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Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 30th 2023 at 11:03:59 AM

Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#274626: Mar 18th 2019 at 9:12:29 AM

Also, either King didn't notice or didn't care that Iowa is on the blue side of that Civil War picture.

Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#274627: Mar 18th 2019 at 9:27:17 AM

I tend to agree with Doctor Emanuel that Sanders' plan to essentially nationalize the private health insurance industry and leave them offering only supplementary coverage is politically daunting. The "Medicare for America" or "Medicare Advantage" (universal medicare part C) plans definitely seem more practical to me, and as an added benefit they don't insulate the state run health insurance system from private competition, which is generally beneficial for the consumer.

Including private competition in this context is not good for the consumer, quite the opposite. In America at-least 50% of the political spectrum is fanatically devoted to deregulation, if we allow private entities to exist within the healthcare system then they will inevitably try their hardest to claw back into a position of primacy.

No, healthcare is one of those things that are just too crucial to permit the profit motive to touch. I'd vastly prefer the potential inefficiency of a state program to the racketeering intrinsic to private competition. The costs of the latter far outweigh the costs of the former.

Edited by Fourthspartan56 on Mar 18th 2019 at 9:32:04 AM

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
GoldenKaos Captain of the Dead City from Cirith Ungol Since: Mar, 2014 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
Captain of the Dead City
#274628: Mar 18th 2019 at 9:30:44 AM

Plus, Medicare and Medicaid are currently far more cost-effective than any private alternative. In fact, the US is incredibly cost-inefficient when compared to other countries on health care. Other countries with single-payer or nationalised healthcare.

This competition drives down prices argument simply does not apply to all sectors.

"...in the end the Shadow was only a small and passing thing: there was light and high beauty for ever beyond its reach."
Swanpride Since: Jun, 2013
#274629: Mar 18th 2019 at 9:40:20 AM

[up] Whut? The US is infamously the most EXPENSIVE place for health care. And that by a LONG shot.

sgamer82 Since: Jan, 2001
#274630: Mar 18th 2019 at 9:41:47 AM

I think that's the point being made re: privatization

Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#274631: Mar 18th 2019 at 9:42:38 AM

Whut? The US is infamously the most EXPENSIVE place for health care. And that by a LONG shot.

I'm pretty sure you misread their post, they said the US was cost inefficient.

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
danime91 Since: Jan, 2012 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
#274632: Mar 18th 2019 at 9:51:17 AM

Trump is actually a socialist.

Now before you spit out your drinks and prepare angry rebuttals, I'm pretty sure this article is at least partly satire, and the author should have used "communist" rather than "socialist". Basically, pointing out how Trump demanding GM to reopen the factory they shuttered is blatantly against free market ideals, and is more akin to Stalinist/Maoist state control of industry.

It's just funny, sad, and infuriating how Trump can just trample all over conservative ideals and the right just lap it up, like mindless drones.

Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#274634: Mar 18th 2019 at 9:55:48 AM

I am sure that Trump has a devoted and true belief in the Free Market...in that he should be Free of any consequences the Market may bring.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
M84 Oh, bother. from Our little blue planet Since: Jun, 2010 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
Oh, bother.
#274635: Mar 18th 2019 at 9:56:11 AM

[up][up]I already lost respect for her when she peddled that "DNC rigged primaries" bullshit before walking it back (I lost respect for Warren when she jumped on that bandwagon too).

This move has simply further vindicated my contempt.

Edited by M84 on Mar 19th 2019 at 12:56:22 AM

Disgusted, but not surprised
golgothasArisen Since: Jan, 2015
#274636: Mar 18th 2019 at 11:34:45 AM
Thumped: Wow. That was rude. Too many of this kind of thump will bring a suspension. Please keep it civil.
"If you spend all your heart / On something that has died / You are not alive and that can't be a life"
BearyScary Since: Sep, 2010 Relationship Status: You spin me right round, baby
#274637: Mar 18th 2019 at 11:42:49 AM

I feel bad that SNL basically apologized to him

Do not obey in advance.
Robrecht Your friendly neighbourhood Regent from The Netherlands Since: Jan, 2001 Relationship Status: They can't hide forever. We've got satellites.
Your friendly neighbourhood Regent
#274638: Mar 18th 2019 at 11:44:28 AM

who unfortunately only lost one eye,

I am not comfortable with this part. I really don't like suggestions of disability as karmic punishment.

Angry gets shit done.
Rationalinsanity from Halifax, Canada Since: Aug, 2010 Relationship Status: It's complicated
#274639: Mar 18th 2019 at 11:55:31 AM

Same here. We can and should attack these shits without going after their disabilities. Their views, actions and statements are enough.

Politics is the skilled use of blunt objects.
SteamKnight Since: Jun, 2018
#274640: Mar 18th 2019 at 12:13:36 PM

Steve King haven't learn anything at all, huh? And the Republican party keep giving me a new reason to laugh whenever someone claim that they aren't racist or at least not that racist.

I'm not as witty as I think I am. It's a scientifically-proven fact.
BlueNinja0 The Mod with the Migraine from Taking a left at Albuquerque Since: Dec, 2010 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
The Mod with the Migraine
#274641: Mar 18th 2019 at 12:40:59 PM

I was watching an Extra Sci-Fi video, and one of their videos about Dune goes into problems with leadership. Sharing it because I felt it has some real parallels to the Democratic primaries, and specifically some of the candidates who've thrown their names in the ring. To quote the part I found most important:

[Leto Atreides]'s a decent person, sure - trying to do good. But he uses everything he can to distract you from asking the question, "Is he actually leading well?"

...

He serves as our warning against good people leading us because of who they are rather than what they are doing. Even the most well-intentioned make mistakes and make compromises they don't desire in order to survive in the world of politics. If we let their personality and a few flashy performances distract us from holding them accountable for the decisions they make and what, at the end of the day, they actually do, we all suffer - as those who followed the Atreides found out.

That’s the epitome of privilege right there, not considering armed nazis a threat to your life. - Silasw
Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#274642: Mar 18th 2019 at 12:55:08 PM

Absolutely, we shouldn't be conned into supporting a vapid candidate who offers nothing concrete (*cough* Beto *cough) and we shouldn't vote for a candidate who offers cancerous rot disguised as beneficial policies (*cough* Bloomberg *cough*). Still, I feel confident that overall the roster has much better then worse.

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
speedyboris Since: Feb, 2010
#274643: Mar 18th 2019 at 1:02:42 PM

Steve King haven't learn anything at all, huh?
He has no reason to learn anything. He didn't truly face any consequences last time, and Trump is setting the tone for our political discourse- that is, "Say and do horrible things, then double down 'cuz real leaders don't apologize!"

Come on, people of Iowa, don't dig your heels in and re-elect this guy yet again. You CAN do better.

Edited by speedyboris on Mar 18th 2019 at 3:07:10 AM

ironballs16 Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Owner of a lonely heart
#274644: Mar 18th 2019 at 1:39:30 PM

[up]

Just to point out, King is a Congressman, not Senator, which means it's only one particular (and likely gerrymandered to Hell and back) District that keeps putting him into office.

"Why would I inflict myself on somebody else?"
Ultimatum Disasturbator from the Amiga Forest (Old as dirt) Relationship Status: Who needs love when you have waffles?
Disasturbator
#274645: Mar 18th 2019 at 1:52:50 PM

confession,I thought congressman and senator were the same thing

have a listen and have a link to my discord server
SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#274646: Mar 18th 2019 at 1:55:20 PM

King did get kicked off the committees he was on, which is pretty much the strongest sanction he can face short of expulsion. He'll also face a primary challenger ... although the challenge in question is more motivated by his perceived inefficiency (not being on any committee is really bad for a lawmaker) than for ethics reasons.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#274647: Mar 18th 2019 at 1:55:28 PM

confession,I thought congressman and senator were the same thing

I feel you, we call the entire institution Congress but only the Representatives in the House are congressmen/women? It's completely illogical!

King did get kicked off the committees he was on, which is pretty much the strongest sanction he can face short of expulsion. He'll also face a primary challenger ... although the challenge in question is more motivated by his perceived inefficiency (not being on any committee is really bad for a lawmaker) than for ethics reasons.

Agreed, it's not quite accurate to say that he hasn't faced any consequences.

Edited by Fourthspartan56 on Mar 18th 2019 at 1:56:09 AM

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
NativeJovian Jupiterian Local from Orlando, FL Since: Mar, 2014 Relationship Status: Maxing my social links
Jupiterian Local
#274648: Mar 18th 2019 at 2:19:39 PM

"Congressman" can refer to a member of the House or the Senate. A Senator is in the Senate, and a Representative is in the House, but "representative" is ambiguous so they're often just called a "member of the House". If the term "Congressman" is used without qualification, they're probably in the House, as there are more people in the House to begin with and "Senator" is already a neat, unambiguous term for "member of the Senate" that will probably be used instead.

Really from Jupiter, but not an alien.
HailMuffins Since: May, 2016 Relationship Status: Shipping fictional characters
#274649: Mar 18th 2019 at 2:23:55 PM

[up]Seems...unnecessarily complicated.

Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#274650: Mar 18th 2019 at 3:13:41 PM

[up][up]Huh, TIL.

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang

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