By DÉBORA REY Associated Press

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina — In the middle of the concrete jungle that is Argentina's bustling capital, <a href="https://youtu.be/DBG_CCmByPw">a huge mural</a> has emerged of Diego Maradona wearing a national team jersey, his right hand in a fist and a defiant expression on his face.

The
 massive artwork, 148 feet high and 131 feet wide (45 meters by 40 
meters) and painted on the side of a 14-story building in Buenos Aires, 
is one of several tributes that Argentines have dedicated to their 
soccer “God” shortly before the start of this year's <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup">World Cup</a> in Qatar, the first since Maradona's death on Nov. 25, 2020.

Maradona's
 feats and defeats as a player on the national team are being 
remembered, from the famous and infamous goals against England before 
the county won the 1986 World Cup to the failed final against West 
Germany four years later, and the doping test that got him expelled from
 the following World Cup in 1994.

Well-known street artist Martín 
Ron was behind the world's largest mural, inspired by a photograph of 
the then-Argentina captain that captures his expression shortly before 
he sang the national anthem at the 1990 World Cup final against West 
Germany, which Argentina lost 1-0.

“It's a photo of Diego when he 
was close to winning the country's third star,” Ron told The Associated 
Press during a break from the work he began a month ago.

Argentina also won the World Cup in 1978, but Maradona didn't make the team for that tournament.

“This photo summarizes everything Diego was,” Ron said. “Beyond the player, he was the guts, the motor, the heart.”

To
 one side of Maradona's face, Ron painted a constellation of stars in 
the shape of a kite, a reference to his nickname “cosmic kite," which is
 what one well-known radio commentator called the soccer star following 
his second goal against England in 1986.

“His absence will be 
felt, Diego was always a star. In all the World Cups he did his own 
thing, inside and outside the field," Ron said. “And in Qatar, he will 
sadly not be there.”

Ron's mural was officially unveiled on Sunday to coincide with the soccer great's birthday.

Days earlier, the Argentine soccer association received the original <a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-business-b48b459b4d01a1b975805cfdc41d8a07">jersey that Maradona wore</a>
 in the 1986 World Cup. It was a gift from Germany great Lothar 
Matthäus, who exchanged jerseys with Maradona after the final that 
Argentina won 3-2 at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.

“One of 
the happiest moments with him was when (Brazilian referee) Arppi Filho 
blew the whistle during the final in Mexico. I just happened to be very 
close to Diego, I was lucky that he hugged me before anybody else,” 
former player Ricardo Giusti recalled during a recent event alongside 
other former World Cup champions outside Buenos Aires.

“We enjoyed
 it so much, everybody enjoyed Diego. That's what's sad. It makes us 
feel a lot of sadness, sorrow and disillusion,” the former midfielder 
said.

Matthäus' donation was a sort of reparation for Argentina 
after it failed to win an auction for the jersey Maradona wore in the 
match against England in the quarterfinals of that World Cup tournament.
 An unknown bidder from outside the country bought the iconic item at 
auction for a record $9 million in May.

In 1994, Maradona played 
his last World Cup match against Nigeria in the group stage. He was 
suspended for 15 months following the 2-1 victory after a positive 
doping test.

As Argentina coach, Maradona led the national team to
 the quarterfinals at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, but the team 
lost to Germany 4-0.

One of the most disturbing images came eight 
years later at the 2018 World Cup in Russia when an overweight and 
somewhat disoriented Maradona collapsed at the stadium in St. Petersburg
 following a 2-1 victory over Nigeria.

Maradona died at the age of
 60 while he was under hospital care in his home following brain 
surgery. Judicial authorities continue to investigate if medical 
negligence was involved.

“He is missed, Diego's image has been, 
and is, very strong,” said Carlos Tapia, another member of the 1986 
championship team. “He was our reference, captain, everything. He was 
always close to each one of us. Let's hope he can be a guiding light 
from above in Qatar."

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667832396107.jpeg" alt="Women play with balls during the inauguration of a mural of Diego Maradona by artist Martin Ron in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. Sunday marks the birth date of Maradona who died on Nov. 25, 2020 at the age of 60. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)" />
 <figcaption>Women play with balls during the inauguration of a mural of Diego Maradona by artist Martin Ron in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Sunday, Oct. 30, 2022. Sunday marks the birth date of Maradona who died on Nov. 25, 2020 at the age of 60. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)</figcaption>
 </figure>By DÉBORA REY Associated PressBUENOS AIRES, Argentina — In the middle of the concrete jungle that is Argentina's bustling capital, <a href="https://youtu.be/DBG_CCmByPw">a huge mural</a> has emerged of Diego Maradona wearing a national team jersey, his right hand in a fist and a defiant expression on his face.The
 massive artwork, 148 feet high and 131 feet wide (45 meters by 40 
meters) and painted on the side of a 14-story building in Buenos Aires, 
is one of several tributes that Argentines have dedicated to their 
soccer “God” shortly before the start of this year's <a href="https://apnews.com/hub/world-cup">World Cup</a> in Qatar, the first since Maradona's death on Nov. 25, 2020.Maradona's
 feats and defeats as a player on the national team are being 
remembered, from the famous and infamous goals against England before 
the county won the 1986 World Cup to the failed final against West 
Germany four years later, and the doping test that got him expelled from
 the following World Cup in 1994.Well-known street artist Martín 
Ron was behind the world's largest mural, inspired by a photograph of 
the then-Argentina captain that captures his expression shortly before 
he sang the national anthem at the 1990 World Cup final against West 
Germany, which Argentina lost 1-0.“It's a photo of Diego when he 
was close to winning the country's third star,” Ron told The Associated 
Press during a break from the work he began a month ago.Argentina also won the World Cup in 1978, but Maradona didn't make the team for that tournament.“This photo summarizes everything Diego was,” Ron said. “Beyond the player, he was the guts, the motor, the heart.”To
 one side of Maradona's face, Ron painted a constellation of stars in 
the shape of a kite, a reference to his nickname “cosmic kite," which is
 what one well-known radio commentator called the soccer star following 
his second goal against England in 1986.“His absence will be 
felt, Diego was always a star. In all the World Cups he did his own 
thing, inside and outside the field," Ron said. “And in Qatar, he will 
sadly not be there.”Ron's mural was officially unveiled on Sunday to coincide with the soccer great's birthday.Days earlier, the Argentine soccer association received the original <a href="https://apnews.com/article/sports-business-b48b459b4d01a1b975805cfdc41d8a07">jersey that Maradona wore</a>
 in the 1986 World Cup. It was a gift from Germany great Lothar 
Matthäus, who exchanged jerseys with Maradona after the final that 
Argentina won 3-2 at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico City.“One of 
the happiest moments with him was when (Brazilian referee) Arppi Filho 
blew the whistle during the final in Mexico. I just happened to be very 
close to Diego, I was lucky that he hugged me before anybody else,” 
former player Ricardo Giusti recalled during a recent event alongside 
other former World Cup champions outside Buenos Aires.“We enjoyed
 it so much, everybody enjoyed Diego. That's what's sad. It makes us 
feel a lot of sadness, sorrow and disillusion,” the former midfielder 
said.Matthäus' donation was a sort of reparation for Argentina 
after it failed to win an auction for the jersey Maradona wore in the 
match against England in the quarterfinals of that World Cup tournament.
 An unknown bidder from outside the country bought the iconic item at 
auction for a record $9 million in May.In 1994, Maradona played 
his last World Cup match against Nigeria in the group stage. He was 
suspended for 15 months following the 2-1 victory after a positive 
doping test.As Argentina coach, Maradona led the national team to
 the quarterfinals at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, but the team 
lost to Germany 4-0.One of the most disturbing images came eight 
years later at the 2018 World Cup in Russia when an overweight and 
somewhat disoriented Maradona collapsed at the stadium in St. Petersburg
 following a 2-1 victory over Nigeria.Maradona died at the age of
 60 while he was under hospital care in his home following brain 
surgery. Judicial authorities continue to investigate if medical 
negligence was involved.“He is missed, Diego's image has been, 
and is, very strong,” said Carlos Tapia, another member of the 1986 
championship team. “He was our reference, captain, everything. He was 
always close to each one of us. Let's hope he can be a guiding light 
from above in Qatar."

A giant Maradona emerges in Argentina, days before World Cup

By VINAYA MANCHAIAH and CORY PORTNUFF <a href="https://theconversation.com/over-the-counter-hearing-aids-offer-a-wide-range-of-options-here-are-things-to-consider-before-buying-192936">The Conversation</a>

Following the <a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-finalizes-historic-rule-enabling-access-over-counter-hearing-aids-millions-americans">U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s ruling</a> in August 2022, nonprescription over-the-counter hearing aids went on sale <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/17/hearing-aids-are-now-available-over-the-counter-from-walgreens-cvs-and-best-buy.html">at pharmacies, supermarkets and consumer electronic stores</a> on Oct. 17, 2022. These devices are intended only for people with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss.

For millions of Americans, these over-the-counter hearing aids are <a href="https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/over-counter-hearing-aids">easier to access and less expensive</a> than prescription versions. Some people view them as a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/over-the-counter-hearing-aids/">tremendous innovation</a>. Yet others say <a href="https://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/healthcare/333943-sen-warrens-not-listening-otc-hearing-aids-will-do-more-harm-than-good/">they won’t work optimally</a>, as the device may be of poor quality, or consumers may not self-diagnose or customize the device appropriately.

As <a href="https://som.ucdenver.edu/Profiles/Faculty/Profile/36711">audiologists specializing</a> in <a href="https://www.uchealth.org/provider/cory-portnuff/">hearing care</a>, we are actively involved in <a href="https://scholar.google.at/citations?user=rgECg40AAAAJ&amp;hl=en">health care research</a> and the <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=JdYxmRoAAAAJ&amp;hl=en">clinical care</a> of people with a range of hearing disorders. We have also conducted research on <a href="https://virtualhearinglab.org/">over-the-counter hearing aids</a>.

Our aim is to present a balanced view on what is known about 
over-the-counter aids based on academic research – and provide you tips 
on what to know when shopping for these devices. 

The newly available <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/08/17/2022-17230/medical-devices-ear-nose-and-throat-devices-establishing-over-the-counter-hearing-aids">over-the-counter hearing aids</a> add to a range of existing devices, including <a href="https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/guidance-documents-medical-devices-and-radiation-emitting-products/class-ii-special-controls-guidance-document-transcutaneous-air-conduction-hearing-aid-system-tachas">conventional prescription hearing aids</a> and <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/10/28/2019-23464/medical-devices-ear-nose-and-throat-devices-classification-of-the-self-fitting-air-conduction">self-fitting hearing devices</a>.
 Conventional hearing aids are tailored to fit by a hearing care 
professional. But over-the-counter devices come either in self-fitting 
types – meaning they adjust to the wearer’s hearing after self-testing –
 or preset, a type that is less individualized.

In addition, there are three other categories of hearing-related devices to be aware of. These include <a href="https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/hearing-aids-and-personal-sound-amplification-products-what-know">personal sound amplification products</a>, which serve as hearing enhancement devices for individuals with normal hearing. A second type are called <a href="https://www.hearingtracker.com/hearables">hearables</a>,
 like wireless earbuds designed for listening to music or tracking 
fitness. The third fall under consumer audio, like headphones.

None of the products in those categories are regulated, because they 
are not considered medical devices. But as technology advances, many of 
them may have functions similar to hearing aids. In other words, all the
 hearing devices listed above may look similar to one another and may be
 hard to distinguish just by their appearance. 

Because of the variety of devices on the market, you should read 
product labels to make sure you’re not confusing over-the-counter 
hearing aids with other technologies. It is not uncommon to see <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/1995/11/ftc-settles-false-advertising-charges-against-maker-miracle-ear">false advertising claims</a>, such as personal sound amplification products or hearables advertised as over-the-counter hearing aids.

As noted, over-the-counter hearing aids come in two types: 
one-size-fits-most, with preset listening programs, and self-fitting, 
which can be more finely adjusted using apps on a smartphone. The latter
 type goes through a more rigorous <a href="https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/device-approvals-denials-and-clearances/510k-clearances">government approval process</a>
 and generally costs more. The least expensive ones cost around US$200, 
with the most running about $800. For comparison, prescription hearing 
aids start at roughly $1,000 and go up to approximately $6,000 per pair.
 The difference in cost is based on the technology level of the device 
as well as added services provided by hearing care professionals.

<a href="https://doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S135390">Our review of the literature</a>
 on over-the counter aids revealed the following: First, several studies
 looking at their acoustic characteristics – that is, the degree of 
sound distortion and self-generated noise – found mixed results. Some 
over-the-counter hearing products <a href="https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/827463">don’t measure up to acceptable standards</a>, whereas others <a href="https://doi.org/10.1097/MAO.0000000000001414">do provide appropriate amplification</a>.

Second, several <a href="https://hearingreview.com/hearing-products/marketrak-viii-utilization-of-psaps-and-direct-mail-hearing-aids-by-people-with-hearing-impairment">large-scale consumer surveys in the U.S.</a> and <a href="https://www.ehima.com/surveys/">Japan</a>
 suggest that users are less satisfied with over-the-counter aids than 
with conventional prescription hearing aids. This lower satisfaction can
 be primarily attributed to consumers choosing inappropriate devices or 
being unable to personalize or handle them.

Conversely, several clinical trials <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/2331216519900589">measuring the self-fitting process</a> and the benifits of over-the-counter hearing aids <a href="https://doi.org/10.1044/2017_AJA-16-0111">generally report positive outcomes</a> for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. More <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond=Hearing+Loss%2C+Sensorineural&amp;term=OTC+hearing+aid&amp;cntry=&amp;state=&amp;city=&amp;dist=">clinical trials are ongoing</a>.

To add to the confusion, there is another caveat to those studies: 
Most examined early generations of direct-to-consumer hearing devices 
such as the personal sound amplification products – not the 
over-the-counter hearing aids that are now on the market. That is why 
consumers should take the results of those early studies with some 
skepticism. What’s more, as the market matures, a combination of 
competition and regulation will likely improve the quality of the 
devices.

You’ll want to take into account the look, feel and capabilities of 
the device. Ask yourself: Do you want a hearing aid that looks more like
 a wireless earbud – small and not noticeable? Is it comfortable to wear
 or irritating after several hours? Will it work with a smartphone and 
Bluetooth? How often does it need to be recharged?

Also: What is the warranty? How can I get the device fixed if it 
breaks? What’s the return policy? Is there free customer support after 
the purchase? Is the device appropriate for my particular kind of 
hearing issue?

Only a <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/reviewed/2022/10/17/otc-hearing-aids-buy-now-bose-lively/10523887002/">handful of companies</a>
 now offer over-the-counter hearing aids. Some may not be in the 
business for very long. So choose a brand with a good reputation that 
stands behind its product, offers customer service assistance and lets 
you return the device and receive a refund if it doesn’t work for you.

Studies show that people often <a href="https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.15009">underestimate the severity of their hearing loss</a>.
 For these people, the over-the-counter devices may not provide adequate
 amplification. Remember, they work only for those with mild to moderate
 hearing loss. In addition, some people may have treatable hearing 
problems, like earwax buildup, that need medical treatment instead of 
hearing aids.

That’s why we strongly recommend consumers get a hearing test from an
 audiologist before purchasing the over-the-counter hearing aids. If 
that is not feasible, you can take a <a href="https://www.who.int/teams/noncommunicable-diseases/sensory-functions-disability-and-rehabilitation/hearwho">free online hearing test</a> and also <a href="https://sites.northwestern.edu/cedra/">screen yourself for risk of an ear disease</a> or other conditions that may affect hearing. And <a href="https://doi.org/10.1044/2018_JSLHR-H-18-0370">online consumer reviews</a> provide user reports on the perceived benefits and limitations about specific products.

If you find the over-the-counter devices don’t work for you, there may be <a href="https://www.hearingloss.org/hearing-help/technology/otc-hearing-devices/otc-hearing-aids/">some issues that are fixable</a>. But if not, don’t forget: You always have the option to return them – and then, make an appointment with <a href="https://theconversation.com/newly-available-over-the-counter-hearing-aids-offer-many-benefits-but-consumers-should-be-aware-of-the-potential-drawbacks-189041">a hearing health care professional</a>.

Vinaya Manchaiah, Professor of Otolaryngology – Head &amp; Neck Surgery , University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

Cory Portnuff, Assistant Clinical Professor of Audiology, Clinical Audiologist, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667752867123.jpg" alt="Now that over-the-counter hearing aids are available, it’s important to know what questions to ask. Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Now that over-the-counter hearing aids are available, it’s important to know what questions to ask. Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By VINAYA MANCHAIAH and CORY PORTNUFF <a href="https://theconversation.com/over-the-counter-hearing-aids-offer-a-wide-range-of-options-here-are-things-to-consider-before-buying-192936">The Conversation</a>Following the <a href="https://www.fda.gov/news-events/press-announcements/fda-finalizes-historic-rule-enabling-access-over-counter-hearing-aids-millions-americans">U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s ruling</a> in August 2022, nonprescription over-the-counter hearing aids went on sale <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/17/hearing-aids-are-now-available-over-the-counter-from-walgreens-cvs-and-best-buy.html">at pharmacies, supermarkets and consumer electronic stores</a> on Oct. 17, 2022. These devices are intended only for people with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss.For millions of Americans, these over-the-counter hearing aids are <a href="https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/over-counter-hearing-aids">easier to access and less expensive</a> than prescription versions. Some people view them as a <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/over-the-counter-hearing-aids/">tremendous innovation</a>. Yet others say <a href="https://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blog/healthcare/333943-sen-warrens-not-listening-otc-hearing-aids-will-do-more-harm-than-good/">they won’t work optimally</a>, as the device may be of poor quality, or consumers may not self-diagnose or customize the device appropriately. As <a href="https://som.ucdenver.edu/Profiles/Faculty/Profile/36711">audiologists specializing</a> in <a href="https://www.uchealth.org/provider/cory-portnuff/">hearing care</a>, we are actively involved in <a href="https://scholar.google.at/citations?user=rgECg40AAAAJ&amp;hl=en">health care research</a> and the <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=JdYxmRoAAAAJ&amp;hl=en">clinical care</a> of people with a range of hearing disorders. We have also conducted research on <a href="https://virtualhearinglab.org/">over-the-counter hearing aids</a>. Our aim is to present a balanced view on what is known about 
over-the-counter aids based on academic research – and provide you tips 
on what to know when shopping for these devices. <figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/WgUdp_LgVBQ"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure><h2>Hearing device categories</h2>The newly available <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/08/17/2022-17230/medical-devices-ear-nose-and-throat-devices-establishing-over-the-counter-hearing-aids">over-the-counter hearing aids</a> add to a range of existing devices, including <a href="https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/guidance-documents-medical-devices-and-radiation-emitting-products/class-ii-special-controls-guidance-document-transcutaneous-air-conduction-hearing-aid-system-tachas">conventional prescription hearing aids</a> and <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/10/28/2019-23464/medical-devices-ear-nose-and-throat-devices-classification-of-the-self-fitting-air-conduction">self-fitting hearing devices</a>.
 Conventional hearing aids are tailored to fit by a hearing care 
professional. But over-the-counter devices come either in self-fitting 
types – meaning they adjust to the wearer’s hearing after self-testing –
 or preset, a type that is less individualized.In addition, there are three other categories of hearing-related devices to be aware of. These include <a href="https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/hearing-aids-and-personal-sound-amplification-products-what-know">personal sound amplification products</a>, which serve as hearing enhancement devices for individuals with normal hearing. A second type are called <a href="https://www.hearingtracker.com/hearables">hearables</a>,
 like wireless earbuds designed for listening to music or tracking 
fitness. The third fall under consumer audio, like headphones. None of the products in those categories are regulated, because they 
are not considered medical devices. But as technology advances, many of 
them may have functions similar to hearing aids. In other words, all the
 hearing devices listed above may look similar to one another and may be
 hard to distinguish just by their appearance. Because of the variety of devices on the market, you should read 
product labels to make sure you’re not confusing over-the-counter 
hearing aids with other technologies. It is not uncommon to see <a href="https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/1995/11/ftc-settles-false-advertising-charges-against-maker-miracle-ear">false advertising claims</a>, such as personal sound amplification products or hearables advertised as over-the-counter hearing aids. <h2>About over-the-counter aids</h2>As noted, over-the-counter hearing aids come in two types: 
one-size-fits-most, with preset listening programs, and self-fitting, 
which can be more finely adjusted using apps on a smartphone. The latter
 type goes through a more rigorous <a href="https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/device-approvals-denials-and-clearances/510k-clearances">government approval process</a>
 and generally costs more. The least expensive ones cost around US$200, 
with the most running about $800. For comparison, prescription hearing 
aids start at roughly $1,000 and go up to approximately $6,000 per pair.
 The difference in cost is based on the technology level of the device 
as well as added services provided by hearing care professionals. <a href="https://doi.org/10.2147/CIA.S135390">Our review of the literature</a>
 on over-the counter aids revealed the following: First, several studies
 looking at their acoustic characteristics – that is, the degree of 
sound distortion and self-generated noise – found mixed results. Some 
over-the-counter hearing products <a href="https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/827463">don’t measure up to acceptable standards</a>, whereas others <a href="https://doi.org/10.1097/MAO.0000000000001414">do provide appropriate amplification</a>. Second, several <a href="https://hearingreview.com/hearing-products/marketrak-viii-utilization-of-psaps-and-direct-mail-hearing-aids-by-people-with-hearing-impairment">large-scale consumer surveys in the U.S.</a> and <a href="https://www.ehima.com/surveys/">Japan</a>
 suggest that users are less satisfied with over-the-counter aids than 
with conventional prescription hearing aids. This lower satisfaction can
 be primarily attributed to consumers choosing inappropriate devices or 
being unable to personalize or handle them.Conversely, several clinical trials <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/2331216519900589">measuring the self-fitting process</a> and the benifits of over-the-counter hearing aids <a href="https://doi.org/10.1044/2017_AJA-16-0111">generally report positive outcomes</a> for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. More <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/results?cond=Hearing+Loss%2C+Sensorineural&amp;term=OTC+hearing+aid&amp;cntry=&amp;state=&amp;city=&amp;dist=">clinical trials are ongoing</a>. To add to the confusion, there is another caveat to those studies: 
Most examined early generations of direct-to-consumer hearing devices 
such as the personal sound amplification products – not the 
over-the-counter hearing aids that are now on the market. That is why 
consumers should take the results of those early studies with some 
skepticism. What’s more, as the market matures, a combination of 
competition and regulation will likely improve the quality of the 
devices.<h2>Questions to consider before purchasing</h2>You’ll want to take into account the look, feel and capabilities of 
the device. Ask yourself: Do you want a hearing aid that looks more like
 a wireless earbud – small and not noticeable? Is it comfortable to wear
 or irritating after several hours? Will it work with a smartphone and 
Bluetooth? How often does it need to be recharged?Also: What is the warranty? How can I get the device fixed if it 
breaks? What’s the return policy? Is there free customer support after 
the purchase? Is the device appropriate for my particular kind of 
hearing issue?Only a <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/reviewed/2022/10/17/otc-hearing-aids-buy-now-bose-lively/10523887002/">handful of companies</a>
 now offer over-the-counter hearing aids. Some may not be in the 
business for very long. So choose a brand with a good reputation that 
stands behind its product, offers customer service assistance and lets 
you return the device and receive a refund if it doesn’t work for you.Studies show that people often <a href="https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.15009">underestimate the severity of their hearing loss</a>.
 For these people, the over-the-counter devices may not provide adequate
 amplification. Remember, they work only for those with mild to moderate
 hearing loss. In addition, some people may have treatable hearing 
problems, like earwax buildup, that need medical treatment instead of 
hearing aids. That’s why we strongly recommend consumers get a hearing test from an
 audiologist before purchasing the over-the-counter hearing aids. If 
that is not feasible, you can take a <a href="https://www.who.int/teams/noncommunicable-diseases/sensory-functions-disability-and-rehabilitation/hearwho">free online hearing test</a> and also <a href="https://sites.northwestern.edu/cedra/">screen yourself for risk of an ear disease</a> or other conditions that may affect hearing. And <a href="https://doi.org/10.1044/2018_JSLHR-H-18-0370">online consumer reviews</a> provide user reports on the perceived benefits and limitations about specific products. If you find the over-the-counter devices don’t work for you, there may be <a href="https://www.hearingloss.org/hearing-help/technology/otc-hearing-devices/otc-hearing-aids/">some issues that are fixable</a>. But if not, don’t forget: You always have the option to return them – and then, make an appointment with <a href="https://theconversation.com/newly-available-over-the-counter-hearing-aids-offer-many-benefits-but-consumers-should-be-aware-of-the-potential-drawbacks-189041">a hearing health care professional</a>.Vinaya Manchaiah, Professor of Otolaryngology – Head &amp; Neck Surgery , University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.Cory Portnuff, Assistant Clinical Professor of Audiology, Clinical Audiologist, University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus.<div><iframe src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/192936/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe></div>

🎥 What to consider before buying over-the-counter hearing aids

By AMY LIEBERMAN <a href="https://theconversation.com/whats-at-stake-this-election-day-7-essential-reads-193699">The Conversation</a>

As Election Day closes in, uncertainty and concern about potential 
chaos – from violence at polling sites to candidates refusing to accept 
defeat – <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-63494618">continue to rise</a>.

Problems that have historically plagued the U.S. electoral and 
political system – like voter intimidation – are cropping up ahead of 
the midterms. But so, too, are less familiar issues, like how previously
 run-of-the-mill state election positions are becoming opportunities for
 political activism.

Here are seven key issues that affect the midterm elections, drawn from stories in The Conversation’s archive.

Voter participation during midterm elections is typically low – though <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2022/11/01/turnout-in-u-s-has-soared-in-recent-elections-but-by-some-measures-still-trails-that-of-many-other-countries/">some experts say</a>
 that there could be heavy turnout this year. But the question of who 
actually heads to the polls will also be critical, as races in key <a href="https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2022-election-forecast/">swing states tighten</a>.

Young voters are much less likely to vote during midterms than older 
people, as opposed to their higher turnouts during presidential 
elections, American University government scholar <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=1XMWY78AAAAJ&amp;hl=en">Jan Leighley</a> wrote. Young voters are also more likely to identify as Democrats.

“So if younger voters are underrepresented in the November 2022 
elections, more Republicans may be elected, as well as candidates less 
likely to reflect younger citizens’ views on key issues,” <a href="https://theconversation.com/young-voters-are-more-likely-to-skip-midterm-elections-than-presidential-races-192314">Leighley wrote.</a>

Read more:
 <a href="https://theconversation.com/young-voters-are-more-likely-to-skip-midterm-elections-than-presidential-races-192314">Young voters are more likely to skip midterm elections than presidential races</a>

This year, meanwhile, record numbers of Latinos are also expected to 
turn out to vote. In 2020, most Latinos voted for President Joe Biden – 
but increasing numbers of Latino voters are also supporting GOP 
candidates, including former president Donald Trump, <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-gop-made-gains-among-latino-voters-in-2020-but-democrats-remain-the-party-of-choice-for-upcoming-midterms-192679">wrote University of Tennessee social work</a> scholar <a href="https://experts.utk.edu/experts/mary-lehman-held/">Mary Lehman Held.</a>

One reason is that Latino voters have different backgrounds, values 
and priorities. And not all would be turned off by Republican 
candidates’ restrictive immigration politics. 

“Immigration policies only affect a subset of Latinos, most notably 
Mexicans, followed by Salvadorans, Guatemalans and Hondurans,” Lehman 
Held explained.

Read more:
 <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-gop-made-gains-among-latino-voters-in-2020-but-democrats-remain-the-party-of-choice-for-upcoming-midterms-192679">The GOP made gains among Latino voters in 2020 but Democrats remain the party of choice for upcoming midterms</a>

It’s the economy, stupid, <a href="https://politicaldictionary.com/words/its-the-economy-stupid/">as the famous</a> 1992 political adage about voters’ top concern goes.

Soaring inflation <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-inflation-will-likely-stay-sky-high-regardless-of-which-party-wins-the-midterms-193416">rates top voters’</a>
 concerns this year, even though neither political party has been found 
particularly more effective at tackling the issue and bringing down 
inflation, as Texas State University finance scholar <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=eP0xZ1kAAAAJ&amp;hl=en">William Chittenden wrote.</a>

Read more:
 <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-inflation-will-likely-stay-sky-high-regardless-of-which-party-wins-the-midterms-193416">Why inflation will likely stay sky-high regardless of which party wins the midterms</a>

There was a flurry of political activism around the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn <a href="https://www.oyez.org/cases/1971/70-18">Roe v. Wade</a>
 in June 2022, undoing the federal right to an abortion. But just four 
months later, men and women both say that abortion politics are not 
bringing them to the polls, according to Harvard Kennedy School and 
Northwestern University social science scholars <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=vUKLlG4AAAAJ&amp;hl=en">Matthew A. Baum</a>, <a href="https://scholar.harvard.edu/alaunasafarpour/home">Alauna Safarpour</a>, <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=P_3neYQAAAAJ&amp;hl=en">Jonathan Schulman</a> and <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=0JH3YoUAAAAJ&amp;hl=en">Kristin Lunz Trujillo</a>.

“The Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson decision may have initially 
mobilized some voters in June and July, particularly women, but its 
effects appear to have diminished when we asked Americans about their 
intentions to vote again in August and October,” <a href="https://theconversation.com/abortion-is-not-influencing-most-voters-as-the-midterms-approach-economic-issues-are-predominating-in-new-survey-191836">they wrote.</a>

Read more:
 <a href="https://theconversation.com/abortion-is-not-influencing-most-voters-as-the-midterms-approach-economic-issues-are-predominating-in-new-survey-191836">Abortion is not influencing most voters as the midterms approach – economic issues are predominating in new survey</a>

3. Elections aren’t what they used to be

Gone are the days when election administrators were considered low 
profile, conducting essential – but not flashy – work, like organizing 
voter lists, staffing polling places and counting election results. 

Overall mistrust in elections is high in the U.S. following the 2020 
elections – and former President Trump’s refusal to accept his defeat. 
It’s a new era in politics, where it is not necessarily a given that 
“elections happen, votes are counted, the winners are declared and 
democracy moves on,” wrote Arizona State University’s <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=FdltMX4AAAAJ&amp;hl=en">Thom Reilly</a>, a public governance scholar and former state election official.

One complicating factor is that the U.S. is the only democracy that 
elects many of its election officials, and high-ranking members of the 
Republican or Democratic parties usually oversee elections at the state 
level. 

“That partisan system largely worked until now because, in essence, 
each party checked the other party’s ability to influence election 
outcomes. As long as states were politically diverse, members of the two
 major parties acted in good faith, and this model functioned – albeit 
imperfectly,” <a href="https://theconversation.com/good-faith-and-the-honor-of-partisan-election-officials-used-to-be-enough-to-ensure-trust-in-voting-results-but-not-anymore-189510">wrote Reilly</a>.

But there’s already evidence that newly minted and highly partisan 
poll workers and election observers plan to disrupt the elections, 
potentially diminishing public faith in this essential democratic 
institution and weakening democracy itself. And a high number of 
candidates running for state election administration roles are election 
deniers. If they win, wrote Reilly, that will further erode public 
confidence in election integrity. 

Read more:
 <a href="https://theconversation.com/good-faith-and-the-honor-of-partisan-election-officials-used-to-be-enough-to-ensure-trust-in-voting-results-but-not-anymore-189510">Good faith and the honor of partisan election officials used to be enough to ensure trust in voting results – but not anymore</a>

4. Black voters face possible intimidation

Amid warnings from the Department of Homeland Security about 
political violence on Election Day – which University of Maryland, 
Baltimore County security researcher <a href="https://cybersecurity.umbc.edu/richard-forno/">Richard Forno</a> <a href="https://theconversation.com/political-violence-in-america-isnt-going-away-anytime-soon-193597">recently explored</a> – there’s an increased risk that polling sites will become yet another place for political violence.

Read more:
 <a href="https://theconversation.com/political-violence-in-america-isnt-going-away-anytime-soon-193597">Political violence in America isn't going away anytime soon</a>

The threat brings to mind <a href="https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/elections/right-to-vote/voting-rights-for-african-americans/">long-standing efforts</a> by white supremacists to <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/10/27/voter-intimidation-surging-2020-protect-minority-voters-column/6043955002/">intimidate and</a> threaten Black voters.

Georgia is one place with a long history of voter intimidation that 
is rolling out election reform laws, making it actually harder for 
voters – especially people of color – to vote. One part of this new law,
 called SB 202, removes some voting drop boxes, which people of color 
predominantly use. This comes as Black voters gain number and power in 
Georgia – and the tightened voting rules are reminiscent of the 1940s 
and other times when white conservatives cracked down on voting rights 
in response to rising Black political strength.

“The almost immediate passage of new election laws at a time of 
growing Black political strength suggests the persistence of a white 
backlash in Georgia,” <a href="https://theconversation.com/georgias-gop-overhauled-the-states-election-laws-in-2021-and-critics-argue-the-target-was-black-voter-turnout-not-election-fraud-192000">wrote</a> Emory University <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Richard-Doner-2">political science scholar Richard Doner</a>.

Read more:
 <a href="https://theconversation.com/georgias-gop-overhauled-the-states-election-laws-in-2021-and-critics-argue-the-target-was-black-voter-turnout-not-election-fraud-192000">Georgia's GOP overhauled the state's election laws in 2021 – and critics argue the target was Black voter turnout, not election fraud</a>

Amy Lieberman is Politics + Society Editor at the The Conversation.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667396556650.png" alt="Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector" />
 <figcaption>Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector</figcaption>
 </figure>By AMY LIEBERMAN <a href="https://theconversation.com/whats-at-stake-this-election-day-7-essential-reads-193699">The Conversation</a>As Election Day closes in, uncertainty and concern about potential 
chaos – from violence at polling sites to candidates refusing to accept 
defeat – <a href="https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-63494618">continue to rise</a>. Problems that have historically plagued the U.S. electoral and 
political system – like voter intimidation – are cropping up ahead of 
the midterms. But so, too, are less familiar issues, like how previously
 run-of-the-mill state election positions are becoming opportunities for
 political activism.Here are seven key issues that affect the midterm elections, drawn from stories in The Conversation’s archive.<h2>1. Who is voting</h2>Voter participation during midterm elections is typically low – though <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2022/11/01/turnout-in-u-s-has-soared-in-recent-elections-but-by-some-measures-still-trails-that-of-many-other-countries/">some experts say</a>
 that there could be heavy turnout this year. But the question of who 
actually heads to the polls will also be critical, as races in key <a href="https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2022-election-forecast/">swing states tighten</a>. Young voters are much less likely to vote during midterms than older 
people, as opposed to their higher turnouts during presidential 
elections, American University government scholar <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=1XMWY78AAAAJ&amp;hl=en">Jan Leighley</a> wrote. Young voters are also more likely to identify as Democrats. “So if younger voters are underrepresented in the November 2022 
elections, more Republicans may be elected, as well as candidates less 
likely to reflect younger citizens’ views on key issues,” <a href="https://theconversation.com/young-voters-are-more-likely-to-skip-midterm-elections-than-presidential-races-192314">Leighley wrote.</a> 
 
 
 Read more:
 <a href="https://theconversation.com/young-voters-are-more-likely-to-skip-midterm-elections-than-presidential-races-192314">Young voters are more likely to skip midterm elections than presidential races</a>
 
 
This year, meanwhile, record numbers of Latinos are also expected to 
turn out to vote. In 2020, most Latinos voted for President Joe Biden – 
but increasing numbers of Latino voters are also supporting GOP 
candidates, including former president Donald Trump, <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-gop-made-gains-among-latino-voters-in-2020-but-democrats-remain-the-party-of-choice-for-upcoming-midterms-192679">wrote University of Tennessee social work</a> scholar <a href="https://experts.utk.edu/experts/mary-lehman-held/">Mary Lehman Held.</a>One reason is that Latino voters have different backgrounds, values 
and priorities. And not all would be turned off by Republican 
candidates’ restrictive immigration politics. “Immigration policies only affect a subset of Latinos, most notably 
Mexicans, followed by Salvadorans, Guatemalans and Hondurans,” Lehman 
Held explained.
 
 
 Read more:
 <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-gop-made-gains-among-latino-voters-in-2020-but-democrats-remain-the-party-of-choice-for-upcoming-midterms-192679">The GOP made gains among Latino voters in 2020 but Democrats remain the party of choice for upcoming midterms</a>
 
 
<h2>2. What voters want</h2>It’s the economy, stupid, <a href="https://politicaldictionary.com/words/its-the-economy-stupid/">as the famous</a> 1992 political adage about voters’ top concern goes. Soaring inflation <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-inflation-will-likely-stay-sky-high-regardless-of-which-party-wins-the-midterms-193416">rates top voters’</a>
 concerns this year, even though neither political party has been found 
particularly more effective at tackling the issue and bringing down 
inflation, as Texas State University finance scholar <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=eP0xZ1kAAAAJ&amp;hl=en">William Chittenden wrote.</a>
 
 
 Read more:
 <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-inflation-will-likely-stay-sky-high-regardless-of-which-party-wins-the-midterms-193416">Why inflation will likely stay sky-high regardless of which party wins the midterms</a>
 
 
There was a flurry of political activism around the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn <a href="https://www.oyez.org/cases/1971/70-18">Roe v. Wade</a>
 in June 2022, undoing the federal right to an abortion. But just four 
months later, men and women both say that abortion politics are not 
bringing them to the polls, according to Harvard Kennedy School and 
Northwestern University social science scholars <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=vUKLlG4AAAAJ&amp;hl=en">Matthew A. Baum</a>, <a href="https://scholar.harvard.edu/alaunasafarpour/home">Alauna Safarpour</a>, <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=P_3neYQAAAAJ&amp;hl=en">Jonathan Schulman</a> and <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=0JH3YoUAAAAJ&amp;hl=en">Kristin Lunz Trujillo</a>. “The Supreme Court’s Dobbs v. Jackson decision may have initially 
mobilized some voters in June and July, particularly women, but its 
effects appear to have diminished when we asked Americans about their 
intentions to vote again in August and October,” <a href="https://theconversation.com/abortion-is-not-influencing-most-voters-as-the-midterms-approach-economic-issues-are-predominating-in-new-survey-191836">they wrote.</a>
 
 
 Read more:
 <a href="https://theconversation.com/abortion-is-not-influencing-most-voters-as-the-midterms-approach-economic-issues-are-predominating-in-new-survey-191836">Abortion is not influencing most voters as the midterms approach – economic issues are predominating in new survey</a>
 
 
<h2>3. Elections aren’t what they used to be</h2>Gone are the days when election administrators were considered low 
profile, conducting essential – but not flashy – work, like organizing 
voter lists, staffing polling places and counting election results. Overall mistrust in elections is high in the U.S. following the 2020 
elections – and former President Trump’s refusal to accept his defeat. 
It’s a new era in politics, where it is not necessarily a given that 
“elections happen, votes are counted, the winners are declared and 
democracy moves on,” wrote Arizona State University’s <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=FdltMX4AAAAJ&amp;hl=en">Thom Reilly</a>, a public governance scholar and former state election official. One complicating factor is that the U.S. is the only democracy that 
elects many of its election officials, and high-ranking members of the 
Republican or Democratic parties usually oversee elections at the state 
level. “That partisan system largely worked until now because, in essence, 
each party checked the other party’s ability to influence election 
outcomes. As long as states were politically diverse, members of the two
 major parties acted in good faith, and this model functioned – albeit 
imperfectly,” <a href="https://theconversation.com/good-faith-and-the-honor-of-partisan-election-officials-used-to-be-enough-to-ensure-trust-in-voting-results-but-not-anymore-189510">wrote Reilly</a>. But there’s already evidence that newly minted and highly partisan 
poll workers and election observers plan to disrupt the elections, 
potentially diminishing public faith in this essential democratic 
institution and weakening democracy itself. And a high number of 
candidates running for state election administration roles are election 
deniers. If they win, wrote Reilly, that will further erode public 
confidence in election integrity. 
 
 
 Read more:
 <a href="https://theconversation.com/good-faith-and-the-honor-of-partisan-election-officials-used-to-be-enough-to-ensure-trust-in-voting-results-but-not-anymore-189510">Good faith and the honor of partisan election officials used to be enough to ensure trust in voting results – but not anymore</a>
 
 
<h2>4. Black voters face possible intimidation</h2>Amid warnings from the Department of Homeland Security about 
political violence on Election Day – which University of Maryland, 
Baltimore County security researcher <a href="https://cybersecurity.umbc.edu/richard-forno/">Richard Forno</a> <a href="https://theconversation.com/political-violence-in-america-isnt-going-away-anytime-soon-193597">recently explored</a> – there’s an increased risk that polling sites will become yet another place for political violence. 
 
 
 Read more:
 <a href="https://theconversation.com/political-violence-in-america-isnt-going-away-anytime-soon-193597">Political violence in America isn't going away anytime soon</a>
 
 
The threat brings to mind <a href="https://www.loc.gov/classroom-materials/elections/right-to-vote/voting-rights-for-african-americans/">long-standing efforts</a> by white supremacists to <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2020/10/27/voter-intimidation-surging-2020-protect-minority-voters-column/6043955002/">intimidate and</a> threaten Black voters. Georgia is one place with a long history of voter intimidation that 
is rolling out election reform laws, making it actually harder for 
voters – especially people of color – to vote. One part of this new law,
 called SB 202, removes some voting drop boxes, which people of color 
predominantly use. This comes as Black voters gain number and power in 
Georgia – and the tightened voting rules are reminiscent of the 1940s 
and other times when white conservatives cracked down on voting rights 
in response to rising Black political strength.“The almost immediate passage of new election laws at a time of 
growing Black political strength suggests the persistence of a white 
backlash in Georgia,” <a href="https://theconversation.com/georgias-gop-overhauled-the-states-election-laws-in-2021-and-critics-argue-the-target-was-black-voter-turnout-not-election-fraud-192000">wrote</a> Emory University <a href="https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Richard-Doner-2">political science scholar Richard Doner</a>. 
 
 
 Read more:
 <a href="https://theconversation.com/georgias-gop-overhauled-the-states-election-laws-in-2021-and-critics-argue-the-target-was-black-voter-turnout-not-election-fraud-192000">Georgia's GOP overhauled the state's election laws in 2021 – and critics argue the target was Black voter turnout, not election fraud</a>
 
 
Amy Lieberman is Politics + Society Editor at the The Conversation.<div><iframe src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/193699/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe></div>

7 essential reads: What’s at stake this Election Day

By JAY L. ZAGORSKY <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-winning-1-5-billion-powerball-jackpot-could-still-lead-to-bankruptcy-193921">The Conversation</a>

The latest <a href="http://www.powerball.com/games/home">Powerball</a> jackpot <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/03/us/powerball-jackpot-drawing-no-winner-thursday/index.html">swelled to US$1.5 billion on Nov. 2, 2022</a> – just shy of the record amount – after another drawing passed with no winning ticket. The next drawing will be held on Nov. 5.

The prize is now the third-largest lottery the world has ever seen, <a href="https://www.today.com/money/1-6-billion-powerball-california-couple-claims-winning-ticket-6-t100966">behind a $1.6 billion Powerball jackpot</a> in 2016 and <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/24/us/mega-millions-drawing-wednesday/index.html">$1.54 billion Mega Millions in 2018</a>.

The <a href="http://powerball.com/#powerball-prizes-and-odds">odds of winning</a> are very small, about 1 in 292 million. You are about <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/lightning/victimdata.html">400 times more likely to be hit by lightning</a>. If <a href="https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/US/PST045217">every adult</a>
 in the U.S. purchased just one ticket, each with a different number, 
there would still be a good chance – about 11% – that no winner would 
emerge at a given drawing and the pot would grow even larger.

But once a winner is declared and claims the prize, a more 
interesting question arises: What happens to all that money and the 
supposedly lucky ticket holder? As <a href="http://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-012-9299-y">research by me</a> and others shows, it’s often not what you’d expect.

The first thing to bear in mind is that while the jackpot is eye-wateringly large, the actual payout will be much less. 

If someone claims it, the winner would not actually receive $1.5 
billion in one big check. As a single winner, he or she can either 
choose a lump sum payment that amounts to about $756 million or receive 
$1.5 billion worth of annual payments that get progressively higher over
 <a href="http://www.megamillions.com/difference-between-cash-value-and-annuity">30 years</a>.

After that, the taxman gets to take a big bite. The federal government <a href="https://www.usamega.com/powerball/jackpot">will take</a>
 about a quarter of a billion dollars, leaving $470 million if it’s a 
lump sum payment. And then the state in which the winner resides will 
take another bite, unless the winner lives in Florida, Texas or another 
state without an income tax.

That jackpot is starting to look a lot smaller, though it’s still a massive chunk of change. 

The conventional wisdom is that winning the lottery will change your 
life. While that’s probably always true, research suggests that it’s not
 always going to change in the way you might hope. 

Economists Guido Imbens and Bruce Sacerdote and statistician Donald Rubin <a href="https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.91.4.778">showed in a 2001 paper</a>
 that people tend to spend unexpected windfalls. A look at lottery 
winners approximately 10 years after they won found they saved just 16 
cents of every dollar won.

In my own research, I found that the average person in their 20s, 30s or 40s who was <a href="http://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-012-9299-y">given an inheritance or large financial gift</a> quickly lost half the money through spending or poor investments.

And other studies <a href="http://doi.org/10.1162/REST_a_00114">have found</a>
 that winning the lottery generally didn’t help financially distressed 
people escape their troubles and instead only postponed the inevitable 
bankruptcy. <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/06/why-the-560-million-powerball-winner-wants-to-stay-unknown.html">One found</a> that one-third of lottery winners eventually go bankrupt.

So how exactly could a lottery winner blow through hundreds of millions of dollars so quickly? It’s not easy. 

Demographic research on lottery players’ characteristics shows that <a href="http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10899-010-9228-7">lottery playing peaks</a> when people are in their 30s and falls as people get older. And the average female in the U.S. <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/vsrr/VSRR10-508.pdf">lives to age 80.5 and the average male to 75.1</a>.

So that means, assuming the winner is in her 30s, she would have 
about 45 years or so to spend the lump after-tax sum of, let’s say, $470
 million. That means she would have to spend a bit over $10 million a 
year, or roughly $29,000 per day, to burn through it all – even more 
when you factor in interest accrued while it sits in the bank.

In addition, really blowing it all means the winner has no assets to show for it. If she uses the money to buy luxury homes, <a href="https://www.vulture.com/2018/10/banksy-says-that-painting-was-meant-to-be-totally-shredded.html">Banksy paintings</a>
 and Ferraris and Aston Martins, her net worth wouldn’t actually change 
and she’d be able to retire with her wealth intact – assuming the 
investments kept their value or rose.

Blowing through the money, which leads to bankruptcy and low savings 
rates, means the winner has nothing to show for her spending besides a 
good time, plus goodwill from friends and relatives who went along for 
the ride.

And that’s basically what a man named Huntington Hartford did. 

Hartford, who lived from 1911 to 2008, was the heir to <a href="https://www.groceteria.com/store/national-chains/ap/ap-history/">the Great Atlantic &amp; Pacific Tea Company</a>
 fortune. This company, which started just before the Civil War, is 
better known as the A&amp;P supermarket chain. A&amp;P was the first 
U.S. coast-to-coast food store, and from World War I to the 1960s, it 
was what <a href="https://www.walmart.com/">Walmart</a> is for today’s American shoppers.

Hartford inherited <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1996555/Huntington-Hartford.html">approximately $90 million</a> when he was 12. <a href="http://businessmacroeconomics.com/">Adjusting for inflation</a> means he was given <a href="https://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm">about $1.6 billion</a> as a child, after taxes. Yet Huntington <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/20/arts/design/20hartford.html">declared bankruptcy</a> in New York in 1992, approximately 70 years after being handed one of the largest fortunes in the world.

Hartford had the reverse Midas touch. He lost millions buying real 
estate, creating an art museum and sponsoring theaters and shows. He 
combined poor business skills with an exceptionally lavish lifestyle. 
After declaring bankruptcy, he lived as a recluse with a daughter in the
 Bahamas until he died. 

Hartford’s life story, coupled with academic research, shows that 
coming into a windfall of cash doesn’t always have a happy ending. 
Squandering that money is easier than it seems. 

If you are planning on playing, I wish you good luck. If you are planning on winning, I wish you even more luck.

Nevertheless, one key lesson, whether you play or not, is that when 
you get a windfall or win the lottery, plan ahead and resist the 
all-too-human temptation to spend all the money.

Jay L. Zagorsky is a clinical associate professor at Boston University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667590791099.jpg" alt="Got the winning ticket?" />
 <figcaption>Got the winning ticket?</figcaption>
 </figure>By JAY L. ZAGORSKY <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-winning-1-5-billion-powerball-jackpot-could-still-lead-to-bankruptcy-193921">The Conversation</a>The latest <a href="http://www.powerball.com/games/home">Powerball</a> jackpot <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/03/us/powerball-jackpot-drawing-no-winner-thursday/index.html">swelled to US$1.5 billion on Nov. 2, 2022</a> – just shy of the record amount – after another drawing passed with no winning ticket. The next drawing will be held on Nov. 5.The prize is now the third-largest lottery the world has ever seen, <a href="https://www.today.com/money/1-6-billion-powerball-california-couple-claims-winning-ticket-6-t100966">behind a $1.6 billion Powerball jackpot</a> in 2016 and <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2018/10/24/us/mega-millions-drawing-wednesday/index.html">$1.54 billion Mega Millions in 2018</a>.The <a href="http://powerball.com/#powerball-prizes-and-odds">odds of winning</a> are very small, about 1 in 292 million. You are about <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/disasters/lightning/victimdata.html">400 times more likely to be hit by lightning</a>. If <a href="https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/US/PST045217">every adult</a>
 in the U.S. purchased just one ticket, each with a different number, 
there would still be a good chance – about 11% – that no winner would 
emerge at a given drawing and the pot would grow even larger.But once a winner is declared and claims the prize, a more 
interesting question arises: What happens to all that money and the 
supposedly lucky ticket holder? As <a href="http://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-012-9299-y">research by me</a> and others shows, it’s often not what you’d expect. <figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667590869489.jpg" alt="You’re 400 times more likely to get hit by a bolt of lightning than win the Powerball. Pixabay photo" />
 <figcaption>You’re 400 times more likely to get hit by a bolt of lightning than win the Powerball. Pixabay photo</figcaption>
 </figure><h2>A smaller prize than it seems</h2>The first thing to bear in mind is that while the jackpot is eye-wateringly large, the actual payout will be much less. If someone claims it, the winner would not actually receive $1.5 
billion in one big check. As a single winner, he or she can either 
choose a lump sum payment that amounts to about $756 million or receive 
$1.5 billion worth of annual payments that get progressively higher over
 <a href="http://www.megamillions.com/difference-between-cash-value-and-annuity">30 years</a>. After that, the taxman gets to take a big bite. The federal government <a href="https://www.usamega.com/powerball/jackpot">will take</a>
 about a quarter of a billion dollars, leaving $470 million if it’s a 
lump sum payment. And then the state in which the winner resides will 
take another bite, unless the winner lives in Florida, Texas or another 
state without an income tax.That jackpot is starting to look a lot smaller, though it’s still a massive chunk of change. <h2>Where windfalls go</h2>The conventional wisdom is that winning the lottery will change your 
life. While that’s probably always true, research suggests that it’s not
 always going to change in the way you might hope. Economists Guido Imbens and Bruce Sacerdote and statistician Donald Rubin <a href="https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.91.4.778">showed in a 2001 paper</a>
 that people tend to spend unexpected windfalls. A look at lottery 
winners approximately 10 years after they won found they saved just 16 
cents of every dollar won. In my own research, I found that the average person in their 20s, 30s or 40s who was <a href="http://doi.org/10.1007/s10834-012-9299-y">given an inheritance or large financial gift</a> quickly lost half the money through spending or poor investments. And other studies <a href="http://doi.org/10.1162/REST_a_00114">have found</a>
 that winning the lottery generally didn’t help financially distressed 
people escape their troubles and instead only postponed the inevitable 
bankruptcy. <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2018/02/06/why-the-560-million-powerball-winner-wants-to-stay-unknown.html">One found</a> that one-third of lottery winners eventually go bankrupt. <h2>It’s not easy to blow it all</h2>So how exactly could a lottery winner blow through hundreds of millions of dollars so quickly? It’s not easy. Demographic research on lottery players’ characteristics shows that <a href="http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10899-010-9228-7">lottery playing peaks</a> when people are in their 30s and falls as people get older. And the average female in the U.S. <a href="https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/vsrr/VSRR10-508.pdf">lives to age 80.5 and the average male to 75.1</a>.So that means, assuming the winner is in her 30s, she would have 
about 45 years or so to spend the lump after-tax sum of, let’s say, $470
 million. That means she would have to spend a bit over $10 million a 
year, or roughly $29,000 per day, to burn through it all – even more 
when you factor in interest accrued while it sits in the bank.In addition, really blowing it all means the winner has no assets to show for it. If she uses the money to buy luxury homes, <a href="https://www.vulture.com/2018/10/banksy-says-that-painting-was-meant-to-be-totally-shredded.html">Banksy paintings</a>
 and Ferraris and Aston Martins, her net worth wouldn’t actually change 
and she’d be able to retire with her wealth intact – assuming the 
investments kept their value or rose. Blowing through the money, which leads to bankruptcy and low savings 
rates, means the winner has nothing to show for her spending besides a 
good time, plus goodwill from friends and relatives who went along for 
the ride.<h2>Riches to rags</h2>And that’s basically what a man named Huntington Hartford did. Hartford, who lived from 1911 to 2008, was the heir to <a href="https://www.groceteria.com/store/national-chains/ap/ap-history/">the Great Atlantic &amp; Pacific Tea Company</a>
 fortune. This company, which started just before the Civil War, is 
better known as the A&amp;P supermarket chain. A&amp;P was the first 
U.S. coast-to-coast food store, and from World War I to the 1960s, it 
was what <a href="https://www.walmart.com/">Walmart</a> is for today’s American shoppers. Hartford inherited <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/1996555/Huntington-Hartford.html">approximately $90 million</a> when he was 12. <a href="http://businessmacroeconomics.com/">Adjusting for inflation</a> means he was given <a href="https://www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm">about $1.6 billion</a> as a child, after taxes. Yet Huntington <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/20/arts/design/20hartford.html">declared bankruptcy</a> in New York in 1992, approximately 70 years after being handed one of the largest fortunes in the world.Hartford had the reverse Midas touch. He lost millions buying real 
estate, creating an art museum and sponsoring theaters and shows. He 
combined poor business skills with an exceptionally lavish lifestyle. 
After declaring bankruptcy, he lived as a recluse with a daughter in the
 Bahamas until he died. <h2>May the odds be ever in your favor</h2>Hartford’s life story, coupled with academic research, shows that 
coming into a windfall of cash doesn’t always have a happy ending. 
Squandering that money is easier than it seems. If you are planning on playing, I wish you good luck. If you are planning on winning, I wish you even more luck.Nevertheless, one key lesson, whether you play or not, is that when 
you get a windfall or win the lottery, plan ahead and resist the 
all-too-human temptation to spend all the money.Jay L. Zagorsky is a clinical associate professor at Boston University.<div><iframe src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/193921/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe></div>

How winning $1.5B Powerball jackpot could still lead to bankruptcy

If you are adding or changing your <a href="https://www.medicare.gov/" target="_blank">Medicare</a> or <a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/" target="_blank">Healthcare.gov</a>
 coverage during open enrollment, watch out for unsolicited calls 
claiming to "help" you find the best deal. Unfortunately, scammers see 
this open enrollment period as a chance to trick people out of money and
 personal information. Open enrollment runs through December 7 
(Medicare) or December 15 (Healthcare.gov).

Open enrollment has just begun, but <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/" target="_blank">BBB Scam Tracker</a>
 has already gotten numerous reports of scam calls pretending to be from
 Medicare. In one report, the target received "an automated message from
 Medicare and how they could help me. When I followed the prompts, it 
led me to a nice-sounding male who claimed they were working for 
Medicare." In another report, the person received calls claiming, "I 
requested information from them about Medicare on the Medicare website, 
which I NEVER did."

If you stay on the line, these callers allege they can enroll you in a better plan than what you currently have, according to <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/us" target="_blank">Scam Tracker reports.</a>
 This new plan is cheaper, and you can keep all the same services. To 
get started, all you need to do is provide some personal information, 
such as your Medicare ID number.

No matter how good the deal sounds and how convincing the caller 
seems, don't do it! The call is a scam, and sharing personal information
 will open you up to identity theft.

Selecting a health insurance plan can be challenging and complex. Be on the lookout for common red flags.

If you are unsure whether a call or offer is from Medicare or you 
gave your personal information to someone claiming to be with Medicare, 
call 1-800-MEDICARE to report it. If you suspect fraud when signing up 
for ACA coverage, go to <a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/how-can-i-protect-myself-from-fraud-in-the-health-insurance-marketplace/" target="_blank">HealthCare.gov</a>&nbsp;or call the Health Insurance Marketplace call center at <a href="tel:8003182596" target="_blank">800-318-2596</a>.&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/1/1579883951052.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>BBBIf you are adding or changing your <a href="https://www.medicare.gov/" target="_blank">Medicare</a> or <a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/" target="_blank">Healthcare.gov</a>
 coverage during open enrollment, watch out for unsolicited calls 
claiming to "help" you find the best deal. Unfortunately, scammers see 
this open enrollment period as a chance to trick people out of money and
 personal information. Open enrollment runs through December 7 
(Medicare) or December 15 (Healthcare.gov).<h2>How the scam works&nbsp;</h2>Open enrollment has just begun, but <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/" target="_blank">BBB Scam Tracker</a>
 has already gotten numerous reports of scam calls pretending to be from
 Medicare. In one report, the target received "an automated message from
 Medicare and how they could help me. When I followed the prompts, it 
led me to a nice-sounding male who claimed they were working for 
Medicare." In another report, the person received calls claiming, "I 
requested information from them about Medicare on the Medicare website, 
which I NEVER did."If you stay on the line, these callers allege they can enroll you in a better plan than what you currently have, according to <a href="https://www.bbb.org/scamtracker/us" target="_blank">Scam Tracker reports.</a>
 This new plan is cheaper, and you can keep all the same services. To 
get started, all you need to do is provide some personal information, 
such as your Medicare ID number.No matter how good the deal sounds and how convincing the caller 
seems, don't do it! The call is a scam, and sharing personal information
 will open you up to identity theft.Tips to avoid open enrollment scamsSelecting a health insurance plan can be challenging and complex. Be on the lookout for common red flags.<ul>
 <li>Be wary of anyone who contacts you out of the blue. <a href="https://www.healthcare.gov" target="_blank">Healthcare.gov</a> and Medicare provide <a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/apply-and-enroll/get-help-applying/" target="_blank">legitimate help with figuring out which plan</a>
 is right for you. These people — sometimes called Navigators or 
Assisters — are not allowed to charge for their support. If someone asks
 you for payment, it's a scam. You will also need to contact them. They 
will not call you first.&nbsp;&nbsp; </li><li>Be wary of free gifts and "health screenings." Keep a healthy level of skepticism any time a broker offers you <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/scams/13033-scam-alert-beware-of-the-medicare-back-brace-scam" target="_blank">free gifts</a>
 or other special deals. Never sign up with a broker who offers you an 
expensive sign-up gift in exchange for providing your Medicare ID number
 or additional personally identifiable information. Other times, <a href="https://www.bbb.org/article/news-releases/17378-scam-alert-when-a-free-health-screening-is-really-a-health-insurance-scam" target="_blank">brokers offer free "health screenings" to weed out people who are less healthy</a>. This technique is called "cherry picking" and is against Medicare rules. </li><li>Guard your government-issued numbers. Never offer 
your Medicare ID number, Social Security number, health plan info, or 
banking information to anyone you don't know. </li><li>Go directly to official websites.&nbsp;If you want to make changes to your health care plan, go directly to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.medicare.gov/">Medicare.gov</a>,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/">Healthcare.gov</a>, or your employer's health insurance provider. Don't click on links in suspicious messages.&nbsp; </li><li>Contact your employer directly. If you receive an 
unexpected email about benefits policies, ask your employer about it 
before you click on anything to make sure it's legitimate.&nbsp; </li>
 </ul><h2>For more information: &nbsp;</h2>If you are unsure whether a call or offer is from Medicare or you 
gave your personal information to someone claiming to be with Medicare, 
call 1-800-MEDICARE to report it. If you suspect fraud when signing up 
for ACA coverage, go to <a href="https://www.healthcare.gov/how-can-i-protect-myself-from-fraud-in-the-health-insurance-marketplace/" target="_blank">HealthCare.gov</a>&nbsp;or call the Health Insurance Marketplace call center at <a href="tel:8003182596" target="_blank">800-318-2596</a>.&nbsp;

Beware of health care cons during open enrollment

The University of Kansas Health System

<figure>
 <iframe width="560" height="315" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/HFpb5SF2_8c"></iframe>
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>The University of Kansas Health System

🎥 Kansas docs: Newest treatment on varicose veins

By SCOTT DAVIDSON <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-there-really-is-no-ethical-reason-not-to-vote-193612">The Conversation</a>

Midterms elections traditionally see a <a href="https://www.electproject.org/national-1789-present">slump in voter interest</a> compared to years in which the White House is up for grabs.

Yet November 2022 could see <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/early-voting-signals-high-turnout-in-u-s-midterms-11666876129">more Americans registering their midcycle political preferences</a> than in recent years. Already, some states are <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/midterm-elections-record-early-voting-15-days-before-election-day/">reporting record early voting figures</a>.

But even it that is the case, it is likely that a large chunk of eligible voters – <a href="https://www.electproject.org/national-1789-present">perhaps around half</a> – will not bother. Many obstacles prevent citizens from voting, such as uncertainty about how to register or an <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/25/us/politics/voting-disability-virus.html">inability to get to the polls</a>. But there is a subset of nonvoters who make a conscious choice not to vote for ethical reasons.

As a <a href="https://philosophy.wvu.edu/faculty-and-staff/faculty-directory/scott-davidson">philosopher who teaches courses in ethics and political philosophy</a>, I have investigated the ethics of not voting.

The three most common reasons I hear are: “I don’t have enough 
information,” “I don’t like any of the candidates,” and “I don’t want to
 give this election legitimacy.” It is worth examining why, in my view, 
each argument is flawed, and if, given the unique circumstances of this 
year’s election, there is at least one ethical reason not to vote.

According to a <a href="https://the100million.org/">study by the 100 Million Project</a>,
 nonvoters are twice as likely as active voters to say they do not feel 
they have enough information about candidates and issues to decide how 
to vote. This group of nonvoters might believe that it is unethical to 
vote <a href="https://theconversation.com/i-asked-people-why-they-dont-vote-and-this-is-what-they-told-me-129421">because they are uninformed</a>. In “<a href="https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691154442/the-ethics-of-voting">The Ethics of Voting</a>,” political philosopher <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=yYEAR8kAAAAJ&amp;hl=en">Jason Brennan</a>
 argues that uninformed citizens have an ethical obligation not to cast 
votes, because their uninformed votes can produce results that damage 
our political system.

The honesty of this group of nonvoters is praiseworthy, especially in
 comparison with overconfident voters who suffer from what psychologists
 call the “<a href="https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/dunning-kruger-effect/">Dunning-Kruger effect</a>” and wrongly believe that they are better informed than they are.

But an uninformed voter can fix that problem and remove the ethical 
dilemma – and with minimal time and effort. Information about each 
candidate’s platform is more accessible than ever. It can be found 
online, in print and through conversation. The problem today is instead 
how to find reliable, nonpartisan information. One of the clear benefits
 of <a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/trump-says-voting-by-mail-isnt-reliable-what-does-the-evidence-show">mail-in voting</a>
 is that it gives voters more time to fill out their ballot carefully 
without feeling rushed. While completing the ballot at home, they can 
educate themselves about each of the candidates and issues.

Another common reason for not voting is dislike of the candidates. In fact, an Ipsos study found <a href="https://www.ipsos.com/sites/default/files/ct/news/documents/2020-12/topline_medill_npr_non_voter_poll_121520.pdf">that 20% of nonvoters</a>
 in the 2020 presidential election did not vote because of a dislike of 
the candidates. Based on their dislike of both candidates, they found 
themselves unable to vote for either one in good conscience.

What this leaves open, however, is the question of where this 
“dislike” comes from. It is quite possibly the product of negative 
campaigning, which promotes negative attitudes toward the opposing 
candidate. If you already dislike one party’s candidate, <a href="https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/why-negative-campaigning-works-and-how-fight-it">negative ads encourage an equally negative feeling</a> toward the other party’s candidate. This suggests that negative campaign advertising carries out a strategy to <a href="https://doi.org/10.2307/2082710">depress overall voter turnout by making voters dislike both candidates</a>.

But dislike is not a sufficient reason for abstaining. The mistake 
here, I believe, is that choices are not always between a positive and 
negative, a good and a bad. Voters often have to choose between two good
 or two bad options. It’s also worth noting that, in addition to the top
 of the ticket, there are often <a href="https://www.kqed.org/news/11138329/do-voters-care-about-down-ballot-races">important state and local contests on the ballot</a>.
 Finding just one candidate or policy proposal that you truly support 
can make the effort to vote worthwhile. State and local races are 
sometimes very close, so each vote really can be meaningful.

Two common reasons given for not voting are the attitudes that their 
vote “does not matter” and that “the political system is corrupt,” which
 together account for about 20% of the nonvoting population, according 
to the <a href="https://the100million.org/">100 Million Project’s survey of nonvoters</a>. Voter turnout is often <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/1465116518820163">interpreted as a sign of public support that establishes political legitimacy</a>. By abstaining, some nonvoters might see themselves as opting out from a corrupt system that produces illegitimate results.

This way of thinking might be justified in an authoritarian regime, 
for example, which occasionally holds fake elections to demonstrate 
popular support. In such a society, abstaining from voting might make a 
legitimate point about the absence of open and fair elections. A 2019 
report <a href="http://www.eiu.com/Handlers/WhitepaperHandler.ashx?fi=Democracy-Index-2019.pdf&amp;mode=wp&amp;campaignid=democracyindex2019">ranks the U.S. as the 25th-most democratic country</a>,
 classifying it as a “flawed democracy” but a democracy nonetheless. If 
democratic elections are legitimate and their results are respected, 
voter abstention in the U.S. has no practical impact that would 
distinguish it from voter apathy.

All three of the above arguments fail, in my opinion, because they 
measure the worth of voting primarily in terms of its results. Voting 
may or may not yield the outcome individuals want, but without it, there
 is no democratic society.

During the pandemic, there was, in my view, one valid ethical reason 
for not voting, at least not in person. Election Day in 2020 took place <a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_weeklycases_select_00">during a spike in COVID-19 cases</a>,
 and those with symptoms or quarantining were certainly excused, 
ethically, from not showing up to the polls. The good of their vote was 
outweighed by the potential harm of exposing other voters to the virus.

People are still coming down with COVID-19, but even in nonpandemic times, would-be voters can be struck down by illness.

Knowing this could happen, voters need to adopt what ethicists call 
“the precautionary principle.” This principle says people should take 
steps to avoid or reduce harms to others, such as risking their life or 
health.

Based on the precautionary principle, an ethicist could argue that 
individuals ought to request absentee ballots if their state provides 
this option. Or to ensure that their ability to vote isn’t compromised 
by later illness, they might want to vote early.

Scott Davidson is a Professor of Philosophy at West Virginia University.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/6/1654108488164.jpeg" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>By SCOTT DAVIDSON <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-there-really-is-no-ethical-reason-not-to-vote-193612">The Conversation</a>Midterms elections traditionally see a <a href="https://www.electproject.org/national-1789-present">slump in voter interest</a> compared to years in which the White House is up for grabs.Yet November 2022 could see <a href="https://www.wsj.com/articles/early-voting-signals-high-turnout-in-u-s-midterms-11666876129">more Americans registering their midcycle political preferences</a> than in recent years. Already, some states are <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/news/midterm-elections-record-early-voting-15-days-before-election-day/">reporting record early voting figures</a>.But even it that is the case, it is likely that a large chunk of eligible voters – <a href="https://www.electproject.org/national-1789-present">perhaps around half</a> – will not bother. Many obstacles prevent citizens from voting, such as uncertainty about how to register or an <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/25/us/politics/voting-disability-virus.html">inability to get to the polls</a>. But there is a subset of nonvoters who make a conscious choice not to vote for ethical reasons.As a <a href="https://philosophy.wvu.edu/faculty-and-staff/faculty-directory/scott-davidson">philosopher who teaches courses in ethics and political philosophy</a>, I have investigated the ethics of not voting.The three most common reasons I hear are: “I don’t have enough 
information,” “I don’t like any of the candidates,” and “I don’t want to
 give this election legitimacy.” It is worth examining why, in my view, 
each argument is flawed, and if, given the unique circumstances of this 
year’s election, there is at least one ethical reason not to vote.<h2>1. Lack of information</h2>According to a <a href="https://the100million.org/">study by the 100 Million Project</a>,
 nonvoters are twice as likely as active voters to say they do not feel 
they have enough information about candidates and issues to decide how 
to vote. This group of nonvoters might believe that it is unethical to 
vote <a href="https://theconversation.com/i-asked-people-why-they-dont-vote-and-this-is-what-they-told-me-129421">because they are uninformed</a>. In “<a href="https://press.princeton.edu/books/paperback/9780691154442/the-ethics-of-voting">The Ethics of Voting</a>,” political philosopher <a href="https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=yYEAR8kAAAAJ&amp;hl=en">Jason Brennan</a>
 argues that uninformed citizens have an ethical obligation not to cast 
votes, because their uninformed votes can produce results that damage 
our political system.The honesty of this group of nonvoters is praiseworthy, especially in
 comparison with overconfident voters who suffer from what psychologists
 call the “<a href="https://thedecisionlab.com/biases/dunning-kruger-effect/">Dunning-Kruger effect</a>” and wrongly believe that they are better informed than they are.But an uninformed voter can fix that problem and remove the ethical 
dilemma – and with minimal time and effort. Information about each 
candidate’s platform is more accessible than ever. It can be found 
online, in print and through conversation. The problem today is instead 
how to find reliable, nonpartisan information. One of the clear benefits
 of <a href="https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/trump-says-voting-by-mail-isnt-reliable-what-does-the-evidence-show">mail-in voting</a>
 is that it gives voters more time to fill out their ballot carefully 
without feeling rushed. While completing the ballot at home, they can 
educate themselves about each of the candidates and issues. <h2>2. Dislike of the candidates</h2>Another common reason for not voting is dislike of the candidates. In fact, an Ipsos study found <a href="https://www.ipsos.com/sites/default/files/ct/news/documents/2020-12/topline_medill_npr_non_voter_poll_121520.pdf">that 20% of nonvoters</a>
 in the 2020 presidential election did not vote because of a dislike of 
the candidates. Based on their dislike of both candidates, they found 
themselves unable to vote for either one in good conscience.What this leaves open, however, is the question of where this 
“dislike” comes from. It is quite possibly the product of negative 
campaigning, which promotes negative attitudes toward the opposing 
candidate. If you already dislike one party’s candidate, <a href="https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/why-negative-campaigning-works-and-how-fight-it">negative ads encourage an equally negative feeling</a> toward the other party’s candidate. This suggests that negative campaign advertising carries out a strategy to <a href="https://doi.org/10.2307/2082710">depress overall voter turnout by making voters dislike both candidates</a>.But dislike is not a sufficient reason for abstaining. The mistake 
here, I believe, is that choices are not always between a positive and 
negative, a good and a bad. Voters often have to choose between two good
 or two bad options. It’s also worth noting that, in addition to the top
 of the ticket, there are often <a href="https://www.kqed.org/news/11138329/do-voters-care-about-down-ballot-races">important state and local contests on the ballot</a>.
 Finding just one candidate or policy proposal that you truly support 
can make the effort to vote worthwhile. State and local races are 
sometimes very close, so each vote really can be meaningful.<h2>3. Contributing to a corrupt system</h2>Two common reasons given for not voting are the attitudes that their 
vote “does not matter” and that “the political system is corrupt,” which
 together account for about 20% of the nonvoting population, according 
to the <a href="https://the100million.org/">100 Million Project’s survey of nonvoters</a>. Voter turnout is often <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/1465116518820163">interpreted as a sign of public support that establishes political legitimacy</a>. By abstaining, some nonvoters might see themselves as opting out from a corrupt system that produces illegitimate results.This way of thinking might be justified in an authoritarian regime, 
for example, which occasionally holds fake elections to demonstrate 
popular support. In such a society, abstaining from voting might make a 
legitimate point about the absence of open and fair elections. A 2019 
report <a href="http://www.eiu.com/Handlers/WhitepaperHandler.ashx?fi=Democracy-Index-2019.pdf&amp;mode=wp&amp;campaignid=democracyindex2019">ranks the U.S. as the 25th-most democratic country</a>,
 classifying it as a “flawed democracy” but a democracy nonetheless. If 
democratic elections are legitimate and their results are respected, 
voter abstention in the U.S. has no practical impact that would 
distinguish it from voter apathy. All three of the above arguments fail, in my opinion, because they 
measure the worth of voting primarily in terms of its results. Voting 
may or may not yield the outcome individuals want, but without it, there
 is no democratic society.<h2>4. However …</h2>During the pandemic, there was, in my view, one valid ethical reason 
for not voting, at least not in person. Election Day in 2020 took place <a href="https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#trends_weeklycases_select_00">during a spike in COVID-19 cases</a>,
 and those with symptoms or quarantining were certainly excused, 
ethically, from not showing up to the polls. The good of their vote was 
outweighed by the potential harm of exposing other voters to the virus.People are still coming down with COVID-19, but even in nonpandemic times, would-be voters can be struck down by illness.Knowing this could happen, voters need to adopt what ethicists call 
“the precautionary principle.” This principle says people should take 
steps to avoid or reduce harms to others, such as risking their life or 
health.Based on the precautionary principle, an ethicist could argue that 
individuals ought to request absentee ballots if their state provides 
this option. Or to ensure that their ability to vote isn’t compromised 
by later illness, they might want to vote early.Scott Davidson is a Professor of Philosophy at West Virginia University.<div><iframe src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/193612/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe></div>

Is there really an ethical reason not to vote?

By KAREN FIGUEROA-CLEWETT <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-to-do-if-your-vote-is-challenged-on-election-day-193430">The Conversation</a>

With the general election drawing close, it’s important to know your rights in case your vote is challenged. 

The best way to ensure that your vote is counted is to advocate for yourself. I’m a civil rights attorney and <a href="https://dornsife-poir.usc.edu/person/6076/">lecturer for the University of Southern California’s undergraduate civil rights advocacy initiative</a>,
 Agents of Change. Here are several straightforward ways to ensure your 
vote is counted and two practical remedies for you to consider if your 
vote remains challenged.

A major part of ensuring that you are able to vote is doing the necessary preparation before you even get to the polling place.

Before you vote, you need to ensure that you’re registered to vote. You can verify your registration status using this <a href="https://www.usvotefoundation.org/vote/eoddomestic.htm">tool</a>.
 If you can’t use an online tool, then call your local election office 
or a voter help line like the ones listed in the hotline section below.

If you find you’re not registered, you can use this <a href="https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/electronic-or-online-voter-registration.aspx#Table%20of%20states%20w/ovr">tool</a>
 from the National Conference of State Legislatures to find your state’s
 online registration application. If you need to do this in person, then
 call your local election office for instructions.

At this point, you may have missed your state’s deadline for voter registration. But it may not be too late to register.

Many states allow same-day registration at the polling site. You can find your state’s same-day voter laws detailed <a href="https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/same-day-registration.aspx">here</a>.
 Ask the poll worker, at the correct polling location, for a same-day 
registration form; complete the form, and then ask for a “conditional 
ballot.” A conditional ballot allows election officials to count your 
vote after verifying your voter eligibility. If you can’t research 
online, you can call your local election office to find out if you can 
register on Election Day.

Voter ID laws generally cover in-person voting, not absentee ballots or mailed ballots. 

If you live in a state that requires identity verification to vote in
 person, gather the required documents – which may range from driver’s 
licenses to bank statements with identifying information – before 
traveling to the correct polling place. You can find your county 
election office’s contact information <a href="https://www.usvotefoundation.org/vote/eoddomestic.htm">here</a>. This <a href="https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/voter-id.aspx">webpage</a>
 includes a table listing each state’s acceptable ID documents and 
possible exceptions for some folks. You may also call your local 
election office to find out what’s required.

You can ensure that you’re headed to the right polling place with this <a href="https://www.vote.org/polling-place-locator/">tool</a>.
 Or call your county election office to find your polling place and its 
hours of operation; you can look up your county’s election office 
contact information <a href="https://www.usvotefoundation.org/vote/eoddomestic.htm">here</a>.

Once you know your polling place and its hours, you can go there and 
check in. In most cases, you’ll be handed a ballot, shown where to vote 
and asked to put your ballot in a machine or a box, and then you can go 
merrily along your way. 

But the moment of check-in is where things might go wrong. 

Here are potential vote challenges and ways to overcome them.  

Possibility #1: Out-of-order polling machines. 

If you’re asked to leave because of malfunctioning machines, don’t. Instead, ask for a paper ballot. 

Possibility #2: You’re in line and officials announce the polls have closed.

If you’re in line at the polling location before it closes, don’t let
 them turn you away at closing time if you haven’t voted. You have the 
legal right to vote under those circumstances, so <a href="https://www.vote.org/election-protection/">stay in line and wait to cast your ballot</a>.

Possibility #3: You’re not on the registered voters list. 

If you’re told you can’t vote because your name is not on the voter roster, <a href="https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/voting-rights#what-are-my-general-rights-on-election-day">ask the poll site worker to check again</a>
 and to check what’s called the list of supplemental voters. If they 
still can’t find your name, ask the poll worker to verify that you’re at
 the right location.

Possibility #4: Someone claims you shouldn’t be allowed to vote.

If your voting eligibility remains challenged after ensuring you’re at the right polling location, <a href="https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/provisional-ballots.aspx">ask to cast a provisional ballot</a>,
 which is available in every state except Idaho and Minnesota. You can 
find details about your particular state’s provisional ballot rules <a href="https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/provisional-ballots.aspx.">here</a>.

Track your provisional ballot <a href="https://www.vote.org/ballot-tracker-tools/">here</a>.

If you are not given a provisional ballot, call an election hotline 
for help. Here are four hotlines, run by members of the nonpartisan <a href="https://866ourvote.org/about/">Election Protection coalition</a>, that can help you:

English: 866-OUR-VOTE/866-687-8683, <a href="https://www.lawyerscommittee.org/project/election-protection/">The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law</a>

Spanish: 888-VE-Y-VOTA/888-839-8682, <a href="http://veyvota.yaeshora.info/about?id=0003">The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Education Fund</a>

Asian Languages: 888-API-VOTE/888-274-8683, <a href="https://apiavote.org/how-to-vote/multilingual-voter-hotline/">Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote</a>

Arabic: 844-YALLA-US/844-925-5287, <a href="https://www.aaiusa.org/about-us">Arab American Institute</a>

If someone tries to scare you into voting or not voting for a 
candidate, stand your ground and demand a ballot from the poll site, 
call a hotline above to report the intimidation, and file a claim with 
the FBI later by phone at 800-CALL-FBI - 800-225-5324 - or online at <a href="https://tips.fbi.gov">tips.fbi.gov</a>.

If you are still blocked from voting, consider legal action – but get
 advice on your exact situation from one of the hotlines, which have 
free lawyers on hand. It’s a good idea to write down the names of people
 who prevented you from voting and to ask people who witnessed the 
incident for their contact information.

Karen Figueroa-Clewett is Lecturer, Agents of Change program, Department of Political 
Science and International Relations, USC Dornsife College of Letters, 
Arts and Sciences.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667396556650.png" alt="Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector" />
 <figcaption>Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector</figcaption>
 </figure>By KAREN FIGUEROA-CLEWETT <a href="https://theconversation.com/what-to-do-if-your-vote-is-challenged-on-election-day-193430">The Conversation</a>With the general election drawing close, it’s important to know your rights in case your vote is challenged. The best way to ensure that your vote is counted is to advocate for yourself. I’m a civil rights attorney and <a href="https://dornsife-poir.usc.edu/person/6076/">lecturer for the University of Southern California’s undergraduate civil rights advocacy initiative</a>,
 Agents of Change. Here are several straightforward ways to ensure your 
vote is counted and two practical remedies for you to consider if your 
vote remains challenged. A major part of ensuring that you are able to vote is doing the necessary preparation before you even get to the polling place.<h2>Are you registered to vote? Check it out</h2>Before you vote, you need to ensure that you’re registered to vote. You can verify your registration status using this <a href="https://www.usvotefoundation.org/vote/eoddomestic.htm">tool</a>.
 If you can’t use an online tool, then call your local election office 
or a voter help line like the ones listed in the hotline section below.If you find you’re not registered, you can use this <a href="https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/electronic-or-online-voter-registration.aspx#Table%20of%20states%20w/ovr">tool</a>
 from the National Conference of State Legislatures to find your state’s
 online registration application. If you need to do this in person, then
 call your local election office for instructions.At this point, you may have missed your state’s deadline for voter registration. But it may not be too late to register.Many states allow same-day registration at the polling site. You can find your state’s same-day voter laws detailed <a href="https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/same-day-registration.aspx">here</a>.
 Ask the poll worker, at the correct polling location, for a same-day 
registration form; complete the form, and then ask for a “conditional 
ballot.” A conditional ballot allows election officials to count your 
vote after verifying your voter eligibility. If you can’t research 
online, you can call your local election office to find out if you can 
register on Election Day.<h2>Gather documents to verify your identity</h2>Voter ID laws generally cover in-person voting, not absentee ballots or mailed ballots. If you live in a state that requires identity verification to vote in
 person, gather the required documents – which may range from driver’s 
licenses to bank statements with identifying information – before 
traveling to the correct polling place. You can find your county 
election office’s contact information <a href="https://www.usvotefoundation.org/vote/eoddomestic.htm">here</a>. This <a href="https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/voter-id.aspx">webpage</a>
 includes a table listing each state’s acceptable ID documents and 
possible exceptions for some folks. You may also call your local 
election office to find out what’s required.<h2>Find the correct polling location</h2>You can ensure that you’re headed to the right polling place with this <a href="https://www.vote.org/polling-place-locator/">tool</a>.
 Or call your county election office to find your polling place and its 
hours of operation; you can look up your county’s election office 
contact information <a href="https://www.usvotefoundation.org/vote/eoddomestic.htm">here</a>. Once you know your polling place and its hours, you can go there and 
check in. In most cases, you’ll be handed a ballot, shown where to vote 
and asked to put your ballot in a machine or a box, and then you can go 
merrily along your way. But the moment of check-in is where things might go wrong. <h2>Problems at your polling place</h2>Here are potential vote challenges and ways to overcome them. Possibility #1: Out-of-order polling machines. If you’re asked to leave because of malfunctioning machines, don’t. Instead, ask for a paper ballot. Possibility #2: You’re in line and officials announce the polls have closed.If you’re in line at the polling location before it closes, don’t let
 them turn you away at closing time if you haven’t voted. You have the 
legal right to vote under those circumstances, so <a href="https://www.vote.org/election-protection/">stay in line and wait to cast your ballot</a>. Possibility #3: You’re not on the registered voters list. If you’re told you can’t vote because your name is not on the voter roster, <a href="https://www.aclu.org/know-your-rights/voting-rights#what-are-my-general-rights-on-election-day">ask the poll site worker to check again</a>
 and to check what’s called the list of supplemental voters. If they 
still can’t find your name, ask the poll worker to verify that you’re at
 the right location. Possibility #4: Someone claims you shouldn’t be allowed to vote.If your voting eligibility remains challenged after ensuring you’re at the right polling location, <a href="https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/provisional-ballots.aspx">ask to cast a provisional ballot</a>,
 which is available in every state except Idaho and Minnesota. You can 
find details about your particular state’s provisional ballot rules <a href="https://www.ncsl.org/research/elections-and-campaigns/provisional-ballots.aspx.">here</a>. Track your provisional ballot <a href="https://www.vote.org/ballot-tracker-tools/">here</a>.<h2>Call a hotline</h2>If you are not given a provisional ballot, call an election hotline 
for help. Here are four hotlines, run by members of the nonpartisan <a href="https://866ourvote.org/about/">Election Protection coalition</a>, that can help you: English: 866-OUR-VOTE/866-687-8683, <a href="https://www.lawyerscommittee.org/project/election-protection/">The Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law</a>Spanish: 888-VE-Y-VOTA/888-839-8682, <a href="http://veyvota.yaeshora.info/about?id=0003">The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials Education Fund</a>Asian Languages: 888-API-VOTE/888-274-8683, <a href="https://apiavote.org/how-to-vote/multilingual-voter-hotline/">Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote</a>Arabic: 844-YALLA-US/844-925-5287, <a href="https://www.aaiusa.org/about-us">Arab American Institute</a><h2>Report voter intimidation</h2>If someone tries to scare you into voting or not voting for a 
candidate, stand your ground and demand a ballot from the poll site, 
call a hotline above to report the intimidation, and file a claim with 
the FBI later by phone at 800-CALL-FBI - 800-225-5324 - or online at <a href="https://tips.fbi.gov">tips.fbi.gov</a>. <h2>File a lawsuit</h2>If you are still blocked from voting, consider legal action – but get
 advice on your exact situation from one of the hotlines, which have 
free lawyers on hand. It’s a good idea to write down the names of people
 who prevented you from voting and to ask people who witnessed the 
incident for their contact information.Karen Figueroa-Clewett is Lecturer, Agents of Change program, Department of Political 
Science and International Relations, USC Dornsife College of Letters, 
Arts and Sciences.<div><iframe src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/193430/count.gif?distributor=republish-lightbox-advanced" width="1" height="1" style="border: none !important" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade"></iframe></div>

What to do if your vote is challenged on Election Day

WASHINGTON — In fiscal year 2022, IRS Criminal Investigation 
initiated more than 2,550 criminal investigations, identified over $31 
billion from tax and financial crimes, and obtained a 90.6% conviction 
rate on cases accepted for prosecution. The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p3583.pdf">IRS-CI FY22 Annual Report</a>PDF,
 released Thursday, details these statistics, as well as important 
partnerships and significant criminal enforcement actions from the past 
fiscal year, which began October 1, 2021, and ended September 30, 2022.

"The cases the IRS-CI team investigated over the past fiscal year 
touch multiple continents and require cooperation with partners around 
the globe. This is why IRS-CI continues to cement itself as the 
preeminent law enforcement agency investigating financial crimes on a 
global scale," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig.

In FY22, IRS-CI expanded partnerships with foreign counterparts to 
help combat tax and financial crimes on a global level. IRS-CI special 
agents delivered trainings in countries like Argentina, Germany, 
Colombia, and Palau on topics ranging from cybercrime to human 
trafficking. IRS-CI Mexico City, after changes to Mexico law that 
enabled the extradition of tax fugitives, launched an initiative to 
identify fugitives who had absconded to Mexico and nearby countries. 
This initiative resulted in the location of <a href="https://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation/irs-ci-mexico-city-initiative-locates-79-criminal-fugitives-in-first-year">79 criminal fugitives and the apprehension of eight during the first year</a>.

IRS-CI joined <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-merrick-b-garland-announces-launch-task-force-kleptocapture">Taskforce Kleptocapture</a> in March 2022 to target Russian oligarchs and other sanctions-evaders. It also worked with the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/compliance/joint-chiefs-of-global-tax-enforcement">Chiefs of Global Tax Enforcement (J5)</a>
 to identify potential sanction evaders or sanctioned assets as part of a
 global strategy to deter Russia's aggression. As of September 2022, the
 agency had identified nearly 50 individuals and entities for potential 
sanctions-related enforcement.

IRS-CI's 2,077 special agents spent about 70% of their time 
investigating tax-related crimes like tax evasion and tax fraud during 
FY22, while nearly 30% of their time was spent on money laundering and 
drug trafficking cases. Special agents identified over $31 billion from 
tax and financial crimes, and the agency seized assets valued at 
approximately $7 billion in FY22. IRS-CI is the only U.S. federal law 
enforcement agency that focuses 100% on financial investigations.

"Our team follows the money," said IRS-CI Chief Jim Lee. "We've been 
doing it for more than 100 years, and we've followed criminals into the 
dark web and now into the metaverse. Tax and other financial crimes know
 no borders. If you violate the law and end up in the crosshairs of an 
IRS-CI special agent, you are likely going to jail."

The IRS-CI Cyber Crime Unit, with assistance from U.S. authorities, 
traced billions of dollars of Bitcoin stolen from Bitfinex, a 
cryptocurrency exchange, after a 2016 hack. This led to the February 
2022 arrest of Ilya Lichtenstein and his wife, Heather Morgan, for 
alleged conspiracy to launder stolen cryptocurrency. IRS-CI special 
agents lawfully seized and recovered more than 94,000 stolen Bitcoin, 
which was valued at over $3.6 billion at the time, marking the largest 
seizure in U.S. history.

The Tampa Field Office investigated Michael Dexter Little for 
tax-related crimes. He was sentenced to 19 years and six months in 
federal prison in January 2022 for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 
conspiracy to commit money laundering and aggravated identity theft. 
Little also had to forfeit at least $12.3 million, traceable to his 
offenses. He filed a series of false tax returns, claiming massive, 
bogus fuel tax credits. He filed the false returns in his own name and 
the names of co-conspirators, as well as identity theft victims. He 
obtained at least $12.3 million in fraudulent tax refunds and attempted 
to obtain at least $27 million more. Little and his co-conspirators used
 scheme proceeds to purchase real estate and other assets for 
themselves.

The Oakland Field Office investigated Jeff and Paulette Carpoff for 
running a billion-dollar fraud scheme centered around DC Solar. 
Investors were duped into investing in DC Solar based on fake financial 
and engineering reports, and the money was used to fund the Carpoffs' 
lavish lifestyle, which included a NASCAR sponsorship, ownership of a 
minor league baseball team, luxury real estate and more. The federal 
government seized and auctioned off 148 of the Carpoffs' vehicles to 
recoup more than $8 million for scheme victims. In November 2021, Jeff 
Carpoff was sentenced to 30 years in prison, and in June, Paulette 
Carpoff was sentenced to 11 years in prison.

The report also includes additional case examples for each U.S. field
 office, an overview of IRS-CI's international footprint, details about 
the specialized services provided by IRS-CI and investigative 
statistics, broken down by discipline, for FY22.

IRS-CI is the criminal investigative arm of the IRS, responsible for 
conducting financial crime investigations, including tax fraud, 
narcotics trafficking, money-laundering, public corruption, healthcare 
fraud, identity theft and more. IRS-CI special agents are the only 
federal law enforcement agents with investigative jurisdiction over 
violations of the Internal Revenue Code, boasting a near 90% federal 
conviction rate. The agency has 20 field offices located across the U.S.
 and 12 attaché posts abroad.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2020/9/1599869632873.png" alt="" />
 <figcaption></figcaption>
 </figure>IRSWASHINGTON — In fiscal year 2022, IRS Criminal Investigation 
initiated more than 2,550 criminal investigations, identified over $31 
billion from tax and financial crimes, and obtained a 90.6% conviction 
rate on cases accepted for prosecution. The <a href="https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p3583.pdf">IRS-CI FY22 Annual Report</a>PDF,
 released Thursday, details these statistics, as well as important 
partnerships and significant criminal enforcement actions from the past 
fiscal year, which began October 1, 2021, and ended September 30, 2022."The cases the IRS-CI team investigated over the past fiscal year 
touch multiple continents and require cooperation with partners around 
the globe. This is why IRS-CI continues to cement itself as the 
preeminent law enforcement agency investigating financial crimes on a 
global scale," said IRS Commissioner Chuck Rettig.<div><div style="position:relative; overflow:hidden; padding-bottom:56.25%"><iframe src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/players/q44uedBm-KcBmu4K3.html" width="100%" height="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="auto" title="Irs Ci Annual Report Video 2022 (540p)" style="position:absolute;" allowfullscreen></iframe></div></div>In FY22, IRS-CI expanded partnerships with foreign counterparts to 
help combat tax and financial crimes on a global level. IRS-CI special 
agents delivered trainings in countries like Argentina, Germany, 
Colombia, and Palau on topics ranging from cybercrime to human 
trafficking. IRS-CI Mexico City, after changes to Mexico law that 
enabled the extradition of tax fugitives, launched an initiative to 
identify fugitives who had absconded to Mexico and nearby countries. 
This initiative resulted in the location of <a href="https://www.irs.gov/compliance/criminal-investigation/irs-ci-mexico-city-initiative-locates-79-criminal-fugitives-in-first-year">79 criminal fugitives and the apprehension of eight during the first year</a>.IRS-CI joined <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/attorney-general-merrick-b-garland-announces-launch-task-force-kleptocapture">Taskforce Kleptocapture</a> in March 2022 to target Russian oligarchs and other sanctions-evaders. It also worked with the <a href="https://www.irs.gov/compliance/joint-chiefs-of-global-tax-enforcement">Chiefs of Global Tax Enforcement (J5)</a>
 to identify potential sanction evaders or sanctioned assets as part of a
 global strategy to deter Russia's aggression. As of September 2022, the
 agency had identified nearly 50 individuals and entities for potential 
sanctions-related enforcement.IRS-CI's 2,077 special agents spent about 70% of their time 
investigating tax-related crimes like tax evasion and tax fraud during 
FY22, while nearly 30% of their time was spent on money laundering and 
drug trafficking cases. Special agents identified over $31 billion from 
tax and financial crimes, and the agency seized assets valued at 
approximately $7 billion in FY22. IRS-CI is the only U.S. federal law 
enforcement agency that focuses 100% on financial investigations."Our team follows the money," said IRS-CI Chief Jim Lee. "We've been 
doing it for more than 100 years, and we've followed criminals into the 
dark web and now into the metaverse. Tax and other financial crimes know
 no borders. If you violate the law and end up in the crosshairs of an 
IRS-CI special agent, you are likely going to jail."<h2>Case examples include:</h2>The IRS-CI Cyber Crime Unit, with assistance from U.S. authorities, 
traced billions of dollars of Bitcoin stolen from Bitfinex, a 
cryptocurrency exchange, after a 2016 hack. This led to the February 
2022 arrest of Ilya Lichtenstein and his wife, Heather Morgan, for 
alleged conspiracy to launder stolen cryptocurrency. IRS-CI special 
agents lawfully seized and recovered more than 94,000 stolen Bitcoin, 
which was valued at over $3.6 billion at the time, marking the largest 
seizure in U.S. history.The Tampa Field Office investigated Michael Dexter Little for 
tax-related crimes. He was sentenced to 19 years and six months in 
federal prison in January 2022 for conspiracy to commit wire fraud, 
conspiracy to commit money laundering and aggravated identity theft. 
Little also had to forfeit at least $12.3 million, traceable to his 
offenses. He filed a series of false tax returns, claiming massive, 
bogus fuel tax credits. He filed the false returns in his own name and 
the names of co-conspirators, as well as identity theft victims. He 
obtained at least $12.3 million in fraudulent tax refunds and attempted 
to obtain at least $27 million more. Little and his co-conspirators used
 scheme proceeds to purchase real estate and other assets for 
themselves.The Oakland Field Office investigated Jeff and Paulette Carpoff for 
running a billion-dollar fraud scheme centered around DC Solar. 
Investors were duped into investing in DC Solar based on fake financial 
and engineering reports, and the money was used to fund the Carpoffs' 
lavish lifestyle, which included a NASCAR sponsorship, ownership of a 
minor league baseball team, luxury real estate and more. The federal 
government seized and auctioned off 148 of the Carpoffs' vehicles to 
recoup more than $8 million for scheme victims. In November 2021, Jeff 
Carpoff was sentenced to 30 years in prison, and in June, Paulette 
Carpoff was sentenced to 11 years in prison.The report also includes additional case examples for each U.S. field
 office, an overview of IRS-CI's international footprint, details about 
the specialized services provided by IRS-CI and investigative 
statistics, broken down by discipline, for FY22.IRS-CI is the criminal investigative arm of the IRS, responsible for 
conducting financial crime investigations, including tax fraud, 
narcotics trafficking, money-laundering, public corruption, healthcare 
fraud, identity theft and more. IRS-CI special agents are the only 
federal law enforcement agents with investigative jurisdiction over 
violations of the Internal Revenue Code, boasting a near 90% federal 
conviction rate. The agency has 20 field offices located across the U.S.
 and 12 attaché posts abroad.

🎥 IRS: More than 2,500 investigations, 90% conviction rate for 2022 tax crimes

By MARK KENNEDY Associated Press

NEW YORK — Is Fleetwood Mac's landmark album “Rumours” better 
than “To Pimp a Butterfly” by Kendrick Lamar? Should “Tapestry” by 
Carole King be ranked higher or lower than “Thriller” by Michael 
Jackson?

Rolling Stone magazine has some answers in a new book that's sure to spark conversations — <a href="https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/rolling-stone_9781419758775/">“The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.”</a>
 It's where you'll find that Bruce Springsteen's “Born to Run” fittingly
 sits just ahead of “Ready to Die” by The Notorious B.I.G., at No. 21 
and No. 22, respectively.

"Every record on here is in some ways on
 for different reasons," said Jon Dolan, the reviews editor at Rolling 
Stone who helped create the book. “We are really happy, to be honest, 
about the whole list.”

But if you disagree with the rankings, 
don't blame the folks at Rolling Stone. Blame Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, 
Iggy Pop. Nile Rodgers, Questlove, Billie Eilish, Herbie Hancock, 
Saweetie, Carly Rae Jepsen, Lin-Manuel Miranda and members of Metallica 
and U2, among dozens of other artists. They were among the judges.

The
 book's editors reached out to about 500 voters from the world of music —
 artists, journalists, record label figures and Rolling Stone staffers —
 and asked for their top 50 albums (Stevie Nicks kindly offered 80). 
They got some 4,000 albums and created a spreadsheet with weighed 
points.

On every page, the artists make a fascinating musical 
tapestry. Take a section in the lower Top 100 — at No. 86 is The Doors' 
self-titled debut, followed by “Bitches Brew” by Miles Davis, “Hunky 
Dory” by David Bowie and, at No. 89, is “Baduizm” by Erykah Badu, 
connecting gems of classic rock, jazz, prog-rock and R&amp;B.

“Is 
there a person who loves all those things equally? Probably not. But we 
hope there’s people who could definitely want to try them all out and 
see what they think,” Dolan said. “That’s the goal: making connections 
and being introduced to new things.”

Dolan was impressed by some 
established artists embracing modern music, like John Cale of the Velvet
 Underground championing FKA Twigs and Nicks ranking Harry Styles' “Fine
 Line” quite high.

“It’s sweet when these people who have been 
around are not just pooh-poohing the younger generation,” he said. “It’s
 neat when people are voting for things outside of their genre and what 
you’d expect.”

The book's origins started in 2003 when the 
magazine published its first 500 list, putting The Beatles “Sgt. 
Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” at No. 1. It was a pretty 
Beatles-heavy list, with three more Fab Four albums making the top 10.

“It
 had kind of the perspective of a 45-year-old male rock fan who was open
 minded, who liked rap a little bit, but kind of patting it on the head,
 and liked R&amp;B, but was kind of dismissive of the more recent 
stuff,” he said.

“We really wanted to break away from that perspective and think the list could actually have many perspectives converging.”

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/11/1667407479905.jpg" alt="Image courtesy of Pixabay" />
 <figcaption>Image courtesy of Pixabay</figcaption>
 </figure>By MARK KENNEDY Associated PressNEW YORK — Is Fleetwood Mac's landmark album “Rumours” better 
than “To Pimp a Butterfly” by Kendrick Lamar? Should “Tapestry” by 
Carole King be ranked higher or lower than “Thriller” by Michael 
Jackson?Rolling Stone magazine has some answers in a new book that's sure to spark conversations — <a href="https://www.abramsbooks.com/product/rolling-stone_9781419758775/">“The 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.”</a>
 It's where you'll find that Bruce Springsteen's “Born to Run” fittingly
 sits just ahead of “Ready to Die” by The Notorious B.I.G., at No. 21 
and No. 22, respectively."Every record on here is in some ways on
 for different reasons," said Jon Dolan, the reviews editor at Rolling 
Stone who helped create the book. “We are really happy, to be honest, 
about the whole list.”But if you disagree with the rankings, 
don't blame the folks at Rolling Stone. Blame Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, 
Iggy Pop. Nile Rodgers, Questlove, Billie Eilish, Herbie Hancock, 
Saweetie, Carly Rae Jepsen, Lin-Manuel Miranda and members of Metallica 
and U2, among dozens of other artists. They were among the judges.The
 book's editors reached out to about 500 voters from the world of music —
 artists, journalists, record label figures and Rolling Stone staffers —
 and asked for their top 50 albums (Stevie Nicks kindly offered 80). 
They got some 4,000 albums and created a spreadsheet with weighed 
points.On every page, the artists make a fascinating musical 
tapestry. Take a section in the lower Top 100 — at No. 86 is The Doors' 
self-titled debut, followed by “Bitches Brew” by Miles Davis, “Hunky 
Dory” by David Bowie and, at No. 89, is “Baduizm” by Erykah Badu, 
connecting gems of classic rock, jazz, prog-rock and R&amp;B.“Is 
there a person who loves all those things equally? Probably not. But we 
hope there’s people who could definitely want to try them all out and 
see what they think,” Dolan said. “That’s the goal: making connections 
and being introduced to new things.”Dolan was impressed by some 
established artists embracing modern music, like John Cale of the Velvet
 Underground championing FKA Twigs and Nicks ranking Harry Styles' “Fine
 Line” quite high.“It’s sweet when these people who have been 
around are not just pooh-poohing the younger generation,” he said. “It’s
 neat when people are voting for things outside of their genre and what 
you’d expect.”The book's origins started in 2003 when the 
magazine published its first 500 list, putting The Beatles “Sgt. 
Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” at No. 1. It was a pretty 
Beatles-heavy list, with three more Fab Four albums making the top 10.“It
 had kind of the perspective of a 45-year-old male rock fan who was open
 minded, who liked rap a little bit, but kind of patting it on the head,
 and liked R&amp;B, but was kind of dismissive of the more recent 
stuff,” he said.“We really wanted to break away from that perspective and think the list could actually have many perspectives converging.”Joni
 Mitchell's “Blue” shot up on the new list, going from No. 30 in 2003 to
 the top 10 now, and Prince and the Revolution's “Purple Rain” went from
 No. 76 to No. 8. Another big gainer was Lauryn Hill's “The Miseducation
 of Lauryn Hill,” which zoomed up from the 300s in 2003 to Top 10 now.“Certain
 albums become kind of new classics,” said Dolan. “It is something 
that’s kind of evolving and up for grabs. And we wanted to kind of at 
least imply that in doing this one.”The new list is more 
inclusive of genres other than rock and so pushed some iconic albums 
down, like AC/DC’s “Back in Black” which went from No. 77 to No. 84, now
 nestled between “Dusty in Memphis” by Dusty Springfield and John 
Lennon’s “Plastic Ono Band.” (“I’m pretty sure they would accept that 
company,” Dolan said.)Some artists' catalogues have also shifted.
 Bob Dylan's “Blood on the Tracks” leapfrogged his "Blonde on Blonde" 
and “Highway 61 Revisited” this time, and the Beatles' “Abbey Road” 
became their top album in the book, over “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts 
Club Band,” “Rubber Soul” and “Revolver.”“The warmth and the 
beauty and the sweetness of ‘Abbey Road’ maybe in a way wins out over 
this sort of landmark sonic inventiveness of ‘Revolver’ because people 
love to listen to it.”There's been some online griping about the 
list, like that only “The Stranger” from Billy Joel made the list and no
 entries from non-Western artists, Fans of U2 might be mad that “The 
Joshua Tree” dropped out of the Top 100 and fans of electronic music 
might bemoan that there are only eight electronic albums.But 
Rolling Stone says the list is a snapshot as music marches onward. While
 the albums were being tabulated this time, Taylor Swift’s “folklore” 
and Bob Dylan’s “Rough and Rowdy Ways” came out, and Dolan suspects both
 might have made the book if they’d only come out earlier.“Because
 the list is so stylistically diverse and open-ended, I think we’re kind
 of implying that it’s always a work in progress,” he said. “In 20 
years, Rolling Stone, whatever entity it is, will do this again at some 
point.”

Misc