Obama Seeks $634 Billion for Health Care

[PeterPan09]

So the deficit isn't such a big deal then, right? Ok, got it.

If it didn't matter for the last 8 years, why should it now?

BTW-President Obama already has outlined his plan to reduce the deficit-which is the real reason why I'm unconcerned.

 

[SteveInBrooklyn]

Not only are we spending billions in Iraq, but we have hundreds of bases all over the world, in every continent. If fiscal conservatives don't complain about that, HOW DARE THEY complain about a pittance, comparitively, spent on helping AMERICANS!!!

If you can find money to kill people, you can find money to help people!!!!

 

[SteveInBrooklyn]

BTW, I'm not solely blaming BUsh, ALL the ruling elite are to blame.

 

[jugman]

I'm sure you could find one for less than that. A person might have to take on some responsibilty and take on a higher deductible. I know ours is 10,000/person. We decided to lower our monthly cost and pay more out of pocket. We don't have dental or vision.

 

[joviroxx]

If it didn't matter for the last 8 years, why should it now?

BTW-President Obama already has outlined his plan to reduce the deficit-which is the real reason why I'm unconcerned.

Just want to understand the Democrats philosophy, thats all. Personally, I do believe the Iraq spending has helped Americans especially since Defense truly IS a responsibility of the Federal Government.

 

[AlexTina]

Then the conversation is really moot, isn't it? You're going to be angry for at least the next 4 years no matter what. Enjoy!!!

edited to say-I was going to discuss the health care comment you made-but why get carpel tunnel.

Here we are back to "You're an angry person", "Bush", "Iraq". Instead of the standard response why don't you lend me your glasses for a moment and help me understand exactly why is it that I shouldn't be angry . Explain to me how spending yourself silly is going to help in the end. Explain to me how it's possible to get out of bankruptcy by spending. Maybe you can convert me .

 

[PeterPan09]

Just want to understand the Democrats philosophy, thats all. Personally, I do believe the Iraq spending has helped Americans especially since Defense truly IS a responsibility of the Federal Government.

I believe Afghanistan was a necessary defense expense. I do not feel the same way about Iraq. However, that argument has probably been beaten to death on these boards, it sure was on every internet board I was part of in the last 7 years. No need to rehash-nobody's mind is going to get changed and we'll just end up with tired fingers.

You're only getting my philosophy, I don't claim to speak for all Democrats! I realize that it is going to take a lot of spending to get us out of the mess we're in, and we can't really deal with deficit reduction until we get the ship righted, so to speak. I am personally comfortable with the strategy President Obama has laid out so far, and as for any future spending-I will wait until the plans are actually written before trying to either defend or complain about them.

 

[SAHDad]

If it didn't matter for the last 8 years, why should it now?

BTW-President Obama already has outlined his plan to reduce the deficit-which is the real reason why I'm unconcerned.

It didn't matter from 2001-2007. Then, Dems took control of the House and Senate, and deficit spending was bad, yet somehow still continued unabated. Now, it's an accepted evil, and the plan is to bring it back down to $500 billion or so by 2013 - which is pretty much what it was under Bush.

Regardless, my guess is that it isn't going to happen. The stimulus package gave a bunch of money to various federal programs, which will become part of the baseline budget for next year, so that level of funding will almost certainly be continued. (Gov't programs never seem to go away - funny how that happens, huh?)

Or - it will happen. But it won't happen by raising taxes on the rich. The tax increase will stretch down into the middle class, or it will be hidden by increases in regressive taxes (much as how the SCHIP expansion is funded).

 

[minnie61650]

We pay $470 a month for employees. We cover that cost. Employees are responsible to pay for their dependants. We are a union company so union fringe benefits are paid for our union employees. Our 22 non-union employees are covered under the group plan.

I wish our health insurance was that affordable.

You must have a very great rate or a large deductable for your employees.

DH is self employed .
We have BC/BS with a large deductable and we pay over $1800 a month for the 2 of us.

 

[PeterPan09]

Here we are back to "You're an angry person", "Bush", "Iraq". Instead of the standard response why don't you lend me your glasses for a moment and help me understand exactly why is it that I shouldn't be angry . Explain to me how spending yourself silly is going to help in the end. Explain to me how it's possible to get out of bankruptcy by spending. Maybe you can convert me .

I doubt it. I certainly haven't been convinced by "Government BAAAADDDD" which is the only thing I've heard in the last 38 days.

There's an essential difference in philosophy that just cannot be overcome, no matter how much we both type at each other. I believe that government, while not perfect, can and should be a vehicle to help it's citizens in areas like health care and education and that is exactly what the founders intended when they wrote "promote the general welfare". They left that broad clause in there because they designed the document to outlive their times, and be working years and years into the future. I find the "government bad" answer to be a little too black/white. Yes, government can do things badly, but they can also do things well. The private sector can also do things badly, and we're seeing the results of too much trust in that private sector for too long.

 

[Reah Bourne]

At least now they'll get something for it, instead of it all going to the no-bid contractors in Iraq.

The "no bid" contracts is actually something called LOG-CAPS and was started under the Clinton adminstration in order to streamline the bid process to make it more efficent.

Some people dont deserve healthcare. Period.

If you are drinking, smoking, drugging, couch potatoing and eating yourself into oblivion, why should I pay for it since I do none of that? In fact, I get up at 0430 every morning to keep myself healthy, I dont drink, I dont smoke, I dont do drugs, etc but I get to subsidized someone elses bad habits.

If you are gang banging and I am a law abiding citizen, why should I pay to patch you knife/bullet holes?

Liberalism is not grounded in any rational thought.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

Please tell me you are joking.

They are not joking, corndog. This is where we are in this country.

Just shoot me now. Seriously.

Honestly...what's the point of these kinds of statements? The conversation goes nowhere and no actual debate can transpire if you can't simply state your point...that is, if you all actually have one, which I'm currently doubting...other than momto2girls inviting someone to come shoot her, which I do not get in the very least.

 

[Reah Bourne]

Ummm, yeah. We want OUR money spent to help OUR citizens instead of fattening the pockets of no bid contractors. We want our kids to have good schools, we want our citizens to have good health care! For what we spent rebuilding Iraq, we could have rebuilt practically every school in the US!

You might want to know that thousands of Americans are employed by these contractors.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

The "no bid" contracts is actually something called LOG-CAPS and was started under the Clinton adminstration in order to streamline the bid process to make it more efficent.

Some people dont deserve healthcare. Period.

If you are drinking, smoking, drugging, couch potatoing and eating yourself into oblivion, why should I pay for it since I do none of that? In fact, I get up at 0430 every morning to keep myself healthy, I dont drink, I dont smoke, I dont do drugs, etc but I get to subsidized someone elses bad habits.

If you are gang banging and I am a law abiding citizen, why should I pay to patch you knife/bullet holes?

Liberalism is not grounded in any rational thought.

Understood. Thing is, when these people get sick or injured, and stumble into an ER, with no health insurance, the taxpayers still pay for their treatment...only at a much higher premium. In makes good financial sense to budget for it, rather than breaking into the nation's "emergency funds" and paying top dollar.

 

[joviroxx]

I wish our health insurance was that affordable.

You must have a very great rate or a large deductable for your employees.

DH is self employed .
We have BC/BS with a large deductable and we pay over $1800 a month for the 2 of us.

Thats single coverage. w/ Spouse its $800, Emp +children $700 and emp + Family $1100. We have a lot of young males in our company. That lowers the composite rate. Too many women or older men and your rates go up. We have decent deductibles. We've been with the same company for years , not sure if that matters. But each year, when we go to market, other company's rates are much higher. We are with Neighborhood Health Plan here in South Florida.

 

[minnie61650]

...Some people dont deserve healthcare. Period.

Just an FYI:

We are not talking "free heathcare" with the possible exception of prenatal care and /or children under 18.

The plan is for "more affordable" health care.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[Laugh O. Grams]

You might want to know that thousands of Americans are employed by these contractors.

So does the mob, the Bloods, the Crips and the Latin Kings. It still doesn't give them a free pass.

 

[joviroxx]

Yes, government can do things badly, but they can also do things well. .

Honest question here. Can you tell me 3 things that you trust the government to do for you BETTER than you can do for yourself, when given YOUR money to take care of it? Or easier yet, what do you honestly feel they really do well?

 

[joviroxx]

So does the mob, the Bloods, the Crips and the Latin Kings. It still doesn't give them a free pass.

Are you comparing those companies and their employees to the above?

BTW, your dog is beautiful!

 

[campingfool]

If it didn't matter for the last 8 years, why should it now?

BTW-President Obama already has outlined his plan to reduce the deficit-which is the real reason why I'm unconcerned.

Nevermind!