Monday, August 31, 2009
Premiums more than doubled
Before there was an Obama presidency, there were health insurance problems:
Premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance rose to $12,680 annually for family coverage this year – with employees on average paying $3,354 out of their paychecks to cover their share of the cost – and the scope of that coverage has changed, with many more workers now enrolled in high-deductible plans, according to the 2008 Employer Health Benefits Survey released [in September, 2008] by the Kaiser Family Foundation and the Health Research & Educational Trust (HRET).Without major changes the pattern will continue. For those worried about tinkering with the status quo, your worst nightmares will happen... if we do nothing.
[Premiums] more than doubled since 1999 when total family premiums stood at $5,791 (of which workers paid $1,543). During the same nine-year period, workers’ wages increased 34 percent and general inflation rose 29 percent.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Right wingers and their ever shrinking world
The world of right winger libertarian nonsense keeps getting smaller:
Utah, governed by a Republican legislature with a libertarian bent... passed the nation’s toughest law to crack down on texting behind the wheel. Offenders now face up to 15 years in prison.I know, somehow nutty right wingers will blame liberals for this "massive invasion of their privacy," but the reality is, fewer and fewer Americans, even in Utah, want their kind of "survival of the fittest" America.
The new law, which took effect in May, penalizes a texting driver who causes a fatality as harshly as a drunken driver who kills someone. In effect, a crash caused by such a multitasking motorist is no longer considered an “accident” like one caused by a driver who, say, runs into another car because he nodded off at the wheel. Instead, such a crash would now be considered inherently reckless.
Snowe on Health Care
Republican Senator Olympia Snowe:
Ms. Snowe says she wants the public to understand that there is a serious problem, that the health care system is in crisis and that even people who are happy with their current coverage will not stay content for long, given rapidly rising costs and steadily shrinking benefits.Proof positive Ms. Snowe is a Fidel-loving, American-hating communist.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Prediction
I predict that 10 years from now, no matter how good or bad health care insurance reform turns out, right wingers will be defending the reformed system arguing that America needs no changes and that we have the best system in the world.
World's Most Expensive City?
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Crazy Republicans
Good questions by Digby:
How long is everyone going to deny just how fucking crazy mainstream Republicanism has become? And when are people going to start asking seriously where this is headed?Well, it will linger unless Democrats crush Republicans in 2010 and maybe even 2012.
Why We Need Government-Run Universal Socialized Health Insurance
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Canadian Health Care
Sunday, August 23, 2009
The uninsured
The New York Times with a good article explaining why those who think everyone in America gets treated are either ignorant or insensitive:
No matter how you slice the numbers, there are tens of millions of people without insurance, often for extended periods, and there is good evidence that lack of insurance is harmful to their health.I think the reason those who think the status quo is fine is because they are both ignorant and insensitive.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Death Panels
There are death panels in health care insurance... in the current system.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Affordable
When it comes to health care insurance coverage, does anyone know what politicians mean when they use that word?
How could this happen?
Eugene Robinson:
Further, and using myself as an example, I'm not as passionate about this issue because my preferred solution -- a single-payer system that removes for-profit from the health insurance equation -- is not on the table.
Mr. Robinson goes on to ask where is the passion of Democrats:Step back from the health-care debate for a moment and survey the landscape. Democrats are within sight of a goal that has fired the party's dreams for half a century. They have the power to enact meaningful reform. Polls show that Americans are hungry for reform. The solid wall of opposition once presented by big business has crumbled. Even the insurance companies and Big Pharma are ready to deal. Yet somehow we've gotten sidetracked onto an argument about "death panels," while a provision that many advocates believe is central to effective reform -- a government-run, public health insurance plan -- is suddenly in doubt.
How could this happen?
Where are the millions who so passionately chanted "Yes, we can!" at Obama's campaign rallies? Where are the legions who cried tears of joy on election night and tears of pride on Inauguration Day? Is Sarah Palin now the only politician capable of inspiring "passionate intensity"?But maybe the answer to his own questions were provided by Mr. Robinson himself:
Democrats are within sight of a goal that has fired the party's dreams for half a century. They have the power to enact meaningful reform.Democrats have the votes. They have the power. Mr. Obama said in a radio interview that he "guarantees" we'll pass a bill. All we're arguing about now is the equivalent of which DJ we're going to hire to play at the celebration party, and if any Republicans are allowed in.
Further, and using myself as an example, I'm not as passionate about this issue because my preferred solution -- a single-payer system that removes for-profit from the health insurance equation -- is not on the table.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
What planet?
Barney Frank handling a loon the way I wish more Democrats would:
Monday, August 17, 2009
Sharp guy
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Dumb question, great answer
Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.) was asked, "Why are all Americans being forced into a government-run health care and insurance plan when only 46 million out of 312 million are uninsured?"
Larsen responded: "I'll say it again... The bill does not force anybody to buy health care ... The bill does not force people to change their health care plan. If you're in a plan, you will not be forced into the public option. You will not be forced into the health insurance exchange. Now folks will say that's not true, but I've got facts on my side and you've got Glenn Beck on your side. It's just not going to play out that way."
Larsen responded: "I'll say it again... The bill does not force anybody to buy health care ... The bill does not force people to change their health care plan. If you're in a plan, you will not be forced into the public option. You will not be forced into the health insurance exchange. Now folks will say that's not true, but I've got facts on my side and you've got Glenn Beck on your side. It's just not going to play out that way."
Friday, August 14, 2009
Not believable
I'm being asked to believe that the party that has been labeled as big spenders for pushing for government services like Medicare, Social Security, Medicaid, Welfare, Food Stamps, among others, is now the party that's going to let your grandma die to save costs. It just isn't a believable argument.
Conservatism: riding into the sunset
The hysteria and paranoia exhibited by many conservatives is understandable: passage of an health care insurance reform bill will produce visible improvements in our society and, along with an improving economy, will virtually guarantee further gains by the Democrats in Congress in 2010 and a sweeping victory by Obama in 2012. That, in turn, will almost likely lead to sweeping changes in energy and the environment, further leading this nation into the "compassionate capitalism" that most liberals desire.
Conservatives understand that, which is why they are making a last stand, with all the misinformation and lies they can muster, to frighten their members and hope to confuse enough of the population to derail this destiny. They see their hope for an "old West style free-for-all America where only the strong prosper and the weak serve as their servants" riding into the sunset... and into the Never Never Land their ideology belongs.
Well, at least for another 30 to 40 years. Then another Reagan will rise and fuck everything up all over again.
Conservatives understand that, which is why they are making a last stand, with all the misinformation and lies they can muster, to frighten their members and hope to confuse enough of the population to derail this destiny. They see their hope for an "old West style free-for-all America where only the strong prosper and the weak serve as their servants" riding into the sunset... and into the Never Never Land their ideology belongs.
Well, at least for another 30 to 40 years. Then another Reagan will rise and fuck everything up all over again.
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Speedo
I was just reading the health reform bill (no, not the real one, the one conservatives "read") and it says in section 134, pg 47:
"Big Bad Government shall reject payment for colonoscopies to any male age 30 or over, if said man weights in excess of 30% over his normal weight and he was spotted wearing speedos in any American beach, except California.*"
Man, Obama is getting tough!
* The Arnold exclusion
"Big Bad Government shall reject payment for colonoscopies to any male age 30 or over, if said man weights in excess of 30% over his normal weight and he was spotted wearing speedos in any American beach, except California.*"
Man, Obama is getting tough!
* The Arnold exclusion
Frauds
I can understand conservatives who oppose health insurance reform on the basis that they object to government involvement in that business, and consequently they are against Medicare, Medicaid, the VA, a public option, and any other government interference in a free-market society. I don't have the same belief, but I can understand it and I can respect that position. But when conservatives lie about the facts and debate in bad faith, they aren't conservatives; they are frauds.
Colt and Leaf
Just recently, GM announced that the Chevy Colt would get 236 miles to the gallon. Nissan just announced that the Leif will get 367 miles to the gallon. Yeah, I know, those numbers are mostly bogus at this time, but still, just imagine how far along we could be now if during the last eight years, instead of kissing Big Oil's ass, we had kicked it instead?
How far can we improve if we really push for innovation? Very far, very quickly.
How far can we improve if we really push for innovation? Very far, very quickly.
Look in the mirror
Conservatives: [Wear this only if the shoe fits.] Do you remember when some on the left accused Bush of being a dictator? That he would bring back the draft? That he was involved in the 9/11 plot? Do you remember how stupid and ignorant they looked in your eyes? Now, consider your comments about Obama: he's like Hitler or Casto, he's a tyrant who wants to kill your grandma, he's going to usher in a new Holocaust. Now look in the mirror. Yeah, you've become like one of them stupid lefties!
Extremism is stupid and counterproductive, no matter the ideology.
Extremism is stupid and counterproductive, no matter the ideology.
Michelle Bachmann, Sarah Palin, and death panels
So, how did the whole "death panel" hysteria, started by Michelle Bachmann and Sarah Palin (boy, talk about zero times two), and the paranoia exhibited by many of their sycophant followers, lead to such preposterous and erroneous charges as Democrats wanting to euthanize seniors?
The short answer: dirty politics and fear-mongering.
The longer answer: TIME magazine follows the loony details.
The short answer: dirty politics and fear-mongering.
The longer answer: TIME magazine follows the loony details.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Health Care Reform Boxing Match
In the blue corner: a public option ran without subsidies by the inept, incompetent, and wasteful Big Government.
In the red corner: the super duper health insurance companies, powered by the super duper free-market, and managed by people who have been racking up exorbitant profits for decades.
Why wouldn't conservatives just say, in the words of the leader who brought America to the brink of disaster: Bring in on?
Shouldn't this be a cakewalk? Shock and awe? An opportunity once and for all to knock out Big Government and fly that "Mission Accomplished" banner with meaning this time around?
Um... frankly, my dear, I sense much fear in you... punk.
In the red corner: the super duper health insurance companies, powered by the super duper free-market, and managed by people who have been racking up exorbitant profits for decades.
Why wouldn't conservatives just say, in the words of the leader who brought America to the brink of disaster: Bring in on?
Shouldn't this be a cakewalk? Shock and awe? An opportunity once and for all to knock out Big Government and fly that "Mission Accomplished" banner with meaning this time around?
Um... frankly, my dear, I sense much fear in you... punk.
The bouncer
After having his approval numbers dip to the low 50's, president Barack Obama's approval numbers have bounced back up to 63, according to the latest Gallup poll.
Death by mistake
The number of people who die each year needlessly in America at the hands of medical professionals is staggering:
An estimated 200,000 Americans will die needlessly from preventable medical mistakes and hospital infections this year, according to “Dead By Mistake,” a wide-ranging Hearst national investigation, which began reporting the findings today www.deadbymistake.com200,000?! That sounds amazingly high. Maybe instead of too many lawsuits, we don't sue them enough.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Prevention
This sounds like a fair criticism of the current health care reforms being discussed:
Spending more money on prevention in the short run would lead to saving money in the long run, both our government and business are designed to show results now, either before the next Gallup poll or the next quarter.
Besides, given Obama's timid approach to regulating Wall Street and, so far, what I've seen on the health care debate, it seems that he has replaced the word "change" with the word "tweak."
Given the format of how Congress operates, maybe that's all he feels he can achieve. After all, he has an election to win in the short run.
Meaningful health reform needs to provide incentives for physicians and other health professionals to teach their patients healthy ways of living rather than reimbursing primarily drugs and surgical interventions. If lifestyle interventions proven to reverse as well as prevent many chronic diseases are reimbursed along with other strategies for improving cost-effectiveness across the U.S. health care system, then it may be possible to provide universal coverage at significantly lower cost without making painful choices, and the only side-effects are good ones.Sure, peace on Earth and goodwill to all men is a nice concept too, but it's easier said than done. It would be nice if these smart people gave us ideas that worked.
Spending more money on prevention in the short run would lead to saving money in the long run, both our government and business are designed to show results now, either before the next Gallup poll or the next quarter.
Besides, given Obama's timid approach to regulating Wall Street and, so far, what I've seen on the health care debate, it seems that he has replaced the word "change" with the word "tweak."
Given the format of how Congress operates, maybe that's all he feels he can achieve. After all, he has an election to win in the short run.
Sunday, August 09, 2009
Conservatives: Like frightened little children
Why aren't conservatives willing to fight for their vision of health care reform, instead of running around like frightened little children at a Friday the 13th screening. After all:
Some of Rush Limbaugh's listeners are one serious illness away from bankruptcy. Some Michele Bachmann voters can't get coverage because of a pre-existing condition. Some Glenn Beck viewers will see their insurance companies drop them when they need their coverage most. Many of Bill O'Reilly's fans already enjoy the benefits of government-run health care. Some RNC donors may want to start their own business, but can't because they can't afford to pay the monthly premiums. Some of the same people who attended "Tea Parties" in April saw the insurance for themselves and their families disappear after they lost their job.Maybe because they have no vision?There's nothing partisan or ideological about this -- everyone is getting screwed by the status quo. We're all paying too much for too little. A huge chunk of the country is uninsured, underinsured, or uninsurable, and the system is blind to how you voted in the last election.
Saturday, August 08, 2009
Clinton on Bolton
Perfect response by Clinton to the mere mention of John Bolton's name:
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Birthers debunked
Good job at Salon, debunking, point by point, the nutty allegations about president Obama not being an American citizen. Really, unnecessary stuff, but good to read, considering our mainstream media likes this story and is keeping it alive.
Sore losers
You know the old joke about a guy looking at something on the sidewalk and saying: "That looks like shit." He gets closer and sniffs if: "It smells like shit." He touches it with his finger: "It feels like shit." He tastes his finger: "Holy shit, it IS shit!"
Well...
"They lost the election. They lost on the Recovery Act, the budget and children's health care. They've lost the confidence of the American people after eight years of failed policies that ruined our economy and cost millions of jobs." Holy shit, they are losers. Sore ones at that.
Well...
"They lost the election. They lost on the Recovery Act, the budget and children's health care. They've lost the confidence of the American people after eight years of failed policies that ruined our economy and cost millions of jobs." Holy shit, they are losers. Sore ones at that.
Tuesday, August 04, 2009
Funny but sad
Paul Krugman:
At a recent town hall meeting, a man stood up and told Representative Bob Inglis to “keep your government hands off my Medicare.” The congressman, a Republican from South Carolina, tried to explain that Medicare is already a government program — but the voter, Mr. Inglis said, “wasn’t having any of it.”The quote doesn't say, but is there anyone who doubts that the man making the statement is a Republican? Who else could be that misguided?
Monday, August 03, 2009
George was born in Kenya too
A copy is a copy
The nuts get nuttier:
WorldNetDaily and the right-wing fringe are very excited about their scoop that Orly Taitz has "released a copy of what purports to be a Kenyan certification of birth" for President Obama.If a copy of Obama's Hawaii birth certificate is not enough proof he's an American, how does a copy of a Kenyan one prove anything? I know, I know. It's all a game by racists who can't handle the fact that a black man is president. But oh, he is the president of the United States of America! :-p
Sunday, August 02, 2009
Obama is an American
Forget the actual birth certificate, forget the dual newspaper announcements of his birth, forget that Congress certified his win... the one thing that convinces me beyond any doubt that Obama is an American? He only speaks one language. :-p
Saturday, August 01, 2009
Status quo
Jonathan Alter, of Newsweek, one of the TV pundits who seems most reasonable, thinks health care reform is a waste. He likes things exactly as they are: "Reform? Why do we need health-care reform? Everything is just fine the way it is." And he details exactly why he feels that way.
I have to admit: I totally agree with him.
I have to admit: I totally agree with him.
