What can keep Americans safer is available healthcare and less military waste. Yes the military does a good job but spends far too much in unnecessary ways. Save an American from cancer, a more imminent threat, than from the hot air commies.
Spin as much as you like. I was talking discretionary, not mandatory spending. Many, if not most of the transfer payments you refer to are earned benefits like social security and Medicare (nearly 58%). If your going to sweat Social Security, there’s an easy fix for that (remove the income cap).
I live in Virginia. I have a good friend who started a business in the crappy economy left by the former administration. He works at least 60 hours per week, and has almost finished losing money. Last year, his business actually made less than $1000 in taxable income (he has financed his business start-up with bank loans and with a great deal of his savings). He would be included under Medicaid if Virginia would expand Medicaid as Obamacare directs. But the R’s in Virginia won’t expand Medicare, so he has chosen, again, to forego health insurance in order to keep costs down.
The state saves money. Until he needs medical help and shows up for “free” (thanks, Mitt) care at the e-room. Suddenly, the bill that goes to the taxpayers and to people who pay for insurance for his care goes sky-high. Is this penny-wise and pound-foolish?
The Democratic plan in VA answered the major Republican objection, which is that after a few years the feds will pay a MIMIMUM of 90% of the costs of the expansion; the Republicans don’t want to pay the remaining maximum of 10%. The Dem plan was to reduce payments to doctors (always an easy fix, if you’re not a doctor) to reduce the state’s obligation.
Still, as the R’s say, “it’s a non-starter”. The cartoon is more than accurate.
A healthy population is a productive population. It’s easy to discount this unless and until YOU actually become ill. And then you find out who truly cares about you and your worth to society.
Better the later than the former…. Look at Europe DrCanuck. They can’t even take care of minor problems in their own backyard militarily (Kosovo and Libya as two examples). They are also teetering on bankrupcy even after cutting their militaries to nothing and spending the money on welfare.Worse, they have a much higher unemployment and social trainwreck problem than the US does. What possible reason would we have to emulate that model? It failed miserably in Europe and will here too..It is said a sign of insanity is doing the same failed thing repeatedly and getting the same result. That is what Obama is doing right now.
Let’s see, last time I looked, the Repubs were in control of the House, so both parties should bear some responsibility, eh? But THIS toon is about Virginia. And again, no cons ervative commenter has answered my question: WHY does the party of “family values” hate families? i.e. anti-gay, anti-woman, anti-food stamp, anti-ss, anti-medicare, etc. Answer the D*** question!
“You libs keep yelling about defense spending, but it is probably about 1/3 that of “entitlement” spending.”Well, duh! One helps people, one kills people.Gross oversimplification? Of course. Entitlement spending is greater than defense spending, but only fools believe entitlements go to welfare deadbeats.Social Security & Medicare are the largest entitlement programs, with Medicaid falling a distant 3rd. Medicare is the biggest problem facing our long term fiscal picture. How do we manage the cost of health care for a growing number of retirees? Blind chopping isn’t the answer.
edward thomas Premium Member about 10 years ago
Why does the party of “family values” hate families?
Odon Premium Member about 10 years ago
They are now never ending election cycles not years and the Republicans have been cutting and/or denying benefits to those in need throughout.
Enoki about 10 years ago
The Democrats have to cut defense spending to pay for all their failed costly social welfare programs.
nordwonder about 10 years ago
Check YOUR numbers. Defense (military related) is 60% of discretionary spending.
Odon Premium Member about 10 years ago
What can keep Americans safer is available healthcare and less military waste. Yes the military does a good job but spends far too much in unnecessary ways. Save an American from cancer, a more imminent threat, than from the hot air commies.
nordwonder about 10 years ago
Spin as much as you like. I was talking discretionary, not mandatory spending. Many, if not most of the transfer payments you refer to are earned benefits like social security and Medicare (nearly 58%). If your going to sweat Social Security, there’s an easy fix for that (remove the income cap).
I Play One On TV about 10 years ago
I live in Virginia. I have a good friend who started a business in the crappy economy left by the former administration. He works at least 60 hours per week, and has almost finished losing money. Last year, his business actually made less than $1000 in taxable income (he has financed his business start-up with bank loans and with a great deal of his savings). He would be included under Medicaid if Virginia would expand Medicaid as Obamacare directs. But the R’s in Virginia won’t expand Medicare, so he has chosen, again, to forego health insurance in order to keep costs down.
The state saves money. Until he needs medical help and shows up for “free” (thanks, Mitt) care at the e-room. Suddenly, the bill that goes to the taxpayers and to people who pay for insurance for his care goes sky-high. Is this penny-wise and pound-foolish?
The Democratic plan in VA answered the major Republican objection, which is that after a few years the feds will pay a MIMIMUM of 90% of the costs of the expansion; the Republicans don’t want to pay the remaining maximum of 10%. The Dem plan was to reduce payments to doctors (always an easy fix, if you’re not a doctor) to reduce the state’s obligation.
Still, as the R’s say, “it’s a non-starter”. The cartoon is more than accurate.
A healthy population is a productive population. It’s easy to discount this unless and until YOU actually become ill. And then you find out who truly cares about you and your worth to society.
Enoki about 10 years ago
Better the later than the former…. Look at Europe DrCanuck. They can’t even take care of minor problems in their own backyard militarily (Kosovo and Libya as two examples). They are also teetering on bankrupcy even after cutting their militaries to nothing and spending the money on welfare.Worse, they have a much higher unemployment and social trainwreck problem than the US does. What possible reason would we have to emulate that model? It failed miserably in Europe and will here too..It is said a sign of insanity is doing the same failed thing repeatedly and getting the same result. That is what Obama is doing right now.
Odon Premium Member about 10 years ago
“Way to spin it into healthcare issue, odin.” Look again at the ’toon, you.
Odon Premium Member about 10 years ago
You want someone else to name the costly failed military adventures we’ve embarked on? Can you at least come up with a few?
danketaz Premium Member about 10 years ago
Gee, bet you can’t think of any rich reps.
Enoki about 10 years ago
How far is it from Italy to Libya? How far is it from Italy to Denmark?.Hint: One is closer than the other and it isn’t Denmark…
edward thomas Premium Member about 10 years ago
Let’s see, last time I looked, the Repubs were in control of the House, so both parties should bear some responsibility, eh? But THIS toon is about Virginia. And again, no cons ervative commenter has answered my question: WHY does the party of “family values” hate families? i.e. anti-gay, anti-woman, anti-food stamp, anti-ss, anti-medicare, etc. Answer the D*** question!
Uncle Joe Premium Member about 10 years ago
“You libs keep yelling about defense spending, but it is probably about 1/3 that of “entitlement” spending.”Well, duh! One helps people, one kills people.Gross oversimplification? Of course. Entitlement spending is greater than defense spending, but only fools believe entitlements go to welfare deadbeats.Social Security & Medicare are the largest entitlement programs, with Medicaid falling a distant 3rd. Medicare is the biggest problem facing our long term fiscal picture. How do we manage the cost of health care for a growing number of retirees? Blind chopping isn’t the answer.