Opinions

We must ensure separation of church, health care

By Anthony Alaniz · Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014

When you rush to the hospital in excruciating pain, the last thing you would expect is to be sent home untreated. Well, that is what happened to Michigan resident Tamesha Means in December 2010 – twice.

Homelessness cannot be written off with stereotypes

By Kimberly Lewis · Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014

I once met a girl that was convinced that the majority of, if not all, homeless people were lazy, uneducated, irresponsible drug addicts.

Diseases resurface with decline in vaccinations

By Quinn Ellison · Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014

Despite the continuing technological and scientific advances in medicine, old disease threats are starting to resurface as public health problems.

College, trade school education should be encouraged

By James Tatum · Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2014

In his budget proposal sent to the state Legislature, Gov. Rick Snyder, Republican of the Great Lakes State, requested funds for a 6.1 percent hike in aid to universities. In Tennessee, Gov. Bill Haslam, a Republican, asked for $34 million so that he could waive the cost of tuition for community college.

It's time to raise the minimum wage

By Professor John G. Fike · Sunday, Feb. 9, 2014

If you’re working your way through Eastern Michigan University and think your boss should raise your salary, you’re right. There are sound economic reasons why you should be earning a minimum of $22 an hour right now. Want to look closer?

Complaining about Executive Orders is nothing but political grandstanding

By Anthony Alaniz · Sunday, Feb. 9, 2014

At a March 2012 press conference, President Barack Obama said, “If Congress refuses to act, I’ve said that I’ll continue to do everything in my power to act without them.” President Obama continued his open defiance of Congress in last month’s State of the Union address. He said, “So wherever and whenever I can take steps without legislation to expand opportunity for more American families, that’s what I’m going to do.”

There is no such thing as being left-brained or right-brained

By Quinn Ellison · Sunday, Feb. 9, 2014

Are you left-brained or right-brained? That was a trick question. Unless you’ve had a hemisphere of your brain removed, the answer is both.

Hospital industry aims for repayment

By Anthony Alaniz · Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014

Hospitals are implementing new polices with the hopes of eliminating lengthy insurance reimbursement times by supplementing their pockets with prepaid deductibles and copay payments.

Logic and creativity are not opposites

By Quinn Ellison · Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014

Are you left-brained or right-brained? That was a trick question. Unless you’ve had a hemisphere of your brain removed, the answer is both. It is true that some of the major functions of the brain are lateralized, or largely localized to one side of the brain; language is a notable example.

EMU, Institute of Local Politics

By James Tatum · Thursday, Feb. 6, 2014

Every two years, Harvard University’s Institute of Politics plays host to the lucky few who either toppled an incumbent or claimed an open seat and were elected to Congress.

Multitasking leads to long-term problems

By Jumanah Saadeh · Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2014

The ability to multitask is arguably the most desirable skill to possess in today’s day and age. Whether in an academic or a professional setting, one’s ability to manage a large task load and high stress situations is seen a positive attribute. But despite our cultural preference, our internal biochemistry does not thank us for the ever-increasing amounts of stress we overload ourselves with.

Winter weight gain

By John Keeth · Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014

As we endure another Michigan winter, many of us are watching the number on our scales climb higher and higher.

Simple solutions are a ruse

By John G. Fike · Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014

Have you noticed how often simplistic solutions are offered, and generally accepted by the public, for even the most complex problems? “Cap ‘n Trade” for climate change, “austerity” for economic depression or “tests” for troubled schools, for example.

Stop and frisk mainstream

By Anthony Alaniz · Sunday, Feb. 2, 2014

A bona fide national stop-and-frisk program is now sanctioned by a variety of governmental agencies.

Assets being seized from innocents

By Anthony Alaniz · Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014

Law enforcement officials across the country are using a new tactic to line their coffers: asset forfeiture.

Multitasking more difficult than you think

By Quinn Ellison · Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2014

Time management is a tough job for college students. Scheduling and effective study habits are learned skills, and students that have not had a lot of practice juggling so many time-sensitive tasks may not have fully developed them yet. Students who work a lot of hours outside of school and students with children or other outside obligations can also struggle with time management.