The Washington Post is reporting on a landmark case decided by the California Supreme Court which protects the rights of employers to maintain a drug-free workplace.  The court determined that employers can still terminate workers who fail a drug test - whether the drugs were taken for "medicinal" purposes or not.  If employers are liable for the actions of their employees while they are under the influence of illegal substances, they should be able to eliminate this risk from their businesses.  Freedom's Watch applauds this common sense decision that will protect employers and combat drug use.

The New York Times has published an article detailing John Edward's openness to a health care system that is entirely government-controlled.  While all of the leading Democratic Presidential candidates have essentially have the government calling the shots, Edwards goes the farthest by saying he would endorse a federalized system much like those in Canada and western Europe.  This would, of course, result in government bureaucrats making decisions that should be left to doctors and patients.  It would undermind the quality of health care Americans now receive.

Government subsidies and tax credits would be available to low- and middle-income families that cannot afford insurance. Those below the federal poverty line — currently $21,200 for a family of four — would get free coverage, Mr. Edwards said. Those making less than 250 percent of the poverty level — currently $53,000 — would be heavily subsidized and there would be some financial help for those making up to about $100,000.

Employers that do not offer medical benefits to their workers would have to contribute 6 percent of their revenues to the regional government pools that would offer Medicare-style plans. Midsize businesses and employers with large numbers of low-wage workers might be asked to pay less, and the smallest businesses would be exempt, Edwards aides said.

To pay for those subsidies, which account for much of the estimated $90 billion to $120 billion cost of the plan, Mr. Edwards would rescind President Bush’s income tax cuts for those with incomes above $200,000. Additional revenue would be produced through a broad menu of cost-control measures.