Prodigal_Son

Members
  • Posts

    587
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by Prodigal_Son

  1. I believe President Faust was a prominent Democrat.
  2. Some would argue that myriad parties would prevent anything from ever getting done. Sounds like a dream-come-true to me.
  3. "The Right" has beat this into the ground lately. Based on US Census #'s. Here's the breakdown of the mythical 45.7 million farce: * 10 million are illegals. * 17 million clear $50k a year and for various reasons, choose not to have insurance. (Many wealthy don't bother, and many young people don't feel the need.) * Statistically, 45% of the uninsured are only temporarily so and will be insured again within 4 months. (Congressional Budget Office Statistic.) Soooo 45.7 - 10 - 17 = 18.7 * 55% = 10.3 million Current US Population = 307 million 10.3 / 307 = 3.36% of the US population is involuntarily uninsured. The #'s fluctuate a bit, and a true solid # is hard to pin down. But the 45 million # is pure crap. In 2003, BEFORE any of this was being debated, Blue Cross came to the conclusion that only "8.2 million Americans are actually without coverage for the long haul, because they are too poor to purchase health care but earn too much to qualify for government assistance." In 2003, the population was 294 million. Thus, the % of uninsured Americans was 2.8% ...
  4. With all due respect, you're not giving your parents enough credit. While they may not be thrilled by the news, it's all but impossible that they wouldn't have some cognizance of the reality of this threat in our day and age. They could be one of your best tools in kicking this habit you're forming before it's too entrenched. And, no, the Bishop would not automatically tell your parents. As you noted, it's a problem when you're bored. So get busy. Fill your life with meaningful activity and focus on QUALIFYING for your mission through PREPARATION (as opposed to just worrying about being disqualified).
  5. I just wanna have a party. Some good BBQ, good music, and good friends. Who'll join MY party? (I need a headcount so my wife can start scrapping together the invitations.)
  6. The FACT is only 5% of the population is involuntarily uninsured. Do your homework and quit listening to the left's talking points.
  7. There's no other appropriate conclusion to draw.
  8. Dang straight! Here's the proposal put forwards by John Fleming that only 61 out of the ??330?? supported.
  9. That's weird. I saw the #'s for 2007 and it was $6,900. I have a hard time believing it more than doubled in a year (obviously the stat would have to be 2008...)
  10. There's a greasemonkey script for firefox that allows you to run the IE rendering engine withing firefox. I don't EVER have to use IE.
  11. Here are my proposals: SUGGESTION #1: First, standardize insurance policies. (Government should NOT be allowed to join the fray, as it's not their right or responsibility.) Now, when I say "standardize", I mean that there should be a conglomerate that creates maybe a dozen different insurance plans. And those plans are the standard that ALL insurance companies use. This way WE, as consumers, can pit company against company - apples to apples - and compare pricing and performance. SUGGESTION #2: Open the state borders for insurance. It's ridiculous that we have to be state specific. It inhibits competition while promoting high costs and less accountability. SUGGESTION #3: Put some controls on lawsuits. Litigation needs to exist for those whose lives are destroyed via incompetence, but do a google search on awards and you'll find story after story of people who've won millions and millions of dollars for, shall we say, "questionable" wrongs??? By curbing this, the doctors will spend less on malpractice insurance. It will also reduce "defensive medicine" where doctors are running unnecessary tests to as standard CYA. SUGGESTION #4: Have some sort of oversight committee (that is comprised of medical/legal/insurance professionals) that does nothing but audit performance of medical practitioners. Let THEM keep the doctors on their toes to do what's right and to keep things in financial check. SUGGESTION #5: Reform Medicaid. I won't pretend to know HOW on this one, as it's a Hydra at this point... but perhaps make some adjustment that allows for temporary coverage of those who can PROVE they haven't the assets to afford TRULY CRUCIAL medical care.
  12. Have you bothered to read the bill being offered? I read 3 pages of the actual bill and quit b/c that was as far as I needed to read to recognize what a putrid pile of crap it is. Here's a PARTIAL list someone else made of it's, um, "highlights"... Pg 22 of the HC Bill MANDATES the Govt will audit books of ALL EMPLOYERS that self insure!! Pg 30 Sec 123 of HC bill - THERE WILL BE A GOVT COMMITTEE that decides what treatments/benes u get Pg 29 lines 4-16 in the HC bill - YOUR HEALTHCARE IS RATIONED!!! Pg 42 of HC Bill - The Health Choices Commissioner will choose UR HC Benefits 4 you. U have no choice! PG 50 Section 152 in HC bill - HC will be provided 2 ALL non US citizens, illegal or otherwise Pg 58HC Bill - Govt will have real-time access 2 individs finances & a National ID Healthcard will b issued! Pg 59 HC Bill lines 21-24 Govt will have direct access 2 ur banks accts 4 elect. funds transfer PG 65 Sec 164 is a payoff subsidized plan 4 retirees and their families in Unions & community orgs (ACORN). Pg 72 Lines 8-14 Govt is creating an HC Exchange 2 bring priv HC plans under Govt control. PG 84 Sec 203 HC bill - Govt mandates ALL benefit pkgs 4 priv. HC plans in the Exchange PG 85 Line 7 HC Bill - Specs for of Benefit Levels for Plans = The Govt will ration ur Healthcare! PG 91 Lines 4-7 HC Bill - Govt mandates linguistic approp svcs. Example - Translation 4 illegal aliens Pg 95 HC Bill Lines 8-18 The Govt will use groups i.e., ACORN & Americorps 2 sign up indiv. for Govt HC plan PG 85 Line 7 HC Bill - Specs of Ben Levels 4 Plans. #AARP members - U Health care WILL b rationed -PG 102 Lines 12-18 HC Bill - Medicaid Eligible Indiv. will b automat.enrolled in Medicaid. No choice pg 124 lines 24-25 HC No company can sue GOVT on price fixing. No "judicial review" against Govt Monop pg 127 Lines 1-16 HC Bill - Doctors/ #AMA - The Govt will tell YOU what u can make. Pg 145 Line 15-17 An Employer MUST auto enroll employees into pub opt plan. NO CHOICE Pg 126 Lines 22-25 Employers MUST pay 4 HC 4 part time employees AND their families. Pg 149 Lines 16-24 ANY Emplyr w payroll 400k & above who does not prov. pub opt. pays 8% tax on all payroll pg 150 Lines 9-13 Biz w payroll btw 251k & 400k who doesnt prov. pub. opt pays 2-6% tax on all payroll Pg 167 Lines 18-23 ANY individual who doesnt have acceptable HC accrdng 2 Govt will be taxed 2.5% of inc Pg 170 Lines 1-3 HC Bill Any NONRESIDENT Alien is exempt from indiv. taxes. (Americans will pay) Pg 195 HC Bill -officers & employees of HC Admin (GOVT) will have access 2 ALL Americans finan/pers recs PG 203 Line 14-15 HC - "The tax imposed under this section shall not be treated as tax" Yes, it says that Pg 239 Line 14-24 HC Bill Govt will reduce physician svcs 4 Medicaid. Seniors, low income, poor affected Pg 241 Line 6-8 HC Bill - Doctors, doesnt matter what specialty u have, you'll all be paid the same PG 253 Line 10-18 Govt sets value of Dr's time, prof judg, etc. Literally value of humans. PG 265 Sec 1131Govt mandates & controls productivity for private HC industries PG 268 Sec 1141 Fed Govt regulates rental & purchase of power driven wheelchairs PG 272 SEC. 1145. TREATMENT OF CERTAIN CANCER HOSPITALS - Cancer patients - welcome to rationing! Page 280 Sec 1151 The Govt will penalize hospitals 4 what Govt deems preventable readmissions. Pg 298 Lines 9-11 Drs, treat a patient during initial admiss that results in a readmiss-Govt will penalize u. Pg 317 L 13-20 OMG!! PROHIBITION on ownership/investment. Govt tells Drs. what/how much they can own. Pg 317-318 lines 21-25,1-3 PROHIBITION on expansion- Govt is mandating hospitals cannot expand pg 321 2-13 Hospitals have oppt to apply for exception BUT community input required. Can u say ACORN?!! Pg335 L 16-25 Pg 336-339 - Govt mandates estab. of outcome based measures. HC the way they want. Rationing Pg 341 Lines 3-9 Govt has authority 2 disqual Medicare Adv Plans, HMOs, etc. Forcing peeps in2 Govt plan Pg 354 Sec 1177 - Govt will RESTRICT enrollment of Special needs ppl! WTF. My sis has down syndrome!! Pg 379 Sec 1191 Govt creates more bureaucracy - Telehealth Advisory Cmtte. Can u say HC by phone? PG 425 Lines 4-12 Govt mandates Advance Care Planning Consult. Think Senior Citizens end of life Pg 425 Lines 17-19 Govt will instruct & consult regarding living wills, durable powers of atty. Mandatory! PG 425 Lines 22-25, 426 Lines 1-3 Govt provides apprvd list of end of life resources, guiding u in death PG 427 Lines 15-24 Govt mandates program 4 orders 4 end of life. The Govt has a say in how ur life ends Pg 429 Lines 1-9 An "adv. care planning consult" will b used frequently as patients health deteriorates PG 429 Lines 10-12 "adv. care consultation" may incl an ORDER 4 end of life plans. AN ORDER from GOV Pg 429 Lines 13-25 - The govt will specify which Doctors can write an end of life order. PG 430 Lines 11-15 The Govt will decide what level of treatment u will have at end of life Pg 469 - Community Based Home Medical Services=Non profit orgs. Hello, ACORN Medical Svcs here!!? Page 472 Lines 14-17 PAYMENT TO COMMUNITY-BASED ORG. 1 monthly payment 2 a community-based org. Like ACORN? PG 489 Sec 1308 The Govt will cover Marriage & Family therapy. Which means they will insert Govt in2 ur marriage Pg 494-498 Govt will cover Mental Health Svcs including defining, creating, rationing those svcs
  13. Hmmmm... what are the rules up there about concealed weapon permits?
  14. I predict that Harry Potter will be a part of our LDS canon by 2012.
  15. I'm sorry for both your situations. Please don't confuse my abhorrence for Marxism for a lack of compassion. Did neither of you qualify for Medicaid? Are there no free clinics in your area? Did the Bishop turn you down if/when you asked for help?
  16. Geez, Pam! Ease up a bit. You don't have to scream at her like a lunatic!
  17. I know. All in jest. My past two trips to Gospel Essentials have resulted in no teacher and me being asked to wing it (I really need to start reviewing the lessons). I don't care. I don't know who didn't show, but I assume there was a reason. No biggie. It's a fun and unique challenge.
  18. When you're not SURE you're right, it helps to poke holes in the beliefs of "the competition".
  19. Have you considered www.gotomeeting.com ????
  20. Who would that be? Medicaid covers the poor. And in a nation where anybody can work to be just about anything they want, can you make a blanket statement like it not being their fault??
  21. My reference is not against your values. Simply the onerous methods being applied. SATAN'S PLAN: I care about you all. That is, I want you to THINK I do. I'm actually just making a power grab. OBAMA'S PLAN: I care about you all. That is, I want you to THINK I do. I'm actually just making a power grab. SATAN'S PLAN: I'll get you ALL back to Heaven. OBAMA'S PLAN: I'll make sure you all have insurance. SATAN'S PLAN: You won't have any rights or agency. I'll make your decisions for you. I'll call the shots. OBAMA'S PLAN: You won't have any rights or agency. I'll make your decisions for you. I'll call the shots. SATAN'S PLAN: The ends will justify the means. OBAMA'S PLAN: The ends will justify the means. In case I haven't made my point, let me beat this dead horse: The government forcefully taking what's mine and squandering it inefficiently and ineffectively has NO COMPARISON to me compassionately watching out for my loved ones and neighbors. It is a forceful usurption of my freedoms and rights and property - just like Satan's Goose Step Methodology.
  22. As spoken from a church pulpit in Saratoga Springs, UT: "Money may not buy happiness, but it sure makes the misery easier to bear." Money is crucial. Look at the Nephite cycle! When they're righteous, the Lord prospers them! Why? To make them trip and fall? No way. Because WEALTH IS A TOOL. WEALTH in the right hands can do more good than any number of poverty-stricken-but-well-intentioned souls! I want wealth. Not because I want a boat. Not because I feel that granite countertops are a must-have. I want wealth so that I don't have to waste so much of my life stressing about how to stay afloat. I don't want to miss another month of home teaching because I was working till 10:30 at night, six days a week, with my truck's headlights on to light the way - in order to pay the bills. I want to retire at a reasonable age and spend DECADES serving missions all over the world! I want to be able to accept any calling that comes from the Lord - without hesitation or reservation - because my financial house is in order. I want to pay more tithing. I want to donate to more charities. I want to sponsor young men on their missions! I want to host firesides, FHE's, etc that build my bonds of love and friendship with my neighbors/community!
  23. Yes, they both have issues. That's not really relevant. The issue here, is that the federal government of the United States wants to create a monopoly via the assumption of powers that it legally cannot (if anyone in Washington would actually take the time to review the Constitution). You bet we pay our taxes! We pay too much now, and the runaway train we call "Congress" is adding even more tax burden. We cannot sustain the tax burden we have now - and the nationalization of health care will even further increase the burden. Puh-leaze!! I won't bother, but I could match your worthless anecdotal tales of woe 10:1 with the EXACT SAME TYPES OF STORIES from the UK. I will point out here, that I don't consider our existing health care system to be the best it can be. Far from it. I am simply expressing my horror over the worst business system in the world trying to tell me that they can improve it. None of it is Christlike. Why do you keep attempting this argument? And MUCH of what our federal government dabbles in is actually illegal and unconstitutional in regards to the enumeration of powers.Just because they've broken the rules before doesn't mean that we should roll over and let them do it again. Two wrongs don't make a right. I'm not denying anyone their rights. Never. But I'm exercising my own to their fullest extent to educate those who are uninformed, confused, lazy, or add-your-malady-of-choice-here against the EVILS being furthered by the yahoos we've sent to Washington.Obama lied through his teeth to get elected. He's not the first and he won't be the last. But the people voted for promises that he isn't going to keep, so they're only partially at fault. When the man WE elected to meet OUR needs warns those people who voted him in "don't bet against me", we have a serious ethical problem. Again, this isn't an issue of "is national health care an improvement??" This is an issue of * Nationalized health care is illegal in the US. * Nationalized health care will create a monopoly. * Nationalized health care denies me my liberties. * Nationalized health care would be just like every other failed program they've attempted (Medicare, Medicade, the very insurance systems for our veterans that you brought up that undermined your own arguing point), the native american insurance debacles...). I could go on, but I shall forbear. The fact is, this whole issue shouldn't even need to be discussed, because the whole concept is in breach of constitutional law in the US. ---------------------- Why are they fighting it? Because they're businesses!! Businesses about to be put out of work by the government! Are they SUPPOSED to go quietly into the night? I don't argue that greed is a reality of capitalism. But that's immaterial. Your implication that their disaproval is merely a result of greed is ludicrous. These people will be added to the jobless-on-Obama's-watch list if this passes. Don't be so narrow as to think that these people aren't going to fight to their dying breaths for their livelihood. Then you need to call for legislation to curb the ambulance chasers and litigious GREED of the American people. You need to call for the US (i.e. our tax dollars) to stop covering the cost of 90% of the world's pharmaceutical research. You need to call for legislation that could, perhaps, render some oversight - rather than trying for a complete annihilation of the system.