You werent supposed to notice that. Pay no attention to that looky over here....

Their behaviour is decetful at best.

They're politicians... :hmmm:

I was having an argument about this with a friend this morning. Of course congress, and even senators, and even the prez don't make 500 thou per year. They only make $100 thousand, $150 thousand and $400 thousand (unless I missed the last raise). And of course they have their own health and retirement plans, which to my mind puts them at least on a par with the worst of the rich CEOs.

I think the first reform should be to make congress stop being a part of the rich elite, and make it back into citizens serving their country.

They have three years to implement this if it passes both houses and Barry's desk correct? Let see how the political red tape extends this way beyond 3 years for this to kick in. The deal is not done but something will pass. So, welcome to the screw'in....:up:

Well... Government healthcare here we come...:rotfl2:(wonder if its like there government cheese...)

It is not necessary goverment healthcare yet. It is an option for people who take jobs that do not offer health care(I have no idea why they would do that) and others who perhaps run a business making this program affordable for them. Not sure. I did read yesterday that ALL must be on it or get a very stiff fine and or jail time. Really man, all must contribute to enjoy this program. I'm sick of free loaders.

I was with my brother-in-law last night at the market getting formula for his twins. He is behind a customer at the check out and they had two cart loads of food. ALL of it was paid on food stamps. $400.00 worth! They were eating better them me and him. They were dressed nice and wearing expensive leather jackets. They loaded the groceries into a Lexus....WTF? Our system here is for crappy at best.

Would this be Congressman Bachus version (if I remember my crooked politicians correctly)? I believe he proposed to fine individuals and families that didn't obtain health insurance.

This bill is nothing but a bailout for the insurance companies disguised as reform. The only really good thing in it is the mandate to cover pre-existing conditions. The "public option" in this one is weakened in a stupid concession to people who would have never voted yes on this anyways.

The insurance companies are the only winners here.

Golden Rivet, Do you have a source for the above quote please?

The reason I ask is that I use medicare and receive Social Security, and being retired military am also receiving healthcare from a Federal Program that works very well. tnx.

Don

First of - thank you brother for your service.

As for the solvency of Social Security - allow me to send you here:

http://money.cnn.com/2009/07/29/news...tune/index.htm

Note its CNN, not some "wacko" Fox link, because some would dismiss out of hand anything that was from there. The author even states how this has been a looming problem for decades. There have been actions to work on its financial standings, which is why the following was published by the Brookings Institute:

http://www.brookings.edu/multimedia/...ity_aaron.aspx

Allow me to quote another article dated 5/15 of this year....

"For years Social Security and Medicare have been saying that they’re running out of money. But, until now, the date of insolvency was years away.

The just-released Social Security trustees report says that Medicare will be spending more than it brings in this year. In less than a decade, the system will have run through all of its savings and be incapable of paying bills."

Thats right - Medicare is running a deficit - THIS YEAR. *That extra 500 Billion coming out in "health care reform" is really gonna help that too huh? As for Social Security, it is projected to hit deficit spending in 2037. Source is:

http://moneywatch.bnet.com/saving-mo...res-broke/290/

The links themselves will take you to the trustees report if you want to read it yourself.

To say SS is broke right now, isn't entirely accurate, though one could say that of Medicare. Just remember that the trustees oversee both sets of trusts, so they share a common thread.

We could also point to a number of other government overseen programs/institutions that continue to be in the red every year... but I think you get the point. Hopefully this helps you understand the seriousness of the crisis the country faces with the existing debt added to the entitlements that will increase that burden on future generations.

tnx for your reply CaptainHaplo.

Yes, I've read the SS trustee's report before. At my age the year 2037, actuarially speaking, is way beyond my time frame. And yet, contrary to GoldenRivet’s remarks, SS is not “KAPUT”, not yet anyway. Congress has 28 years left to fix it. Congressmen elected in 2006 will have (earned) a nice retirement by then if they stay in office, so I’ll keep my fingers crossed.

Medicare, on the other hand, I’ll agree, is looking shabby. The debate rages on and I believe the problem could be fixed to extend it’s solvency through the elimination of double-dipping by “Medicare Advantage”. It was my understanding that the “Healthcare Bill” currently passed by the house, plans to pay for some and/or all of the costs through money saved from ending “Medicare Advantage”. Like most here, I have not yet read the “bill”. but, while still alive, my RON site will have every other man on alert and weapons facing outward per SOP.

Cheers,

Mookie, did you read the 1900 page bill? I sure didn't. I'm not trying to be funny here but what makes you believe the insurance companies are the winners? I do not follow your logic.

The government has just delivered millions of new customers to the insurance companies by mandating that the uninsured purchase insurance. Oh sure they're being subsidized by the government, but the insurers who are the root of the problem are the end recipients of those government subsidies.

It really doesn't do a whole lot to end the insurance companies stranglehold on our health care system. The public option is so watered down and weak that it doesn't do anything to actually solve any problems. It was done in an attempt to appease Republicans, and now when it doesn't work, they're going to scream "SEE WE TOLD YOU SO!"

It's like solving the homeless problem by passing a law stating that all the homeless people need to buy houses.

Ok, got it. Personally, in my mind Obama is just attempting to create a legacy for himself via this healthcare bill. He does not care if he wins 2012. He does not care about a public option. He will move along in 2012 and write books until he is old and gray. At any rate, that opinion is soley my own. As it stands now Lieberman said he will not vote this bill in. Apparently Lieberman's vote is needed. Just another government snafu!

:o:o:o
Anyone in Gods own country remember the story of the mercifull Samaritan?
Since there was no benifit to themselves, the first people passed by, leaving the poor guy in the dust, till the mercifull Samaritan came by.
Though I'm not particular religious, this story does appeal to me.
Do you really need to benifit yourself to help others?
Do you really need to make a huge profit, if you're a doctor?

I guess, again this is a mentality difference between Europeans and Americans.

Let those doctors who wish to make profit work in the field of plastic surgery, like enlarging boobs, removing fat or reworking faces of Hollywood celebs, which is not lifethreatening demands, and then let the real caring doctors really help all the ill people.