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| An Honest Liberal: Pelosi Care Is "A Costly And Open-Ended Commitment"The WSJ highlights an article in the New Yorker Magazine in which John Cassidy lets the cat out of the health care bag. Mr. Cassidy is more honest than the politicians whose dishonesty he supports. "The U.S. government is making a costly and open-ended commitment," he writes. "Let's not pretend that it isn't a big deal, or that it will be self-financing, or that it will work out exactly as planned. It won't. What is really unfolding, I suspect, is the scenario that many conservatives feared. The Obama Administration . . . is creating a new entitlement program, which, once established, will be virtually impossible to rescind."Take a look at Cassidy's original article and the facts he lays out are even more damning (at least from the perspective of those opposed to Pelosi Care) than what the Journal excerpts. There are two big (and linked) problems with the current health-care system. It excludes 46.3 million Americans, according to the Census Bureau, and it is inordinately expensive. The proposed reform purports to tackle both of these problems; in fact, it only addresses the first one in any systematic manner. The future cost savings that the Administration and its congressional allies are promising to deliver are based on wishful thinking and sleight of hand. Over time, the reform, as proposed, would almost certainly add substantially to the budget deficit, thereby worsening the long-term fiscal crisis that the country faces. ...Two large items underpin the Administration’s math: five hundred and seventy-two billion dollars of tax increases over ten years, and roughly the same amount of cost savings on Medicare and other existing government health programs. Most of the revenue increase would come from levying a 5.4 per cent surcharge on Americans individuals who earn more than five hundred thousand dollars a year and joint filers that earn more than a million dollars. I am a big supporter of progressive taxation, but at some point it becomes politically unsustainable. If health-care reform goes through, and the Bush tax cuts expire in 2011, top earners will face a marginal tax rate of forty-five per cent at the federal level. Add in state and local taxes, plus Social Security and Medicare payments, and wealthy people in New York, say, would be facing tax rates of about sixty per cent. As sure as night follows day, this would generate more tax evasion and a political backlash. Without a doubt, the next Republican-controlled Congress would reverse the changes. ...What about the proposed cost savings? They, too, are questionable. Most of them consist of reductions in Medicare outlays, which, according to this C.B.O. analysis, would save four hundred and twenty-six billion dollars between 2010 and 2019 compared with current plans. Look a bit more closely, and you find that more than half of the Medicare savings (two hundred and twenty-nine billion dollars) come from cutting payments to providers of services under the regular program; most of the rest (a hundred and seventy billion dollars) come from changing the way payments are set in the Medicare Advantage program. Does anybody really believe that these savings will materialize? For decades now, Congress has been promising to reduce the growth of Medicare outlays, and yet every year they continue to go up. The reasons are straightforward: the population is aging; seniors are politically active; and health-care treatments, particularly for the aging, continue to evolve in complex and costly ways.Read the whole New Yorker piece, it's really worth the time. Cassidy lays out the numbers Obama, Pelosi and Reid know exist but don't want to talk about. In reality health care reform is about transferring massive amounts of wealth to their favored constituencies and lying to the American people to do it. To his credit, Cassidy simply says these costs are worth the benefit of expanding coverage. Obviously, I disagree but at least Cassidy is honest about them (though he does excuse the Democrats 'free lunch' rhetoric). Liberals have perfected this trick over the years and Republicans have even gotten in on the act recently (Medicare Part D). As Mr. Cassidy says once this is passed, "Even a twenty-first-century Ronald Reagan will have great difficult overturning it." The next few months are going to be key in determining the future of this country. Comments1
Actually it is all about nationalizing the health industry. It will start low and move to single payer (i.e. Medicare for all) then they will dictate salaries, costs, and everything else for what they are paying for (just like they do for Medicare).
It is a short jump from that to dictating what procedures you need for corresponding ailments. At that point they are in control of the entire industry. And they will simply take over the buildings and infrastructure through imminent domain and pay pennies on the dollar. Posted by: Vic at November 10, 2009 12:17 PM (CDUiN) 2
Rush is leading with this in his first segment.
Posted by: kahall at November 10, 2009 12:17 PM (ZCT0i) 3
Remember when busing was a temporary expedient, hate crime legislation would apply to crimes against whites too, and the Great Society would lift blacks up from poverty? Yeah, same here.
Posted by: joncelli at November 10, 2009 12:18 PM (RD7QR) 4
If they get this through, then cap and trade and amnesty are most definitely next. And there ain't nothing we could do about it.
Posted by: libbyt at November 10, 2009 12:18 PM (+ifpP) 5
Anita Dunn resigning.
Posted by: Jewells at November 10, 2009 12:19 PM (l/N7H) Posted by: joncelli at November 10, 2009 12:20 PM (RD7QR) 7
Nancy considers the demo house members as expendable "suicide legislators" for the greater good. I can't wait to piss on her grave. Posted by: Adolf Lohan at November 10, 2009 12:21 PM (Oxen1) 8
virtually impossible to rescind
Wrap your knuckleheads around that one. Tax cuts and credits are subsidies, anyway. You'll be better off, America better off, with decent health care. You'll love it knuckleheads. Posted by: The guy who blew up the coal mine in Zola's Germinal at November 10, 2009 12:24 PM (RdKK8) 9
My favorite part of this is that the extremists are those people who don't want to spend a gazillion dollars that we don't have. The moderates are only too willing to put our great grand children's great grand children into crushing debt.
And by "too willing" I mean "too willing." Posted by: WalrusRex at November 10, 2009 12:26 PM (xxgag) 10
So there are 46.3 million Americans without insurance? Anyone else notice that number fluctuates like crazy?
*sigh* Fuck it. So many Americans just want to be livestock. Posted by: Rob Crawford at November 10, 2009 12:26 PM (ZJ/un) 11
Anita Dunn resigning.
Posted by: Jewells at November 10, 2009 12:19 PM (l/N7H) Yeah, but her commie bastard lawyer husband is still there Posted by: nevergiveup at November 10, 2009 12:27 PM (TfW4T) 12
Anita Dunn resigning.
Maybe she'll quote Mao in her final remarks.
Posted by: joncelli at November 10, 2009 12:20 PM (RD7QR) A resignation is not a dinner party. Well, OK, actually a lot of times it is. Posted by: WalrusRex at November 10, 2009 12:27 PM (xxgag) 13
So many Americans just want to be livestock.
And the guy who blew up the coal mine just wants to shag it. Posted by: libbyt at November 10, 2009 12:28 PM (+ifpP) 14
Dear Troll @ 8 I have had this 2 part challenge out to any number of trolls who wander in here. To date, not a one (including the self-described brillant "Honest Cloud") has ever answered the question. I will give you a shot: 1. How do we pay for Obamacare - and please provide specifics, not generalities such as "cost savings" or "reduction in fraud". Real numbers...and, 2. How does anything in the Obamacare plan actually reduce medical cost. Not subsidize the care given to others, but actually reduce cost. I'll wait....but I am not holding my breath.
Posted by: Mallamutt at November 10, 2009 12:30 PM (V9SYy) 15
I sometimes wonder why we all just sit here typing about this crap. I think it's because we're all afraid to be the only one who stands up. If this goes through, America is dead. Let that sink in for a moment, and think what that means politically, and in the... extra-political realm. Posted by: Shillelagh at November 10, 2009 12:30 PM (Oz4Bj) 16
#8 Wrap your knuckleheads around that one. Yes, another bad government program that won't go away. Wonderful. Economics fail. That statement only makes sense if you believe that all your money belongs to the government in the first place. You'll be better off, America better off, with decent health care. Medicare - Health care with the efficiency of the post office and with the bedside manner of the IRS. I can't wait!
Did nobody proofread the troll script and realize that "knuckleheads" was repeated twice, you knucklehead? Posted by: Kratos (on the back of Gaia, scaling Mt Olympus) at November 10, 2009 12:30 PM (9hSKh) 17
So many Americans just want to be livestock.
And that is the main problem. This HC bill might pass or not, but the march to a socialist 'utopia' will continue until the American public wakes up. Posted by: kefka at November 10, 2009 12:31 PM (n1uMU) Posted by: Mallamutt at November 10, 2009 12:31 PM (V9SYy) 19
It would seem that the President and the Democrats in congress are hell-bent on transforming the United States into a nation of welfare recipients. Why they want to do this is beyond me since welfare recipients pay no taxes.
Posted by: Nighthawk at November 10, 2009 12:32 PM (OtQXp) 20
#15 If this goes through, America is dead. Let that sink in for a moment, and think what that means politically, and in the... extra-political realm. In the end, there will be only chaos. Posted by: Kratos (on the back of Gaia, scaling Mt Olympus) at November 10, 2009 12:33 PM (9hSKh) 21
It excludes 46.3 million Americans Uh, no. It excludes 46.3 people who are currently in America. That would include people who are here illegal, which, by its very definition, makes them not Americans. And of course, Obama said his plan would not cover illegals. So that number is off. Or is Mr. Cassidy admitting something else that "The One" failed to mention. Hmmmmm. Posted by: Mallamutt at November 10, 2009 12:33 PM (V9SYy) 22
19 It would seem that the President and the Democrats in congress are hell-bent on transforming the United States into a nation of welfare recipients. Why they want to do this is beyond me since welfare recipients pay no taxes. Then everybody would be "equal". Equally stuck in the mud, but at least equal. Posted by: Kratos (on the back of Gaia, scaling Mt Olympus) at November 10, 2009 12:34 PM (9hSKh) 23
A resignation is not a dinner party. Well, OK, actually a lot of times it is. Completely O/T - but that reminded me of when William French Smith resigned as Reagan's first attorney general and the liberals in the Senate were srewing around with Ed Meese's confirmation. Smith had done so many retirement dinners because the process was being drug out so long he started all of his after dinner remarks off with something along the lines of "Thank you for having me here tonight, it just seems like last month I was here for another send off banquet. Oh, wait, I was. And at the rate things are going, I suspect I may be back here next month for another." Posted by: Mallamutt at November 10, 2009 12:38 PM (V9SYy) 24
When Joe six-pac gets fined all his beer money because he didn't sign up for Obamma Care, he is gonna be so pissed.
Posted by: Max Power at November 10, 2009 12:39 PM (+wxCD) 25
Economics fail. That statement only makes sense if you believe that all your money belongs to the government in the first place. Which the commie dupe *does* in fact believe. Posted by: Curmudgeon at November 10, 2009 12:41 PM (ujg0T) 26
It would seem that the President and the Democrats in congress are
hell-bent on transforming the United States into a nation of welfare
recipients. Why they want to do this is beyond me since welfare
recipients pay no taxes.
Control. They and their buddies will control everything. They will own 99% of all the assets, but that will only be a nice side benefit. They want to make America politically look like pre-revolution, Louis 16th France. With themselves as the aristocracy of course. That is what the leftists always want. Posted by: kefka at November 10, 2009 12:41 PM (n1uMU) 27
Let the cat out of the bag? Out of the bag? Christ Ace, that cat was out of the bag a long time back. So long ago, there's a feral colony now in the backyard. Jeez. Posted by: Old Texas Turkey at November 10, 2009 12:43 PM (0D4RJ) 28
I sometimes wonder why we all just sit here typing about this crap. I think it's because we're all afraid to be the only one who stands up. Here is a modest way to send a message. Right now, grab the checkbook. Write out a check to the Colorado Republican Party and the Arkansas Republican Party (there are others, but those were the one's I sent out last night). Write a check for whatever you can afford - even $50 helps. Send it with a note saying you are donating because you are afraid that Sen. Bennett (Colo.) or Sen. Lincoln (Ark.) will vote for Obamacare. In the note, tell them that once a nominee has been selected, you plan on contributing to their campaign, provide that they will, without question, oppose any government take-over of healthcare. Ask that they use your donation to help support the Republican nominee for Senate in the 2010 election. Make a copy of the note and send it to the Senate offices of either Bennett or Lincoln. Just remeber to be polite. That does send a message, even if you are out-of-state. Posted by: Mallamutt at November 10, 2009 12:43 PM (V9SYy) 29
virtually impossible to rescind
I find this hard to believe. Nothing really happens for years. Simply don't fund it. Nothing for Apophis to veto. Posted by: toby928 at November 10, 2009 12:45 PM (PD1tk) 30
Yo, Troll, still waiting on an answer - or are you a massive, epic FAIL?
Posted by: Mallamutt at November 10, 2009 12:47 PM (V9SYy) 31
#29 I find this hard to believe. Nothing really happens for years. Simply don't fund it. Nothing for Apophis to veto. Even if defunding would work (and I doubt it), the new taxes and fines start immediately. Posted by: Kratos (on the back of Gaia, scaling Mt Olympus) at November 10, 2009 12:49 PM (9hSKh) 32
I have always found that using the term "honest" and "liberal" in the same sentence to be oxymoronic.
Posted by: Mallamutt at November 10, 2009 12:52 PM (V9SYy) 33
15
I sometimes wonder why we all just sit here typing about this crap. I think it's because we're all afraid to be the only one who stands up. If this goes through, America is dead. Let that sink in for a moment, and think what that means politically, and in the... extra-political realm.
Posted by: Shillelagh at November 10, 2009 12:30 PM (Oz4Bj) I must admit that I'm not anxious to die bloody in some futile attempt to stop the Marxistization of the US but there is a better reason to simply sit and type crap. I call it the Caesar paradox. Brutus and Cassius assassinated Caesar because they feared, quite correctly, that Caesar was destroying the republic they loved and destroying the rights of Roman citizens by replacing the Republic with a monarchy ruled over by Caesar himself. But the one thing that was not going to happen after they killed Caesar was the continued existence of the Republic. Once they defeated the rabble's will with violence, only violence could be used to determine who would rule the rabble. I fear that we live in similar times. Posted by: WalrusRex at November 10, 2009 12:52 PM (xxgag) 34
Even if defunding would work (and I doubt it), the new taxes and fines start immediately.
Posted by: Kratos (on the back of Gaia, scaling Mt Olympus) at November 10, 2009 12:49 PM (9hSKh) But if a Republican congress voted to repeal the taxes and Obama vetoed the repeal that would be very nasty karma for him going into 2012. Posted by: Nighthawk at November 10, 2009 12:55 PM (OtQXp) 35
Hey Troll, I have a meeting later - can you hurry up a bit. Figured you would have had the answers by now.
Posted by: Mallamutt at November 10, 2009 12:58 PM (V9SYy) 36
If this bill becomes law, plenty of experienced doctors who have enough financially will retire or cut back their hours.
Posted by: Huckleberry at November 10, 2009 01:00 PM (s2bW4) 37
mallamute
You lapdog. First, we don't have a bill yet. Second, reduce costs by introducing competition (otherwise, known as "the market"). Of course, unlike Mr. Cassidy, I'm not an honest liberal. But I do love living in Colorado. Posted by: G. Gordon Liddy at November 10, 2009 01:02 PM (RdKK8) 38
The ultimate defunding would be for every single American to refuse to pay taxes. Must be done concurrently and simultaneously and in huge numbers, until we choke Congress into submission.
I don't think the average person is willing to do this out of fear of loss of everything they've worked for. I would, however, opt for this before civil war. Posted by: Derak at November 10, 2009 01:03 PM (pwF9X) 39
I don't really have to do shit if those 240 votes in the House opposed to taxpayer subsidy of elective abortion hold up.
Posted by: Gandalf at November 10, 2009 01:05 PM (GtYrq) 40
Ben Nelsen (D-NE) demands Stupak amendment in Senate Bill
and the left is just so happy about getting rid of this in conference....not. The House will reject the bill with Stupak still in it. Obama has hinted he won't sign it. The Reid will not be able to pass it without it. Anyone still want to make the argument that the R's got pwned over voting for Stupak? Posted by: Rocks at November 10, 2009 01:07 PM (Q1lie) 41
The next few months are going to be key in determining the future of this country. That's what I've been saying for a while, now. Whether or not the US survives, intact, will be known long before the 2010 elections. Frankly, it doesn't look good, since the attack is coming from multiple sides, of which the health care monstrosity is but one - and not the most dangerous one, either, even though it is fatal, itself. Posted by: progressoverpeace at November 10, 2009 01:08 PM (A46hP) 42
Hey Mallamutt- 37 has your answer. Good God. Don't respond. Not worth your time. I'll do it for you. F*off troll. Y'ain't worth the time of day.
Posted by: Derak at November 10, 2009 01:08 PM (pwF9X) 43
Of course if you were to ask him today about those conflicts he would say, "My comments were taken out of context." "I said those things before I had a chance to read the bill...which I still haven't read, but this fact only makes my initial statement all the more relevant in that since I hadn't read the bill, and I still haven't, the bill is and remains, largely unread so Obama and speaker Pelosi are correct in their idea that this bill will solve the overarching problem that we currently have in this country which is apathy... But when it comes right down to it - who cares?" Posted by: Hussein the Plumber at November 10, 2009 01:09 PM (RkRxq) 44
37, the public option is not introducing competition, it is controlling insurance, because the public option doesn't have to make money, since it has the backing of the US govt. There is a way to introduce competition that wouldn't cost the government anything. That is to open up the market, and allow people to purchase whatever policy they want, regardless of location.
Also, since we don't have a bill, how can you say we are introducing competition? Posted by: Jay in Ames at November 10, 2009 01:10 PM (UEEex) 45
RdKK8 is erg.
You'd be better off arguing with a piece of shit than him. Come to think of it, they are pretty much the same. Posted by: DrewM. at November 10, 2009 01:13 PM (FCWQb) 46
For the trolls: What is the difference ("competition"-wise) between a Fannie Med and Blue Cross, which is a non-profit and services over a third of America? Is there a difference between a federal government owned and operated non-profit (anti-profit, really) and a regular non-profit that currently exists? If there are differences, what are they? Try and be explicit. Posted by: progressoverpeace at November 10, 2009 01:14 PM (A46hP) 47
Wrong again!
The US pays twice as much per capita health care than all the oecd countries that have cut out the private insurance parasite. Why? Government has monopsony purchasing power. FYI- My theory is if I say enough stuff I'll eventually be right. Posted by: The guy who blew up the coal mine in Zola's Germinal at November 10, 2009 01:15 PM (RdKK8) Posted by: The guy who blew up the coal mine in Zola's Germinal at November 10, 2009 01:16 PM (RdKK8) 49
If the goal of this exercise is really to get health insurance for poor people who can't afford it why can't we just leverage the existing food stamp program? If somebody is poor enough to qualify for food stamps and they don't have health insurance then why not give them a "health insurance stamp" or voucher to buy a basic health insurance policy?
I'm sure that's just too simple, or maybe too effective since I suspect that the goal of the exercise is actually something other than getting health insurance for poor people... Posted by: Nighthawk at November 10, 2009 01:17 PM (OtQXp) 50
erg, why can't you ever answer a question? It sucks that you have to stir up crap around here, and not try to convince anyone of your viewpoint, with A POINT.
It's like playing cards with my brother's kids </billy bob> Posted by: Jay in Ames at November 10, 2009 01:18 PM (UEEex) 51
The US pays twice as much per capita health care than all the oecd countries that have cut out the private insurance parasite.
hmm, the second part of your sentence tips your hand. Your tell is showing. Although all of us here already knew that. Once again, it's not competition if the company doesn't have to make money. I see that Blue Cross also opposes this type of reform. If they are nonprofit (I don't know that), then doesn't that shoot your argument out of the sky? Posted by: Jay in Ames at November 10, 2009 01:22 PM (UEEex) 52
sorry about engaging the trolls, as I see the comments are being busted now. But that's the most fun about this site! We don't need to ban, we need to send them away, with their tails (tales?) between their legs. Plus I usually learn something in the meantime.
Posted by: Jay in Ames at November 10, 2009 01:24 PM (UEEex) 53
The US pays twice as much per capita health care than all the oecd countries that have cut out the private insurance parasite. Why? Because the US pays for all the world's R+D. Name the last major medical advancement that was developed and introduced for one of your precious oecd countries. Just as with defense, we pay for all the heavy lifting and the rest of the world just drafts off of us. Someone has to lead the pack and cut the wind, you know. Without the US doing that, medical advancement will slow to crawl, because socialized systems have never been good at building infrastructures and industries - which is why the Soviets, while they had more than enough brainpower, could never develop even the transportation and distribution infrastructure to get their immense bounties of foo d to the market without half of it rotting along the way. For the socialized health care systems, they have standardized rationing, which is anti-growth and anti-advancement, since areas are red-lined and not much is ever really done in them - as it "costs too much". Posted by: The guy who blew up the coal mine in Zola's Germinal at November 10, 2009 01:15 PM (RdKK Interestingly, your theory is incorrect. All you'll do is make a bigger and bigger fool of yourself. Posted by: progressoverpeace at November 10, 2009 01:34 PM (A46hP) 54
There is competition under a government monopsony like Medicaid. They pay cost+20% in most states. Non-profits are included among the parasite oligopolies, but are too regionalized to be effective monopsony purchasers.
Insurance companies make $ by not honoring policies. Posted by: The guy who blew up the coal mine in Zola's Germinal at November 10, 2009 01:38 PM (RdKK8) 55
Jay and Muttonhead, the troll killers. LOL Oh yeah, they are soooo ferocious ...., in a ditzy, inept and bumbling kind of a way. Posted by: Those dimwits are what pass for intelligent life forms here? Oy vey. at November 10, 2009 01:40 PM (Cta0m) 56
You lapdog. First, we don't have a bill yet. Second, reduce costs by introducing competition (otherwise, known as "the market"). Wrong - you had 5, now down to 3. Try again. And the "increased competition" you discuss is a misnomer. What you are doing is a subsidy. You are making younger, healthier people who generally would not buy insurance (because it is a product that they generally don't use) buy it, thus subsidizing the price of insurance to those who do buy insurance. And none of this actually reduces the underlying cost of medical care, which is what the insurance is paying for. FAIL, EPIC FAIL. And you still have not answered how we pay for it. So go back to your rock, G. Gordon.
Posted by: Mallamutt at November 10, 2009 01:40 PM (V9SYy) 57
Wrong again!
Medical research is massively subsidized by the federal and state government at research 1 universities. Pharms subsidize research to be sure. But, pharms enjoy their own subsidies as well. Posted by: The guy who blew up the coal mine in Zola's Germinal at November 10, 2009 01:42 PM (RdKK8) 58
Oh yeah, they are soooo ferocious ...., in a ditzy, inept and bumbling kind of a way. Colin, you different names are not fooling anyone. About time for you to come in with another name and pronounce how much of a man you are, isn't it. And below I will list your accomplishments in this blog to date: Leader in use of the phrase LOL Leader in the use of the phrase LMOA Other than that, you add nothing. So, there are 2 questions above. Give and answer to each or be quite, the adults are having a conversation. Try getting your GED first before spouting off. And, in the words of Nam Grunt Go get your shinebox. Posted by: Mallamutt at November 10, 2009 01:44 PM (V9SYy) 59
Besides, pharms and other spend vastly more on marketing than R&D.
Posted by: The guy who blew up the coal mine in Zola's Germinal at November 10, 2009 01:45 PM (RdKK8) 60
Other than that, you add nothing. So, there are 2 questions above. Give and answer to each or be quite, the adults are having a conversation. Try getting your GED first before spouting off. LOL....Get my GED......LMOA OMG, LOL, LMOA, OMG, LOL, LMOA OMG, LOL, LMOA, uhh, don't you guys get it Using OMG, LOL, LMOA means I am super smart. OMG, LOL, LMOA Super smart is me.
Posted by: Colin at November 10, 2009 01:46 PM (V9SYy) 61
Monopsony, hmm, I don't think that means what you think it means. Each person has the option to buy whatever plan they want (never mind the work option, that is just one option, others choose to buy). That is true competition, not the manufactured single payer model you have constructed here. Yes, monopsony is the single payer option.
Medicaid might resemble that the closest of all, but is that a good thing? Seems that program is going belly up, too. And yes, I was against part D when Bush got it passed. Same as this plan. Insurance companies cut costs for themselves, in order to make money. They work on a thinner margin than most companies, and make money by determining risks for each policy, and the cost that would allow them to break even by providing such coverage. The "not honoring policies" is a legal way around paying money. I don't think it's right to rescind an agreement, but take that up with the contract lawyers. They are the arm that drives that particular part of the business. Hmm, almost seems like tort reform, in that respect. Posted by: Jay in Ames at November 10, 2009 01:48 PM (UEEex) 62
Quit sockpuppeting me, Mallamutt. That isn't fair. Only I can sockpuppet me, for I am Colin the Terrible, Beast of the Internet.......... LOL. I'd make fun of you, but Mommy needs me to get off the computer and put more effort into my correspondence course in gloryhole management now. Posted by: Colin at November 10, 2009 01:48 PM (V9SYy) 63
And erg reveals what he hates about Big Pharama - they make money. Sort of the point behind a capatilist system. Posted by: Mallamutt at November 10, 2009 01:49 PM (V9SYy) 64
Posted by: Those dimwits are what pass for intelligent life forms here? Oy vey. at November 10, 2009 01:40 PM (Cta0m)
Seems I didn't hear anything to refute anything I said there. Care to go to double jeopardy, where the scores can really change? Posted by: Jay in Ames at November 10, 2009 01:51 PM (UEEex) 65
Mr. Cassidy is more honest than the politicians whose dishonesty he supports.
I am amazed at this sentence. It says, essentially, that all the Democrats are liars about what the legislation means and that, on top of that, it is a good thing for someone to aid and abet rank dishonesty. It's Taqiyya. Posted by: AmishDude at November 10, 2009 01:51 PM (T0NGe) 66
57 Wrong again!
Medical research is massively subsidized by the federal and state government at research 1 universities. Pharms subsidize research to be sure. But, pharms enjoy their own subsidies as well. Posted by: The guy who blew up the coal mine in Zola's Germinal at November 10, 2009 01:42 PM (RdKK LOL. What do universities actually produce? Research does not create medical appliances, procedures, and manufacturer. You don't seem to understand the whole concept of industrialization and what that requires beyond basic research. Typical. Leftists never understand anything that requires growth or dynamics. They think that if someone comes up with an idea, it automatically becomes manufactured, distributed, tested, ... out of the blue. You are a simpleton. BTW, I'm still waiting for that list of great medical advances that were developed and introduced in health systems other than the US. There have been so many medical advances that you must have a couple of big-time examples ... Industry - especially growing dynamic industry - is not amenable to central control. Only staticists don't understand that simple fact. Central authorities are not equipped to handle growth and change, as they are static entities. It is the dynamics of free markets, with thousands of individuals trying different solutions, that is able to adapt to dynamic worlds and build the flexible and changing industries that are required for it. Posted by: progressoverpeace at November 10, 2009 01:51 PM (A46hP) 67
One would suppose that the fact that Doctors in the United States are very well compensated - compared to the social democracy Utopias - accounts for some of the disparity as well. Well, we can't have that any more, can we?
Posted by: Alec Leamas at November 10, 2009 01:55 PM (AlKlj) 68
Anyone still want to make the argument that the R's got pwned over voting for Stupak?
I don't know one way or the other, but the kvetching over it is way over the line. We were down by 11 and it was fourth and one with 1:30 left. The GOP went for it and were stopped short. The Monday morning quarterbacks started telling us we should have kicked the 55-yard field goal, then an onsides kick and then score a touchdown with a 2 point conversion. Then we would have won the game! Posted by: AmishDude at November 10, 2009 01:56 PM (T0NGe) 69
What do universities actually produce?
Research dollars mostly. I agree with you. The universities are very good at theoretical research that has no immediate applications, but may be useful down the road. They also train scientists for the private sector. But all the research dollars are in RIGHT NOW "applied" science. Well, it's mostly applied in theory, but the whole research grant system is little more than the alchemical system in the 15th century. You convince the king that the philosopher's stone is right around the corner, you just need a little more money. Posted by: AmishDude at November 10, 2009 01:59 PM (T0NGe) 70
Seems like a winner, AmishDude. They got to try and stop the bill, held up an agreement with one of their most ardent supporters (pro life groups), and almost got it.
Plus this is more like the lead at the half. The Senate game is the second half of the game. And it seemed like the rules are changing while they reset the clocks, too. So it should be an interesting game. It still has to come back for reconciliation, right? The game isn't lost, yet. Just have to keep our eyes on the ball. Watch out for that fumbleroosky. Posted by: Jay in Ames at November 10, 2009 02:04 PM (UEEex) 71
I have, through my travels of the internet, discovered some trolls with a true gift of being able to intelligently and rationally argue with the readers of political blogs. These trolls use logic, reasoning and passion like Piccaso used paint, broadstrokes to outline a masterful argument with smaller strokes to define and detail their point. Then there is Colin. Colin, a new troll to the blog Ace of Spades Headquarters, lacks both nuance and intellect in his daily efforts to present a cohesive argument. Part of this is his inability to articulate a thought more complex than a single cell organism whose sole purpose is to reproduce another, equally boring and simple single cell organisms. Another problem is his post often resemble the tweets of a 12 year old girl hearing a new Miley Cyrus song for the first time. LOL, LMOA, OMG are often the verbal tools of Colin's pathetic trade. Sadly, his verbal tools do not construct a mansion, or even a decent bungalow for a low wage earner who does not read this wonderful vestiage of the old media. Instead, it represents a wet, soggy cardboard box the homeless erg would occupy after the library has closed on a rainy night. In this humble columnist opinion, Colin should leave the world of AOSHQ, and all other such blogs, and return to a site where the other posters and readers are more of his intellectual equals, perhaps he should reside at Teen Beat. com or the web site for TMZ. On a scale of 4 stars, I give Colin only 1/2 of a star. Not because he has earned it, but because pity is a strong emotion I can not remove from my essence.
Posted by: E. Earl Huffingslate, Blog Critic, NY Times at November 10, 2009 02:06 PM (V9SYy) 72
E. Earl Huffingslate, quit making me laugh out loud (see what I did there) at work.
Posted by: Jay in Ames at November 10, 2009 02:10 PM (UEEex) 73
Of, if you thought that was funny, wait till you get the Review of erg. Probably still not as good as the review of Honest Cloud. Anytime you can use the phrase "prancing around like a young Rahm Emmanuel at Julliard" you have a winner Posted by: E. Earl Huffingslate, Blog Critic, NY Times at November 10, 2009 02:16 PM (V9SYy) 74
Well, it's mostly applied in theory, but the whole research grant system is little more than the alchemical system in the 15th century. You convince the king that the philosopher's stone is right around the corner, you just need a little more money.
Posted by: AmishDude at November 10, 2009 01:59 PM (T0NGe) Yep. Of course much of our important basic research is done at universities (or there wouldn't even be a reason for universities to exist) but, as you say, it is a lot of alchemy being directed by a central committee that carries its own biases and ideas with the billions it dispenses. To think of the money wasted on pathetically ridiculous global warming research and how that cash could have gone to much better products, for one small example of the orthodoxy that comes down from the NSF and other such entities ... But, while it is not a perfect analogy, my favorite example of the vast chasm between academia, theoretical research, and reality is in the fact that none of the "great" business schools runs a business that funds them. That seems sort of strange, doesn't it? If Wharton knew that much about running businesses, one would think they could buy up businesses, whip them into shape, make a mint in the process, and be totally self-funded (and hugely profitable). But, the sad fact is that Wharton and Harvard business professors have consulting contracts with companies that they tend to destroy. The business schools aren't even that great at managing their own endowments. And they aren't even embarrassed about it! I don't mean to compare business with hard science, but it is just so illustrative of the difference between research and industry and the vast independent trial and error needed to build effective, efficient, and rigorous industrial mechanisms. I am always amazed that the left screams their heads off about teaching nothing but biological evolution in high school, but they have never met an evolutionary pressure they didn't think they knew better than. Leftists are staticists who think that the world they see now is the world that will be around tomorrow, which is why they are so quick to believe that centralized planning and control is efficient. Central planning is fine for a static world in which the rules can be laid down and just followed from there. In such a world, no one ever has to worry about anything worse than how many paper clips desk #4598 should get this quarter. Posted by: progressoverpeace at November 10, 2009 02:18 PM (A46hP) 75
Whoa, not just one or two, but THREE hysterical responses from Muttonhead. LOL Aw gee, am I getting to you? LOL. You made my point ...., dimwit. (Pssst, little dummykins there says that I'm not fool'n anyone. But watch him take the bait again. he he he he he) Posted by: Colin at November 10, 2009 02:22 PM (Cta0m) Posted by: Mallamutt at November 10, 2009 02:26 PM (V9SYy) 77
Care to address anything in the thread, or are you just here stirring up the bottom, looking for something to eat?
Posted by: Jay in Ames at November 10, 2009 02:27 PM (UEEex) 78
I notice that this wave of trolls has not made any effort at apology of the official Democrat position that this "Reform" will be "Deficit Neutral," and have conceded that the President is a liar.
I suppose to lie for justice is to lie not? What is the justification they use nowadays? Posted by: Alec Leamas at November 10, 2009 02:27 PM (AlKlj) Posted by: Mallamutt at November 10, 2009 02:27 PM (V9SYy) 80
he he he he ... See? I told ya. errrrrooow ..., old Muttonhead takes the bait again ..., hook, line and sinker Dayum son, you are dumb. he he he he he Posted by: (snicker, snicker, giggle, giggle) at November 10, 2009 02:45 PM (Cta0m) 81
Poor Colin, keeps firing blanks and thinking he is smart. And, son, you feel for the first trap. Bawhahahahahahaha Bye, Colin, you bore me. Your too easy. Not even in the same weight class. Thanks for playing, maybe Don Pardo has a parting gift.
Posted by: Mallamutt at November 10, 2009 02:53 PM (V9SYy) 82
77 Care to address anything in the thread, or are you just here stirring up the bottom, looking for something to eat?
Posted by: Jay in Ames at November 10, 2009 02:27 PM (UEEex) Other than being a whiny sycophant for dimwits like Muttonhead, what do you contribute here, Jay? Pay attention, dimwit. When I'm not heckling the dimwits here, I post some pretty good comments here ..., or so I've been told. If the truth be known, THAT is what my goofy stalker, Muttonhead, resents. Posted by: (snicker, snicker, giggle, giggle) at November 10, 2009 02:59 PM (Cta0m) 83
82, still don't see a contribution. I haven't called you names, why the hate? Seems that's all you have, all bluster, no content.
Posted by: Jay in Ames at November 10, 2009 03:36 PM (UEEex) 84
LOL
Posted by: toby928: just because I don't like being left out at November 10, 2009 03:37 PM (PD1tk) 85
I did a little research and found out that Medicare wastes about the same amount of money on fraud and abuse that the Pharma companies spend on R&D. Around $60 billion a year.
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Write out a check to the Colorado Republican Party and the Arkansas Republican Party...
Umm, you'll have to excuse me if I decide to think about that for an extended period of time. The Skeezaflavin debacle in NY left me with a less-than-warm feeling about the Republican Party. Posted by: Blacque Jacques Shellacque at November 10, 2009 07:23 PM (jV9DU) 87
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