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Post by benstabler on Feb 28, 2009 6:36:20 GMT -5
No I did not watch so I can't comment!
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Post by almeda on Feb 28, 2009 7:37:22 GMT -5
Okay. Fair enough. LOL!
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Post by finaddict on Feb 28, 2009 7:45:29 GMT -5
I did hear his speech and I don't understand the 50 thousand. I can see leaving some troops to asist for that is what we did under the Marshall Plan at the end of WW11 but 50 thousand seems more than would be needed.
And benstabler health care was addressed by Obama. He is setting up a fund for starting universal health care. It will be funded by raising the tax rate on those making 250 thousand or more from 35% to 39.6& and raising their capital gains taxes from 15%-20% and disallowing mortgage deductions for them on their tax returns. It whould raise about 687 billion. He will use this to get the universal health care started.
I feel this is wrong but then we shall see.
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Post by benstabler on Mar 1, 2009 1:37:14 GMT -5
well as you know it's a big issue with me. Personally I don't mind paying a few dollars more to not get screwed by the docs and insurance companies, you know first hand about all that. I will say at a time like this, all Americans should be willing to help one another (those of us who work anyways) and while I never agree with raising taxes the percentage seems rather small. I think I have said it before, I don't mind money coming out of my check for insurance (as opposed to raising taxes) it should just be more fair and standard across the board. Take a certain percentage in health care benefits from the paychecks, combined with a percentage of the taxes and I think we could definitely get by with a decent health care system for all without people worrying about if they can pay for treatments.
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Post by almeda on Mar 1, 2009 4:02:30 GMT -5
Or whether their health insurance covers pre-existing conditions.
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Post by finaddict on Mar 1, 2009 20:20:36 GMT -5
very important to have that issue settled, Almeda.
Benstabler, I have no problem setting aside something to go into a govt slush fund to pay for health care. I just hate to see one segment asked to pay for it all. Just likes smokers have to pay for so much and now those Obama deems to wealthy will fund this. Got to be a way to make this fair.
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Post by benstabler on Mar 2, 2009 1:01:51 GMT -5
oh I certainly agree. You know I am not one that agrees that one should pay more and those that do not work get ANYTHING for free. Sadly the way things are now, what used to be middle class is now becoming lower middle class and much of them don't have much more to give and has really fell the brunt of most of the economical issues. Did the middle class not pay enough before or too much? How about the upper-middle class and rich? I don't know. Like I said I have NO problems paying some towards a premium from my check and some from my taxes to make a decent healthcare for all. And no matter how much we like it, those on welfare will ALWAYS be paid for by us. We should all benefit from a good health care system and not worry if we can afford it.
And you know I am not against working hard and making a nice living but many people in the "rich" category are ones that scrwed over the little guy the last few years also, those people, well yeah have a hard time sympathizing with them (the CEO's)
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Post by finaddict on Mar 3, 2009 6:16:54 GMT -5
I agree that many of the rich and I mean the million + club got that way on the backs of others and by running their companies into the ground and escaping with millions. I have no sympathy for them. Never will. My sympathy lies with those that try and work hard and then have this disaster befall them. I honestly didn't realise that the middle class was shrinking cause I don't see that first hand around here.
I worry about spending this much money in a downturn. It doesn't make sense to me that if you have nothing you can spend more and it will become something.
Part of my concern is that 68% of people filing taxes in the 250,000 and up class are small businesses. It will be hard for them to absorb the highter rates and maintain their payrolls.
Hard times ahead at this rate.
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Post by benstabler on Mar 3, 2009 6:55:39 GMT -5
well hard times are here! lol
No I totally agree with you there! And in some areas $250,000 doesn't stretch as far as other areas (think California, and NY/NJ). Of course I have no sources to backup the middle class theory, just from what I have seen.
The healthcare issue has always been a high pet peeve of mine, as you know, and I would like to see some changes! I certainly don't mind paying my fair share, as you know!
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Post by finaddict on Mar 3, 2009 19:39:48 GMT -5
I don't mind doing that either. Just want to make sure it is evenly divided. Some other things of interest today is the whole issue of Cap and Trade. This is basically a carbon tax on companies that emit a higher level of Carbon Dioxide than what environmentalists deem healthy for the planet. They would pay a tax if they went over their limits. This tax would be passed on to the consumer in higher gas, electric and oil prices and most consumer goods. Obama said this not me. The idea is for the companies to somehow trade carbon credits (not sure how that works). The idea is to force energy companies and other companies considered to use to much Carbon to find other ways to supply energy. This can't possibly help create jobs unless you can become a carbontrader. Wanta try that. We could both use new jobs. LOL
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Post by benstabler on Mar 4, 2009 0:06:05 GMT -5
well hey we surely do!
You know there were a couple articles out on this and I really did not get a chance to read them all so I can't really comment too much. Anything you saw worth reading?
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Post by finaddict on Mar 4, 2009 20:34:49 GMT -5
I saw 2 things on the news about this. didn't read it. but if I can find something I will send you the link.
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Post by benstabler on Mar 5, 2009 0:27:23 GMT -5
please do I have honestly been quite behind here and don't want to get into a discussion uninformed! lol
I know the "direction" is supposed to be for newer/better ways of energy and to advance technologically, which is some ways we are very far behind some other places so that's not a really bad thing in my opinion.
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Post by finaddict on Mar 5, 2009 19:40:15 GMT -5
Actually the only thing that is bad is the higher energy costs we will all pay until the companies can comply with greener methods, they will pass the carbon tax onto us in rate hikes. I am looking for a good article to share here.
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Post by benstabler on Mar 5, 2009 22:47:41 GMT -5
please do and sadly those energy costs are outrageous! But yes please share anything you find! I've been too tired these days.
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