Ask Me Help Desk

Ask Me Help Desk (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/forum.php)
-   Current Events (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/forumdisplay.php?f=486)
-   -   Something I don't understand about the Health Care Debate (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=381468)

  • Aug 9, 2009, 02:37 AM
    tomder55
    Ex and amdeist

    All I have to say is that if you are indeed reading HR 3200 you are putting blinders on when reading some sections like Section 1233 "Advanced Care Planning" mandatory counseling sessions to recommend "palliative care and hospice." The government can compel more frequent end of life sessions if it declares a "significant change" in the health of the recipient .And this is not just about fatal illness .It includes conditions described as "chronic," "progressive," or "life-limiting."

    The 5th Amendment says that no person shall be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law. In this case due process will not be in front of a judge and jury of peers. Due process will be determined by a nameless faceless bureaucrat using a computer model constucted to the specifications of Ezekiel Emanuel's ideas about the worth of the individual .
    amdeist you have already previously supported the proposition that there are too many people ;especially ailing elderly so I suppose this fits in perfectly with your ideas about population management .
    amdeist I also note that you despise capitalism and agree that the plan being considered is anathema to capitalism and fits in perfectly with your socialist agenda.

    It is surprising how radical a conversion you have made Excon ,even as you claim that you don't want government to have that much power.
  • Aug 9, 2009, 03:33 AM
    NeedKarma
    Don't take tom's word here, he has an agenda. Get the facts, don't believe the extreme right-wing scare tactics:

    False Euthanasia Claims | FactCheck.org
  • Aug 9, 2009, 04:17 AM
    tomder55

    Obama has already made it clear where he stands. He said his grandmother should have chosen pain medication rather than the more costly hip replacement.He also told another women that her mother should take pain medications instead of getting a pacemaker.
    Clearly these types of responses are from one who cares more about containing costs then the care of the patient .
  • Aug 9, 2009, 04:41 AM
    NeedKarma
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by tomder55 View Post
    .He also told another women that her mother should take pain medications instead of getting a pacemaker.

    See, you bought the bad edit that conservatives float around. Let me know if you want the real clip that shows that a) she could keep her plan and b) he said it might have been better to give her the pace-maker sooner.

    Here's more of your bull refuted: Will ObamaCare euthanize granny? No. | Washington Examiner
  • Aug 9, 2009, 07:27 AM
    excon
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by tomder55 View Post
    All I have to say is that if you are indeed reading HR 3200 you are putting blinders on when reading some sections like Section 1233 "Advanced Care Planning" mandatory counseling sessions to recommend "palliative care and hospice." The government can compel more frequent end of life sessions if it declares a "significant change" in the health of the recipient .And this is not just about fatal illness .It includes conditions described as "chronic," "progressive," or "life-limiting." .

    Hello again, tom:

    Here is the pertinent sections of HR 3200. You can read it WITHOUT blinders, as I'm sure everybody will. You COULD say it means what you want it to mean, but it doesn't... I didn't copy ALL of the section, but if you can find a part that says they're going to KILL old people, PLEASE cut and paste it. We're DYING to hear.
    -------

    Advance care planning consultation

    2‘(hhh)(1) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), the term ‘advance care planning consultation’ means a consultation between the individual and a practitioner described in paragraph (2) regarding advance care planning, if, subject to paragraph (3), the individual involved has not had such a consultation within the last 5 years. Such consultation shall include the following:
    ‘(
    A) An explanation by the practitioner of advance care planning, including key questions and considerations, important steps, and suggested people to talk to.

    ‘(B) An explanation by the practitioner of advance directives, including living wills and durable powers of attorney, and their uses.

    ‘(C) An explanation by the practitioner of the role and responsibilities of a health care proxy.

    ‘(D) The provision by the practitioner of a list of national and State-specific resources to assist consumers and their families with advance care planning, including the national toll-free hotline, the advance care planning clearinghouses, and State legal service organizations (including those funded through the Older Americans Act of 1965).

    ‘(E) An explanation by the practitioner of the continuum of end-of-life services and supports available, including palliative care and hospice, and benefits for such services and supports that are available under this title.

    ‘(F)(I) Subject to clause (ii), an explanation of orders regarding life sustaining treatment or similar orders, which shall include--

    ‘(I) the reasons the development of such an order is beneficial to the individual and the individual’s family and the reasons such an order should be updated periodically as the health of the individual changes;

    ‘(II) the information needed for an individual or legal surrogate to make informed decisions regarding the completion of such an order; and

    ‘(III) the identification of resources that an individual may use to determine the requirements of the State in which such individual resides so that the treatment wishes of that individual will be carried out if the individual is unable to communicate those wishes, including requirements regarding the designation of a surrogate decisionmaker (also known as a health care proxy).

    ------------

    excon
  • Aug 10, 2009, 06:38 AM
    ETWolverine
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by excon View Post
    The health insurance system YOU support condemns people to DEATH every day in the name of PROFITS...

    No it doesn't.

    As has been spelled out several times before, private insurance companies may decide not to pay for your care. BUT THEY CANNOT KEEP YOU FROM OBTAINING THAT CARE ON YOUR OWN.

    In a single-payer system, not only can they decide not to pay for your care, but by doing so they deny your ability to obtain it on your own, since they are the only body permitted to pay for the care.

    Talk all you want about people's inability to pay... they can mortgage their homes, sell their assets, or borrow money in prder to pay for their health care if they must. But they still have OPTIONS to obtain that care... even if it drives them to bankruptcy. In a government-run system, they have no such options if the government denies their claim.

    This is not open for dispute. It is a fact. It is the fact that people live with every day in nationalized health care systems throughout the world. Evidence of this fact has been put forward. If you wish to ignore it, that's your issue. But don't try to confuse YOUR issues with reality.

    Quote:

    Since you like it sooo much, I must assume that you're sharing in the profits... If not, you're just a water carrier for those that are making the big bucks.

    Shouldn't you at least get a commission??

    The above is TRUE, unless you're going to tell me that the insurance companies cover EVERYTHING... And, they DON'T!

    Excon
    Insurance companies don't cover everything. But they can't DENY your right to purchase anything you wish to purchase on your own. The government can and does all the time.

    Elliot
  • Aug 10, 2009, 06:45 AM
    excon
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by ETWolverine View Post
    No it doesn't.

    As has been spelled out several times before, private insurance companies may decide not to pay for your care. BUT THEY CANNOT KEEP YOU FROM OBTAINING THAT CARE ON YOUR OWN.

    Hello again, El:

    It seems you think that people who were turned down for a life saving operation by their insurance company can just go out and buy it themselves... Really??

    Do you ACTUALLY know anybody who could do that?? No, you don't. To argue that someone could is one of the dumbest arguments you've made to date... To think that they can, belies reality. Therefore, the person who is turned down by their insurance company for life saving services, IS sentenced to DEATH, no matter how you try to spin it...

    excon
  • Aug 10, 2009, 06:55 AM
    ETWolverine
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by excon View Post
    Hello again, tom:

    Here is the pertinent sections of HR 3200. You can read it WITHOUT blinders, as I'm sure everybody will. You COULD say it means what you want it to mean, but it doesn't.... I didn't copy ALL of the section, but if you can find a part that says they're gonna KILL old people, PLEASE cut and paste it. We're DYING to hear.
    -------

    Advance care planning consultation

    2‘(hhh)(1) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4), the term ‘advance care planning consultation’ means a consultation between the individual and a practitioner described in paragraph (2) regarding advance care planning, if, subject to paragraph (3), the individual involved has not had such a consultation within the last 5 years. Such consultation shall include the following:
    ‘(
    A) An explanation by the practitioner of advance care planning, including key questions and considerations, important steps, and suggested people to talk to.

    ‘(B) An explanation by the practitioner of advance directives, including living wills and durable powers of attorney, and their uses.

    ‘(C) An explanation by the practitioner of the role and responsibilities of a health care proxy.

    ‘(D) The provision by the practitioner of a list of national and State-specific resources to assist consumers and their families with advance care planning, including the national toll-free hotline, the advance care planning clearinghouses, and State legal service organizations (including those funded through the Older Americans Act of 1965).

    ‘(E) An explanation by the practitioner of the continuum of end-of-life services and supports available, including palliative care and hospice, and benefits for such services and supports that are available under this title.

    ‘(F)(i) Subject to clause (ii), an explanation of orders regarding life sustaining treatment or similar orders, which shall include--

    ‘(I) the reasons why the development of such an order is beneficial to the individual and the individual’s family and the reasons why such an order should be updated periodically as the health of the individual changes;

    ‘(II) the information needed for an individual or legal surrogate to make informed decisions regarding the completion of such an order; and

    ‘(III) the identification of resources that an individual may use to determine the requirements of the State in which such individual resides so that the treatment wishes of that individual will be carried out if the individual is unable to communicate those wishes, including requirements regarding the designation of a surrogate decisionmaker (also known as a health care proxy).

    ------------

    excon

    Yep. I read that section.

    It says that every 5 years, a counselor will meet with the "patient" (who may not even be sick at the time) and explain to them why they need a will, why they need a living will, and why they need to have DNR and DNI orders on file, and why such things are helpful to the family of the patient.

    In other words, they are going to sit there and try to convince people to allow themselves to die rather than allow doctors to take actions to save their lives. And they're going to do so in the "best interests of the family". Whether it really is in their best interests or not.

    Screw that. It ain't the government's business to convince ANYONE what end of life actions they should be taking.

    Just out of curiosity... if this legislation isn't aimed at convincing older patients to die, why aren't they creating similar counseling for EVERY PATIENT. Isn't it a good idea of every patient to have a will and a living will on file in case of accident or traumatic injury or unexpected health crisis? Why is this legislation being targeted at old people?

    Answer: it's being targeted at old people in order to convince as many of them as possible that they are no longer needed on this Earth in order to get rid of them in a bid to lower healths costs. That is the ONLY reason that such legislation would required for older people but not younger people.

    Elliot
  • Aug 10, 2009, 07:00 AM
    NeedKarma
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by ETWolverine View Post
    In other words, they are going to sit there and try to convince people to allow themselves to die rather than allow doctors to take actions to save their lives. And they're going to do so in the "best interests of the family". Whether it really is in their best interests or not.

    Wow, you read what you want to read. It's simply counselling. My wife works for the Public Trustee office, if this type of counselling were more prevalent then there would less "messes" at the end of someone's life term especially when some form of dementia sets in.
  • Aug 10, 2009, 07:08 AM
    excon
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by ETWolverine View Post
    Yep. I read that section.

    It says that every 5 years, a counselor will meet with the "patient" (who may not even be sick at the time) and explain to them why they need a will, why they need a living will, and why they need to have DNR and DNI orders on file, and why such things are helpful to the family of the patient.

    Hello again, El:

    So, you actually think the government is going to suggest that the old folks just die to save everybody some trouble...

    I can't imagine where you make up that stuff. It certainly ISN'T what I read... But, of course, I read ENGLISH. Remember when I said the above was the dumbest argument you've made... Well, you topped it.

    excon
  • Aug 10, 2009, 07:48 AM
    ETWolverine
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by excon View Post
    Hello again, El:

    So, you actually think the government is going to suggest that the old folks just die to save everybody some trouble...

    Yes I do. So does Obama. And Ezekial Emanuel. They've pretty much said that that is their intent.

    Of course if the architects of the plan are saying that this is there intent, that doesn't really mean anything, does it?


    Quote:

    I can't imagine where you make up that stuff. It certainly ISN'T what I read... But, of course, I read ENGLISH. Remember when I said the above was the dumbest argument you've made... Well, you topped it.

    Excon
    Where do I get these interpretations? From their own words.

    http://www.ncpa.org/pdfs/PIIS0140673609601379.pdf

    http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/03/ma...ewanted=5&_r=1

    But again, let's not let what they SAID influence us. It doesn't really MEAN anything.

    Elliot
  • Aug 10, 2009, 07:57 AM
    excon
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by ETWolverine View Post
    Where do I get these interpretations? From their own words.

    But again, let's not let what they SAID influence us. It doesn't really MEAN anything.

    Hello again, El:

    Well, I read the "words". I didn't find anything in there that said the government is going to suggest that old people pack it in. Nope - not even an inkling...

    I'm sure your reading of those same words gave you a different conclusion. I don't know why. They ARE written in English, after all... But, you're having trouble with that lately. I mean, you guys call a coup the Constitution in action...

    Have you seen your doctor?? Or are you afraid they won't cover what you've got??

    excon
  • Aug 10, 2009, 08:10 AM
    ETWolverine
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by excon View Post
    Hello again, El:

    Well, I read the "words". I didn't find anything in there that said the government is going to suggest that old people pack it in. Nope - not even an inkling...

    It's right HERE:

    ‘(F)(I) Subject to clause (ii), an explanation of orders regarding life sustaining treatment or similar orders, which shall include--

    ‘(I) the reasons why the development of such an order is beneficial to the individual and the individual’s family and the reasons why such an order should be updated periodically as the health of the individual changes;



    Quote:

    I'm sure your reading of those same words gave you a different conclusion. I don't know why.
    Yes you do. You just refuse to acknowledge the stated INTENT of the architects of this legislation.


    Quote:

    They ARE written in English, after all... But, you're having trouble with that lately. I mean, you guys call a coup the Constitution in action...
    Actually, it IS written in English... of a sort. And it is plain as day what the intent is... especially when taken in context with the statements of those who wrote the bill in the first place.

    Quote:

    Have you seen your doctor?? Or are you afraid they won't cover what you've got??

    Excon
    Yes, I have seen a doctor fairly regularly. I even pay out of pocket, because my insurance doesn't cover it. Y'know... that whole free choice thing. My insurance isn't covering it, but I can STILL get the service anyway. I live what I preach.

    What I'm afraid of is that GOVERNMENT insurance won't cover my treatments, and I won't be allowed to pay out of pocket in a single-payer system. Which means that I won't be able to get those services... even if I want to pay out of pocket.

    Elliot
  • Aug 10, 2009, 08:30 AM
    excon
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by ETWolverine View Post
    It's right HERE:

    ‘(F)(i) Subject to clause (ii), an explanation of orders regarding life sustaining treatment or similar orders, which shall include--

    ‘(I) the reasons why the development of such an order is beneficial to the individual and the individual’s family and the reasons why such an order should be updated periodically as the health of the individual changes;

    Yes you do. You just refuse to acknowledge the stated INTENT of the architects of this legislation.

    Actually, it IS written in English... of a sort. And it is plain as day what the intent is... especially when taken in context with the statements of those who wrote the bill in the first place.

    Hello again, El:

    I read the words very carefully this time. I find NOTHING in there to suggest the horrifying things you find. What you find "plain as day", I don't find AT ALL.

    But, Mr. Wolverine, where you and I find ourselves, is a GOOD example of where this THING is right now, nationwide. I would call it a debate, but when the two sides can't agree on what a few English words actually SAY, then there is NO debate. It's just two sides yelling at each other...

    Which is EXACTLY what you want. As WRONG as you are, you are WINNING the argument. You've got everybody yelling at each other. The Democrats can't get it together even though they run the show... They need a hammer like you guys had.

    But, you're not doing the country any favors... In fact, just saying no will bankrupt us.

    excon
  • Aug 10, 2009, 09:21 AM
    tomder55

    Yup and we are being called unpatriotic by the Speaker of the House. Concerned citizens are called tea baggers and astroturfers ;an unruly mob;radical crazies. But we are the problem because we have serious reservation over the course the President and the Dems in Congress would lead us in .


    Rep. John Fleming has a petition out demanding that Congress give up their taxpayer subsidized benefit to sign onto any legislation they pass. Think they will ? Will the President ? Not likely .
  • Aug 10, 2009, 09:31 AM
    excon
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by tomder55 View Post
    But we are the problem because we have serious reservation over the course the President and the Dems in Congress would lead us in .

    Hello again, tom:

    I AIN'T buying it. If you really HAD serious reservations about the bill, you'd be DISCUSSING them, instead of making up stuff. You don't want a serious discussion. You want to STOP any discussion from taking place.

    I say again, just saying no will bankrupt us... It's not very patriotic to want to do that.

    excon
  • Aug 10, 2009, 09:57 AM
    ETWolverine
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by excon View Post
    Hello again, tom:

    I AIN'T buying it. If you really HAD serious reservations about the bill, you'd be DISCUSSING them, instead of making up stuff. You don't want a serious discussion. You want to STOP any discussion from taking place.

    I say again, just saying no will bankrupt us... It's not very patriotic to want to do that.

    excon

    How many things do we have to list that are wrong with this bill before you will admit that the bill is a piece of cr&p designed to take choice out of the hands of individuals and businesses and put it into the hands of government?

    Counseling oldsters to choose to die rather than save themselves every 5 years isn't enough of a problem for you?

    Having someone other than you and your doctor deciding what's in your best interest isn't enough of a problem for you?

    Tripling the cost of health care for every man woman and child in the USA isn't enough of a problem for you?

    Eliminating free choice within health care isn't enough of a problem for you?

    Quadrupling the national debt in order to accomplish this abortion isn't enough of a problem for you?

    All of these issues have been discussed ad infinitum. But you are still stuck on the idea that there are no issue and we're making it all up to STOP discussion.

    That's your stuff, not ours.

    Elliot
  • Aug 10, 2009, 10:00 AM
    ETWolverine
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by excon View Post
    Hello again, tom:

    I AIN'T buying it. If you really HAD serious reservations about the bill, you'd be DISCUSSING them, instead of making up stuff. You don't want a serious discussion. You want to STOP any discussion from taking place.

    I say again, just saying no will bankrupt us... It's not very patriotic to want to do that.

    excon

    Giving in to communism isn't very patriotic. (And whether you wish to call it that or not, nationalizing health care is COMMUNISM.)

    85% of Americans are satisfied with their health care system. 67% of Americans do not want THIS BILL to be passed. MAJORITY RULES is the way DEMOCRACY works. But you want to throw Democracy out the window... THAT isn't very patriotic, excon.

    Elliot
  • Aug 10, 2009, 10:24 AM
    NeedKarma
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by ETWolverine View Post
    (And whether you wish to call it that or not, nationalizing health care is COMMUNISM.)

    Dear god you sure are given to hyperbole. You and your hero sarah palin.

    Imagine all those communist countries!!
    Universal health care - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
    Quote:

    Universal health care is implemented in all of the wealthy, industrialized countries, with the exception of the United States.
  • Aug 10, 2009, 10:31 AM
    tomder55

    Now if the Dems wanted to talk about ways of reforming health insurance to deal with the small percentage of people who fall through the cracks then there is a worthy debate to be had. What they and you have proposed many times is wholesale takeovers of significant percentages of the GDP by the government. You have said you want govt . Takeover of health care ;energy ,finance . What do you leave for the private sector ? Mom and Pop bodegas ? There really is little to discuss... Not only have I read the bill ;but I have also read the writings of Ezekiel Emanuel and Tom Daschele ;the architects gurus of the plan and I know what they mean when they propose having doctors tell their patients that it would be a better option for you to cash your chips in .

    From Emanuel's Lancet article :
    Quote:

    The complete lives system discriminates against older people. Age-based allocation is ageism. Unlike allocation by sex or race, allocation by age is not invidious discrimination; every person lives through different life stages rather than being a single age. Even if 25-year-olds receive priority over 65-year-olds, everyone who is 65 years now was previously 25 years. Treating 65-year-olds differently because of stereotypes or falsehoods would be ageist; treating them differently because they have already had more life-years is not.
    Here's another :
    Quote:

    "This civic republican or deliberative democratic conception of the good provides both procedural and substantive insights for developing a just allocation of health care resources. Procedurally, it suggests the need for public forums to deliberate about which health services should be considered basic and should be socially guaranteed. Substantively, it suggests services that promote the continuation of the polity — those that ensure healthy future generations, ensure development of practical reasoning skills, and ensure full and active participation by citizens in public deliberation — are to be socially guaranteed as basic. Conversely, services provided to individuals who are irreversibly prevented from being or becoming participating citizens are not basic and should not be guaranteed.
    So don't tell me that they are not going to go after seniors to control costs .I know better.

    So if mandatory counseling encouraging doctors to promote end of life option were not the intent it would be easily remedied in the legislation. Remove the ambiguity . Add a provision stating that the counseling is entirely voluntary.State that the patient will not lose benefits if he/she refuses counseling .Remove the threat of refusal of compensation if the doctor does not do the counseling .
  • Aug 10, 2009, 10:45 AM
    speechlesstx

    Ex, we HAVE discussed what's in the bill, we've quoted and linked to relevant passages in the bill and we've quoted Obama and others verbatim on Obamacare. What needs to happen now is to stop making stuff up about us making stuff up and for the Democrats to stop lying and whining.

    What's most telling about this whole thing is Democrats are waging a war against American citizens.
  • Aug 10, 2009, 10:46 AM
    ETWolverine
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by NeedKarma View Post
    Dear god you sure are given to hyperbole. You and your hero sarah palin.

    Imagine all those communist countries!!!!!!
    Universal health care - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

    Yep. They are all communist... or at least socialist, which is just a softer version of the same thing. What's your point?


    Communism
    1. A system of government in which the state plans and controls the economy and a single, often authoritarian party holds power, claiming to make progress toward a higher social order in which all goods are equally shared by the people.
    From - The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

    How's it feel to be living in a communist country?

    Elliot
  • Aug 10, 2009, 10:58 AM
    N0help4u
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by ETWolverine View Post
    Yep. They are all communist... or at least socialist, which is just a softer version of the same thing. What's your point?


    Communism
    1. A system of government in which the state plans and controls the economy and a single, often authoritarian party holds power, claiming to make progress toward a higher social order in which all goods are equally shared by the people.
    From - The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition

    How's it feel to be living in a communist country?

    Elliot

    Exactly why I don't understand why so many are for these plans of Obama's

    Seems like they think government taking away our freedoms is making us free.
    I refuse to drink the Kool Aid. I'm in this messed up system we got with eyes wide open
  • Aug 10, 2009, 10:58 AM
    NeedKarma
    Elliot,

    Feels great! You should be so lucky!

    LOL!

    I like people, you like money and corporations. Never the twain shall meet.
  • Aug 10, 2009, 10:59 AM
    tomder55

    Nah they're not communist . They are Fabian socialists.
  • Aug 10, 2009, 11:00 AM
    N0help4u

    Yep fabian socialists and that does not make for a government for the people, by the people

    NOPE
  • Aug 10, 2009, 11:00 AM
    NeedKarma
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by tomder55 View Post
    nah they're not communist . they are Fabian socialists.

    Leave him to his belief that the US is the only non-communist country on the planet. We're enjoying the laugh. :)
  • Aug 10, 2009, 11:02 AM
    tomder55
    I consider fabian socialism as communist lite.

    And we are routinely bombarded with their pablum

    Check this out in the Washington Compost by economist Gregory Clark :

    Quote:

    The battle will be over how to get the economy's winners to pay for an increasingly costly poor. Last weekend Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and Lawrence Summers, the director of the White House's National Economic Council, refused to rule out raising taxes. Despite the White House's subsequent denials, this may be an early acknowledgment of an inexorable trend. In a future with higher taxes, the divide between rich and poor would be the central economic challenge. …
    So, how do we operate a society in which a large share of the population is socially needy but economically redundant? There is only one answer. You tax the winners — those with the still uniquely human skills, and those owning the capital and land — to provide for the losers. …
    The last great hope may be to design a more efficient tax system. … Unfortunately, such measures are only stopgaps. In the end, we may be forced to learn to live in a United States where, by stealth, “from each according to his ability, to each according to his need” becomes the guiding principle of government — or else confront growing, unattended poverty
    http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn...080702043.html
  • Aug 10, 2009, 11:06 AM
    N0help4u
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by tomder55 View Post
    I consider fabian socialism as communist lite.

    Exactly
  • Aug 10, 2009, 12:16 PM
    ETWolverine
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by NeedKarma View Post
    Leave him to his belief that the US is the only non-communist country on the planet. We're enjoying the laugh. :)

    Still waiting to hear how government control of health care (or anything else, for that matter) isn't communism.

    And I hate to say it, but what makes you think that I believe that the USA ISN'T communist?

    As I have posted before:

    The government has taken control of 10 of the 12 largest banks in the USA, two of the top 3 auto makers, the largest insurance company, and the largest home mortgage-makers (Fannie-Mae & Freddie Mac). The government is the single largest debt guarantor to small businesses through the SBA. They regulate every industry under the sun, including lighbulb manufacturing and toilet bowl makers. They control energy production and distribution via regulation and taxation. They control the medical industry through the FDA and the food industry through the FDA and USDA. The US government is the single largest borrower and the single largest lender in the USA. It is the single largest real estate owner and the single largest tenant in the USA. It is the single largest purchaser of goods, and the single largest provider of services (usually redundant or useless ones) in the USA.

    In what way is this NOT communism?

    I'm just trying to preserve what little is left to the regular joe in this country.

    Elliot
  • Aug 10, 2009, 12:20 PM
    N0help4u
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by ETWolverine View Post
    .

    And I hate to say it, but what makes you think that I believe that the USA ISN'T communist?

    As I have posted before:

    In what way is this NOT communism?

    I'm just trying to preserve what little is left to the regular joe in this country.

    Elliot

    You beat me to it ETW
  • Aug 10, 2009, 12:38 PM
    NeedKarma
    Good luck. You'll be dead and buried before your ideal comes to fruition.
  • Aug 10, 2009, 12:53 PM
    N0help4u

    Yep with the government socialist ideals we know that is a fact. I doubt even my grand kids will see any type of freedom
  • Aug 10, 2009, 01:23 PM
    ETWolverine
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by NeedKarma View Post
    Good luck. You'll be dead and buried before your ideal comes to fruition.

    Probably true.

    So what?

    Some ideals are worth fighting for, even if you never get to see the fruit of your labors come to pass.

    And, hey, if Obama's popularity continues to drop as fast as it has been over the past month or so, there's always the possibility that a new government with real CONSERVATIVES (not Republicans and RINOs) can accomplish it much sooner than anyone would think. We came pretty close under Reagan.

    Elliot
  • Aug 11, 2009, 02:47 PM
    galveston

    Chuck Norris wrote an article recently dealing with a provision in the House health care bill. It provides for people trained in parenting to come into your home and show you how to raise your children. You like the sound of that?

    Anyone who has had any dealings with child protective services know very well what tyrants these people are.

    You want to bring these people into every home that has children?
  • Aug 11, 2009, 03:09 PM
    NeedKarma
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by galveston View Post
    Chuck Norris wrote an article recently dealing with a provision in the House health care bill. It provides for people trained in parenting to come into your home and show you how to raise your children. You like the sound of that?

    Anyone who has had any dealings with child protective services know very well what tyrants these people are.

    You want to bring these people into every home that has children?

    Please quote the provision.
  • Aug 11, 2009, 03:14 PM
    excon

    Hello gal:

    Chuck Norris has no more credibility on this issue than I do.

    excon
  • Aug 11, 2009, 03:20 PM
    earl237
    CPS people are totalitarian busibodies who ruin the lives of decent parents because of some minor infraction such as spanking. Reminds me of the old saying "People with no children of their own always tell others how to raise theirs."
  • Aug 11, 2009, 03:27 PM
    excon
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by earl237 View Post
    CPS people are totalitarian busibodies

    Hello earl:

    That's what people say... until some starving kid is found in a dungeon... Then they ask, where was CPS??

    Look. I'm not a supporter of 'em. They're too much like cops... But, sometimes you need cops.

    excon
  • Aug 11, 2009, 09:25 PM
    paraclete
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by tomder55 View Post
    Both Medicare and Social Security are ponzi schemes .

    I really like your analogy there Tom. Tell me, why do you think it's legal for the government to run a ponzi scheme but illegal for Madoff. Perhaps it is he made off with the money, where we can't find who makes off with the money in these other schemes. It might just be you and me :):)

  • All times are GMT -7. The time now is 11:05 AM.