Comments on: SOTU: Individual Health Plans Are Out Of Reach For Millions Of Americans http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/ Thu, 26 Nov 2009 03:58:23 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: albert http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-1518070 albert Wed, 24 Jan 2007 18:45:36 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/#comment-1518070 The Washington Post speaks warmly of Bush's health insurance tax plan ("A Healthy Initiative" - Tuesday, January 23, 2007; Page A16) and minimizes its hazards. Late in the editorial they do admit that "there's a danger that ending the tax privilege for employer-provided insurance will cause companies to discontinue coverage, driving more buyers into the individual market, where it's hard to buy insurance at a reasonable price, especially if you already have a medical problem." This is not a minor problem, as you have pointed out in this post. The President's euphemistic "ownership society" is nothing but a brutal social Darwinist experiment. His health insurance proposal is an integral part of that vision, thinly masked as a concession to progressives, and should be rejected outright. The Washington Post speaks warmly of Bush’s health insurance tax plan (”A Healthy Initiative” – Tuesday, January 23, 2007; Page A16) and minimizes its hazards. Late in the editorial they do admit that “there’s a danger that ending the tax privilege for employer-provided insurance will cause companies to discontinue coverage, driving more buyers into the individual market, where it’s hard to buy insurance at a reasonable price, especially if you already have a medical problem.” This is not a minor problem, as you have pointed out in this post. The President’s euphemistic “ownership society” is nothing but a brutal social Darwinist experiment. His health insurance proposal is an integral part of that vision, thinly masked as a concession to progressives, and should be rejected outright.

]]> By: Barfly http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-1514387 Barfly Wed, 24 Jan 2007 08:15:00 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/#comment-1514387 <em>First, I propose a standard tax deduction for health insurance that will be like the standard tax deduction for dependents. … </em> He's advocating paying for these plans <em>by giving payroll tax exemptions</em> to those who enroll. As pointed out by TP, those who enroll in these plans make on average about $150,000, so not only do they <em>stop </em>paying into SSI at about $95,000, but they get a <em>additional</em> tax break by enrolling in these plans, which are priced out of most people's range. So Bush is in effect advcating <em>another drain SSI of funds</em> -- to finance his health care plan. First, I propose a standard tax deduction for health insurance that will be like the standard tax deduction for dependents. …

He’s advocating paying for these plans by giving payroll tax exemptions to those who enroll. As pointed out by TP, those who enroll in these plans make on average about $150,000, so not only do they stop paying into SSI at about $95,000, but they get a additional tax break by enrolling in these plans, which are priced out of most people’s range. So Bush is in effect advcating another drain SSI of funds — to finance his health care plan.

]]> By: God http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-1513843 God Wed, 24 Jan 2007 06:20:40 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/#comment-1513843 I'm going to re-write my definition of FUBAR now... I’m going to re-write my definition of FUBAR now…

]]> By: Karim http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-1512587 Karim Wed, 24 Jan 2007 04:07:54 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/#comment-1512587 This is one bad joke after another. This is one bad joke after another.

]]> By: Kid Clu http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-1512554 Kid Clu Wed, 24 Jan 2007 04:03:31 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/#comment-1512554 And those of us who DO now have health care that is paid for by employers WON"T have health coverage anymore if Bush gets away with this, because we will be told by Corporate America that <strong>we will have to pay for it our ourselves with our tax deduction</strong> And those of us who DO now have health care that is paid for by employers WON”T have health coverage anymore if Bush gets away with this, because we will be told by Corporate America that we will have to pay for it our ourselves with our tax deduction

]]> By: Gregor Samsa http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-1512408 Gregor Samsa Wed, 24 Jan 2007 03:45:32 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/#comment-1512408 It is absolutely shameful that in a country with so much wealth, so many people have to do with no health insurance at all. I cringe when I hear average Americans belittle European nations ("their economy is a basket case!"). Beyond the demonstrable falsehood of their statements; what good does it do anyone to live in an affluent society if they are left out and do not share in the wealth? Some people do vote blindly against their own interests. It is absolutely shameful that in a country with so much wealth, so many people have to do with no health insurance at all.

I cringe when I hear average Americans belittle European nations (”their economy is a basket case!”). Beyond the demonstrable falsehood of their statements; what good does it do anyone to live in an affluent society if they are left out and do not share in the wealth?

Some people do vote blindly against their own interests.

]]> By: Jay Randal http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-1512318 Jay Randal Wed, 24 Jan 2007 03:36:45 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/#comment-1512318 Most Americans cannot afford to pay hundreds of dollars a year for health insurance! Most Americans cannot afford to pay hundreds of dollars a year for health insurance!

]]> By: ChildrenofLir http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-1511935 ChildrenofLir Wed, 24 Jan 2007 02:51:03 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/#comment-1511935 "Timeless truth" Truth isn't enough for Bush. He talks of Timeless Truth. Does truth have a time limit. Truth is truth. It knows no time. “Timeless truth”

Truth isn’t enough for Bush. He talks of Timeless Truth. Does truth have a time limit. Truth is truth. It knows no time.

]]> By: ChildrenofLir http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-1511922 ChildrenofLir Wed, 24 Jan 2007 02:50:03 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/#comment-1511922 "So armed forces are ready for 'all the challenges ahead" fifth reference to impending war with Iran Volunteer civilian reserve corps Here we go Hire an army. Serve the defining struggle of our time. We can have confidence because we have a diplomatic strategy.. mandate from UN...workin with Jordan to increase support for Iraq govt.... Iran and nuclear weapons Sixth reference to impending war with Iran Peace to the holy land We're going to save the world with a volunteer civilian corps! Cuba He hasn't attacked Venezuala yet “So armed forces are ready for ‘all the challenges ahead”

fifth reference to impending war with Iran

Volunteer civilian reserve corps

Here we go

Hire an army. Serve the defining struggle of our time. We can have confidence because we have a diplomatic strategy.. mandate from UN…workin with Jordan to increase support for Iraq govt….

Iran and nuclear weapons

Sixth reference to impending war with Iran

Peace to the holy land

We’re going to save the world with a volunteer civilian corps!

Cuba

He hasn’t attacked Venezuala yet

]]> By: ChildrenofLir http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-1511867 ChildrenofLir Wed, 24 Jan 2007 02:44:19 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/#comment-1511867 He's talking louder now. Threatening. Iraqi govt overrun. Epic battle backed by Iran. Fourth reference to impending war with Iran. He’s talking louder now. Threatening.

Iraqi govt overrun. Epic battle backed by Iran.

Fourth reference to impending war with Iran.

]]> By: ChildrenofLir http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-1511857 ChildrenofLir Wed, 24 Jan 2007 02:43:17 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/#comment-1511857 Now he'll get everyone to clap and stand Talking about Iraqi govt responsibility He'll end by letting Congress stand up and clap and everyone look patriotic. Shameful display of disloyalty to our children, our country. A betrayal. Now he’ll get everyone to clap and stand

Talking about Iraqi govt responsibility

He’ll end by letting Congress stand up and clap and everyone look patriotic. Shameful display of disloyalty to our children, our country. A betrayal.

]]> By: ChildrenofLir http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-1511843 ChildrenofLir Wed, 24 Jan 2007 02:41:34 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/#comment-1511843 Advisors in Iraqi army units Lies, all lies. Advisors in Iraqi army units

Lies, all lies.

]]> By: ChildrenofLir http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-1511837 ChildrenofLir Wed, 24 Jan 2007 02:40:46 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/#comment-1511837 Some stand up now. Many refuse to stand. Finally. Some stand up now. Many refuse to stand. Finally.

]]> By: ChildrenofLir http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-1511821 ChildrenofLir Wed, 24 Jan 2007 02:38:43 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/#comment-1511821 He'll make the switch again now Blind hatred, 19 hijackers (they are sunnis) now he'll switch it to shiite Sobered by enemies fierce reaction Lebanon Syrian occupiers So he starts with "blind hatred and the sunnis" and ends it with Lebanon and the Shiite Again the switch. Replace one group with the other, and congress claps in either duplicity or ignorance. He’ll make the switch again now

Blind hatred, 19 hijackers
(they are sunnis)

now he’ll switch it to shiite

Sobered by enemies fierce reaction
Lebanon
Syrian occupiers

So he starts with “blind hatred and the sunnis”

and ends it with Lebanon and the Shiite

Again the switch. Replace one group with the other, and congress claps in either duplicity or ignorance.

]]> By: ChildrenofLir http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-1511799 ChildrenofLir Wed, 24 Jan 2007 02:36:05 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/#comment-1511799 And they all stand up and clap. Cowards all. And they all stand up and clap. Cowards all.

]]> By: greenpeas http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-1511796 greenpeas Wed, 24 Jan 2007 02:35:33 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/#comment-1511796 “the best decisions are not made by insurance companies…” but by families themselves. I dunno, that sounds like a pretty strong endorsement of the right to choose. It just confirms the validity of my modus operandi for listening to George -- he says one thing, I insert the opposite to gain an understanding of what he means. No more tears that way. “the best decisions are not made by insurance companies…” but by families themselves. I dunno, that sounds like a pretty strong endorsement of the right to choose.

It just confirms the validity of my modus operandi for listening to George — he says one thing, I insert the opposite to gain an understanding of what he means. No more tears that way.

]]> By: ChildrenofLir http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-1511793 ChildrenofLir Wed, 24 Jan 2007 02:35:05 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/#comment-1511793 He does the switch now He mentions Sunni insurgents to start out But he quotes Zarqawi - a Shiite He's made the switch They are the enemy The Iranians THIRD REFERENCE TO IMPENDING WAR WITH IRAN He does the switch now

He mentions Sunni insurgents to start out

But he quotes Zarqawi – a Shiite

He’s made the switch

They are the enemy

The Iranians

THIRD REFERENCE TO IMPENDING WAR WITH IRAN

]]> By: ForTruth http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-1511788 ForTruth Wed, 24 Jan 2007 02:34:13 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/#comment-1511788 Those darn studies, reasonably suggesting health care is getting too expensive. Those darn studies, reasonably suggesting health care is getting too expensive.

]]> By: ChildrenofLir http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-1511784 ChildrenofLir Wed, 24 Jan 2007 02:33:41 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/#comment-1511784 References to impending war with Iran so far 1- Strategic Petroleum reserve will be doubled 2- Take fight to enemy References to impending war with Iran so far

1- Strategic Petroleum reserve will be doubled

2- Take fight to enemy

]]> By: hellinabucket http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/comment-page-1/#comment-1511779 hellinabucket Wed, 24 Jan 2007 02:33:06 +0000 http://thinkprogress.org/2007/01/23/sotu-individual-health-plans-are-out-of-reach-for-millions-of-americans/#comment-1511779 8. You're right about that. He can publicly state a positive when it could just as easily be an increase for an even greater escalation of troops. If he is crazy enough to invade Iran he would have most likely learned he will need hundred's of thousands of more soldiers on the ground. He is a scary man in so many ways. 8. You’re right about that. He can publicly state a positive when it could just as easily be an increase for an even greater escalation of troops. If he is crazy enough to invade Iran he would have most likely learned he will need hundred’s of thousands of more soldiers on the ground.

He is a scary man in so many ways.

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