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A recent comment suggested that illegal aliens should be left alone if they've done nothing wrong. They did something wrong when they entered the country illegally. They did something wrong when they provided forged documents so they could work in the U.S. They could potentially be receiving health care at U.S. taxpayer expense, which is also wrong. They're here illegally. They're criminals. How much more wrong do they need to do?
Government control
WHAT happened to our rights? I am tired of government trying to control everything. Have your opinion, but stop trying to make those opinions into laws. I don't like having to stop in the middle of the road so a biker going 5 mph can ride in what I thought was a street for cars. Let's stop the complaining about everything.
Saving a life
I don't agree with state Sen. Jason Crowell's view that Missouri would be wasting tax money if Southeast Missouri State University spent it to train a nurse who ends up practicing in another state. One example will refute Senator Crowell's point. Let's say that I took a shuttle to The Pony in East Cape Girardeau, Ill. And let's surmise that, while there, I had a heart attack. Finally, let's say that a nurse trained at Southeast Missouri State University but practicing in a Southern Illinois hospital was there, took quick action, administered CPR and saved my life. I anticipate that this example will be enough to get Senator Crowell not only rethink this issue but change his mind.
Smoking and health
A few days ago, a former Cape Girardeau resident commented about a smoking issue in our town. Not only are our surrounding states implementing laws, but also our neighboring cities. Clayton, Mo., has implemented a smoking ordinance. This action isn't being forced on individuals because the government is trying to interfere with peoples' lives. It's being done because we're trying to preserve the health of our children, the sick, the elderly and those who have been affected by secondhand smoke. Cape Girardeau is losing people on a daily basis because we don't support a healthy initiative. Don't you think it's time to stand up and save our town and the people who live in it?
Health care waste
I have no problem with reforming health care. I have a problem with the Democrats' big government tax-the-rich approach. We need health- care reform that gets the government out of health care. We need to get rid of Medicare and Medicaid and have compulsory private health care for seniors. If they have to pay for it they won't abuse the system. I am horrified by the waste reported to me by my family members who are in the medical field. Can you believe that there are some seniors who go to the doctor just because they think it is a good time to socialize with the people in the doctor's office and believe it is their Medicare/Medicaid-given right to do so? Pitiful.
It's all about money
FREE money. Sue, sue, sue. Today's society and the judicial system allow anyone and everyone who feels like they have been mistreated to sue. There are times it is appropriate, such as injuries that one must deal with due to the negligence of another. But whatever happened to lessons learned? I am tired of hearing "It's not the money I'm after, it's the point." No, the reality is the money is the point.
Slow process
I love those health care reform opponents who try to have it both ways by saying they're all for health-care reform but that we need to slow down the process of achieving it. Right. We've been at it since the Truman administration.
Time for change
HERE we go again. The major TV networks are turning over their airwaves to the president so he can push something down our throats that can't wait. We have to act on it now, not take time to clearly understand the consequences. When will Americans put a stop to this administration and its outlandish spending and power grabbing? It's time we put our country into the hands of people who care for the well-being of the country and the people in it. When you go to the polls, ask yourself if the country is better off than it was a few years ago when we had prayer in schools, the Ten Commandments on public walls and the backbone to stand up for our Christian values and what is right. Then vote your conscience.
Good deal
IN regard to the proposed health-care bill: Most people pay around $200 a month for their insurance. Let's say the president raises taxes $25 a month to cover this new program where people only pay $100 a month for health care insurance. That's a savings of $75 a month. It sounds good to me.
Parking manners
I have seen a lot of things, but today takes the cake. I was just released from the hospital. I had to fill my prescription. I parked between two pickups seven parking spots from the door. When I came out, I sat in my car to rest and take the medicine. A woman in a white car pulled behind me slowly and flipped me off. I didn't know she was waiting on my spot. I didn't know the parking spots had a time limit. This galls me. I didn't do anything to her, and she had to act like that. I thought Cape Girardeau people were better than that.
Party of slow
U.S. Rep Jo Ann Emerson's statements on health-care reform are disappointing and unbecoming of a lawmaker who in the past has deservedly received the acclaim of both Republicans and Democrats in her district for her compassion. It is a shame that she has identified herself with the party of "slow," which in the case of health care is identical to the party of "no." Slowing health-care reform is a gimmick employed by the health-care monopolies to kill all hope of fixing the existing mess, and the Republican Party obviously is a willing accomplice.
No GOP plan
REPUBLICANS are quick to remind us that they favor responsible health-care reform. We must take them at their word, even if they have no comprehensive health care plan and have suggested no way to pay for it. The party surely has not sunk to the abysmal level of "Just say no" as some critics claim.
Impact on doctors
THE HEALTH-CARE reform bill will be the most disastrous piece of legislation of the last 100 years. Letting the government have control of your family's health care is insanity. When the government takes over health care, doctors become, in effect, government workers subject to salary caps. If a doctor's income is limited, he will get out of the business and future doctor candidates will not go to medical school. The quality of candidates for medical school will plummet. Who would you want operating on you: a doctor who made a 34 on his ACT, or a guy who made 25? Let's get the government out of our lives.
Visiting Iraq
CAN someone tell me why the governor of our state needs to visit Iraq? Aren't there other ways he can express our appreciation to the troops? I am sure our military does not enjoy having to worry about protecting dignitaries.
MOSERS bonuses
STATE Sen. Jason Crowell may need to be reminded that people living in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. It's no surprise he's going after Southeast Missouri State University again. This spring, lest we forget, while serving on the governing board for the Missouri State Employees Retirement System, Crowell was the only one disagreeing with political leaders calling for reform of the MOSERS system when $300,000 was paid to 14 employees of MOSERS. From the Daily American Republic: "Board member Jason Crowell, a Republican state senator from Cape Girardeau, disagreed that the bonus policy needed to be changed. 'The overall fundamental understanding of why we made the decision hasn't changed in a down market or an up market,' Crowell said. 'We judge them by the job they do.'" Rest assured university employees will also continue to demand accountability for our MOSERS system to ensure that we, as employees and taxpayers, will be the beneficiaries of our retirement funds, not the MOSERS staff receiving bonuses.
Cycling laws
REGARDING bicycle laws in Missouri: Here are some sections of the Missouri Revised Statutes: 307.188. Rights and duties of bicycle and motorized bicycle riders. Every person riding a bicycle or motorized bicycle upon a street or highway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle as provided by chapter 304, RSMo, except as to special regulations in sections 307.180 to 307.193 and except as to those provisions of chapter 304, RSMo, which by their nature can have no application. 304.012. Highest Degree of Care. Every person operating a motor vehicle on the roads and highways of this state shall drive the vehicle in a careful and prudent manner and at a rate of speed so as not to endanger the property of another or the life or limb of any person and shall exercise the highest degree of care. 304.016.4. When passing is allowed. No vehicle shall at any time be driven to the left side of the roadway under the following conditions: (1) When approaching the crest of a grade or upon a curve of the highway where the driver's view is obstructed within such distance as to create a hazard in the event another vehicle might approach from the opposite direction.
Medical care
IN the past few weeks several local physicians have written opinion pieces touting the current health-care system and, in particular, the health care in Cape Girardeau. Most recently, a local urologist cited benefit after benefit. Is it any wonder that local physicians and hospitals are in favor of the current system? The fact is that in the Cape Girardeau area medical costs are about three times more than those of other areas. Does this have any effect upon employers? Procter & Gamble and Noranda have both decided to use St. Louis and Memphis providers rather that being held hostage to hospitals and physicians here. The university is considering a similar shift because employee salaries have literally gone down because the portion of employee health-care costs have steadily increased as much as 18 percent with a 2 percent salary increase or no increase at all. The fear of shifting to urban care centers expressed by the urologist is already here, thanks to the local medical community.
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Re: No GOP plan
The GOP has offered numerous amendments and alternative bills, but those amendments and bills are quickly shot down by the Democrat majority.
Re: Good deal
How about some real numbers? Anyone can pull numbers out of the air to make their point sound great...for example, I ACTUALLY pay $85/month currently for my insurance. If (and I'll use your numbers) my taxes go up $25 to cover the new program, and it then would cost me $100 for my insurance, I would be worse off by $40 per month. That is NOT a good deal!
For all of those in favor of the federal government taking on the role of health insurance provider, WHERE IN THE CONSTITUTION DID WE THE PEOPLE YIELD THAT POWER TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT? The only changes that I would like to see would be tort reform to limit punitive damages so that doctors wouldn't have outrageous malpractice premiums, and a tax break for people who buy their own policy.
The reason many specialists relocate to larger metropolitan areas is the number of potential clients is larger. If you have a $250,000 per year malpractice premium to pay, if you see only 250 people per year, you need to add $1000 to the bill of each and every patient just to pay your malpractice insurance. However, if you see 1000 people per year, you only need to add $250 to everyone's bill.
As for the tax break, as an employee, if the company you work for pays some or all of your insurance policy premium for you, that is income...you are receiving the value of the insurance policy in return for the work you perform, however, there are no employment taxes on that money spent on your insurance, and there is no income tax owed on the value of the policy either. If your employer does not provide health insurance benefits, your employer and you each pay your halves of the employment taxes and you pay income taxes on the money you spend on insurance for yourself. A tax break for you would mean that while the company would still pay their half of the employment taxes, you would get a break on your half as well as the income tax on that money. As a self employed person, I have to pay ALL of the self employment taxes AND income taxes on the money that I use to buy my insurance policy, but a tax break would mean I would not have to pay any tax on the money that I use to buy health insurance for myself.
The tax code is currently set up to discourage people from buying their own policy, as once you factor in the taxes involved, it is usually cheaper to get it through an employer...but every time you change employers you have a period of no coverage while waiting for your new employer's benefits to kick in and you get counted in the 47 million uninsured number that gets thrown around all of the time. We need to ENCOURAGE people to buy their own policies...give individuals the same tax breaks for buying health insurance that corporations currently receive.
There is one additional change I would like to see. Much like student loans cannot be discharged through bankruptcy, I do not feel as though medical bills should be allowed to be discharged either. To receive medical treatment and refuse to pay for it is theft of services, plain and simple. If everyone had to pay the bill, the individuals who DO pay wouldn't have to pay extra to cover those who currently do not.
All,
I posted a blog for your reading pleasure. Politics is NOT the subject on this one - I needed a break and actually wrote something for fun.
Thanks and have a good day!
Many self employed individuals employ the IRS's Schedule A--Itemized deductions. Schedule A allows for the deduction of (non-reimbursed) health (and dental) insurance premiums (and expenses). Thus, many self employed individuals do NOT pay taxes on their health insurance premium dollars (other than the first 7.5%).
we are long overdue for single-pay healthcare, bring it on!
I think most businesses are smart enough to know they can deduct healthcare costs off their taxes. As a business owner, I hope we do go to a single-pay system, it'll take that expense out of our pockets. I'd gladly pay a little more in tax to not have to deal with it.
dixietrucker, Obviously YOU have never faced catastrophic medical bills. Were you aware most medical insurance policies have a cap/maximum coverage amount? Would you ever dream that YOUR health-care cost might exceed that amount?
A 2001 Harvard study stated over 50% of bankruptcies were due in part to medical bills. A 2007 American Journal of Medicine stated that number had climbed to 62%. I'd suggest the number continues to climb, despite the recent changes in bankruptcy law. Both studies indicated that over 70% of these individuals HAD medical insurance.
Personally, I think this (medical) was exactly what bankruptcy was designed for. ~shrugs~ Or perhaps some think bankruptcy is only for those who irresponsibly run up unsecured credit card debts or big businesses who pay multi-million dollar bonues and make poor business decisions?
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Theft"...hehehe...how about charging $10 for a single asprin or $16 for a box of tissues???
Good morning! ☻
They're criminals...I agree.
Government control...nothing wrong with complaining we just shouldn't expect everyone else to feel the same way & want the same things. How boring would that be?
Saving a life...lifes all about choices.
Smoking and health...NO, my ancestors have lived and smoked in Cape Girardeau for generations, exactly whose town are we trying to preserve?
Health care waste...what a crock? Who goes to the doctor to socialize? I've never seen such a thing. That's like saying Medicaid patients go to the ER for a night out. sheesh.
It's all about money...yes these sue happy individuals irk me as well.
Slow process...good point.
Time for change, vote your conscience...I did. ☻
Good deal...$200./mo. for health insurance, whatever.
Parking manners...I would have just smiled & waved, rude people.
Party of slow...that's always the way of the opposing party. If all fails, hold it up. ☻
No GOP plan...good point. What was McCain position anyway? I can't remember.
Impact on doctors...ah, yes...b/c we all know everyone goes into their line of work for the money. good grief.
Visiting Iraq...I disagree, a first hand look is exactly what they need. I'd prefer it be hands on. ☻
MOSERS bonuses...I feel like I need to hear the rest of the story. ☻
Cycling laws...well here's the problem...What nitwit made a car/bicycle equivalent?? ☻
Medical care...not to mention many private physicians don't accept gov. based healthcare. Hmmmm..wonder if they will have to accept the 'new' plan??
capetowndown, "I think most businesses are smart enough to know they can deduct healthcare costs off their taxes." Agree. Sorry, my comments should have been directed towards dixietruck driver's comment "As a self employed person, I have to pay ALL of the self employment taxes AND income taxes on the money that I use to buy my insurance policy". Obviously, he forgot about his ability to deduct these cost or did not know he could.
MeLange, excellent points! You go girl! ;o)
Turnip, Grrrr! Hear me roar! Have a great day!
Parking Manners: AHAHA! If I KNOW someone is waiting for my great parking spot and they're inconveniencing the people behind them I LOVE to sit there with my white reverse lights on until they get tired of waiting. I then allow the person stuck behind them to have my spot for their trouble
The continued push to pass healthcare as an emergency issue, is a farce. How can an issue be an emergency if it is not going to go into force for a couple of years?
The emergency is about politics, period.
Do it right... or leave it alone!
As for healthcare, lets start with dealing with the fraud!! Medicare and medicaid are in serious trouble because of greed by doctors and hospitals!
It was just a few weeks ago a doctor in P.Bluff was arrested because he billed these agencies for services never rendered. Lets also deal with these pharmaceutical companies that have been stealing from us for years. Of course tort reform is another driving force on the high cost of medical care. Medical expenses should be tax deductable and have been for quite some time.
This isn't the issue at all. I was told by a poster a few weeks back that the cost of healthcare rising was the result of inflation! Well thats ridiculous considering it has increased 10 times the inflation rate the last 20 years. We do need reform but health care starts at home. People running to doctors for common colds and a touch of flu is also ridiculous.
Why the Government can't control fraud is just plain ignorant but then thay can't control anything becasue of the bureaucratic bullsh-it
and paper trails. It needs to be automated and there needs to be a bureau in charge of fighting the fraud. This would save billions!
Smoking and health
Since when is Clayton a neighbor to Cape Girardeau? I consider Jackson, Scott City, East Cape Girardeau, and maybe Fruitland and Gordonville as neighbors to Cape Girardeau. On a similiar note, Webster Groves--more of a neighbor to Clayton as Cape is--said NO to a smoking ban. LET THE ESTABLISHMENTS' OWNER(S) DECIDE! If you don't like the smoke, don't patronize there!
Parking manners
How did this caller live this long if they can't handle somebody flipping them the bird? That's worse than somebody being offended by words on a computer screen.
smoking...if you don't plan on quitting , what do you plan on ??
Obama has to push hard for his healthcare bill. He's already a lame duck. He won't get re-elected in 2012....not a chance in my opinion, so he has to do all the damage he can as quickly as he can. His popularity is dwindling even more as I type this......
Me'Lange my post wasn't directed at you, it was directed at some of these other silly folks who claim to own businesses and that are against a single-payer healthcare system. I'm on your side girl! ;op
Jane Q Citizen, did you ever eat paint chips as a kid? Sniff Glue?
As a matter of fact, I didn't. I gather from your comment that you disagree with what I said. That's fine. That's what makes the world go round Chief Sag. If we all agreed this message board would be quite boring.
I think most businesses are smart enough to know they can deduct healthcare costs off their taxes. As a business owner, I hope we do go to a single-pay system, it'll take that expense out of our pockets. I'd gladly pay a little more in tax to not have to deal with it.
-- Posted by capetowndown on Mon, Jul 27, 2009, at 8:33 AM
Me'Lange my post wasn't directed at you, it was directed at some of these other silly folks who claim to own businesses and that are against a single-payer healthcare system.
-- Posted by capetowndown on Mon, Jul 27, 2009, at 12:06 PM
Yes, I suppose your post was directed at folks like myself who were silly enough to not believe the government, when they said they were here to help us!
Of course I ran my business for 37 years and my kids have continued it for another 10 and still going strong... how long have YOU run yours wise one?
Since 1973.
Hmmm.
And you still believe the government when they tell you they are here to help you?
And still that much of a party loyalist?
Remarkable!
Unbelievable!
Previous post was directed to capetowndown. Sorry for not making myself clear.
GOODBYE PALIN!
It was so good to see Sarah (I Don't Know) Palin finally leave her post. Hopefully she wakes up and see that she was just a pawn being used by Republicans to try and steal votes. But that wasn's gonna work! You see, all that hogwash she was spewing back during the campaign meant nothing to the smart americans. Now she has so many ethics charges against her now, she had no choice but to leave. But oh wait...didn't she want the job as the V.P.,... come on..what if she had made it to the big house. When the pressure was on, would she have tucked her little hairpiece and run from the V.P. or even President's job. Man....we want someone like who we got now (Obama) who can handle international, public, and private pressure with no sweat. Gone is Palin and gone is the her chance to every try to run for President again and gone is the faint republican base. You guys have no backbone at all!
It has nothing to do with partisan politics. It's strictly business, and will remove my responsibility in assuring my employees are covered. My accountant and I have discussed this in length. I'd actually be able to give current employees substantial raises.
Hi Little Puppy!
Adding a question to your question, Wheels ... Hasn't this healthcare 'emergency' been going on for decades? Guess I should look up the definition of that word maybe?
As Pops (among many others) always says ... one of the scariest phrases in the country must be: 'I'm from the government and I'm here to help you.'
A sincere Thanks to you, prudentdriver. "LET THE ESTABLISHMENTS' OWNER(S) DECIDE! If you don't like the smoke, don't patronize there!" That's just such a complicated concept that many people just cannot comprehend it. ~laughing~
I really, really want to comment on some of the ... um ... strange Speak Outs ... like seniors on Medicare using it as a social program (!), and not having to pay for it ... Maybe later. Or maybe I'll start a thread to try and find out how much (or how little) people know about the costs associated with Medicare 'premiums.' Or heck, maybe I'll just spend my time more constructively today ... ~grinning~
It has nothing to do with partisan politics. It's strictly business, and will remove my responsibility in assuring my employees are covered. My accountant and I have discussed this in length. I'd actually be able to give current employees substantial raises.
-- Posted by capetowndown on Mon, Jul 27, 2009, at 12:55 PM
Strange, as my CPA and I see this Government Health Care as exactly the opposite. And she has a vested interest as she is 1/2 owner of my former business and my daughter.
If we truly believed that it would save the company anything, why would we not be for it? Especially as the business, has since it became a partner in insurance for the employees many years ago, paid 2/3 of the employees and families health care coverage.
I'll bet you are one of those folks that still think only the rich are going to pay for this, aren't you?
Mom,
Good to hear from you, and it was such a pleasure to meet You and Pops. I enjoyed my short conversation with him immensely, and would bet we could spend a few hours without running out of stories. And you as well!! Here I am about to forget my manors again, dang it.
Yes, we have been in emergency mode on health care for decades, and trying to fix it in a few short months is crazy. They care nothing about the outcome, it is all about politics and trying to keep an ill advised promise at any cost.
Pops is on target on the scary part. Hi to him.
Have a great day... and do start another thread, yours provoke interesting comments.
By the way, since you know James and I are related, won't you agree, he is the smart one and I'm the good looking one?
capetowndown ... Do you honestly believe that if our government institutes a 'single-payer health plan,' it will save businesses money ... whether in the near or far future? I personally don't know ... but certainly am always skeptical when our political leaders suggest such a thing.
capetowndown,
Congratulations on your apparent success and your insight.
Some posters make everything partisan politics and refuse to open their eyes to other possibilities or facts!
Some posters make everything partisan politics and refuse to open their eyes to other possibilities or facts!
-- Posted by Theorist on Mon, Jul 27, 2009, at 1:24 PM
Regards the PARTISAN part... if any poster on here would know about that, you should!
smoking...if you don't plan on quitting , what do you plan on ??
-- Posted by *Rick* on Mon, Jul 27, 2009, at 11:19 AM
I plan on the kids/dog/husband driving me nuts, posting on this forum, cleaning, cooking, laundry, lunch and supper, dessert & hopefully a cigarette after it's all done! ☻
Wheels ... Pops was so impressed with you (and your lovely wife)! Thinking you're right that you two could spend quite a few hours together without running out of stories. We had such a marvelous time visiting with you two and James and his wife. Lot of intelligence running rampant in that group!
Exactly ... What's the 'rush' on the health care? Throw together a complicated, convoluted, flawed bill that not even they can comprehend just so they can say 'See, we fixed it?' That's how it appears to me, anyway.
Not sure how to take it that my 'threads' provoke "interesting comments!" ~laughing~ I'm a little ... um ... surprised now and then at how sharing facts, opinions, thoughts can sometimes turn into a personal issue. Nevertheless, enjoy the 'debating' and the things I do learn from others.
Not fool enough to answer your last question, Wheels ... ~winking~
why hurry thru the UHC just to say something got done ?...will there be a general vote by all Americans before this becomes law ??
Mom,
That winking business, did Sarah Palin learn that from you?
Is that why Pops and I like her?
Some posters make everything partisan politics and refuse to open their eyes to other possibilities or facts!
-- Posted by Theorist on Mon, Jul 27, 2009, at 1:24 PM
Regards the PARTISAN part... if any poster on here would know about that, you should!
-- Posted by Have_Wheels_Will_Travel on Mon, Jul 27, 2009, at 1:35 PM
SWISH, 3 POINTS.
why hurry thru the UHC just to say something got done ?...will there be a general vote by all Americans before this becomes law ??
-- Posted by *Rick* on Mon, Jul 27, 2009, at 1:45 PM
Rick,
You don't think the politicians are dumb enough to let us have a say on it do you?
Oh, come on Silverback, I thought it would be at least as good as running over a guy with a white cane in heavy traffic! I have been told that is 5 points.
"Some posters make everything partisan politics and refuse to open their eyes to other possibilities or facts!"
Oh gosh! Can't quit laughing! However ... I admit that I do tend to 'lean right' ... But as y'all know (from my opinion of an un-named ex-VP candidate), not leaning far enough to fall over ...
I think I learned something important from my mother (who should have fallen over left) ... when I realized that she really isn't as 'left' as she thinks she is ... Which led me to the belief that if some people would honestly analyze their beliefs on many issues, they would fall more toward the middle of the political spectrum. My mom, bless her heart, is unaware of that lesson I learned from her!
What often puzzles me is ... People (of both parties) often have a difficult or even impossible time in trying to logically explain why they are 'for' or 'against' what their party wants them to believe (or not) in. Apologies to Theorist, but the Second Amendment comes to mind.
YES, Wheels ... Sarah learned the wink from me! However ... she didn't practice enough so she scrunches up the whole side of her face when she winks. Maybe I'm just not a good teacher? ~laughing~ Pops does still like her, but I suspect not so much as a politician now. (Sorry, I had to tell him some stuff a few weeks ago that he really didn't want to know.) Darn me ... had to go tell him about your wink comment ... I think he's mumbling Palin stuff at me even though I left the living room. You guys are SO funny!
Gurusmom and wheels: I go on Medicare in a little over a month. Does that mean that I can start being reckless with my health? Does that mean that I can get pregnant without any consequences?
It was great to see you at the picnic. Very smart people. Questioning minds.
If people are capable of being educated, they will be educated. Too bad that many educators owe their soul to the state.
Wheels
if the UHC is the cure all then why not let everyone vote on it?
Good for you, Turnip! "I plan on the kids/dog/husband driving me nuts, posting on this forum, cleaning, cooking, laundry, lunch and supper, dessert & hopefully a cigarette after it's all done!"
A general vote on the health care bill, Rick? Aha, you're being sarcastic, aren't you?
James ... Yep ... do whatever you want to and Medicare will take good care of you ... if you can find a doctor who accepts it ... and until the new health care plan goes into effect.
But be prepared for some to accuse you of not deserving Medicare because you don't 'pay' for it, even though you have been contributing to it for decades ... and don't faint when you see what all the supplements you'll need under it will cost you.
Can I be the baby's godmother?
My....where to start...
Well, I didn't mention names, but look who got mad...laughing!
Wheels and Silver...I have never voted a straight ticket in my life. Because I offer up different views to you, you assume I go against everything you stand for. What do you really know???? Nothing much....
Gurusmom,
Yes, I support gun control!!! So does that mean I have no other views or can see both sides of an issue? I am always willing to listen to every side and welcome the knowledge. I then have to weigh the information and try to make an informed decision. Do you have a better way to the truth?
Gurusmom: You may be the godmother.
gurusmom and have wheels. All I know is that my rates for employee insurance has doubled. Sure I write this off, but wouldn't it best be served by paying employees more and keeping up with the cost of living rather than insurance? I want the government to have it. Social Security has worked for serveral decades now, I think the healthcare industry will be just fine. I think you two fail to realize that other medicare/medicaid programs will be able to be deleted once that transition takes place. I'm looking forward to seeing this, and my employee can't wait either.
Without mentioning names, some people mistake amusement for anger. While they go to great lengths to state otherwise, they are no different than any of the rest of us. They continue to make claims about others' lack of thoughtful consideration without knowing anything other than that someone disagrees with them.
Thoughtful, intelligent people should be able to look at the same set of facts/opinions and come to a different conclusion without being maligned.
I have never and will never vote a straight ticket either and I imagine most do the same in spite of other's assumptions to the contrary. I can no longer tell one political party from the other and vote for the person and not their political affiliation.
Aw, Rick ... "if the UHC is the cure all then why not let everyone vote on it?" You would ask that! Because ... we are not intelligent enough to comprehend it, and we definitely do not know what's best for us ... or not.
Sorry, Theorist ... you aren't alone on the gun control issue and I didn't mean to 'target' you, really. But ... we had that discussion some time ago. If I recall ... I presented a couple of instances when carrying a concealed weapon might have changed circumstances for me. Do you remember presenting a solid reason for opposing the right to carry? If so, it's slipped into another part of my brain ...
I do respect you and your opinions, and in no way would even hint that you don't think things through, even though sometimes it might appear that I have. I'm not really intent on the desire to make everyone think or believe as I do ... but can't help trying to encourage people to discard party politics and/or emotions, and use their mental abilities to discuss and consider various things as objectively as possible ... then present some valid reasons why they are for or against any issue ...
Sometimes when that happens, their reasons cause ME to reconsider ...
YIKES! It's almost 3:00 pm ... Time flies when we're having fun ...
medicare/medicaid deleted?
Government deletes no programs. (Especially failed ones)
Social Security works?
Is that why it is going broke?
The employee would be better off if gov't didn't take 7.5% from them and another 7.5% from employer so that employer could give employee 14% raise to do as he/she wishes. To invest or otherwise.
I have many reasons to support gun control. I think we would all benefit from the enforcement of current laws and regulations. Unfortunately, many feel this is against their personal 'second amendment rights'. My question is, is everyone (crazy, disturbed, illegal, dishonest, etc.) entitled to those rights?
ha ha ha! Of course government deletes social programs all the time. If I'm correct, Gov. Blunt deleted some while in office. It isn't broken, the problem right now is that we have an influx of babyboomers retiring, and if you know anything about that, you know there are double the amount of babyboomers retiring than there is workforce.
Does that mean that I can get pregnant without any consequences?
-- Posted by James Nall on Mon, Jul 27, 2009, at 2:14 PM
Gettin old there huh?
There will be questions... if or not there are consequences!
Wheels
if the UHC is the cure all then why not let everyone vote on it?
-- Posted by *Rick* on Mon, Jul 27, 2009, at 2:27 PM
Rick,
I would certainly be for it, after an appropriate educational process so that we would at least know what we were voting on. Unlike our hired hands in Washington who vote on bills without reading them.
Well, I didn't mention names, but look who got mad...laughing!
Theorist,
I quit taking you seriously a long time ago. Not mad at all, just thought it was funny that you whould comment on Partisonship. I have never seen you disagree with the party line on here. Now back to the next post before I loose my place.
That's what happens when you get called away.
Yes, double the baby boomers retiring than in the workforce. Hence SS is unsustainable, hence broken. I'll just take my 14% raise and use it to take responsibility for my own health care.
Blunt deleted state programs, not federal. (Should have made myself clear on differentiating between fed and state gov't.)
My question is, is everyone (crazy, disturbed, illegal, dishonest, etc.) entitled to those rights?
-- Posted by Theorist on Mon, Jul 27, 2009, at 3:14 PM
No, which is why we have laws against it. Too bad the fed gov't refuses to enforce them. i.e. the convicted felons whom attempt to purchase guns and whom the fed gov't refuses to indict and prosecute.
gurusmom and have wheels. All I know is that my rates for employee insurance has doubled. Sure I write this off, but wouldn't it best be served by paying employees more and keeping up with the cost of living rather than insurance? I want the government to have it. Social Security has worked for serveral decades now, I think the healthcare industry will be just fine. I think you two fail to realize that other medicare/medicaid programs will be able to be deleted once that transition takes place. I'm looking forward to seeing this, and my employee can't wait either.
-- Posted by capetowndown on Mon, Jul 27, 2009, at 2:40 PM
If you think Medicare is working so well you are apparently not participating in it. I am, Mom is!
The only reason it works ar all is that you buy numerous other policies, Part B, Part D, Supplemental, and then you pay your co-pays on the D and you learn to deal with 10 times the paperwork you ever saw on private insurance.
And if you know it is cheaper, please give me the amount so that I might feel more comfortable with it.
Oh... did you miss the part about Social Security and Medicare are almost broke? Even your party faithful will tell you that.
The politicians have spent the money taken in for this purpose for years and now have to fund it out of general funds!
Tarny! Medical Mary Jane and UHC, gotta be a connection there.
Ah, the luxury of living at the expense of others. Now I know how a politician feels.
Ah, the luxury of living at the expense of others. Now I know how a politician feels.
-- Posted by James Nall on Mon, Jul 27, 2009, at 3:57 PM
James,
You wait unitl I park my motor home in your yard and plug into your electricity and water!
Then you gonna be one of the "others" again. Ask my brother he will tell you! He furnished me a 2o amp plug. One visit without the A/C running and I rewired it to a 50 amp. He said please don't back up close enough for the hose from the diesel tank to reach. People are so suspicious!
Wheels,
That only seems fair. From his posts, James seems to be a self reliant guy. That's not fair to those who are dependent on gov't, therefore you taking what is his is the only right thing to do.
(Somewhere Obama, Pelosi, and Reid just smiled)
DTower
Thank you! You are one of the very few on here agreeing with me today. James is a fair person, and very agreeable, he will see it our way.
Wheels,
I agree with you, just keeping a low profile. I am one of those evil baby boomers who will soon be living off of the largess of SS; ah the good life...
Wonder what happened to TripleS? Ain't seen him in awhile. Hmmmm....I must say I don't like it when people change their names! It confuses the crap out of me. Why? just to mess with our minds? to escape their forum persona?
Silverback,
Welcome to the club.
You and I, and those of our generation, are going to make it I feel. I think this country is resilliant enough to last through our lifetime... maybe.
Our children and especially our grandchildren are going to have to pay for all of this and probably not have anything like we know to enjoy, and it really bothers me. And when this grand plan of socialism all falls apart, what do they say... I'm sorry, we made a mistake.
Turnip...
I sooo agree! Perhaps they think they are being too transparent, laughing...
Turnip,
TripleS might be on vacation or just needed a break.
Turnips,
Don't worry about TripleS. I'm sure he is alive and well, don't you think?
I think his persona is well established and hard to hide from.
As far as messing with our minds......................... I' not going there, I will get in trouble again.
You still on double secret probation?
Pups, I didn't even consider a vacation. My comment was not directed at him necessarily, just having a random thought. There have been alot of banishments and name changes back and forth lately. I hope TripleS is having fun....whatever he's doing. ☻
Wheels, nah...I think they have their sights set on you now. ☻
Turnip,
Understand. So many 'new' faces since my return. I'm still trying to figure them all out. Though I think I have spotted some old friends even with the new names.
Pups,
You have to admit that I didn't break under pressure, even when you tried to bribe me a week or so ago. Just kidding. You figured it out when you thought about it for a moment... did you not?
Wheels,
Can't say I didn't try. Your breaking point is higher then I can afford. LOL
I think I've figured it out. Though if I'm wrong I might be a bit red faced if I ever say the wrong thing. lol
My accountant and I have discussed this in length. I'd actually be able to give current employees substantial raises.
-- Posted by capetowndown on Mon, Jul 27, 2009, at 12:55 PM
My accountant says different. He hasn't been wrong in 26 years. Saying you have been in your business 37 years narrows it down quite a bit. What type of business would escape this burden?
Some posters make everything partisan politics and refuse to open their eyes to other possibilities or facts!
-- Posted by Theorist on Mon, Jul 27, 2009, at 1:24 PM
There are NO facts being brought froward of how it will be paid for so should we just try it and see what happens?
I can say I am one of the business owners that never had a business plan but I did at least know what an endeavor would cost and a way to bail if it failed. This is like diving off a cliff and not knowing how deep the water is. It would be a fools move to do it like that.
Since Canada is know promoting private health care shouldn't we be taking a look at why? Government regulations and liability is the major fallacies of the health care problems.
I'll check in tomorrow night. Some of us work Wheels. Don't worry, I will pay my share of SS money. :)
NO, I do not know how this proposed UHC plan will or will not work. No, it is not my area of expertise or knowledge, and No, I don't have facts to support or disprove it's effectiveness.
What I do KNOW, is that what we have now is NOT working. It is raking Americans and mocking fairness.
So, Mr. Wiffle, are you willing to just keep waiting or do something?
Mr. Wiffle,
It is good to see that some are still working. Anything I may say or have said to a working man regarding I need him to keep paying so my checks don't bounce is or was in jest.
I just hope there is something left in the system for you when you retire. And that is sincere. What is going on now is not fair to the younger generation, that are still working.
re: Parking manners -- I'm sorry that happened to you. What is wrong with people? That is your spot until you are good and ready to pull out of it. You were obviously in need of rest before feeling up to driving, and I for one would much rather a driver be prepared to be behind the wheel before vacating their parking spot. I feel the same way about the young teens I see chatting on their cell phones. If only some of them would stay in their parking spot a little longer and finish that call! We'd all be a little safer.
My accountant says different. He hasn't been wrong in 26 years. Saying you have been in your business 37 years narrows it down quite a bit. What type of business would escape this burden?
-- Posted by Mr. Wiffle on Mon, Jul 27, 2009, at 8:48 PM
Mr. Wiffle,
Not saying this is the case, but could a husband and wife team, as the only employees, drop their health insurance and go on the public dole for insurance? It would automatically give them a raise.
I know from speaking to the employees my son-in-law hires, many who worked for me before I retired, they are not expecting good things to happen if they should loose their health care at the company in favor of a taxpayer subsidized plan.
Ok, only my two cents and I don't run a business, but have done the books for one. (Wow, that sounds like the old "I'm not a Dr. but I play one on TV" line.)
Anyway, talked to a gentleman at work who's wife is Canadian. Their last visit to Canada before marrage, she went to the clinic with a problem with her hand. Time for wait that included triage, xray, consult with DR., treatment was 45 min. Also, according to him, their plan in Canada is basic care for everyone. Private policies are available privately as well with employers. Maybe ours would be set up the same way???
Silverback,
I finally have an answer for you question about who decides what is 'affordable'. *I know, I'm not the fastest tool in the shed*
I was thinking the same ones who decided what the minimum coverage requirement was for car insurance. Can you tell I'm stuck on the car insurance analogy???? lol
Wheels,
Yes, the couple could drop their coverage and get the basic care under the "UHC" plan and give themselves a 'raise'. But at what cost in what they lose in coverage?
I am going to have to take Rick's advise and probably stop discussing it until we actually find out what is actually involved. *Ok, sometimes I just have to make myself laugh. Like we will ever get what is actually involved from those in Washington.* LMAO
Wheels,
I have to work 30 or so more years, so I think you might be ok. lol
Time to shut up now. Seems I'm talking to myself. ha ha
Everyone have a great night.
Pups,
I could say don't miss any work, so that my check doesn't bounce and Silverback and James get theirs. Come to think of it, we are all depending on you. But that isn't fair is it. Puts to much pressure on a person!
So I didn't say that.
Wheels,
I'll share the responsibility with DTower. He said he was willing to help so your checks don't bounce.
I've been late for work maybe 4 times in the last 12 years. Though I will try to do better for ya in the future.
Pups & DTower
Please know we do appreciate you both. I am sure that it is ok to speak for the others in this regard.
Ah, but who is to decide as my list "might" differ from others and people change names and have multiple identifies; may change my own again pretty soon.
-- Posted by TripleS on Tue, Jun 9, 2009, at 11:26 AM
Theorist,
I was actually talking of the time before you started posting.
As to being one of the "good" guys that is kind of a loaded question or judgment. This forum is often one of fluid allegiances or "friendships". Some of us use it as a social network site and some purely for debate. Some "stir the pot" for the sake of debate while others do so for malicious purposes. Many, if not most take it all too seriously. I prefer not to classify "good" or "bad" and though you and I often agree, I am glad you post on here. I really think diversity of thought is a good thing.
As to changing names, it is done for different reasons. Sometimes someone gets banned or catches so much grief, they abandon their name and come back for a fresh start. Some also do it because of computer glitches. I have changed my name/avatar in the past and will do so in the future as I like my opinions to be viewed on their own merit rather than any sense of allegiance or old animosity. I am always the same person with the same opinions, but few catch on. I even did a "test" after a discussion with Me'Lange on the affect "names/avatars" have on how an opinion is viewed and there is definitely a correlation. That is not to say everyone reacts differently, but a pretty significant number do and it also has an affect on whether or not the "persona" is responded to.
-- Posted by TripleS on Fri, Jul 3, 2009, at 2:37 PM
Me'Lange,
Yes, to each his own. I have found that many will agree or disagree based on their perception of what a particular poster is writing instead of the real intent. On one occasion Theorist and a couple of others were "friendly" with one persona and not the other even though the position, opinion and writing were the same.
None of this "research" was done for nefarious reasons and arose out of a conversation you and I had quite some time ago which piqued my interest.
Even though I am no longer doing this, I am giving serious consideration to dropping this identity or to stop posting.
-- Posted by TripleS on Sat, Jul 4, 2009, at 8:33
Ah, my advice to Turnips not to worry, was on target.
Hello!
This is for those who believe "LET THE ESTABLISHMENTS' OWNER(S) DECIDE! If you don't like the smoke, don't patronize there!"
The problem is that these owners are TOO scared to take the risk of loosing business. I have spoken to some of them and they agree that they would do such a thing if others would follow suite. I personally have already started taken the proper steps in giving quality results to show that yes, more business would come from being smoke-free rather than smoke-filled.