The rising cost of social benefits

The rising cost of social benefits

Federal and state governments spend nearly 66 cents of every dollar in revenue on social benefits, including Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and subsidies for children, the disabled, and the unemployed. In 2000, by comparison, the “safety net” consumed about 37 cents per revenue dollar.

The New York Times

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GOP turnout drops

In every presidential nominating contest so far except for South Carolina’s, GOP turnout has fallen from what it was four years ago, including a drop of 14 percent in Florida, 26 percent in Nevada, and 58 percent in Missouri. Analysts blame lukewarm enthusiasm among voters for the GOP field, and the avalanche of negative ads, which tend to depress turnout.

Los Angeles Times

Pet euthanasia plummets

The number of pets euthanized in the U.S. has plummeted from some 20 million in 1970 to about 3 million last year, even though the number of American pets has more than doubled over that period, to 160 million. The biggest reason for the change is the widespread acceptance of neutering.

CSMonitor.com

For military women, rape is more likely than KIA

In the U.S. military, a woman is more likely to be raped by a fellow service member than killed in action. An estimated 19,000 service members were raped in 2010.

CNN.com

Losses at the U.S. Postal Service

The U.S. Postal Service lost $3.3 billion in the last quarter of 2011, a tenfold jump from that period in 2010. The USPS may soon run out of money.

Associated Press