Editorial/Political Cartoons

[Ndaccountant]

Without following the link you graciously provided, I can assure you that my spending has been reduced significantly already. I paid off the mortgage on my house nearly three years ago. That leaves me with sustenance and discretionary spending. I crunched the numbers shortly after I "purchased" my house. Over thirty years I'd have paid close to three times the price to account for interest. I paid it off in twenty-four saving a bunch o' bucks. My mortgage, through the years, was "owned" by at least four different businesses entities.

For all I know my obligation was bundled at some point into what eventually was part of the undoing of the real estate market. Ten to twelve years ago my house was valued at a price point that would have covered the purchase price, interest on the loan, insulation and the kitchen rehab. The addition of a garage, new roof, window replacement, new siding and additional insulation with a re-build of my front porch aren't even close to being covered in today's market.

Your point on FICA is dear to my heart. Attacks on the system, and my opposition to them during the Reagan administration, may well have contributed to my loss of a job. I was working at a Mutual Savings Bank and even taking classes with an MBA as a goal. A hippie goes main stream, I know.

At the time there were schemes afoot to circumvent Social Security (FICA) payments through some smoke-and-mirrors maneuvers. I advised against it. My In-laws depended on Social Security, that they'd paid into, for their livelihood. My father-in-law had been screwed out of a pension because the company he'd worked for forty years (and had changed ownership three or four times over those years) forced him to retire when he reached the mandatory age, two weeks before he was "vested" by the new management.

To shorten this tirade: I had no interest in niggling away at the funds that were relatively painless for me but allowed my wife's parents a roof and food on their plates. I had a number of "discussions" with some bank VP. She assured me (in 1982) that Social Security would be bankrupt in ten years. The bank's initial scheme was deemed illegal but subsequent "attacks" were successful. Had sources not been reduced or later raided, the whole system would not be stressed as it is today.
"The greatest of these is Charity."

That I can absolutely agree with.

 

[Ndaccountant]

A reasonable response. Thanks.

I was taken aback by your comment about the crazy right. Do you think my position is crazy?

No.

I think the stance on the principles is just fine (I share that core belief). I think those that stand on those principles and don't budge on immigration reform are crazy. There really is no good way to get those who are uneducated and have limited skill sets out of the country when they are already here. It is a shame it has gotten to this point, but we all need to come to grips that, in reality, there is little that can be done about it.

 

[connor_in]

 

[ACamp1900]

The 'boomers' ruined the country and stole the American Dream from their own children...

Dshans.... He mad

 

[dshans]

Dshans.... He mad

I'm angry. My dog, had I one, would possibly be mad.

 

[connor_in]

I'm angry. My dog, iffins I had one, would possibly be mad.

FIFY

PS...I believe the correct response to such a situation would be:
"You mad, bro?"

 

[connor_in]

 

[connor_in]

 

[connor_in]

 

[connor_in]

 

[dshans]

 

[connor_in]

 

[ACamp1900]

Like calling the Iraq War "The Peace, Love and Hope Tour"

 

[connor_in]

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Funny. The latest figures starting to come out show a huge decline in the growth of health care spending for the first time since about '94. What is going to happen is everybody that wants it will have insurance. Companies will have unburdened themselves of benefits, (why not?) 1.5 percent of the population will pay more for their insurance. The percentage of uninsured people (which is one of the greatest passed on costs we all pay for today) will shrink. although there are still people that won't follow the law no matter what, and the cost of health care as a component of our signature social systems will drop, savings snowballing past the already 10-20% estimates with the current numbers, creating solvency by savings without cutting benefits. Future generations will breathe a sigh of relief and laugh at the Chicken Little prognosticators and obstructionists of today. (Some day it is my fantasy that the American public can recognize chicken shiit when they here it, not with 20/20 hindsight.

 

[dshans]

<a href="http://s437.photobucket.com/user/dshans/media/Oliphant_zps2fefd116.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i437.photobucket.com/albums/qq93/dshans/Oliphant_zps2fefd116.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo Oliphant_zps2fefd116.jpg"/></a>

 

[palinurus]

Funny. The latest figures starting to come out show a huge decline in the growth of health care spending for the first time since about '94. What is going to happen is everybody that wants it will have insurance. Companies will have unburdened themselves of benefits, (why not?) 1.5 percent of the population will pay more for their insurance. The percentage of uninsured people (which is one of the greatest passed on costs we all pay for today) will shrink. although there are still people that won't follow the law no matter what, and the cost of health care as a component of our signature social systems will drop, savings snowballing past the already 10-20% estimates with the current numbers, creating solvency by savings without cutting benefits. Future generations will breathe a sigh of relief and laugh at the Chicken Little prognosticators and obstructionists of today. (Some day it is my fantasy that the American public can recognize chicken shiit when they here it, not with 20/20 hindsight.

Bogs, I will be shocked if you are right about this.

Blue Cross NC to raise individual rates by as much as 24% on reinstated health plans | CharlotteObserver.com

http://www.forbes.com/sites/robertl...surance-premiums-by-32-for-21-million-people/

http://reason.com/blog/2013/10/20/health-insurance-premiums-projected-to-s


6.3% Health Premium Increases Projected for 2013

6.3% Health Premium Increases Projected for 2013

Granted, if we want to consider ad hominem attacks, Reason.com is a libertarian site, but the others are not really political journals.

I know it's just one case, but I can tell you my own employer is raising MY premiums by 5% for 2014 and they directly tied it to Obamacare; and my employer is far from a politically conservative entity.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

Carefully, I am not speaking of you being jacked by your employer. Employers all around the country are using this as excuses to unburden themselves from their employee responsibilities and costs. Also, I am not talking about unethical companies who want to get out of the individual buyer markets in some or all areas.

The first article you quoted, an blog article Hit and Run, dated 10/20/13 is rendered meaningless in this conversation because of one word it contains; "estimate."

Article 2 & 3 show that the rate is starting to fall. 15 percent is the ten year number. 2012 was 4.9. Now the new figures this week show the current rate under 2 percent and closer to 1 percent. Plans and employers that use the new law to jack their customers will become insolvent. There are plenty that will take the customers. Free market.

 

[ACamp1900]

Boggs… how would any of your democrat, race baiting, bullshit artists, you love so ever much be elected if the American people “know chicken shit when they ‘here’ it??” You should change your name from Bogtrotter to Bullshitfodder.

Also, the political debate thread can be found 'hear'...

http://www.irishenvy.com/forums/leprechaun-lounge/69266-just-out-curiosity-president-267.html

 

[dshans]

I know it's just one case, but I can tell you my own employer is raising MY premiums by 5% for 2014 and they directly tied it to Obamacare; and my employer is far from a politically conservative entity.

One quick question: how old are you and what increases have you seen in your premiums in previous years? It's been my experience that there are yearly percentage increases that grow as one ages, even when one has paid for 20 years without a single claim.

Do you expect your premium rates to remain flat over time? Is it time for a lesson in actuarial studies and there affect on real life costs?

 

[irishog77]

dshans favorite political cartoon from his boyhood :

 

[dshans]

dshans favorite political cartoon from his boyhood :

I hereby challenge you to a broadsword duel, at 20 paces, in the (Roman) Coliseum ...

 

[connor_in]

I hereby challenge you to a broadsword duel, at 20 paces, in the (Roman) Coliseum ...

Will there be lions too? I wanna go see, but only if lions too.

 

[dshans]

Will there be lions too? I wanna go see, but only if lions too.

Sure. OK. Fine. Should I arrange for spears as well? Chariots with bladed wheel hubs?



I'd hate to disappoint you.



Do I get an AARP discount/advantage?

 

[connor_in]

 

[dshans]

I'm sorry, connor, but I don't remember inviting you to my Thanksgiving Day dinner.

Things get a bit foggy at my age.



Maybe even a bit froggy.



Ribbit.

 

[Bogtrotter07]

 

[connor_in]

Obama's struggle with Affordable Care. He's like a prison governor asking the inmates to make lemonade for his garden party. It'll be tangy.

4:32 AM - 1 Dec 2013

Hugh Laurie @hughlaurie

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[connor_in]

 

[connor_in]