Politics

[Bluto]

As a very liberal person, I agree that your friend is not correct.

Have any of you all seen any credible breakdowns of these approval ratings via self described political affiliation?

Case in point, many "liberal" hippie liberatarian types I know disapprove of many of this administrations policies.

 

[ACamp1900]

Have any of you all seen any credible breakdowns of these approval ratings via self described political affiliation?

Case in point, many "liberal" hippie liberatarian types I know disapprove of many of this administrations policies.

Those types are still wrong...

 

[Bluto]

Those types are still wrong...

Some of them are good friends but they put Rush Limbaugh, Shaun Hannity and the entire Fox News orginaization to shame with some of the nutty stuff they say. I think it's paranoia due to too much wackie tabackie intake. Haha.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

Have any of you all seen any credible breakdowns of these approval ratings via self described political affiliation?

Case in point, many "liberal" hippie liberatarian types I know disapprove of many of this administrations policies.

I get 90% of my political info from RealClearPolitics - Opinion, News, Analysis, Videos and Polls. Great site. Very informative and nonpartisan. They have some breakdowns there by political affiliation, age, state, etc.

 

[connor_in]

I get 90% of my political info from RealClearPolitics - Opinion, News, Analysis, Videos and Polls. Great site. Very informative and nonpartisan. They have some breakdowns there by political affiliation, age, state, etc.

Agree...I go there all the time too. Read something from anywhere like Mother Jones and NYT to IBD and WSJ. Get both sides views on things. Just because I am conservative onsome topics doesn't mean I follow everything they say.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

Agree...I go there all the time too. Read something from anywhere like Mother Jones and NYT to IBD and WSJ. Get both sides views on things. Just because I am conservative onsome topics doesn't mean I follow everything they say.

Exactly. I do the same thing on facebook: I follow Fox, CNN, MSNBC, etc...

 

[phgreek]

So the DC exchange has some security issues...anyone in DC be careful...the scam is described as this:

"New problems emerged on Friday, with a Capitol Hill source drawing attention to an apparent scam in the system. The source detailed how, after telling the user the password was incorrect, the site directed the individual to a "forgot password" page -- which then asked for highly personal information.

"On that page I was asked for my check card number and my ATM pin," the source said. "I was fairly confident this was a scam so I called customer service. After a 103 minute hold time, I was told that this was indeed a scam.""

I'm guessing he fat fingered the URL initially, and was in the scam from the start...because God help us if someone actually injected code in the middle of the real site...

 

[irishff1014]

Obamacare Rules Threaten to Torch Volunteer Fire Departments | Sunshine State News

Another result of obama care that could cause a huge trickle effect. It is pointless for Volunteers to have insurance considering you have insurance through your job/career choice. From the figures i have heard it could cost roughly 300 dollars per person. Considering that this also requires all members (lifetime "the old guys", Active, non-active) we have roughly 65 members. That is 19,500 per month and 234,000 a year. I can say this with 100% accuracy however i do believe 90 % of the companies couldn't afford this. I know for fact that there is only two departments that could in our county. Our station could but it would be tight.

So with this volunteer stations have to start shutting down. So then the towns, counties, cities have to provide these services with paid crews which will cost more money then this insurance deal. So then taxes will go up to be able to provide these services. As well as you will see more companies bill auto and home insurance companies so that this money will also help pay for salaries and benefits. Each station in Maryland requires you to pay workman's comp for the obvious reason.

I don't know what other states do but in Maryland we get a 2,500 dollar tax break in the LOSAP program. And that's only if you meet the requirements 3 years in a row. I know i would personally give that up so that we could still provide the same services with out tax hikes. It's not like that 2,500 does a whole lot any but at least they tried to make it so they were doing something for us.

Our dept funding is 3/4 of our hard work at our Carnival, Friday night bingo's, as well as multiple other fundraisers. By having volunteer departments the government is saving hundreds of millions. Just another way this government is getting to big and controlling every aspect. 69% of firefighters in the USA are volunteer.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

Obamacare Rules Threaten to Torch Volunteer Fire Departments | Sunshine State News

Another result of obama care that could cause a huge trickle effect. It is pointless for Volunteers to have insurance considering you have insurance through your job/career choice. From the figures i have heard it could cost roughly 300 dollars per person. Considering that this also requires all members (lifetime "the old guys", Active, non-active) we have roughly 65 members. That is 19,500 per month and 234,000 a year. I can say this with 100% accuracy however i do believe 90 % of the companies couldn't afford this. I know for fact that there is only two departments that could in our county. Our station could but it would be tight.

So with this volunteer stations have to start shutting down. So then the towns, counties, cities have to provide these services with paid crews which will cost more money then this insurance deal. So then taxes will go up to be able to provide these services. As well as you will see more companies bill auto and home insurance companies so that this money will also help pay for salaries and benefits. Each station in Maryland requires you to pay workman's comp for the obvious reason.

I don't know what other states do but in Maryland we get a 2,500 dollar tax break in the LOSAP program. And that's only if you meet the requirements 3 years in a row. I know i would personally give that up so that we could still provide the same services with out tax hikes. It's not like that 2,500 does a whole lot any but at least they tried to make it so they were doing something for us.

Our dept funding is 3/4 of our hard work at our Carnival, Friday night bingo's, as well as multiple other fundraisers. By having volunteer departments the government is saving hundreds of millions. Just another way this government is getting to big and controlling every aspect. 69% of firefighters in the USA are volunteer.

If you get a W-2 from them for certain payments, and they have 50+ employees, then yep -- you're all required to either be provided a qualified plan or the employer will face the Penalty.

But in most cases the IRS only knows about an employee not having a qualified plan because he or she goes to the Exchange. So if they already have a health plan through their square job then I'm wondering whether the IRS will ever know the volunteer fire dept's aren't offering qualified coverage.

 

[GowerND11]

If you get a W-2 from them for certain payments, and they have 50+ employees, then yep -- you're all required to either be provided a qualified plan or the employer will face the Penalty.

But in most cases the IRS only knows about an employee not having a qualified plan because he or she goes to the Exchange. So if they already have a health plan through their square job then I'm wondering whether the IRS will ever know the volunteer fire dept's aren't offering qualified coverage.

I know one of the Congressmen in my area is fighting for IRS to give an exception to volunteer companies.

 

[Ndaccountant]

If you get a W-2 from them for certain payments, and they have 50+ employees, then yep -- you're all required to either be provided a qualified plan or the employer will face the Penalty.

But in most cases the IRS only knows about an employee not having a qualified plan because he or she goes to the Exchange. So if they already have a health plan through their square job then I'm wondering whether the IRS will ever know the volunteer fire dept's aren't offering qualified coverage.

Truth is, they have no freaking clue as to how reporting your have coverage will work. As you can see below, they have yet to come up with a way to identify coverage to each individual and I am not sure how they can, without adding onerous amounts of reporting by employers, insurers and the like.

I do find it somewhat humorous that they call it the "individual shared responsibility". If that term doesn't scream socialized insurance, I do no know what does.

"Reporting Coverage or Exemptions or Making Payments

24. Will I have to do something on my federal income tax return to show that I had coverage or an exemption?

The individual shared responsibility provision goes into effect in 2014. You will not have to account for coverage or exemptions or to make any payments until you file your 2014 federal income tax return in 2015. Information will be made available later about how the income tax return will take account of coverage and exemptions. Insurers will be required to provide everyone that they cover each year with information that will help them demonstrate they had coverage beginning with the 2015 tax year."

Questions and Answers on the Individual Shared Responsibility Provision

 

[phgreek]

...so from the point Obamacare became law...what is obvious is the feel good back slapping continued through 1 October 2013...I am convinced until that point there wasn't a doer in the entire District of Columbia...just "visionaries" and the national media sharing goblets of their own wonderful bath water.

AWESOME...

well at least the doers are filtering in to try and fix things...kinda...unfortunately they won't do it out of a sense of duty (ie volunteer), so we will be paying for competent people to make sense out of "visions" of the unaccountable that now happen to be law.

...the quick pivot to immigration reform should be fun...wander what "visions" and monkeys-fucking-footballs implementation will come out of whatever that law turns out to be.

 

[phgreek]

Switching gears...on a different subject Dr. Shakil Afridi, the guy who helped confirm UBL's existence in Pakistan seems to have gotten a letter out of prison detailing his treatment...not good.

I realize the relationship w/ Pakistan is a bit strained...however, its pretty hard to believe they did not know of the presence of UBL, and it is pretty widely understood they are a cradle to terrorism...the point being... sometimes relationships with people who have no control have limited value. To the West Pakistan looks like an enormous Dichotomy...and at times hardly worth the time and money.

In light of the Doctor's Role here...and in hopes of future similar support...I would prioritize his release a little higher than say Pakistan's undying love.

No Doc....no $$$. Its time to drop the façade and put some diplomacy skin in this that ends with sanctions...can't ignore it anymore.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

Truth is, they have no freaking clue as to how reporting your have coverage will work. As you can see below, they have yet to come up with a way to identify coverage to each individual and I am not sure how they can, without adding onerous amounts of reporting by employers, insurers and the like.

I do find it somewhat humorous that they call it the "individual shared responsibility". If that term doesn't scream socialized insurance, I do no know what does.

"Reporting Coverage or Exemptions or Making Payments

24. Will I have to do something on my federal income tax return to show that I had coverage or an exemption?

The individual shared responsibility provision goes into effect in 2014. You will not have to account for coverage or exemptions or to make any payments until you file your 2014 federal income tax return in 2015. Information will be made available later about how the income tax return will take account of coverage and exemptions. Insurers will be required to provide everyone that they cover each year with information that will help them demonstrate they had coverage beginning with the 2015 tax year."

Questions and Answers on the Individual Shared Responsibility Provision

Well, what you're quoting is about the Individual Mandate and the volunteer firefighter thing is about the Employer Mandate. But in any event, if you don't have health coverage by 2015, the IRS will probably know, because every employer/insurer/exchange will have provided the SSN of every covered individual. And if you aren't on that list when you file in 2015, they'll hit you with the Penalty.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

I'm surprised nobody has suggested the world might come to an end when Obama care takes effect on the 1st. All this fear mongering has been torturous. It's now funny to me every time I hear a new terrible thing that might happen. All because the Republicans don't want the Democrats to have another legacy program like Social Security. What great legacy programs do Republicans have?

And no I'm not a democrat.

Fear mongering from 9/27/2013

I and others on here who opposed ACA from the start predicted a big mess. It came with people losing insurance and insane increases with costs like never before.

You and others on here who supported the law either predicted Utopia or "we don't know how it will work."

White House knew about it, doctors and hospitals knew about it, media knew about it, libertarians knew about it, conservatives knew about it. Apparently you and two or three others on IE were the last to find out.

 

[BobD]

Fear mongering from 9/27/2013

I and others on here who opposed ACA from the start predicted a big mess. It came with people losing insurance and insane increases with costs like never before.

You and others on here who supported the law either predicted Utopia or "we don't know how it will work."

White House knew about it, doctors and hospitals knew about it, media knew about it, libertarians knew about it, conservatives knew about it. Apparently you and two or three others on IE were the last to find out.

? Have you discovered something about the ACA or are you just reiterating your opposition to it?

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

? Have you discovered something about the ACA or are you just reiterated your opposition to it?

Reiterated not only my opposition but that you were 100% wrong in that

1) you called people like me Republican fear mongerers because we were waving red flags for 3 years

2) said I was basing everything on speculation, which proved to be wrong

 

[BobD]

Reiterated not only my opposition but that you were 100% wrong in that

1) you called people like me Republican fear mongerers because we were waving red flags for 3 years

2) said I was basing everything on speculation, which proved to be wrong

Wait, what?

Has something happened? As far as I know it's still a law and people are signing up. What are you talking about?

 

[connor_in]

MSNBC’s Alternative Universe | National Review Online

Thought about starting a thread for this article by itself, but didn't want the 17 posts of "Really, another political thread?" This may get lost here but I wanted to post it and get your reactions.

Yes its from National Review online, but even if you are a D, I ask that you at least peruse it.

Some excerpts for those that won't click:

But with MSNBC, no such mendacity is necessary. No clever editing. No false contexts. One can just read the transcripts. They meant to say that.

After all, what would one possibly add to Martin Bashir’s suggestions that someone should defecate in Sarah Palin’s mouth, that conservatives are using the acronym “IRS” as a stand-in for “n***er,” or that Ted Cruz is the “David Koresh” of the Republican party? What could be achieved by sexing up Chris Matthews’s conviction that tea partiers “still count blacks as three-fifths” of a person, or that the perpetrators of 9/11 “just have a different perspective”? What might a worker bee charged with feeding the outrage machine do to make more impressive Joy Reid’s asseveration that Republicans are “resentful” of “post-1964 America,” or to improve upon Ed Schultz’s faith that “God supports Obamacare,” or to render more absurd Michael Eric Dyson’s contention that Eric Holder is “the chief lawgiver” and the “Moses of our time”?

The channel is a lazy intern’s dream. Recently, a guest called Tim Wise nonchalantly announced that Republicans have “essentially gone in as a white-nationalist, Afrikaner, Boer party.” It’s all there, clear as day. Just rip from the Internet and upload. Bingo! One gets the uncomfortable feeling that the minds behind the programming are so strongly wedded to the cartoon impression of what they believe Fox News to be — sorry, what they believe the “FAUX NEWS ECHO CHAMBER!” to be — that they cannot imagine running a television station without emulating it. MSNBC, it seems, is a reaction against a Fox that never really existed — a progressive version of the How Utterly Ridiculous Can One Become Before the Commercial Break? game that has long been played more devotedly in the fever swamps of the Left than by the conservatives they like to denounce.

A recent Pew study revealed that the supposedly neutral CNN spent 54 percent of its time broadcasting “news” and 46 percent of its time hosting “opinion.” Fox, by contrast, transmits 55 percent opinion and 45 percent news. But MSNBC — well, MSNBC consists of a remarkable 85 percent opinion and only 15 percent news. This has consequences. During the election, Pew added, the ratio of unfavorable to favorable treatment in stories about Mitt Romney on MSNBC was roughly 23-to-1, and the negative-to-positive ratio for Barack Obama on Fox News was 8-to-1.

It’s like watching Mystery Science Theater 3000 — just less realistic.

 

[Polish Leppy 22]

Wait, what?

Has something happened? As far as I know it's still a law and people are signing up. What are you talking about?

Good thing you can play just as clueless as you sound.

 

[dublinirish]

so Obama shook Raul Castro's hand today, What are you guys thoughts on this?

 

[connor_in]

so Obama shook Raul Castro's hand today, What are you guys thoughts on this?

meh...matters... In WW I they called a truce on Christmas and wish each other Merry Christmas, then went at each other the next day ... kind of like some families on the holidays

the big questions is...did he bow to him ????

 

[Irish Houstonian]

so Obama shook Raul Castro's hand today, What are you guys thoughts on this?

Meh. Change it to Fidel and maybe it's a story.

 

[dublinirish]

let me know what Fox News thinks of this lol

 

[dublinirish]

Meh. Change it to Fidel and maybe it's a story.

Good ole Billy Clinton did in 2000.

 

[connor_in]

OMG...just heard recording of CNN anchors talking about the handshake! Sounded like someone just tore down the Berlin Wall again!!

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/OFSR40-z6_g?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[phgreek]

Reiterated not only my opposition but that you were 100% wrong in that

1) you called people like me Republican fear mongerers because we were waving red flags for 3 years

2) said I was basing everything on speculation, which proved to be wrong

Looking for an example of a standup liberal...

...a bit like grabbing a handful of water isn't it?

 

[phgreek]

so Obama shook Raul Castro's hand today, What are you guys thoughts on this?

I watched the video...line of folks...he was doing his thing working it, and moving along. He acknowledged him, shook his hand and moved on. I don't get why he wouldn't do that.

...he handled it like I would want a president to handle it...Grace and Class. The point of the gathering was to honor a guy who would have done the same...

 

[dublinirish]

OMG...just heard recording of CNN anchors talking about the handshake! Sounded like someone just tore down the Berlin Wall again!!

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/OFSR40-z6_g?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

One is socialist and the other is the dictator of Cuba! Badum Chaaa... gawwwd its going to be such a cringefest.

 

[phgreek]

Good ole Billy Clinton did in 2000.

And that didn't bug me either...Fidel kinda jumped him from behind as well, if I remember correctly. Clinton handled it with Grace as well.