Botax? Nip/tuck levy to help fund health plan

On MSNBC.com, the associated press reports on a new proposal, that would tax plastic surgery, including breast implants, tummy tucks, wrinkle-smoothing injections and other procedures, to pay for a very expensive health plan overhaul. With this new tax, heath care would be spread to millions without insurance. The proposed tax would add an extra 5% to any cosmetic procedure, except those used to replace limbs to injured, or burn victims. While it is seen as a tax that will only hurt the wealthy, the majority of cosmetic patients earn from $30,000 to $90,000 a year. Although the new tax may put the price of cosmetic procedures too high for some people, that can't be a reason to not pass the proposed tax. As a society America can not put vanity over the well being of it's citizens, and by not passing this proposed tax, that is exactly what the United States will be doing.

Unemployment hits 10.2%

In an article on CNN. com Chris Isidore reports on, the report issued by the government on Friday. In the article Isidore gives the frightening figures of the recent report, but still says "There are signs of growth." The unemployment rate has risen to 10.2% and Americans lost 190,000 jobs in October. Despite these alarming rates Isidore reports that Congress has voted to extend the unemployment benefits by up to 20 weeks. Also Sung Won Sohn, economics professor at California State University Channel Islands, noted "that the biggest increase in temporary employees in two years took place in October." This is another sign of hope for the economy because temporary jobs lead to permanent ones. I think it is sad that the unemployment rate has reached such a staggering figure, but the signs of growth continue to give me and many other Americans hope, that the economy can bounce back.