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Sorry, Mr. Rogen, but Gad's right.
Politics was never intended for entertainment.
Follow Ups:
North Korean former soldier meets American in Seoul.
"Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. "
― W.C. Fields
Philosopher Larry Powers published an interesting paper in 1995 arguing that there's only one logical fallacy which arises when terms are used to mean more than one thing.IMHO, people almost always are arguing apples and oranges. The article is attached.
The One Fallacy Theory
Lawrence H. Powers
Informal Logic 17 (2) (1995)"My One Fallacy theory says there is only one fallacy: equivocation, or playing on an ambiguity. In this paper I explain how this theory arose from metaphilosophical concerns. And I contrast this theory with purely logical, dialectical, and psychological notions of fallacy."
"Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. "
― W.C. Fields
Edits: 02/14/21
people will perpetually argue about which is the best system when all are imperfect, and the most successful systems combine the best attributes of capitalism, socialism, and Libertarianism into a working balance.
Attached is an interesting paper by Evsey D. Domar whose expertise was in comparative economics. Agreed, ideologies and isms should be mixed with Nihilism kept out of the mix.
"Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. "
― W.C. Fields
Agree and America is obviously better than MOST countries. The issue is countries have various holes or blind spots. People are far too "team" oriented. If it's my team they can do no wrong.
This works in sports, religion, and politics. If a player on my hockey team dirty hits someone - excuses are made. If the other team's player makes a dirty hit that is far less of a dirty hit - outrage - he should get suspended.
So Beau (a police officer trainer and vet) talks about 45's accomplishments. Noting what his supporters see in him.
Often has no rational basis...as flippant as a 12 years old deciding what his favorite car brand or football team is.
the emotional investment on display isn't very humorous at all
why some people treat the production, allocation and reinvestment of human capital as a team sport is both confounding and distressing; the only race you'll win with that attitude is a race to the bottom
maybe it's just me ... I always thought 'the perfectibility of man' was a noble goal requiring 'community' not diffraction through distraction
with regards,
Not literal laughter. The consequences are not funny.
of course ... humor & irony are very often two sides of the same coin
IME you'll run out of humor and coin before you run out of irony though
with regards,
It is great fun watching them scramble for some lame bits of "sense".
Socialism does not equal communism, nor is it "the first step."
I suppose Finland or Sweden could suddenly have a revolution and become communist states, but it's more likely your adopted country would do so and become a fascist one. Came pretty close a few weeks ago...
These countries have all been around quite some time. Always curious to see how they are "fascist" or "becoming fascist" - The people live longer and are happier and safer in all of them vs the US. Curious indeed.
Canada
New Zealand
Australia
Great Britain
Norway
Japan
Sweden
Denmark
Switzerland
France
The Netherlands
Finland
I mean even Trump - he's a billionaire and he always looks miserable - sourpuss's face. The Happy Trumpers killing people at Capital Hill - so so happy apparently.
It's a good idea to take trips and actually SEE some of these places - then you know why a Tokyo shits on any US city!
There are many more examples, but the title line is too short.
So what's your point? Current Germany is not Hitler Germany.The Nordic nations have been around longer than the USA and were not fascist.
Trumpland is far closer to Hitler and Fascism than the likes of Bernie Sanders, AOC, or Justin Trudeau.
You just had a president who refused a peaceful transfer of power and is guilty of sedition and wanted to commit a coup. The USA is FAR closer ot fascism than Canada or the countries I listed.
I think you are mixing up corrupt countries that call themselves socialist versus the MAJORITY of countries that are democratic socialist.
Edits: 02/12/21
It would be informative to remind the proponents of that syphilis, that for some strange reason the number of people moving from those paradises to the rotten US is about 100:1 the number of idiots moving in the opposite direction.
Such is the irony. It is perfectly acceptable to call yourself a "socialist" while enjoying what the more free forms of society can give you.
It is called hypocrisy.
Just about every other first world nation on the planet has socialized medicine. And when asked virtually no one from any of these countries would exchange it for our system of health care. The people actually living in these "socialist" countries are actually quite vocal about the virtues of their socialist programs. You are merely pretending this is not true. And it is funny that you would single out Cuba as an example. A country that has been forced into poverty by the rest of the world lead by us to preasure them into revolt. And yet even poor poor poor Cuba has higher rated healthcare system than us.
100:1 evidence please. Which countries to which countries. America doesn't keep track of those statistics with any degree of accuracy. I have met many Americans abroad - I have yet to meet a single one of them who wants to move back to the US.The problem with the dopey argument is that many Americans buy into the bill of goods ra ra sis boom ba you're either with us or against us brainwashing from cradle to grave. They don't GO ANYWHERE and see anything so they sit and watch Fox News tell them that everywhere else is bad.
https://www.aetnainternational.com/en/about-us/explore/living-abroad/culture-lifestyle/where-are-Americans-emigrating-to-and-why.html
America has a nasty little policy of double taxation on world income which many other countries do not have. When I teach in Hong Kong I pay only HK income tax - not Canadian income tax. An American pays both which limits his earning power and thus lessens the desire to work abroad.
The dire situations in Mexico - well sure the USA looks pretty good in comparison. They'll come in droves. It's not like they can afford a plane ticket to fly to Denmark - but they can walk to the border for free.
Different countries have means tests to be able to immigrate. For example - my Qualifications allow me to teach in most US States - an American teacher's qualifications are "lesser" and they can't get a job teaching in Canada without taking several more courses at a Canadian University.
So there is a better chance that a Canadian Teacher would emigrate to the States than the other way around. But the only reason they would move to the States - is for employment. I know several - they all wanted to and or have moved back to Canada.
Lots of Americans move abroad and lots of people move to the States.
The argument of immigration is a red-herring. Jobs, geographic location, weather, marriage, religion impact immigration. Since many Americans live paycheque to paycheque and have no education they may want to move but can't. They do not have the means.
But you didn't address the fact that there isn't the slightest sign or hint of fascism in any of the countries I listed which would ALL be vastly better for a middle-income earner. The country that has been closest to fascism has been the USA for the last 4 years. The Capital was a pretty big alarm bell.
You watch a lot of holocaust films - I guess you only watch movies "skin deep" like the cinematography - you sure as shit didn't learn anything watching Trumpism grow its fascist head.
Edits: 02/12/21 02/12/21
I see lots of 'sort-of' discussion where facism and nazism are term thrown about as if synonomous.
Isn't it true that one is primarily an economic system.....National Socialism. this brought us the VW.
While the other part is the political arm?
Where COULD you move if you wanted out of the States? Costa Rica? Shetland Islands?
I'm kind of at a loss here.
Too much is never enough
You are still close to the US border so you can visit family and friends and in general, it's similar in terms of pop culture and most values. Liberal values.Pick a city.
Some reasons to move to Canada
Edits: 02/13/21
I looked at it thirty-five years ago but didn't qualify
Windsor was a lovely city back then and I worked in Detroit. It's still a nice city but it lost a fair amount of its charm after the casino was opened and many riverside restaurants closed.
I'd move to Vancouver, Victoria, or Montreal in a heart beat.
"Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. "
― W.C. Fields
Weather is 'on the list' of considerations.
Other things on the list include...and in NO particular order,
Medical? Cost of Living? Ability to buy / own home? Or Build, maybe?
I don't think I'd be happy in a place with a REAL winter. Wife definately wouldn't go for it, being a warm weather person. And Virtually all her family is around here, so 2000 miles and change is certainly not trivial.
But I DO get the idea. Even Vancouver might be nice....though SNOW! Back east to Montreal or ??
Summerland and Penticon get HIGH MARKS for 'Banana Belt' weather. Worth a 2nd look.....
Can you get a CCW in Canada?
Too much is never enough
Don't believe all those nasty rumors!
Not worried particularly about a piece of paper. It's what goes WITH it that may be the problem?
Too much is never enough
Was meant to be a joke... I must be losing my tough. :(
Canada is California on steroids.
You never had much 'tough' but your touch IS failing........
Canada has SOME attractive features. I'd LOVE to take the Trans Canada train ride, for example.
Montreal has been used as a 'stand-in' for I think Helsinki in a few movies. The list of Hollywood productions both set in and just using Montreal is quite extensive.
And as kind of an aside? Viking Runes and other 'signs' have been found in the Eastern 1/3rd of the USA for a long time. I wonder if anything similar has been found in Canada? A little cold didnt' seem to bother the Vikings.
Too much is never enough
Well the weather isn't great outside of Victoria or Vancouver and there may be difficult requirements to get in.
There are plenty of websites that talk about the best placed in the world to retire - I have considered places like Equador and Portugal. Nicer weather for sure. And it helps to move to places with a lot of English.
example
While on Holiday a few years ago, I made a brief visit to Costa Rica. ONLY downside was the number of nasty reptiles / bugs.
Plenty of Volcanoes, too.
Country is clean and nice people. Plenty of Ex-Pats and several places to move with that in mind.
You can even get a decent PIZZA. Good medical and no danger of a military takeover. Nicaragua to the North is a problem.
But generally a few choices of Climate Type. Do Not go in the Ocean in several places. We saw Crocs / Gators in a few rivers, at least one of which was maybe 12 feet..... The boss. So I guess water skiing is OUT.
Too much is never enough
So much for the "Land of the Free"Here are the LEAST free nations on earth - as in political, economic, and personal freedoms. It also shows the steep decline in US freedom since 2016 https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2018/democracy-crisis
The top 27 freest nations. Note too that right-wing Republican owned think tanks like the Cato Institute are also involved in this evaluation so it is not lefty propaganda.
You have more freedom in Tuvalu than the USA - LOL - I mean Tuvalu - what? where? FFS!!
The USA ranked 58th! FFS! Let's see where the US ranks in 2024
Edits: 02/15/21 02/15/21
I see what you mean and don't doubt what your sources say. But I might add one thing.A society is free in proportion to the ability of its members to exercise self-control. A people with little self control will need more 'policiing'. In a perfect society, you wouldn't need police since everyone would want to behave themselves. And would do so. Mechanisms other than vioience would be needed to mediate the inevitable disputes.
The politics of me-firstism from the right AND left just makes it worse.
Don't forget to ADD that the US Incarceration Rate is among the highest on the planet.
If you look at the LINK, It would be interesting to chart the politics of those states having a HIGHER than USA Average incarcertaion rate V the remainder. US rates very highly by this measure, which is to say, poorly for personal freedom....which people seem unable to cope with.
I wonder where China lies on this measure?
Too much is never enough
Edits: 02/16/21
Very nice climate, good people, great food, cheap local wine, VERY friendly towards the Americans.
Perhaps should avoid Gori, Georgia.
Bill
Georgia USA or Independent Georgia, formerly of the USSR?
If the European version, would I get issued an AK at checkin? Is there a good Stereo store in Tbilisi? Or perhaps a good camera store? Must have a Trader Joe's Market, too....
Georgia USA is in the Hurricane Path. And within 100 miles of the coast is WAY to humid for human life. And based on 'Housewives', I don't want anything to DO with ATlanta. Further inland?
Too much is never enough
'friendly towards the Americans'
well, they 'went blue' which should help
[sic]
regards,
I'd leave politics OUT of my travels. I've found that people treat you as you treat them. If you are an imperialist, you'll get the cold shoulder. If meeting someone half-way? You'll get along better.
I've had people 'suddently' decide they DID speak English after deciding me and wife weren't jerks.
Europen trains are an especially neat place to meet people. We even met tourists from Asia while on a boat ride in Lake Lucerne.....
You should probably leave your MAGA hat and Biden t-shirt at home.
Too much is never enough
Our neighbors moved to Croatia about ten years ago. When they first mentioned thinking about it about 12 years ago I said "what!?"
But they did, and they love it there. Bought a place on an island off the coast and with the help of local workers renovated it.
Some young people there speak English, but not many older folks. There was an old guy at a local store who never said a word to them for months, then one day began speaking amazingly good English with them. Come to find out he has spent time in the US long ago, but I guess he wanted to size our friends up a bit before commiting to converse!
Many people don't realize that their Medicare does not work in other countries.
Me... I am staying here, I am not going anywhere. There is no better place on Earth.
The 99 reasons the USA is inferior to Canada.
"(11) We're less prudish: An Angus Reid poll found 83 per cent of Canadians believe sex between an unmarried man and woman is acceptable, versus just 59 per cent of Americans.
12. We're better educated: 48.3 per cent of Canadians have a post-secondary degree, compared to 40.3 per cent in the U.S.
13. We're fitter: The percentage of American adults who are obese is 35.9. In Canada, it's 24.2.
14. We have more sex: According to a survey by condom-maker Durex, 59 per cent of Canadians say they have sex weekly, versus 53 per cent of Americans.
The money stuff which is probably what you and TWB care most about (or only about)
16. We're richer: Canada's average household net worth of $363,000 is higher than America's, at $320,000.
21. We live in bigger houses: We have 2.6 rooms per person in Canada, versus 2.3 in the U.S.
22. Canada has greater economic freedom: So says the U.S.-based Heritage Foundation Index of Economic Freedom. Canada scores 6th place, while America comes in 10th. Credit our sounder public finances.
25. Our banks are better: Earlier this year Bloomberg ranked the world's strongest banks. Four of the top 10 were Canadian, and all scored higher than the top U.S. bank, Citigroup, which came in 9th.
There's more: (28) Our corporate taxes are lower (PricewaterhouseCoopers ranks Canada 8th out of 185 countries for its advantageous corporate tax structure while the U.S. is 69th). (29) We embrace transit: Seven of the 10 North American cities with the most people taking transit to work are in Canada. (30) We get more paid holidays: America has no mandated paid holidays or vacation time, so 23 per cent of U.S. workers get no paid time off, compared to Canadian workers who get at least two weeks and nine paid public holidays.
Also better for audiophiles -
34. Our opera house is tops: There's no city in North America with an opera house to compare to the Four Seasons Centre in Toronto. Jack Diamond, who built it, was promptly handpicked by Valery Gergiev to build the new Mariinsky II theatre in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Also less censoring (You know that FREEDOM of speech you Trumpers supposedly value (but only if you agree with it).
36. Our broadcast TV doesn't have to treat adults like children: Maybe it's because Americans are such sensitive folk, or it's our ill-defined role as cultural bridge between the U.S. and Europe, but Canadian TV regularly gets away with showing things broadcast networks south of the border can't: nipples, F-bombs and the like. When The Sopranos aired unedited on CTV, executive producer David Chase said that could never happen on U.S. network TV: "It's just not possible, we have rules against that."
Sports
46. Better football: Since the late 1970s, the National Football League has been tweaking its rules to encourage more passing—that is, to make the U.S. game more exciting. Up here, we got it right the first time: a three-down game on a great, big field. So on second and 10, you can bet that ball will be in the air.
49. We have better skiing: Canada's most popular ski resort, Whistler, trumps America's most-visited resort, Vail, with more trails (200 vs. 193), longer runs (a total of 36,960 feet vs. 15,840 feet) and more snow (469 inches vs. 348 inches)
And the stupid detector:
(79) We're more rational: Most Canadians (61 per cent) accept evolution, compared to just 30 per cent of Americans. Incidentally, the same percentage believe Bigfoot is "definitely" or "probably" real.
The rest.
It's not hard to be more advanced than the USA.
"Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. "
― W.C. Fields
There is no better place on Earth.You don't get out much do you? It's not even the best place in North America.
Edits: 02/21/21 02/22/21 02/22/21 02/22/21
Near enough to Italy to be interesting. I expect regular ferry service to / from half a dozen places on either side.
But overall? Too many words without Vowels.
I'll bet the climate is terrific. And being around where so much Euro and 'Western' history happened must be a study into itself. I'll bet the photographic possibilitties are limitless.
Too much is never enough
I've got people in Van City ... there's a great place!
gotta get back there some day
too bad you just can't 'move to CN' though
best regards,
Before I do a search out of simple curiosity? What are requirements for permanent resident status?
Financial? Educational? Gotta know somebody? Good on skis or snowshoes?
Too much is never enough
check the link ...
Got it.
I'll read in detail tomorrow and expand the search. Need buy-in from wife, which is about a 20:1 shot against. But I'll try it out.......
I need to look at a good map, too......(my bookshelves have 3 or 4 Atlase including the Britannica)
Too much is never enough
Vancouver is just a jog up the coast
VanCity rocks ... I really gotta go back sometime
a little too old to really rock but ... maybe roll?
regards,
From where I sit, it's 30" to the train station. North on Amtrack to Union Station. Depending on when I arrive and Coast Starlight departs, I may have time to dodge over to ChinaTown and have lunch at 'Philippe The Original' which is the inventor of the French Dip. In business since 1908.
Wife and I took our Prissy Neice there several years back and she WOULDN'T eat. Sawdust on the floor took her off her feed. Good Grief! (LOL alert)
Train to Seattle and public transport UP to Vancouver. It's about a 30 hour trip.....one NITE on the train so you may want a 'roomette'......
Too much is never enough
Gilligan's Isle
all the conveniences and off the grid!
regards,
Another 'do as I say, not as I do'......situation.
Like everybody has to retire by 65 or 66 or whenever. UNLESS you are an elected person to either the Congress (House and Senate) or as Chief Executive.....POTUS.
Congress has of course passed lots of laws to which they are immune.....
Too much is never enough
I tell myself that maybe I'll get an 'lol' out of you one of these days if you weren't so ornery ... who knows? ; )
best regards,
To be perfectly honest? As I get older I get LESS tolerant. Of politicians and other elected hacks.
And as my boss once told me? 'I'll start acting nicer, if you start acting smarter'....or some such!
Being on the edge of Obsessive / Compulsive isn't easy. I have difficulty relaxing and turning the brain cell OFF for sleep. I'm up about 18 hours / day.
For example? Here in San Diego? SDGE (Sempra Energy) had its 50 year contract run out last month.
I wrote to several politicians asking WHEN information was sent out to eligible companies to BID on the gas and electric utility. No meaningful answer.....and never will be. We can't let anything interfere with the Executive Bonus Program.
BTW? We pay the highest electric rates in California, which means upper 10% in the nation.....
I'll give fair warning for a LOL moment. This wasn't one....
Too much is never enough
you'll give fair warning that you'll laugh?
good gawd man what happened to you?
never mind, don't say anything, it's not a good idea
with regards,
Fair Warning to YOU of a LOL moment.
God, you can be thick......
Too much is never enough
if I have to explain that when someone is being intentionally obtuse ...
ah, never mind
regards,
with a capitalist/socialist hybrid system. The first-tier nations earlier mentioned decided democratically, in free elections, that they would invest more in equality for all their citizens.
Those repressive countries you mentioned aren't known for free elections, are they? They have no histories of democratic rule.Consider Germany and its economy, Victor. Do you not see that country's economic success, after being torn apart (understandably) by your former country, has been predicated on providing top-notch free education and services to all? Second, you do realize the US lags FAR behind these other top countries in upward mobility? Genius isn't restricted by zip code. It is a very rare thing that is as likely to spring up among the poorest as it is amongst the rich. Need I remind you, there are a lot more poor...
And can you please, please leave out the personal insults? We all enjoy good discussions, but personalized demonizing subverts them.
Edits: 02/12/21
Is most definitely hybrid. In pure capitalism firms would be allowed to fail.
"Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. "
― W.C. Fields
d
ah yes ... economic top tier = privatize my gains / socialism for my losses
'middle tier' = privatize my gains / eat 'our' losses
'lowest tier' = eat my gains / eat my losses
we all get a 'phone' so it's fair
<> Ż\_(ツ)_/Ż <>
"Only the little people pay taxes."
"Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. "
― W.C. Fields
'"Only the little people pay taxes."
Who exactly did Vic insult? As I pointed out to you before, why don't you take your perennial soapbox and move on to a forum more suited to your obsession....
Edits: 02/12/21
Just like any other fascism, it goes through stages.
You can have trains run on time.
Next you are gonna hear about "free" education and medicine.
d
.
truly wants better public education, it will cost more.Ask yourself: am I anti-tax? If your answer is positive, there's no solution.
The US has the highest percentage of poor of any developed nation. Educating that group will be expensive for a time until that elevates a higher percentage than now.
Let me guess: you're for privatizing Social Security, too? Being logical, you're also for allowing big banks to fail, farmers to go bankrupt, and for corporate loopholes being eliminated? I know you and your family happily will volunteer to don Hazmat suits and clean up Superfund sites, also. Those are corporate cesspools that we, taxpayers, now pay to clean up. Those corporate guys also so bleed many corporations that the pension funds are bare and the government has to fund them.
And yes, I lived in a dictatorship for several years, a horrible and repressive and violent one. It was a right-wing military variety.
Edits: 02/13/21
with for-profit care is that it chooses dollars over lives every single time.
Examples like the above is why it needs to change. How it changes is what needs to be debated - but those on the right never actually do anything - they are anti-policy and anti-fix. Just tax cuts and more tax cuts.
Countries that have no public health care and no public education and it's working just fine for the common people. Given your disdain for public health care and public education surely you must know of some such success stories out there.
According to you Medicare is a public health system. I guess you just don't know the difference.
for obvious reasons. There aren't any examples.
but that's what it is Victor, paid for under the Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance program administered by the Social Security Administration ... what do you think it is?
it is considered public because all US citizens will qualify upon reaching a certain age
with regards,
...a public fund, that pays for PORTION of private medical care. It has no doctors, no clinics.For true "public health systems" you need to go to the USSR or Cuba. Where all doctors are state employees, all clinics with their equipment are state property.
We still, fortunately, have private medical care system.
It is a VERY reasonable assumption, what removing that private element from the health care would cause it to collapse to the above mentioned examples.
Constantly, I read some British articles: "WOW! A new, breakthrough cancer treatment is now available in the UK!!!!"
Cool... we had that treatment here 18 years ago. And the British system is not even a true public one.
BTW... to be exact, not ALL US citizens are eligible for Medicare.
Edits: 02/12/21 02/12/21
Then the model that works better is the Single Payer system in Canada and not the USSR or a badly run system heavily weakened by the GOP over the years turning Medicare to crap. It needs to be properly run. But that is a separate issue.In Canada - the government doesn't run hospitals. The government merely pays the bills. You go to your doctor you need an operation - the doctor and you decide what you need - the doctor does the operation and prescribes the pills and sends the bill to the government.
The doctor in the US wants to put you on X drug but has to phone up an HMO and the HMO says - our plan doesn't cover X it covers a pill that is "almost the same" in Y - so the doctor is now prescribing pills based on what the HMO and your coverage will allow.
The US healthcare system ranks at the very bottom of all industrialized nations in most metrics - so private hospitals and you pay for it all isn't working - you actually pay MORE to get less. This doesn't mean Canada is anywhere near perfect - it's got problems - wait times on non-urgent elective surgery is long because there simply aren't enough people in the medical field to do the elective operations. However, we do have private clinics so if you don't want to wait for an MRI on your knee you can pay for that instead of waiting in line.
I get it you are uber rich guy so your perspective is different than the bottom 99% but if you are at all capable try to pretend you are in the middle of the middle class. Pretend that the majority is more important than the one.
Some good points here.
Edits: 02/12/21 02/12/21 02/14/21
RGA your post is presumptuous despite making some good points
it posits what someone's financial position is that you can't possibly know then beats up a straw man
no personal offense or snipe is intended I just hate to see good points get lost in a scrum
best regards,
The "I got mine so screw you" mentality tends to emanate from one financial class of person. While some in the middle and lower financial class have been duped to vote against their own self-interests the majority have not.
And these things are not based on singular posts but across months and years of posts with various patterns.
Please understand something - my posts to certain posters here are not to try and convince them or to change their minds. Teaching old dogs new tricks is like convincing people to get out from under the thumb of religion. For me, it's more about that game at the old arcades called "Whack-a-Mole" (photo above).
Arguments of reason don't work so it's just whack-a-mole. People here only preach to their choirs. As I have traveled and lived in several different countries my perspective is different than some others who don't get out much and see the world first hand.
The things we are taught in school are often BS to keep us in check. America has just proven the statement "No one is above the Law" is complete and utter bullshit. "Violence doesn't solve problems" when in reality it is the only thing that usually does. Flower Power wasn't taking down the Nazis. Americans must agree because the US Industrial complex is where most of the taxes are going. No one stops to think that you should have a country worth defending before you spend all your money to defend it.
It's more about being frustrated at seeing the obvious potential and a relatively easy fix but the guy you brought in to fix the Rolex only has one tool - a sledgehammer. Nuance isn't in their mindset.
Frustration River Valley. Plus too much time on my hands with Covid I suspect. Granted this is mostly an American board so it's just that I see things from a different perspective - something that is obvious to me is not seen as obvious to some posters on this board. So it's kind of baffling to me.
But hey - have a laugh - Canada sure ain't perfect either :)
'Frustration River Valley'
by golly, there's an Americana song title right there!
thanks for the reply & trust that I understood your POV before reading it
there's not much nuance in dismissal though some ideas deserve it out of hand
it's difficult to peer behind what's said for why it's said
which is why one should never assume it's been seen & stop looking
sounds like a self help ditty from pop-sci but I've found it to be true
with regards,
'For true "public health systems"'
you appear to be defining what constitutes a public health care system based on it's delivery mechanism of services which removes it from the proper context; basically redefining the terminology involved
'Medicare' is a publicly funded [via the FICA tax] publicly administered [via Gov't] program with services provided via private contractor participation in said public program subject to Gov't oversight ... this meets all criteria for being a 'public health care system' ... it just doesn't cover all of 'the public'
best regards,
Private providers is what gives us the exceptional medical care that we get.There is no other driving mechanism for excellence. Remove it, and you will get second, then third, then forth rate service.
Give our doctors Russian salaries, and see who is left there to treat you.
Once again - fortunately, Medicare covers only a portion of our health care. No good private system would be able to survive on its rates.
And BTW - I am currently being shafted by Medicare to the tune of $7K, and dealing with them is like nothing you have seen. If you think dealing with a private insurance can be hard... think again.
Edits: 02/12/21 02/12/21
I'm sorry to hear that you're having problems with the system
on the other hand, there's at least a system to have problems with
the 'least' part of that is, of course, a problem in itself
of course since Medicare is an 'opt in' program, if someone can afford private medical coverage they're not required to sign on ... conversely, if one could afford to pay cash they wouldn't need either one
'exceptional medical' care being tethered to private practice hasn't really been studied / examined very thoroughly since it's not widely available, usually only to those who can afford that cash option
what has been studied and examined very closely is socialized medicine and those results point to a much higher comparative degree of efficacy in populations / societies where it's available
I don't think pure reward factors drive people into medical fields, so competition in this area doesn't give us 'pacers' vs. 'racers' as far as practicing their craft ... maybe in the more specialized area of plastic surgery, but overall ... ? I'm not sure ... those I know didn't get into it for the $$ though ... of course they expect as much compensation for their efforts possible, but like anything else that's a component of life style choices [where they practice: small town vs. city etc.] and work environment
well, I certainly didn't mean to write a short story responding but hey, this health coverage stuff is really complex
thanks for expanding on your other post I can see where you're coming from and the element of frustration you're dealing with ... it's unfortunate that health insurance matters have become so conflated with the care itself
with regards,
A few weeks ago we received - out of blue - a letter, from the Treasury Department, that we owe them $7K in Medicare bills.Long story short - back in 2016 I was hit by another car. I had a couple of visits to my family doc, and maybe 10 visits to a chiropractor. That's it. All were charged under the car insurance PIP portion.
The letter, however, stated, that all the visits on the list were related to that car accident.
There were 26 pages of charges, from 2016 to 2019, none of which was related to the accident - just some routine visits and some surgeries.
My wife spent a lot of time on the phone, and all she managed to get was: write us a letter. So we did.
We received a form reply that we will be given a response in 60 days.
In the meantime, in about 3 weeks, they told us, they will start withholding up to 15% of my SS benefits.
There is no one to talk, to discuss... just one huge impersonal machine.
And if you think this is all about $7K - you are wrong... because there is absolutely no telling that this accumulation of debt stopped in 2019.
For all we know it might still be counting... perhaps forever. We were not able to get ANY answer to this question.
Prior to my getting on Medicare I spent about 36 years on private insurances... and there was never anything even close to this.
Edits: 02/12/21
I sent a pair of speakers from Detroit to neighborhood of Toronto (Canada), so over the river.The charge was $250 for a pair. Each speaker was 50lbs. After a week I was notified that the speakers are being returned to the sender. The confusion was the reason for return. At first they quoted lack of custom form then they reversed to "natural disaster" (covid). One of the speakers arrived on the porch .The other one was lost. After the inquiry they located the second one and delivered it. I was promptly charged $1200 for "overweight package" A nice customer support lady told me that the charge is for 150 Lbs and it is only the first of the two since they have to charge the same amount (another $1200) for a return shipping. There was no arguing since the "internal investigation" revealed that the package was scanned 4 times along the way and each time it confirmed 150 Lbs.
I had to report my credit card missing to avoid the extorsion and my relationship with fedex ended. I still "owe" them that money.
a timeline and you can appeal any decision. What's the problem?
There was no such a word anywhere in their correspondence.
But I get it... the government bureaucrats can do no wrong.
There was not even a word of apology.
Exactly how much do you think your care would have cost you w/out Medicare, overall, since you've both been Medicare eligible. Under "Vic-Care," it would be privatized, completely, right? No contributions "paying it forward." If you think Americans would pay for expected services in advance, willingly, you haven't followed Obamacare very well.
damn ... let me chew on this a bit and revert, I've got a few ideas rattling around to explore first
best regards,
It's all relative - America looks like Audrey Hepburn to a Russian. America looks like Roseanne Barr to a Canadian.
as one of the few people who actually works in the film industry this is just a bunch of B.S. Social liberal beliefs and advocacy of fiscal policies that provide social security nets and put tax payer's money to work for actual tax payers is not the same thing as wanting to change our society and economy to government run socialist economy. "Hollywierd liberals" are not avdocating that we convert from a capitalist economy to a socialist economy. Period. It's dumb ass prejudicial Bullshit. OTOH a lot needs to be done for us to get out of this neofuedalist economic system and back to a real capitalist economy that is predicated on the idea that given an equal playing field taht people can compete, through hard work and talent the cream will rise to the top and be rewarded and society in general will reap the benefits of their efforts. Remember? That is what capitalism was supposed to be.
Yes, it is nonsense. Basically wanting a couple of things every civilized country on earth has and they run around like Chicken little's that their country will end if they adopt medical for all - lol - I mean getting something for your tax dollars instead of the current system in the USA which is socialism for mega-corporations. The people's taxes are used to bail out billionaires. And they're too stupid to see it.
All these people run around worrying about the spending and yet none had trouble paying for Trump's golf trips? I never understand that fiscal conservatism. Can't a billionaire pay for himself - he needs "socialism" to pay for him? All the Republicans in Congress and the senate getting free 100% universal healthcare - I mean if they are SOOOOO Against medical for all - why are they happy to take it for themselves. Guess it ain't too bad now is it?
Has some good points - which will go over your head I am sure.
.
NT
.
I am sure he is far more successful than you? If he's a failed Comedian what does that make you?
Well - Americans on the right value money as success. Pick yourself up by your bootstraps is the republican mantra - in other words me vs we. An individualistic society where it is up to you to make money and we're not going to help you.
So taking Bill Maher - if Billy calls him a failed comedian then one needs to provide an example of HOW he is a failure. The onus of providing proof is on the person who makes the claim.
So Bill is on HBO and was just renewed for another 2 seasons. So if he is an epic failure then why would HBO give him another 2-year contract? Seems like a "Successful" comedy political satire no?
He has been doing this show for 19 years. Seems like a success to me?
Before that, he did 8 seasons of Politically Incorrect.
His Documentary "Religulous" is the 27th all-time money-making documentary and the highest-grossing one of 2008.
Bill Maher goes on a stand-up comedy tour through the US and Canada and sells out across both countries. Including a lot of Red States!
It's quite okay not to "like" him but that's like me not liking Prince - yeah I don't like the music but to say he's not popular or a failed musician would be asinine.
And Americans associate success with wealth - he has a net worth of $140 million - For the win!
'and sells out'
you could have started & stopped right there
regards,
this and having a lot of "model like " girlfriends..:) It's a pretty good lifestyle for a 20-30+ stag. At 50 + though it's ahem.. slightly pathetic..:) (spoken with a hint (or more) of jealousy:)
Richard wouldn't have any job teaching English to a Chinese if America was a socialist shithole and not a ruthless capitalists empire with the biggest army ever assembled imposing it's hideous cultural values over the entire world.
I get the humor - :)
I think some misread me - America to me should be able to "do it all" but has become corrupt beyond reason. America can be the world power and it can also look after its people.
Whenever I see a so-called third-world country doing things a LOT better than both America and Canada it frankly makes me puke in my mouth. How the Frak did we get to a point where bloody Norway or Finland or Hong Kong or South Korea or New Zealand can afford to operate on the neighbor's kid with needing a bloody Go-Fund page begging for money!
It's freaking pathetic when Hong Kong can do it but America can't. Then the excuses get trotted out but what are we a bunch of whiners making excises or can we not actually "outdo" those countries?
I had a finger infection. I live in HK which is very high on the economic income index (ultra-capitalist and ranks ahead of the US for economic freedom) which is why so many Americans open shop here. No sales tax, no import duties and a maximum income tax rate of 17%
I have no medical insurance. I go to the hospital - I was in the hospital for 10 full days. 2 operations - 12 doctors decided how to proceed and save my finger. All drugs, meals in the hospital, physiotherapy, all drugs during and after the operation. My total payout was $350 and 6 of the doctors graduated from Harvard medical and 2 others from Oxford - this was at St. Margaret's hospital one of the best in the world.
$350US total. If I was poor they could get most of that back.
China - third-world nation! FFS - we MUST be BETTER than this. Why do they care about their citizens more than we do about ours? I am not even one of their citizens and they care about me!
If China can do it (now I grant you Hong Kong is a lot different than China) but still it is two systems and one country.
America should be a better beacon - it can't just be words and constitutions and advertising hype and propaganda. I can walk down any street in Hong Kong - and so can any gorgeous woman at 3 am anywhere - and in South Korea and in Tokyo and there is next to ZERO chance she will be accosted - or mugged - nothing. Part of being free is always feeling SAFE and in the US (or Canada) there have been times where I have said - "Richard you're in some trouble here mate" - start putting the key between some fingers in case you have to defend yourself. That isn't "good living."
The feeling of needing a gun to defend yourself at all isn't "good living."
The age thing and dating is kind of funny - I remember watching an Episode of Fraisier - and Frasier is 40 and a 22-year-old is interested in him and he turns her away in part due to "how it will look" to others. A concept not really a concept in Asia. Roz tells him that it's hard enough to find someone without putting obstacles in the way. Fraiser teaches life lessons lol.
I am 47 and my girlfriend is 40. So it's not like that's much of a gap. Still, I would have no problem dating someone significantly younger. And you know well that a lot of women prefer older men for all sorts of reasons from security, wealth, maturity, experience etc.
And from my perspective - I like the fact that some younger women have shown interest in me. More now than when I was young.
And Hong Kong offers a LOT in this regard than living in some small town in Canada or the USA where pickings were slim. When I taught in Port McNeil British Columbia a town of 4,000 people or so - one of my roommates and I, were attracted to the same woman. And as he pointed out, of course, we were - she was the only one in the whole town worth being attracted to LOL. She was a crude redneck lout so we both avoided her in the end. Both roommates married women from Mexico on E-Harmony! Bloody hell they had to import! And no they were not poor - one of them was a banker and the other ran a clothing store chain - made more money! wow.
You live your life - it's not all nation-state politics at "theoretical levels" - it's your day-to-day living IMO that matters.
Mention Singapore and people freak that it is some kind of dictatorship - but on the ground living well yes - you are not free to chew gum and throw it on the road - you will get punished - but then so what? Follow the rules - be considerate of the land and your fellow citizens and you will never have a problem there. I don't have to look down when I walk to make sure I don't step on drug needles or gum or pop cans or whatever other crap is on the road. I don't have to read graffiti everywhere because some ass decides to vandalize something with little punishment. Whip their ass with a Caning. You're free - but not free to be an ass. I see no problem with common sense.
I lived in Mainland China for a year - no problems - work make money go to restaurants pubs site-seeing. Watch movies and TV etc. Just like anywhere. Day-to-day living was free - with the exception of internet sites being blocked. Okay so not good - but still - it's not like it was a gulag or something. Besides we had people who knew how to get proxy servers or whatever and so we always managed to get google and the like.
To read the Western media though it makes it seem like living there would be a true horror show. There is something like 70,000 Americans living in China. And that is in spite of media inducing fear tactics 24/7. It's just not that bad. People need to travel more - not just rely on American news and TV. Go to these places. See it first hand.
Maybe get a drop-dead gorgeous 30-year-old wife. Your friends may talk shit but they'll be envious deep down. LOL.
I think that some on this forum would do well to take heed of your statement! ;-)
BTW, this is another one of your outstanding posts. And when you mention China's blocking of Internet sites, it occurred to me that we have the opposite problem here: our tech overlords in Silicon Valley have, at the between-the-lines behest of congress, taken it upon themselves to block people from their de facto public sites on the Internet. LOL! Of course, that was just dandy when it started with the blocking of Donald Trump and Alex Jones - but now they're blocking sites like the socialist workers party and other left-wing organizations - for violating their vague and undefined "standards". Can you say, "slippery slope"? And yet we have the temerity to promote "our values" to the rest of the world!
Nah, they couldn't...
A lot of Trumpers change their minds when it happens to them. So when their wife needs brain surgery and their insurance company does everything and anything NOT to cover it and the bills $2million and people like TWB and Billy only have $400,000 in the bank and have to sell their house - then they might get a clue. But until it impacts them they don't see it.Same for the dummies at Trump rallies calling Covid 19 a Democrat hoax - then these human blood clots get it and on their death beds they clue in - "oh geez it is real and it's not a hoax - I am sorry I change my mind" - gasp... dead.
Same with Ronnie Reagan - they're all anti stem cell because of abortion (nonsense) then when he gets Alzheimer's, THEN and ONLY THEN do they change track and want stem cell research.
Dick Cheney is against homosexuals then his daughter comes out as a Lesbian - then it's "I'm okay with gay people." Well his daughter anyway.
They're all awful people - they only care about something when it directly happens to them. They are just as bleeding heart as the lefties - but they only begin to bleed "selfishly" when it happens to them.
And some of these clowns actually call themselves Christians - lol. Yes because Jesus cared more about the stock market than his fellow man.
Edits: 02/08/21 02/08/21
Nt.
Mark in NC
"The thought that life could be better is woven indelibly into our hearts and our brains" -Paul Simon
...
. . . my attitude towards Bill is somewhat ambivalent - after all, he projects this kind of smarmy smugness, and he's drunk deeply at the Russiagate trough*. But when he's right, he's right! ;-)
*BTW, I'm still waiting for Putin to fulfill Rachel Maddow's prediction that he's going to turn off the gas and electricity to Iowa and the rest of the Midwest during the dead of winter. And then he won't turn it back on until we sign binding agreements to buy all our gas from Gazprom! I think she was even crying about this. ;-)
Ever ask yourself why Flynn would lie to the FBI? He's the guy who called for US military intervention so the election could be redone. Hmmmm... doesn't sound particularly American, does it?
. . . E-N-T-T-R-A-P-M-E-N-T? And. . . surprise! suprise!. . . that little disgraced deep state slimeball, Peter Strzok, was involved.
Flynn did nothing different (in terms of talking with representatives from foreign countries) from what other incoming administrations have done.
As for the elections being redone, I don't agree with him, but he's entitled to his opinion.
And by "one of those", I mean being one of those irrational and wacky right-wingers going on about that "evil Deep State".
You're better than that. Or at least should be.
Mark in NC
"The thought that life could be better is woven indelibly into our hearts and our brains" -Paul Simon
. . . in 1961? It's gotten WAY worse since then. Start at about 8:40.
View YouTube Video
I guess I should congratulate the propagandists who have done such a great job in the MSM of convincing elements of the population that the deep state (i.e., the unelected military and its civilian suppliers and lobbyists, the state department, the plethora of intelligence agencies, the think tanks. . .) is some kookie idea thought up by wackos, even though the evidence is right before our eyes every day.
I also find it astonishing that the "left", which has traditionally been against our war-like and aggressive foreign policies, is (ever since Hillary lost in 2016) now best buds with all these agencies. Of course, we're not talking here about the real left - only the identity-politics corporate-controlled "left" which has had a choke-hold on the Democratic party ever since the (Bill) Clinton presidency in the '90's.
Aren't you sick of the endless wars which the deep state promotes, regardless of whether a Republican or Democratic administration is in power?
talking to a Russky. Do a search and read how much Flynn had going on with the Russians. Then consider proven Russian interference in the 2016 election. Now, put those together and consider what he said about scrapping this completely legitimate and judicially (as no election ever has been) blessed election to hold one with military supervision.
Not scared, yet?
Now, consider Flynn's brother also is a general and was directly responsible for National Guard deployment (or not).
. . . a link to "proven Russian interference in the 2016 election". Whatever this "interference" consisted of, do you think it was on the scale of this interference:
?
be argued. But that the Russian government DID in fact interfere?
I suppose you consider your own government's Justice Dept. "Deep State," right? I prefer to believe Alan Jones, myself.
. . . charges against Julian Assange. Yeah, I consider at least part of the Justice Department to be part of the Deep State. However, their policies wrt Assange could change once Merrick Garland gets in as Attorney General. (Garland - Obama's middle-of-the-road "innocuous" choice for the Supreme Court - seems to have a fairly decent record on free speech and the rights of a free press - we'll see. OTOH, he'll be obliged to pursue Biden's policies, which already conflict with some of Garland's previous rulings.) Meanwhile, Assange is rotting in Belmarsh Prison.
As for Mueller, he didn't defend his own report too well when he testified before congress, did he?
The evidence-free world of Russiagate
More. . .
this is really an unfortunate post
be well,
actually Chris it was, in addition to being unfortunate
I arrived at the unspoken logical conclusion, just not as you intended
your delusions have impaired your judgement
and that is unfortunate
be well,
Or just basic cleverness. Or all three? ;-)
ironically if you meant your OP to be funny I lost YOUR sense of humor
if you meant today's reply to be ironic instead of clever? success!
be well,
(Link below.) Did you lose track? Yeah, I thought it was pretty funny when Rachel Maddow was doing her best Glen Beck imitation and tearing up about Putin turning off the electricity in Iowa. But I guess that that's something you evidently take seriously. (BTW, were you saying something about "impaired judgment" in a couple of your other posts in this thread?)
ROTFLOL! So says one of the resident TDS victims!
hey TWB, how ya' been?
rest assured I'm not deranged, and of course this 'TDS' meme cuts both ways ... perhaps in your rush to post shade on RV817 you lost sight of the larger picture ... wait, you're sulking over the Big Sky thread, that's it!
CFL's odd Putin obsession and your bona fides as a die hard 45 apologist aside, you don't think Assange was wrong to publish the traitor Bradley Manning's stolen classified army intelligence briefs in an internet info dump? well I do
you know, that bastard went up on 22 charges and plead guilty right? he could have rcvd the death penalty for aiding the enemy! you're all good with his betrayal of country & the oaths he took to serve?
just where do you stand ... ? answer quick before the thread goes *poof*
So. . . to get serious for a minute. . . Manning (together with Assange) exposes WAR CRIMES and you call him a bastard and want the death penalty to apply? While the actual bastards who COMMITTED the war crimes roam scot-free? Man, you are one messed up dude!
I said nothing about any preferences for punishment ... if he could have afforded himself of 'whistleblower' protections he probably would have but he plead 'guilty' ... to the majority of sentient human beings that means he was, in fact, guilty as charged ... as info, I do not believe in the death sentence
what WAR CRIMES are you talking about? the most reliable sources report 'collateral damage' in the strike made under the Bush2 era command and there was zero evidence produced under the Obama era command
both involved air strikes and there was no evidence of civilian targeting in either incident ... I am anti-war and US foreign military operations in the region but you clearly have no idea what you're talking about
your opinion of me being 'messed up' is a 'consider the source' moment because as I've stated, your mind set impairs your judgement, since you can't help it I don't have any resentment about it
it is unfortunate though
be well,
"what WAR CRIMES are you talking about?"
What do you call the video below? Is it "collateral damage"? (BTW, I love your use of that Orwellian term. And since the video depicts the brutal war crimes brought to light by Wikileaks, it's restricted, but I've put in the link below too.)
View YouTube Video
And you say you're "anti-war and US foreign military operations in the region"? You could have fooled me.
So, tell me again, whose mind impairs whose judgement?
someone's fooled you CFL but it isn't me, that's not in my repertoire here
the footage you present is horrific and I personally believe that war itself is a crime against humanity but in order for military activities to be crimes they have to meet certain criteria. what you've chosen to expound on simply fails the test ... you do know that there were other players involved in the infamous 'wiki-leaks dumps' that weren't charged with criminal activity correct? no ... you obviously don't ... maybe you should look into that and figure out why
that way you can make principled judgments and statements on these matters instead of parroting the anti-American spin and propaganda deployed by those who are either avowed or sub-rosa enemies of the country you live in
there's no need for me to repeat myself about impaired judgement or 'win' any 'exchange' here so I'll just step away and let this subject drop. of course your eristic obsessive compulsive tendency won't let you, but I can
it's a really unfortunate though not unforeseen development. I do feel bad about it on many levels except for the consequential. you even forced some half-assed punctuation out of me. it's too bad that your mind-set = a set mind
be well,
And I thought you were doing so well at one time!
"you do know that there were other players involved in the infamous 'wiki-leaks dumps' that weren't charged with criminal activity correct? no ... you obviously don't ... maybe you should look into that and figure out why"
If all you can do is make allusions to some kind of "knowledge" which you suppose I don't possess, I hope you can see how that would look somewhat. . . uh. . . weak on your part.
"instead of parroting the anti-American spin and propaganda deployed by those who are either avowed or sub-rosa enemies of the country you live in"
Yes - always looking for enemies, aren't we. Our MIC is so much better off that way. Again, you deal only in allusions (and illusions for that matter!).
"there's no need for me to repeat myself about impaired judgement or 'win' any 'exchange' here so I'll just step away and let this subject drop. of course your eristic obsessive compulsive tendency won't let you, but I can"
But repeating yourself is all you've done so far. I'm the one who has presented actual evidence (e.g., the video in my previous post). Nevertheless, that's mighty fine of you to let the subject drop - tip of the hat!
NT
And anyone who disagrees is entitled to push back vigorously against the idea of a military takeover to "re-do" an election. That's a horrible idea that was rightly rejected and relegated to the discourse trash heap. It's a great example of free speech as a tool in the search for truth and the best ideas. Someone spouts lies or bad ideas, the audience rejects them and then we move on. Of course sometimes accountability for lies is necessary before we can move on as we're witnessing now in Congress.
My favorite conservative radical is the evangelical who hates Jews.
I'm getting some players mixed up here; didn't he throw the disciples out of the stock exchange?
wait, that can't be right
regards,
And Gad Saad, whoever that is, should stop paying his taxes. You know, don't be a hypocrite and all. The hypocrisy police is amuck.
d
A very nice guy.
Kind of ironic since the hotel was completely rented out by production to isolate us. We got shut down twice. Once because of me and the second time was a major outbreak. Times are still rough for us.
d
*
Fool me once, shame on you!
Fool me twice, and. . . uh. . . you can't be fooled again!
d
It's a requirement to work there!.....
...before or after the child molester and rapist?
"child molester and rapist?"But I guess Fox News didn't cover it eh?
Edits: 02/21/21
NT
odds are they can't be, that entails a conscious decision
there's too many that are obviously unconscious!
what's the context for this post? or is there one?
But here's my favorite joke about comparative economic systems:
Q. What's the difference between capitalism and communism?
A. In capitalism man exploits man. In communism it's just the opposite.
"Horse sense is the thing a horse has which keeps it from betting on people. "
― W.C. Fields
man chooses to do so, exploiter convincing enough exploited that they're fine, fine, fine!
you left out women
'she's so fine there ain't no tellin' where the money went'
'she's all mine there ain't no other way to go'
etc.
regards,
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