tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639033898235940977.post5044871524372443370..comments2023-11-02T05:20:24.711-04:00Comments on The Oracular Opinion: Bi-Partisanship101Pamela Zydelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00455065276657597689noreply@blogger.comBlogger43125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639033898235940977.post-71533491686780048172009-05-02T19:33:00.000-04:002009-05-02T19:33:00.000-04:00One problem with bipartisanship... when things "ge...One problem with bipartisanship... when things "get done" in Washington, the politicians usually doing us in. Frankly, I'd like to see the Federal government accomplish LESS.RightKlikhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04475874038428195332noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639033898235940977.post-49503587277805373082009-04-14T14:38:00.000-04:002009-04-14T14:38:00.000-04:00Hi PDH,
Republican - Democrat / conservative - li...Hi PDH,<br /><br />Republican - Democrat / conservative - liberal can't come to terms because there's no common ground. Really, how can one reconcile a belief in fact with one based on relativism? It's rule of law verses rule of the mob, and the two don't mix well. The obvious result is that there will soon be another shooting war, like the Civil War, to determine the future of the country, which can clearly be seen in the opposition of liberals to our Second Amendment rights.<br /><br />the Gritthe Grithttp://britandgrit.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639033898235940977.post-83821037338582168122009-04-13T23:01:00.000-04:002009-04-13T23:01:00.000-04:00We need to put more effort into preventative care....We need to put more effort into preventative care. Especially in our poorer communities. Native American, black, Latino, Asian. Someday we will encounter the "Typhoid Mary" of the 21st century, and wonder how it got so out of hand. Having everyone covered by health insurance will not only save us money, it might save us from a medical national emergency.Timehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09474837430855732529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639033898235940977.post-7016247043118466202009-04-13T10:12:00.000-04:002009-04-13T10:12:00.000-04:00Wow this got WAY off track. Mark you went from giv...Wow this got WAY off track. Mark you went from giving a good point on health care to blaming Obama, what's up? And NY Guy...you just went straight to blaming Obama. Any suggestions on health care that you'd like to share?Pamela Zydelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00455065276657597689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639033898235940977.post-58562561820029755992009-04-13T08:37:00.000-04:002009-04-13T08:37:00.000-04:00I blame Obama as well. Sue me!I blame Obama as well. Sue me!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639033898235940977.post-12370514239199306162009-04-12T12:13:00.000-04:002009-04-12T12:13:00.000-04:00I blame people that cast blame. It's all your faul...I blame people that cast blame. It's all your fault Mark. Shame on you.Joe "Truth 101" Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08875151516978133598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639033898235940977.post-23689601069618838752009-04-12T00:05:00.000-04:002009-04-12T00:05:00.000-04:00I don't care what the moderates say. I blame Obama...I don't care what the moderates say. I blame Obama. For everything.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15633208787250567256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639033898235940977.post-66870111873341878462009-04-08T19:07:00.000-04:002009-04-08T19:07:00.000-04:00Pam: Actually, illegals aren't the burden the righ...Pam: Actually, illegals aren't the burden the right paints them. While a burden individually on hospitals, as a whole they wouldn't be if we were on a tax based system. Most illegals do pay taxes straight out of their paychecks. I believe the number is around 75% of illegals are paying taxes, but because of their illegal status aren't filing tax returns and so they don't get anything back.James' Musehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15575769532441311670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639033898235940977.post-46903066606583124982009-04-08T17:12:00.000-04:002009-04-08T17:12:00.000-04:00Pam - I am uncertain that illegals can really be a...Pam - I am uncertain that illegals can really be along term problem. I am generally of the opinion that anyone who comes to this country to work can only improve the economy (in a long term sense, at least).OpenMindedRepublicanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16633374740140121169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639033898235940977.post-32012930719559666662009-04-08T15:40:00.000-04:002009-04-08T15:40:00.000-04:00Time: I agree about prescription drugs. The cost t...Time: I agree about prescription drugs. The cost to produce a pill is astronomical. It takes years just to get the drug on the market, then the company gets to recoup its costs via a patent for about 10-15 years. It's not just price controls we need to think about, we also need to stop frivolous law suits. As far as being told what's good for us and what isn't...well that's like a see-saw. One day coffee is good the next it isn't. One day meat is bad the next it's not if it's X. It depends on what scientist you're speaking to. It seems we need to pick our poison and cross our fingers these days. A health savings plan will work for some, but not for others. Pre-existing condition exemptions will work for some, but not for others. Sounds like we need more of an a la carte health care system. One size doesn't fit all. And through all of this no one has addressed the illegal alien problem. Regardless of what type of system we have or get, how do we take care of the illegals? They are an ever increasing burden.Pamela Zydelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00455065276657597689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639033898235940977.post-72348071236681241622009-04-08T15:04:00.000-04:002009-04-08T15:04:00.000-04:00Competition and free trade does not exist in most ...Competition and free trade does not exist in most medical fields, especially prescription drugs. <BR/><BR/>This leads to an unnatural rise in costs. That is why it is so much more expensive in the USA than other countries. <BR/><BR/>Price controls (an ugly thought to Americans) might be the only way to control costs in an atmosphere of price gouging and excessive profits by these pharmacy and medical companies. <BR/><BR/>It's another reason why we (Americans) pay more for medical care, yet receive less services and are way down the list of countries judging how healthy we are as a people.<BR/><BR/>Personal habits as a judge of how treatment or costs are determined, is a mine field. Scientists told us just last week that eating meat is a 20% higher risk of developing colon cancer. Then there was the story of how being vegetarian is unhealthy for young people. Smoking causes cancer, but then so do the chemicals in our food. And on, and on, and on.<BR/><BR/>With all the complicated issues in medical care, the fact that our medical business does not operate as a usual supply and demand system, the fact that Americans could not cover their medical needs through a savings plan program, the pre existing conditions exemptions, the outright refusal of care based on cost, I'm leaning towards the single payer plan.Timehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09474837430855732529noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639033898235940977.post-2031430997931341992009-04-08T14:28:00.000-04:002009-04-08T14:28:00.000-04:00Pat, I’ve been preaching competition for awhile no...Pat, I’ve been preaching competition for awhile now. I believe if there was less red tape and more companies competing for business prices would go down. In Western Pa, where I live, UPMC has dominance over our heath care plans AND our hospitals, which gives them carte blanche on what’s covered and prices.Pamela Zydelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00455065276657597689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639033898235940977.post-80715987261406853872009-04-08T12:44:00.000-04:002009-04-08T12:44:00.000-04:00For a candidate that claimed he was a Uniter, Obam...For a candidate that claimed he was a Uniter, Obama has done a great job of polarizing the entire country in only about 90 days. One can only think of how the county is going to be in 4 years form now.The Wordsmithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10261088571051920961noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639033898235940977.post-85379174912651376492009-04-08T11:36:00.000-04:002009-04-08T11:36:00.000-04:00competition may be the only way to solve a burgeon...competition may be the only way to solve a burgeoning health care system.... and like you pammy i myself too have tired of the debating style. it would be nice if more civil attitudes prevailed!Pat Jenkinshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18142174423986806144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639033898235940977.post-23662010543830499002009-04-06T20:49:00.000-04:002009-04-06T20:49:00.000-04:00The problem is in health care costs. They are much...The problem is in health care costs. They are much too high. There is no limit to how much money any health care related industry can charge, therefore they charge what the market will bear, and with the amount of money insurance companies earn, the market bears way too much. It is a vicious cycle. Health care related industries charge exorbitant costs, and the insurance providers meet the costs. Then, the health care related industries see that they are easily being paid, so they raise their prices further. And health insurance providers raise their prices for their services accordingly. And on, and on, and on. <BR/><BR/>If the health care related industries would self-regulate themselves to a fixed profit margin, prices for health care would be reduced and more people who couldn't previously afford health care could pay their own costs. <BR/><BR/>I think the key is in self regulation. Expecting any entity not related to health care is folly. We need to leave the regulation to those who know the health care industry best. The health care related industries themselves.Markhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15633208787250567256noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639033898235940977.post-76203163559667558292009-04-05T10:32:00.000-04:002009-04-05T10:32:00.000-04:00Perhaps if you backed the right party you wouldn't...Perhaps if you backed the right party you wouldn't feel so frustrated.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639033898235940977.post-54107281779692489392009-04-04T16:37:00.000-04:002009-04-04T16:37:00.000-04:00Yes OMR. The problem is cost. People can't afford ...Yes OMR. The problem is cost. People can't afford the cost of health insurance or doctor visits on their own. Business is fast becoming unable to absorb the cost of employee health insurance and still be competetive with companies that don't offer health benefits. <BR/><BR/> Now is the time for a single payer system. There will still be plenty of business for health insurance companies like AFLAC. Our Country needs this.Joe "Truth 101" Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08875151516978133598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639033898235940977.post-30491138974663015852009-04-03T19:07:00.000-04:002009-04-03T19:07:00.000-04:00Maybe it could be run like other working governmen...Maybe it could be run like other working government institutions. For example: We all pay taxes for roads and bridges, even those that choose not to drive on them.<BR/><BR/>To drive legally, we must pay registration costs at the DMV, buy tags, etc...<BR/><BR/>We all pay for public school. But not everyone has kids in the system. Even those with their own, private, "better" schools pay for Public Schools. <BR/><BR/>Those with kids in the system get a free education, but still have to pay for their own pencils and paper and supplies and backpacks and clothes to wear there etc.<BR/><BR/>Maybe we could look to those and use those methods somehow?James' Musehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15575769532441311670noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639033898235940977.post-33357746372535643402009-04-03T17:22:00.000-04:002009-04-03T17:22:00.000-04:00My point is that the primary problem with the curr...My point is that the primary problem with the current system is <I>cost</I>. And I fail to see how a single payer system will address this.OpenMindedRepublicanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16633374740140121169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639033898235940977.post-74397627692250742772009-04-03T16:46:00.000-04:002009-04-03T16:46:00.000-04:00So your argument against single payer national hea...So your argument against single payer national health care is that you don't want the government to run it. You're afraid a greaseball or incompetent will get a job, correct? It's sad but greaseballs and incompetents are everywhere. Private sector and public. Don't let fear of them getting us keep us from making health care affordable and available to all OMR.Joe "Truth 101" Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08875151516978133598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639033898235940977.post-39450559340780966672009-04-03T13:39:00.000-04:002009-04-03T13:39:00.000-04:00I should’ve been more clear. I meant government bu...I should’ve been more clear. I meant government bureaucracy. I realize we need organization and rules, etc., however, I believe the government has played a large part in making health insurance expensive with all the regulations. Again, many of the regulations are there to help, but some are extreme and have doubled the costs. And I thought we decided that Doctors were going to have the last say in a patient’s care, not someone in accounting. As far as a face lift? Elective cosmetic surgery would be great, but I think we can all concur THAT isn’t “health care.” Maybe another good topic. What should be covered or deemed as “Health Care?”Pamela Zydelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00455065276657597689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639033898235940977.post-65414466465176517122009-04-03T12:02:00.000-04:002009-04-03T12:02:00.000-04:00A consideration : Most of the processes done by th...A consideration : Most of the processes done by the bureacrats in health care will still be needed. Claims processing, accounting, deciding what is and is not covered (face lifts, anyone?). <BR/>If we shut down the insurance companies at the same time as we create a need for people with the <I>exact same</I> experience in givernment, who is going to get those jobs?<BR/>That's right. The exact same people. And it will take them about, oh, five minutes to tell their boss they need <I>all</I> of the same people they had before, because 'that's what it takes'.OpenMindedRepublicanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16633374740140121169noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639033898235940977.post-28969930424790235702009-04-03T11:54:00.000-04:002009-04-03T11:54:00.000-04:00It takes bureaucrats to run bureacracy. It takes p...It takes bureaucrats to run bureacracy. It takes politicians to run government. That's the way it is. Why anyone thinks they're better off in an HMO and limited to only the services it allows is beyond me.Joe "Truth 101" Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08875151516978133598noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639033898235940977.post-32812157362276739442009-04-03T10:01:00.000-04:002009-04-03T10:01:00.000-04:00I think taking the bureacracy out of the system wo...I think taking the bureacracy out of the system would help emmensly. That's where a lot of the expense is currently. But how could that be implemented?Pamela Zydelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00455065276657597689noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-639033898235940977.post-26531676500955052692009-04-02T14:41:00.000-04:002009-04-02T14:41:00.000-04:00My experience is that a bureacracy's priority is b...My experience is that a bureacracy's priority is bureacracy. Period.OpenMindedRepublicanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16633374740140121169noreply@blogger.com