2013 May 15 « Dr Alf's Blog

Angela Merkel, the Chancellor of Germany (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This is an excellent article from Spiegel Online and well worth a read. Check it out!

Anti Euro Party Alternative for Germany a Growing Problem for Merkel – SPIEGEL ONLINE.

The article provides some useful insights into German politics ahead of the September election. For me, perhaps the most interesting comment was about the German Chancellor‘s anger at drawing attention to the anti-Euro party that favors leaving the Euro. Whilst I accept that Angela Merkel is an excellent leader and very shrewd politically, it worries me that she is described as being “angry”. Is Angela Merkel perhaps in denial about the Euro crisis?

Off course, German domestic politics is very different to international politics. Within Germany, there is perhaps the prevailing view that Germany has done too much to bail out the weaker countries of Southern Europe. On the other hand, the international view is that Germany has not done enough to reflate her economy to ease the pain of austerity in Southern Europe.

Against this polarization of views, it is not surprising that Angela Merkel is worried about the anti-Euro party that favors leaving the Euro.

I would be interested in your views on the following question:

Is Angela Merkel in denial about the Euro crisis?

This is a good article from the BBC Health blog, focusing on policy options to address dementia in the UK. It’s well worth a read. Check it out!

via BBC News – Dementia diagnosis rates: ‘Shockingly low’.

Personally, as I read the article carefully, I was once again convinced that David Cameron’s Government did not have a clear policy and action plan. The article cites David Cameron empathizing with the problem and stressing that it should consume the UK’s brightest minds.

Once again, the Government does not have a clear vision, strategy and implementation plan. All options require bottom-up costing and independent risk-assessment.

I have a good friend with dementia and have watched him deteriorate over the last five years. I seriously struggle to see how the policy options mentioned in this article would have made a significant difference to my friend. Perhaps, you have first-hand experience of dementia?

I accept the point that good diet can help delay the symptoms of dementia. This week we have seen evidence linking dementia to obesity.

English: David Cameron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and leader of the Conservative Party (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Surely, the healthy diet debate is a massive healthcare challenge of its own? In my mind, the Government is not doing enough to promote healthy diet and excercise.

Any thoughts on any of these points?