Politics What is happening????

Actually, it's going to become significant...some of the leaps of tech and quality have made a big difference.
Now you can get more energy for less cost than it used to.
There will be a slow conversion.
However, I doubt it will be used for vehicles anytime soon, it will be more likely for solar farms (if they can figure out how not to fry birds in mid-flight...)
and homes and business buildings.
So stationary, not mobile.

For mobile, you'd have to do something that would make it look cool.
People need to have their cars & trucks be cool. (for the most part)
Humans are humans.

 

Actually hybrids have come down significantly, they are now a "known evil" and commodity.
And fully electric are also coming into play...and are reasonable, "in target range".
You've got Tesla to thank for that, they've started making it sexy. (including increasing the range to 400 MI)

And...I'm seeing electric charging post being put up in various areas around here. (Baltimore/DC)
Some at the train stations parking lots, even at a few popular malls.
It's coming, bit by bit.

But I'm sure the transition to "horseless carriages" way back when was slower than we expected or remember.
I don't think the car really got into play until the 40's and 50's and when the US highway system was built. Europe took even longer converting.
Ubiquitous is a long-term goal.

 

They should take them to court over it.
Because they're not going to win an overturn in the political system. Too much conflict of interest.

 

This will affect the ACA, Medicare and Mediaid...any medical compensation from the federal govt.
Doctors' Pay Will Be Linked to Quality in Historic U.S. Overhaul of Medical Billing

I don't think there will be as much of a direct change as you may think,
but this may help start setting a new standard and mindset on how medical billing and activities are done.

There will be more of a discouragement to do excessive or unnecessary procedures.
It's not just a "gimme".

Patients will be more considered someone to be cared for...not as much as an income resource.

The question is...what is the standard? or determination?

And yes, this will require more regulation...but then again, you need rules in Football too.
Both to make sure everything is fair...and no one gets injured.

Wish you didn't have to...but those who abuse or push the influence they have over people being cared for have made it so.
This will also give medical staff an excuse to push back on those patients who push for unneeded treatment and drugs too.

 

Same circus, different theme

 

Two problems...

1. Dept. of Defense can't even do an audit of itself...even by its own deadline.
Every other Dept. in the US has done this.

2. There is an inherent conflict of interest now in the status quo.
From the Congressional side, keeping the money flowing home, much less lobbyists influencing and "bribing" them to encourage spending.
From the President, playing "whack-a-mole" globally, as everyone expects the US to get involved, even if they don't want to.
From the Military themselves, keeping their territories, projects and budgets up...to prove their own existence and influence.

In a way, I like their stupidity of the Sequester.
It forces their hand when they're not willing or able to do so themselves.
Sure it hurts and it's sloppy...but it needs to be done anyway.

We should be able to support a similar scale military at half the budget.
Even if we don't need that scale...and that's a whole other argument. (ex. we don't need prep to fight a two front war like WWII anymore)

But it comes down to the pork, for the most part.

 

The American DOD runs the single largest socialist program in the world. It's difficult to rein something like that in.

 

I don't know if I'd call it a Socialist program...that's a broad definition and what hyperbolic pundits like to call anything government related. (not you in this group., BTW)
Defense & Police are inherent parts of a government's responsibility...no matter its type. And if it doesn't, then you get chaos and others taking your land and people.
But that's a debate for another time.

But along the lines of waste and inefficiency...and perhaps some lack of accountability.
The Department of Homeland Security is a total disaster. It's time to abolish it.

Agreed.
It is redundant and mismanaged...and Congress is starting to use it as another target.
Put the original depts back to where they were before.

The terrorists and hackers can fight those with a better focus and funding.
Treasury won't get defunded...hell, it pays for itself...and Defense certainly won't, as noted above.
Why give them another handball???

Except perhaps Immigration should go under Justice, instead of Customs...which is more fiscal related.

BTW, @Baraka_Guru ...how does Canada handle this??