Soon, a new year will be upon us. As an American history geek, I know I’ll be spending much of 2025 thinking about 2026 — specifically, the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding. A quarter-millennium seems like a good point to stop, look around, and assess. I wonder what our Founding Fathers would think of our progress? If the brilliant, and cantankerous, John Adams was resurrected, and happened upon a copy of The Baltimore Sun, I think he would be surprised, then alarmed, and then proud to learn that we elected a Black man to be president — twice. The election of Donald Trump would probably inspire some disappointment, given all that Adams risked to help establish this nation. But, I think the greatest shock of all would probably be the level of immigration. President John Adams was a supporter of the , a law that more than doubled the number of years an immigrant needed to wait before applying for U.S. citizenship. Adams and his contemporaries believed a longer gestation period gave immigrants more time to appreciate what it means to be American. One can argue a similar point today. Immigration is one of the ways America renews itself. The injection of new blood and cultures helps to keep us young and vital — . But, since the 1970s, the United States has experienced the of immigration in its history, mostly from India and Latin America. people have arrived since the beginning of the Biden administration alone. According to recent estimates, one out of every 10 people in the United States today was born somewhere else. That means millions of people in this country have no connection to any of the defining events of the nation’s past, even recent events, like the Civil Rights Movement. This is important because the children of that wave are now adults and moving into positions of power. Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, Donald Trump’s appointees to the new Department of Government Efficiency, are an immigrant, and the child of immigrants, respectively. During the presidential campaign, I would listen to Ramaswamy’s about the sacrifices and principles of our nation’s founders and cringe. I thought to myself, how can Ramaswamy have anything but an academic understanding of the sacrifices of the founders of this nation? His ancestors arrived long after the historical events we point to as touchstones of our “Americanness”: the Civil Rights Movement, the Civil War and the American Revolution. For many of us, these events aren’t academic, they’re visceral. The American Revolution, for example, was a traumatic experience that had no guarantee of success. It was a crap shoot. Everyone who openly supported the revolution was signing their own death warrant. The fact that we won at all, was luck. We could very easily have lost that war, and all the people we revere today — Washington, Adams, Jefferson — would be hanged. speak about how trauma can be passed down through generations. If that is true, everyone today who is a descendant of the people who lived in those times bears the scars of that conflict. Consider the Civil War, a struggle that almost tore this nation apart. To this day, it is the bloodiest, deadliest war Americans have ever fought. It decimated our Southern states — which have only in fully recovered. And, there are places in the South today where you can still feel the effects of that war — where people still have yet to dig themselves out of the that conflict created. And, the Civil Rights Movement — which was only 60 years ago — was, in many ways, a consequence of unresolved issues of the Civil War. In the 1960s, people of every shade and background threw themselves into the streets and demanded that leaders deliver on unfulfilled promises made a century before. That movement colored everything that followed. Sadly, there are Americans walking the streets today with no knowledge of the sacrifices that were made to secure the freedoms they take for granted. Our Founding Fathers were not infallible. As they established this country, they made many mistakes along the way. For centuries, the people (and the descendants of the people) who made those mistakes have been trying to correct them. That’s what the Civil War was about, and the Civil Rights Movement. The current debates around affirmative action and diversity, equity and inclusion are examples of that effort. Many Americans have a visceral connection to these issues because of their historical connection to underlying events. For Black Americans in particular, the consequences of those events are etched on our DNA and flow through our veins. In the run-up to our 250th anniversary, there will be a lot of talk about unresolved issues, unanswered questions, and whether we’ve lived up to the ideals set by our founders. For the first time in our history, a significant portion of our population will have no blood, or experiential, connection to the key historical events that define us. Yet, many of those same people will be in positions to influence the decisions on these questions. The price of American citizenship is the burden of stewardship — stewardship of this nation’s conscience, to be exact. Recent immigrants, and their children, have been spared the weight of that burden, but they’ve enjoyed the benefits. In the coming year, as we all debate important questions about this nation’s past and future, all of us, including our newest Americans, need to acknowledge the contributions of those who came before and honor their sacrifices.Best Crypto Presale: Aureal One Raises $1.8M While BTC & XRP Struggle—Buy Now
Share Tweet Share Share Email The idea of crowdsourcing has expanded into several areas of life, from funding creative projects to helping individuals cover unexpected expenses. One of the most significant uses of crowdsourcing today is in healthcare financing. With rising medical costs and the increasing need for specialized care, many people are turning to the community for help. This is where “Crowdsourced Healthcare Financing” comes into play. Community-funded medical support leverages the collective power of individuals to help others pay for medical bills, treatment , and recovery costs. Understanding Crowdsourced Healthcare Financing Crowdsourced healthcare financing refers to a system in which people raise money from the public, typically through online platforms, to cover medical expenses. It’s an alternative method to traditional healthcare funding, which often depends on insurance or personal savings. Crowdsourcing allows individuals to tap into their networks, including friends, family, and even strangers, who can contribute financially to their medical needs. In its simplest form, crowdsourcing is a way to gather small amounts of money from a large group of people. This practice has been around for years but has gained significant momentum with the rise of digital platforms. Platforms like GoFundMe, Kickstarter, and GiveSendGo have made it easier for people to reach potential donors from all over the world. The Role of Online Platforms in Crowdsourced Healthcare Financing The internet has revolutionized the way we seek financial support. Through crowdsourcing websites, people can create personal fundraising pages where they share their stories, medical needs, and fundraising goals. These platforms offer a simple and efficient way to connect with individuals who are willing to help. By telling their stories, patients and their families can gain emotional support as well as financial assistance. Online platforms also make it easy for people to donate. With just a few clicks, donors can contribute to a cause they feel passionate about. These platforms usually offer a variety of payment methods , including credit cards, bank transfers, and even cryptocurrency, making donations accessible for almost anyone. Why Crowdsourced Healthcare Financing is on the Rise There are several factors contributing to the rise of crowdsourced healthcare financing. One of the most significant reasons is the increasing cost of healthcare. As healthcare expenses continue to rise, many individuals find themselves without adequate insurance coverage or the financial means to pay for medical treatments. Crowdsourcing offers a solution to this problem, allowing people to access funds when they need them most. Another reason for the popularity of crowdsourced healthcare financing is the personal connection that donors can feel with the cause. People often choose to donate to medical causes because they can relate to the emotional aspects of the situation. Whether it’s a personal story of illness, a community member’s health battle, or a heart-wrenching tragedy, crowdsourcing allows donors to support causes that matter to them on a deeper level. The Benefits of Crowdsourced Healthcare Financing Accessibility One of the key advantages of crowdsourced healthcare financing is its accessibility. Unlike traditional healthcare financing methods, such as loans or insurance, crowdsourcing allows individuals to reach a wide audience of potential donors. This can be particularly beneficial for those who do not have access to traditional funding options or whose insurance doesn’t cover all their medical expenses. Speed In emergencies, time is often of the essence. Crowdsourcing allows people to raise money quickly, sometimes within days or even hours. This quick access to funds can be crucial in situations where medical care cannot wait. Emotional Support Beyond the financial assistance, crowdsourcing provides emotional support for patients and their families. By sharing their story, individuals can connect with others who have had similar experiences, offering a sense of community and hope. Donors also feel a sense of fulfillment by helping others in need, fostering a stronger sense of solidarity. Transparency and Trust Crowdsourced platforms usually offer transparency, showing how the funds are being used. This helps build trust between the person raising money and the donors. Patients can provide updates on their health and treatment, which keeps donors engaged and ensures that the funds are being allocated appropriately. Challenges of Crowdsourced Healthcare Financing While crowdsourcing offers several benefits, it’s not without its challenges. Some of the most common challenges include: Limited Funding Potential Although crowdsourcing can help raise significant funds, there is no guarantee of success. People often need to have a large social media following or an existing network of supporters to raise enough money. For those who don’t have a strong online presence or extensive networks, crowdsourcing may not always be a viable solution. Potential for Exploitation With the ease of creating a fundraising page, there is also the potential for fraud. Some individuals may exploit crowdsourcing platforms for personal gain, even if they don’t have legitimate medical needs. This can make it harder for donors to identify genuine causes from fraudulent ones. Platforms have measures in place to prevent fraud, but it remains a concern for some donors. Emotional Burden on Fundraisers While the emotional support from donors can be uplifting, the process of sharing one’s personal medical journey can also be emotionally exhausting. Fundraisers must constantly update their supporters and keep their pages active to maintain engagement. This can take a toll on individuals who are already dealing with the stress of illness. How to Launch a Successful Crowdsourced Healthcare Campaign To run a successful crowdsourced healthcare campaign, there are several key steps to follow: Be Transparent and Honest Transparency is crucial for building trust. Be clear about the medical situation, what the funds will be used for, and how much is needed. Honesty helps establish credibility, which is essential for attracting donors. Share Your Story People are more likely to donate when they feel emotionally connected to the cause. Share your personal story, including the challenges you’re facing, the impact of your illness, and how the funds will make a difference. Including photos or videos can make your campaign more engaging. Utilize Social Media Social media is an incredibly powerful tool for reaching a wide audience. Share your fundraising page across your social media accounts to increase visibility. Encourage friends and family to share your campaign as well to help spread the word. Provide Regular Updates Keep your donors informed about your progress. Provide regular updates on your health, treatment, and how the funds are being used. This helps build trust and keeps people invested in your journey. The Future of Crowdsourced Healthcare Financing As the cost of healthcare continues to rise, crowdsourced healthcare financing is expected to become even more prevalent. With advancements in technology and the increasing use of digital platforms, raising money for medical needs will likely become even more accessible. While it may not replace traditional healthcare systems, crowdsourcing will play a key role in supporting individuals who find themselves in need of financial assistance. As more people discover the power of community-funded medical support, crowdsourced healthcare financing may continue to grow, offering hope to those who need it most. Conclusion Crowdsourced healthcare financing is an innovative and effective way to address the rising costs of medical treatment. By leveraging the power of the community, individuals can access much-needed funds to cover their medical expenses. Although there are challenges, such as the potential for fraud and the emotional burden on fundraisers, the benefits of accessibility , speed, and emotional support make crowdsourcing a viable option for many. As healthcare costs continue to rise, crowdsourcing may become an essential part of the healthcare landscape, offering a lifeline to those in need. Related Items: Healthcare Financing , Medical Support , Online Platforms in Crowdsourced Share Tweet Share Share Email Comments
It truly is the most wonderful time of the year to be a sports fan, and BetMGM Sportsbook has some great promos for the holiday. The only way to make the week better is by cashing in on the action by playing at BetMGM Sportsbook, which is one of the best PA online sportsbooks and is available in just about every state where online sports betting is legal. We will get into how to wager and win with BetMGM Sportsbook , especially if you have never played on the platform before. But first, here is the slate of games for Thanksgiving-weekend football bettors to consider in both the NFL and college football. About the BetMGM Sportsbook new-user promo for Thanksgiving If you are new to the Pennsylvania sports betting game, BetMGM Sportsbook makes it simple. Simply, sign up, make a minimum first deposit then place a wager up to $1,500, and if it does not hit, BetMGM will reimburse your account with bonus bet credits. Simply insert bonus code ‘ PENNLIVEMGM ’ and make a first deposit of at least $10 to unlock the first-bet insurance offer. Then make a wager of $5-$1,500, with no minimum odds requirement, and rest easy knowing BetMGM will credit your account with bonus bets if that wager is graded a loss. BetMGM Sportsbook’s new-user promo is even better than some of the competition, because it will credit your account with multiple bonus bets if the wager is unsuccessful – instead of just a single credit equal to the first amount – as long as you wager $50-plus on your first bet. If you wager $5-$49, BetMGM will give you a single bet credit to use. But if you put up $50-plus on your first bet, BetMGM will give you five credits – 20 percent of your initial amount – to use on any of the thousands of markets available at the platform. That means if you wager $1,500 on Penn State to defeat Maryland, and the Terrapins somehow shock the Nittany Lions , BetMGM will credit your account with five $300 bonus bets. Players have seven days to use bonus bet credits before forfeiting them. Bonus bet credits only pay out in profit, meaning if you place a $300 bonus bet on a wager with -110 betting odds , and it wins, BetMGM will insert $272 in playable funds into your account Still, with that thick of a safety net, why not wager with the BetMGM Sportsbook platform? BetMGM Sportsbook Thanksgiving promos for existing customers If you already cashed in on your BetMGM new-user promo , do not be discouraged. The sportsbook is constantly loading promos into existing players’ accounts, plus it invites those with existing accounts to take their shot at FastBreak – the sportsbook’s 8-bit game where users can unlock custom promotions every day. If you are a parlay bettor, BetMGM regularly gives users parlay boost tokens, and the value of those will grow as your parlay does. With the above-listed slate of games, there are thousands of permutations for parlay bettors, and BetMGM will invite players to boost the ones they love best for even bigger payouts. Plus, BetMGM is a leader in crediting existing users’ accounts with bonus bets. That means if you are low on playable funds but love a specific Thanksgiving football betting market, chances are you will have a bet credit waiting for you when you log in. BetMGM Sportsbook is one of North America’s top sports-wagering platforms, with millions of available markets to wager from across the globe every day. But college football and NFL are the two most popular North American leagues, especially here in Pennsylvania since college football player props and betting on in-state college teams are both legal. That makes BetMGM an especially great place to bet on football in the Keystone State. Here are the college football and NFL betting markets available at BetMGM: Moneylines Spreads Totals Game props Player props Team Props Player awards Futures bets Parlays Same-game parlays Round Robins More! Playing responsibly with BetMGM Sportsbook Betting on sports can be habit forming, which is why BetMGM is also a leader in responsible gambling, offering helpful resources to people who may get overwhelmed if the action gets too hot. Here are some of the resources available to BetMGM sports bettors. A helpful page for Responsible Gaming Deposit limits Daily/weekly/monthly time limits Wagering limits Timeouts/Cool-Off periods Player-activity statements Self-exclusion How to bet the BetMGM Sportsbook promo for Thanksgiving If you are a new user in Pennsylvania hoping to cash in on the new-user offer, we would recommend putting as much as you feel comfortable on a Penn State moneyline wager at home against Maryland. Odds were not available as of publication, but even if the Nittany Lions are a -1000 favorite, you would get $100 in profit on a $1,000 wager. If you are feeling more daring, try taking Penn State to cover the point spread against the Terrapins, depending on its number. The Nittany Lions have won four of their six home games by at least 14 points and are 5-1 at Beaver Stadium, with only a seven-point loss to Ohio State keeping them from an unblemished record. If you are an NFL bettor, or prefer pro football to college, then we would recommend betting either the Lions or Chiefs on the moneyline if you are hoping for a bet you are likely to win. The Lions have lost seven straight Thanksgiving games, which means they have demons to exorcize, and the Chiefs’ most recent home loss came against the Raiders in a showcase game last Christmas. If you would rather wager on the locals, try the Steelers on the moneyline against the Bengals, especially since Pittsburgh will have a nine-day break between their game against the Browns and their meeting with Cincinnati. More stories on Sports Betting 5 best bets for college football Week 13: Army to cover? Heisman Trophy betting: Is Travis Hunter a lock at -380? The Penn State-Minnesota betting line is moving the Gophers’ way on most sites. Should it?2025 brings a host of changes to law both within and outside of the UK that are destined to affect every Brit. Spanning from Labour ’s push to hit net zero targets to Schengen border changes, these are the new rules you’ll be held to over the next 12 months, with more due to add on in 2026. This nationwide ban will forbid the sale of single-use vapes to “end this nation’s throwaway culture” according to circular economy minister Mary Creagh. The legislation is currently making its way through Parliament and if approved will come into force on June 1, 2025. Businesses have been advised by Defra to sell their remaining stock before the ban, reports the MEN . This new bill holds a lot of the controversial smoking-related laws that have garnered headlines this year including increasing the age limit of buying tobacco products so that children currently aged 15 and under will never be able to legally purchase it. Additionally, it also extends the power to ban smoking in specific outdoor spaces like children’s playgrounds. One of the more controversial new laws is the ban on TV adverts for junk food products being advertised before 9pm. The rule is set to come into play from October in order to curb childhood obesity. However, experts have debated the criteria used by the government to classify “junk food”. National Living Wage, minimum hourly wage for apprentices and the National Minimum Wage are increasing in April with the minimum earnings for 18 to 20-year-olds rising by the highest amount on record, £1.40, to a new high of £10 an hour. There are reportedly plans to eventually create a single rate of minimum wage and national living wage for adults, phasing out the age brackets. From next September, parents of children aged nine months and older will be entitled to up to 30 hours of free childcare per week until their child starts school. This is to ensure eligible working parents, classified as people who individually earn more than £9,518 but less than £100,000 per year, are able to get to work. Some parents may also be able to access 30 minutes of free childcare before school as part of the new breakfast club rollout. The first of which are set to be open from April. New, higher rates for parental leave pay and statutory sick pay will come into effect from April. This includes new rates of statutory maternity pay, statutory paternity pay, statutory adoption pay, statutory shared parental pay and statutory parental bereavement pay will all go up to £187.18 per week and statutory sick pay at £118.75 per week. Labour’s plans to renationalise British rails starts next year with new laws making public ownership of operators the default option, with a total of three operators to be brought into public ownership over the next year. This includes South Western Railway, the c2c and Greater Anglia. April 1, 2025 could bring the first tax bills for EV drivers through the Vehicle Excise Duty as their exemption to the tax ends. This decision was actually put in place by the former Tory chancellor Jeremy Hunt. EVs registered on or after the tax comes into play will get the lower first-year rate of £10 while those registered before this will face the standard rate of £190 a year. The exemption EVs have for the Expensive Car Supplement is also ending meaning those still liable will have to pay an additional £410 a year for the first five years of ownership if their car is worth more than £40,000. As of April 2025, employers will face a 1.2% higher rate of NI and a lower threshold for when this tax is applicable, dropping from £9,100 per year to £5,000. Small businesses, however, will also see an increase in Employment Allowance which allows them to reduce their NI liability, rising from £5,000 to £10,500. Brits with permanent homes outside the UK will be facing a new tax regime next year which should close the loophole that allows wealthy people to earn income in lower tax countries by nominating it as their primary domicile and not be liable to UK taxes. It will be replaced with a residence-based test, as chancellor Rachel Reeves declared during her autumn budget: “I have always said that if you make Britain your home, you should pay your tax here.” One of Labour’s more ambitious legislative changes is the Renters' Rights Bill, which aims to end no-fault evictions and provide renters with extra protection against being evicted and rent increases. The new legislation would remove the power landlords have to evict tenants without a valid reason like wanting to sell their property . The Bill is currently making its way through parliament but will hopefully come into force over the summer. It will also give renters a one-year period of protection at the start of their tenancy during which the landlord can’t evict them to move in or sell the property. Finally, it also aims to tackle unreasonable rent increases ensuring landlords can only raise the rent once a year at market rate. The government hopes to update the “feudal” leasehold system by protecting them from “excessive, opaque and escalating costs” imposed by freeholders that own the land their property is on. Starting this week, the rule that leaseholders need to wait two years before buying their freehold or extending their lease will be removed. In the spring, Right to Manage rules will also come into play, ensuring owners in mixed-use buildings can take over management. Lastly, the government hopes to introduce the Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill, which is currently in its draft stage, in late 2025 to transition to a commonhold system. This would treat flats and apartments as individual freehold properties and common areas will be managed by a commonhold association owned by the flat freeholders. While not part of the UK’s legislation changes, travellers must be warned that as they may need the new ETIAS permit to travel within the Schengen zone in Europe. This will cost around €7 for people aged 18 to 70 and will be mandatory for non-EU and non-Schengen citizens if they don’t need a visa to enter the country. The ETIAS scheme has been delayed multiple times but governments are assuring it will be implemented six months after the ESS adoption. This second scheme will affect non-EU citizens travelling in the EU, registering travellers with an automated system every time they cross an external EU border, meaning travellers may have to provide biometric data at EU borders instead of getting passport stamps. Back in the UK, tourists need to be aware of the new ETA scheme to be rolled out in full next year. It costs £10 and allows multiple journeys to the UK for stays of up to six months at a time. ETAs are digitally linked to a traveller’s passport and is meant to provide more robust security checks at UK borders. By January 8, all non-Europeans will need an ETA to travel to the UK. This will then be continually extended to different nationalities, until April 2025 when all visitors to the UK will need either an ETA or an eVisa to travel through the UK. British and Irish citizens will reportedly be exempted from the ETA system.
Abortions are up in the US. It's a complicated picture as women turn to pills, travel
OTTAWA — NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he won't play Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre's games by voting to bring down the government on an upcoming non-confidence motion. The Conservatives plan to introduce a motion that quotes Singh's own criticism of the Liberals, and asks the House of Commons to declare that it agrees with Singh and has no confidence in the government. The motion is expected to be introduced on Thursday and the debate and vote are set for Monday. Singh says he is not going to vote non-confidence and trigger an election when he believes Poilievre would cut programs the NDP fought for, like dental care and pharmacare. The non-confidence vote was scheduled after Speaker Greg Fergus intervened to pause a filibuster on a privilege debate about a green technology fund. The Conservatives have said they would only end that debate if the NDP agree to topple the government or if the Liberals turn over unredacted documents at the centre of the parliamentary gridlock. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 3, 2024. David Baxter, The Canadian Press