Originally posted by Dr McBeefington
http://www.constitutionaldaily.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1153:throw-grandma-from-the-train&catid=49:the-philadelphia-lawyer&Itemid=65Another great read from phila lawyer.
Very interesting read.
Well, I disagree with that point he made. I consider the baby boomers responsible for the greatest economic period in world history and they earned every cent of social security and other entitlement programs, while we've regressed for decades with our continued fiscal and monetary mismanagement. I think we owe it to them.
I think they deserve it, yes. But the big problem is that social security isn't as stable as it was when they were kids. Back in the 40s, it was 30 to 1, workers supporting retirees. Now it's more like 2 or 3 to 1. We're simply a top-heavy society, and the fact that our economy is being marginalized into information based/entertainment based/sales based is hurting us. In the baby boomer era, we had tons of manufacturing jobs here in the US. Detroit, for example, was a hotbed of post-high school entry level jobs that could set up entire families. Now, they're all outsources or driven into the abyss by a crashing economy.
The big concern we have in the U.S. is that we have two kinds of employers - those hamstrung by overbloated relic unions (like the Big Three), and those that are hacking and cutting at the foundations of their own companies while the corporate heavies all make bank before the whole thing goes **** up. There's no real middle ground. If we correct the obvious issues with how business is handled first, we could better guarantee both the wellbeing and support of our elders and our own futures. Hacking at them in a desperate attempt to right the boat won't help, obviously.
And all those ****ing companies outsourcing jobs out of country to save money has cost American families billions. Couple that with the billions spent in "defense" overseas and ridiculous budgets in state governments (CA spends more on death row inmates care than their own students as of '08 numbers) and it's one big cluster****.
It's utterly sad that companies want larger and larger profits, but they are completely unwilling to invest in employees all around to make sure people are making money. But then again it's easier to write off installing all new equipment or a parking garage instead of keeping a dozen or so workers, isn't it?
Originally posted by Dr McBeefington
Agree with your post pretty much, with the exception of defense spending. That's a different discussion though but I'm heavily opposed to trimming the defense budget significantly.
I don't want the U.S. to be undefended, exactly, but spending money bombing shitholes in the Middle East into more ruined shitholes is a waste of money spending, IMO, as is maintaining bases in 36 countries at enormous expense while most Americans can't afford basic health care that many modern countries take for granted. Hell, even South Korea has more affordable health care than us.
I thought it was more than 36 countries, oh well. The healthcare issue is much different and more heated. Im torn between wanting healthcare for everyone, and using the epic fail shitfest that is Obamacare to achieve that goal. I think we can keep our current status quo in the military and get more affordable healthcare if we change some fundamental principles of our economic system.
Originally posted by Dr McBeefington
I thought it was more than 36 countries, oh well. The healthcare issue is much different and more heated. Im torn between wanting healthcare for everyone, and using the epic fail shitfest that is Obamacare to achieve that goal. I think we can keep our current status quo in the military and get more affordable healthcare if we change some fundamental principles of our economic system.
I'm not certain on a GREAT health care system, but having one besides ridiculously overpriced private insurance companies or hard to find group insurance via jobs which are themselves harder and harder to find is painful. As someone who has health issues which require constant, expensive payments to stay covered, I'm concerned. Having quit my old job, maintaining COBRA is about $445/month. It's been five months, so you do the math. And it's still cheaper than paying wholesale for the visits, medicine, and tests. Its' outrageous.
With that said, I'm not impressed with any candidates.
^ Same.
Originally posted by Stealth MooseThat is indeed messed up. My single business entity insurance, or whatever you call it, is $157 a month with a $2,500 deductible. Luckily for me, I went through a 5 month stretch this year where I hit about 20k and got pretty much 100% covered after the deductible, so I consider that a steal as well as sticking it to insurance companies.
I'm not certain on a GREAT health care system, but having one besides ridiculously overpriced private insurance companies or hard to find group insurance via jobs which are themselves harder and harder to find is painful. As someone who has health issues which require constant, expensive payments to stay covered, I'm concerned. Having quit my old job, maintaining COBRA is about $445/month. It's been five months, so you do the math. And it's still cheaper than paying wholesale for the visits, medicine, and tests. Its' outrageous.^ Same.
Originally posted by ZampanóObama is woefully underqualified for the presidency and Ron Paul is insane.
I'll vote for Obama because there are several Supreme Court seats up for replacement in this next presidency.Ron Paul would be nice, if I didn't have to worry about his fingers in every decision for the next generation.