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Sarah Palin Tells Rush Limbaugh the Magic Word
Commented Nov 22, 2009 at 19:22:12 in Politics
“I like living here; true, its hard to get a $100k+ job in Fargo, but prices for everything are cheaper and cost vs benefit, we're ahead of metro areas. Unemployment is much lower and my dollar buys more.
A lot of the demand for houses that abnormally drove up prices came from the government forcing lending institutions to give loans to "disadvantaged people" who both couldn't pay back the loans and also drove down the value of the places where they live.
It's crazy that they blame capitalism for that, when if the market was actually free, much of this would have been avoided.”
A lot of the demand for houses that abnormally drove up prices came from the government forcing lending institutions to give loans to "disadvantaged people" who both couldn't pay back the loans and also drove down the value of the places where they live.
It's crazy that they blame capitalism for that, when if the market was actually free, much of this would have been avoided.”
LeftLeanWing replied on Nov 23, 2009 at 08:42:45
“"
That abnormally drove up prices came from the government forcing lending institutions to give loans to "disadvantaged people" who both couldn't pay back the loans and also drove down the value of the places where they live.
"
---
You are wrong in so many ways.
The (R)s push that narrative of the government forcing banks to give to the 'disadvantaged' or in other words - blacks and other minorities ( that's exactly what you meant when you stated THEY drove down the prices in the places they live).
Mortgage loans were being leveraged to obtain other funds at several times their face value by institutions that had both banking responsibilities and powers of investment. A $100,000 sub-prime loans could be leveraged into a $1,000,000 in borrowed money.. No one has to be forced into that deal
The government-influenced loans (CRA) were NOT the toxic loans you were hearing about. 80% of those non-CRA subprime mortgages expired in 30 months; they perpetually had to be refinanced. 75%+ of subprime mortgages had a prepayment penalty.
When the economy had peaked and started to sour those non-CRA became toxic because the financial institutions stopped or slowed refinancing and the prepayment penalties added onto these loans was cost prohibitive.
to learn more:
http://blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/2009/06/30/why-cra-loans-werent-toxic-subprime-loans/”
That abnormally drove up prices came from the government forcing lending institutions to give loans to "disadvantaged people" who both couldn't pay back the loans and also drove down the value of the places where they live.
"
---
You are wrong in so many ways.
The (R)s push that narrative of the government forcing banks to give to the 'disadvantaged' or in other words - blacks and other minorities ( that's exactly what you meant when you stated THEY drove down the prices in the places they live).
Mortgage loans were being leveraged to obtain other funds at several times their face value by institutions that had both banking responsibilities and powers of investment. A $100,000 sub-prime loans could be leveraged into a $1,000,000 in borrowed money.. No one has to be forced into that deal
The government-influenced loans (CRA) were NOT the toxic loans you were hearing about. 80% of those non-CRA subprime mortgages expired in 30 months; they perpetually had to be refinanced. 75%+ of subprime mortgages had a prepayment penalty.
When the economy had peaked and started to sour those non-CRA became toxic because the financial institutions stopped or slowed refinancing and the prepayment penalties added onto these loans was cost prohibitive.
to learn more:
http://blogs.reuters.com/felix-salmon/2009/06/30/why-cra-loans-werent-toxic-subprime-loans/”
habajebe replied on Nov 22, 2009 at 22:52:48
“Ah, Fargo. The State motto of N Dakota... "Forty Below Helps Keep Out the Riffraff."”
elkabong replied on Nov 22, 2009 at 20:34:33
“Yes, there were people who lived beyond their means and you are wise not to live beyond yours. But don't for a minute think that there weren't some very greedy people taking advantage and gaming the system they bought legislation to game.”
elkabong replied on Nov 22, 2009 at 20:33:24
“The government didn't force the banks to lend money to anyone. The CRA was about requiring banks not to "redline." Redlining is the practice of denying loans or giving sub-prime loans to people who QUALIFY for prime loans but who live in the "wrong" neighborhoods. Those who told you otherwise are lying to you. I'll eat my words if you can show me any language in any legislation that forces banks to make bad loans. Banks don't do what they don't have to do. They buy politicians by the dozen and write their own rules.
Since you probably won't get it anywhere you get your news, let me give you a brief explanation:
Wall Street was buying any and every mortgage they could get their hands on. Mortgage brokers were lending to anyone with a pulse and selling the mortgages to Wall Street. Wall Street then took all those mortgages, put them in a big pot stirred them up and sold ladles-full of the brew which had prime, sub-prime and worse-than-sub-prime mortgages in it. They sold them as what they call "derivatives" - Credit Default Swaps and Collateralized Debt Obligations. And they were leveraging at 3000%. Then they insured the whole mess with insurance companies like AIG and hoped Uncle Sam would pick up the tab when everything blew up.”
Since you probably won't get it anywhere you get your news, let me give you a brief explanation:
Wall Street was buying any and every mortgage they could get their hands on. Mortgage brokers were lending to anyone with a pulse and selling the mortgages to Wall Street. Wall Street then took all those mortgages, put them in a big pot stirred them up and sold ladles-full of the brew which had prime, sub-prime and worse-than-sub-prime mortgages in it. They sold them as what they call "derivatives" - Credit Default Swaps and Collateralized Debt Obligations. And they were leveraging at 3000%. Then they insured the whole mess with insurance companies like AIG and hoped Uncle Sam would pick up the tab when everything blew up.”
Sarah Palin Tells Rush Limbaugh the Magic Word
Commented Nov 22, 2009 at 17:48:29 in Politics
“Midwestern common sense (which for some reason extends to Alaska) is a great thing. We did not participate in the housing price bubble, the subprime mortgage schemes, or the crash that caused the whole world financial system to go down.
Why? People here wouldn't pay $400,000 for a 1000 sq/ft 2 bedroom house. Banks here wouldn't lend those kind of sums to people who didn't have jobs or income. Common sense saved us.
I got my first house in 2008, one of the cheapest I could find (I'm good at fixing up stuff), and the bank made me jump through all the hoops. Fine; they're protecting me from paying the losses from all the jokers who couldn't pay their mortgages. Common sense RULES.”
Why? People here wouldn't pay $400,000 for a 1000 sq/ft 2 bedroom house. Banks here wouldn't lend those kind of sums to people who didn't have jobs or income. Common sense saved us.
I got my first house in 2008, one of the cheapest I could find (I'm good at fixing up stuff), and the bank made me jump through all the hoops. Fine; they're protecting me from paying the losses from all the jokers who couldn't pay their mortgages. Common sense RULES.”
weatherwaxx replied on Nov 22, 2009 at 22:47:19
“Well, whoopee for you. Have you checked out the stuff Palin pulled in office?
She has not done anything that suggests she has common sense - or sense of any kind.
Don't accept that she has common sense just because she tells you she has. Look at what she's done and ask yourself if there's any evidence.”
She has not done anything that suggests she has common sense - or sense of any kind.
Don't accept that she has common sense just because she tells you she has. Look at what she's done and ask yourself if there's any evidence.”
CityGardner replied on Nov 22, 2009 at 20:10:22
“Good that you were lucky enough to be able to buy and fix up a cheap house.. But Palin didn't help you to do that, so just the fact that you two use the same phrase doesn't mean anything in particular about how our government should be run, or who should run it. That's just common sense too.”
sherbug replied on Nov 22, 2009 at 19:47:40
“The bubble had already burst by 2008. Had you purchased your first house between 2003 and 2006, then you would have been right in the thick of the bubble and they would have offered you an interest only no doc loan with payments of less than $500 per month. You would have certainly considered the offer if not taken it.
By 2008 there were no more quicky loans being offered and that is why you were spared the horror that others found themselves in.
Common sense did not save you, the timing on your home purchase saved you.”
By 2008 there were no more quicky loans being offered and that is why you were spared the horror that others found themselves in.
Common sense did not save you, the timing on your home purchase saved you.”
sherbug replied on Nov 22, 2009 at 19:44:11
“The bubble had already burst by 2008. Had you purchased your first house between 2003 and 2006, then you would have been right in the thick of the bubble and they would have offered you an interest only no doc loan with payments of $489.00 per month. You would have jumped at it.
So before you go thinking that you used your common sense, just know that the bank did not protect you from anything. The game was already over and there were no more quicky loans out there.
Common sense did not save you, the calendar saved you.”
So before you go thinking that you used your common sense, just know that the bank did not protect you from anything. The game was already over and there were no more quicky loans out there.
Common sense did not save you, the calendar saved you.”
sherbug replied on Nov 22, 2009 at 19:36:31
“The bubble had already burst by 2008. Had you purchased your first house between 2003 and 2006, then you would have been right in the thick of the bubble and they would have offered you an interest only no doc loan with payments of $489.00 per month. You would have jumped at it.
So before you go thinking that you used your common sense, just know that the bank did not protect you from anything. The game was already over and there were no more quicky loans out there.
Common sense did not save you, the calendar saved you.”
So before you go thinking that you used your common sense, just know that the bank did not protect you from anything. The game was already over and there were no more quicky loans out there.
Common sense did not save you, the calendar saved you.”
LeftLeanWing replied on Nov 22, 2009 at 19:03:07
“That's nice....
But things are different in heavily populated Big City Metro Areas.... place where multitudes of people actually want to live.
Places with no housing bubble had no high demand for housing either.”
But things are different in heavily populated Big City Metro Areas.... place where multitudes of people actually want to live.
Places with no housing bubble had no high demand for housing either.”
The New Arms Race
Commented Nov 22, 2009 at 17:03:44 in Green
“China will clobber us even more if congress does act. Let's say that wind turbines are the solution to climate change. If we sign a treaty where we have to cap emissions, but China doesn't, and it takes a lot of energy to manufacture windmills, they will have even more industrial advantage over us than they do now with their low wages.
The windmills we would need to comply with the treaty would be way cheaper to buy from China than from here, and we would lose more ground. Even if we invented some huge advance in renewable energy, countries like China and India do not respect intellectual property rights. They would just start producing it with dirt-cheap labor and none of the enviro laws that we have to comply with.”
The windmills we would need to comply with the treaty would be way cheaper to buy from China than from here, and we would lose more ground. Even if we invented some huge advance in renewable energy, countries like China and India do not respect intellectual property rights. They would just start producing it with dirt-cheap labor and none of the enviro laws that we have to comply with.”
Telling the Whole Story on Global Warming
Commented Nov 01, 2009 at 12:18:39 in Green
“One must wonder why the solution to global warming is the same as every other solution to any other problem observed by the left-wingers: More taxes, more regulation, more international government, less individual freedom, and less state rights.
There is also a remakable pact coming together between all of the anti-freedom special interests: the animal rights folks say meat is causing it, the safety nuts want cigarettes banned and speed limits lowered, the socialists want cars eliminated and replaced with mass transit, and the big-government tax and spenders are the biggest winners of all.
It's as if there was a perfect storm of everyone who wanted to end freedom as we know it and they have all gathered together in this Global Warming Doomsday Cult.”
There is also a remakable pact coming together between all of the anti-freedom special interests: the animal rights folks say meat is causing it, the safety nuts want cigarettes banned and speed limits lowered, the socialists want cars eliminated and replaced with mass transit, and the big-government tax and spenders are the biggest winners of all.
It's as if there was a perfect storm of everyone who wanted to end freedom as we know it and they have all gathered together in this Global Warming Doomsday Cult.”
texfly replied on Nov 01, 2009 at 14:25:34
“"end freedom as we know it" seems to be a constant mantra of the libertarian sect, but just what does that mean? It's seems that over the centuiries we've essentially had lebertarian social development with little pulses like Magna Carta, the Declarartion of Independence, etc thrown into the mix to remind the powerful elite that there are more people in a society than just them. To me libertarianism is only a minor step away from those "good old days" .
The facts of life are that "all men are created equal" is not biologically tenable, and history shows that it is not a societlal certainty, either. It is a credo that a society has to work on. And the end result is taxes that redistribute wealth, create institutions that benefit all, and sometimes attempts to influence bad behavior (i.e., behavior that adds unwarranted costs to society and should be avoided). The problem with taxation in the AGW "arena" is that we see no definition of how that money is to be applied to "problem". It is just a stick that punishes, not the corporations that are involved in the "arena", but the people who use the goods and services provided. Wouldn't it be more honest to directly burden each memeber of society, each end user, a tax, and ensure that those revenues are directly applied to remedying "the problem"?”
The facts of life are that "all men are created equal" is not biologically tenable, and history shows that it is not a societlal certainty, either. It is a credo that a society has to work on. And the end result is taxes that redistribute wealth, create institutions that benefit all, and sometimes attempts to influence bad behavior (i.e., behavior that adds unwarranted costs to society and should be avoided). The problem with taxation in the AGW "arena" is that we see no definition of how that money is to be applied to "problem". It is just a stick that punishes, not the corporations that are involved in the "arena", but the people who use the goods and services provided. Wouldn't it be more honest to directly burden each memeber of society, each end user, a tax, and ensure that those revenues are directly applied to remedying "the problem"?”
New Orleans: The Corps Defends the Future
Commented Oct 31, 2009 at 20:34:21 in Politics
“I can tell you personally that the Army Corps of Engineers thinks and regets about their failure in New Orleans. I attended a meeting here in Fargo/Moorhead after the flood this year and they were totally for a passive river diversion, rather than a system of floodwalls and levees that would have been cheaper. (And that kind of system worked just fine this year in Grand Forks/East Grand Forks; it was built after the 1997 flood, but before Katrina.)
They did not say it flat out in the meeting, but in one of many of their reasons against levees, they mentioned their failure in New Orleans, and all the people killed there and property damage, and said that a passive diversion would at least not make things worse than if nothing was done.
There are many pros/cons to either solution here, but I came out of that meeting understanding that they were dead-set against building floodwalls here only because of the Katrina disaster.”
They did not say it flat out in the meeting, but in one of many of their reasons against levees, they mentioned their failure in New Orleans, and all the people killed there and property damage, and said that a passive diversion would at least not make things worse than if nothing was done.
There are many pros/cons to either solution here, but I came out of that meeting understanding that they were dead-set against building floodwalls here only because of the Katrina disaster.”
RepugsOut08 replied on Nov 01, 2009 at 04:44:50
“I can well imagine that anyone with a conscience would have trouble sleeping at night, if they thought that, either they, or the organization they represent, was responsible for so much death and misery through negligence and incompetence.
I would like to imagine an organization now "thinking" about and "regretting" those failures, might be doing everything possible to make sure that, at the very least, the same city and people wouldn't be victimized by negligence and incompetence again.
Why, then, did the Army Corps Of Engineers lobby to successfully defeat a bill recently, that funded a study on how to construct superior flood protections in NO?
Why is Obama, the Corps' Commander in Chief, still calling the flood wall collapses a "natural disaster?"
Why have they changed their commitment from flood protection, to the less specific, and insecurity inducing, risk reduction?
The reason is, they're continuing on the course of rebuilding these levees to pre-Katrina standards that have already proven inadequate. Standards they themselves label "technically not superior." Would you buy a condom with that written on the label? Not if you wanted to avoid any unnecessary "regret" in the future.
Regrets are meaningless without a commitment to correct what lead to the regret in the first place. CRIMINAL! will be the word plastered on every headline in the future, should these levees be allowed to fail again.”
I would like to imagine an organization now "thinking" about and "regretting" those failures, might be doing everything possible to make sure that, at the very least, the same city and people wouldn't be victimized by negligence and incompetence again.
Why, then, did the Army Corps Of Engineers lobby to successfully defeat a bill recently, that funded a study on how to construct superior flood protections in NO?
Why is Obama, the Corps' Commander in Chief, still calling the flood wall collapses a "natural disaster?"
Why have they changed their commitment from flood protection, to the less specific, and insecurity inducing, risk reduction?
The reason is, they're continuing on the course of rebuilding these levees to pre-Katrina standards that have already proven inadequate. Standards they themselves label "technically not superior." Would you buy a condom with that written on the label? Not if you wanted to avoid any unnecessary "regret" in the future.
Regrets are meaningless without a commitment to correct what lead to the regret in the first place. CRIMINAL! will be the word plastered on every headline in the future, should these levees be allowed to fail again.”
HoppinHill replied on Oct 31, 2009 at 22:01:34
“This is lovely to hear that some at the USACE 'think and regret' their failure in New Orleans. But I promise you that Maj Gen Don Reily (USACE) in January 2008 stood in front of us, New Orleanians and said it was the local New Orleanians who were to blame for the levee failures.
Imagine losing everything you ever had, and hearing the organization responsible tell you it's your fault?
No one at the Corps has been fired, no one has been reprimanded, and nothing has changed since the USACE saw a spectacular failure of one of its most expensive systems.”
Imagine losing everything you ever had, and hearing the organization responsible tell you it's your fault?
No one at the Corps has been fired, no one has been reprimanded, and nothing has changed since the USACE saw a spectacular failure of one of its most expensive systems.”
Out Out-of-Whack Economy and the Happy Talk Propagandists
Commented Oct 31, 2009 at 16:54:07 in Politics
“Great blog, sir! One problem that I have though, is that "underemployment" should not be thrown in with unemployment because people don't get a guarantee that they will always have a job in the field they chose in college. They make have to take a lower-pay job in a field that the market requires more of.
I also notice that the definition of "Recession" used to be two quarters of negative GDP growth. This time, however, the news media who love Obama chose to listen to a think tank that uses other factors, like unemployment, to backdate the start of the recession to when Bush was in office.
Now, they are back to using the textbook definition to call an end to the recession now because GDP is up. They can't have it both ways. If you used the other way to find the end of the recession, it may be many years before unemployment numbers are back to a reasonable level.”
I also notice that the definition of "Recession" used to be two quarters of negative GDP growth. This time, however, the news media who love Obama chose to listen to a think tank that uses other factors, like unemployment, to backdate the start of the recession to when Bush was in office.
Now, they are back to using the textbook definition to call an end to the recession now because GDP is up. They can't have it both ways. If you used the other way to find the end of the recession, it may be many years before unemployment numbers are back to a reasonable level.”
texastrixie replied on Nov 02, 2009 at 13:06:38
“I agree with you except many people get a degree in college that they should know is not going to give them a saleable skill - history, English, political science, psychology, etc. For a while, jobs just wanted you to have a degree. Now they want you to have a skill. Speaking English is not that unique a skill. Over the next decade we will see a walk away from "liberal arts" degrees in favor of something that an employer can make money off of. And even technical fields may not be much protection. Accounting majors, your jobs can easily be sent overseas via the internet. Remember, a 3 is a 3 all over the world; it doesn't have a language.”
Artos replied on Nov 01, 2009 at 14:44:31
“Simple solution, Don't add it to the cumulative numbers of unemployed instead add their numbers to those living in Poverty. Results are pretty much the same. A nation in decline thanks to our wealthy upper class, Corporatists, Wall Street, and Scum Bag Politicians.”
The Cost of Corporate Communism
Commented Oct 11, 2009 at 20:52:09 in Business
“Your right about that. Also big business likes big government. They have rooms full of accountants and lawyers that let them navigate all the gov red tape that is a serious obstacle to their smaller compeditors. Look at all the big corps that are now behind a carbon cap and trade system. That should tell you that they are not going to be the losers. The consumers and small business will be.”
BlackSwan13 replied on Oct 12, 2009 at 21:28:37
“I agree that this is what we have. We only have to look at the government contracts and how they are given out and it is blatantly apparent. We are passed the stage where it is either a government solution or a business solution. That ping pong ball can't be played anymore. It is time we grow up, as painful a this will be, and find a solution that works for the people. The easy answers that we see from most of the people on this website come from people who are looking for easy answers from the supposed right or the left. It is time to go through the painful process of facing the reality that you articulated. The answers will be something different from what were the easy answers of yesterday.”
New Rule: Everyone Deserves Equal Rights
Commented Oct 09, 2009 at 19:46:52 in Comedy
“That seems like a "denial of service" attack. If I ran a dos attack on a leftwing website: A. it would be illegal, and B. it would be morally wrong because I believe in free speech.”
Gun Show Undercover
Commented Oct 07, 2009 at 22:05:22 in New York
“I doubt you've ever been to a gun show, but they are full of off-duty cops and military guys. If I was a professional car-jacker, I would be nervous there.”
ManWithBrain replied on Oct 08, 2009 at 22:24:17
“Wow, sounds like a swell place to spend an afternoon.”
Crimes and Misdemeanors
Commented Oct 04, 2009 at 17:44:34 in Politics
“If we are innocent until proven guilty, the burden of proof is with the accuser. If there's a "coercive element", then show it. Anita Hill could have called his bluff and said "go *#&* yourself" and then sued for lots of money if she got fired.
This case has some personal interest for me because I was in high school at the time, and a friend of mine split with his girlfriend. A puppy-love gone bad kinda thing, they both did some retatliatory stuff to each other and he hurt her feelings worse (although what he did broke no laws or was obscene in any way).
The chick and her mom went straight to the school board and threatened them with a lawsuit for not providing a "safe environment" for the girl to study. The school, aware of the PC climate about sexual harassment just being created, forced my friend onto Riddalin at the risk of expulsion if he didn't comply.”
This case has some personal interest for me because I was in high school at the time, and a friend of mine split with his girlfriend. A puppy-love gone bad kinda thing, they both did some retatliatory stuff to each other and he hurt her feelings worse (although what he did broke no laws or was obscene in any way).
The chick and her mom went straight to the school board and threatened them with a lawsuit for not providing a "safe environment" for the girl to study. The school, aware of the PC climate about sexual harassment just being created, forced my friend onto Riddalin at the risk of expulsion if he didn't comply.”
Crimes and Misdemeanors
Commented Oct 04, 2009 at 16:27:31 in Politics
“I'm sorry, was there ever any allegation that Dave threatened anyone that they might get fired or they wouldn't get promoted if they didn't sleep with him? It's about time to end this taboo about getting together with someone at work. We all spend way more time at our jobs than any other place like: bars, church, clubs, or other public places where we might meet other singles we might like to date.
I'm just old enough to know where all this sexual harassment hyperbole came from. The Dems decided no way in heck they were gonna let a black conservative onto the Supreme Court, so they made a mountain out of a molehill about Clarence Thomas vs Anita Hill. And now the rest of us have to forever be worried about smiling back at that girl in Accounting.”
I'm just old enough to know where all this sexual harassment hyperbole came from. The Dems decided no way in heck they were gonna let a black conservative onto the Supreme Court, so they made a mountain out of a molehill about Clarence Thomas vs Anita Hill. And now the rest of us have to forever be worried about smiling back at that girl in Accounting.”
livesimply replied on Oct 04, 2009 at 17:40:36
“Thomas sexually harassed her in a degrading fashion. There is a great deal of difference. Letterman's "victims" were willing accomplices and he is a comedian; not running for supreme court justice.”
kathy001 replied on Oct 04, 2009 at 16:57:12
“That's right, use this wonderful article to point the finger and keep fanning the flames. Good job.”
pittmom replied on Oct 04, 2009 at 16:54:00
“Clarence Thomas using his role as Anita Hill's boss was totally out of line in the content and intentions of his behavior toward her. Any time a boss is involved with a subordinate there is an imbalance of power in the relationship, and at times, a coercive element as well. Yes...it happens all the time and sometimes things work out perfectly, but that doesn't make it right.
Being pleasant toward someone you supervise is one thing. There is a line that should not be crossed and, frankly most of us have seen unfortunate results of such actions in retaliatory behaviors when things don't work out.”
Being pleasant toward someone you supervise is one thing. There is a line that should not be crossed and, frankly most of us have seen unfortunate results of such actions in retaliatory behaviors when things don't work out.”
Steamboater replied on Oct 04, 2009 at 16:35:22
“You should no the difference in a smile and screwing the girl in accounting when you're her boss and since you don't, it makes sense that you're happy with Long Dong Sliver on the supreme court.”
GOP Favors Public Option for Property, Not People
Commented Sep 23, 2009 at 21:48:01 in Politics
“One quick fact-check, you can't buy flood insurance on the day on the day of the flood, it must be 30 days prior, and I wish it was 6 months or more. People who live in flood prone areas have been paying premiums for decades.
I was hit by the 2009 Red River flood in ND and I came out way $$ ahead, because of the foolishness of gov. run insurance. I pay a small yearly amount and collected about 20 times as much as the premiums I had paid in. The same thing could happen next year and it would be 50X. No private ins would be so stupid.
And that's the thing with gov run health care; It will soak the taxpayers because they won't charge enough $$ in premiums to the consumers (considered poor and unable to pay their fair share by the Dems in power).
ps. you might ask why enjoy taking taxpayer money that I don't deserve? I'm a libertarian who, yes, argues against gov spending. I also know I am on the losing side of a war. The gov will always take as much as they can, and more, and more, forever. I can't stop them. They are throwing my money up in the air, and I will catch as much of it as I can as it comes down. libertron”
I was hit by the 2009 Red River flood in ND and I came out way $$ ahead, because of the foolishness of gov. run insurance. I pay a small yearly amount and collected about 20 times as much as the premiums I had paid in. The same thing could happen next year and it would be 50X. No private ins would be so stupid.
And that's the thing with gov run health care; It will soak the taxpayers because they won't charge enough $$ in premiums to the consumers (considered poor and unable to pay their fair share by the Dems in power).
ps. you might ask why enjoy taking taxpayer money that I don't deserve? I'm a libertarian who, yes, argues against gov spending. I also know I am on the losing side of a war. The gov will always take as much as they can, and more, and more, forever. I can't stop them. They are throwing my money up in the air, and I will catch as much of it as I can as it comes down. libertron”
justobserve replied on Sep 24, 2009 at 07:29:12
“Of course the private insurers are not stupid to insure what will give them losses but if flood is a disaster in the area then government would be the one to chip in to help: it costs government money anyway. That's what the government for! As for the comparison with health care. Don't you think government or all of the consumers already paid out money for YOU? If you have job with good insurance, good for you but think of millions of Americans who work in smaller companies that don't chip in to pay for their employees' premium or self-employed people, they can't afford it because their premium is higher! Well, let's see: your premium is paid by your company? Do you think your company just pay it without charging the cost to its CUSTOMERS? If you work for the government, who are paying your bigger part of your premium? Bingo, the government! And where did the money come from? TAXPAYERS! So please, the money will go around to someone else! You are happy that WE pay for your insurance but you are just too selfish to think of others. Admit it: you only pay a small part of your premium! You even think if there is a public option, YOU are the one who will pay for others but what about the PRESENT? Who is paying for yours? I say it again: taxpayers or consumers. Right now!”
davidcayjohnston replied on Sep 23, 2009 at 22:31:48
“Actually, my post is correct. Follow the link and read the FAQ carefully. I was pretty shocked to see that usually it is 10 days, but it can be one day or right away... stuff like this is the subject of my next book THE FINE PRINT, out late next year”
Why the Insured Should Support Health Care Reform: Employer Sponsored Health Insurance is an Endangered Species
Commented Sep 19, 2009 at 23:02:53 in Politics
“tompoe, you are cheapening the term "human right" when you use it about health care, services that obviously must be paid for (if anyone is going to make a living working in those careers).
I declare that it is my human right to have my lawn mowed once a week. Who pays for this service, idk? Maybe my employer or maybe the government, but I sure will not pay for it even though I am the consumer of the service. That's the attitude most people have about health care. Why?”
I declare that it is my human right to have my lawn mowed once a week. Who pays for this service, idk? Maybe my employer or maybe the government, but I sure will not pay for it even though I am the consumer of the service. That's the attitude most people have about health care. Why?”
JXJASON replied on Sep 20, 2009 at 03:01:04
“libertron,
What a stupid comment you have made.”
What a stupid comment you have made.”
OrangeCatholic replied on Sep 20, 2009 at 01:59:19
“Why? Because you can get a professional and his team to mow your lawn for $20. That's cheap. Now get a dentist to look into your mouth, and that costs hundreds of dollars. Do you think he has dirt under his nails when he's finished?
My earliest memory of being dissatisfied with health care was in my tweens. I sat in the dentist office for 1 hour, occasionally tended to by nurses. Then the dentist came in. He looked in my mouth for 5 minutes, did nothing, and then my mom wrote a check for $100. In 1980's currency.
I would LOVE to pay for my own health care. I pay for everything else. But health care is a joke. Let's be a dentist: free $100, every five minutes, all day long!!”
My earliest memory of being dissatisfied with health care was in my tweens. I sat in the dentist office for 1 hour, occasionally tended to by nurses. Then the dentist came in. He looked in my mouth for 5 minutes, did nothing, and then my mom wrote a check for $100. In 1980's currency.
I would LOVE to pay for my own health care. I pay for everything else. But health care is a joke. Let's be a dentist: free $100, every five minutes, all day long!!”
chichel replied on Sep 20, 2009 at 01:19:47
“So human rights are only those rights that can be afforded to us for free?
That's cold.”
That's cold.”
tompoe replied on Sep 20, 2009 at 00:30:53
“In 1948, all nations signed a treaty, the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights. All nations agreed that governments must provide health care for all their citizens. Today, the U.S., even though it signed, is the only country that does not provide universal health care for all their citizens. Libertron now wants to ignore international law. Libertron wants to have government provide universal health care for everyone over 65, provide military defense for the country, provide fire protection for everyone, police protection for everyone, provide safe water, safe air, safe roads, but not health care for everyone. Only health care for those who can afford it.
Health care is not about consumers. It is about patients. Can you make an argument that does not use the term consumer?”
Health care is not about consumers. It is about patients. Can you make an argument that does not use the term consumer?”
hershala replied on Sep 19, 2009 at 23:53:51
“So in your world a person who gets a disease or is in an accident should just die if they don't have insurance? Nice.
My brother had skin cancer when he was 19, he is now 49. No insurance company will sell him health insurance for any amount of money. If he is hit by a car in your view he has the human right to die. Nice
If you can't see the difference between medical care to keep a person alive and the right to have your lawn mowed there is no reasoning with you.
A country that allegedly VALUES life, seemingly only till it's born. Then it is on it's own. Sorry but in my view care to be kept alive is a human right. Even after birth.”
My brother had skin cancer when he was 19, he is now 49. No insurance company will sell him health insurance for any amount of money. If he is hit by a car in your view he has the human right to die. Nice
If you can't see the difference between medical care to keep a person alive and the right to have your lawn mowed there is no reasoning with you.
A country that allegedly VALUES life, seemingly only till it's born. Then it is on it's own. Sorry but in my view care to be kept alive is a human right. Even after birth.”
The Libertarian Gotcha
Commented Sep 02, 2009 at 21:13:20 in Business
“Let's just be realistic for a second, here. Real lead poisoning came from small trinket toys made entirely of lead that kids ingested. Also, from kids eating paint chunks where 14 layers of old lead based paint flaked off a wall of an old house or something.
That's dangerous, not trace amounts of lead in one coat of baked on paint that kids will never get off a toy. As usual, gov regulators went way overboard, drunk on their power. They should learn a some actual science, like "the dose makes the poison".”
That's dangerous, not trace amounts of lead in one coat of baked on paint that kids will never get off a toy. As usual, gov regulators went way overboard, drunk on their power. They should learn a some actual science, like "the dose makes the poison".”
Climate Change and Conflict
Commented Aug 22, 2009 at 15:29:12 in World
“Good thing it all turned out to be a hoax”
Common Sense 2009
Commented Aug 20, 2009 at 23:21:43 in Politics
“Mr. Flynt makes some great points, but his solution, yet another strike and boycott, is such a familiar failure that it could be tattooed across every liberal's forehead.
Corps are not the problem, the US Gov is the biggest Corp in the world and campaign finance reform will not change their dominance over our lives.
I like this guy's ideas, (and his magazine) but when he blames banks for "predatory lending", my economist ears have to perk up. The problem was that they were not nearly predatory enough. They handed out loans to deadbeats who could not pay them back, like a mother bear handing out her cubs to humans who promised to play with them and bring them right back.
The banks should have been more predatory, denied a lot more loans, especially to people with bad credit, but then they would run afoul of the Gov for not giving enough loans to minorities and low income people. Banks were dammed if they do and dammed if they don't. Are they really the ones to blame?”
Corps are not the problem, the US Gov is the biggest Corp in the world and campaign finance reform will not change their dominance over our lives.
I like this guy's ideas, (and his magazine) but when he blames banks for "predatory lending", my economist ears have to perk up. The problem was that they were not nearly predatory enough. They handed out loans to deadbeats who could not pay them back, like a mother bear handing out her cubs to humans who promised to play with them and bring them right back.
The banks should have been more predatory, denied a lot more loans, especially to people with bad credit, but then they would run afoul of the Gov for not giving enough loans to minorities and low income people. Banks were dammed if they do and dammed if they don't. Are they really the ones to blame?”
TheHandyman replied on Aug 22, 2009 at 22:23:28
“So your economist ears perked up did they? But banks didn't do predatory lending did they? Then you are as stupid as everything you just wrote. Here in California Countrywide and Ameriquest have been indicted for predatory lending and guess who they are pointing their fingers at for giving them the money to do it....the Banks, Mr.Economy guy. That the problem with Libertarians, they believe in a lot of stupid crap!”
iMissMollyIvins replied on Aug 21, 2009 at 00:27:36
“The banks "lent" the money to any fool who would sign the papers so they could sell the paper, the derivative, to a different bunch of suckers who thought they were buying Triple A securities when in reality it was just a bunch of bad paper.”
ThePeoplesKey replied on Aug 20, 2009 at 23:43:38
“Banks were handing out loans to dead beats because they were secured by real estate which was appreciating at an unsustainable rate caused primarily by banks handing out loans to dead beats secured by real estate. A vicious circle that had to end and should have been foreseen by the banks doing the lending and all the so called economic "experts" they use to forecast such things. Many professionals in real estate called this economic catastrophe back in 2001. Myself included. Too bad it took 6 more years to explode. If those dead beats had come in to the same banks looking for personal loans secured by their character they would have gotten laughed out the door even during this same period of time. It's a little more complicated than I'm making it out to be here but that's the general premise. Banks made these loans because they could package and sell them on the secondary mortgage market for cash and pocket the difference, effectively hiding the bad loans in packages surrounded by OK loans. No one bothered to actually read the mountains of paperwork generated by this practice. If they had actually had to use depositors funds to make these loans few of them would ever have been funded.”
northstar11 replied on Aug 20, 2009 at 23:25:49
“they are releasing earnings reports now quarterly ---in the billions
38 billion in revenue from OVERDRAUGHT CHARGES alone”
38 billion in revenue from OVERDRAUGHT CHARGES alone”
Why I Ain't About to Boycott Whole Foods
Commented Aug 16, 2009 at 15:17:04 in Green
“While you are growing there, you could grow the hell up and learn the meaning of a few words. A libertairian (like Mackey) does not equal neo-con. Or thief.”
Why I Ain't About to Boycott Whole Foods
Commented Aug 15, 2009 at 19:14:08 in Green
“Absolutely right, mike9: Mackey produced a bunch of good alternatives, any or all of which might be used, not some giant proposal against health care reform.
And he wants to lead by example: by selling (mostly) healthy food, and by treating his employees well enough that they don't have to rely on gov aid, and don't have to turn to parasitic unions to get decent compensation out of him.
Liberals are screaming about what a fool he is to alienate them, but he has just got the attention of a whole new crowd. I have never been in a Whole Foods store, but I will at least take a look around one now.”
And he wants to lead by example: by selling (mostly) healthy food, and by treating his employees well enough that they don't have to rely on gov aid, and don't have to turn to parasitic unions to get decent compensation out of him.
Liberals are screaming about what a fool he is to alienate them, but he has just got the attention of a whole new crowd. I have never been in a Whole Foods store, but I will at least take a look around one now.”
Earth Days: Dare To Care
Commented Aug 15, 2009 at 14:05:24 in Green
“It is refreshing to hear environmentalists being honest about their goals for controlling people. Cars and suburbs are way too much freedom. People need to be packed shoulder to shoulder in trolley cars, going only where it will take them, and living stacked on top of each other in high-rise buildings without so much as a backyard to go out in. This is the only way to quarantine the plague that is human life.”
We Need an Energy Revolution
Commented Jul 25, 2009 at 01:06:07 in Green
“We have more coal than any other fuel source. But coal will be the hardest hit by these new climate change taxes and regulations. That reality kinda takes the wind out of the sails of Dems who say this is about "energy independence" or "reducing our trade deficit". They don't care about those things, their goal is the same as it has always been: To raise taxes and force through more federal regulation, for the purpose of expanding the size and scope of government, and limiting personal freedoms.
If a new problem just popped up, their answer would still be the same: more taxes, more federal regulation. Just wait and watch... when this global warming scare blows over, the same kind of people will be fear-mongering about something else. And just try to guess what the solutions to that new problem will be......”
If a new problem just popped up, their answer would still be the same: more taxes, more federal regulation. Just wait and watch... when this global warming scare blows over, the same kind of people will be fear-mongering about something else. And just try to guess what the solutions to that new problem will be......”
We Need an Energy Revolution
Commented Jul 25, 2009 at 00:48:41 in Green
“Sorry, you missed the part where you should have said WHAT technology would prevent ALL car accidents. Are you talking about some kind or radar or sonar that could see things farther ahead?
Speaking from my limited experience driving a semi truck, the accident you get in is not because you you can't see enough, it's cause some guy talking on his phone or looking the other way pulls out in front of you and you can't stop a big-rig like putting the brakes on a Mustang.
But since you say "autos and trucks", and "technology from the '50s", I am really curious as to what you mean. Don't sit there and blame Big Business, they are worried about what people will buy and what they will pay. If you want higher quality products, be prepared to pay more, and tell all your friends to pay more also. Get enough of you, and the companies will make the "safe" products you want.”
Speaking from my limited experience driving a semi truck, the accident you get in is not because you you can't see enough, it's cause some guy talking on his phone or looking the other way pulls out in front of you and you can't stop a big-rig like putting the brakes on a Mustang.
But since you say "autos and trucks", and "technology from the '50s", I am really curious as to what you mean. Don't sit there and blame Big Business, they are worried about what people will buy and what they will pay. If you want higher quality products, be prepared to pay more, and tell all your friends to pay more also. Get enough of you, and the companies will make the "safe" products you want.”
We Need an Energy Revolution
Commented Jul 25, 2009 at 00:26:26 in Green
“New science and new technology that defies existing laws of thermodynamics?
I gave you the benefit of the doubt the first time, but now I think you are one of the scammers lookin to make a quick buck off this stuff.”
I gave you the benefit of the doubt the first time, but now I think you are one of the scammers lookin to make a quick buck off this stuff.”
We Need an Energy Revolution
Commented Jul 23, 2009 at 21:24:06 in Green
“Sir, you are speading foolish hoaxes about perpetual motion machines that make energy while requiring no fuel. These things pop up every time gas gets expensive, since the '70s and before. Urban legends or worse, scams to make somebody money.
You did mention hydrogen, but it requires more energy to crack water into H that you get by burning it. There's no free energy there.”
You did mention hydrogen, but it requires more energy to crack water into H that you get by burning it. There's no free energy there.”
Overtone replied on Jul 24, 2009 at 12:10:18
“Anyone with a similar opinion might enjoy the following articles on the website: www.chavaenergy.com
Under the Heading LEARN see: Perpetual Commotion
Under the Heading HOW? see: Fractional Hydrogen
Under that Heading there are also articles about MagGen and SPICE.
This is new science and new technology.”
Under the Heading LEARN see: Perpetual Commotion
Under the Heading HOW? see: Fractional Hydrogen
Under that Heading there are also articles about MagGen and SPICE.
This is new science and new technology.”
We Need an Energy Revolution
Commented Jul 23, 2009 at 20:38:55 in Green
“Then there's thing about oil money funding dictators. Take Saudi Arabia for example: If we and other countries could somehow stop buying oil from them, it wouldn't just punish bad leaders, it would crash their economy and destroy most people's income there. In a country full of crazy people, most of whom at least now have jobs. Think about pre WW2 Germany and Germans aren't naturally as psycho.”
nirek replied on Jul 24, 2009 at 06:19:44
“They would continue to sell all their oil , just not to us, and our economy would be all the better for it.
Maybe you should listen to Bernie and keep an open mind. After a mind is a terrible thing to waste.”
Maybe you should listen to Bernie and keep an open mind. After a mind is a terrible thing to waste.”
We Need an Energy Revolution
Commented Jul 23, 2009 at 20:26:26 in Green
“I'm tired of hearing about all these green jobs. Its like saying that car accidents are great for the economy because think about all those new cars that get sold. Sure, good for the car industry, but horrible for the victims, insurance companies and everyone else. The green jobs are nothing compared to the loss to the economy by new energy taxes and regulation that will make our manufacturing sector even more uncompeditive than it already is.”
lcdbsez replied on Jul 24, 2009 at 09:08:10
“liber --
Funny, you should mention car accidents being good for the economy . . . ever heard of the industry's resistance to legislation that would require vehicle manufacturers (autos and trucks) to implement technology (from the 1950s!!!) that would prevent ALL accidents -- ??????
The trucking lobby has fought the anti-crash technology tooth and nail -- for decades -- b/c retrofitting rigs with the sensors needed would be "cost prohibitive" -- the same specious argument they use to block anything that would actually improve something in their industry besides profits . . . while they don't bat an eyelash at raising rates, etc. for everything else -- healthcare insurance, gasoline, biz insurance, salaries, etc.
The motto of Big Biz is: Never Give the Consumer An Even Break -- isn't it? afterall.”
Funny, you should mention car accidents being good for the economy . . . ever heard of the industry's resistance to legislation that would require vehicle manufacturers (autos and trucks) to implement technology (from the 1950s!!!) that would prevent ALL accidents -- ??????
The trucking lobby has fought the anti-crash technology tooth and nail -- for decades -- b/c retrofitting rigs with the sensors needed would be "cost prohibitive" -- the same specious argument they use to block anything that would actually improve something in their industry besides profits . . . while they don't bat an eyelash at raising rates, etc. for everything else -- healthcare insurance, gasoline, biz insurance, salaries, etc.
The motto of Big Biz is: Never Give the Consumer An Even Break -- isn't it? afterall.”
nirek replied on Jul 24, 2009 at 06:23:19
“If the car companies would build cars that ran on electricity or hydrogen they would do much better and America would still be driving all over the place and not hurt the environment while doing so.
You seem to be short sighted to me.”
You seem to be short sighted to me.”
beyondculturewars replied on Jul 24, 2009 at 05:11:09
“I believe libertron is correct. The new energy taxes, regulation that will increase prices, and the loss of old energy jobs will offset in the short run any new jobs created within 5, possibly ten years.
Check the real issue. How close are we to developing solar energy that is as cheap as petroleum or coal based electricity? In order to really compete with electricity, solar power must be below $0.11 per kilowat hour.
http://www.photonconsulting.com/the_true_cost_of_solar_power_race_to_1w.php
There is a technological breakthrough that is necessary for this to happen. If, as the industry says, this breakthrough happens within 3 years, we might be fine after a 5-8 years of intense investment. If they never reach that 11 cents breakthrough, we may be stuck in a green unemployment society........”
Check the real issue. How close are we to developing solar energy that is as cheap as petroleum or coal based electricity? In order to really compete with electricity, solar power must be below $0.11 per kilowat hour.
http://www.photonconsulting.com/the_true_cost_of_solar_power_race_to_1w.php
There is a technological breakthrough that is necessary for this to happen. If, as the industry says, this breakthrough happens within 3 years, we might be fine after a 5-8 years of intense investment. If they never reach that 11 cents breakthrough, we may be stuck in a green unemployment society........”
marco01 replied on Jul 24, 2009 at 02:46:51
“Are you so sure?
Instead of sending our dollars overseas to pay for our energy, we'll be spending it here.”
Instead of sending our dollars overseas to pay for our energy, we'll be spending it here.”
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