Observer-Reporter forum

Cylinsier · Master Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 13229 Location: Oh shi-

The reason I said that "can you say AmTrak" wasn't an answer was because the original question was "Why do Republicans claim that private insurance companies are better run than any government system would operate but then whine that a government system would be too efficient for private insurers to compete against? President Obama insists that a public system must be self-sufficient and not subsidized by taxpayers so it would be a level playing field. "

If AmTrak is your reason for distrusting the government, that does not explain the right's line of argument that public insurance will bankrupt private insurance. Either the public option will collapse under the bloat of government bureaucracy, or it will expand and consumer the private insurers because of its early and heavy adoption, but it cannot do both. This is why it is so hard to take the GOP seriously right now. They directly contradict themselves from day to day with their onslaught of arguments, and the only logical conclusion is that they do not know what they are talking about and only wish to stonewall progress for their own political gain. If they were to choose one or the other argument and run with it, that would demonstrate some consistency and make them appear a little more reasonable.

The AmTrak answer leads me to believe that you do not think a public option can be successful, tetriS. Therefore, I am left to conclude that you do not agree with the premise that it will bankrupt private insurers. So the inevitable question is, "why not allow the public option to be installed and fail, exposing the Democrats and ensuring Republican victory in future elections for a long time to come?"
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SSSS · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 2:26 pm Post subject:

I simply threw Amtrak out there as an example of how the federal government runs a business. Since the government took over they have never shown a profit. It was revealed that the executives were making outrageous salaries and it was not being run any better that it was privately. I have no reason to believe the same will not happen with government run insurance.
Perhaps I can offer this as an example. The government is now heavily invested and involved in GM right? But it was FORD who showed profits last quarter, and not GM. Ford has no government involvement.

Ron-you say I need to "do a little work" to look up your sources-it wasn't ME who put it out there as fact. It has become fairly consistent here when you put something up as a fact back it up with a link. Why would I do the work to try to prove you correct? If it is posted as opinion, fine but it is not a fact just because you type it. I asked for a reference and you say I should look it up????
Also-I guess you haven't been on here long enough to know that I detest most "right wing pundunts" and prefer to think for myself.

And, as I have stated-I am not against health care reform and I certainly see the need. But every Congress in the last forty years has talked about it-what is the need to rush a bill thru that is not a good one, but hey, at least we can say we passed something!?
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Cylinsier · Master Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 13229 Location: Oh shi-

SSSS · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 2:34 pm Post subject:

I agree with that. But do you have enough faith in our government to believe they will not try to?
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Cylinsier · Master Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 13229 Location: Oh shi-

I have more faith in our government than I do in private insurance companies to do the right thing.
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SSSS · Posted: Fri Nov 06, 2009 8:06 pm Post subject:

....and Socialism rears its ugly head!
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Cylinsier · Master Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 13229 Location: Oh shi-

Why is it socialist to recognize that health insurance companies would shoot you in the head for a nickle?
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Amphikalein · Posted: Sat Nov 07, 2009 2:12 pm Post subject:

SSSS · Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 5:15 pm Post subject:

I was responded to things HE put out there with no proof. And I will not sleep tonight knowing you think I have a bad track record.
And-nice attempt to annoy me with the phony comment. Just because I disagee with you does not automatically make me wrong. Only my wife can assume that.
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SSSS · Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 5:17 pm Post subject:

Cy-that in and of itself does not imply socialism. But I am concerned-our government is now involved with the banking industry, the auto industry and now the insurance industry. Where does it stop? We as a country preach free enterprise but the Democrats want to control the free enterprises they do not like, like the oil companies.
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Cylinsier · Master Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 13229 Location: Oh shi-

The government's involvement in banking and auto is hardly a takeover. Those industries are still overwhelmingly private. As for where it stops, I can't speak for the government's desires because they change with each new congress and administration. I can only say that the current one meets with my approval and that my personal opinion is that the government has no business interfering with the private sector in matters not necessary to citizens ability to live and prosper. To me, health care that is both adequate and affordable should be available to all. It should not be something like a Mercedes that only the wealthy can afford while everyone else is stuck buying a used Pinto that breaks down at 1 am in Compton the first night you drive it.
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SSSS · Posted: Sun Nov 08, 2009 11:02 pm Post subject:

I understand-but that goes back to what I am saying...we should not pick-and-choose what business the government gets involved in. It is either free enterprise or it is not.
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Cylinsier · Master Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 13229 Location: Oh shi-

Why not? The government is the voters and who should decide what the country does if not its people? It doesn't have to be black and white. We have the capacity as a nation to consider each and every situation that comes before us and determine whether or not we need the government's help on it.
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SSSS · Posted: Mon Nov 09, 2009 1:52 pm Post subject:

Oh if it were just that simple. I understand what you are saying though
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Cylinsier · Master Joined: 29 Sep 2008 Posts: 13229 Location: Oh shi-

Yeah, I know, "easier said than done." But I have faith in people to ultimately be responsible enough to keep their government in check. Where I get that faith, I have no idea.
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