Official Off Topic Discussion Thread #1

[nzafi]

I would also say the biggest issue with Obamacare is that it folks on getting people insurance, not reducing costs. It has done very little reduce the root causes for spiraling costs. Unfortunately, its called "Affordable" but it is anything but that.

 

[jaws7777]

I think the concepts are simple for what needs to be done, the problem is the bureaucracy.

1) US immigration system is broken. Way too complex, not merit based which deters immigration of better qualified/wanted migration. This leads to increased illegal immigration because folks dont want to wait.

2) Deportation. I dont think anyone is against deportation of criminals. The problem is what do you do with all the hard working illegal immigrants that actually contribute to society. There are alot more than you think. I honestly believe there are more "good" illegals here than violent/criminals. It is the criminals that get the attention. I have no sympathy for those at all.

3) The wall - To me Trumps plan is idiotic and appeals mostly to fools. Something needs to be done. I would say increasing soldiers, use of drone technology, and some sort of fencing like already exists is the best it will get. Spending $10-20B on a concrete wall is not going to help seeing it can be dug over and climbed. Hence using more modern technology.

I dont understand the "fool" comment though. Why is it we are fools for wanting something that you do not agree with ? Not sure how much you guys are taxed in SA but its ridiculous over here. I do have a problem with where my tax dollars are going

 

[Thekid]

I dont agree with the obamacare piece. How is it a redistribution of wealth? The taxes that are applied on the wealthy are small unless you are making a crap ton of money. For example, if you are making $300K you will pay between $75-100 in additional taxes because of obamacare. If you are making $5M+ its going to be more significantly obviously. The average household is making like $60K depending on location. You are talking about taxing the top 1%.

I agree with the individual mandate and the primary reason being that one of the biggest factors of spiraling costs in healthcare is all the individuals in the past that had no insurance. They would not pay, declare bankruptcy, etc that would result in hospitals/doctors absorbing costs and passing it to others.

What I do not agree with is the way that obamacare limits the market. People should be allowed to buy insurance that fits their budget and their needs. It currently forces you to buy a lot of stuff you may not want. They should have followed a system like Swizterland were you are pretty much forced to by catastrophic insurance and then add on whatever else you want. This way young/healthy folks and others have the ability to buy cheaper plans, versus the mess we have now where only sick people are buying insurance.

The root of the rationale for Obamacare is to pool together everybody's resources and redistribute them equally among everyone. It forces people to pay for the cost of something others might not be able to pay.

 

[nzafi]

J jaws7777 agree. You beat me to my additional comment. It is not afforable because of how they have structured the plans and the requirements. I will also add that it does not allow people to purchase insurance together to drive better pricing which they need.

I have been forced to a high deductible of $6500 a year for probably 10 years now. The biggest difference is my company has bargaining power while individuals have none.

 

[Thekid]

all of that sounds great except for the real world facts. Its simply NOT affordable unless you are boarder line poverty level. My wife was quoted with 1400 per month 50 dollar co pays 100 dollar specialist fees and i think the deductible was 3 or 4k and that was for her and two children didnt even include me

And that's the issue. If we want to remove it, it's easier to just rip the band aid off fast rather than slowly pull it of while we complain the entire time.

 

[jaws7777]

Also the whole opt out thing at best was nave in reality probably criminal.


My understanding was the fed was cover the losses at the end of the year. So the companies werent really feeling the financial pain. 2017 this ended and one by one the companies opted out...funny 2017 was also the year i
Oshama leaves office....cmon

 

[jaws7777]

J jaws7777 agree. You beat me to my additional comment. It is not afforable because of how they have structured the plans and the requirements. I will also add that it does not allow people to purchase insurance together to drive better pricing which they need.

I have been forced to a high deductible of $6500 a year for probably 10 years now. The biggest difference is my company has bargaining power while individuals have none.

My my smh 6500 a year. See this is ridiculous someone with out children could very well never actually use the insurance instead nibbling away at the deductible all year.

Again they lied. Who knowd maybe the new plan is filled with lies maybe the wall wont work but its not a reason not to try 99% of everything that came out O's mouth was a lie and hes still being hailed as some sort of savior

 

[predatorkeeper87]

I think the concepts are simple for what needs to be done, the problem is the bureaucracy.

1) US immigration system is broken. Way too complex, not merit based which deters immigration of better qualified/wanted migration. This leads to increased illegal immigration because folks dont want to wait.

2) Deportation. I dont think anyone is against deportation of criminals. The problem is what do you do with all the hard working illegal immigrants that actually contribute to society. There are alot more than you think. I honestly believe there are more "good" illegals here than violent/criminals. It is the criminals that get the attention. I have no sympathy for those at all.

3) The wall - To me Trumps plan is idiotic and appeals mostly to fools. Something needs to be done. I would say increasing soldiers, use of drone technology, and some sort of fencing like already exists is the best it will get. Spending $10-20B on a concrete wall is not going to help seeing it can be dug over and climbed. Hence using more modern technology.

My personal opinion is if you came here illegally, gtfo. I don't care if you contribute to society etc etc etc you aren't here lawfully, go. Our system may be rough to get through, but that still doesn't give the impatient folk the right to sneak in.

The wall...isn't going to work lol. I'm just glad the American people finally voted with some cajones to be completely honest. say what you want but it shows at least the spark of possible revolution and the people finally understanding its about what WE want, not the people who we choose to run the country. Sounds silly I know but I love the fact we elected who we did haha.

 

[jaws7777]

My personal opinion is if you came here illegally, gtfo. I don't care if you contribute to society etc etc etc you aren't here lawfully, go. Our system may be rough to get through, but that still doesn't give the impatient folk the right to sneak in.

The wall...isn't going to work lol. I'm just glad the American people finally voted with some cajones to be completely honest. say what you want but it shows at least the spark of possible revolution and the people finally understanding its about what WE want, not the people who we choose to run the country. Sounds silly I know but I love the fact we elected who we did haha.

Man that last part is soo true. Listen the guy aint perfect but when i saw how is own party tried to snuff him out and the job the media was doing on him...sheesh i was all in. Agree this may mean good things to come...no more silently sitting buy letting the politicians call the shots

 

[Warborg]

I don't think any health insurance should be forced on people. You don't want it....fine. Obamacare was designed to charge those that normally have insurance to pay extra to cover those illegals that don't have it.