Presidential Election

[I'm a Divaaaaa]

My dad isn't someone who would just stay at a $50,000 job knowing he can achieve more success. He would work hard to get back what he lost. Some people don't care, and are lazy sometimes. So why should they be on the same level that my dad has worked really hard for over the years?

You sound really naive to the amount of available jobs right now. Chances are, especially now, that getting a better job again wouldn't come that easily. It may happen after a year or so but hypothetically speaking if the disease takes a nasty turn during that "off-year" then I guess that's just too bad, huh?

 

[Disney.Ears]

You sound really naive to the amount of available jobs right now. Chances are, especially now, that getting a better job again wouldn't come that easily. It may happen after a year or so but hypothetically speaking if the disease takes a nasty turn during that "off-year" then I guess that's just too bad, huh?

This is honestly confusing the crap out of me. :/
I don't know...

 

[Axel]

My dad isn't someone who would just stay at a $50,000 job knowing he can achieve more success. He would work hard to get back what he lost. Some people don't care, and are lazy sometimes. So why should they be on the same level that my dad has worked really hard for over the years?

What about people who are working at a job they love, even if it doesn't pay a ton of money?

How about teachers? Let's use them as an example.

Teachers in my SAU make about $40k-$45k a year on average. If every teacher in the world suddenly stopped working as a teacher and chose to work as something else just because it paid more and thus they could afford better medical insurance, where would we be?

I, personally, think that teachers should automatically get the best healthcare anyone can get. Where would we be without them? Where would we be without our postmen? Our construction crews/contractors? Our car manufacturers? Our factory employees? They're the basis of our economy and without people like them, we are nothing. Give them the best. The country doesn't need 100,000 brain surgeons. This country needs 100,000 people doing what they love without having to worry about affording healthcare.

 

[imabrat]

My dad isn't someone who would just stay at a $50,000 job knowing he can achieve more success. He would work hard to get back what he lost. Some people don't care, and are lazy sometimes. So why should they be on the same level that my dad has worked really hard for over the years?

Because disease spares no age, race, or sex. That's why. I think it's inhumane to deny someone top-notch healthcare because of their job status. If it happened to you or anyone you love, I bet you'd (general you) change your opinion.

 

[DisneyTeen2592]

Obama 08!!!!

 

[STOPxmickeytime]

My dad isn't someone who would just stay at a $50,000 job knowing he can achieve more success. He would work hard to get back what he lost. Some people don't care, and are lazy sometimes. So why should they be on the same level that my dad has worked really hard for over the years?

First off, I want to just say, I'm not trying to make you feel bad about being naive and not really knowing what you're talking about.
Because, a couple of months ago, I might have said exactly what you did. Unfortunately, I learned the hard way.

My dad worked at Merrill Lynch for, what, maybe 30 years?
He had a really solid salary and we live in a good, safe town. We had great insurance (BCBS) and everything was fine and dandy and all rainbows and butterflies.

Unfortunately, the economy finally caught up with the whole "Who cares if I don't have the money? I've got CREDIT!" mentality.
Merrill Lynch downsized. SERIOUSLY downsized.
And where'd they start cutting people? The higher up, with the higher salaries. Which, on a logical level, makes sense. But, these were also the people who had been working there the longest and had shown the most dedication and commitment.

Regardless, my dad got laid off. When I first heard that, I was like, "Man, that sucks for Dad. But he'll get a new job and then we'll be right back to the rainbows and butterflies."
Except, the aforementioned sucky economy isn't so much helping with that.
My dad's been looking for jobs EVERYWHERE. And there's NOTHING.

Not only that, but Merrill Lynch dropped his insurance coverage.
One of my little sisters and my older brother both have inner ear problems. I have expensive medication. My mom has high cholesterol. My dad has congestive heart failure and Diabetes, and requires constant medical attention.
Because of this, there's no way that we'd be able to pay out of pocket for medical. So my dad is paying a ridiculous premium each month to keep BCBS.

On top of all that, Merrill Lynch paid my dad his year and a half salary in lump payment.
Which doesn't sound bad. Except since this was over $250,000 (that's an estimation, I don't know the exact amount) in one single amount (which it never would have been had it been paid out normally like it had been in the past), the taxes on it were ridiculous. Like, taxes took about 50% of it.
Because of this, my older brother had to divert his acceptance to his dream school that he tried so hard to get into. He's now going to community college and living in the basement.
My dad's pension and retirement funds were wrapped in the stock market, so my parent's entire future is just in the air.

Honestly, all of that was pretty much a smack in the face for me.
America's been going downhill for a while, and this finally pulled me out of the "no, we're fine" bubble.

I'm for whoever will actually change the country.
Fix the economy, bring more jobs, and get equal health-care for EVERYONE. Because things can just change in a second.

I honestly believe Obama's the best bet for the job.
I just hope those weren't hot-air political promises and he follows through. It's going to be a tough job.

 

[Sparx]

First off, I want to just say, I'm not trying to make you feel bad about being naive and not really knowing what you're talking about.
Because, a couple of months ago, I might have said exactly what you did. Unfortunately, I learned the hard way.

My dad worked at Merrill Lynch for, what, maybe 30 years?
He had a really solid salary and we live in a good, safe town. We had great insurance (BCBS) and everything was fine and dandy and all rainbows and butterflies.

Unfortunately, the economy finally caught up with the whole "Who cares if I don't have the money? I've got CREDIT!" mentality.
Merrill Lynch downsized. SERIOUSLY downsized.
And where'd they start cutting people? The higher up, with the higher salaries. Which, on a logical level, makes sense. But, these were also the people who had been working there the longest and had shown the most dedication and commitment.

Regardless, my dad got laid off. When I first heard that, I was like, "Man, that sucks for Dad. But he'll get a new job and then we'll be right back to the rainbows and butterflies."
Except, the aforementioned sucky economy isn't so much helping with that.
My dad's been looking for jobs EVERYWHERE. And there's NOTHING.

Not only that, but Merrill Lynch dropped his insurance coverage.
One of my little sisters and my older brother both have inner ear problems. I have expensive medication. My mom has high cholesterol. My dad has congestive heart failure and Diabetes, and requires constant medical attention.
Because of this, there's no way that we'd be able to pay out of pocket for medical. So my dad is paying a ridiculous premium each month to keep BCBS.

On top of all that, Merrill Lynch paid my dad his year and a half salary in lump payment.
Which doesn't sound bad. Except since this was over $250,000 (that's an estimation, I don't know the exact amount) in one single amount (which it never would have been had it been paid out normally like it had been in the past), the taxes on it were ridiculous. Like, taxes took about 50% of it.
Because of this, my older brother had to divert his acceptance to his dream school that he tried so hard to get into. He's now going to community college and living in the basement.
My dad's pension and retirement funds were wrapped in the stock market, so my parent's entire future is just in the air.

Honestly, all of that was pretty much a smack in the face for me.
America's been going downhill for a while, and this finally pulled me out of the "no, we're fine" bubble.

I'm for whoever will actually change the country.
Fix the economy, bring more jobs, and get equal health-care for EVERYONE. Because things can just change in a second.

I honestly believe Obama's the best bet for the job.
I just hope those weren't hot-air political promises and he follows through. It's going to be a tough job.

anyone who says, 'money can't buy happiness' has never been poor.
maybe money can't buy happiness, but it can buy food, pay the bills, and buy house. its hard to be happy when you're starving.

i completely understand where you're coming from, and thats why i completely disagree with the girl who believes she deserves more health care than i do because her dad works a better job than my mom does.

 

[Addicted.to.Speed]

am i just stupid or if everyone had top-notch healthcare for a minimal price, wouldnt people go to the doctor for every scrape and cut? i mean people living off food stamps and welfare could afford it. So if i was them i'd just go to the doctor for everything i mean why not? Even though there is people with broken legs and concussions coming in and hospitals cant fit them in cause there is no open room for a check-up.

and anyone who thinks im naive and doesnt think i've experienced living in welfare and food stamps, think again. Even though i didn't my grandpa and grandma did for several years, where for christmas my dad would get used toys. Now my grandpa and grandma are living really comfortably. If you set your mind on a goal and really work for it, chances you are going to achieve it.

 

[STOPxmickeytime]

I completely agree, Shelby.

And addicted.to.speed, I'm not really sure what you're getting at.
I don't think that universal solid health care for everyone would make people flood to the doctor complaining about minor headaches and things of that nature. I mean, I'm assuming that you have decent or fair health care. Do you run to the doctor when you get a paper cut?
I've always had good health care, and when I go to the doctor it's for legitamate health reasons. I don't know why you'd think that people on welfare wouldn't.

 

[Addicted.to.Speed]

hmm maybe cause a box of band aids would be more expensive? and plus you can have top-notch healthcare!!!! TOP-NOTCH, why would anyone pass that up?

thats like asking do you want coach or first class seats on a plane for the same price, i can tell you i'd defintaly take first class!

 

[STOPxmickeytime]

You're not taking into account transportation to the doctor, missed work time (which for people with jobs that are paid hourly is a real problem), and the fact that you're underestimating how much the cost actually is.

And I don't think your analogy really applies.
Going to the doctor because you have a headache or just choosing some Advil, like most people would, regardless of what healthcare they have, isn't a matter of luxury. It's just easier. Even if you take cost out of the equation.

 

[Addicted.to.Speed]

same can be said about buying advil. Cost to go to store, missed work its the same thing.

Its about getting something better for the same price as getting something worse.

and plus knocking down healthcare prices, means that the business isn't making as much, thus having to cut more jobs...no?

 

[Axel]

Nobody I know would go to the doctor for every cut or bruise. They'd just do what they've always done- put a bandaid on it or take an Advil.

But the people I know that have ignored broken bones and dislocated joints because they couldn't afford to go to the doctor could go if healthcare was equal.

And before you start acting all high and mighty because your grandparents lived on food stamps when your dad was a kid, think again. Mine did, too. They had a garden as big as the back yard. My grandmother worked 2 jobs and my grandfather worked hours away from home for several winters because that was the best paying job he could get. My mom and her 3 siblings walked 2 miles to school every day, rain or shine, just like those stereotypical "5 miles in the snow" stories you hear in movies. My mom baby sat every time she could. She joined the Air Force right out of high school because her family needed the money to get by. She gave up any dream of college she might have had. My dad worked jobs since he was 11 just to have cash for his family. His mom worked 2 jobs and his dad worked 2 as well.

Even now, my aunt is unemployed. She was laid off from one job, then went to work at a bank with collections. My aunt isn't the kind of person that can just waltz into somebody's house and ask for payment in whatever for possible, so she had to quit because she couldn't handle it emotionally. She's been looking for a job for months now, but nobody is hiring. Does that mean that my cousin with behavioural problems shouldn't get her meds? That my youngest cousin (just over a year) shouldn't get the breathing medication she needs?

Your dad's situation wasn't unique in any way. People today go through worse.

 

[pitt02]

healthcare cannot be equal it is honestly impossible where is all the money coming from to get these people top of the line innsurance cause they dont have the money to pay for it.

 

[Addicted.to.Speed]

Nobody I know would go to the doctor for every cut or bruise. They'd just do what they've always done- put a bandaid on it or take an Advil.

But the people I know that have ignored broken bones and dislocated joints because they couldn't afford to go to the doctor could go if healthcare was equal.

And before you start acting all high and mighty because your grandparents lived on food stamps when your dad was a kid, think again. Mine did, too. They had a garden as big as the back yard. My grandmother worked 2 jobs and my grandfather worked hours away from home for several winters because that was the best paying job he could get. My mom and her 3 siblings walked 2 miles to school every day, rain or shine, just like those stereotypical "5 miles in the snow" stories you hear in movies. My mom baby sat every time she could. She joined the Air Force right out of high school because her family needed the money to get by. She gave up any dream of college she might have had. My dad worked jobs since he was 11 just to have cash for his family. His mom worked 2 jobs and his dad worked 2 as well.

Even now, my aunt is unemployed. She was laid off from one job, then went to work at a bank with collections. My aunt isn't the kind of person that can just waltz into somebody's house and ask for payment in whatever for possible, so she had to quit because she couldn't handle it emotionally. She's been looking for a job for months now, but nobody is hiring. Does that mean that my cousin with behavioural problems shouldn't get her meds? That my youngest cousin (just over a year) shouldn't get the breathing medication she needs?

Your dad's situation wasn't unique in any way. People today go through worse.

Well, there are a lot of people you dont know so you cant make a generalization of who would go to the doctor for scrapes and cuts.

I'm sorry for your friends that couldn't go to the doctor because they didn't have healthcare, but healthcare supports lots of jobs...no?

And I'm not acting all high and mighty im just merely putting out the facts. I know that if i didnt say that, someone would come on these boards and be like, "Have you ever experienced living in welfare and food stamps?!" so i was just trying to avoid that discussion. Sorry if i sound big headed.

No, they should get their medication. They need support from their family, like you, to lend them money in their time of crisis. But im sure you and your family are already supporting them...right?

Actually it may not be unique to you, but my grandparents came over from Latvia during WWII with the Nazi's cause the Russians were going to invade Latvia and the Nazi's wanted to piss the Russisans off. I think thats pretty cool and unique.

 

[Tinkerbell424]

Well, there are a lot of people you dont know so you cant make a generalization of who would go to the doctor for scrapes and cuts.

I'm sorry for your friends that couldn't go to the doctor because they didn't have healthcare, but healthcare supports lots of jobs...no?

And I'm not acting all high and mighty im just merely putting out the facts. I know that if i didnt say that, someone would come on these boards and be like, "Have you ever experienced living in welfare and food stamps?!" so i was just trying to avoid that discussion. Sorry if i sound big headed.

No, they should get their medication. They need support from their family, like you, to lend them money in their time of crisis. But im sure you and your family are already supporting them...right?

Actually it may not be unique to you, but my grandparents came over from Latvia during WWII with the Nazi's cause the Russians were going to invade Latvia and the Nazi's wanted to piss the Russisans off. I think thats pretty cool and unique.

Don't generalize that a lot of people would go to the doctor for cuts and scrapes. Because honestly, some people would..but most people wouldnt. They have better things to do with their time. And I thought your statement saying that a box of bandaids to a welfare person would be to expensive was very rude. You've never experienced welfare FIRST HAND.

Shelby, if someone has said "money can't buy happiness" that doesn't mean they havent been poor. Both my mom and I have said it countless times, and we aren't exactly middle class. It just means we have the strength as a family to get through these hard times and we don't need material items to be happy.


ETA; I'd rather have a doctor work on me who was in it for helping people, not in it for the money. Some doctors actually do that, y'know.

 

[Sparx]

i'm not getting into an argument over who has it worst (or god forbid who's grandparents had it worst, because that is completely irrelevant)

flat out, if you think you deserve better health care than me because your mommy has a better job than my mommy, you're in need of a step into the real world.

health care isn't a status symbol.

 

[crazytp93]

healthcare cannot be equal it is honestly impossible where is all the money coming from to get these people top of the line innsurance cause they dont have the money to pay for it.

My dad isn't someone who would just stay at a $50,000 job knowing he can achieve more success. He would work hard to get back what he lost. Some people don't care, and are lazy sometimes. So why should they be on the same level that my dad has worked really hard for over the years?

I must agree.

A person who worked hard deserves quality health insurance.

But a person who's very smart, has a college education, and being lazy, does not deserve full health insurance. (Just an example)

I'll elaborate more later.

 

[Tinkerbell424]

I must agree.

A person who worked hard deserves quality health insurance.

But a person who's very smart, has a college education, and being lazy, does not deserve full health insurance. (Just an example)

I'll elaborate more later.

Who are you to say that someone does not deserve full health insurance? If it was you or someone you loved who was told "No you can't have this health care because you don't have the same job as this guy." I bet you would be pretty upset.

I think everyone should have the same healthcare, if you want more or extras then you can pay for it.

Oh..and a lot of people work hard. A maid works hard and so does a brain surgeon. A garbage man works hard and so does a dentist. Just because you may think 1 is a higher status and a more respectable job doesn't mean they should be denied the same healthcare as you.

 

[Axel]

Well, there are a lot of people you dont know so you cant make a generalization of who would go to the doctor for scrapes and cuts.

I'm sorry for your friends that couldn't go to the doctor because they didn't have healthcare, but healthcare supports lots of jobs...no?

And I'm not acting all high and mighty im just merely putting out the facts. I know that if i didnt say that, someone would come on these boards and be like, "Have you ever experienced living in welfare and food stamps?!" so i was just trying to avoid that discussion. Sorry if i sound big headed.

No, they should get their medication. They need support from their family, like you, to lend them money in their time of crisis. But im sure you and your family are already supporting them...right?

Actually it may not be unique to you, but my grandparents came over from Latvia during WWII with the Nazi's cause the Russians were going to invade Latvia and the Nazi's wanted to piss the Russisans off. I think thats pretty cool and unique.

I apologize for any rudeness in my previous post.

And we're giving them support, but right now our priority is making sure they can heat their home this winter.

It's hard to get by right now. And you just said that they should get their medication. By what I've been reading (and how I've interpreted it), they're not working hard enough to earn healthcare that would cover meds like that. Right now my aunt and uncle have no insurance and the state doesn't give good insurance to kids. The Healthy Kids program they're on (because my uncle apparently makes too much to qualify for the one they need) covers something like 1 doctor's visit a year and has a $50 co-pay. Right now, they're swamped in bills from Miranda's (my 1 year old cousin) surgeries earlier in the year to help her breathe. As much as my family tries to help, we're not exactly rollin' in it, either. We give what we can to them, but it's not nearly enough. We're all worried about heating our own houses this winter.

And as for having less jobs, I don't think there would be. The way I would do it would actually create jobs because part of what I think needs to be done is to make that healthcare easily accessible, so we'd need more places for people to go, so we'd need more people working.