A pair of opinion polls reveals pessimism in the national mood. Problems with the Federal deportation program. Parenting your aging parent: AirTalk continues our new, semi-regular series looking at the top health stories, fads and frustrations facing patients and doctors. Dr. Lachs is in to take your questions and calls – no health insurance or appointment necessary.
A pair of opinion polls reveals pessimism in the national mood
A new poll from USC and the Los Angeles Times reveals that California voters align with Governor Brown on the solutions to the budget crisis. Voters want a mix of taxes increases, spending cuts, caps on spending and curbs in public employee pensions and they want to vote on the Governor’s plan. The survey also indicated that 71 percent of voters polled do not want to balance the budget by cutting money for K through 12 schools. In addition, most voters are unhappy with the direction that California is taking; 68 percent say they are “disappointed,” “uncertain” or “angry” about the state of the state. Speaking of pessimism, another poll out last week from CBS and the New York Times finds that American people feel worse today about the state of the union than they did two years ago at the height of the great recession. In fact the number of people who think the economy is getting worse jumped 13 points in just one month. So, why the lack of public confidence? Should we blame gas prices, political infighting or just the lackluster economy? What’s ruining your mood?
Guests:
Dan Schnur, Director of the Jesse M. Unruh Institute of Politics at USC and Director of the USC Dornsife poll
Bob Huff, Senator (R-29th District), Vice-Chair of the Senate Budget Committee
Gil Cedillo, Senator (D- 45th district), Member of the budget committee
Deportation program grabs low level offenders and noncriminals
A federal program aimed at deporting illegals convicted of serious crimes has been casting a wider net. New numbers show half of the people targeted do not fall into the category of violent felons. It's reported even victims of domestic abuse have been turned over to immigration authorities. It's called the Secure Communities program and run by the Department of Homeland Security. Now some California legislators want their communities to be allowed to opt-out of the program. Is Homeland Security going too far? How do you protect our shores without harming our citizens?
Guest:
Jessica Vaughan, Director of Policy Studies, Center for Immigration Studies
Supports the Secure Communities Program
Parenting your aging parent
AirTalk continues our new, semi-regular series looking at the top health stories, fads and frustrations facing patients and doctors. Dr. Lachs is in to take your questions and calls – no health insurance or appointment necessary.
Today, we focus on aging parents. As difficult as it is for baby boomers to accept that mom and dad’s health may be deteriorating, it can be even harder for their parents to admit it. There are delicate questions to be asked and challenging issues to be faced. What do you do when a parent or an older loved one needs help but won’t accept it? How do you know if there’s a legitimate concern, or if you’re being meddling and overprotective? If you do have to step in, how can it be done with dignity, affording maximum independence? What if adult siblings disagree about health care options?
Guest:
Mark Lachs, M.D., Director of Geriatrics for the New York Presbyterian Health Care System; physician, scientist, and gerontologist at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City; author of Treat Me, Not My Age: A Doctor’s Guide to Getting the Best Care as You or a Loved One Gets Older