It's Not Too Soon to Debate Gun Control

[LostMarbels]

Well, not always. Your comment reminded me too much of a video I saw on Youtube. Check it out. And don't worry, he survived.

Oh my lord! I wanted to yell at him as soon as I saw the stock touch the ground. What an idiot.

 

[bhsmte]

Two ways. First, any taxpayer money spent takes away from the citizens. Taking away your money takes away freedom. Second, any laws attached to it will cause people to have to jump through legal hoops that didn't exist before. And those hoops are always "One size fits all".

The government also doesn't have the money. It's a little like a family that is broke and buried under a mound of debt wanting to spend more on lawn care when they can't even afford the electric bill.

Whennthe government taxes you to pay for; police, fire, schools, military, etc etc, take away your freedom?

 

[Almost there]

The Federal programs you would eliminate and leave to the states would ensure unequal treatment of American citizens based of geographic status. A state like mine would probably do fine if they had strict legal resident regulation however, children in states like Mississippi could be literally malnourished which is rediculas in a country as rich as the United States. With SNAP, families especially those with children are able to obtain adequate nourishment no matter what state they live in as long as they are a legal resident. Same thing with Social Security Disability. It'snot enough money to live independently in all states but it is enough to keep a roof over your head if you are willing to share expenses. If West Virginia had to provide living expenses like rent and food for their disabled they simply would have no budget for it and disabled people would be piled up in shabby facilities eating gruel.

Like Tupac said "They got money for war but can't feed the poor?" How about we cut that military in half instead, end the drug war and collapse the prison industrial complex? That will save a couple trillion.

I moved from Seattle to rural KY a little over six years ago. There are a lot of people on disability here. The reason is that you can live off it here. My neighbor does. And he burned through several doctors before he could find one that would support his case, if you get my drift.

I agree with you regarding incarceration and the drug war, but I think the military is what the fedgov should be focused on, and they could eliminate the IRS almost completely.

Well, if it were not for that darned debt service that will very soon collapse the country anyway...

 

[Cearbhall]

So you couldn't answer my question. That's OK. I'm waiting for someone who can give a thoughtful answer.

It adds accountability and discourages crime. Pretty simple.

 

[Hank77]

The governor of TEXAS spoke and noted that Texan law requires a permit to carry guns. This killer was REFUSED a permit. So, better ENFORCEMENT of gun LAWS would help. It would also help for all to have laws as Texas does.

Look at the chart on this page.
Gun laws in Texas - Wikipedia

 

[mark46]

I'm OK with the argument about whether the states or the federal government should control medical spending, subject to limits.

Many here simply want all government to pay less., if anything.

FOR EXAMPLE, block grants of existing programs could be made, with no reduction in amounts. The question is which rules should be REQUIRED associated with send the state the monies.

I believe that there is consensus that folks with pre-conditions should be guaranteed affordable access, and that Medicaid should be allowed to be used for nursing care.

There is little consensus with regard to INCREASING the responsibility of the federal government.

BTW, should block grants be approved, many states would move to single payer or mixed payer systems that guarantee affordable access to all. As of now, the federal government is only willing to provide such coverage for old people and for the military. Perhaps, we would be better off if everyone in certain state had access.

The Federal programs you would eliminate and leave to the states would ensure unequal treatment of American citizens based of geographic status. A state like mine would probably do fine if they had strict legal resident regulation however, children in states like Mississippi could be literally malnourished which is rediculas in a country as rich as the United States. With SNAP, families especially those with children are able to obtain adequate nourishment no matter what state they live in as long as they are a legal resident. Same thing with Social Security Disability. It'snot enough money to live independently in all states but it is enough to keep a roof over your head if you are willing to share expenses. If West Virginia had to provide living expenses like rent and food for their disabled they simply would have no budget for it and disabled people would be piled up in shabby facilities eating gruel.

Like Tupac said "They got money for war but can't feed the poor?" How about we cut that military in half instead, end the drug war and collapse the prison industrial complex? That will save a couple trillion.

 

[mark46]

Increasing the growth rate to historic norms over even to the current levels of 3% or a bit higher will help the government deficit by more than a couple of trillion.

Like Tupac said "They got money for war but can't feed the poor?" How about we cut that military in half instead, end the drug war and collapse the prison industrial complex? That will save a couple trillion.

 

[Almost there]

Whennthe government taxes you to pay for; police, fire, schools, military, etc etc, take away your freedom?

Money is freedom. When they take it away, they take away my freedom to spend the fruits of my labor as I see fit. I can't afford to put my kids in a quality private school because of all the money the government spends on a questional quality public school. Etc.

Did you hear about the town that had voluntary support for the fire department. Everyone could pay a small amount per year, but some people opted out. One day, an "opt out" in a subdivision had a house fire. The fire department showed up to keep his neighbors' homes wet so they didn't catch fire as they watched his burn to the ground.

Afterward, he was really mad that they did NOTHING for his house. They explained that if they had, it would have made no sense for the others to pay for their fire protection. Capitalism at its best. I'm all for that sort of thing. You know that police departments are a relatively new phenomenon?

 

[Almost there]

I'm OK with the argument about whether the states or the federal government should control medical spending, subject to limits.

Many here simply want all government to pay less., if anything.

FOR EXAMPLE, block grants of existing programs could be made, with no reduction in amounts. The question is which rules should be REQUIRED associated with send the state the monies.

I believe that there is consensus that folks with pre-conditions should be guaranteed affordable access, and that Medicaid should be allowed to be used for nursing care.

There is little consensus with regard to INCREASING the responsibility of the federal government.

BTW, should block grants be approved, many states would move to single payer or mixed payer systems that guarantee affordable access to all. As of now, the federal government is only willing to provide such coverage for old people and for the military. Perhaps, we would be better off if everyone in certain state had access.

I'm against block grants. They come from my federal taxes.

And health care is really not all that expensive. It's only expensive if you have insurance. I just had a friend break his collar bone. When the emergency room found out he had no insurance, they said they would to it for 22% of the regular price. Cost him less than $300. I used a clinic for my daughter's broken arm in the 1990's. Cost $275 for everything. And there is no valid reason for it to cost more.

 

[bhsmte]

Money is freedom. When they take it away, they take away my freedom to spend the fruits of my labor as I see fit. I can't afford to put my kids in a quality private school because of all the money the government spends on a questional quality public school. Etc.

Did you hear about the town that had voluntary support for the fire department. Everyone could pay a small amount per year, but some people opted out. One day, an "opt out" in a subdivision had a house fire. The fire department showed up to keep his neighbors' homes wet so they didn't catch fire as they watched his burn to the ground.

Afterward, he was really mad that they did NOTHING for his house. They explained that if they had, it would have made no sense for the others to pay for their fire protection. Capitalism at its best. I'm all for that sort of thing. You know that police departments are a relatively new phenomenon?

Maybe you live in the wrong country. Last i checked, the constitution gives the government power to tax.

 

[Rion]

Really...??

Most Americans support stricter gun laws. Here’s why nothing happens.

It says specific policies, not amending the constitution.

Also, if you look at the chart, favor against control is increasing, slowly but surely:

Public remains closely divided on controlling guns and protecting rights

 

[LostMarbels]

Maybe you live in the wrong country. Last i checked, the constitution gives the government power to tax.

Congress. Because of that whole taxation without representation thing. Your representatives are supposed to push for and pay for things you vote for.

 

[bhsmte]

I'm against block grants. They come from my federal taxes.

And health care is really not all that expensive. It's only expensive if you have insurance. I just had a friend break his collar bone. When the emergency room found out he had no insurance, they said they would to it for 22% of the regular price. Cost him less than $300. I used a clinic for my daughter's broken arm in the 1990's. Cost $275 for everything. And there is no valid reason for it to cost more.

LOL,

I have been an executive in healthcare for over 20 years. A broken clavicle was $300??? That is amusing.

And, i hate to break it to you, but billed charges in healthcare are meaningless. Blue cross reimburses health care providers between 20-25% of billed charges. If you dont have insurance, you can negotiate the same self pay discounts the insurance companies get, but you will pay 100% of that vs insurance kicking in a large chunk.

You really seem quite misinformed, how healthcare works.

 

[Almost there]

Maybe you live in the wrong country. Last i checked, the constitution gives the government power to tax.

Yes it does. As with most people, it's not paying taxes that I have a problem with. It's HOW it is spent.

It's gotten terribly skewed over the centuries to where it is clearly a much less free country than it used to be. It's why I moved to central KY from Seattle. I have 32 acres and build whatever I want - no building permit required. The taxes are ridiculously low and so are the un-necessary government services. We take care of ourselves just fine.

 

[mark46]

I'm against block grants. They come from my federal taxes.

And health care is really not all that expensive. It's only expensive if you have insurance. I just had a friend break his collar bone. When the emergency room found out he had no insurance, they said they would to it for 22% of the regular price. Cost him less than $300. I used a clinic for my daughter's broken arm in the 1990's. Cost $275 for everything. And there is no valid reason for it to cost more.

When I was in the hospital a couple of years ago, the costs were $40K. How many of us could afford 78% of these costs. Catastrophic insurance policies have their own issues. Many will simply not use medical care, and will end up being a drain on society.

 

[Almost there]

LOL,

I have been an executive in healthcare for over 20 years. A broken clavicle was $300??? That is amusing.

And, i hate to break it to you, but billed charges in healthcare are meaningless. Blue cross reimburses health care providers between 20-25% of billed charges. If you dont have insurance, you can negotiate the same self pay discounts the insurance companies get, but you will pay 100% of that vs insurance kicking in a large chunk.

You really seem quite misinformed, how healthcare works.

Excellent! Maybe you can respond to this:

 

[bhsmte]

Excellent! Maybe you can respond to this:

Indont watch videos. Explain it in your own words.

 

[Almost there]

When I was in the hospital a couple of years ago, the costs were $40K. How many of us could afford 78% of these costs. Catastrophic insurance policies have their own issues. Many will simply not use medical care, and will end up being a drain on society.

The real question should be, "Why was it $40k?"

I also have one acqaintence that was cured of stage 4 breast cancer using the Gerson method. And it really ticked off her doctor. Seven years cancer free now.

Another friend DID do the chemo. Afterward, they were doing preparations to go through another round of treatments, but the doctor was so hugely impressed by the results a few weeks (or months, I forget which) later that they decided it wasn't needed. When the doctor asked him if he had been taking anything that was responsible for such an incredible recovery, my friend told him about the Marijuana extract he had been taking for it. The doctor got not just angry but abusive with him and his wife.

There is something going on in the health care and health insurance industries right now. The one GOOD thing about obamacare is that it is causing people to shop around for price.

 

[Almost there]

Indont watch videos. Explain it in your own words.

Prices are made up out of whole cloth and it has to do with the Chargemaster. Chargemaster - Wikipedia

He discusses how what is $200 in one hospital may be $3,000 in another, etc. It supports my personal experience. There are now a lot of places in the country where you can get an MRI for full out of pocket cost of $399 or even less. This includes results interpretation of some sort.

If all medical expenses were covered like non-surgical dental, hearing, optical and lasic, it would be cheap. And if auto insurance was like health care insurance, it would cover oil changes and tires.

 

[bhsmte]

Prices are made up out of whole cloth and it has to do with the Chargemaster. Chargemaster - Wikipedia

He discusses how what is $200 in one hospital may be $3,000 in another, etc. It supports my personal experience. There are now a lot of places in the country where you can get an MRI for full out of pocket cost of $399 or even less. This includes results interpretation of some sort.

If all medical expenses were covered like non-surgical dental, hearing, optical and lasic, it would be cheap. And if auto insurance was like health care insurance, it would cover oil changes and tires.

Wrong. Medical providers do have a charge master, but they are typically based off of what is considered, usual and customary. Billed charges i will say again are meaningless. Most insurance companies reimburse healthcare providers off of the medicare fee schedule for all codes. You can bill whatever you want, but blue cross is still going to pay what they negotiated with you per contract.