- Joined
- 03 Feb 07
- Moves
- 199224
21 Sep 11
Originally posted by normbenignOh please! There's no regulation that says they have to take 4 months to process a referral, and if that's their response to competition, then no wonder government outperforms them.
The biggest reason is the regulatory mess that most insurance companies work under, and the need to compete with the government who has no need to show a profit.
- Joined
- 03 Feb 07
- Moves
- 199224
21 Sep 11
Originally posted by sh76Nope, not unless I want to pay for it. Unfortunately, I don't get a choice. Blue Cross/Blue Shield is who the employers deal with.
Can you just see the specialist in the meantime with the PCP's referral and let them sort all that nonsense out at their leisure? That's what I can do. If so, what do you care how long it takes them to bounce paperwork back and forth?
If not, you're right. Your insurance company sucks. Get a new insurance company.
21 Sep 11
Originally posted by sh76When I got my new passport, it took 5 days to process (for $70) and they also offered an extra speedy delivery for an additional charge. So I guess that county was a capitalism success story.
While I think the brand change is a dumb move, I love Netflix. $20 a month for unlimited streaming and 2 DVDs at a time with 2 day turnarounds and top level customer service (plus they don't bother you if you lose or damage a DVD) is a bargain.
Netflix is a true capitalism success story, alongside Amazon and Google and all the rest.
There's a reason that ...[text shortened]... ployment, although perhaps the American flag would have to be changed 2 or 3 times a decade.
21 Sep 11
Originally posted by KazetNagorra$70 and 5 days is still too much. Order something from Amazon and it's 2 days and a booklet with your picture certainly doesn't need to cost $70.
When I got my new passport, it took 5 days to process (for $70) and they also offered an extra speedy delivery for an additional charge. So I guess that county was a capitalism success story.
21 Sep 11
I like netflix, and finally also switched to a dvd player that would accomodate streaming their online selection. The main problem with streaming from them is that there is no option to use subtitles, which is a huge benefit for those of us who have hearing problems. Also the netflix streaming selection wasn't all that great, but hey, it didn't cost extra to stream, so that was still OK.
Shortly after getting everything set up for streaming I noticed the lack of subtitles, so contacted netflix about it, thinking that maybe I was just doing something wrong. They said it wasn't an option yet but that they were working on it to make it available.
They just jacked up the cost for my membership catagory from 19.99 to 23.98 per month, (plus tax). For me that was a 16.6 percent increase with no change in service. I decided that was still not bad, since I could still have 3 dvd's at a time by mail, and still stream as much as I wanted as long as I could find anything worth watching and was willing to not have subtitles.
I don't know why I didn't receive one of those emails about this new change coming up with them, but the email I read in this thread says there isn't supposed to be any change in price with the company split. I'll believe that when I see it.
I'm not familiar with any other companies that have movie streaming, or if they include a subtitles option. Does anyone know of one?
21 Sep 11
1 edit
Originally posted by sh76Does Amazon have to check your documents are valid to send you a book? They process your credit card, but that's done automagically.
$70 and 5 days is still too much. Order something from Amazon and it's 2 days and a booklet with your picture certainly doesn't need to cost $70.
Do you think the same amount of verification goes into amazon sending a book and a passport being issued?
I certainly hope when they issue a passport that they don't just put your picture on it and send it to you.
21 Sep 11
Originally posted by sh76I agree - counties tend to use the issuing of passports to levy taxes so the charge is generally higher than the costs for the county. However, I don't think Amazon can (or is allowed to) get my fingerprints and place them on a chip on a document.
$70 and 5 days is still too much. Order something from Amazon and it's 2 days and a booklet with your picture certainly doesn't need to cost $70.
- Joined
- 29 Dec 08
- Moves
- 6788
21 Sep 11
Originally posted by normbenignWhat I've heard is that they won't deliver mail on Saturdays but the PO's that aren't shut down entirely will be open as usual on Saturdays. The question will be whether you can go get your mail.
The USPS will be closing Saturdays, and probably about a quarter of PO will close.
21 Sep 11
Originally posted by PsychoPawnFine. $20.
Does Amazon have to check your documents are valid to send you a book? They process your credit card, but that's done automagically.
Do you think the same amount of verification goes into amazon sending a book and a passport being issued?
I certainly hope when they issue a passport that they don't just put your picture on it and send it to you.
The processing is done by computer checks, which should take minutes, not days.
The delays are backlog, not that it actually takes the government weeks to run checks on your record.
21 Sep 11
Originally posted by sh76If the delays are in the backlog then I guess the government should hire more people to get through the backlog.
Fine. $20.
The processing is done by computer checks, which should take minutes, not days.
The delays are backlog, not that it actually takes the government weeks to run checks on your record.
As for the cost, I don't think either of us know what the cost structure actually is. It certainly is different than a book ordered from amazon. The two are not all that analogous.
21 Sep 11
Originally posted by PsychoPawnIt's not about number of employees. It's about a governing structure with no competition and no profit motive and thus no incentive to satisfy customers.
If the delays are in the backlog then I guess the government should hire more people to get through the backlog.
As for the cost, I don't think either of us know what the cost structure actually is. It certainly is different than a book ordered from amazon. The two are not all that analogous.
Really, PP, there's a reason capitalism works.
21 Sep 11
1 edit
Originally posted by sh76The incentive is winning elections, and the competition is other parties. The effectiveness of a government structure depends strongly on the effectiveness of democracy in general. Of course, since the political structure in the US is severely flawed, this reduces the efficiency of government.
It's not about number of employees. It's about a governing structure with no competition and no profit motive and thus no incentive to satisfy customers.
Really, PP, there's a reason capitalism works.
21 Sep 11
Originally posted by sh76I agree that capitalism works, I have never said that it doesn't - but not for everything.
It's not about number of employees. It's about a governing structure with no competition and no profit motive and thus no incentive to satisfy customers.
Really, PP, there's a reason capitalism works.
There are some areas of society where the profit motive motivates against society and not for it and some areas where the inefficiencies of government are necessary where a private company would just do without it.
With respect to a passport, I'm sure there are efficiencies to be had. You mentioned there was a backlog - if you hire more people then they can get through the backlog quicker 🙂
21 Sep 11
Originally posted by KazetNagorraPoliticians don't win or lose elections based on how long it takes to get your passport.
The incentive is winning elections, and the competition is other parties. The effectiveness of a government structure depends strongly on the effectiveness of democracy in general. Of course, since the political structure in the US is severely flawed, this reduces the efficiency of government.
21 Sep 11
Originally posted by sh76These sort of things matter in local elections. Especially if you don't have a two-party system, and you have to make yourself look good rather than just the other guy look bad.
Politicians don't win or lose elections based on how long it takes to get your passport.