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Short Takes

Keep working on insulin solutions

THUMBS UP:

U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, D-Minn., joined other legislators in introducing bipartisan legislation to create a national study to more fully understand the scope of the insulin affordability crisis in America. Earlier this year, Smith introduced legislation to bring down the cost of insulin and hold manufacturers accountable for excessive increases in the price. It’s about time that lawmakers wake up to this health care crisis. Former Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Erin Murphy touched on the insulin crisis during her speech to the Lyon County Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party event Sunday. She shared stories of people across the nation sharing insulin on a black market. “This is the United States,” she said. “It doesn’t make sense to me,” She’s right. U.S. citizens shouldn’t have to depend on a black market to keep alive. Good to see Smith and the other lawmakers working on solutions.

A bad formula for farmers

THUMBS DOWN:

In Wednesday’s edition, an Associated Press article reported the criticisms from Democrats directed at the Trump administration’s farmer bailout program. They released a report claiming small farmers in the Midwest are not getting the same treatment that others in the agriculture sector get when it comes to the Market Facilitation Program. The report also claims that USDA is directing more of the bailout money to large, wealthy farming partnerships. The formula to keep farmers in business is not working.

Keep your hands off the phone

THUMBS DOWN:

he Minneapolis Star Tribune reported another update on the hands-free law that took affect Aug. 1. It claims 2,729 citations were issued during the month of September, which is up from 2,317 in August. A state patrolman quoted in the article said he attributed the increase to an impulse that motorists find tough to resist. It’s more than that. Phones have completely take over our lives. People are so connected to their phones, they are willing to take chances. Even when it becomes a life or death decision.

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