Republicans killing America(ns)

On a scale of 1-10 how mad are you at the Republican party for holding us hostage, risking our credit rating, and trying to restrict us from affordable health care?  I am a 10.  It makes me sick that they are treating our fiscal health and literal health like a game.  Oh how ironic, I'm sick... I don't have health insurance!

Let the Republicans know you will not be voting for them in the future.  Here are some of their twitter feeds.

 

digitalbeachbum's picture

On a scale of 1-10?Try

On a scale of 1-10?

Try 10x10^10

I'm so completely annoyed at their bullshit. They are like that seven year old kid who throws a tantrum because they know that every one else will be fucking miserable on the family trip unless they get what they want; and every one in the family gives in to them because they just want the kid to shut up.

I literally am writing a book now about the douche baggery in DC with the repubs. I'm tired of their shit so I'm putting my frustrations in a story.

BTW - I hope your sickness isn't serious.

Jeffrick's picture

je suis les Canadian. Lucky me.

 

 

                  You do realize that the main republican complaint against the democrats is the color of Barak Obama's skin. I can see the repugnent-cans now going into a panic mode over the simple fact that Obamacare might work bettter and be more popular then expected. Some of the more repugnant-ones  are starting to call it Obama/Clinton care and even Affordable health care [the legal name]. Sorta their way of tossing in the "white's only" flag.

 

"Very funny Scotty; now beam down our clothes."

VEGETARIAN: Ancient Hindu word for "lousy hunter"

If man was formed from dirt, why is there still dirt?

Brian37's picture

Only a 10? I am at 1,000.  

Only a 10? I am at 1,000.

 

 

"We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and nonbelievers."Obama
Check out my poetry here on Rational Responders Like my poetry thread on Facebook under Brian James Rational Poet, @Brianrrs37 on Twitter and my blog at www.brianjamesrationalpoet.blog

Brian37's picture

I don't want them to wreck

I don't want them to wreck the car again, but they will suffer a political backlash for pulling this stupid stunt.

 

Same shit God does "If I can't have you, no one can".

"We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and nonbelievers."Obama
Check out my poetry here on Rational Responders Like my poetry thread on Facebook under Brian James Rational Poet, @Brianrrs37 on Twitter and my blog at www.brianjamesrationalpoet.blog

digitalbeachbum's picture

Brian37 wrote:Only a 10? I

Brian37 wrote:

Only a 10? I am at 1,000.

 

 

I thought for sure you'd be up where I am...

 

pauljohntheskeptic's picture

Spank the Baby Repugs

I'm also at a 10. Once upon a time I was a conservative republican. I read everything Ayn Rand ever wrote back in the 70s. By 1994 that all changed. The last time I voted for any Republican was George H Bush in 92. I was pretty hard core. But by the 90s the religious wackos started to really take over. In the past, I was a believer but by the mid 90s I had stopped. I was a design engineer and manager of R & D at a computer company. I also became self employed in 92.

The right did nothing for me as a small business. Over the next 10 years my health insurance rose at an exponential rate. In 2005 it went from $285 a month to $600. I switched to catastrophic for the next 2 years. By 2007 I couldn't even afford that. Now I have none. And I don't have any health issues fortunately.  The AHCA (aka Obama Cares) will get me good rates and a credit as I'm not making a fortune. I work as a tax preparer and do eBay now. I took early social security as jobs were impossible for someone with all of my education and experience at my age. Cheaper younger people available - and yes they age discriminate.

Congress needs to be spanked. Vote out the Tea Party thugs who hold America hostage. They are little babies whining I want the candy, rolling on the ground in the grocery store. Over 45 times now they have been told no. Put the little brats in a corner for time outs or just give them the spankings they deserve in 2014. What they want will not happen. They lost in 2012, get over it and cooperate. I know they follow Ayn Rand's philosophy - "when you compromise with evil only evil wins" I think they are the evil now.   Destroying the country is not in anyone's best interest unless you are so self centered you don't look past your nose. They are anarchists. That essentially is what Atlas Shrugged called for when you really consider it. The gov't never screwed me out of my patents or my intellectual property rights, greedy corporations did. The last time was in 2009 when a company stole my idea after I sold them a sample. The courts are rigged so you have to have thousands to protect your rights, I don't.

 

____________________________________________________________
"I guess it's time to ask if you live under high voltage power transmission lines which have been shown to cause stimulation of the fantasy centers of the brain due to electromagnetic waves?" - Me

"God is omnipotent, omniscient, omnibenevolent, - it says so right here on the label. If you have a mind capable of believing all three of these divine attributes simultaneously, I have a wonderful bargain for you. No checks please. Cash and in small bills." - Robert A Heinlein.

ProzacDeathWish's picture

Sapient wrote: Let the

Sapient wrote:

 

Let the Republicans know you will not be voting for them in the future. 

 

     

You guys won't be voting for Republicans in the future ?  Politically speaking, the majority of the RRS members here seem to lean so far to the left was voting for the R's ever on your to-do list anyway ?

 

 

ProzacDeathWish's picture

Jeffrick

Jeffrick wrote:

 

 

                  You do realize that the main republican complaint against the democrats is the color of Barak Obama's skin.

 

 You do remember the Republican presidential candidate named Herman Cain don't you ?  How about the darling of conservative commentators retired neurosurgeon Doctor Ben Carson who has been flirting with the possibility of entering national politics ?  Uh, both those guys are black.  BTW, there is also the National Black Republican Association which one could safely assume whose members are black.

 

                                    

 

 

 

darth_josh's picture

I'm a walking casualty of

I'm a walking casualty of the great recession. I've made it so far. This member of the proletariat survives, but cannot prosper.

I've gotten two raises in 4 years, both before the FICA relief. After the deductions kicked back in, I now net $32 less per check than I did in 2008 and I don't get the summer hush money from GW Bush. In short, my economic situation sucks.

I haven't had health insurance since 2000 and pay cash for doctor visits for my wife, which is infinitely cheaper than ins. premiums with co-pays. I got my 'new' insurance packet 'offer' today from my company in anticipation of our billionaire owner allegedly losing money when the ACA kicks in.

Plan 1 for my family $253.66 bi-weekly  $30 copay per dr. visit only for PPO. Non-PPO is full price until $12,700 (family)deductible has been met.  <--- This is Plan 1 aka The good one.

Plan 2 for my family $222.09 bi-weekly Pay all costs up to $12,700 before it kicks in.

And before anyone tells me this looks great, please remember I'm in the South and wages are lower. The premium amounts to greater than 10% of my salary. In 1993, I paid $12.50 bi-weekly for 90/10 coverage with no copay, $1000 dental, free eye exam and 1 pair of glasses. So in 20 years, ins has gone up 1000%, benefits have gone down 650%(roughly) and I am supposed to be happy, hopeful, and confident that business leaders (including insurance CEO's) want to make it impossible for me NOT to pay them.

I'd like to find something on the 'exchange' but I'm not hopeful.

In general, I fucking hate the 538 broken out as follows:

So, I dislike candy-ass democrats, loathe rich republicans, despise hypocritical libertarians and have become disillusioned with the socialist movement in America.

What do I do? Keep going until the kids finish school and move out at which time I will pack a bag and take a homeless tour of america until I croak and get buried in whichever locality I happen to drop at a cost to the citizenry.

Atheist Books, purchases on Amazon support the Rational Response Squad server, which houses Celebrity Atheists.

darth_josh's picture

Beg your pardon. Sloppy,

Beg your pardon. Sloppy, emotional math.

Ins. Premiums up 2000% benefits down 450%

Atheist Books, purchases on Amazon support the Rational Response Squad server, which houses Celebrity Atheists.

thanks Obama

thanks Obama

darth_josh's picture

It isn't wholly the

It isn't wholly the administration's fault that a good idea was gutted, pushed through and subsequently bastardized for the short term benefit of corporations.

It also isn't wholly the fault of the retardicans.

It's a system that views people as liabilities instead of assets.

Democrats fret over how much money isn't coming in to spend.

Republicans fret over how much money they personally aren't making off the backs of the workers employed by their buddies.

Libertarians want people to rely on making their own money, even when they can't.

Socialists think sitting in a fucking park spending Dad and Mom's money is change.

Independents think their lives are the model for 'Mr. Smith goes to Washington'

 

 

lol. And here I was telling myself to stay away from political threads. Oops. I forgot one...

Canadians think the next time they need more tax revenue they'll just send us a prepubescent pop star. Eh?

Atheist Books, purchases on Amazon support the Rational Response Squad server, which houses Celebrity Atheists.

digitalbeachbum's picture

Time for a reboot.I dislike

Time for a reboot.

I dislike all parties.

I dislike tea partying morons, who haven't the first clue on what freedom is unless it comes from their viewpoint.

I dislike Obama for being a douche and having no backbone, instead he plays party politics, showing he was influenced by deep pockets.

And I completely dislike the media, not just FOX, for keeping the American public misinformed by creating sensationalized bullshit to cash in on fear.

 

Jeffrick's picture

eh? Darth__Josh

 

 

                Why are you sniping at Canada, over something I wrote, repugnents are useing racist memes to further their agenda and I am far from the first one to say that.   Beiber is a left coast fluke for real revenue re Ontario types. Alex Trebek , Dan Ackroyd, Mike Myers, Jim Carey, Wayne Gretsky, John Candy, Jim Cameron, Morley Safer, Eric Mac Cormick, Ivan Reitman, Lorne Mchaels, Lorne Green, James "Scotty" Duhan,   Jay Silverheels........etc. etc. etc.   Capt.Kirk was from Montreal,  and the Warner Bros, & Louis B. Mayer were from St.John N.B.

 

 

        

"Very funny Scotty; now beam down our clothes."

VEGETARIAN: Ancient Hindu word for "lousy hunter"

If man was formed from dirt, why is there still dirt?

darth_josh's picture

Jeffrick,It's not really

Jeffrick,

It's not really personal. I wrote one of my long-winded pieces years ago about 'How everyone hates someone without reason'

I chose Canadians because they don't really piss me off at all. It leaves me free to say, "No. I only irrationally hate Canadians. All others I have reasons."

 

I've finished reading the 26 pages of material from my corporate sponsor(aka employer). I was right. I make too much and not enough. It is REALLY close. No tax credit via the 'Marketplace' for me.

Two people in the back are eligible for assistance with their premiums.

One of my people with two jobs just discovered his spouse will no longer be covered by this job's ins. because she has a supplemental that meets the minimum standards for coverage.

Hmmm. This motherdisneying exchange needs to get going.

 

AND... this is interesting reading that slipped past. Apparently, they need only tell me they're going to share my health information for research, product recalls, preventing disease, and organ procurement organizations. I'm not gonna lie... that last one makes me nervous thanks to Monty Python's Flying Circus

http://www.hhs.gov/ocr/privacy/hipaa/understanding/consumers/index.html

 

Reference MPFC sans 'Universe Song':

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aclS1pGHp8o

Atheist Books, purchases on Amazon support the Rational Response Squad server, which houses Celebrity Atheists.

digitalbeachbum wrote:I

digitalbeachbum wrote:

I dislike Obama for being a douche and having no backbone, instead he plays party politics, showing he was influenced by deep pockets.

I think he's firmer since re-election.  Democrats still need to learn how to frame the discussion better.  They must dismantle Republican dishonesty as soon as it's said.  They are so trained to get out their own talking points that they too often don't properly respond to the other side.

 

 

 

Vastet's picture

The greatest irony about

The greatest irony about this whole thing is that by throwing it back at the House every time, the Dems automatically win. The act went into play this morning, covered as a required service. It has its money already. It is funded now and will stay funded so long as the Senate continues to hold its ground. The Reps literally lost the fight already. And most Americans know it. Get ready for the Dems holding all three branches of government.

Enlightened Atheist, Gaming God.

Beyond Saving's picture

 Pot calling the kettle

 Pot calling the kettle black?

I'm not going to defend the republicans, they have lost the issue and nothing they do now is going to change it. People like darth_josh who fall in that magical area of being "rich" enough to not get subsidies but poor enough that the ridiculously high prices of premiums are going to put a significant strain on his budget are going to get assfucked in favor of people who don't work and aren't trying to provide for themselves. But it is done now and there is no way it is being repealed.

The republicans are just grandstanding hoping that they can get a few votes from those who oppose Bamacare. I might get enthusiastic if they actually had a chance of fixing this clusterfuck or if they were at least standing on principle, but they aren't. They know they don't stand a chance so they make an ordeal because ordeals are great for fundraising. When I was a fundraiser, we drooled over these types of clashes because it made great red meat fodder for both sides to fill up the coffers. 

However, I don't see how anyone here has a leg to stand on throwing out charges of cry baby. Looks like you all are throwing quite the tantrum over a political tactic that has been used routinely over the years. The only modern president who hasn't faced a shutdown was GW and that is because that retard signed everything put in front of his nose, probably because he couldn't read it. 

The vast majority of shutdowns in history were done with a democratic congress against Bush Sr, Reagan, Carter (yes dem on dem action shut down the government 5 times in 3 separate years for a total of 57 days) and Ford. The republicans are using the tactic for the second time. Against Clinton in the longest shutdown ever over balancing the budget (26 days) and now against Obama. 

So get over it. It is simply a political tactic with time honored tradition that both sides have used. Life goes on, you can survive the government being shutdown for a few days and it isn't having any effect on Bamacare implementation anyway. You are crying over spilt milk. Everything will be okay, the republicans will grandstand, both sides will raise a ton of money over it and Bamacare will be in full swing next year so you can be forced by the government to pay the extortionate rates to insurance companies whether you want to or not. 

If, if a white man puts his arm around me voluntarily, that's brotherhood. But if you - if you hold a gun on him and make him embrace me and pretend to be friendly or brotherly toward me, then that's not brotherhood, that's hypocrisy.- Malcolm X

Beyond Saving's picture

 Just out of curiosity I

 Just out of curiosity I did a search of what it would cost a 26 year old me to get a health insurance plan now compared to 2014 when Bamacare kicks in. The exact same plan I had back in the day when I was 26 and broke, trying to make it would cost today $53.18/month (I think back then I paid roughly $45 give or take) That is a $5500 deductible with zero copay and a HSA to save money in.

Which I maintain is by far the most rational way for any young, relatively healthy person to structure their insurance. You save money in the HSA tax free so that after a few years of not using it, because odds are you wont, your money belongs to you and not the insurance company.

Post Bamacare in 2014 those plans are illegal. The cheapest plan is $195.66 which has a $5000 deductible THEN a 30% copay. That is what I used to call crap insurance. So the poor kid working an entry level job is paying four times what he would have paid yesterday. He is uninsured either because he doesn't think he can afford $53/month or most likely doesn't want to pay it. Now you are telling him that he MUST pay 4 times that amount.

Oh wait, but what about the SUBSIDY! that will save him right? Suppose the kid makes $20,000 a year, that is a little under $9 and hour working full time. Pretty much the going rate for McDonalds around here. He gets a subsidy of $115 a month. Bringing his actual cost to $80.66/month. Still 30% more than what he would have been paid immediately prior to the law going into effect and he has a plan that involves a lot more out of pocket costs if he has a $10,000 bill.

What if that same 26 year old kid were to buy a plan today willing to spend the same $80 that Bamacare forces him to? For $80.56 (saving 10 cents a month!) he could get a plan with a $2,500 deductible and 30% copay after deductible. So with the subsidy, he gets a plan where he gets the privilege of paying twice the deductible if he gets sick than he would have spending the same amount before the law. How in the hell is the law helping that kid working at McDonalds? 

Don't take my word for it, look for yourself. There is a nifty option at healthcare.gov where you can switch between plans you purchase today and plans for 2014. The ones today are a hell of a lot cheaper for better coverage. So if you are not covered and you work, you should probably buy one of those plans now and at least get one year of being grandfathered in before your rates skyrocket to the 2014 rates and you lose your coverage.

Sure, some older people are going to see their rates go down from what they were. And guess who is picking up the slack? You old fucks are getting discounts on the backs of kids trying to save enough money to start families, buy houses, get their first car or invest in their first business etc. Fuck you greedy assholes. 

If, if a white man puts his arm around me voluntarily, that's brotherhood. But if you - if you hold a gun on him and make him embrace me and pretend to be friendly or brotherly toward me, then that's not brotherhood, that's hypocrisy.- Malcolm X

Brian37's picture

Stop it, really. Obama was

Stop it, really. Obama was elected TWICE and the ACA was PASSED by both houses of congress and UPHELD BY THE SUPREME COURT.

All you are trying to do is reverse two elections. FUCK YOU, same shit was said about social security and medicare. If prices go up it will not be because of law, but blackmail by corporate America.

"We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and nonbelievers."Obama
Check out my poetry here on Rational Responders Like my poetry thread on Facebook under Brian James Rational Poet, @Brianrrs37 on Twitter and my blog at www.brianjamesrationalpoet.blog

danatemporary's picture

Dart Board design ... Hmmm

 (No  Subject)

   I am thinking of  a dart board design

   (Left center of image it has the word  M-O-N-E-Y)

 



    p.s. -- Smug look on the face of the ultra-wealthy

danatemporary wrote:I am

danatemporary wrote:
I am thinking of  a dart board design

   (Left center of image it has the word  M-O-N-E-Y)

 



    p.s. -- Smug look on the face of the ultra-wealthy

 

 

100 points if you hit him in the eyes and for, dare I say it, the money shot?

Beyond Saving's picture

Brian37 wrote:Stop it,

Brian37 wrote:

Stop it, really. Obama was elected TWICE and the ACA was PASSED by both houses of congress and UPHELD BY THE SUPREME COURT.

All you are trying to do is reverse two elections. FUCK YOU, same shit was said about social security and medicare. If prices go up it will not be because of law, but blackmail by corporate America.

Have you gone onto healthcare.gov and looked at how much it will cost you to get health insurance? I'm assuming that your evil boss isn't paying for it. Go ahead, go there and compare your 2013 rate to the 2014 rate. You do realize that by January next year you must purchase it right? You might be old enough that your subsidy will be high enough or you will qualify for medicaid. What about the kids working next to you that are 20 years younger and don't qualify?

Of course, you don't really give a shit about them. You care about the "poor" only insofar as you are a part of the group. When it comes to you getting yours, you don't really give a flying fuck about who is paying for it. Actually, that probably isn't fair, you probably actually are just completely, belligerently ignorant living under the fantasy that some anonymous rich person is paying for it. Well guess what, Papa John isn't paying for it and if you believe he is I have a really nice bridge in Brooklyn I'll sell you. The people who pay for it are primarily 26-35 year olds who work full time/overtime and make over $20,000- especially males. Last time I checked, making $20,000 a year doesn't make you rich. It is the people who are just starting out in their careers, are trying to start families and rarely use healthcare services.  

All I am doing is pointing out the consequences caused by the people you voted for. Yes, you won. So enjoy your Pyrrhic victory and stop whining about the republicans. 

If, if a white man puts his arm around me voluntarily, that's brotherhood. But if you - if you hold a gun on him and make him embrace me and pretend to be friendly or brotherly toward me, then that's not brotherhood, that's hypocrisy.- Malcolm X

Vastet's picture

You should all move to

You should all move to Canada. Smiling

Enlightened Atheist, Gaming God.

digitalbeachbum's picture

Sapient

Sapient wrote:

digitalbeachbum wrote:

I dislike Obama for being a douche and having no backbone, instead he plays party politics, showing he was influenced by deep pockets.

I think he's firmer since re-election.  Democrats still need to learn how to frame the discussion better.  They must dismantle Republican dishonesty as soon as it's said.  They are so trained to get out their own talking points that they too often don't properly respond to the other side.

I wish I could have your optimism but I put the demos in the same crate as the repubs. Different boxes, but same crate.

The crate of ignorance.

 

I was thinking about this on the way home tonight. Why is it that the government doesn't do what we need? Because no one would make money at it. None of their friends would make money, their campaigns wouldn't make money, the advertisers wouldn't make money.

It's always about greed. What can I do for myself or my friends? rather than what can I do for my country?

 

digitalbeachbum's picture

Beyond Saving wrote: Just

Beyond Saving wrote:

 Just out of curiosity I did a search of what it would cost a 26 year old me to get a health insurance plan now compared to 2014 when Bamacare kicks in.

What are the percentages of people that will be worse off than before?

What are the percentages of the people who will be better off than before?

What are the percentages of the people who will experience very little change or no change at all?

digitalbeachbum's picture

Beyond Saving wrote:Have you

Beyond Saving wrote:
Have you gone onto healthcare.gov and looked at how much it will cost you to get health insurance? I'm assuming that your evil boss isn't paying for it. Go ahead, go there and compare your 2013 rate to the 2014 rate. You do realize that by January next year you must purchase it right? You

I work for a small company and they don't provide me health care because I am a contractor.

I get my insurance through my wife's job (from a fucking hospital).

I get better coverage from the new health care plan than through my wife and to boot it is cheaper. We are saving $138 a month for the entire family. That's $1656 a year. While this total isn't a huge amount of money, it is enough to put in to savings or invest, maybe do repairs around the house.

So if we spend this money or invest it, we are using it to better our lives rather than pay it to over priced insurance companies who have been raising health care on us (and others). In 20 years health care premiums have risen over close to 400% for an average family, but services have decreased?

Why is America ranked 46 of 48 counties on health care????

 

Beyond Saving wrote:Brian37

Beyond Saving wrote:

Brian37 wrote:

Stop it, really. Obama was elected TWICE and the ACA was PASSED by both houses of congress and UPHELD BY THE SUPREME COURT.

All you are trying to do is reverse two elections. FUCK YOU, same shit was said about social security and medicare. If prices go up it will not be because of law, but blackmail by corporate America.

Have you gone onto healthcare.gov and looked at how much it will cost you to get health insurance? I'm assuming that your evil boss isn't paying for it. Go ahead, go there and compare your 2013 rate to the 2014 rate.

Obamacare makes it more affordable for me than it would have been.

 

Quote:
You do realize that by January next year you must purchase it right?

Incorrect.  It's by March.  If he doesn't want to buy it he'll have about a $200 penalty next year.  (1% of his income)

 

Quote:
Well guess what, Papa John isn't paying for it and if you believe he is I have a really nice bridge in Brooklyn I'll sell you.

Papa John is a dick.  He was screwing employees over to keep them part time so he wouldn't have to provide healthcare.  Now if you mean that Papa John isn't paying because his tax contributions don't help fund the tax credits received for purchasing Obamacare then I'd love to buy that bridge.

 

 

Quote:
Yes, you won. So enjoy your Pyrrhic victory and stop whining about the republicans. 

These Republicans are a danger to America.  Figuring out how to remove them, lessen their power, or beat them in re-elections is one of the most important things America can do today to increase it's own health.

 

digitalbeachbum wrote:It's

digitalbeachbum wrote:

It's always about greed. What can I do for myself or my friends? rather than what can I do for my country?

Maybe I am optimistic but you are on the far side of the other end.  There are surely some elected officials that don't function based solely on their own self gain.

 

 

darth_josh's picture

 The answer to irrational

 The answer to irrational optimism is in the form of a question...

If greed is not the prevailing motivation then what happened to the single payer idea?

Atheist Books, purchases on Amazon support the Rational Response Squad server, which houses Celebrity Atheists.

digitalbeachbum's picture

Sapient

Sapient wrote:

digitalbeachbum wrote:

It's always about greed. What can I do for myself or my friends? rather than what can I do for my country?

Maybe I am optimistic but you are on the far side of the other end.  There are surely some elected officials that don't function based solely on their own self gain.

I would agree to this view point, but the number of "good" politicians is as rare as finding a white rhino; there aren't enough of them.

 

Brian37's picture

Sapient wrote:Beyond Saving

Sapient wrote:

Beyond Saving wrote:

Brian37 wrote:

Stop it, really. Obama was elected TWICE and the ACA was PASSED by both houses of congress and UPHELD BY THE SUPREME COURT.

All you are trying to do is reverse two elections. FUCK YOU, same shit was said about social security and medicare. If prices go up it will not be because of law, but blackmail by corporate America.

Have you gone onto healthcare.gov and looked at how much it will cost you to get health insurance? I'm assuming that your evil boss isn't paying for it. Go ahead, go there and compare your 2013 rate to the 2014 rate.

Obamacare makes it more affordable for me than it would have been.

 

Quote:
You do realize that by January next year you must purchase it right?

Incorrect.  It's by March.  If he doesn't want to buy it he'll have about a $200 penalty next year.  (1% of his income)

 

Quote:
Well guess what, Papa John isn't paying for it and if you believe he is I have a really nice bridge in Brooklyn I'll sell you.

Papa John is a dick.  He was screwing employees over to keep them part time so he wouldn't have to provide healthcare.  Now if you mean that Papa John isn't paying because his tax contributions don't help fund the tax credits received for purchasing Obamacare then I'd love to buy that bridge.

 

 

Quote:
Yes, you won. So enjoy your Pyrrhic victory and stop whining about the republicans. 

These Republicans are a danger to America.  Figuring out how to remove them, lessen their power, or beat them in re-elections is one of the most important things America can do today to increase it's own health.

 

 

These Republicans are exactly what Orwell warned about with "doublespeak" in 1984. This shit is really pissing me off too. They have my older sister telling her son lies about ACA and he is scared to get it because of the right wing bullshit.

"We are a nation of Christians and Muslims, Jews and Hindus -- and nonbelievers."Obama
Check out my poetry here on Rational Responders Like my poetry thread on Facebook under Brian James Rational Poet, @Brianrrs37 on Twitter and my blog at www.brianjamesrationalpoet.blog

harleysportster's picture

This is pretty much a Q &A on the shutdown

 This is pretty much a Q &A on the shutdown:

http://www.cnn.com/2013/09/30/politics/government-shutdown-up-to-speed/index.html

From the article :

Government shutdown: Get up to speed in 20 questionsBy Holly Yan, CNN Congress has one key duty in the Constitution -- pass spending bills that fund the government. If it doesn't, most functions of government -- from funding agencies to paying out small business loans and processing passport requests -- grinds to a halt. But some services, like Social Security, air traffic control and active military pay, will continue to be funded. Oh, and Congress still gets paid, too. (Rest of the questions can be found at the link).

 

“It is proof of a base and low mind for one to wish to think with the masses or majority, merely because the majority is the majority. Truth does not change because it is, or is not, believed by a majority of the people.”
― Giordano Bruno

Brian37 wrote: This shit is

Brian37 wrote:

This shit is really pissing me off too. They have my older sister telling her son lies about ACA and he is scared to get it because of the right wing bullshit.

We have a problem when the strong suit of elected officials is misdirection and framing the debate in an out of context dishonest framework.  This illustrates the brainwashing that the term "Obamacare" has misled people with.  I've seen this type of insult before.  Just yesterday I was reading an attack on Richard Carrier and the author kept referring to him as Dick Carrier.  This type of tactic actually works on some people, it's why RRS is here.  

 

 

Beyond Saving's picture

digitalbeachbum wrote:Beyond

digitalbeachbum wrote:

Beyond Saving wrote:

 Just out of curiosity I did a search of what it would cost a 26 year old me to get a health insurance plan now compared to 2014 when Bamacare kicks in.

What are the percentages of people that will be worse off than before?

What are the percentages of the people who will be better off than before?

What are the percentages of the people who will experience very little change or no change at all?

Everyone who makes more than the median income will be worse off regardless of age, because they pay the higher rates but get no subsidies, so over 50%. What percentage of those below the median income varies by age group. For males 27-40 those who make an income that is roughly 57% or below the median will be better off. So roughly the bottom 25% are better off. Basically those who are married and make less that $40,000 or those who are single and make less that $20,000 are in the zone where it is similar or they are better off. The exact income where you benefit varies by state, that is the average. Women of the same age fair slightly better. 

Those who are in their mid to late 40's or over 50 are generally better off if they are below the median income for their age. So roughly 50% of them are better off/the same and 50% are worse off. These are rough estimates because I am way too lazy to crunch all the numbers and it doesn't matter a hill of beans anyway. Whats done is done and it sucks to be a 20 something male or to make only slightly more than the median income.

Funny, the law primarily benefits baby boomers... I wonder why? 

http://www.forbes.com/sites/theapothecary/2013/09/25/double-down-obamacare-will-increase-avg-individual-market-insurance-premiums-by-99-for-men-62-for-women/

http://aspe.hhs.gov/health/reports/2013/MarketplacePremiums/datasheet_home.cfm 

If, if a white man puts his arm around me voluntarily, that's brotherhood. But if you - if you hold a gun on him and make him embrace me and pretend to be friendly or brotherly toward me, then that's not brotherhood, that's hypocrisy.- Malcolm X

Beyond Saving's picture

Sapient wrote:Quote:You do

Sapient wrote:

Quote:
You do realize that by January next year you must purchase it right?

Incorrect.  It's by March.  If he doesn't want to buy it he'll have about a $200 penalty next year.  (1% of his income)

Yep you are right. I misspoke. Funny little loophole for those who want to play the law is you can actually be uninsured 3 months of every year and still avoid the penalty. This would allow the penny pincher to get a policy for one year, take 3 months uninsured, then sign up for a new policy, saving 3 months of premiums every year and avoiding the penalty. You could also just eat the penalty every year (which is what I am going to do because I decided I despise insurance companies more than I despise government, it was a tough choice) but how does that help our poor McDonalds worker? For me it is simply an addition to my income tax that I will bitch about but survive, for someone skating by at 20-30k 1% of their income is a big deal. On top of that, he still isn't insured.  

Another little interesting loophole in the law I might have tried is that if you get a shutdown notice from your utility company you can get an exemption for the year. I'm not sure if they have any safeguards to prevent fraud, but it seems like an easy thing to just not pay the electric until they threaten to shut it off then pay the bill. The late fees are probably much less than the penalty. 

Again, it is a loophole that helps alleviate the damage caused by the law, but isn't the law supposed to help these kids? Not encourage them to find creative ways to avoid it?

 

Sapient wrote:
 

Quote:
Well guess what, Papa John isn't paying for it and if you believe he is I have a really nice bridge in Brooklyn I'll sell you.

Papa John is a dick.  He was screwing employees over to keep them part time so he wouldn't have to provide healthcare.  Now if you mean that Papa John isn't paying because his tax contributions don't help fund the tax credits received for purchasing Obamacare then I'd love to buy that bridge.

Yes, Papa John is a dick. And it isn't surprising when a dick is a dick. Papa John is going to take home $2.6 million or whatever his salary is up to now Obamacare or not. He has flat out said he will raise prices on the pizza. His stock took a hit immediately after his comments, but has recovered and his fortune is intact. He isn't paying for it, at least not substantially. In fact, it is probable that the amount he said he is going to raise pizza prices is actually more than needed to cover the costs and taxes. He uses Bamacare as an excuse, raises the price of pizza a few more pennies than necessary and Papa John's revenue goes up making Papa John richer. Dick move? Sure. But dicks will be dicks, it is predictable.

Across the country a lot of companies are looking at this as an opportunity to offload a huge expense. Group medical insurance is really expensive for companies to offer. Often, paying the government fines is cheaper. So they can blame Bamacare, offload an expensive benefit and save themselves money. Make your workers part time to minimize the fines and your business will go along just fine. There is a significant initial expense in restructuring your business, but long term they will find a way to make it work, often at the expense of the employee. Do you think all those employees are going to get raises equal to the amount the company paid for health insurance? Probably not. Because dicks are dicks and predictably will act like dicks.

Companies as a rule don't pay taxes out of their profits. They pass the expense along to the consumer or cut costs because companies first and foremost goal is to maintain a certain profit level. If it drops below that level they lose significant money in stock prices or their ability to maintain their investors which leads to them ceasing to exist. When an expense rises, they raise prices or cut expenses elsewhere. If it is a temporary expense they might eat it for a quarter, but permanent expenses will always be dealt with using a permanent plan.  

 

Sapient wrote:

Quote:
Yes, you won. So enjoy your Pyrrhic victory and stop whining about the republicans. 

These Republicans are a danger to America.  Figuring out how to remove them, lessen their power, or beat them in re-elections is one of the most important things America can do today to increase it's own health.

The government is a danger to America and a bunch of other countries. Who runs it doesn't seem to make much difference. 

If, if a white man puts his arm around me voluntarily, that's brotherhood. But if you - if you hold a gun on him and make him embrace me and pretend to be friendly or brotherly toward me, then that's not brotherhood, that's hypocrisy.- Malcolm X

darth_josh's picture

 Most of the things that

 Most of the things that would have made the ACA work better for me and my 'ilk' were poopooed by Republican congresspeople.

However, the deal breakers for dems were the inclusion of the penalty and the 'discrimination' clause for alternative medicine coverage.

I think one unforeseen benefit of ACA may be a resurgence of benefits as a hiring tool for employers.

Atheist Books, purchases on Amazon support the Rational Response Squad server, which houses Celebrity Atheists.

Vastet's picture

Tbh, the McDonalds worker

Tbh, the McDonalds worker will be fine. McDonalds doesn't do full time. They won't even do more than 4-6 hours per shift here, because they either don't have to give breaks at all or get to cut out lunch. I'm sure whatever the regs are there, they pull the same bs.

Enlightened Atheist, Gaming God.

Kapkao's picture

Vastet wrote:You should all

Vastet wrote:
You should all move to Canada. Smiling

You really want us all up there with you? Smiling

Fuck it... Ludwig "Tarzan" Fainberg lives near Ontario last I checked. I should just pump some iron, develop an appreciable muscle mass/body index, and enlist his aid in propping up a East European stripper biz. Yeah, it might land me some jail time, but I'll be too fucking rich to care afterwards. Muahahahaha haha. ha. heh.

Sticking out tongue

“A meritocratic society is one in which inequalities of wealth and social position solely reflect the unequal distribution of merit or skills amongst human beings, or are based upon factors beyond human control, for example luck or chance. Such a society is socially just because individuals are judged not by their gender, the colour of their skin or their religion, but according to their talents and willingness to work, or on what Martin Luther King called 'the content of their character'. By extension, social equality is unjust because it treats unequal individuals equally.” "Political Ideologies" by Andrew Heywood (2003)

Kapkao's picture

darth_josh wrote: Most of

darth_josh wrote:

 Most of the things that would have made the ACA work better for me and my 'ilk' were poopooed by Republican congresspeople.

However, the deal breakers for dems were the inclusion of the penalty and the 'discrimination' clause for alternative medicine coverage.

I think one unforeseen benefit of ACA may be a resurgence of benefits as a hiring tool for employers.

Egh.... where the hell have you been?

“A meritocratic society is one in which inequalities of wealth and social position solely reflect the unequal distribution of merit or skills amongst human beings, or are based upon factors beyond human control, for example luck or chance. Such a society is socially just because individuals are judged not by their gender, the colour of their skin or their religion, but according to their talents and willingness to work, or on what Martin Luther King called 'the content of their character'. By extension, social equality is unjust because it treats unequal individuals equally.” "Political Ideologies" by Andrew Heywood (2003)

darth_josh's picture

Sapient's right about the

Sapient's right about the connotation of 'Obamacare'. It has instilled fear and hatred in the minds of business owners. IF it turns out in the long run to be everything we hope after all, it will be an unrecoverable error for the republicans.

McDonalds already sucked so you're right... status quo there. However, some of the half-ass decent low-wage jobs have taken a downturn in anticipation of the owners' perceived reactions to PPACA.

Some of the cashiers working at the Shell station where I buy gas are having their hours cut to 28 per week and there's a 'Now Taking Applications' sign on the door.

There was talk of adding a staff member at my work, but now it has morphed into three part-timers instead and/or independent contractors.

So far in the last two days since I got my 'benefits packet' I've seen a lot of real and imagined fears manifest into realities for people in the building. A couple of the old-timers won't be able to keep their spouses on the company policy anymore(in addition to the ins. they already have). Some people already had the 'catastrophic' insurance, but their premium jumped to just under the price that the ACA allows(That one is greedy company, nothing to do with ACA or politicians)

I was able to give two 'promotions' (title changes) last month and gave them to meritorious employees, but no cost-of-living raises will ever be approved. It bumped one crewmember accidentally to just under where he needed to be to still get a small subsidy. Side Note: I am trying to think of a whole list of new titles.

I'm glad President Obama has shortened the planned trade trip to Asia. Politically, I believe, it sends a message that he is taking shit seriously, not giving in... this time... yet.

 

Atheist Books, purchases on Amazon support the Rational Response Squad server, which houses Celebrity Atheists.

digitalbeachbum's picture

Beyond Saving wrote:Everyone

Beyond Saving wrote:
Everyone who makes more than the median income will be worse off regardless of age, because they pay the higher rates but get no subsidies, so over 50%. What percentage of those below the median income varies by age group. For males 27-40 those who make an income that is roughly 57% or below the median will be better off. So roughly the bottom 25% are better off. Basically those who are married and make less that $40,000 or those who are single and make less that $20,000 are in the zone where it is similar or they are better off. The exact income where you benefit varies by state, that is the average. Women of the same age fair slightly better. 

Those who are in their mid to late 40's or over 50 are generally better off if they are below the median income for their age. So roughly 50% of them are better off/the same and 50% are worse off. These are rough estimates because I am way too lazy to crunch all the numbers and it doesn't matter a hill of beans anyway. Whats done is done and it sucks to be a 20 something male or to make only slightly more than the median income.

Funny, the law primarily benefits baby boomers... I wonder why? 

If you take the penalty (tax) it counts as a tax write-off. You can not be double taxed, which is why I save all my receipts. Any sales taxes can not be taxed again so I usually save $2000 in taxes each year. I really like those big purchases like our new AC unit which knocked off over $400 on my income.

Keep in mind that there are a lot of cost saving items in the law too, such as regulating the cost of procedures, medicine and items needed for people who are sick. The insurance companies are going to be sad <waaaah!> because they can't jack up the cost of cancer medicine and they also can't deny people for pre-existing conditions.

Also, I believe too much fear has been generated by the fear mongers. I don't see Massachusetts falling in to the pit of hell when Romney put their plan in action; and considering the similarities.

Once the dust settles the repubs will be hurting for the next ten years and the people will see things aren't so bad.

Vastet's picture

"You really want us all up

"You really want us all up there with you? "

Yes. Well... everyone but EXC. Leave the US to the evangelists. Just disarm the nukes on the way out.

Enlightened Atheist, Gaming God.

Vastet, you and I have a

Vastet, you and I have a date to co-op, buddy.  When I finally arrive, just do me a favor and don't stick me with all of your Canadian hospitality and overly friendly bullshit, ok?  I'm from the states and I don't think my paranoid, scared, easily-startled red white and blue ass can take it.

Vastet wrote:"You really

Vastet wrote:
"You really want us all up there with you? " Yes. Well... everyone but EXC. Leave the US to the evangelists. Just disarm the nukes on the way out.

I can't wait for a god damn like button. 

Beyond Saving's picture

digitalbeachbum wrote:If you

digitalbeachbum wrote:

If you take the penalty (tax) it counts as a tax write-off. You can not be double taxed, which is why I save all my receipts. Any sales taxes can not be taxed again so I usually save $2000 in taxes each year. I really like those big purchases like our new AC unit which knocked off over $400 on my income.

Not exactly. The difference is that sales tax is a state and/or local tax and you can write off taxes paid to any other government entity foreign or domestic. The penalty is coming from the federal government and is considered an additional tax so you will not be able to simply write it off. 

 

digitalbeachbum wrote:

Keep in mind that there are a lot of cost saving items in the law too, such as regulating the cost of procedures, medicine and items needed for people who are sick. The insurance companies are going to be sad <waaaah!> because they can't jack up the cost of cancer medicine and they also can't deny people for pre-existing conditions.

Also, I believe too much fear has been generated by the fear mongers. I don't see Massachusetts falling in to the pit of hell when Romney put their plan in action; and considering the similarities.

Perhaps you should pay closer attention to what has been happening in Massachusetts. In 2010 insurance rates skyrocketed so bad that the government attempted to deny health insurance companies the right to raise insurance rates. This led to Blue Cross/Blue Shield, a non-profit health insurance company, to eat a $150 million loss. Most insurance companies left the state and even the Blue Cross threatened to leave. They sued the government and were allowed to raise their rates. Last year they made an underwriting profit of $59 million on over $6 billion in premiums, which is really skating on thin ice. The only reason it has remained able to stay fairly comfortable is the money it has invested in its reserve has performed well. If the stock market were to collapse, they suddenly have a problem keeping their doors open without eating into their reserves. Of course, we know that stock markets never collapse and that insurance companies never have problems paying benefits when they collapse *cough* AIG *cough*. Excuse me. 

All this despite having the highest insurance premiums in the country. Since the law was passed premiums have gone up and benefit levels have gone down.

http://capsules.kaiserhealthnews.org/index.php/2013/08/report-mass-residents-pay-more-get-less-from-health-insurance/

They also are facing long wait times (30-70 days) to get an appointment with a primary care physician and around 30 days for specialists. If I had to wait for 30 days to see a specialist with my lung issues that didn't appear to be an emergency at the outset, I would be dead.

http://commonhealth.wbur.org/2013/07/mass-primary-care-access

 

 

digitalbeachbum wrote:
 

Once the dust settles the repubs will be hurting for the next ten years and the people will see things aren't so bad.

You are probably right for the most part. When people get things for free they are willing to accept a far inferior product. This is called the "penny gap" in marketing. There was a study done by Eric Budish where they offered people a Hershey's kiss for 1 cent or a truffle for 18 cents. Most people chose the truffle. However, when they offered the kiss for free and the truffle for 17 cents, virtually everyone chose the kiss. Even though they preferred the truffle and 17 cents is hardly a bad price, people accepted much lower quality if it was free. 

With health insurance many people from 40-65 years old will be getting their health insurance for free or near free. So they will accept substandard care, longer waits and will vigorously oppose anyone who suggests they should pay for it. Meanwhile, the people getting fucked over, those 26-40 years old will probably just accept it as the norm, blame their evil employers and mostly ignore the politics because they are busy working trying to make it week to week. Even those who realize they are getting fucked will have little political power because young people don't vote. 

Really, I'm at a point where I don't give much of a shit anymore. People deserve what they get, I make enough money to pay cash for my doctor so I will be personally fine. It still really rubs me the wrong way all the kids that are getting fucked over though. And it really pisses me off that my favorite bartender can only work 3 days a week because of this stupid fucking law and now has to work two part time jobs and next year will be paying double for health insurance. People I know and care about are being hurt by selfish pricks who think they are going to get free healthcare. That brings up a rage in me that I thought was gone since I left the military.  

If, if a white man puts his arm around me voluntarily, that's brotherhood. But if you - if you hold a gun on him and make him embrace me and pretend to be friendly or brotherly toward me, then that's not brotherhood, that's hypocrisy.- Malcolm X

Beyond Saving's picture

Vastet wrote:"You really

Vastet wrote:
"You really want us all up there with you? " Yes. Well... everyone but EXC. Leave the US to the evangelists. Just disarm the nukes on the way out.

One crushing problem, can me and Prozac bring all our weapons of mass destruction?

If, if a white man puts his arm around me voluntarily, that's brotherhood. But if you - if you hold a gun on him and make him embrace me and pretend to be friendly or brotherly toward me, then that's not brotherhood, that's hypocrisy.- Malcolm X

iwbiek's picture

fuck dems, fuck repubs, and

fuck dems, fuck repubs, and fuck president motherfucking obama.  none of them want to fundamentally change america, and a fundamental change is the only permanent fix.  with every passing year, i am happier and happier i left that shithole behind...and i went to a fucking postcommunist country, for christ's sake.  the only disadvantage i even see in giving up my american citizenship at this point is that it would make visiting my family back home more difficult, and family is quite literally the only reason i ever go back for a visit.

fuck you, america.  fuck your strip malls, the wax on your produce, your artificial-tasting food, your total lack of culture, your willful anti-intellectualism, your smug ideas of democracy that you ripped off from europe anyway, your assumption that everybody wants to live in you, your shameless exploitation of every good and pleasant thing you've ever touched, your laser-whitening techniques, the useless fucking gadgets you flood the world with, etc., et fucking cetera.

nobody needs you.  nobody ever needed you.  merle haggard said, "if you don't love it, leave it."  well, i left it, merle.  ironically, i loved it when i left it, just as the addict loves his needle.  it was only after i saw how the rest of the world is, as imperfect as it may be, that i learned how truly ugly america is.

fuck you, america.  as an american born and raised, i say fuck you.  leave us all alone.  go fucking rot in a corner.

"I have never felt comfortable around people who talk about their feelings for Jesus, or any other deity for that matter, because they are usually none too bright. . . . Or maybe 'stupid' is a better way of saying it; but I have never seen much point in getting heavy with either stupid people or Jesus freaks, just as long as they don't bother me. In a world as weird and cruel as this one we have made for ourselves, I figure anybody who can find peace and personal happiness without ripping off somebody else deserves to be left alone. They will not inherit the earth, but then neither will I. . . . And I have learned to live, as it were, with the idea that I will never find peace and happiness, either. But as long as I know there's a pretty good chance I can get my hands on either one of them every once in a while, I do the best I can between high spots."
--Hunter S. Thompson

Vastet's picture

Beyond Saving wrote:Vastet

Beyond Saving wrote:

Vastet wrote:
"You really want us all up there with you? " Yes. Well... everyone but EXC. Leave the US to the evangelists. Just disarm the nukes on the way out.

One crushing problem, can me and Prozac bring all our weapons of mass destruction?

Probably. Gun laws have been relaxed some since the Conservatives took over. Part of the fun will be gone though, as you'll have to look harder for people to share interest with. Alberta is likely the best place to look, though there are people who are passionate about guns all over Canada.
You guys are responsible, so you shouldn't have much trouble even if part of your collection is illegal. It's not like you'd be waving them around in the street or leaving them unsecured so anyone could easily take them from you.

Enlightened Atheist, Gaming God.

Kapkao's picture

Vastet wrote:Just disarm the

Vastet wrote:
Just disarm the nukes on the way out.

Nukes aren't the only reason we're a superpower, but not to worry... we'll be gutting our diplomatic, intelligence, and conventional warfare strengths soon enough at this pace.

“A meritocratic society is one in which inequalities of wealth and social position solely reflect the unequal distribution of merit or skills amongst human beings, or are based upon factors beyond human control, for example luck or chance. Such a society is socially just because individuals are judged not by their gender, the colour of their skin or their religion, but according to their talents and willingness to work, or on what Martin Luther King called 'the content of their character'. By extension, social equality is unjust because it treats unequal individuals equally.” "Political Ideologies" by Andrew Heywood (2003)