How would you fix the economy ?

[noonereal]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

What huge surpluses are you referring to?

And todays health care is one looooong way from free market.

Pete

Under Clinton, social security had large surplus that we "borrowed" to balance the budget.

Without raiding this surplus, Clinton would not have been able to claim that he had a balanced budget.

Why do you want to support the inventor class when you are faced with life and death choices? I just don't get it.

[piece-itpete]

Yes, the 'surplus' was a myth covered by one of the most regressive taxes around. Smoke and mirrors, it was really still deficit spending.

And a pretty hard cut in the military, as if once the USSR was through there'd never be another threat.

Protect who? The only way to contain health care costs is rationing. Right now the evil insurance industry takes the heat. How on earth can an elected government deny exorbitant experimental treatments to anyone and everyone?

And I bet the judiciary is salivating over the thought of a heath care bill.

Pete

[merrylander]

I believe what Congress will eventually come up with is something like the TV commercial where the guy is sitting there with a steak knife and the doc is giving instructions for an appendectomy over the phone. Poor guy say "Doc. don't you think you should be doing this?"

[merrylander]

Despite all the cries of socialism it was the Conservative party that instituted the Single Payer plan. They did so in the belief that its citizens are any nation's best natural resource so it would be wise to ensure thier care. Of course we live in a throw-away society, even citizens get thrown away.

What I am waiting to see from some of these rugged -I don't need anyone - individualists is their report on do it yourself surgerey.

[piece-itpete]

Does cutting my own splinters out count?

I'm not against reforming the system. But why would we rush something so large and important?

Pete

[hillbilly]

Originally Posted by piece-itpete

Does cutting my own splinters out count?

I'm not against reforming the system. But why would we rush something so large and important?

Pete

Thank you.

The other day Obie was on tv saying that since he wrote the new health care bill , that he 'owns' it. He says he plans to cut medicare costs by 500 billion bucks. So, rushing into this, just what exactly are old folks gonna be doing without?

To fast, with to little explaining. Can't trust as many of us will be old one day also. My poor old mother inlaw is not able, and at age 83 close to deaths door she only gets 14 dollars a month in food stamps.The family has to pitch in to feed her. Now I always thought the system was put in place for the elderly, but seeing all those young able body folks 'walking' into the store and shelling out 200-300 in food stamps REALLY CHAPS MY ASS.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by merrylander

I believe what Congress will eventually come up with is something like the TV commercial where the guy is sitting there with a steak knife and the doc is giving instructions for an appendectomy over the phone. Poor guy say "Doc. don't you think you should be doing this?"

This is perhaps with wittiest post I believe that I've read here.

My hat's off to you, Sir.

Chas

[merrylander]

And yet you yell socialism about countries that look after their people. Canada grants a old age pension to all citizens. If that is your only income you can also get a supplement of up to $635 per month.

Some will tell you that taxes are higher there but that is comparing apples to oranges. Their income tax is a single amount, this covers CPP (like SS) federal tax, provincial tax and a small amount for health care over and above the monthly provicial charge. People tend to compare that to just our federal income tax forgetting that to be accurate you have to include FICA, state income tax and county income tax. Having worked in both countries I found the totals to be within 1 or 2% for the same given income. So your MIL would be getting healthcare and over $1000 per month.

As to rushing into it, Congress has kicked this can down the road for forty years, how many more does it bloody well take? If the republicans and blue dogs would get the finger out and contribute something it could have been done already.

[merrylander]

You are most welcome Chas.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by merrylander

And yet you yell socialism about countries that look after their people. Canada grants a old age pension to all citizens. If that is your only income you can also get a supplement of up to $635 per month.

Some will tell you that taxes are higher there but that is comparing apples to oranges. Their income tax is a single amount, this covers CPP (like SS) federal tax, provincial tax and a small amount for health care over and above the monthly provicial charge. People tend to compare that to just our federal income tax forgetting that to be accurate you have to include FICA, state income tax and county income tax. Having worked in both countries I found the totals to be within 1 or 2% for the same given income. So your MIL would be getting healthcare and over $1000 per month.

As to rushing into it, Congress has kicked this can down the road for forty years, how many more does it bloody well take? If the republicans and blue dogs would get the finger out and contribute something it could have been done already.

Are you addressing me?

Chas