Mark Blyth, the economist who's making sense

[ttystikk]

why are you stuck on this particular hypothetical? why can't we address inflation, corruption or the over-reach of our government that has made your example so prevalent in our society? i think the only system that honors the individual is capitalism and that should be how society is governed and i would like to see laws and regulations changed (actually just wiped off the books) and the destruction of the FED so the above family in your example can continue to make good choices in their life for what is right for them without the government telling them what they need--the above family might not need full on insurance coverage if they're young. they might need catastrophic insurance coverage and are willing to pay for various doctor visits on their own but now you're insisting they need full coverage to cover every little sneeze they might get. why are you insisting that family who can obviously not afford to pay for insurance pay for it?

Because that family without insurance could get in a car accident and need lots of health care.

If everyone isn't enrolled, how do you spread out health care costs of those who do need it?

@Fogdog is making some very good points about the very unchristian political views held by religious conservatives. I see you fail to address them.

 

[Fogdog]

why is every comment you make trying to prove your point filled with insults regarding my personal status? is that the only way you can claim victory?

there are a lot of useful idiots on both sides of the spectrum...

Hey, you are the one who brought up your faith. I'm just pointing out that looking in the mirror and considering botox treatment is not the same as caring for the poor. I know you consider yourself poor but really, from what you've told us about yourself (why is it that right wingers are so full of themselves?) your husband takes care of you well enough for you to snivel online here about the failings of others.

Cafeteria Christians -- a drain on this society.

 

[undercovergrow]

that is what catastrophic insurance would cover @ttystikk

so the basic fact that the government is telling every individual to purchase a product is still wrong.

unchristian political views? this coming from atheists or agnostics?

 

[undercovergrow]

Hey, you are the one who brought up your faith. I'm just pointing out that looking in the mirror and considering botox treatment is not the same as caring for the poor. I know you consider yourself poor but really, from what you've told us about yourself (why is it that right wingers are so full of themselves?) your husband takes care of you well enough for you to snivel online here about the failings of others.

Cafeteria Christians -- a drain on this society.

no, i was referencing your Botox comment not my faith then. i am not sniveling dear - you're just desperate

 

[ANC]

why are you stuck on this particular hypothetical? why can't we address inflation, corruption or the over-reach of our government that has made your example so prevalent in our society? i think the only system that honors the individual is capitalism and that should be how society is governed and i would like to see laws and regulations changed (actually just wiped off the books) and the destruction of the FED so the above family in your example can continue to make good choices in their life for what is right for them without the government telling them what they need--the above family might not need full on insurance coverage if they're young. they might need catastrophic insurance coverage and are willing to pay for various doctor visits on their own but now you're insisting they need full coverage to cover every little sneeze they might get. why are you insisting that family who can obviously not afford to pay for insurance pay for it?

Our obsession with the ego and the individual is part of why we are in shit.

Palaeolithic hunter-gatherers needed only one person harvesting wheat and barley for 3 weeks to feed a family of 4 for a year.

 

[ttystikk]

You very cowardly refuse to answer? I'll take that as a concession that universal healthcare coverage is necessary.

It's hard to tell from your meandering trail of words in your post but I think you are saying the US should have a living minimum wage that pays enough for basic needs including saving for retirement, saving for child's college education and recreation but not cable TV. If so, then we agree.

One good way to do this is to provide universal health coverage and education without cost to the student from K through college.

American universities are extremely wasteful with their funding because it's guaranteed and comes with very few accountability strings attached.

My local University is building a huge and expensive football stadium right now, for example. I fail to see how this 'investment' significantly impacts the quality of education on offer.

 

[undercovergrow]

Our obsession with the ego and the individual is part of why we are in shit.

Palaeolithic hunter-gatherers needed only one person harvesting wheat and barley for 3 weeks to feed a family of 4 for a year.

okay... i would say it is sin that is the fundamental problem.

 

[ANC]

Everyone needs health cover, some think they don't but have no idea how expensive an accident, assault or disease could be. I would be on the street if I was not risk averse money wise as a young person. I went to bed healthy and woke up in agony that has lasted ever since.

 

[Fogdog]

no, i was referencing your Botox comment not my faith then. i am not sniveling dear - you're just desperate

As I said, contemplating botox treatment for your wasteland of wrinkles on your aging face isn't the same as caring for the poor. You might feel it is but then again you have healthcare coverage for that very treatment when you'd let other women simply die of a treatable disease because funds from Planned Parenthood have been cut off. Christians have this idea of "the deserving poor" and use it to justify letting the poor die.

Cafeteria Christians like you are a canker sore on humanity.

 

[undercovergrow]

@ttystikk that sounds like a good idea but then you are giving control of a very personal and important aspect of life to the government. why can't we start looking at why everything is so expensive and what can be done (without government intervention) to address the problem? i am all for every family who wants to carry health insurance to be able to have it. but without government involvment.

 

[undercovergrow]

As I said, contemplating botox treatment for your wasteland of wrinkles on your aging face isn't the same as caring for the poor. You might feel it is but then again you have healthcare coverage for that very treatment when you'd let other women simply die of a treatable disease because funds from Planned Parenthood have been cut off. Christians have this idea of "the deserving poor" and use it to justify letting the poor die.

Cafeteria Christians like you are a canker sore on humanity.

your comment regarding Planned Parenthood shows you have fallen for the propaganda.. have your woman call around and try to get any local planned parenthood to provide any other service other than abortion... you won't be able to find it. your tactics are obvious.

 

[Fogdog]

unchristian political views? this coming from atheists or agnostics?

It comes from the bible. But then again, you didn't choose to read that page.

Cafeteria Christians give white people a bad name.

 

[undercovergrow]

It comes from the bible. But then again, you didn't choose to read that page.

Cafeteria Christians give white people a bad name.

let's go there. please--enlighten me.

 

[ttystikk]

whose truth? it makes sense as the two sects (Shia and Sunni) start to align to fill the vacuum that is coming with the eventual destruction of ISIS

Qatar isn't a different sect.

 

[ttystikk]

that is what catastrophic insurance would cover @ttystikk

so the basic fact that the government is telling every individual to purchase a product is still wrong.

unchristian political views? this coming from atheists or agnostics?

So if that family doesn't buy said insurance, do they lose access to the hospital? Who pays for their care?

You keep talking about choices without thinking about consequences.

 

[ttystikk]

@ttystikk that sounds like a good idea but then you are giving control of a very personal and important aspect of life to the government. why can't we start looking at why everything is so expensive and what can be done (without government intervention) to address the problem? i am all for every family who wants to carry health insurance to be able to have it. but without government involvment.

The reason healthcare coverage is so expensive is because only some people but it- usually sick people. If the cost is spread out across society it becomes both easier to afford and more efficient because there would be no need for profit seeking insurance companies and other rent seekers.

 

[undercovergrow]

So if that family doesn't buy said insurance, do they lose access to the hospital? Who pays for their care?

You keep talking about choices without thinking about consequences.

is the system currently turning away people who do not have insurance? you keep talking about the lack of choices with the government insisting everyone purchase something and i am talking about a bigger picture -- the government telling us WTP what we need and the consequences of that. i said the family should make their own decision for what is best for them.

 

[Fogdog]

your comment regarding Planned Parenthood shows you have fallen for the propaganda.. have your woman call around and try to get any local planned parenthood to provide any other service other than abortion... you won't be able to find it. your tactics are obvious.

Who has fallen for the propaganda? Planned parenthood provides mostly healthcare services to women other than abortion.

This from FactCheck.org

Abortions accounted for 3 percent of the nearly 10.6 million total services provided by Planned Parenthood clinics in 2013, according to its annual report.

Some services it provided in addition to abortions were:

• 4.5 million tests and treatment for sexually transmitted infections
• 3.6 million contraception related services
• 935,573 cancer screenings including breast exams and Pap tests
• 1.1 million pregnancy tests and prenatal services

Now, before you very conveniently wave your hand about the "lying media" that your guy Trump keeps talking about, the above are facts. Remember that facts can be verified while a belief can be whatever you like. Please reply back with facts and not your belief.

Cafeteria Christians would rather build a mega church and defend their pedophile pastor in a lawsuit than give a dime to the undeserving poor.

 

[ttystikk]

Our obsession with the ego and the individual is part of why we are in shit.

Palaeolithic hunter-gatherers needed only one person harvesting wheat and barley for 3 weeks to feed a family of 4 for a year.

This is incorrect. On average, Paleolithic peoples spent a third to half their time hunting and gathering, more during lean times. And the threat of starvation was what drove the innovation of domesticated herding and agriculture in the first place.

And that wheat and barley is much less nutritious than the Paleo diet, hence why farmers were smaller and weaker.

 

[ttystikk]

is the system currently turning away people who do not have insurance? you keep talking about the lack of choices with the government insisting everyone purchase something and i am talking about a bigger picture -- the government telling us WTP what we need and the consequences of that. i said the family should make their own decision for what is best for them.

So if they get care whether they buy insurance or not, WHY BOTHER BUYING IT?

And that emergency care isn't free; who's paying for it?