The Goat Pen

bluetick wrote:60% of US Bankrupticies Due To Medical Bills, While 78% of Those Bankruptcies HAVE Insurance

http://beforeitsnews.com/economy/2013/0 ... 00492.html

You just don't see the Germans or Swiss going broke over healthcare, sardis. In fact, they rarely go into their pocket at all. And their healthcare results are better than ours. And their citizens have a lot more take-home pay than ours. Not to mention more weeks of paid vacation.

But you're right ...they don't build any aircraft carriers. That must really suck for them.

Jesus man. Quit pretending that this shit is free in all these places. Go find a German tax calculator on the web. 90,000 Euros single person pays over 42,000 Euro in taxes oh and 3 kids on that saves you about 20 euros for the year. Just shy of 50% And yes they have been living off the US defense teat for 60 years. Its one of the things that allowed them to spend like drunken greeks on social programs. And that doesn't count the Church tax if you choose to be a member of a church.

Now you want mandated 8 weeks of vacation plus double the number of official holidays? Tick you are self employed. You can take as much vacation as you want.

Oh and lets not forget the about 10% sales tax PLUS the 17% value added tax on purchases.

bluetick wrote:

Toemeesleather wrote: it lays it out very clearly that we pay way too much for too little.


Sooooo, you're for affordable insurance but not gas?


Keep'em comin' tick....I miss my daily Farside cartoons.

That article is about the U.S. overpaying for healthcare and not getting the bang for it's buck. Gas is not mentioned. Maybe you're hearing voices?

And look toe...I know charts and stats aren't your bag - feel free to hang back whilst I share this stuff with some others. Try a crossword or maybe do the Jumble.

Here doctors expect to get paid for their services. Companies that develop life saving drugs, medical devices, etc have to get paid for those things or they wouldn't exist.

I really don't want my doctor getting paid as much as a teacher. Doesn't give one a helluva lot of incentive to become a doc does it?

bluetick wrote:Actually a better read and covers the WWII period up to the present.

Is Employer-Based Health Insurance Worth Saving? - Economics/NYTimes.com
http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/ ... ving/?_r=0

The answer is no, btw. We're the only industrialized country that does it that way and the outcome has been predictable. Our medical costs are so much higher than anybody else yet our results lag behind others who pay half or less as much.

Don't worry tick you and I both know that Obamacare was written and regs authorized to do exactly what you want: Have employers simply pay the low fine and end employee health insurance. Next round of cancellation notices will be coming in September and October next year and they will be from employer based plans. Then shit will really hit the fan and wouldn't surprise me a bit if they try and postpone employer mandate 6 months or more to avoid that right before election time. Gotta lie some more.

hedge wrote:"Such as it is with pretty much any government industry that is not the actual military."

Why do you exclude the military? That's the biggest boondoggle of them all...

But the govt created the boondoggle. The whole procurement web and bribing congressman was created by govt.

bluetick wrote:The postal service comparison works except for the fact that we aren't talking about government doctors, government medical facilities, and government taking over the role of private insurance companies.

Conservatives came up with the idea of the mandate and now there is one. Ten basic and sorely needed coverages are ordained for most policies. The rollout of healthcare.org has been a clusterfuck but it'll get fixed.

the sun'll come out tooo morrow
bet yer bottom dollar that tomorrow
there'll be sun!

And we are less free every day.

Why does a 65 year old married could nee maternity coverage? Pediatric care? How about a single make? Why does he need any of those?

He doesn't of course, and you know that. You also know it is simply a stealth tax collected through premiums instead of saying its an income tax increase.

And since I am on a roll and its time to go solo...

Talking with waitresses we know at Hooters at Kingston Pike and they are getting screwed, not in a good way, from Obamacare. All their hours are being cut to no more than 29 hours per week. Three shifts. No more. Now many long timers are going to have to get a second job or a new one all together (Please not Alex, Tarah, Alana, Kelly, Kelly, Stacy, Cristina, .... yeah I've been there before).

Once again Obamacare is a disgrace.

Blockbuster goes the way of the VCR. Dow closes fucking high.

Got it, puter. Our healthcare system isn't really a mess, the GDP and cost-per-patient numbers are a hoax, we get what we pay for and like it, doctors are scraping by, insurance co.s are your friend, and everything was hunky-dory until oprama screwed it up a month ago.

You best keep that "social-security-is-an-evil-ponzi-scheme" stuff to yourself, though. Some blue hair might take you behind the woodshed and knock you out.

Professor Tiger wrote:

bluetick wrote:I hope it's Christie on the GOP ticket ; I've always admired that guy.

Me too. He reminds me of Tony Soprano.

Prof,

hello

Back at ya 'Tick.

Can you recommend a hotel in Knoxville this weekend that offers a ceement pond and plenty of rheumatiz medicine?

http://www.fbomb.co/

Whenever someone drops the F bomb on Twitter.

[img2]http://dilbert.com/dyn/str_strip/000000 ... sunday.gif[/img2]

bluetick wrote:Got it, puter. Our healthcare system isn't really a mess, the GDP and cost-per-patient numbers are a hoax, we get what we pay for and like it, doctors are scraping by, insurance co.s are your friend, and everything was hunky-dory until oprama screwed it up a month ago.

You best keep that "social-security-is-an-evil-ponzi-scheme" stuff to yourself, though. Some blue hair might take you behind the woodshed and knock you out.

You don't "got" anything. You are a THIEF and you feel perfectly comfortable STEALING from puter's children (and mine.)

Go fuck yourself you blood sucking tick.

Professor Tiger wrote:Back at ya 'Tick.

Can you recommend a hotel in Knoxville this weekend that offers a ceement pond and plenty of rheumatiz medicine?

All full up. Barn fans mostly, excited at the prospect of indoor plumbing and room service.

If yer serious - good rooms are available in the outliers - Lenoir City (20 miles) or Clinton (15 mi).

The correct answer is a cabin in G'burg.

" you feel perfectly comfortable STEALING from puter's children (and mine.)"

I certainly do...

The Affordable Boat Act..

The U.S. government has just passed a new law called: "The affordable boat act" declaring that every citizen MUST purchase a new boat, by April 2014. These "affordable" boats will cost an average of $54,000-$155,000 each. This does not include taxes, trailers, towing fees, licensing and registration fees, fuel, docking and storage fees, maintenance or repair costs.

This law has been passed, because until now, typically only wealthy and financially responsible people have been able to purchase boats. This new law ensures that every American can now have a "affordable" boat of his own, because everyone is "entitled" to a new boat. If you purchase your boat before the end of the year, you will receive 4 "free" life jackets; not including monthly usage fees.

In order to make sure everyone purchases an affordable boat, the costs of owning a boat will increase on average of 250-400% per year. This way, wealthy people will pay more for something that other people don't want or can't afford to maintain. But to be fair, people who can't afford to maintain their boat will be regularly fined and children (under the age of 26) can use their parents' boats to party on until they turn 27; then must purchase their own boat.

If you already have a boat, you can keep yours (just kidding; no you can't). If you don't want or don't need a boat, you are required to buy one anyhow. If you refuse to buy one or can't afford one, you will be regularly fined $800 until you purchase one or face imprisonment.

Failure to use the boat will also result in fines. People living in the desert, ghettos, inner cities or areas with no access to lakes are not exempt. Age, motion sickness, experience, knowledge nor lack of desire are not acceptable excuses for not using your boat.

A government review board (that doesn't know the difference between the port, starboard or stern of a boat) will decide everything, including when, where, how often and for what purposes you can use your boat along with how many people can ride your boat and determine if one is too old or healthy enough to be able to use their boat. They will also decide if your boat has out lived its usefulness or if you must purchase specific accessories,(like a $500 compass) or a newer and more expensive boat.

Those that can afford yachts will be required to do so...it's only fair. The government will also decide the name for each boat. Failure to comply with these rules will result in fines and possible imprisonment.

Government officials are exempt from this new law. If they want a boat, they and their families can obtain boats free, at the expense of tax payers. Unions, bankers and mega companies with large political affiliations ($$$) are also exempt.

In re to that Dilbert cartoon...

The BUY GOLD types crack me up...if the financial system collapses and we're transported to some Mad Max future where survivalist skills are required, having gold won't do shit for you. People will be trading bullets for food. Not demanding Krugerrands

A post-apocalyptic world is likely to come up with its own currency after the barter-only phase passes. Gold would be a decent choice.

hedge wrote:The Affordable Boat Act..

The U.S. government has just passed a new law called: "The affordable boat act" declaring that every citizen MUST purchase a new boat, by April 2014. These "affordable" boats will cost an average of $54,000-$155,000 each. This does not include taxes, trailers, towing fees, licensing and registration fees, fuel, docking and storage fees, maintenance or repair costs.

This law has been passed, because until now, typically only wealthy and financially responsible people have been able to purchase boats. This new law ensures that every American can now have a "affordable" boat of his own, because everyone is "entitled" to a new boat. If you purchase your boat before the end of the year, you will receive 4 "free" life jackets; not including monthly usage fees.

In order to make sure everyone purchases an affordable boat, the costs of owning a boat will increase on average of 250-400% per year. This way, wealthy people will pay more for something that other people don't want or can't afford to maintain. But to be fair, people who can't afford to maintain their boat will be regularly fined and children (under the age of 26) can use their parents' boats to party on until they turn 27; then must purchase their own boat.

If you already have a boat, you can keep yours (just kidding; no you can't). If you don't want or don't need a boat, you are required to buy one anyhow. If you refuse to buy one or can't afford one, you will be regularly fined $800 until you purchase one or face imprisonment.

Failure to use the boat will also result in fines. People living in the desert, ghettos, inner cities or areas with no access to lakes are not exempt. Age, motion sickness, experience, knowledge nor lack of desire are not acceptable excuses for not using your boat.

A government review board (that doesn't know the difference between the port, starboard or stern of a boat) will decide everything, including when, where, how often and for what purposes you can use your boat along with how many people can ride your boat and determine if one is too old or healthy enough to be able to use their boat. They will also decide if your boat has out lived its usefulness or if you must purchase specific accessories,(like a $500 compass) or a newer and more expensive boat.

Those that can afford yachts will be required to do so...it's only fair. The government will also decide the name for each boat. Failure to comply with these rules will result in fines and possible imprisonment.

Government officials are exempt from this new law. If they want a boat, they and their families can obtain boats free, at the expense of tax payers. Unions, bankers and mega companies with large political affiliations ($$$) are also exempt.

that was good!