Displaying 31 To 60 Of 10,917 Comments 🙂 KT, I’d forgotten about that movie, and yes that’s Santorum’s dystopia. All that’s missing are the thought police and the religion police and it’s perfect. » Posted By Chernynkaya On March 27, 2012 @ 5:12 pm What If? The Affordable Care Act and the Supreme Court Murph, I don’t believe that the Justices live in a rarefied bubble. Look at Thomas–he is active in the Tea Party via his wife. Scalia is always speaking at some RW event or other. Roberts less so, but he too is on the circuit. Of course, it’s not the same as having to be elected to anything, but they are not immune to public opinion nor are they immune from ideologues. And while it’s extremely rare, they might think about the threat of impeachment. Roberts had to at least respond to the calls for ethics investigations for Thomas. I don’t think he especially like having to do that. And as much as I despise the Tea Baggers, I have to hand it to them–they know how to threaten, especially since they are backed by corporate interests. I’m not saying the Court is the same as an elected official–they certainly have a job for life for exactly the reasons that they SHOULDN’T feel beholden or subject to threats. But at the same time, they are egoists and human. I just think they know the country is watching and they are not above grandstanding in this case. » Posted By Chernynkaya On March 27, 2012 @ 5:50 pm E’cat, today is a good day to stay away from the media. They are turning this into another horse race and ginning up preemptive outrage. I just watched as TPM started the day with headlines like “Tough Questions from Justices” and now shriek “DISASTER for the Left!!!!” I can always find reasons why things will turn out badly–that’s my nature. But I can also see when I’m being manipulated. For all I know this SCOTUS hearing is in no small part political theater. The 5 RW Justices know everyone is watching and may be playing to the Repubs. They may be asking tough questions to appear “very serious” but they may also be actual jurists who understand precedent and the Constitution. Thomas aside, I think they are–even Scalia. Anyway, that’s my take for the moment. » Posted By Chernynkaya On March 27, 2012 @ 12:53 pm I realize there are several forms of health insurance in Europe. I wish we had something like them. I also wish a lot of things. This discussion, however, is about what we have here, now. And yes, it’s ridiculous that we don’t have a better system. Was that your whole point? If so, you’re correct. But that hardly matters at this point. Since you live in the Netherlands, you might not be aware of the monumental battle that took place to get merely this far. » Posted By Chernynkaya On March 27, 2012 @ 12:42 am The ACA only addresses costs for Medicare and those in the insurance exchanges. It is not in the scope of the program to regulate private doctors fees or hospital costs for privately insured patients. It is not the same system as Europe’s. We are not there yet–not universal health care. All it can do is reduce the costs of care for people who sign up for the program. The ACA contains measures to encourage health It also controls waste and fraud, but again, only in Medicare and Medicaid and for those who sign up for the program. » Posted By Chernynkaya On March 27, 2012 @ 12:17 am Oh, I know. I’m venting! But as to Reich, spot on. » Posted By Chernynkaya On March 26, 2012 @ 11:39 pm It’s become a badge of honor to be ignorant and inept, as if they can display their contempt for government (and IMO by extension, for American values) by saying, “Fuck it, we’re white and privileged. Competence is for the Little People.” » Posted By Chernynkaya On March 26, 2012 @ 10:51 pm Tell me about it. These pudnuts comment WAY over their level of expertise too. Robert Reich–WTF does he really know about politics? (I read his Wiki entry recently, and he’s an expert in labor law basically). Yet he’s always at the ready to opine stridently about anything and everything. Of course, that’s what pudnuts DO, but Reich has a patina of gravitas because he was Clinton’s Sec of Labor. I’ve noticed the same with Nate Silver and Chuck Todd: They were essentially statisticians and pollsters. What do they know about politics any more than you and I do. Peter Principle. » Posted By Chernynkaya On March 26, 2012 @ 10:46 pm That contraception bill reminded me: They don’t even freaking read the bills they pass. Gov MacDonald was (feigning?) surprise that the ultrasound bill VA passed was invasive. GAH! What maroons! » Posted By Chernynkaya On March 26, 2012 @ 10:10 pm In states that tried market reforms without a mandate, premiums increased significantly and enrollment declined. By contrast, the Massachusetts health reform law enacted in 2006 included a mandate with the result that coverage is now near universal. Independent analyses of the Affordable Care Act indicate that the mandate will be instrumental in achieving near-universal coverage, and that it will reduce premiums. Significantly, there is no evidence Center for American Progress So, yes, it’s possible to have HCR without the mandate, it just would suck. Only the oldest and sickest would enroll for the most part and everyone else’s premiums would rise. And then the program would be declared a failure. » Posted By Chernynkaya On March 26, 2012 @ 10:00 pm Same here, KQ. I never understood that line of attack. As you say, this is an ambitious project. Think of the complexity of health care. I took a class in medical coding a few years ago, and the code book alone is thousands of pages. That’s just the billing codes! Conversely, some very bad legislation is overly simplistic, such as that Stand Your Ground law. Lazy lawmakers couldn’t be bothered to think it through; couldn’t be bothered to imagine how such a simpleton law could play out. And that’s also why ALEC is successful: they know legislatures are lazy and unintelligent. They provide ready-made legislation for states to sign on to. » Posted By Chernynkaya On March 26, 2012 @ 9:45 pm I’m still laughing at that picture and title! » Posted By Chernynkaya On March 21, 2012 @ 9:17 pm I’ve always thought this character was Arianna: » Posted By Chernynkaya On March 21, 2012 @ 9:03 pm Oh, look. I found a Tea Party voter: [img]http://www.stupidhumans.org/image/stupidhumans/1101/it-isnt-brain-surgery-drill-head-asian-games-rerun-stupid-human-1295053064.jpg[/img] That’s a fun game. » Posted By Chernynkaya On March 21, 2012 @ 8:55 pm I think we all know who this game represents: [img]http://powet.tv/powetblog/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/spiritualwarfare.jpg[/img] » Posted By Chernynkaya On March 21, 2012 @ 8:51 pm A wonderful game for Newt too. » Posted By Chernynkaya On March 21, 2012 @ 8:48 pm SALLY! That’s a fantastic find, but still looking for the ideal game. » Posted By Chernynkaya On March 21, 2012 @ 8:48 pm KT, they are Bambi, but same idea. And may I say, You’re my kinda guy! » Posted By Chernynkaya On March 21, 2012 @ 8:46 pm Sally–they’re so awesome. Very few would like those shoes, but WE do! » Posted By Chernynkaya On March 21, 2012 @ 8:45 pm I’m trying to find a game called “You Are a Lying, Venal, Traitorous, Bigoted Sack o’Shit” but so far, no such game. » Posted By Chernynkaya On March 21, 2012 @ 8:43 pm This isn’t a game but I found this photo looking for games. OMG, I want these shoes!!! [img]http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_kMv4RCn6x3g/TEnD-pH6GeI/AAAAAAAAAYg/rhF7KUkVL9E/s1600/bambi.jpg[/img] » Posted By Chernynkaya On March 21, 2012 @ 8:40 pm There you go–that’s our game for sure! » Posted By Chernynkaya On March 21, 2012 @ 8:39 pm KT-Perfect. » Posted By Chernynkaya On March 21, 2012 @ 8:38 pm Again, KT–great minds. » Posted By Chernynkaya On March 21, 2012 @ 8:37 pm Sally, as a kid, I got the buzzer almost every time. Imagine that old crank. » Posted By Chernynkaya On March 21, 2012 @ 8:36 pm CL–It was there but got the buzzer when removed. 😀 » Posted By Chernynkaya On March 21, 2012 @ 8:35 pm Oh wow–where’d you find that!? Perfect. » Posted By Chernynkaya On March 21, 2012 @ 8:33 pm Good one, Sally! » Posted By Chernynkaya On March 21, 2012 @ 8:32 pm And they’re all flopping around, flailing. 😆 » Posted By Chernynkaya On March 21, 2012 @ 8:32 pm ROMNEY: » Posted By Chernynkaya On March 21, 2012 @ 8:25 pmComments Posted By Chernynkaya
care providers to band together in accountable care
organizations (ACOs) to better coordinate services
for a group of patients, resulting in higher-quality
care at lower costs.
that any alternatives to the mandate would be nearly as effective.
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2012/02/individual_mandate.html
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