This is a scary time of year for many reasons. My goodness, everyone has their own boogyman with the election so close and so frightfully tense.

​I thought that this week, I would try to distract us from all the noise with a few really interesting movie clips  from the past.  

Trump is increasingly hostile to fact-checking By ASHLEY PARKER and JOSH DAWSEY • The Washington Post

Donald Trump and his campaign have waged an aggressive campaign against fact-checking in recent months, pushing TV networks, journalism organizations and others to abandon the practice if they hope to interact with Trump.

Trump nearly backed out of an August interview with a group of Black journalists after learning they planned to fact-check his claims. The following month, he and his allies repeatedly complained about the fact-checking that occurred during his debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, berating journalists and news executives in the middle of the televised debate.

And this month, Trump declined to sit down for an interview with CBS' "60 Minutes" because he objected to the show's practice of factchecking, according to the show.

Campaign advisers also expressly asked CBS News to forgo fact-checking in its vice-presidential debate with Trump's running mate, Ohio Sen. JD Vance — who then complained on air when a moderator corrected him.

The moves are the latest example of Trump's long-held resistance to being called to account for his lies, which have formed the bedrock of his political message for years. Just in recent weeks, for example, Trump has seized on fabricated tales of migrants eating pets and Venezuelan gangs overtaking cities in pushing his anti-immigration message as he seeks a second term in office.

Lucas Graves, a journalism and mass communications professor at the University of Wisconsin at Madison, said that publicly chafing at fact-checking has become a form of tribalism among some Republicans.

"Within the political establishment on the right, it is now considered quite legitimate — and quite legitimate to say publicly and openly — that you disapprove of fact-checking," said Lucas, author of "Deciding What's True: The Rise of Political Fact-Checking in American Journalism. He added: "Precisely because of Trump's unusual relationship with the truth — even for a politician — it's hardly surprising that he would object to it so volubly and so forcefully."

The Washington Post Fact Checker team tallied that by the end of Trump's presidency, he had made 30,573 false or misleading claims — an average of about 21 false, erroneous or misleading claims a day.

​​Harris plan would expand Medicare for home services Proposal would support care for aging parents. ​ By REED ABELSON and MARGOT SANGER-KATZ •

​The New York Times

Vice President Kamala Harris outlined a new proposal for home health care on "The View" on Tuesday, describing a Medicare expansion plan that she said would help what is called the "sandwich generation" to take care of aging parents.

That constituency includes many adults who find themselves straddling the responsibility of rearing their children at the same time that their parents need more assistance to stay at home.

"There are so many people who are right in the middle," said Harris on the ABC talk show.

She recalled caring for her mother, Shyamala Gopalan Harris, before she died of cancer in 2009. "It's about dignity for that individual. It's about independence for that individual," she said.

Home health services that last more than a few months represent "the biggest gap in Medicare," said David Grabowksi, a health policy professor at Harvard University who studies long-term care. Medicaid, the federal-state program for the poor, covers home care for elderly and disabled Americans who need it, but people are forced to spend all their savings to qualify and often face long waiting periods.

The Harris campaign said that the plan would be paid for with savings from the expansion of Medicare price negotiations with drug manufacturers, which is expected to lower government spending for older people's prescriptions. But it is not clear how much the additional benefits under the Harris plan would cost.

"This would be transformative from a care perspective," Grabowski said, but he added that the price could be very high. "There will be a lot of sticker shock once this is costed out."

In a fact sheet published Tuesday, the Harris campaign also endorsed expanding Medicare to cover vision and hearing benefits — proposals that have been floated before but rejected by Congress. 

Medicare, the federal insurance program for older Americans, does not cover such services, which many older people use. Some private Medicare Advantage plans offer it as an optional benefit.

Former President Donald Trump's campaign said he previously supported the idea of covering home care in the Republican Party's 2024 platform, where it appears in a sentence about "care at home for the elderly."

"President Trump will take care of our seniors by shifting resources back to at-home senior care, overturning disincentives that lead to care worker shortages, and supporting unpaid family caregivers through tax credits and reduced red tape," Karoline Leavitt, a campaign spokesperson, said in an email.

Millions of Americans struggle to find affordable home care for themselves or their loved ones as they age. Medicare does not cover longer periods of home care, typically paying for a home aide only when a patient is recovering from an acute medical condition, like a stroke, and only for a short time, often just a few months.

While Medicaid will pay for a home aide if someone has a low income and limited assets, there are long waiting lists. In many areas of the country, there is a severe shortage of workers because of low wages and better, less stressful jobs in other industries. Home health aides assist patients with basic daily tasks like dressing, eating and using the bathroom.

Most people have no choice but to rely on a family member to care for them because they cannot afford the cost of professional aides, which can surpass the expense of an assisted-living center. Agencies can charge some $30 an hour, according to Genworth, an insurance company for long-term care. Others end up spending their assets and moving to a nursing home, which Medicaid covers.

The number of Americans expected to need home care is expected to grow in the coming years. The first baby boomers have been entering retirement by the thousands every day, and they will begin turning 85 in 2031. While not everyone who reaches an advanced age requires longterm care, a substantial share of the very elderly need such help because of physical disability or dementia.

Expanding access is likely to require many more workers to provide the care.

"We cannot overstate that without staff, there is no care," said Katie Smith Sloan, chief executive of LeadingAge, an association of nonprofit nursing homes and organizations that assist aging people.

Judith Feder, a professor of public policy at Georgetown University, who published a recent paper on a possible Medicare home-care benefit, said such a policy would relieve financial and physical burdens on family members.
​
"It is what we need in national leadership to address a need among the population that has been disregarded for much too long," she said.
The program could cost hundreds of billions of dollars, or more — and it might face a difficult time in Congress. According to the Harris campaign, the program would be financed through aggressive negotiations over prescription drugs under Medicare, and through other policies including taxes on companies that shift jobs overseas.

(Without Truth there is Chaos) Why is Truth so Important?

The Imperative of Truth: Why Truth Matters
Truth, a concept often taken for granted, is the bedrock of human society. It is the foundation upon which knowledge, trust, and progress are built. While its exact definition may vary across philosophical and cultural contexts, the significance of truth remains undeniable. Let's explore the reasons why truth is indispensable in various aspects of human life, from personal relationships to scientific inquiry and societal governance.

Truth in Personal Relationships
Truth is the cornerstone of trust, a fundamental element in any healthy relationship. When individuals are honest with each other, they create a foundation of mutual respect and understanding. Lies, on the other hand, erode trust and can lead to conflict, resentment, and even the breakdown of relationships. Truthfulness fosters open communication, allowing people to share their thoughts, feelings, and experiences without fear of judgment or reprisal. Moreover, honesty helps to build a sense of intimacy and connection between individuals.

Truth in Scientific Inquiry
In the realm of science, truth is paramount. The scientific method is based on the pursuit of objective truth through empirical observation, experimentation, and critical analysis. Scientists strive to uncover the underlying laws and principles that govern the natural world. The pursuit of truth in science has led to countless discoveries and advancements that have improved human lives. However, it is important to note that scientific truth is often tentative and subject to revision as new evidence emerges. Nevertheless, the commitment to truth is essential for the progress of scientific knowledge.

Truth in Societal Governance
Truth is also a vital component of good governance. Governments have a responsibility to be transparent and honest with their citizens. This includes providing accurate information about public policies, financial matters, and other important issues. When governments lie or mislead the public, it erodes trust in institutions and can lead to social unrest. Furthermore, truthfulness is essential for holding governments accountable and ensuring that they act in the best interests of the people they serve.

The Challenges of Truth
While the importance of truth is clear, it is not always easy to achieve. There are many factors that can hinder our ability to discern truth, including biases, misinformation, and propaganda. Additionally, the concept of truth itself can be complex and multifaceted. What is considered true in one context may not be true in another. Despite these challenges, it is imperative that we strive to seek out and uphold truth in all aspects of our lives. Truth is not merely a philosophical concept; it is a practical necessity that underpins human progress and well-being.

In conclusion,
truth is a fundamental value that is essential for human flourishing. It is the foundation of trust, knowledge, and good governance. While the pursuit of truth can be challenging, it is a noble endeavor that is worth pursuing. By embracing truthfulness in our personal relationships, scientific inquiry, and societal governance, we can create a more just, equitable, and prosperous world.

THINK / VOTE