Thread: Obamacare

Originally Posted by gssixgun

5 facts about Social Security | Pew Research Center


This is pretty straight forward reading

Good info Glen,I will not be around in 2033 when the fund is depleated,But for all those that still are paying into a failing system,I thank you for the direct deposit I get every 3rd weds, every month, and also for my medicare coverage Take it when you can get it.

Al these doom and gloom folks are like that group that gets together and sells all their belongings and meet together to see the end of the world. Guess what? it never happens but their back at it a few years later with "better calculations". The same with SS. I can guarantee it will never run out. One way or another it will be managed. They will certainly make changes however it will always be there.

I had a sinking feeling when I got to the 1040A instructions for line #38 on page #39. It is the question of whether or not you had insurance and if not you would have to do a "Shared Responsibilty Payment". So, the IRS doesn't think it is a tax or a penalty?! But can still take you to jail (and everything else) if you do not agree.
Shared responsibility is the core of a community not a government. Since the community can help those on the receiving end on what things they can do to help themselves. But I suppose that it is the lost sense of community that occurs in larger populations, that turns toward government for the fix. In my opinion only.
For me, it seems that all the 'big city, inner city folks think that the 'big city, inner city woes apply to everyone. Including those in rural, small town areas.
And yes my insurance has gone up. But not much. Health insurance should be insurance, such as high deductable types, and not healthcare payment plans. If that's all we all had, you would see the price come down. But then again, just an opinion. The insurance companies has lead us down this road, from what started as just competition. Any way.
I hope you all enjoy you next shave!

Originally Posted by JimBC

Shared responsibility is the core of a community not a government. Since the community can help those on the receiving end on what things they can do to help themselves. But I suppose that it is the lost sense of community that occurs in larger populations, that turns toward government for the fix. In my opinion only.
For me, it seems that all the 'big city, inner city folks think that the 'big city, inner city woes apply to everyone. Including those in rural, small town areas.

On one spectrum is being all on your own, responsible only for yourself and accountable to nobody, then you move towards feeling some sense of kinship to your children, immediate, extended family, your neighbors, your geographic area, your country, your 'culture/civilization', your race, your species, and finally with all living beings on the other end of the spectrum.
Where does one draw the line is largely a matter of personal values.

In the 18th century people in this country felt kinship at most towards their local colony/religious sect, but with time things gradually changed and most americans nowadays tend to identify themselves as americans, feel proud about it and so on. Which means that when a fellow american is in need they are willing to help.

That's why we see the government which represents all americans being involved in matters that concern all americans. It ensures that even in disfunctional communities there is some degree of support. It can not be a replacement for a great community but it doesn't have to be or should be.

If you go back to smaller scale USA will be nothing like what we have today.
Right now the people in NYC subsidize the people in KY who have grown accustomed to living above their means (KY pitches in less than it takes, NY does the opposite). Get rid of the sense of shared responsibility among americans and when a tornado runs through Oklahoma, earthquake shakes California, or NY is flooded, the people in the other states can just shrug it off and say 'I don't have to share responsibilities, those people over there are not my community they should figure it out themselves'.

Of course, no matter what, there will always be those who insist they ought to get everything they think they are 'owed'. In my view this attitude leads to such a miserable life that it's plenty of a punishment in itself.

If somebody helps me I would hope that I am above all thankful and appreciative instead of complaining that they aren't helping me enough or are helping me too much, or aren't doing it the best way possible. If I help somebody I would hope that I do it because I am becoming more the kind of person who helps others, not because I need to be appreciated and recognized for something.

I love it when Americans harp on about how social security and socialized healthcare can never work.
It does. It's just Americans who cannot make it work. We seem to do quite well, get decent care, and pay a lot less than you.

At a 50% tax rate who couldn't pay for everything. We are not use to that yet. It will take time. More than I got. LOL

We do pay a lot of taxes. Too much. However, everything that gets towards social security and healthcare is taken separately from other taxes. I know how much that is for my family. That part is managed quite well, much cheaper in total than the US equivalents, and gives us a good healthcare system that is also affordable and also fosters a lot of medical R&D in the university hospitals.

The rest of the taxes... yeah. Due to the unique structure and history of Belgian, we have an enormous amount of overhead to govern an area and the people that would only take a mayor in the US.

What I'd like to know is when did people actually start believing that of all things, for profit insurance companies had their best interests in mind?

John

I paid 12 K /yr for bluecross,never had a claim,being self employed it was all tax deductable thank god.
Bluecross made alot of money off me.

Originally Posted by pixelfixed

I paid 12 K /yr for bluecross,never had a claim,being self employed it was all tax deductable thank god.
Bluecross made alot of money off me.

Seems a little under what you said in post #54, "Two yrs ago I was paying $1400/mo. for blueshield alone." . That would be $16,800 not 12K.

Bob