Brat's "simple economics" of health care

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Thursday June 12, 2014 · 11:48 PM PDT

2014/06/12 · 23:48

I was stunned watching the Hannity interview with David Brat (or maybe I was just stunned to find myself watching Hannity but I wanted to see the Fux News coverage,
anyway) on Brat's cold, cruel response to a health care question. I thought it would be news but the only place I've found it mentioned was News Hounds news hounds. I'd be interested to hear what you all think or if this has already been covered could someone send me a link to the diary.

Brat's solution, after he repeals Obamacare, is a "price based system" where consumers' sticker shock discourages them from going to the doctor.

The reason there's a health care cost problem is just simple econimics. It's because the consumer isn't seeing the full price of health care. Right? If you take your kid in for the sniffles you pay 20 bucks but the full cost is 200 dollars.
So we need to get back to the price system where you see the full cost of health care then people will make smarter decisions.

So all you Moms and Dads out there, get smart. Never mind your instincts or experience. Check your wallet. If your "kid" (or your aging parents, or your spouse, or yourself) get sniffles, wait for it to turn into something serious, menengitis maybe. Of course, by then you'll be looking at $20-30k for hospitalization, but you should have planned for that and gotten a job as a college professor or a member of congress maybe.

damned teabagger morans. Who do they think is going to pay for their hoverounds once they repeal the ACA and get government hands off their Medicare?

This old lady just got herself a job

Bugsydarlin

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Thursday May 09, 2013 · 8:33 PM PDT

2013/05/09 · 20:33

Isn't it great? I'm doing a happy dance.

I'm a woman aged 55 who was laid off beginning of Dec 2012. I have no degrees but I have been working for 35 years (40+ years if you include babysitting in my early teens). Once I went full-time at 19 or so, I've always worked in manufacturing for God's sake. I've been laid off by some (most?) of the top companies in Silicon Valley.

I've been terrified these last months looking at the statistics for the over 50 crowd and approaching the 6 month mark that makes me "long term" unemployed.

Then today I got a call and an offer. I'm starting Monday. Isn't it great? I'm staggered.

I'll have my clothes laid out Sunday night as I have to leave the house around 6AM. I'm going business casual, with either some black "skinny" jeans or khakis with a nice blouse and new shoes I picked up at the thrift store but no one could ever tell because they're nicer than anything you get at the Target or Walmart.

I'm going to make a ham and cheese on wheat with some chips for lunch and I'll pack a banana and some strawberries, maybe an apple in my lunch box along with milk and a couple juice boxes.

I've googled the area and think I can find some nice walking paths as the company is located within blocks of the American River Parkway. I'll learn more once I get in there and I imagine some of my new co-workers will also like walking at their breaks and lunches and will give me some tips or maybe even invite me to walk with them.

Isn't it great?

A pay cut (35%) and health care won't kick in until September but isn't this great.

I wish this for all my fellow Kossacks who may be having sleepless nights. To pack a lunch and go to work. Take heart.

I mean really, isn't it fabulous! I'm doing a happy dance.

Madmen and Game of Thrones

Bugsydarlin

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Monday May 06, 2013 · 8:16 PM PDT

2013/05/06 · 20:16

diaries on the front page one after the other. I'm lost. i was looking for a site about progressive politics.

Rush Limbaugh and Apple?

Bugsydarlin

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Monday April 29, 2013 · 11:23 AM PDT

2013/04/29 · 11:23

A question for the Flush Rush group. What, if any, is the connection between Rush Limbaugh and Apple? He read an ad today that started with how great the iphone is and then went into a blinds.com ad.

I sent blinds.com an email:

I really wish you would reconsider this. I heard one this morning on KFBK Sacramento at 10:35. He read a prerecorded, scripted commercial where he started talking about how great iphones are and how he wished he could talk about them everyday and then, really lamely, went into a "just like Blinds.com" thing.
My first thought was that Apple was running commercials on the Rush Limbaugh show but apparently he was just using the iphone brand to promote add credence to his Blinds.com ad.

Did Blinds.com approve this?

I'm also going to contact Apple and ask if they're aware that their iphone product is being by used by Limbaugh in a Blinds.com ad.

Limbaugh's a low life. Why do you associate with him and his show?

Now, after checking a bit more online it seems there may be some relationship with Limbo and Apple. Even if they do have some promotion relationship, I can't believe they would let their brand be used in a promo for a dumbass blinds.com ad.

I'm a mac user and apple customer and I'll contact them but I thought it would be better to get some input from some of the experts here first.

As always, appreciate any education or advice offered.

Kasich is making his case to his would-be

Bugsydarlin

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Wednesday February 06, 2013 · 12:51 PM PST

2013/02/06 · 12:51

Redstate followers this morning and it's not going well.

While I don't want to direct any traffic that way, I find it incredible that a sitting Governor is using a right wing blog to post some pathetic plea for understanding of his policy decisions. It only makes it worse that the handful of people reading and commenting are giving him hell.

Bugsydarlin

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Monday December 17, 2012 · 6:31 PM PST

2012/12/17 · 18:31

Thanks in part to DK and other, true grassroots support, a bit of good news amid the very bad.

I went to contact my Congressman elect, Dr. Ami Bera, CA-7 (love being able to write that and write off Dan Lungren) to voice my opinion on weapons regulation and found something so heartening I have to share.

... Congressman-elect Ami Bera announced today the hiring of his two top aides. Mini Timmaraju, who most recently served as Director of the Office of the President at Planned Parenthood Federation of America (PPFA) and a former District Director for a Member of Congress, will be his Chief of Staff. Faith Whitmore, who has served Sacramento County as a Pastor and community leader for the past 28 years, will be his District Director.

Release 12/12/12

Two powerful, accomplished, compassionate, progressive women in the top two staff slots. Bear with me, I'm going to try to provide links to biographical info but I'm e-challenged:

Mini Timmaraju, Chief of Staff

Faith Whitmore, District Director

Sorry if this is a bit too parochial to rate a diary.You have to understand, the last 15 years, between moves in the area, I've been represented (not!) by Dan Lungren, Tom McClintock and John Doolittle. I'm so happy now I'll be having a Representative I can be proud of.

Ami Bera's lead election night was only 184 votes and required a recount that put Bera over the top by 9000 votes in the final tally.
This community supported Bera through two cycles. It was GOTV and the mail in and provisional ballots that put him over the top this time. And that's what you all do here.

Take heart, Texas and Arizona, things change.

Good Job!

Making it work on $250k/yr

Bugsydarlin

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Monday December 10, 2012 · 6:44 PM PST

2012/12/10 · 18:44

I'm wrecked. Just saw Michael Steele on Hardball.

I'm paraphrasing here but this is essentially what he said, "for a family of four, $250k, even adjusted gross, that's not rich, divided by 12."

I'd like to divide 250k/12, carry the two, put it into a sock and smack Michael Steele over the head with it.

Chris Matthews, who I like off and on, replied with, "depends on where you live". Joy Reid seemed the only sane one, reminding that 250k was the top 6%.
This is what we're left with. Our US Conress and the national media, whether right wing or progressive, are all in the top 5% and so far removed from the lives of working people. Both Steele and Matthews, who presumably understand the poverty level is $22000/yr for a family of 4, don't see those making more than 10x that as rich.
I'm despairing of ever seeing truly progressive media or governing with the growing income gap between the 80/20%, never mind the 98/2%.

George Allen dodges NPR

Bugsydarlin

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Wednesday October 10, 2012 · 9:14 PM PDT

2012/10/10 · 21:14

NPR Political Junkie segment today on the Virginia senate race was missing George Allen who couldn't fit it into his schedule. They had on Tom Davis trying to explain the "macaca" comment and then answer a caller about Republicans losing women "horrified about what Republican leadership down there is trying to do to them."

Tim Kaine then came on and did the Q&A and no hitch. Wouldn't have been a hitch for Allen if he's of just showed, but nnooo...

Neal Conan sign off:
Tim Kaine, the former Virginia governor and running now for the U.S. Senate as a Democrat. Again, we invited George Allen to be on, and he couldn't find the time to do it.

CNN debate coverage trainwreck

Bugsydarlin

Community (This content is not subject to review by Daily Kos staff prior to publication.)

Wednesday October 03, 2012 · 5:03 PM PDT

2012/10/03 · 17:03

This is a first diary and I hope I don't run afoul of the rules and norms. I'm watching CNN and can't believe what I'm seeing.

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