Hot Buttons: Talk show topics

STUDY: GENEROUS OLDSTERS LIVE LONGER

Older Americans who are generous with their time and help can reduce their risk of dying prematurely by 60 percent, a new study suggests.

The study, to be published in a future issue of the journal Psychology Science, finds people who reported providing no help to others were more than twice as likely to die sooner than people who gave of themselves, United Press International reports.

Psychologist Stephanie Brown, the study's author, says previous studies have credited receiving support from another individual with prolonging life.

The new research contradicts that finding, Brown says. It is the giving, not the receiving, that increases longevity.

"Making a contribution to the lives of other people may help to extend our own lives," says Brown, of the University of Michigan Institute for Social Research.

-- Why are some people generous and others stingy in giving of their time and help?

-- Is this something that can be learned or does a generous child turn into a generous adult?

(Thanks to Marcella S. Kreiter, UPI Chicago)

STATES TAKE STEP TOWARD NET TAXES

State governments searching for badly needed revenue have taken another step toward removing a longtime roadblock to the taxation of Internet sales but a tax reformer warns their plan is doomed to failure, United Press International reports.

State tax officials, legislators and other delegates from 31 states adopted a model agreement Wednesday in Chicago that would bring uniformity to sales taxes assessed across the nation.

Revenue-strapped state governments are losing up to $14 billion a year on untaxed Internet transactions, according to Frank Shafroth, director state-federal relations for the National Governors Association in Washington.

Under the model pact, uniform definitions would be established for taxable goods and each state or local government would agree on one tax rate for each product before 2006. Compliance by states and businesses would be voluntary.

Grover Norquist, of the Americans for Tax Reform, warns of invasion of privacy because computer purchases would be identified and tracked for tax purposes.

-- Norquist says one state collecting taxes in another state is doomed because it would lend itself to corruption and abuse. Do you agree?

-- Norquist says "brick and mortar" stores complain e-commerce doesn't have to pay sales tax but it doesn't' use government services, like roads, either. What do you think?

(Thanks to UPI's Phil Magers)

POSSIBLE VENTURA TALK SHOW

Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura may be headed back behind the microphone when he leaves office in January after serving one term as Minnesota governor.

The former professional wrestler-turned-politician reportedly is in talks with the MSNBC cable television channel.

Ventura has been a guest three times on the channel's highest-rated show, "Hardball," and he wraps up the last of his weekly Friday live "Lunch with the Governor" radio shows on Minnesota Public Radio Nov. 22.

MSNBC, which has talk shows hosted by Phil Donahue, Pat Buchanan and Lester Holt, says it had no comment at this time. But the St. Paul Pioneer Press says Ventura and the cable outlet jointly owned by Microsoft and NBC had discussed a talk show focusing on general news and media criticism.

Ventura has been a Navy SEAL, pro wrestler, ring broadcaster, action movie actor, talk-radio host and a color commentator for the short-lived XFL professional football league.

-- Would you watch a Ventura talk show?

-- Which, if any, cable television talk shows do you watch and why?