America's lower life expectancy compared to countries with socialist health care proves that their medical systems are superior.

President Obama has too much intellectual pride to make such a specious argument, so instead we have to keep hearing it from his half-wit supporters.

These Democrats are all over the map on where precisely Americans place in the life-expectancy rankings. We're 24th, according to Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Barbara Boxer; 42nd, according to Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell; 35th, according to Washington Post columnist Eugene Robinson; and 47th, according to Rep. Dennis Kucinich. So the U.S. may have less of a "life expectancy" problem than a "Democratic math competency" problem.

But also, as described in last week's column, the citizenry's health is not the same thing as the citizenry's health care system.

Besides America's high rate of infant mortality -- based on biology and lifestyle choices, not medical care -- Americans are also more likely to overeat or smoke than people in other developed nations. And the two biggest killers in the Western world are obesity and smoking. Read On

POWER TO SUCCEED George Barna, the researcher and author who delves into Christian ideas, opinions and attitudes through his numerous polls, has written extensively about leadership and its ramifications for the state of Christianity in modern America. Recently, he interviewed 30 leaders about what it takes to provide leadership in this modern, cynical era. Cumulatively, the leaders that he interviewed have “more than 1,000 years of direct leadership experience, have published more than 300 books, and have sold more than 50 million copies of those books.” Armed with over 150 questions about the practical aspects of leadership, Barna’s goal was to “capture their wisdom” and discover lessons that would help others to grow in their “leadership capabilities.” Read On

IN DEFENSE For a self-described rodeo clown who frequently admits he isn't that bright, Glenn Beck must be doing something right. A de facto leader of the populist backlash against President Obama, he made the cover of Time magazine, with his tongue sticking out no less. His books are immediate best-sellers. His radio and TV shows have stratospheric ratings. His one-man comedy performances draw packed audiences, and the proceeds from his numerous ventures have him making north of $20 million a year.

But perhaps his most impressive feat is his ability to unite a broad coalition of liberals, media scolds and conservatives under the single banner of Beck-hatred. Read On

IT'S ALL ABOUT RATINGS David Letterman's surprise announcement last Thursday that he had engaged in affairs with female staffers earned him high ratings and laughs from his audience members, but one woman who was not laughing was the “Late Show” host’s wife, Regina Lasko.

It was Lasko who demanded Letterman's second public apology on Monday, FOXNews.com has learned.

Letterman addressed his wife directly during the taping of Monday's “Late Show.” He said she had been “horribly hurt by my behavior” and stated flatly that his affairs “are in the past.” Read On

INTERNET SEX-STING RACINE, Wis. —  Racine's former mayor could find out this week when he'll face trial on charges stemming from an Internet sex sting. Fifty-two-year-old Gary Becker is accused of trying to arrange a sexual tryst with someone he thought was a juvenile girl. He has a status conference scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. Becker resigned as mayor on Jan. 20, five days after he was charged with multiple felonies. The criminal complaint says he was arrested in a sting operation after chatting online with a state agent posing as a 14-year-old girl. The charges include possession of child pornography and misconduct in office. A judge in August denied Becker's request for a change of venue. Becker's attorney had argued that pretrial publicity had prejudiced Becker's right to a fair and impartial jury. Becker, who is married and has two children, was elected mayor in 2003 and ran unopposed for re-election in 2007. The Democrat had previously served two terms as a city alderman. The investigation by the state Department of Justice's Division of Criminal Investigation started after city workers who helped Becker fix a problem with his personal computer found pornography files on it and alerted Racine police, the complaint said. Police had passed the case on to state investigators to avoid a conflict of interest.

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