03 Jun 11
Originally posted by wittywonkaI agree the program does dramatically redefine Medicare. What (in your opinion) does obama care do for Medicare? dramatically redefine it ? do away with it ? what ?
Edit: I will just say that I think the ad was sensationalist to the point that its intent was to be used as propaganda rather than as a "metaphor."
However, as USAP said, the element of truth that led to the idea behind the ad is very serious and should concern (future) senior citizens. "Voucher program" or "premium supplement" or whatever, the progra ...[text shortened]... Medicare and will ultimately leave (future) senior citizens paying far more out-of-pocket.
03 Jun 11
Originally posted by utherpendragonNeither of those. It contained a half billion dollars worth of cuts to future expendatures (none of which) involved cuts to benefits. What's more - it also had spending increases in some areas and it expanded the elegibility to receive Medicaid.
I agree the program does dramatically redefine Medicare. What (in your opinion) does obama care do for Medicare? dramatically redefine it ? do away with it ? what ?
These are nominal changes to the existing program.
Ryan's plan does away with Medicare all together and replaces it with a system that gives seniors a coupon to buy private insurance. The amount they give will cover an average of 75% of their premium (they have to cover the rest) and benefits increases don't keep up with the rising cost of health care.
Right out the gate senior citizens would have to cover 25% of their premiums (which is HUGE for their age bracket) and then on top they would have to deal with the private market (co-pays and such). Then it only gets worse as time goes on.
The average income for seniors is like 20 something thousand per year.
03 Jun 11
Originally posted by utherpendragonDo you agree that Ryan's plan will shift the majority of the financial burden of purchasing health care onto seniors in the distant future?
I agree the program does dramatically redefine Medicare. What (in your opinion) does obama care do for Medicare? dramatically redefine it ? do away with it ? what ?
As for Obama's health care law: as far as I understand, it cuts funding to the privatized managed-care Medicare Advantage plans and starts means testing for Medicare parts B & D.
According to PolitiFact (http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2011/may/27/debbie-wasserman-schultz/did-health-care-law-add-12-years-solvency-medicare/), the law added eight years of solvency to Medicare.
I don't know what Democrats plan to do in the distant future, but I support their efforts not to shift the burden onto seniors.
03 Jun 11
Originally posted by whodeyThe word "right" has become wrong. By being a member of some special group I can get special rights. But my legitimate, Constitutional right to bear arms has been converted into a licensed privilege.
Since we are asking questions lately about what is a right, what do you think of porn in prisons?
http://abclocal.go.com/kabe/story?section=news/national_world&id=8162220
Apparently, the ACLU is pushing for inmates to have access to porn.
Personally, I think this is an outrage!! I mean, who are we to deny prisoners the right to porn no matter how mu ...[text shortened]... tect all of our rights. Without them, we could have a continuous pornless prison system!! :'(
03 Jun 11
Originally posted by USArmyParatrooperWhat is the alternative? Medicare is nearly broke. The nation is 14 Trillion in debt. Our annual deficit is now at 1.5 Trillion, nearly 50% in excess of our revenues.
Neither of those. It contained a half billion dollars worth of cuts to future expendatures (none of which) involved cuts to benefits. What's more - it also had spending increases in some areas and it expanded the elegibility to receive Medicaid.
These are nominal changes to the existing program.
Ryan's plan does away with Medicare all toget ...[text shortened]... e as time goes on.
The average income for seniors is like 20 something thousand per year.
Social Security is going broke quickly. Ought we just wait until the checks stop coming? Put our heads in the sand in the meantime.
The likelihood now is that we could face national economic collapse before either of the two big entitlements fall. Taxing upper incomes an extra 3% isn't going to cut it.
03 Jun 11
Originally posted by wittywonkaAccording to PolitiFact (http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/statements/2011/may/27/debbie-wasserman-schultz/did-health-care-law-add-12-years-solvency-medicare/), the law added eight years of solvency to Medicare."
Do you agree that Ryan's plan will shift the majority of the financial burden of purchasing health care onto seniors in the distant future?
As for Obama's health care law: as far as I understand, it cuts funding to the privatized managed-care Medicare Advantage plans and starts means testing for Medicare parts B & D.
According to PolitiFact (http:// ...[text shortened]... o do in the distant future, but I support their efforts not to shift the burden onto seniors.
If Prudential or NY Life wrote policies with reserves that required them to say anything similar to the above, nobody would buy their products, and the government would be indicting everyone in sight at the company making the claim.
03 Jun 11
Originally posted by normbenignThere are, and will always be, alternatives to handing off medical care expenses to seniors themselves.
What is the alternative? Medicare is nearly broke. The nation is 14 Trillion in debt. Our annual deficit is now at 1.5 Trillion, nearly 50% in excess of our revenues.
Social Security is going broke quickly. Ought we just wait until the checks stop coming? Put our heads in the sand in the meantime.
The likelihood now is that we could face nation ...[text shortened]... ther of the two big entitlements fall. Taxing upper incomes an extra 3% isn't going to cut it.
Our country needs comprehensive health care reform, not a few bandaids and eyepatches.
04 Jun 11
Originally posted by normbenignThere are many alternatives. Making the wealthy pay in taxes what they did in the 90's would be an enormous start. Ending subsidies for oil companies is another. Cutting off senior citizens from their access to healthcare shouldn't even be an option.
What is the alternative? Medicare is nearly broke. The nation is 14 Trillion in debt. Our annual deficit is now at 1.5 Trillion, nearly 50% in excess of our revenues.
Social Security is going broke quickly. Ought we just wait until the checks stop coming? Put our heads in the sand in the meantime.
The likelihood now is that we could face nation ...[text shortened]... ther of the two big entitlements fall. Taxing upper incomes an extra 3% isn't going to cut it.
Also, Social Security isn't even remotely close to going "broke." It wasn't until 2010 that it stopped paying for itself, and even that was only due to the recession. Social Security contitutes a teeny tiney fraction of a percent of our debt.
04 Jun 11
1 edit
Originally posted by USArmyParatrooperThat's the kicker. I'd heard that point brought up dozens of times but never realized how ridiculous the plan was until I looked at the fine print.
benefits increases don't keep up with the rising cost of health care.
Ryan's plan, after it took full effect, would only adjust for "premium support" at the rate of inflation!
If health care costs were only rising at the rate of inflation, we wouldn't be having this discussion in the first place.
04 Jun 11
Originally posted by wittywonkaWhat's more, even IF the premium support (coupons rather) increased with the rising cost of healthcare - it would still leave mass amounts of senior citizens out in the cold.
That's the kicker. I'd heard that point brought up dozens of times but never realized how ridiculous the plan was until I looked at the fine print.
Ryan's plan, after it took full effect, would only adjust for "premium support" at the [b]rate of inflation!
If health care costs were only rising at the rate of inflation, we wouldn't be having this discussion in the first place.[/b]
Right off the bat having to pay an average of 25% of the premium cost for private insurance - for people who are 65 and older and often times with preexisting conditions is a HUGE cost they have to bear. On top of that the majority of the elderly are living on meager means.
04 Jun 11
Originally posted by whodeyWhy don't you find something more imporntant to become outraged about???
Since we are asking questions lately about what is a right, what do you think of porn in prisons?
http://abclocal.go.com/kabe/story?section=news/national_world&id=8162220
Apparently, the ACLU is pushing for inmates to have access to porn.
Personally, I think this is an outrage!! I mean, who are we to deny prisoners the right to porn no matter how mu ...[text shortened]... tect all of our rights. Without them, we could have a continuous pornless prison system!! :'(
06 Jun 11
Originally posted by sh76I have to agree with the sewermiester on this one, locking up, persecuting, harassing people for the voluntary exchange of value for value is not the mark of civlised society.
Legalized prostitution is a requirement of "normal civilization"?
Uh... yeah... sure.
A rare thumbs up for Shav.
06 Jun 11
Originally posted by sh76You'd rather have the women being pimped, out on the street, young and smoking crack?
Legalized prostitution is a requirement of "normal civilization"?
Uh... yeah... sure.
Or, would you prefer them to be safe (or at the least safer), unionized, not having to give some bastard pimp 70% of their salary and paying taxes?
See. Legalised prostitution is civilized.