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

Fighteer Lost in Space from The Time Vortex (Time Abyss) Relationship Status: TV Tropes ruined my love life
Lost in Space
#280501: May 13th 2019 at 12:20:14 PM

Sense, but you'd think the hospital would offer it as a courtesy instead of surcharging it.

"It's Occam's Shuriken! If the answer is elusive, never rule out ninjas!"
ironballs16 Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Owner of a lonely heart
#280502: May 13th 2019 at 1:00:48 PM

[up]

In fairness to the hospitals, there are two major factors when it comes to their routine overcharges.

1) They expect to be bargained down by the insurance companies, who pushed - years back - for steeper discounts because of how many patients they were referring to the hospitals and subsequently paying for, as well as wanting to demonstrate their value to the insured. Because of that, hospitals started raising the rates on everything so they had a better starting bargaining position - essentially a Lensman Arms Race, except with money. Thus, when someone without insurance gets the bill, they're left in a horrible spot.

2) Subsidizing the cost of other, seldom-used equipment. Because none of the specialized equipment is mass-produced (not exactly much demand for them), they cost an arm and a leg - and foisting that cost solely on the patients that use them isn't the best idea, in part because of the above, and in part because of the PR nightmare that lay in wait for doing so. So defraying the cost among all the other patients who use your service seems much more attractive by comparison.

Edited by ironballs16 on May 13th 2019 at 4:01:28 AM

"Why would I inflict myself on somebody else?"
CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#280503: May 13th 2019 at 2:24:03 PM

The insurance companies, amazingly, aren't the villains either because the pharmaseutical companies have been charging them ridiculous amounts of money because they know while the consumer won't pay them—the insurance companies can be forced to.

It's assholes all the way down.

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#280504: May 13th 2019 at 3:16:52 PM

Is there a precedent for presidents to award cabinet nominations to their former primary opponents?

Late to answer this, but Lincoln's Secretaries of State, Treasury, War, and his Attorney General were all his opponents in the primary. That was like, half the cabinet at the time.

Wyldchyld (Old as dirt)
#280505: May 13th 2019 at 3:44:41 PM

Now that’s some spin.

All joking aside, due to what the British empire was involved in at the time, it is actually partially true.

And I hold you British accountable for making tea with milk a thing.

I can't stand tea with milk.

You and me both.

Apparently, the largest ethnic group who signed the Declaration of Independence (16 out of 56) were those of Welsh descent. Which doesn't surprise me in the fucking slightest.

Cool. The Welsh created the US. Now that's spin. [lol]

If my post doesn't mention a giant flying sperm whale with oversized teeth and lionfish fins for flippers, it just isn't worth reading.
Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#280506: May 13th 2019 at 4:11:14 PM

Sincere question, why is the Welsh thing so funny?

Imca (Veteran)
#280507: May 13th 2019 at 4:27:21 PM

The welsh are widely regarded as the group in the UK that gets along least well with the rest of the UK.

PhysicalStamina i'm tired, my friend (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Coming soon to theaters
i'm tired, my friend
#280508: May 13th 2019 at 4:29:07 PM

This entire conversation just reminded me of this Greg Proops bit:

i'm tired, my friend
singularityshot Since: Dec, 2012
#280509: May 13th 2019 at 4:48:16 PM

RE: Trump and 4th of July. I believe he's already claimed some victory over reinstating 4th of July fireworks at Mt Rushmore so that should probably key everyone in on what to expect on that date.

RE: Welsh emigrants. The myth I've always had is that the reason there isn't a strong Welsh-American cultural identity (or any Welsh-X identity, Patagonia the only exception) is that Welsh people are very good at mixing in with the local population, so you never get that somewhat separate community that first generation immigrants build a culture around. Don't know how true it is but that's what I've always been told.

FluffyMcChicken My Hair Provides Affordable Healthcare from where the floating lights gleam Since: Jun, 2014 Relationship Status: In another castle
My Hair Provides Affordable Healthcare
#280510: May 13th 2019 at 5:26:48 PM

[up] Really doesn't help that Wales was the first neighboring kingdom to be subjugated and colonized by England during the reign of Edward I, who then failed to repeat his conquest of Wales in Scotland. That bought the Scots more than enough time to muster an effective resistance against the English over the next centuries.

tclittle Professional Forum Ninja from Somewhere Down in Texas Since: Apr, 2010
CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#280512: May 13th 2019 at 6:02:39 PM

Oh for fuck's sake.

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#280513: May 13th 2019 at 6:10:33 PM

Ah yes, the Supreme Court as an institution is totally worth saving. -_-

If Court Packing becomes politically viable then we should do it.

Edited by Fourthspartan56 on May 13th 2019 at 6:11:25 AM

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#280514: May 13th 2019 at 6:11:33 PM

It is.

It's arguably more important than the Presidency and Congress.

It's just we need to impose term limits and get rid of the cackling hyenas on it.

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#280515: May 13th 2019 at 6:15:31 PM

It's arguably more important than the Presidency and Congress.

In what world is this possibly true? Jackson wouldn't have been able to ignore its orders if this were true.

The Supreme Court matters but to Claim it's more important than the Presidency and Congress is ridiculous.

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#280516: May 13th 2019 at 6:28:20 PM

Jackson breaking the law is exactly a reason.

But on the day to day basis, the Court determines how laws are implemented and interpreted.

Edited by CharlesPhipps on May 13th 2019 at 6:29:05 AM

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
Eschaton Since: Jul, 2010
#280517: May 13th 2019 at 6:29:10 PM

Without dedicated reform, the Supreme Court will be a license for the right-wing to stomp on whoever they see fit and cripple the opposition. For the rest of our lives.

As much as I would like for a president to tell the Supreme Court to go fuck itself when it declares [insert left-wing cause here] unconstitutional, I don't think we live in a world where that president could get away with it.

Protagonist506 from Oregon Since: Dec, 2013 Relationship Status: Chocolate!
#280518: May 13th 2019 at 6:42:07 PM

You have to keep in mind that the situation with Jackson completely defying the Supreme Court is a case of Early-Installment Weirdness in real life. The exact amount of power the Supreme Court has wasn't set in stone back then. Currently, the Supreme Court is functionally the last word in the US government (short of a constitutional amendment).

Edited by Protagonist506 on May 13th 2019 at 6:42:35 AM

Leviticus 19:34
Parable Since: Aug, 2009
#280519: May 13th 2019 at 7:11:40 PM

In what world is this possibly true? Jackson wouldn't have been able to ignore its orders if this were true.

You have to keep in mind that the situation with Jackson completely defying the Supreme Court is a case of Early Installment Weirdness in real life.

I'm reminded of when President James Buchanan tried to strong arm a leading Democrat senator, Stephan Douglas to vote to approve of the (rigged) pro-slavery Constitution of Kansas over the objections of the state's population. He threatened political retaliation to ruin Douglas, warning him that since Andrew Jackson no Democrat had ever gone against their own administration and survived.

Douglas's response?

"Mr. President, Andrew Jackson is dead."

Edited by Parable on May 13th 2019 at 7:12:30 AM

CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#280520: May 13th 2019 at 7:22:56 PM

Before the Civil War, Kansas had people shooting each other over the issue of slavery.

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
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
#280522: May 13th 2019 at 8:00:12 PM

[up][up] *hums* And his soul is marching on.

Angry gets shit done.
CharlesPhipps Since: Jan, 2001
#280523: May 13th 2019 at 8:08:23 PM

Another reason why Barr should be in jail and why dithering about it is not helping anyone.

Author of The Rules of Supervillainy, Cthulhu Armageddon, and United States of Monsters.
NickTheSwing Since: Aug, 2009
#280524: May 13th 2019 at 10:43:45 PM

Has it not been mentioned before that an army of lunatics is planning on marching on the home of the Clintons?

AceofSpades Since: Apr, 2009 Relationship Status: Showing feelings of an almost human nature
#280525: May 13th 2019 at 10:57:34 PM

I don't believe I've heard anything about that, no. You should maybe link us some sources since you want to discuss it.


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