USA #1 . . . err . . . #37?

That's right listeners, regardless of how you feel about the heath care debate, the folks who tell you "the United States has the best health care system in the world" are, how say I say it, not being very honest to you. The most recent study by the World Health Organization (WHO . . . I just told you!) ranks the United States #37 regarding the world's health systems. That's right, behind Canada (America's hat!), all those "socialized medicine countries" of Western Europe (heck, France was #1!), and just ahead of Slovenia and Brunei (take your time, I'll wait why you pull out an atlas). Wonder if these passionate patriots that put politics and "rallies" ahead of research and analysis would be shocked to find out where not that great in education either. Hmmm . . . .

As The Anthony Esposito Show is your "Local Election Headquarters" for the upcoming Augusta-Richmond County Commission elections, you first need to know who your elected representative is. To do that you just need to click here and go to "maps". While the maps seem to be absent of most every street name, you should be able to figure out which two of the 10 commissioners represent your district and superdistrict. Half of those guys and girls are up for re-election in the fall, so find out who represents you, do your research, and then be an informed voter. As Tip O'Neil famously said, "All politics is local."

Downtown Augusta Week started in earnest today on the show. Our first guest, Lara Plocha is one of the members of the Downtown Augusta Alliance (aka, d(a)squared) that has put together this Saturday's Discover Downtown event. For just $5, you get a passport filled with 43 coupons to be used that day. We're talking free stuff galore. I'll certainly be there trying to bring home as much swag as I can!

Lara also co-owns Blue Magnolia (where it's usual to find the unusual!) with her husband Matt, and also produces the monthly downtown "newszine" Verge with him also. As Lara will freely admit, the July issue, particularly page 11, was by far their most popular issue. Totally check it out here.

And a big "second time on the show" shout-out to Tonya Bonitatibus, the new RiverKeeper of the Savannah RiverKeeper. This Saturday they're putting on the annual Paddlefest, where you can race your canoe or kayak or make your own boat! If you're a spectator just enjoying the food and festivities, your best seats are at the old Boathouse at the end of East Boundary on the Savannah River. To learn more about Paddlefest, go here. If you'd like to see the Olin Chemical editorial that Tonya so eloquently critiqued, you can read that for yourself here.

Tomorrow on the show, Downtown Augusta Week on The Anthony Esposito Show continues with visits from Art Gomez of Casa Blanca Cafe and Andrea Lombardo of Du Jour Fine Foods! Oh, and more free Discover Downtown passports will be given away, so tune in and win! Later . . .