North Dakota Insurance

In this city who work hard, wheat and cycle time on the edges of backyards, Albert (Buzz) Olson has a new way to sell gas and work in the city as postmaster - at the same time .

It is entirely fait”In Your Honor,’’said the charming owner of service station, pumping gas key to almost all adults in the city - 42 drivers. ”Just click on the button, pump gas fields, its money in the slot and its nature and joyful. Have you not nickel have not yet lost.”

A service station on the honor system is not only characteristic of Golden Valley County, but it is less representative of the State of North Dakota, as a series of routine lowest crime rate in the nation . According to Federal Bureau of Investigation statistics for 1994, the latest figures available, North Dakota Nation, the lowest rate of murder, rape low lowest violent crime and the low level of prisoners in detention.

In this city of Fargo to agriculture, the state’s largest city, the low level of crime allows for human behavior seems bizarre by the way.

In January, while a bitter, three days a software component plug cold, Jeff Olson, is not related to Albert Olson, never resume his car during the day.

”For once I car garage in the morning, I come, it will operate for 15 or 17 hours in einem”Parkplatz, said Olson, an art gallery Bismarck, the capital of the country with a population of 50000

In New Rockford, Ken Throlson, a buffalo Rancher, it is never the key to the ignition of his break, whatever the weather. He snorted,”It is crazy me, if someone from my family is the key.”

Down in Fargo, people are always dampfenden on the film of the same name, the image of seven murders in two hours. Last year, Fargo recorded a murder.

Federal State, murder was the lowest rate - eight in 1995 - that the authorities have a general rule, the bodies of the victims shipment of murder for autopsies neighbor Minnesota. But with the Minnesota station recharge as much as $ 15,000 for each autopsy, coincements penny North Dakotans in June and created the Office of public medical examiners.

Experts caution that the new post does not mean that law and order are unraveling on the plateau. North Dakota’s crime rates are essentially the same level they were 15 years ago.

In Fargo, a city dominated by a regular boat Viking Memorial Norwegian pioneers, serious crime is so rare that the local newspaper, the Forum has no full-time journalist in the police beat. After a rash of burglaries, police Fargo has made this year to teach the city of 80000 residents to lock their doors and windows when you leave the apartment.

”I have friends in town, do not lock their bikes, their cars, their homes,”Rathge W. Richard, director of the North Dakota State Census Data Center, said Fargo.

Because of low crime rates, security, usually far from the hands of the state and insurance companies cost of auto insurance lowest rate of the nation, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. The average duration of the auto insurance premium is $ 467, compared to $ 1106 in New Jersey, the most expensive in the country.

The basket of indicators North Dakota behind the low crime rate for which give an overview of crime are higher elsewhere, criminologists say.

In a state that only 28 currency snatchings and 35 cases of armed attacks during the year 1994, experts cite factors ranging from crime cold much of the rural population and strong families.

Vierzig”unten believes that the riffraff,”cup of hot coffee sold Bismarck, a city known for cold winters.

States with the lowest rates of murder during the year 1994 was at the bottom: North Dakota, Vermont, South Dakota, New Hampshire, Maine and Iowa. The highest rates were murder, in order, Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, Alabama and California.

”North Dakota is cold, and for a number of months of the year, people are outside - in Louisiana, it is year-round,’’said Scott Morgan, a Kansan, published in July, a survey, Crime State rankings in 1996.

Privacy advocates are asking to redouble their efforts, California’s banks and other financial institutions - either by law or a referendum - for consumers’ permission before sharing or selling their financial data.

For the last two years, the financial sector, it reached an action to kill privacy in the State Assembly. The Senate on March 3 of the State yet expired, accounts and sent to the Assembly. But now, with government opinion polls show a high level of financial support for privacy, industry is considering a compromise.

The bill, financial institutions to promote clients’ permission before data to other companies and stop distribution of such data to its member organizations, if customers asked to do so.

”I am very optimistic at the end of the day is it such a measure,”J. Herb Wesson Jr., Los Angeles Democrat and speaker of the Assembly, said this weekend. Mr. Wesson ,”,”, moderate Democrats that their votes have blocked action, and businesses against the bill were more flexible.

But if the bill is not new, bank interest is likely to fight, an even greater extent on the ballot in March of next year.

Each point vue”en California as a battleground,’’said Chris Larsen, CEO of E-Loan, a loan of the Internet and vote for the main measure Backer. ”California is a large market, it would be a tipping point. It would be such a strong country.”

Developments in California are a glimpse of a great battle this year in Congress, where financial institutions argue that states should not be on flexibility in the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act of 1999, the introduction of requirements of privacy, stricter than required by federal law. The centre of gravity of this measure was to break the law walls separated, as banks and stockbrokers.

The popularity of privacy shares of the Bank has shown last year in North America Dakota, which is conducive to privacy won 72 percent of the vote in a referendum while the bank had interests By an overwhelming majority outspent them.

But while the banking industry nationally was not too concerned about North Dakota, California is another matter, with 12 percent of the population of the nation and higher than the average household. His financial industry, for consumers, annual turnover of $ 32 billion from direct advertising, marketing and telecommunications E-mail advertising, which may be reduced under the legislation. Critics of the Senate also Citicorp, Bank of America, JP Morgan Chase, MBNA, Capital One, Wells Fargo, Aegon Insurance and State Farm Insurance.

State Senator Jackie Speier, a Democrat from the San Francisco area and the holding of the sponsor, the bill, said a strong measure could eventually be in the year, largely because banks, including the threat posed by voters a piece of legislation even harder next year, if the legislature failed to act.

Fred Main, Senior Vice President of the State of Commerce and Industry of the House of Representatives and spokesperson for opponents of privacy measures, he hoped, a reasonable compromise”,” in the legislature. Opponents have launched a newspaper advertising campaign said Speier Rechnung”auferlegen make millions of dollars in significant additional costs with no benefit for consumers.”

According to the Speier bill, if a customer does not answer a request to exchange information with outside firms, the data can not be divided. Mr Main said that such a provision would be acceptable only if it focuses on controlling the use of data for marketing purposes.

The bill would also allow customers to prevent data sharing between companies, branches or subsidiaries. In this case, if the customer does not act, distribution. Ms. Speier added that provision last year to an objection from Dir Gray Davis, has not publicly taken their action.

But Mr. Main said that the customer has the possibility of disclosure of information would prevent business practices that customers welcome.

Bipartisan A group of moderates in the Senate and the Finance Committee unveils a new health plan today that any controversial policy requirements, individuals or employers to purchase insurance. But the plan is behind the cover of the presidency of Bill Clinton’s bottom line.

The group appeared to decide that it is easier to achieve the goal of universal coverage as a guarantee of a mechanism tasty. The Finance Committee as a whole has been stalled for months over how to pay for universal coverage and the moderates’ proposal is widely seen as a good approximation of what the committee is likely to produce. Leaders Democrats are happy, the Committee to move, even if a plan requires substantial revision later.

The moderates argued that their policy has reached a proposal to extend health coverage to millions of uninsured Americans through a system of subsidies to low-income people and new insurance plans indicated, coverage easy to obtain. It would also continue its efforts to restructure the health sector through market mechanisms such as insurance to buy.

H. Senator John Chafee, Republican of Rhode Island and a leader of the group, said: “We believe that this is a very serious.” He believes that the plan could also many as 20 million of the 37 million Americans now lack health insurance.

But the plan was quickly denounced by many supporters of the restructuring of health care, because it does not meet the goal of universal coverage. One of the seven members of the group moderate, Senator Bill Bradley, Democrat of New Jersey, a distance of the proposal, said: “I regret this plan does make the most exhaustive coverage through shared responsibilities of individuals and employers . ”

The group reached a final agreement on the measure in a private meeting this morning, after members decided to submit a proposal to guarantee coverage of people who are, finally, for the purchase of health insurance. This idea, also known as the individual mandate, have a violent resistance of working groups, consumer organizations and health care for the elderly.

“I started to come to the conclusion, nobody was for him,” said Senator John B. Breaux, Democrat of Louisiana, other leaders of the group. “I thought, why on earth I’m supporting something that nobody else?”

A Republican strategist, speaking on condition of anonymity, ok, said: “There was no constituency for them. And they believe that these reforms, they want to succeed on a broad range of insurance.

The moderates 7 presented its plan Monday, the Finance Committee of the Senate, which has 20 members. Many on Capitol Hill considers this proposal, the best hope for breaking the judgement. The architects of the proposal have been very well the need for “a bill could happen,” said Chafee.

The White House reacted to a compromise with great caution, continue to try to keep their legislation by Commissions keeping hope in the end the restoration of universal coverage before the final adoption.

“It is encouraging to see that members work in a bipartie mode,” said Lorrie McHugh, spokesman for the White House on health. “There is a lot of turns and phrases on the path of reform of health systems, but we are confident that the path is addressed to the chairman of the bottom line of universal significance.”

Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Democrat of New York, departed this afternoon for his farm in Upstate New York, as described the plan as “an extremely powerful proposition.” The fight is not finished

Senator Tom Daschle in South Dakota, a Democrat influential within the management committee and an ally, said he doubted that everything is much closer to universal coverage by the Finance Committee. He called the proposal a “good start” and added: “My guess is that it is quite representatives of the committee as a whole. But I think you can expect that all the themes for new on the floor. ”

Senator John D. 4 Rockefeller, WV, a Democrat and another ally standhafter hotel, was more muted. “I commend the commitment and efforts of my colleagues, the Finance Committee, but if this is the best they have to offer, it shows that we have a lot of work to be done.”

A spokesman for Health Reform Project, a coalition of 56 citizens, seniors and groups, consumers criticized the emerging countries on the plan Thursday, rejected the final plan today. “We consider this as the lowest common denominator, not even close coverage,” said Bob Chlopak, a spokesman for the group.

The Group of Seven struggled to reach agreement on all week. The group is composed of three Republicans - Senators Chafee, Dave Durenberger of Minnesota and John C. Danforth of Missouri - and four Democrats: Senators Breaux, Bradley, David L. Boren of Oklahoma and Kent Conrad of North Dakota.

His plan is to use subsidies for low-income people buy insurance, finally help people with incomes up to 2.4 times the official poverty line. This would contribute to a family of four with an income up to $ 35433rd There would also allow a tax deduction for individuals, each pays the cost of their insurance. And this would be the end practices such as denying insurance, the coverage of existing conditions.

The Senate moved toward passage yesterday a proposal, health insurance to ensure the viability of many people, employers or change or lose their jobs. Much of the action - to vote next week - is a guarantee that eligible workers, employers lose-sponsored coverage of the situation, would receive assurances by the various players in the market.

The proposed scheme would be a great help for people with health problems, it can not get health insurance in their own work or quitting be dismissed, as well as people who are feeling their jobs because they fear the disruption of their coverage. But the “portability” would not help millions of people, including self-employed or employers are not offered coverage. It would also not make them all easier to find an honest and accessible.

Jeffrey Jones, 33 years, a designer of Poolesville, Md., would probably never appreciate any assistance from a few years, when he tried to buy a policy to replace the medical care of his family has always been ‘ an employer, went to the store. The insurer rejected insurer, demonstrated that after learning of his wife Cecilia, 34, had a weak heart,.

But while the portability law that the Senate proposal, however, prevented that this is not what helped pay for a policy, he found available - Coverage of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of the National Capital Area for $ 600 per month.

“We absolutely feel that we are stuck in a place,” said Mr. Jones now. Fortunately, he found a new job offered health insurance, leaving the family without the coverage of three weeks.

The Senate cash account offered by the tree Nancy (R., Kan.) and Edward Kennedy (D., Mass.). Exigerait that insurers offer individual hedging strategies available to too many workers, the employer offered a plan for at least 18 months. It is also time waiting for the treatment of existing health conditions that insurers, on the eligibility of employees, changes sponsored by an employer plan to another, or for a personal quote policy.

A similar measure was adopted by the House of Representatives last month, but the legislative outlook remains uncertain. Republicans and Democrats in opinion on some Republicans want additional elements, such as tax deductible medical savings accounts in the home version and the legislation could die under the weight of litigation.

But no matter the outcome, people, a store’s policy, individual health is always a difficult moment, “says Gail Shearer, Director of health policy for the Washington office of Consumers Union. The legislation does not apply to premiums, insurers that the costs or benefits they can offer.

The strategies vary enormously from one comprehensive plan significant medical costs that can be several hundred dollars per month until the bare bones policy with a monthly premium in the vicinity of $ 50 or $ 75 Often, the new man on various policy areas, after they have exhausted their benefits under COBRA, the federal law requires employers of 20 or more to offer coverage at group rates, which were previously employed as long that 18 months.

In some countries already some protection mechanisms. More than 10 countries - including Maine, New Jersey, New York, Vermont and Washington - “guarantees the problem” laws that prohibit insurers deny that the only exit hedging policy for reasons of health protection, said Susan Laudicina , Research director of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. These and several other states also have some kind of “community rating” the law requires that insurers for the loading of all human beings the same price for a certain policy, or that establishes limits for the sector premiums can vary for different people.

But in some cases, insurers have withdrawn from these statements. Mutual of Omaha Cos. has stopped selling new individual policy in Washington, New Jersey, Maine and Kentucky. In recent years, giants such as Aetna Life & Casualty Co. and Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. have left the various insurance markets as a whole, while Prudential Insurance Co. of America, are no longer sold by such a policy in most countries.

Traditionally, it was difficult to imagine a cheaper if you’re not young and healthy. Most vehicles medical examination applicants in many countries where these so-called risk analysis medical and increasingly rigid standards over the years, said Glenn Pomeroy, North Dakota Insurance Commissioner. If you have suffered from cancer, cardiovascular diseases or problems of hypertension, insurers can exclude that coverage condition, a waiting time even that for a year or deny coverage in general, said Geraldine Dallek, director of health policy for Families USA.

In addition, some Blue Cross plans, traditional insurers of last resort, have medical requirements for some of their individual coverage. Blue Cross of Western Pennsylvania, a medical plan, which is a cover for a family of four for $ 288 per month, while the oldest family member is between 30 and 39 If the family has health problems that they disqualify, they can always cover, but a flying flat sewing would cost $ 693 per month. The insurer offers other options for low-income families.

As about a dozen journalists and congress elections DELEGIERTE tagged along, East Grand Forks farmer said Secretary General John Driscoll Glickman farmers suffer. There were years of bad weather, low prices and a number of crops wiped out.

He showed this year Glickman wheat, healthier, but Driscoll said the weather and disease could still be destroyed immediately.

Driscoll: You know, it’s a little early to scab.
Glickman: Well, if you crust, as if they come from?
Driscoll: We receive real-time wet on the flowering period is, and it is about three weeks away from blooming at the moment - and the crust moves in the atmosphere around in the air and it is simply above that territory.

Glickman took the opportunity to announce his trip, the U.S. Department of Agriculture is a crust additional $ 200000 in research this year. And he questions the Congress to increase scab for the Advancement of research next year to nearly $ 2 million.

Say economists, since 1993, the scab has caused more than $ 2.5 million in damage in North Dakota alone.

Last year, scab Driscoll corrupted much of the harvest, and others who had remained poor quality. Mr. Driscoll, worse, the Federal Republic of crop insurance, he bought programmes did not cover its losses.

Driscoll: Our guaranteed by losses in the past have pushed our performance as low, we do not trigger the federal funds our harvest, because our incomes are low, anyway - just not adversely affect them.

Driscoll’s echo problems have been during the day with other farmers in similar circumstances. Farm calendar ending in the year 1994 aid and crop insurance has been expanded. But insurance programs harvest, based on ancient cultures. Farmers have several years of poor harvest little helper program.

Several hundred farmers gathered in forums in Grand Forks and East Grand Forks on June 8, their fears, frustrations and solutions with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.

Glickman, said his division began direct management of farmers.

Glickman: During this week we’ll come back and we will examine and review the administrative measures concerning crop insurance and others. The message of this meeting must be directly addressed to the President so well, and I am him.

Next year, Glickman said the Agriculture Department is launching a pilot project for an insurance for alternative crops such as mustard and cramby, oilseeds.

And Glickman, he said, is rising wheat prices, which is currently about $ 3 a bushel.

But it comes too late for the messages of some, given that more than 2500 farmers in North Dakota have done in the last two years. And economists believe farm, another 1800 are completed, if low yields and prices of cereals.

A week ago, Sharon and Curt Thureen their bids Farm. Sharon warns its neighbours and Glickman, it is not easy, agriculture. It said gains transfer taxes are far from any flow.

Thureen: We are 50 years and we are in such debt for the rest of our lives, and all our own funds this farm 111 years, three generations, is over. You guys got to rhyme to be done, because a lot of us leave. You have to help out.

Glickman farmers are encouraged to continue, as he tries to long-term solutions.

Glickman: And there is no magic answer to the problems. I liked that he gave. Believe me, I would be happy my fingers and a software component plug-room triple the price of wheat during the night. But I think we can do certain things in administrative law, as well as to cope with helping producers in these very difficult times.

Glickman also reiterated its request for a change of the Farm Act of 1996, so-called “freedom of the farm,” farmers released by the government production quotas, but also remove price of Confederation. While the plot works well in most parts of the country, the combination of counter falling prices and wheat Upper Austria took the Midwest farmers hard. Glickman agreed with the farmers, could it be that “freedom to fail Act of some farmers. However, Mr. Glickman signatories of such a change have little support in Washington.

Hundreds of hectares of arable land in North Dakota are flooded. Glickman, she says farmers suffered losses because the pasture flooded obtain some $ 12 million left on animals in disaster contingency fund.

And Glickman, he says, opportunities for export credit guarantees to Turkey by $ 100 million, making it easier for Turkey to buy American wheat and hopefully beating until the price of cereals.

SI We asked to spend billions of Congress, the newspaper business, a risk free enterprise, would have laughed at our editorial in the Capitol. But it is mainly the work of American farmers - and insurance companies, as profits from premiums of the State Supported - get the federal government each year. The result, after a two-bedroom Post published this week investigation, billions of dollars wasted Confederation and more unfair and uncompetitive documentation, many of whom are farmers to work, would be left fallow in a free market.

The Post study found that many farmers do not benefit only supported by the State, Cut rate farm insurance but also the Confederation Disaster Fund. — This dual immersion means that farmers lose 35 percent or more power to a new harvest to 95 per cent of the money, they would have earned from selling their harvest. Ironically, Congress approved a complex Public-Private-system offers cheap farm insurance to all young people, for farmers entwöhnen-off disaster. But now that the federal government pays an average of 60 per cent of farmers, premiums, the legislature also continue to pass emergency aid for farmers redundant.

Because of the government largess, farmers in some parts of the country, less productive agriculture as the hospital to continue to plant - and federal money to eat. Post investigators M. Gilbert Gaul, Dan Morgan and Sarah Cohen has shown, for example, that in the last four years, Mark Orebaugh, a farmer south-west drainage of Kansas, has paid $ 81730 insurance premiums and got back $ 295796 on claims of more than 3 1 / 2 times what it in. He also disaster relief to consider, furthermore, since the essential parts of its crop were destroyed in four of the last six years . During the last 10 years, four of 10 dollars for disaster relief was only four states - Kansas, North Dakota, South Dakota and Texas. More than half of all agricultural payments are concentrated in 25 districts congress elections.

Improductifs farmers are not the only ones who exploit them. Insurance companies that work with the government proposes hood firm civil saw their profits balloon in recent years. The federal government sets the price reports, assistance to farmers to pay, and the insurer reimburses the administrative costs. Insurance companies, then put the responsibility for their accounts at risk on the taxpayer. Last year, the plant has sent insurers benefit of $ 927 million and took $ 829 million in management fees from the government.

However, North Dakota farmer Terry Aronson unpretentiously defended the system post-journalist. “The taxpayers to fund something good, rural life. But most Americans - far from the” life of the rural world “in urban and suburban - not only pay the opportunity cost of funneling money to farmers, but also the incalculable costs of failed trade negotiations, which violates U.S. consumers. America has a sentimental relationship with its arable land. But the preservation of rural life of a pair, unproductive farmers is not worth the price, it is worth doing so.

The letter begins: “We are with you what we know, it is regrettable to your messages Allstate Insurance.”

Scared, Marie Collins reached for her glasses, a magnifying glass and pored over the writing, conducting a Sinking Feeling, this is not a standard mailing by the company ensures that their country of origin.

It was a cancellation. Their house was abandoned, writing said, because it is on the path of future hurricanes.

But Collins does not live in New Orleans or even Florida. She lives in New York City.

Hurricane Katrina has perhaps the country in case of the Gulf Coast during the past year, but its effects are felt hundreds of kilometers, because insurers Gerangel to their exposure to future disasters.

“It is scandalous,” said Collins, who has lived 81 of his 83 years in the same house in the New York district of Brooklyn, where a devastating hurricane has not once since 1938.

But it is one of 30000 dwellings of the nation No. 2 insurers, Allstate Corp., the cancellation is in coastal counties of New York, the need for protection from storms to come himself. Other major players are following suit: Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. No longer writing on the new policy of the eastern half of Long Island, NY, while MetLife Inc. is one of inspections and costly storm shutters for new customers living within 5 miles of salt water.

It is an exit strategy, which deploys: After Hurricane Andrew in 1992, insurers drastically reduce its presence in Florida and force the inhabitants of costly, state-run insurance pool. The difference now is that insurers are not only created a political objectives of Hurricane traditional Florida, but throughout the East Coast.

“My homeland is in the center of Cape Cod, it is nowhere near the beach. But we are not all painted with same brush, “said Paul Covell, 67, recently received his resignation letter to the Hingham Mutual Group, Massachusetts - insurance, 5000 decreased by its clients in Chapter

Even if the North-East was not a goal in full decades, the high replacement value of houses, there is a vulnerable place in a portfolio of insurance.

“Houses in Long Island (New York) during the last five years, between 60 and 70 per cent. Believe me, our prices are not increased by 60 or 70 percent, “said Edward M. Liddy, Chairman and Chief Executive of Northbrook - Ill.-based Allstate.” You look at our exposure and you say: ” We want to provide capital for the protection and care for all our 17 million households across the country. “To achieve this, you may need to reduce your exposure in a small way in other areas.”

The present in the sector point out that only a huge event like Katrina allows economies wegzaubern year, which allows for any insurance company with any nation at risk.

Edward B. Rust Jr., chairman and CEO of State Farm Insurance Co., the largest nation of personal property and accident insurers, Andrew used as an example. During 1992, a subsidiary of Bloomington, Ill.-based companies, State Farm Fire & Casualty, was the best assurance of house arrest in the country. Andrew claims resulting from the consumption of cumulative profits since its inception in 1935.

“That’s what this low frequency, but the seriousness of events may be high. They do not eat a win, but all the accumulated capital,” said Rust. “And I do not speak only of politics in Florida But in Seattle, North Dakota, Maine, New York.

In Washington Wednesday, Democrats joined Republicans to lambast the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for the manufacture of most radical turn the responsibility of deregulation in decades.

In the future, a company can create their own television stations reaching 45 percent - instead of 35 percent - of American households, and in most cases, the very organization of media can create their own television stations and newspapers in the same market. It is also much easier to own two television stations in the same city, even in three major markets. Republican Senator Ted Stevens already has a bill to restore the 35 percent cap.

In his case, opponents of deregulation on incidents of radio, where strict rules of property were abandoned during the year 1996. Two of them in a small town in North Dakota and a band called The Dixie Chicks.

In Minot, North Dakota, there are seven commercial radio stations, six held by Clear Channel, the USA’s largest radio group with more than 1200 stations. A freight train derailed, the distribution of a toxic cloud. Minot citizens in their radio stations for information, as he was after in an emergency. What she received was recorded before the music shows. It was a human being under an obligation to Clear Channel station, but it could not be contacted.

Earlier this year, just before the war in Iraq, the leader singer of Dixie Chicks said during a concert: “We are ashamed, president of USA from Texas.” Accordingly, the Chicks “Music has been banned for 42 stations of music in possession of Cumulus, the second to the USA Radio-group.

The sum of incidents in pursuing the case. The concentration of media power can be Stripage costs of such things as local news and increases the potential for abuse and the erosion of plurality.

Supporters argue that technology, undermining the motivation for the conservation of different media in separate boxes and large groups can afford to show greater quality, innovation and give a wider choice.

What is lacking in the debate, any coherent evidence to solve the problem. There is little doubt that the new rules the FCC receives the green light and that President Bush, his right of veto on all invoices to overthrow.

Developments in the USA is a large, if not the intent, the impact on Great Britain moves to liberalize rules on media ownership. The aspect of communication by Bill now the House of Lords, the decision approving an American company according to its own ITV and a large number of commercial radio stations. If Clear Channel Radio Capital wants to buy in the future to do so.

There have always been doubts that the Americans were interested in this new chance. The doubts increased, as the government increases the regulatory barriers in the draft law on the protection of quality programmes.

However, the USA media giants. such as Viacom and Disney, the interest on their home market free of fear that Ofcom, the new British regulatory authority, tell them what to do.

With a modest local television station to the USA costs £ 320 million, is it some time before the USA players run from the house of investment opportunities and their gaze alights on the complexity of market UK.

It is clear that the government of combat, despite growing opposition to lords to protect a potential meaning. Labour has a big game to anticipate “results-based” policy. Is there any evidence to say that the opening of property non-EU players are investments in the British media, it is difficult to find.

Tessa Jowell, secretary general of culture, acknowledged that it is not possible to know how many there would be new investments. But it implied that the market for the verification of the Independent Television Commission, supported by an expert group headed by Bob Phillis, Chief Executive of the Guardian Media Group, insofar as sufficient evidence for the job.

Well, to some extent. The group, though there is no indication of the level of new investments. He simply said he felt “a balance”, that the risk of property to a deterioration of calendars was low and was a flow of foreign capital.

Jowell should also read bits of the ITC report calls for an “insurance policy” in order to avoid any risk that the increased use of equipment to USA, UK Squeeze production.

But as for new investment flows, bet it now that Americans are far more fish to fry.

North Dakota Republicans have every reason to be confident that they not included among the “countries of the battlefield.” Few voices elections seem sure that North Dakota, the three go to President Bush in its competition with the Democratic challenger, Senator John Kerry.

North Dakota has assured Bush 61 percent to 33 percent in 2000 - a margin of victory that the GOP Nominee exceeded in only five other countries and that nearly one rivaled President Ronald Reagan’s 31 points during his landslide election victory State 1984 .

The strong Bush vote during the year 2000, a series of lies independent North Dakota voters is clear that in his All-Democratic congressional delegation: Sens Byron Dorgan and L. Kent Conrad, and At-Large Rep. Earl Pomeroy.

Nevertheless, there appears little evidence that Kerry can provide a State was the last Democrat to the president, if favorite spot Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964 and has preference GOP candidate in 15 of the last 16 elections.

Confidence in the prospects for Bush and Vice President Dick Cheney, most of the 26 delegates that the North Dakota New York to attend the Republican National Convention the greatest experience of their years.

“We got the opportunity to appoint a new team impressive Bush-Cheney team in New York,” said Jason Stverak, a delegate, also serves as Executive Director of the State Republican party. “I do not think, could you ask for something better than in the capital of the world, to support a president and vice-presidents led to what our nation through some very difficult times, because they been elected. ”

Stverak credited Bush for rebuilding the economy after the administration of President Bill Clinton and 2001, terrorist attacks, and to defend our nation and the war on terrorists. ”

“We are fighting in this war in Kabul and Baghdad instead of Kansas City or Boston,” he said.

The delegate table service is crowned with you, John Hoeven, chairman of the delegation and a serious favorite to win a second term this year. Hoeven, is also chairman of the re-election of Bush, campaigning in North Dakota, participates in the Convention, with his wife Mikey Hoeven, is also a delegate.

Other officials elected national delegates are Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem and Insurance Commissioner Jim Poolman.

Stenehjem is a member of a prominent Republican political family in North Dakota. His wife, Beth Bakke Stenehjem, is a delegate. Thus, a cousin, Steve Stenehjem. His brother, Bob Stenehjem, serves as head of the State of the majority of the Senate.

This year, longshot Republican candidate for the Senate, Mike Liffrig is another delegation. Liffrig, a lawyer who is significant in its financing offer to submit unseat Democratic Dorgan in place.

The party of the house American challenger, Duane Sand, is also another delegation. Sable, a Navy veteran of 2000 has lost the race for the Senate Democrat Conrad a wide margin of maneuver, but it is expected that Pomeroy a competitive challenge.

Bev Clayburgh delegate is the wife of Ben Clayburgh, delegate a representative, was ineffective Conrad’s 1994 Senate opponent. They are the parents of the State Tax Commissioner Rick Clayburgh, almost defeated, Pomeroy 2002 in the house prevented the race, but revenge for this year.

He is a young element of the Republican delegation of North Dakota. The newest member is 18 years, Peter Leedahl. Joe Miller, a delegate for 23 years, is the chairman of the North Dakota College Republican. Lynelle delegate strength is a young university graduate.

Even some delegates put in place are politically young. Poolman, 33; Daniel Traynor, a former chairman of the party state, 32 and 30 is Stverak.

The largess demonstrated by the Senate in its budget padding of billions of dollars in additional spending this week shows that legislators are no different from many of its elements: They do nothing against, drag the card is free, if money is scarce.

Only a few hours after the opening of a new line of credit by increasing the debt limit the Confederation of the Senate protzte on a strip of popular programs before approving a spending plan was much more a document of economic policy, the pressure on their ends the next elections.

Forced to freedom of choice between new applications for savings and requests for more money, many Democrats Republicans occurred in achieving deeper into the coffers of the state, so that the party new restrictive budgetary policies in tatters.

Some of his colleagues, he was open and halting the fall of nervous politicians ducking a tough attitude to avoid spending leading role in the campaign of negative publicity. In some Republicans, this year the closest links course - Conrad Burns of Montana, Mike DeWine of Ohio, Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania, Jim Talent of Missouri and Lincoln Chafee of Rhode Island - all supported the head of budget Gaming approved destination because it added value 7 billion for medical research, education and safety of workers.

Lawmakers, analysts and others, “said Senate hesitates on costs related to the terminal was a natural consequence of an approach that does not recognize a reality changed much. In some respects, the administration and Congress to act as if the surplus welcomed President Bush when it comes to the White House is still in the bank, instead recognize that anything that was available, then the wind has been the case and more than aufgegessen Tax cuts.

The reality is that the cuts, plus two wars, new needs of internal security, natural disasters and a wide spread of the disease have left the government expects to exceed evil, with no prospect of return to balance it at any time fast.

The criticism made by many Democrats - the absence of real progress can be made in defining the nation’s finances right proves once again the Congress, tax cuts and the nation is not enough to invest in managing their economic and social ills - are not much of a hearing in Washington, where Republicans are responsible.

“I think the mistake is critical inability to adapt to the new fiscal policy because of circumstances,” said Robert L. Bixby, executive director of Concord Coalition, a group bipartie is conducive to reducing the deficit by spending cuts and tax increases.

Mr. Bixby and others say that the Republicans control Congress and the Bush administration showed a nearby, out of a total non-compliance with budgetary discipline, running, new debts.

“The problem we have on the budget all along a lack of adult supervision on the part of the White House,” said Bruce Bartlett, an economist and author of a new book critical vis-à - vis the economic assessment of Bush. “You can not be responsible members of Congress to research their interests. He is the chairman of the responsibility of defending national interests”.

With the President of influence on Capitol Hill skating with his investigation figures, but it is not clear, as much authority Mr. Bush could have on independent legislators. Republican Senate has shown no hesitation on the breakdown of expenditure ceilings, it took more than $ 16 billion after the elimination of some of its cuts.

And while the house, which was given $ 92 billion in war spending, a state of emergency and aid the hurricane, rejected most efforts to increase the total amount, the legislator wanted buy a few extras, including more than $ 50 million for the Mission of peacekeeping in Darfur.

Almost lost in all households and spending activity was the House of Representatives and Senate negotiators continue trying to hammer a new agreement for tax cuts that could cost an additional $ 70 billion over a period of five years.

If Republicans in the Senate, was motivated by a political calculation that this is not the right time for the tax valves, much less deep cut in national spending, it may have what some conservatives suggested could be a setback from the right. Many strategists have warned that conservative Republicans, their basic skills trailers are demoralized by what they see as uncontrolled growth of government.

John Kasich, a Republican, former chairman of the House Budget Committee and supporters of a balanced budget, is now an investment adviser and author, he had much of Washington on waiver of political impetus, please contact different groups voters unbridled spending. ”

Republican Guide to see something different. You refer to almost $ 40 billion in savings from social insurance programs have produced in the past year, an effort, a lot of political efforts. And a linear reduction shaved about $ 8 billion in current budgets Agency.

She said that the intention to keep spending for most agencies outside the army and internal security this year to narrow limits, and try to delete some supplements Senate, expenditures in the negotiations with home.

To do so, they must circumvent Senator Arlen Specter, Republican of Pennsylvania, clamored for the extra $ 7 billion. Mr. Specter said he had reduced spending constraints too deeply into health care and education programs and is a strong show of support for the money - a majority of Republicans backed.

Republicans also say they see a line of proposed points of veto and new restrictions on draft PET as part of a rehabilitation contact their spending habit. During these initiatives, some suspect end of May, practices, most of them expect that the savings Chump Change, in an era of $ 350 billion per year, deficits and $ 9 trillion debt total.

Exercise serious pessimists think the only real can be resolved in a meeting bipartie of mind, all programs of the Confederation on the table, taking into account the costs and tax increases.

“I have concluded this offer is so great, it can not be done unless both parties to cooperate,” said Senator Kent Conrad of North Dakota, senior Democrat on the Budget Committee.

But Mr. Conrad acknowledged that nothing material has been done, was able in a short time, with both sides girding for November. As the reflection of the Senate, the economy is not an option for the budget year.