Obamacare hater celebrates its demise...then learns he has it

[ryoder 1,537]

http://observer.com/2017/01/obamacare-hater-goes-viral-after-learning-he-has-it/

Not knowing anything about this publication, I did a little probing, and then a doubletake: http://observer.com/about/
Note the first name listed.

"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones.

[billvon 2,689]

Look for this to happen more and more often. So many republicans have bought into all the right wing "news" about Obamacare that they are going to be pretty shocked when reality sinks in. "What do you mean, I might lose my coverage? I want to repeal Obamacare, not lose my health insurance! What evil, greedy politicians are trying to take away coverage from people like me who need it?"

Years ago there was an article on the Tea Party in the NYT that perfectly sums this up. It ended:

=========
But in follow-up interviews, Tea Party supporters said they did not want to cut Medicare or Social Security — the biggest domestic programs, suggesting instead a focus on “waste.”

Some defended being on Social Security while fighting big government by saying that since they had paid into the system, they deserved the benefits.

Others could not explain the contradiction.

“That’s a conundrum, isn’t it?” asked Jodine White, 62, of Rocklin, Calif. “I don’t know what to say. Maybe I don’t want smaller government. I guess I want smaller government and my Social Security.” She added, “I didn’t look at it from the perspective of losing things I need. I think I’ve changed my mind.”
==========

I think this year a lot of Republicans are going to have the same epiphany. Of course, for them it will be too late.

[kallend 1,819]

billvon

I think this year a lot of Republicans are going to have the same epiphany. Of course, for them it will be too late.

Epiphany? Most Trump supporters have never even heard the word, let alone be able to have one.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[billvon 2,689]

>Epiphany? Most Trump supporters have never even heard the word, let alone be
>able to have one.

Some will have an epiphany; some will just say "oh shit."

[JerryBaumchen 1,249]

Hi Bill,

Quote

I think I’ve changed my mind.

However, at the next opportunity to talk about smaller gov't. they will still say that is important to them.

#1 - I hate how my property taxes are going up.

#2 - Did you vote for the school bond measure?

#1 - Of course, I did; schools are important.

**************

#1 - I hate how my property taxes are going up.

#2 - Did you vote for the new library measure?

#1 - Of course, I did; libraries are important.

**************

#1 - I hate how my property taxes are going up.

#2 - Did you vote for the measure to add more firefighters?

#1 - Of course, I did; the city is expanding and we need the coverage.

And the end of the day, most people simply cannot correlate their votes to their taxes.

Jerry Baumchen

[theplummeter 14]

One of my favorite stand up routines was when Lewis Black talked about how effective the leadership of the Tea Party has been. It was something along the line of being so good that they managed to talk the poorest Americans into crawling out of their trailers dressed as Benjamin Franklin and screaming "Don't tax the rich!".

[billvon 2,689]

Quote

#1 - I hate how my property taxes are going up.
#2 - Did you vote for the school bond measure?
#1 - Of course, I did; schools are important.

#1 - I just want to trim the fat. You know, all that stuff I don't need.*


(* - wasteful things like infrastructure cathodic protection. Let the Pope deal with them.)

[airdvr 201]

billvon

Quote

#1 - I hate how my property taxes are going up.
#2 - Did you vote for the school bond measure?
#1 - Of course, I did; schools are important.

#1 - I just want to trim the fat. You know, all that stuff I don't need.*


(* - wasteful things like infrastructure cathodic protection. Let the Pope deal with them.)

Last I heard catholics are OK with birth control.

Please don't dent the planet.

Destinations by Roxanne

[brenthutch 416]

JerryBaumchen

Hi Bill,

Quote

I think I’ve changed my mind.

However, at the next opportunity to talk about smaller gov't. they will still say that is important to them.

#1 - I hate how my property taxes are going up.

#2 - Did you vote for the school bond measure?

#1 - Of course, I did; schools are important.

**************

#1 - I hate how my property taxes are going up.

#2 - Did you vote for the new library measure?

#1 - Of course, I did; libraries are important.

**************

#1 - I hate how my property taxes are going up.

#2 - Did you vote for the measure to add more firefighters?

#1 - Of course, I did; the city is expanding and we need the coverage.

And the end of the day, most people simply cannot correlate their votes to their taxes.

Jerry Baumchen

Hi jerry,
How about,
#1 I love free shit from the government
#2 Aren't you worried about higher taxes?
#1 f**k no I don't pay taxes

I truly think that if we were required to pay for the services we receive, we would be more judicious with our demands. On the other hand, I did vote for a property tax increase to fund a new high school building, because I have kids that will eventually attend that school. I DID NOT vote myself free stuff paid by others.

[gowlerk 2,076]

Quote

I truly think that if we were required to pay for the services we receive, we would be more judicious with our demands.

This is one of the main weak points of the Canadian health care system.

Always remember the brave children who died defending your right to bear arms. Freedom is not free.

[brenthutch 416]

gowlerk

Quote

I truly think that if we were required to pay for the services we receive, we would be more judicious with our demands.

This is one of the main weak points of the Canadian health care system.

"Socialists are happy until they run out of other peoples money" M. Thatcher

[gowlerk 2,076]

brenthutch

***

Quote

I truly think that if we were required to pay for the services we receive, we would be more judicious with our demands.

This is one of the main weak points of the Canadian health care system.

"Socialists are happy until they run out of other peoples money" M. Thatcher

It's all about balance. Those "other people" would not have such riches without a strong society to build it from. There are always people doing better than others, and smart, ambitious, driven people need something to strive for. and a fair chance to succeed. But their victory and success will be hollow or even unattainable if they don't have a strong healthy society to succeed in. Modern healthcare is not a basic human right. In America. But it should be because America will be a better stronger place if it is.

I know you see people who fail to make arrangements for health insurance through employment or self arrangements as undeserving of public support. But with healthcare now being so expensive far too many middle class people are, or before the ACA were, falling between the cracks. Because if they did not have the right job, or some other misfortune befell them, they were SOL.

It's just no way to run a modern society. People should not have to base their employment and career decisions around the tyranny of employer provided healthcare. America needs to find a better way. The weird ass political situation you are now in just may lead to a partial solution.

Always remember the brave children who died defending your right to bear arms. Freedom is not free.

[headoverheels 323]

billvon

(* - wasteful things like infrastructure cathodic protection. Let the Pope deal with them.)

That's not like touching Social Security, a.k.a. the Third Rail, but it is a bit like the 2nd rail (or is it the 1st?) .

[GeorgiaDon 350]

Quote

On the other hand, I did vote for a property tax increase to fund a new high school building, because I have kids that will eventually attend that school.

Would you have voted against the increase if you did not have kids? Do you consider education (at least through high school) "free stuff", or is it a basic human right all civilized societies are obligated to provide for?

Don

_____________________________________
Tolerance is the cost we must pay for our adventure in liberty. (Dworkin, 1996)
“Education is not filling a bucket, but lighting a fire.” (Yeats)

[wolfriverjoe 1,456]

GeorgiaDon

Quote

On the other hand, I did vote for a property tax increase to fund a new high school building, because I have kids that will eventually attend that school.

Would you have voted against the increase if you did not have kids? Do you consider education (at least through high school) "free stuff", or is it a basic human right all civilized societies are obligated to provide for?

Don

Can't speak for him, but I usually vote for education initiatives, and I don't have kids.

I happen to think that a well educated populace is a good thing.

Besides, those kids have to get a good education and get good jobs to make money to pay for my Social Security.

"There are NO situations which do not call for a French Maid outfit." Lucky McSwervy

"~ya don't GET old by being weak & stupid!" - Airtwardo

[kallend 1,819]

brenthutch

How about,
#1 I love free shit from the government
#2 Aren't you worried about higher taxes?
#1 f**k no I don't pay taxes

Well, we don't know FOR SURE that Trump pays no taxes. It just seems highly likely.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[kallend 1,819]

billvon

Quote

#1 - I hate how my property taxes are going up.
#2 - Did you vote for the school bond measure?
#1 - Of course, I did; schools are important.

#1 - I just want to trim the fat. You know, all that stuff I don't need.*


(* - wasteful things like infrastructure cathodic protection. Let the Pope deal with them.)

So use anodic protection instead. You see it on a lot of boats.

...

The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one.

[jakee 1,328]

More of them.

People amazed that voting for the guy who ran partly on repealing Obamacare, representing the party dedicated to repealing Obamacare, might mean losing Obamacare. If it didn't affect so many other non-insane people it's be hilarious.

Do you want to have an ideagasm?

[ryoder 1,537]

Jimmy Kimmel repeats a man-on-the-street question from 3 years ago, with predictable results.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6m7pWEMPlA

"There are only three things of value: younger women, faster airplanes, and bigger crocodiles" - Arthur Jones.

[billvon 2,689]

Quote

Hi jerry,
How about,
#1 I love free shit from the government
#2 Aren't you worried about higher taxes?
#1 f**k no I don't pay taxes

And now we have one of those as president.

[riggerrob 598]

Agreed Gowlerk,

American conservatives are remarkably narrow-minded and short-sighted when it comes to healthcare.
Obamacare was an attempt to bring the USA in line with its first-world trading partners.
One of the things that has been hobbling rust-belt industries (e.g. automobile manufacturing) is the high cost of medical care for retire auto-workers. When the cost of (retiree) health care benefits exceeds the cost of the steel .......

Obamacare was an attempt at limiting the number of bankruptcies and law suits. Consider that the leading cause of bankruptcy in the USA is serious illness or major accidents. All those disabilities and bankruptcies only profit one segment of society: lawyers!
Guess how much I enjoy lawyers reminding me of my injuries 8.5 years after a plane crash!

No nation's healthcare system is perfect, but the alternative of limited health care is a sickly, unproductive population that drags down an entire nation.

[yoink 321]

jakee

More of them.

People amazed that voting for the guy who ran partly on repealing Obamacare, representing the party dedicated to repealing Obamacare, might mean losing Obamacare. If it didn't affect so many other non-insane people it's be hilarious.

Precisely why people shouldn't be allowed on things about which they have no understanding.
Universal democracy is great n'all, but this is the price.

[winsor 220]

The problem with many laws is that the name often contradicts the content. Like the 'Patriot Act' being unpatriotic to the point of being unconstitutional, the 'Affordable Care Act' is a commitment to unaffordable care from top to bottom. The fact that it was larger than the Encyclopedia Brittanica should have been a clue.

Chris Martenson has a pretty good handle on the nuts and bolts of the ACA.

Boiled down, the ACA's approach to health care is that typically, for a variety of reasons, Health Care Providers charge you for a new Rolls Royce and deliver a used Yugo.

To continue the analogy, the ACA mandates that everyone has to have a car, and that by spreading out the insane prices they will somehow be affordable. The "if you like your doctor..." line has resulted in Buick owners being required to drive a Yugo instead ('you'll love it, unless, of course, you're a denier with OCD').

Rather than making health care affordable, the ACA has further enabled a Lewis Carroll billing system, where a hospital bed goes for $10,000 a night and $1 worth of meds get billed for $100 (actual numbers).

The economics are reminiscent of South Vietnam before the U.S. withdrew, where a prostitute on the streets of Saigon made orders of magnitude more than a Cabinet Minister. People quite rightly figured out that their best option was to get on the gravy train while they could, so they were better prepared to deal with the nasty realities that would set in when things inevitably went to hell.

Similarly, people that occupy the eight or ten layers of bureaucracy atop those actually providing health care are getting as much cash as they can as fast as they can, so they set for life when the music stops playing.

I have worked in and around health care long enough and in enough countries to call bullshit regarding the accepted norms in the U.S. regarding health care, and the ACA in particular.

It amazes me that, given the premise that Physicians cost too much, we should task Attorneys to resolve the issue. If this is a joke, it's in bad taste.

In any event, the issue has been redirected to quite who is going to get stuck with the tab rather than why on earth such mundane goods and services are so goddamned expensive. The structural flaws that result in overpricing by many orders of magnitude are left in place, and the focus is on making sure that it all gets paid - which does nothing to address the real problem.

Unaffordable health care was and is a problem, and the ACA is yet another set of problems layered on top; this hardly meets any criterion of a 'solution.'


As you were,

Winsor

[GD64 1]

Outstanding post!

[Phil1111 1,064]

http://in.reuters.com/article/usa-obamacare-pharmaceuticals-idINKBN157250

This is one reason why the US health care is so expensive.

and the result:

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/518a3cfee4b0a77d03a62c98/t/534fc9ebe4b05a88e5fbab70/1397737963288/2013+iFHP+FINAL+4+14+14.pdf

Lawyers add another 2.4%

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/press-releases/medical-liability-costs-us/

Then add another 1/2 billion, yearly, for preventable drug and substance abuse:
http://www.wefaceittogether.org/it-s-a-disease/costs-of-addiction