COLLECTIVE MADNESS


“Soft despotism is a term coined by Alexis de Tocqueville describing the state into which a country overrun by "a network of small complicated rules" might degrade. Soft despotism is different from despotism (also called 'hard despotism') in the sense that it is not obvious to the people."

Saturday, January 23, 2010

Yo fool, git yo pants off the ground








118 comments:

  1. excellent...

    now let's talk about "negro dialect" & Eubonics bullshit

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dr. Suess wrote a book in Ebonics but it was never widely published: Horton Feels a Ho

    She say, "Horton, you so fat, you step on a scale, it read 'one at a time, please.'"

    ReplyDelete
  3. You would think these boys have been informed of the jailhouse significance of wearing your pants like that.

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  4. It says, "Hey big guy, look at me, I'm your girl!"

    ReplyDelete
  5. TSA will soon require all travelers to wear our clothes like that, to make sure we don't have a bomb in our shorts.

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  6. We missed the "regular Friday night EB Banking Update."

    Banks shut in Fla., Mo., NM, Ore., Wash.


    Jan 22, 10:19 PM (ET)

    By MARCY GORDON


    WASHINGTON (AP) - Regulators shut down banks Friday in Florida, Missouri, New Mexico, Oregon and Washington, bringing to nine the number of bank failures so far in 2010, following 140 closures last year in the toughest economic environment since the Great Depression.

    The Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. took over the five banks: Charter Bank, based in Santa Fe, N.M., with $1.2 billion in assets and $851.5 million in deposits; Miami-based Premier American Bank, with $350.9 million in assets and $326.3 million in deposits; Bank of Leeton in Leeton, Mo., with $20.1 million in assets and $20.4 million in deposits; Columbia River Bank, based in The Dalles, Ore., with $1.1 billion in assets and $1 billion in deposits; and Seattle-based Evergreen Bank, with $488.5 million in assets and $439.4 million in deposits.

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  7. Science has yet to answer how they keep their pants from falling down around their ankles.

    ReplyDelete
  8. What Is posted on a previous thread:


    More from our current administration

    The U.S. will appeal a court decision dismissing manslaughter charges against five Blackwater Worldwide security contractors involved in a deadly 2007 Baghdad shooting, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said Saturday.

    Biden’s announcement after a meeting with Iraqi President Jalal Talabani shows just how diplomatically sensitive the incident remains nearly three years later.

    Blackwater security contractors were guarding U.S. diplomats when the guards opened fire in a crowded Baghdad intersection. Seventeen people were killed, including women and children, in a shooting that inflamed anti-American sentiment in Iraqi.

    Biden expressed his “personal regret” for the shooting and said the Obama administration was disappointed by the dismissal. “A dismissal is not an acquittal,” he said.

    The U.S. rebuffed Iraqi demands that the U.S. contractors face trial in Iraqi courts. After a lengthy investigation, U.S. prosecutors charged five of the contractors with manslaughter and took a guilty plea from a sixth.

    But the case fell apart in December after a judge found that the Justice Department mishandled evidence and violated the guards’ constitutional rights. Prosecutors now face difficult odds getting an appeals court to reinstate the case.

    Sat Jan 23, 03:25:00 PM EST




    A few years ago someone noted, "If the Administration doesn't have your back, no one does."

    To have your own VP openly gunning for what is essentially the destruction of your life, is pretty fucking awful.

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  9. Steve Benen takes note of the NYT today:


    "It remains an open question how much new legislation will pass Congress, but the coming months will help frame the campaigns. While some form of financial regulation and job creation measures may pass, Obama aides said, the larger initiatives like health care, a cap on carbon emissions and an immigration overhaul may have to wait, even though the White House denies trimming its ambitions. [...]

    "The administration is still exploring options with Congressional leaders to salvage a wide-reaching health care bill, but one adviser who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss internal strategy said, "I think they're coming to the realization that we may be in a pause mode."




    There you have it.

    SOTU'll be interesting, to say the least.

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  10. Excuse me. Am I the only one avoiding watching The Hurt Locker or being exposed to a game of Halo proceeding into its third hour?

    I am currently hostage to a houseful of males.






    Mindless goodness:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PuPWNUg6my0&feature=PlayList&p=8E2CB668501AD299&index=35

    Good in the underway phase of almost any road trip. Unless your significant other is rudely monopolizing the music selection, in which case you tell him that if he insists on listening to Boston or Steve Miller, you're taking the train.

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  11. Homeless veteran who saved 5 in fire laid to rest



    Mr. Clinton must be sharing some of those "funny" cigars with Mr. Obaman for Mr. Obama to believe that a Federal Appeals Court is going to reinstate the case against the five Blackwater contract employees. Ain't gonna happen.

    Hey, I thought the whole point of bringing Biden aboard was to introduce the voice of maturity to an inexperienced administration.

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  12. I knew eventually I would being seeing this video pop everywhere but never in my wildest dreams would it have been here.

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  13. Trish, it has nothing to do with science. It's the fact they keep their hands between their legs all the time that keeps the pants from falling down completely.

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  14. Thank you, Melody. Mystery solved.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Guess the idiot:

    After the Massachusetts Massacre

    It was not a referendum on Barack Obama, who in every poll remains one of the most popular politicians in America.
    It was not a rejection of universal health care, which Massachusetts mandated (with Scott Brown’s State Senate vote) in 2006.
    It was not a harbinger of a resurgent G.O.P., whose numbers remain in the toilet.
    Brown had the good sense not to identify himself as a Republican in either his campaign advertising or his victory speech.

    (Brown ran, first and foremost, as the 41st vote against healthcare!)

    ReplyDelete
  16. Mort Zuckerman observed that in contrast even to Clinton, Obama has put politics at the center of his activities. Policy and governance are an afterthought.
    Zuckerman, who voted for Obama, wrote:

    "One business leader said to me, “In the Clinton administration, the policy people were at the center, and the political people were on the sideline. In the Obama administration, the political people are at the center, and the policy people are on the sidelines.” …

    There’s the saying, “It’s the economy, stupid.” He didn’t get it. He was determined somehow or other to adopt a whole new agenda. He didn’t address the main issue.

    This health-care plan is going to be a fiscal disaster for the country. Most of the country wanted to deal with costs, not expansion of coverage. This is going to raise costs dramatically. …In the campaign, he said he would change politics as usual. He did change them. It’s now worse than it was. I’ve now seen the kind of buying off of politicians that I’ve never seen before. It’s politically corrupt and it’s starting at the top. It’s revolting.

    Five states got deals on health care—one of them was Harry Reid’s. It is disgusting, just disgusting. I’ve never seen anything like it. The unions just got them to drop the tax on Cadillac plans in the health-care bill. It was pure union politics. They just went along with it. It’s a bizarre form of political corruption. It’s bribery. I suppose they could say, that’s the system. He was supposed to change it or try to change it. …Focus on cost-containment first. But he’s trying to boil the ocean, trying to do too much. This is not leadership
    ."

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  17. In the campaign, he said he would change politics as usual.
    He did change them.
    It’s now worse than it was.
    "

    ReplyDelete
  18. Cello Playing Terrorist:

    Student: ‘Beating So Bad Thought I Was Going To Die’

    "Reportedly the officers identified themselves as police.
    According to officials, the officers have been moved from plain clothes detail to uniformed duty."


    I'd move the officers from plain clothes detail directly to Jail.
    Trade 'em for the Blackwater Boys!

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  19. Actually, Doug, there is no talk, whatsoever, in Ma about voting out their Universal Health Care. Some people bitch about it (like they bitch about taxes, the weather, and the price of baked beans,) but there is no talk of "rolling it back.)

    Their Main Objection was "Paying for their Own Healthcare," and then having to Pay for "ours." I really don't blame them.

    Anyway, you won. The anti-healthcare forces have prevailed. I don't think it's a good thing, but it really wasn't a very good bill, and the timing was awful; so, better luck to us in fifteen, or twenty years.

    And, good luck to a couple of million of us that are truly sick, and aren't going to get the care they need. At least, Doug, and Rufus are going to have a few more dollars in the bank.

    whoopee

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  20. BTW, you're going to be appalled at how liberal Scott Brown really is.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Impressive Helicopter Rescue of Dog in flood.

    (notice dog is dog-paddling the whole time he is spinning beneath the chopper!)

    ReplyDelete
  22. "Anyway, you won.
    The anti-healthcare forces have prevailed.
    "
    ---
    Translation:
    60 Percent of the Electorate apparently may have successfully rejected Socialized Medicine.

    ReplyDelete
  23. How you can fool yourself into believing a centralized, socialized healthcare system for a country of 300 million could be an improvement, is beyond me.

    All the people that would die and live shorter lives are just as important as the sob stories you use to justify your argument, but somehow they are never mentioned, just the sob stories.

    Then you pile on with the guilt trip about us greedy folks saving a few bucks, as though that is our first concern.

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  24. No way in Hell is Scott Brown as liberal as Ted or Cloakley.
    Ya take what you can get.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Sobering news from The Telegraph on Bin Laden and a heightened security alert on the airlines.

    This all resulting from the Christmas underwear bomber, the islolated incident.

    ReplyDelete
  26. No, 60% said it was fine for Their State, but they don't want to pay higher taxes for your state to have it.

    ReplyDelete
  27. 91. cfbleachers:

    Jake Tapper notes many of these new operatives were part of the team which successfully guided his 2008 campaign to victory. “In addition to the return of top aides such as Plouffe, other mid-level operatives from the 2008 Obama campaign who helped bring candidate Obama victories in Iowa and in Feb. 5 ‘Super Tuesday’ primary states, will be enlisted to work on campaigns to keep expected Democratic losses to a minimum, aides said.” These are guys Obama will be relying on to bring back the magic.

    So, essentially the call went out ….”Plouffe, the magic’s draggin’!”

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  28. "This all resulting from the Christmas underwear bomber, the islolated incident."
    ---
    It IS an isolated incident, Intel-Wise, Deuce!

    It became such the moment he was Mirandized, less than 2 hours after capture.

    Word is, that directive came directly fromd Holder.

    Traitorous Bastard.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Pretend all you want that Romneycare is popular, Rufus.

    In the real World, it's not!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Naw, it's not all about the bucks, Doug. It's about . . . . . . . . sumthin else.

    ReplyDelete
  31. ...and you've yet to explain how the biggest organization in the World, dealing with the most complex issues, is gonna work better than the USPS or AMTRACK.

    ReplyDelete
  32. Fuck you moron.
    Stuff your guilt trip up your bright red asshole!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Rufus cares for the sick and the poor.
    Doug is a greedy bastard.

    Rufus solidifies his Socialist Bona Fides.

    ReplyDelete
  34. No record of folks dying in Ma because of Romneycare, Doug. Lots of cases of folks dying in Ms, and Tn from lack of Romneycare.

    Rasmussen polled it. Virtually, no one actually wanted to "roll back" hc reform in Ma.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Show us the evidence that Romneycare is popular.

    (when you can't, you'll explain how and why Mass. Voters are wrong)

    The broken record gets old.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Rassmussen predicted a Cloakley win when all the other polls predicted Brown.

    I e-mailed him the day before and said it was foolish to rely on his week-old poll.

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  37. Like I said, Rasmussen polled it.

    Also, no one has bothered to put forward a bill in Ma to reverse it.

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  38. And people DO die in Britain from Socialized medicine.
    Lie about it not being true if you must.

    ...and Britain is one fifth the size of the USA.

    ReplyDelete
  39. No one but you says anyone tried to roll it back.
    I said it is unpopular.
    It is.

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  40. ...and you haven't responded to half of my points, so I will move on.

    ReplyDelete
  41. Of course, all those liberal policies are sure to bankrupt a state, right?

    Oh, wait. Ma has about the 3rd highest GDP/Capita in the U.S.?

    Tied with that other bastion of Conservatism, New Jersey?

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  42. I wonder how that good ol' conservative state of Ms is doing?

    Dead Last?!?

    Alabama? Georgia? Arkansas? Shit.

    ReplyDelete
  43. Whatever Doug. Chill. You won.

    It's all good.

    ReplyDelete
  44. BTW, Romneycare is a "free market" solution. England is a pure "Socialist" system. There IS a difference, you know.

    ReplyDelete
  45. CA is Bankrupt, thanks to liberal monopoly.

    A little bit larger example than Mass.
    New Jersey, not doing well budget wise either, nor New York.

    ...and Mass has a conservative streak that's been missing in California for 20 years.

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  46. Rasmussen found that about 1/3 didn't like Romneycare, 1/3 liked it, and 1/3 was, more or less, ambibalent about it.

    However, of the 1/3 that didn't like it, only a few actually wanted to do away with it. Most just wanted certain things to be done to fix it.

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  47. Your "logic" is flawed to a bizarre degree.

    ...all in the name of trashing conservatism.

    For Shame!

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  48. You know, I've been hearing these stories of a "bankrupt" Ca my entire sentient life. Same with N. Jersey, and New York.

    Guess what, their citizens are still among the wealthiest, best maintained, and best educated of all the states.

    Meanwhile, the citizens of those "bastions of conservatism" in the South are still the poorest, raggediest, sickest, least educated of all the Country's citizens.

    Funny how it's worked out that way, huh?

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  49. Brown ran, first and foremost, as the 41st vote against healthcare.

    ...but I repeat myself.

    And you want it both ways:
    Arguing for a national system, while citing one from a SMALL state.
    ...and even that already has major problems, not overwhelming popularity.

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  50. Doug, "Conservatives" are fools. So are "Liberals."

    Anytime they can describe you by putting an "ism" after your name you've got troubles.

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  51. You're the one bringing down the educational level in the South, Rufus!

    California Schools now rank near the bottom.
    Were number one when I went there.
    Quite a fall.
    Employers are leaving in droves.
    IT'S BANKRUPT!

    ReplyDelete
  52. YOU brought up Romneycare.

    ReplyDelete
  53. "You know, I've been hearing these stories of a "bankrupt" Ca my entire sentient life. Same with N. Jersey, and New York."

    You always pull that out of your ass to "prove your point."

    Evidence to the contrary, be damned!

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  54. I brought up Scott Brown being against Socialized Healthcare.

    ReplyDelete
  55. California has one of the highest percentiles of "College Graduates" in the World, Doug.

    California's tax revenues are down, and they have a "Balanced Budget" Law. They go through this every recession. Been doing it since I read my first newspaper.

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  56. Turns out Rufus mentioned Romneycare before I did.

    Wrong again, but what's new?

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  57. Everythings Rosey in California!
    La la la la la!
    I can't hear you!

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  58. But he's Not against Romneycare. He Voted For it. To hear him tell it, "Helped design it."

    He's just against taxing his citizens for Romneycare, and then taxing them again for Romneycare for My State, and Yours.

    Again, it's logical, and I don't blame him.

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  59. Wrong, again, Pineapplehead, you wrote:

    Pretend all you want that Romneycare is popular, Rufus.

    In the real World, it's not!


    Sun Jan 24, 06:56:00 AM EST

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  60. ...and Socialism is Superior to Federalism.
    Except in Real Life.

    ReplyDelete
  61. Of course, the subject got started when you wrote:

    (Brown ran, first and foremost, as the 41st vote against healthcare!)

    Sun Jan 24, 05:52:00 AM EST

    ReplyDelete
  62. Moron!

    rufus said...
    Actually, Doug, there is no talk, whatsoever, in Ma about voting out their Universal Health Care. Some people bitch about it (like they bitch about taxes, the weather, and the price of baked beans,) but there is no talk of "rolling it back.)

    Their Main Objection was "Paying for their Own Healthcare," and then having to Pay for "ours." I really don't blame them.

    Anyway, you won. The anti-healthcare forces have prevailed. I don't think it's a good thing, but it really wasn't a very good bill, and the timing was awful; so, better luck to us in fifteen, or twenty years.

    And, good luck to a couple of million of us that are truly sick, and aren't going to get the care they need. At least, Doug, and Rufus are going to have a few more dollars in the bank.

    whoopee

    Sun Jan 24, 06:15:00 AM EST

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  63. Sun Jan 24, 06:15:00 AM EST

    ...but I repeat myself, again.
    It's Fun!

    ReplyDelete
  64. "The Subject"
    Was nationalized healthcare, NOT Romneycare, no matter what you and Frank Rich say to the contrary.

    ReplyDelete
  65. All successful cultures have had an element of socialism, Doug.

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  66. The thing is, to balance the socialism with local or State, not Federal, control.

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  67. As I said:

    Of course, the subject got started when you wrote:

    (Brown ran, first and foremost, as the 41st vote against healthcare!)


    Sun Jan 24, 05:52:00 AM EST

    ReplyDelete
  68. Scott Brown retools campaign, runs against Romneycare, and is soundly defeated.

    Mass. voters ask:

    Is this guy delusional?
    Doesn't he know he's running for US Senate?

    Scott replies:

    "No, I just hired a new manager, name's Rufus"

    ReplyDelete
  69. Rufie, that post refers to the real World election not your fantasy World one.

    ...and grownups know Federal Programs never die, they just grow, so shove your "balance" where it belongs.

    ReplyDelete
  70. Well, it's hard to make an argument against your point, Rat.

    The people of Mass certainly agree. At least, in this instance. They were smart enough to insure Their citizens. They don't feel that they're responsible for the citizens of Ms.

    ReplyDelete
  71. This "Element" of Socialism would give the Feds Unprecedented and unrivaled control over major aspects of everyone's life.

    In the Real World.

    ReplyDelete
  72. Hawaii has the best healthcare for the least cost, but we should look to Mass. which has some of the highest costs.

    ReplyDelete
  73. So, I kindly point out that you were the one that brought up "healthcare," and were the first to use the term "Romneycare," and in thanks you tell me to

    "Shove it!"

    Ahh, my little pineapplieheader, in fine for today.

    ReplyDelete
  74. ...'cause throwing good money after bad shows you have real compasion for "the people."

    ReplyDelete
  75. Hawaii has fine healthcare, if you can get it. You have a lot of people out there that can't "get it." There lieth the el problemo.

    ReplyDelete
  76. Hey, Fucktard:
    Mass Healthcare IS ROMNEYCARE,
    and you brot it up FIRST!

    National healthcare is NOT Romneycare, except in Rufie's World.

    ReplyDelete
  77. 98% of the people of Mass have healthcare, Doug-O.

    Are you saying they are throwing "Good Money" after "Bad" People?

    ReplyDelete
  78. You got me:
    Folks are dyin in the streets of PairOdice as we write.

    ReplyDelete
  79. The Federals have had responsibility and authority, for immigration, forever.

    They have done a terrible job of it.

    The Federals have had responsibility and authority for our armed forces, since the founding.
    For the past 60 years they have been unable to defeat the enemy, whomever that enemy happened to be. They have won many battles, but lost every war.

    Why would anyone want to expand the Federal mandate?

    Based upon what past success?

    ReplyDelete
  80. ...and it's bound to get better over time in Mass. Rufus, cause we all know that removing choice and market forces improves everything.

    Comrade Rufus says it is so.

    ReplyDelete
  81. The success of Amtrack and the USPS, 'Rat!

    ReplyDelete
  82. In your original 05:52 Post you wrote:

    It was not a rejection of universal health care, which Massachusetts mandated (with Scott Brown’s State Senate vote) in 2006.

    Don't you ever get tired of losing?

    ReplyDelete
  83. 24 year olds should have the choice to buy Major Medical Insurance, NOT pay for eldercare for everyone.

    ReplyDelete
  84. Sorry, Rufie:
    I already said you and Frank Rich saw it that way.
    NOT ME!
    {I am not Frank Rich, FYI}

    ReplyDelete
  85. Now, YOU are hyperbolating a little bit, Rat. I'd say we won the Gulf Wars. The Politicians might have screwed up the "peace," but we won the wars.

    Personally, I think Soc Sec, Medicare, VA Care, The Clean Air, and Water Acts, Pure Food Acts, Interstate Highway System, Civil Rights Act, Americans with Disabilities Act, to name a few are good things. Your mileage may differ.

    ReplyDelete
  86. 24 year olds are paying for "eldercare," now. Do you not think they should pay soc sec, and medicare premiums?

    ReplyDelete
  87. Bill Kristol made the important point that Brown ran an upbeat, optimistic campaign, not an angry resentful one.

    Hope the Pubs learn a lesson there, but old dogs…

    ReplyDelete
  88. What happens when that 24 year old gets sick, or has a wreck? Should we let'em die? Should we pay for the ER visit? Should we pay whatever is necessary to save their life? If so, shouldn't we require that they carry a policy?

    ReplyDelete
  89. No, I don't.
    Medicare and Medicaid are the major factors driving up healthcare costs.

    Docs and Hospitals lose money on them now.
    Costs are shifted from the Fed to the States.

    Everybody else pays the price.
    ...and Medicare's financials don't work in the future, but you write that off as a simple accounting misunderstanding.

    ReplyDelete
  90. Sun Jan 24, 08:17:00 AM EST

    That's why I said they should be able to buy Major Medical Insurance, Rufie.

    ReplyDelete
  91. Every middle-aged woman that saw him got a little moist between the legs. The men saw a white guy that drove a pick-up, and married a model.

    He said the right things, and his opponent was a certified loon. An unlikeable one, at that.

    Betcha he helps McNutso in his quest to legitimize illegal aliens.

    ReplyDelete
  92. NOT be forced into
    "Free Healthcare for all."

    ReplyDelete
  93. Yep, those Mass voters were morons again.
    Toldya it would come down to that in the end for Comrade Rufie.

    ReplyDelete
  94. Scott ran on not giving free healthcare to illegals, fwiw.

    ReplyDelete
  95. Well, they're not going to "right now." I was in the bizness, remember. I talked to a zillion of them. If you don't mak'em (which is what a large group policy does) they ain't buyin.

    They "Think" they will be taken care of if they "get sick." How wrong they are. That's why we call'em "Kids."

    ReplyDelete
  96. You've yet to address the success of Fed Programs, Ruf.
    Both 'Rat and I made polite requests for same.

    ReplyDelete
  97. I didn't say that. They made, I think, the logical choice for Mass. He's a Liberal guy, but not mind-numbingly liberal.

    He, actually, thinks quite a bit like me (except I'm all for hammering the banks - real good, and hard.)

    ReplyDelete
  98. re 24 year olds:

    If you want make the choice of Major Medical an option in a required insurance regime, NOT mandatory "free healthcare."

    ReplyDelete
  99. Yeah hammer the banks for being FORCED to give loans to people who could not pay them off, while giving unlimited dough to fannie and freddie, major players in the meltdown and rife with corruption.

    ...but they are Federal Institutions, so we should expect
    Comrades Rufus and Obama to be all for that.

    ReplyDelete
  100. I just did address the "success" of Fed programs. Those I listed I think have been successful.

    I think SS is a good thing. You don't. That's just "opinion." On both sides. I think Medicare is a Good Thing. You don't. My opinion/your opinion. Difference, thereof.

    ReplyDelete
  101. He did, doug, saying that was the Brown position. Mass has its' Plan, and I'd bet, it is a net negative position, with regards payments of its' residents to the Federals and monies returned. Most of the Blue, unionized, more socialist States are.

    They'd rather us, in AZ and ID, pay our own way, rather than further subsidize our sun tanned asses.

    That was the rufus position, as seen from here.

    ReplyDelete
  102. I would probably prosecute some people, Especially some people from "Fannie, and Freddy."

    The banks were required to make Some sub-prime loans. They weren't required to Completely, Fucking Crazy.

    They ended up just "Gambling Like Hell." With our money. That's just all you car really say about that.

    AND, Most Importantly, You CANNOT have Banks that are "TOO BIG TO FAIL." (or, too well-connected to fail.) You just Can't. They will Murder You in the end.

    ReplyDelete
  103. "I think SS is a good thing. You don't. That's just "opinion." On both sides. I think Medicare is a Good Thing. You don't. My opinion/your opinion. Difference, thereof"
    ---
    In my case backed up by facts:
    Fewer and fewer wage earners per beneficiaries of SS.

    Medicare does not pay enough on legitimate care to support docs and hospitals, DOES pay for all kinds of "care" that people would never choose to spend their own money on, AND the numbers get worse the further they go into the future.

    The solution?
    Double down on the problem!

    ReplyDelete
  104. I watched several Scott Brown interviews. He was very clear. He believes everyone has a "Right" to Healthcare.

    He has, on several occasions, made reference to a "basic policy."

    He'll be the 60th vote on the right bill. It will, somehow, have to exempt states that already have universal coverage (re: Massachusetts) from paying for other states (a deal kind of like the Cornhusker Kickback that he ran against.)

    ReplyDelete
  105. Doug, what do you do about old people with no children/poor children that can't afford, after working their entire life, to take care of themselves?

    Let'em die?

    ReplyDelete
  106. I'm going back to bed. Let me know what you decide.

    ReplyDelete
  107. "You know, I've been hearing these stories of a "bankrupt" Ca my entire sentient life."

    That was like a four year period from around 1978 to '82 wasn't it Ruf?


    .

    ReplyDelete
  108. There was a ban on imports of Cheap Russian Vodka from '78 to '82, Quirk.
    Just Sayin.

    ReplyDelete
  109. Phase out Medicare Rufus.
    Phase in Tort Reform and Cross State Insurance plans.
    Replace Mandatory Medicare with requirement to have insurance of an individual's choice.

    ReplyDelete
  110. ...as if that'll ever happen.
    When Pigs Fly,
    and the SS Ponzi Scheme becomes solvent.

    ReplyDelete
  111. My best friend's blue caller dad gave SS that label in the 50's.
    Made sense then,
    truer than ever today.

    ReplyDelete
  112. Comment by CJ Johnson
    ---
    In the tiny town of Tehachapi CA over 50% of the pending sales in our MLS are HUD properties that FHA loaned money on and went to foreclosure which are now being sold to investors and first time buyers for 60% less than in 2005 & 2006.

    I am all for raising the bar and requiring all buyers to have a stake in the home they buy so it would not be so easy to walk away.

    Well now here comes our Mr Govenator with one of the most irresponsible hairbrain scams ever in a State that has no money…Let’s give them $10,000 to buy a house along with the $8,000 the Fed us offering up. Do the math on that one and we will once again have loans with buyers with little to no stake in their loans. What will happen when the prices continue to decline when all the shadow inventory, ALT-A, and Pay Option ARMS come due in 2010 and 2011.
    You got it, they will buy and bail just like they are now.

    ReplyDelete
  113. Let's remember, Soc Sec has, over the seventy odd years of its existence, Taken In more than it's Paid Out. In fact, the rest of the Government owes Soc Sec about $5 Trillion, I believe.

    The Ponzi Scheme has been a Profitable Enterprise.

    ReplyDelete
  114. In fact, the Medicare Trust Fund still has money in it, right?

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  115. Doug, by the time many (most?) people retire they have a "health condition." As it stands, now, they Couldn't buy health insurance. You could require Companies to cover them, but, that's exactly where the Health Care Reform bill is.

    There's no "magic bullet" that no one's thought of, Doug. There's a hundred pennies in a dollar. And, Someone's gotta pay.

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  116. Yeah, Q. That was the biggest recession before this one. Kaliforniay was, indeedy, indeedy, going broke. And, I guess, technically it was, as it now is.

    One rumor is that if the recession goes on much longer Ca might drop out of the Medicaid Program. (The Feds cover the cost of "benefits," but the State has to pay the cost of "Administration. And, no, Medicaid is NOT mandatory.)

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