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The following stories have received the most reader comments during the last 7 days.
- Students 'protest' the eating of turkeys on Thanksgiving (78)
- Does citing the facts on immigration mean I am a hate-monger? (77)
- Minister takes to the streets to recruit new members (49)
- Bring Trader Joe's store to Lodi (35)
- Huber upsets Sieglock in 10th Assembly race (33)
- Is the U.S. Constitution obsolete? (30)
- Major cuts loom (29)
- First the banks, now the automakers (27)
- Former gang member hopes to make a difference in Lodi (26)
- Lodi Cricket Club delighted with Beckman Park field (22)
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Why I can't back McCain-Palin or Obama-Biden: Both fail miserably on immigration
John McCain, Sarah Palin or Barack Obama, Joe Biden. Two tickets, one vote from you. All of these months after nearly every major Republican and Democratic player seemed to be running for the ultimate office, we are down to these four.
Sarah Palin being acquired by McCain was a brilliant move for obvious reasons. Obama's Biden move seemed completely out of right field.
After nearly two-and-a-half years of political mudslinging, we have finally reached the nominations.
Whichever team wins will make American history. From skin color to gender.
What an exciting time to be an American, eh?
Give me a damn break.
After exhaustive research on each candidate and their positions, I've come to the conclusion that I will not be voting for either party.
What's my hang-up? It all comes down to the issue John McCain snaps at voters for questioning him on and the one Obama always seems to avoid. Illegal immigration.
I'm not about to beat a dead horse because this horse is alive and well. It just seems like whenever it is brought up it creates such a stir among all parties that people get tired of arguing. Nothing ever gets accomplished.
Sarah Palin has not taken a hard stance on it since being nominated. Looking at her track record, I see that while she stood her ground on "no" to a national ID card, she seemed to ignore Alaskan sanctuary cities during her time as governor.
Rumors are circulating that Palin opposes amnesty for illegals and is for strengthening borders. Even though these are encouraging rumors, it still strikes me that the decision isn't ultimately her own. McCain would be president, not her.
Don't even get me started on Obama and Biden's amnesty plan. If they make it, America is just as messed up.
I have no faith in our current leadership, nor any that might make it in this next election.
My anger boils from within. The thoughts of how I and other legal citizens abide by laws and understand that paying taxes is required of us in order to have a higher quality of life is the difference that establishes America from other countries.
My children deserve to live in an America that has standards and integrity. Not one that keeps making exceptions for those who break laws and don't work to make everyone else's lives better.
What kind of example does that set? How do I teach ethics to my children when our country's top official, a role model of sorts, doesn't enforce right from wrong.
To be depicted as a racist or a whiner because I stand by the law and standards that our own people (all immigrants) put into place is ridiculous.
This November, I have no option to check off at the polls. While I've always leaned conservative, it's hard when the conservative candidate doesn't have a conservative view on what you feel most passionately about.
What are our nation's leaders for if they can't stand for what their citizens want or for that matter what is right?
Obama has no experience and while he speaks well and motivates folks, inspiring even me at times, I have a lack of faith in how he would lead. McCain, while heavily experienced in politics and leadership and a POW who never gave up, I cringe when I see how quickly he snaps at journalists and citizen voters who question his reasoning on positions.
These men would both have my handshake at a dinner party; McCain would receive an honest and sincere "thank you" for your service and sacrifice, but beyond that I'd excuse myself so that I could talk to others in the room who care about this massive issue that keeps getting bigger.
Ron Paul, good to see you. Let's chat.
Wade Heath of Lodi is a college student studying in Southern California. Read his online blog at: www.wadewire.blogspot.com. He can be reached at: reachwade@lycos.com.
Reader Feedback
ra wrote on Sep 20, 2008 6:54 AM:
Timothy wrote on Sep 18, 2008 8:07 AM:
Brian wrote on Sep 18, 2008 7:34 AM:
Barack Obama and Joe Biden, the candidates of Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae, whose former managers now are economic advisers to Obama's campaign, either to tell him mistakes that have cost the American people or to give him new scams to further fool the American people.
David Ehren "
Cogito wrote on Sep 15, 2008 11:45 AM:
Acampo_Mom wrote on Sep 14, 2008 10:58 PM:
LOL, I love it! "
Cogito wrote on Sep 14, 2008 10:31 PM:
Acampo_Mom wrote on Sep 14, 2008 9:08 PM:
sam wrote on Sep 14, 2008 9:03 PM:
Ok, I am in. "
sam wrote on Sep 14, 2008 9:02 PM:
sam wrote on Sep 14, 2008 9:01 PM:
Cogito wrote on Sep 14, 2008 8:49 PM:
Cogito wrote on Sep 14, 2008 8:46 PM:
Cogito wrote on Sep 14, 2008 8:42 PM:
Cogito wrote on Sep 14, 2008 8:36 PM:
sam wrote on Sep 14, 2008 7:43 PM:
sam wrote on Sep 14, 2008 7:42 PM:
This is scary stuff. So scary. "
sam wrote on Sep 14, 2008 7:34 PM:
Thanks. Only we have quite a group. We all get together and talk and compare. I know that when I vote, it will be MY decision, my gut decision. I felt pressures to vote within my party last election. I have lost that pressured feeling. "
wtf wrote on Sep 14, 2008 7:33 PM:
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/The-House-of-Morgan/Ron-Chernow/e/9780802138293
You can almost see where the U.S. went from an asset economy to a debt economy approximately half way through the book with it picking up steam in the 1980s.
Excellent book but then I'm partial to J.P. Morgan, the patriarch. ;) Never cared for Rockefeller much nor the Morgan offspring; but the founder of the Morgan dynasty has a place in my heart. LOL! I know, I know; he was a robber baron, but gee, I like the guy! "
wtf wrote on Sep 14, 2008 7:20 PM:
I like him, too, because, like earlier today, we actually agreed - shocking, isn't it? Seriously, I've agreed with Cogito, even girard (lodisafeway ;), on many things - it's just pretty much on Ron Paul where we disagree.
Guess I'm **really** for change. LOL! "
wtf wrote on Sep 14, 2008 7:16 PM:
In Frantic Day, Wall Street Banks Teeter
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/15/business/15lehman.html?hp
What gets my goat is that Ron Paul warned **against** all the steps that led up to this and the GOBs just blew him off; called him "crazy" "fringe" etc. "
sam wrote on Sep 14, 2008 7:07 PM:
wrf, I do like Cog. I value his opinion. AWKK, did I just say that?? Seriously, he is a good guy. "
sam wrote on Sep 14, 2008 7:05 PM:
We did not use daycare either. I personally had to work to "get away" but we made a schedule that we could work with. An evening meal together was a must. It was a time to come together as a family unit and reconnect. We did that every night.
Our grown kids still love to come home for family meals. "
wtf wrote on Sep 14, 2008 7:02 PM:
http://www.realitysandwich.com/2008_the_return_chicken_little
Found it to be **very** interesting especially with the news I read today in the Wall Street Journal:
http://blogs.wsj.com/marketbeat/2008/09/14/the-mother-of-all-mondays/
This is why, sam, you have to choose to vote your conscience. You know the info you seek won't be found on the TV - I watch it, too - but the information is available. I think you and Acampo_Mom are on the right path. Your doing research and your asking questions. Now what you have to do is:
TRUST YOURSELF "
wtf wrote on Sep 14, 2008 6:58 PM:
A "stay at home" mom (or dad) is:
a nutritionist (meal planner)
cook and/or chef
bookkeeper if they pay the bills and have to balance the household budget
maid/house cleaner
laundry person
chauffeur
teacher
does the shopping (usually)
confidante
and these are just off the top of my head because I'm sure there are a whole LOT more. ;) I read somewhere that someone had calculated the cost of all that those who "just stay at home" do and if they were paid for their work, I think it came to over $100,000 a year. I'll see if I can find it. "
wtf wrote on Sep 14, 2008 6:51 PM:
I saw that and thought, "sheez, that guy gets to vote."
But remember, for this guy, there could be two or three who think differently, and no matter how we might think this man's opinion is 'wrong' or 'misguided' that is what makes America...America, and this is the type of speech, believe it or not, that is protected by the First Amendment.
First Amendment protection isn't to protect things we all agree on; it's to protect the minority voice; the voice that might irritate us or rankle us...a voice like Cogito's. LOL! "
Acampo_Mom wrote on Sep 14, 2008 6:39 PM:
I've actually had people look down on me and insult me for this. I have heard the line "What? You don't work??? How nice that must be." As if I didn't earn my keep! On any given day, I've probably accomplished more before 10 a.m. than many do in a full day. I've done this, so I could raise my own kids, and make sure they stayed out of trouble.
I'm making dinner right now, we'll be sitting down to eat, as a family, in just a few minutes. If you are a working mom, more power to ya, I have no idea how I could have worked outside of the home AND done all that I've done for 15 years! "
sam wrote on Sep 14, 2008 6:34 PM:
All the channels do it. They feed us the drama and distort the issues. After that "lipstick on a pig" comment being over played, I turned off the news for several days.
Ok, wtf, the sicko me, I got the 2nd season of Dexter and we watched it instead of news for those days. Actually as sick as it is, it is not as sick as our news channels covering politics. "
sam wrote on Sep 14, 2008 6:26 PM:
I also had one of my brothers tell me that he now works out of his home 2 days a week so his wife CAN pursue her dream (she is a veterinarian who specializes in horses) while he oversees the house hold. That was a cute, funny shocker for me. "
wtf wrote on Sep 14, 2008 6:25 PM:
It's not. Electing the President of the United States is not the same as betting on which horse will win. It's not the same as voting for your pic on American Idol or the upcoming Dancing with the Stars.
This is a serious and sacred duty all Americans have and I, for one, do not even watch the MSM because I am insulted by how they treat the viewing public.
People watch in an attempt to make an informed decision, and basically, they're treated like imbeciles. Take out the names "Obama" and "McCain" and plug in "Madonna" and "Brittney" and "news" coverage really doesn't change.
The two presidential candidates aren't much better; they're playing the "he said, she said" game and neither one is addressing the ISSUES that are of most concern to the American people. "
sam wrote on Sep 14, 2008 6:19 PM:
I saw that and thought, "sheez, that guy gets to vote." "
wtf wrote on Sep 14, 2008 6:17 PM:
It used to be Dad worked; Mom stayed home with the kids; the kids were well-behaved because they got a swat on the butt if they acted up; families stayed together and one of the national past times was keeping an eye on the politicians.
Today, people are too busy for that. They get their political info from the "news" which does NOT have to tell the truth; they get their food "fast" which wreaks havoc with their health (and this falls into the "health insurance" category); families don't sit down to dinner together or discuss things; families get broken up. "
sam wrote on Sep 14, 2008 6:15 PM:
No no , it is not you. You are so up front and honest.
I would love to say I love Obama's health plan without someone saying how stupid I am, ot what Koolaid am I drinking.
A_Mom, you are never rude in your blogs.
I do laugh still at what I pay to have my car tuned up. In all fairenss, a tune up with my brother in law is everything... even brake checks and repairs, belts replaced, etc. "
Acampo_Mom wrote on Sep 14, 2008 6:13 PM:
Now. Make it so. "
wtf wrote on Sep 14, 2008 6:12 PM:
Not just oil companies; unfortunately it's quite a few special interests. Regarding your question about demanding the best, you can make a choice to vote your conscience, sam. **You** can demand what you consider the best for yourself.
Remember, all Americans want what is best for their country; but a lot of people don't do the research necessary to make an informed decision. Instead, they rely on the boob tube that happens to be treating this particular election like an episode of American Idol.
And it is disheartening when you begin to **really** look at what's offered as you've begun to do.
As Thomas Jefferson said, "The price of freedom is eternal vigilance."
That mean you, me and every American has to keep an eye on the politicos. "
sam wrote on Sep 14, 2008 6:06 PM:
My brother, with an HMO, just needed a surgery. He had a tumor on his parathyroid gland. Down south where he lives they could do the 4-5 hour surgery on his neck where they lay his entire neck open. He found a specialist in Florida who does the same procedure orthoscopically under a local anesthetic with a 20 minute procedure.
He flew to Florida, had the surgery, and flew home the same day. He had to pay $10,000 for the surgery because his insurance said "tumor removal was offered locally."
Our system is sick. "
wtf wrote on Sep 14, 2008 6:04 PM:
Insurance for emergencies and surgeries; but only as a back up. Example of old-fashioned doctor: My daughter, many, many moons ago sprained her ankle and it swelled when she decided to jump off a retaining wall and biffed it - thank God the wall was only 18" high.
I called her pediatrician, told him what had happened and that I had applied ice and arnica montana gel to the swelling. He was so old-fashioned, he knew what arnica was (he was not a young man).
Thanked me for not taking up time by coming into the office; by taking care of my child and calling him; he did, however, say that if there were any complications to bring her in immediately which, of course, I would do. "
sam wrote on Sep 14, 2008 6:00 PM:
I know. I need to lighten up. I do like all your sides.
This election has got me upset. I cannot believe the smears. I listened to my nieces the other night (jr high/high school/college). Their comments were sad. "So who ever lies the most and destroys the other guy wins. Why can't the guy with the best ideas win?"
The last election I voted for Bush... the "lesser of two evils." Why can't we demand the best?? Or are we all doomed to be controlled by the oil companies, etc? "
wtf wrote on Sep 14, 2008 5:58 PM:
The nice thing about novels are that professionals, such as Dr. Cook, can write about information that, in their professional capacity, they might not be allowed to do. The same with lawyers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robin_Cook_(novelist) "
sam wrote on Sep 14, 2008 5:53 PM:
I would love a system that does not cost the 2 of us over$1200 a month. We deduct the payments, but that is ridiculous.
I do think a % of income might be the way to go... the same percent for all. OR you can opt out if you prefer. If you opt out you have to prove your family is covered. No free emergency room care.
I do believe if everyone paid in the rates would go down.
My opinion only ... disagree if you want... but if you do please offer a better idea.. "
Acampo_Mom wrote on Sep 14, 2008 5:48 PM:
"I actually was laughing at your mechanic blog because I just spent $2500 on a tune up. But he is my brother in law... great mechanic... and I have a corvette engine that needs TLC."
I take it back...not an idiot. Forget I said that. What? That wasn't me.
I admit, I can get pretty defensive and come off as sounding rude, petty and disrespectful. When I get pushed...I push back.
I try to be nice...I swear! "
wtf wrote on Sep 14, 2008 5:43 PM:
That's my "fun" side....I like bad jokes. :) "
Acampo_Mom wrote on Sep 14, 2008 5:38 PM:
I haven't been saying I wanted socialized medicine. What I would really like is true health care reform. As in the medical insurance companies, medical practitioners, medical facilities, pharmaceutical companies, etc. etc. need to be reformed. It's legal robbery!
Why does it cost $500 a month for certain drugs in the U.S., but $50 in other countries? Obviously those pharmaceutical companies CAN sell it for less, but they won't when they don't have to. I most certainly don't think my physician has earned $180 when I walk into his office to give me a prescription for cough medicine.
I haven't once said I support the idea of socialized medicine (not for people who can pay for it). Because I already know that Medi-care, Medi-caid, Medi-cal, all have their faults and to force EVERYONE to conform to that wouldn't work.
I think the medical community should be made to answer to somebody for something. "
wtf wrote on Sep 14, 2008 5:38 PM:
I beg to differ with you.
60% of the voting public are not happy with either Obama or McCain, and things are getting to the point, where a lot of people WILL vote third party...if only to send a message. Came across the following poll which is current. This might give you a different perspective.
http://whatreallyhappened.com/content/who-will-you-vote-coming-us-presidential-election "
sam wrote on Sep 14, 2008 5:33 PM:
Well, I am the idiot... LOL. "
Cogito wrote on Sep 14, 2008 5:32 PM:
sam wrote on Sep 14, 2008 5:31 PM:
I am loving your health insurance blogs. I appreciate all that you are posting.
I actually was laughing at your mechanic blog because I just spent $2500 on a tune up. But he is my brother in law... great mechanic... and I have a corvette engine that needs TLC. "
sam wrote on Sep 14, 2008 5:28 PM:
You will love this Cog. Last night at a dinner party a friend asked Mr sam "How did you ever talk Mrs sam into HD in every room with a 53 inch in the living room? He laughed so hard wine came out his nose. He said 'I like football, but she LOVES it. She talked me into it."
And at the end of a long day, I am winning this weeks football pool. Go Steelers !!! "
Cogito wrote on Sep 14, 2008 5:27 PM:
Cogito wrote on Sep 14, 2008 5:24 PM:
Acampo_Mom wrote on Sep 14, 2008 5:22 PM:
LOL
I meant the guy who pays $2000 for a tune up is an idiot. Haven't we all been duped out of a large sum of money at one time or another and felt like an idiot? I most certainly don't feel like the bad guy though!
It was just a silly analogy.
There was absolutely no disrespect intended there!
And my comment: "So there! :p~" was just to lighten things up. "
sam wrote on Sep 14, 2008 5:22 PM:
" Besides, she's not the first woman VP nominee, that would be Geraldine Ferraro. And shes not the prettiest or the most effeminate, that would be John Edwards. "
Ok, that is funny too. See, I really am a republican at heart. I cannot stand Geraldine or Edwards. "
Cogito wrote on Sep 14, 2008 5:18 PM:
Acampo_Mom wrote on Sep 14, 2008 5:17 PM:
"Acampo mom, that's still not the same thing as taxing benefits...."
Cogito...You don't think that is the same as taxing benefits???
To me, this sentence speaks VOLUMES:
...eliminate the tax exemption for people whose employers pay a portion of their coverage, raising an estimated $3.6 trillion in revenues...
So...the portion that the employer pays, we (currently) are not taxed on it, it comes to us as a freebie, as if it never existed, because it has been EXEMPTED. That will no longer be so, under McCain's plan, and the $300 you're paying to supplement your employer paid benefits, probably will be taxed as well. I don't know how your family pays that $300, but in our case it is taken from our checks (ours is $400) pre-tax. Taxes are withheld AFTER we pay our health insurance.
So yes, you quite possibly will be responsible for the taxes on $18,600 EXTRA per year...without ever seeing any sort of pay increase. Even with the $5000 tax credit, you'll still be paying more in taxes. And it is looking like not EVERYONE will be eligible for the credit. "
sam wrote on Sep 14, 2008 5:09 PM:
Cogito wrote on Sep 14, 2008 5:07 PM:
Cogito wrote on Sep 14, 2008 5:05 PM:
sam wrote on Sep 14, 2008 5:01 PM:
Seriously wtf, I watched it. She is an adorable 20 ish trying to make it as a broadcaster. I thought she did a great job.
I am not a Palin fan, but come on, Caribou Barbie? Man, I just praised your intelligent blogs. AWKKKK. "
Cogito wrote on Sep 14, 2008 4:56 PM:
sam wrote on Sep 14, 2008 4:54 PM:
" So there. :p~ "
Too funny.
Personally I really wish somewhere we could talk politics respectively.
I am currently doubting McCain. I was a huge supporter in 2000. Intelligent dialogue would be nice. My mind is not made up. I am listening. But calling Obama a muslim or a messiah is not going to sway me. It makes the speaker look ridiculous. Why in the world would I listen to someone who sounds ridiculous?
WTF loves Ron Paul. I may not be a Paul supporter but I appreciate wtf's comments and he, too me, is NOT an idiot. He writes. I read and research more.
Wouldn't it be nice if we could leave the name calling out of this? "
Cogito wrote on Sep 14, 2008 4:54 PM:
wtf wrote on Sep 14, 2008 4:53 PM:
http://i35.tinypic.com/2lnjsco.jpg "
wtf wrote on Sep 14, 2008 4:52 PM:
wtf wrote on Sep 14, 2008 4:51 PM:
Not so, Cogito. In fact, you gave the answer needed to this 2008 Presidential election at 3:48 PM: "...having a third party here is a necessary evil."
EXACTLY!!!
Therefore, the ONLY **real** solution this November is to write in
RON PAUL! "
Acampo_Mom wrote on Sep 14, 2008 4:27 PM:
I finally found what you were looking for. Buried deep in McCain's very own campaign website.
To pay for the tax credit, McCain would eliminate the tax exemption for people whose employers pay a portion of their coverage, raising an estimated $3.6 trillion in revenues, Holtz-Eakin said. Companies that provide coverage to workers still would get tax breaks. McCain would also cut costs by limiting health care lawsuits.
http://www.johnmccain.com/Informing/News/NewsReleases/Read.aspx?guid=f8319887-1528-40aa-971a-402f7d1adb9e
... "
Acampo_Mom wrote on Sep 14, 2008 4:04 PM:
" Acampo mom, re: your 2:15 post, I agree 100%. If you take your car to a mechanic and he charges you $2000.00 for a tune up, and you pay it. Are you just as much a bad guy in this scenario because you paid it? According to some here, you are. "
Not the bad guy....just the idiot. "
Acampo_Mom wrote on Sep 14, 2008 3:57 PM:
Hey, I'm watching football. If you say it says that, I believe you.
And yes...if the employER is no longer exempt, then it will be passed on to the employEE in the form of TAXABLE income, ie. tax increases.
Believe me...I keep a VERY close eye on this kind of thing, I'm very proactive when it comes to being able to minimize our tax liability. I quit using tax services because they always missed things. Not only did they charge us too much, but to add insult to injury, they lost us money as well. "
Cogito wrote on Sep 14, 2008 3:55 PM:
Cogito wrote on Sep 14, 2008 3:48 PM:
wtf wrote on Sep 14, 2008 3:48 PM:
NO!
Read what Ron Paul, a DOCTOR, wrote on this subject....and you might want to read the Hippocratic Oath; the oath doctors are **supposed** to uphold.
No mention of "universal" healthcare; no mention of HMOs; no mention of insurance; no mention of the government.
In fact, I'll make it easy for you. Ron Paul says, "Its time to rethink the whole system of HMOs and managed care. This entire unnecessary level of corporatism rakes off profits and worsens the quality of care. But HMOs did not arise in the free market; they are creatures of government interference in health care dating to the 1970s. These non-market institutions have gained control over medical care through collusion between organized medicine, politicians, and drug companies, in an effort to move America toward free universal health care."
Guess what that means? Obama and McSame are two sides of the SAME coin. "
Cogito wrote on Sep 14, 2008 3:42 PM:
wtf wrote on Sep 14, 2008 3:33 PM:
"The lesson is clear: when government and other third parties get involved, health care costs spiral. The answer is not a system of outright socialized medicine, but rather a system that encourages everyone doctors, hospitals, patients, and drug companies to keep costs down. As long as somebody else is paying the bill, the bill will be too high."
Found a copy of the Hippocratic Oath taken by doctors. Guess what? There is ZERO mention of government, HMOs and insurance companies.
http://www.geocities.com/everwild7/noharm.html "
wtf wrote on Sep 14, 2008 3:27 PM:
It seems that you didn't bother reading the links I provided, Cogito; otherwise you would have seen this in the CBS story:
"McCain's proposal would count the healthcare benefits Americans receive from their employers as taxable income, leaving tens of millions of middle-class families paying higher taxes and leaving millions more without insurance behind."
The above is referring to EMPLOYEES. Cogito, please be true to your handle and THINK. "
T & C wrote on Sep 14, 2008 3:18 PM:
"Our family doctors, who are all in the same medical group in Lodi (I won't name names) charge a flat rate of $180 just to be seen"!
I am grateful the VA medical clinic in French camps provides for my medical! "
Cogito wrote on Sep 14, 2008 3:09 PM:
Cogito wrote on Sep 14, 2008 3:05 PM:
wtf wrote on Sep 14, 2008 2:57 PM:
Caribou Barbie - Sportscaster! Catch it before it disappears
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQSG2APyi3U "
TandC wrote on Sep 14, 2008 2:23 PM:
" Sam, you want to watch something "chilling"? Go to YouTube and enter " Obama Personal Jesus" and watch one of those. There's a lot of truth in them. "
Just how much truth are you talking about cogito? How much is a lot of truth?
You want to watch something more chilling just google - John McCain Traitor and the whole truth is there, not just a lot.
I've decided to write in Ron Paul rather than not cast any vote at all for president. "
Acampo_Mom wrote on Sep 14, 2008 2:16 PM:
:p~ "
Acampo_Mom wrote on Sep 14, 2008 2:15 PM:
The reason why medical practitioners and facilities charge so much is because they can. If they charge $10k and get paid for $10k by the insurance company, what on earth would motivate them to lower prices??? The problem with that, is not everyone can afford med insurance, but their prices aren't lower, they must pay the same prices as those who have insurance.
Our family doctors, who are all in the same medical group in Lodi (I won't name names) charge a flat rate of $180 just to be seen. I think it is ridiculous, that just to step in the door and wave HOWDY, costs $180. But you can't get them to give you a referral or script, or test result over the phone...no no no, you must go in so they can charge you the bargain price of $180.
Insurance pays it, so they continue charging it. So, insurance costs rise, to make up for all they are paying the practitioners and facilities. It's self-perpetuating, and it will never end. "
Acampo_Mom wrote on Sep 14, 2008 2:01 PM:
Any thinking person (I'm assuming that's YOU!) can see that taking away exemptions for the employer paid benefits will result in a higher tax. It isn't a "speculation". It's common sense.
OF COURSE you aren't going to be able to go to McCain's campaign web site and see in plain English "McCain plans on raising YOUR taxes, so the rich don't have to pay as much." That would be campaign suicide! That's what we have analysts for. If you don't want to see it for what it is, that is fine. It actually doesn't really matter, since it will probably work out better for YOU anyway.
But, in one more attempt to convince you I'm not making this stuff up...
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/01/us/politics/01mccain.html "
sam wrote on Sep 14, 2008 2:00 PM:
I just watched the entire interview. Now that is worth a view. "
sam wrote on Sep 14, 2008 1:55 PM:
They are sick.
I believe Jesus is my Messiah. Obama is a man, not a savior, just an intelligent, educated, inspiring human. "
wtf wrote on Sep 14, 2008 1:45 PM:
My last post at 1:43 PM should also answer this question for you; but you have to read the two articles by Dr. Ron Paul to find the answer. LOL! "
wtf wrote on Sep 14, 2008 1:43 PM:
It's on the CBS News website with a date of September 11, 2008.
The Tax Increase McCain Doesn't Want To Talk About
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2008/09/11/politics/animal/main4440453.shtml
Here's one from the New York Times:
McCain Health Plan Could Mean Higher Tax
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/01/us/politics/01mccain.html
This one from the AFLCIO.
http://www.aflcio.org/issues/politics/mccain_healthcare.cfm
This one is by Ron Paul (you knew I had to include him as contrast) LOL! Not only that, Dr. Ron Paul is a bona fide medical doctor which, I think, qualifies him to speak on this subject.
Diagnosing Our Health Care Woes
http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul345.html
Lowering the Cost of Health Care
http://www.lewrockwell.com/paul/paul339.html "
Cogito wrote on Sep 14, 2008 1:36 PM:
Cogito wrote on Sep 14, 2008 1:33 PM:
wtf wrote on Sep 14, 2008 1:13 PM:
wtf wrote on Sep 14, 2008 1:09 PM:
Of course costs are going up. These higher prices are due to all of the middle men, such as insurance companies (and their administration) all needing to be paid.
Cut out a lot of the middle men and costs would come down. Not right away, of course, but eventually they would come down.
Also, if the market place - a **true** level playing field market place - were functioning, then people would go where they could get the best coverage for the best price.
Everybody wanting to put their finger in the pie is the **real** reason health care costs are rising at such insane rates. "
Cogito wrote on Sep 14, 2008 1:09 PM:
sam wrote on Sep 14, 2008 1:03 PM:
http://www.crazycraze.com/play/News/Chilling_John_McCain_Video "
Cogito wrote on Sep 14, 2008 12:58 PM:
wtf wrote on Sep 14, 2008 12:55 PM:
I can see my neighbor's swimming pool from my house so this makes me Michael Phelps.
NOT!
http://www.crazycraze.com/play/News/Chilling_John_McCain_Video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWxhDpX8IZs&eurl=
As a counterpoint:
http://www.ocala.com/article/20080914/COLUMNISTS/809140286/1001/News01&title=Paul_s_message_missed
http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/09/calling-mccain.html "
wtf wrote on Sep 14, 2008 12:49 PM:
Here again, one can take responsibility for their own health. Following is a video of McCain. He wants perpetual war and tells young people he'll be calling on them to serve. Failing that, I'm sure he'll institute a draft.
The best way to prevent this is to follow Dr. Ron Paul's advice and pull a Ghandi - peaceful protest and refusal of the draft. If McCain, Palin and the rest of that bunch want a war, well, then hand 'em a gun, a set of fatigues, some boots and drop 'em off in the desert. "
wtf wrote on Sep 14, 2008 12:40 PM:
Again we agree. Insurance companies should have oversight...to an extent; however, and this always seems to be forgotten, **individuals** should be responsible for their own health.
The way I see it, insurance should only be for an emergency type situation - accident or any type of emergency surgery like appendicitis.
But here again, if the individual took responsibility for their own health in the first place, appendicitis could be avoided.
I just don't like insurance companies. Initially, the reason for their creation was a good thing; however, now we have "insurance" for just about everything.
People pay through the nose for their premiums only to find that their claim is "no longer covered" or they have "deductible" which has magically "gone up"
In other words, the $$money$$ flows **to** the insurance companies but seems to get "stuck" and not make it back to cover the ratepayers.
Insurance, unfortunately, has become a scam. Would I want socialized medicine? NO! "
Acampo_Mom wrote on Sep 14, 2008 10:39 AM:
McCain would also end the employer tax exemptionmeaning that if an employer spends the average $12,000 a year on family health insurance, the worker would now have a tax bill on the portion of the $12,000 of benefits paid for by the employer.
Found at http://healthpolicyandmarket.blogspot.com/2007/10/analysis-of-senator-john-mccains-health.html
Or try here:
http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/apr2008/db20080429_854428.htm
Or:
http://www2.tbo.com/content/2008/apr/30/na-mccain-health-care-plan-tax-credits-for-insuran/
I was trying to find articles that aren't biased in either direction...but find it impossible. However, I see nothing that denies that this is McCain's plan. In my opinion, doing away with the tax exemption is only one problem, I think it will end up accomplishing the opposite of what McCain hopes, in that it will cause insurance costs to go UP. "
Cogito wrote on Sep 14, 2008 8:58 AM:
Cogito wrote on Sep 14, 2008 8:51 AM:
Cogito wrote on Sep 14, 2008 8:42 AM:
wtf wrote on Sep 14, 2008 8:23 AM:
The crowd was chanting for Obama. LOL! Unfortunately, a lot of the MSM is "Ron Pauling" (read blackout, not covering, ignoring) anything that's *for* Obama and *against* Palin/McCain.
"The Alaska Women Reject Palin rally was significantly bigger than Palins rally that got all the national media coverage!"
Article has pics on the bottom.
http://mudflats.wordpress.com/2008/09/14/alaska-women-reject-palin-rally-is-huge/ "
wtf wrote on Sep 14, 2008 8:11 AM:
**That** is the problem, Cogito. It's beancounters (HMOs) and not doctors who are making medical decisions. Government shouldn't be involved, neither should insurance agencies run medical. Too many times, things suddenly "aren't covered" after you've paid beaucoup premiums. Old fashioned fee for service.
But I have to agree with your thoughts on an Urgent Care Facility, or even have more clinics staffed with nurses who can keep the patients stable until a doctor is available. These could handle the overflow of less serious cases and reduce the crowding in ERs. "
Cogito wrote on Sep 14, 2008 12:54 AM: