Miscellaneous And Off Topic Subjects

[entropy]

Stats on the probability of playing college sports:

[entropy]

http://www.vox.com/conversations/2017/1/18/14250364/democracy-liberalism-donald-trump-populism-fareed-zakaria-europe-fascism

The illiberal trend Zakaria noted in 1997 has, if anything, accelerated. The Western world isn’t becoming less democratic, but it is becoming less liberal. Even more alarming, what was a trend is now an increasingly fixed reality.

[froot loops]

"Most of the politicians did not understand..."

Water is wet

True, but if you run on being against it for 8 years you would think you might know some of the downfalls of a repeal. At least a superficial knowledge of the bullet points. If anything you would think to have some talking points to combat those pesky questions.

[entropy]

froot... I believe politicians' talk to be re-elected. Hence, understanding doesn't matter and probably gets in the way.

It's a problem with democracy

[iam416]

I don't think they misunderstood. I think they didn't care. You worry about that shit AFTER you're elected.

Does anyone really think John Lewis considered McCain to be analogous to George Wallace? Or that Romney would take us back to the days of the fire hose? Does anyone really believe that any President will actually try to "unite" the country as opposed to pushing through as much of his party's agenda as politically possible?

Say what you have to say to get elected. Worry the political fallout from broken/failed promises once you're there.

*Trump very well may have not understood -- probably didn't -- but, well...Trump...

[froot loops]

There are reports that a lot of GOP congressman have been caught flat footed that repealing the ACA will increase the deficit and bring the Medicare time horizon forward 13 years. Specifically the freedom caucus. On top of that, 20 million people losing their coverage with a repeal is not something you have to dig deep in. It's the one message that Democrats did get through on in this election.

[iam416]

Correct re coverage. That's the genius of Obamacare, politically, is that it grants affirmative benefits. Ratchet, baby! Nearly impossible to take those away no matter how unpopular or how bad the law is (illustratively speaking).

It's the proverbial poison pill.

[Hannibal]

Trump has said all along "repeal and replace". He never campaigned on the harsh reality that there is no such thing as cheap universal coverage. He has said that people need to be "taken care of". He is, unfortunately, totally on board with the idea of universal healthcare coverage, but he just thinks that there is a cheaper/more efficient way to do it. Bleh. But who knows, maybe there is one arrangement of the Titanic deck chairs that is more advantageous than another one.

[Wild Hoss]

Stats on the probability of playing college sports:

Additionally, only FBS covers full cost of attendance so the % of "free ride" 'ships is a fraction of that 6.5% shown for football. (DIII is of course, no athletic scholies)

[froot loops]

Trump did campaign on that, but he also campaigned on basically a version of the Ryan tax plan. Those policies are at loggerheads. The Ryan tax plan is a huge tax cut that would make any replacement impossible. To be sure no congressman actually campaigned on repeal and replace unlesss it was the fraudulent repeal and replace in 3 years plan.

They have always campaigned on a flat out repeal, when asked for a replacement it has always been a "get back to us" on that. If they haven't coalesced around a plan in 8 years, 3 more years won't help that.

Trump has never put forward a plan either, just that his replacement will be terrific. His HHS secretary is one of the few GOP congressman to put forward a replacement plan but it certainly doesn't meet Trump's requirements. The deductibles are higher and the coverage skimped and it's unclear whether that plan would cover as many.

The ACA always polled as unpopular but half of the disapproving public didn't approve because they thought it didn't go far enough.

[crashcourse]

trump and others only hope is to return back to your employer with a thriving middle class reestablishes the employee selecting his health plan

the creating of jobs to bolster the middle class as opposed to 50% of American supporting the other 50 % is the answer.

unfortunately we spoiled a whole segment of society into realizing its easier and beneficial not to work

ask you lower waged earners how to do it--go work fast food for 3 months then get fired for doing something grossly negligent and you just bought yourself another 6 months of benefits.

[crashcourse]

either that or create death panels

[Wild Hoss]

Well, maybe not death panels...but what are some opinions on legalizing professionally-assisted suicide? This has got to become a bigger point of debate at some point IMO, stemming purely from the cost and resources that following through on a terminal diagnosis entails if nothing else. I?m sure the life insurance industry would lobby against it being accepted on a national level tooth and nail.

I don't want to upset anybody's ethical applecart, but I have had several close relatives wither away and perish in ways that make this option real to me.

[entropy]

http://www.post-gazette.com/news/nation/2009/12/13/U-S-health-care-costs-for-the-aged-are-sky-high/stories/200912130214

costs of healthcare for the aging.. Basically, we spend the same or similar $$'s on people under 55. The increase in spend really happens after 55.

[entropy]

Whether or not that increase in spend is worth it is a complicated answer. We don't live longer, but is the quality of life better? Many people from other countries with means come to the US for care as they get older. There is a reason..