California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger broke from the Republican party and endorsed a bond that would give $3 billion to fund embryonic stem cell research. The cells are produced in the very early stages after conception. The Republican party, including President Bush, have cut funding to the program. “‘I didn’t come to Sacramento to make the political parties happy,'” Schwarzenegger said. The governor could receive negative feedback as a result of his decision. During his campaign to become governor he vowed to get the state out of debt. In a recent poll taken, 46 percent of likely voters agreed with the proposition while 39 percent disagreed, according to MSNBC.
Canadian citizens worry about drug supply
Canada may be facing a drug shortage if Americans don’t stop buying drugs over the internet. The government is being pressured by Canadian seniors to ban the export on drugs. Around 65 million elderly Americans have no prescription drug coverage and therefore take advantage of Canadian drugs over the internet. The Canadian government estimates that around $1 billion in drugs are sent into the United States each year. Canadian health officials continue to say that America does not affect the Canadian healthcare system. Some states in the U.S. have taken notice of the price difference and have assisted their citizens in purchasing the medicine from Europe and Canada, according to CBS News.
Presidential race a virtual tie
According to a recent New York Times and CBS News poll, the presidential race is virtually a tie. Voters have concerns about both President Bush and Sen. John Kerry. They question the President’s decisions while in office and are leery to trust Kerry. Some voters fear that Kerry is simply saying what he knows voters want to hear, but has no real plan to fund his programs. Others feel Kerry could do a better job at balancing the budget and getting the U.S. out of Iraq. According to the poll Bush and Kerry have 46 percent of the vote. Bush was leading in the polls before the three presidential debates, but Kerry inched forward once they took place. Representatives for both sides are confident that their candidate will win, according to the New York Times.
Plane crashes in Atlanta
On Tuesday, Oct. 19 a small plane carrying two people crashed in Atlanta, Ga. Killing both on board. The plane crashed due to the wing clipping an auto-body shop. No one inside the building needed medical attention. Weather may have also played a factor. Heavy rains and winds were present at the time of the crash. The crash occurred in a historic part of the city, not too far from where Dr.Martin Luther King Jr. was born, according to the Associated Press.
More flu vaccines on the way
United States health officials announced on Tuesday, Oct. 19 that they will be getting more flu vaccines for the country. Last week they announced that they lost 40 percent of the vaccines due to contamination problems at the European drug company that makes the vaccines. The recent news has become a hot topic in the upcoming presidential election. Hundreds of elderly and at risk citizens have been waiting for hours outside of grocery stores to try and get the vaccine. Many doctors have been threatened with criminal action if they give the vaccine to those who are not at risk for the flu,
