are looking to legalize medical marijuana.

Large Credit Card Bill Surprise

My credit card bill was so large, I checked the items. Forgot a donation to UNHCR for the flooding disaster in Pakistan using my credit card, in addition to monthly contributions direct from my account. 

Most large companies, in Korea and elsewhere, donate and encourage employees to donate to charity. 

Take time to look at the good side of life. Good living.