Jobless and hopeless in America

[tobee43]

When obesity addicted junk food and drinks drive up the cost of gov't and healthcare, Bloomberg has every right to do so. Did you know that some states such as Mississippi charges the state sales tax on groceries which is around 6%.

oh yes, nj also...shoot we were charged on much of the foods....also California...

[shark66]

When obesity addicted junk food and drinks drive up the cost of gov't and healthcare, Bloomberg has every right to do so. Did you know that some states such as Mississippi charges the state sales tax on groceries which is around 6%.

I understand where you're coming from, but that's where we'll have to agree to disagree and move on...taxing an item into oblivion has never stopped anyone from obtaining it...the cost of healthcare can be driven down by other means, and the cost of government by eliminating the most of it, since it's darn useless anyway...

In my book, the government's best that governs least...

Not quite sure what you mean by "some states"...both the state in which I live in and the one that I work in have done that for the past 15 years that I've been in this country...can't recall whether that was the case in other ones that I just visited, but I'd presume that charging tax is more of a norm than an exception...might be wrong on this one.

My $0.02 only...

Good luck.

[jacko]

When obesity addicted junk food and drinks drive up the cost of gov't and healthcare, Bloomberg has every right to do so. Did you know that some states such as Mississippi charges the state sales tax on groceries which is around 6%.

Wow.

Is Mayor Michael Bloomberg of NYC a relative of yours?

I said it decades ago when taxes on alcohol and tobacco started to get insane that that was just the beginning...

Even the totalitarian regimes (and I grew up in one) knew better than to legally prescribe what one should eat or drink, or tax one type of food more than another - and they LOVED to tax everything imaginable...

So let me ask you, jacko, what would you tax next, after you're done with "obesity tax"? BTW, I don't consume any of the stuff that you've mentioned, just being morbidly curious...

Good luck to us all.

[shark66]

I would give every able body a medicaid card with a $3000 credit for the basics financed by via obesity tax on soda pop, candy, potato chips etc.

Wow.

Is Mayor Michael Bloomberg of NYC a relative of yours?

I said it decades ago when taxes on alcohol and tobacco started to get insane that that was just the beginning...

Even the totalitarian regimes (and I grew up in one) knew better than to legally prescribe what one should eat or drink, or tax one type of food more than another - and they LOVED to tax everything imaginable...

So let me ask you, jacko, what would you tax next, after you're done with "obesity tax"? BTW, I don't consume any of the stuff that you've mentioned, just being morbidly curious...

Good luck to us all.

[banca rotta]

Does anybody see something wrong with the healthcare system when you need to pay $3,000 a month?

I would honestly be happy with a healthcare light type of system, whereby I pay lets say $2,000 a year and it wouldn't pay for insanely expensive machinery and stuff like that, but rather just routine and basic doctor visits and medical care. e.g. give me the type of technology and coverage I would have gotten 20 years ago.

Yes I see something wrong. This is pretty much why this whole subject just makes me so sick I need 3k a month worth of treatments just thinking about it!

I noticed my whole life that technology once it matures becomes cheaper. Computers, cell phones, digital watches and the list goes on with these items that come down in price in time.

Health care costs always rise every year.

Anyone know why? You guessed it the governments involvement! Also don't forget the trial lawyers.

[jacko]

I would give every able body a medicaid card with a $3000 credit for the basics financed by via obesity tax on soda pop, candy, potato chips etc. The user could shop around to stretch the credit and lower prices should entail on check ups and the minor stitching of cuts like in my case.. Than the insurance company could offer policies on the extras with a fairer deductible like $2000.

I owe my county hospital nearly $1400 for stitches on a cut. Eventually add that to my BK.

Does anybody see something wrong with the healthcare system when you need to pay $3,000 a month?

I would honestly be happy with a healthcare light type of system, whereby I pay lets say $2,000 a year and it wouldn't pay for insanely expensive machinery and stuff like that, but rather just routine and basic doctor visits and medical care. e.g. give me the type of technology and coverage I would have gotten 20 years ago.

[helpme2010]

I'm sort of the opposite. I don't mind paying for routine doctor visits for minor ailments, my examinations for my CDL and flight physicals, routine blood tests, and so forth. But I want major medical insurance in case I get seriously ill or injured. So I choose a high-deductible plan with an MSA.

-Rich

I hear you RichM. I have been without health insurance for many years now. I went for a few minor issues with the clinic and they never were able to fix the problems. Even having my ears clogged one time, I waited 10 hours in the emergency room and when I finally got to the doctor, they just jabbed at my ear for a little bit and did nothing. I finally researched it and found a home made remedy which I apply every 6 months using baby oil and hydrogren peroxide.

I guess I will just go without medical insurance until I find a job that will help me pay for it. Hey whats the worst that will happen? Losing maybe 5+ years off my long term life? I got no choice.

[RichM]

Does anybody see something wrong with the healthcare system when you need to pay $3,000 a month?

I would honestly be happy with a healthcare light type of system, whereby I pay lets say $2,000 a year and it wouldn't pay for insanely expensive machinery and stuff like that, but rather just routine and basic doctor visits and medical care. e.g. give me the type of technology and coverage I would have gotten 20 years ago.

I'm sort of the opposite. I don't mind paying for routine doctor visits for minor ailments, my examinations for my CDL and flight physicals, routine blood tests, and so forth. But I want major medical insurance in case I get seriously ill or injured. So I choose a high-deductible plan with an MSA.

-Rich

[helpme2010]

Other countries have figured it out. I think its a cultural thing, were Americans feel entitled to every test after watching those medical commercials and not realizing the unnecessary burden on the system. As for me, I get my free care at the ER.

Does anybody see something wrong with the healthcare system when you need to pay $3,000 a month?

I would honestly be happy with a healthcare light type of system, whereby I pay lets say $2,000 a year and it wouldn't pay for insanely expensive machinery and stuff like that, but rather just routine and basic doctor visits and medical care. e.g. give me the type of technology and coverage I would have gotten 20 years ago.

[jacko]

Other countries have figured it out. I think its a cultural thing, were Americans feel entitled to every test after watching those medical commercials and not realizing the unnecessary burden on the system. As for me, I get my free care at the ER.

Well, the price for the health care package that members of Congress have is upwards of $35,000 per year. The government pays for that coverage though as part of their Congressional salary / benefits package. You already have the right to buy the exact same healthcare offered to Congress. Fork over 3 grand a month and it's yours. If you're suggesting that the government pay for it for everyone just like they do Congress . . . that gives a whole new meaning to the idea of government debt.

[jacko]

Your thoughts make no sense in a civilized society and are just generalizations.

I was thinking more along the lines of getting rid od DHS, TSA (especially TSA), ATF, DOE, and other utterly useless departments.

I would also close all foreign military bases except those required by treaties, reduce the size of our active-duty armed forces, and express our national defense policy in these terms:

"We will leave the rest of the world alone, as the rest of the world has requested.
We will not try to be the world's policeman.
We will not attempt to interfere with your politics in any way.
But if you attack us, we will nuke you into oblivion."

As for public assistance, food stamps, etc., I would indeed ban from receiving any sort of government assistance all able-bodied adults who refuse to either participate in workfare or go to school. I'd rather educate a person to be a doctor than pay him/her to sit around watching daytime talk shows.

As for school lunches (and schools in general), I would move to vouchers to give the poor kids (of whom I was one, incidentally) a choice in where they go to school.

We can certainly debate the specifics, and your ideas may in fact be better than mine. But frankly, I think pretty much anyone's make at least as much sense as what's being done now, which is utterly incomprehensible.

-Rich

[helpme2010]

helpme...i really believe this is just the tip of the iceburg....

these 99ers' are going to be mighty p*ssed off come election time while they are attempting to apply for welfare and living in the streets...

we are not seeing anything more from the media since they are told to hold back the stories ....but i know there are tent cities out there and it's getting worse...

I think I am going to become a tent salesman! Lots of money in this business now!!!

I am really hoping our elected officials, as well as the media stand up 100% for the UI extensions in a couple months when they expire. I am afraid the republicans new stand for cutting the budget, may cause the dems to be afraid to fight for this fight. I will be really pissed if our officials chicken out on this battle. I love MSNBC as they have a lot of people on there that really stand up for the unemployed and people that need the most help.

Plain and simple, if jobs don't exist, then people will be unemployed. Until this changes, nothing changes, so the government has no choice but to continue with the extensions until another solution arises or we all just die!

[tobee43]

I feel better now- I ranted and now I'm good. Post deleted. :-)

LOL!!!!!!! ranting is healthy!! it's the safest way to get it all out...especially since we can't hear each other yelling..

[daylate]

I feel better now- I ranted and now I'm good. Post deleted. :-)

[tobee43]

tobee, surprise bills are the worst things in the world to encounter. I get these sometimes such as an unexpected car repair for my car or my girlfriends car, etc. and it really F's with the already spiraling down budget.

I re-read the title of this thread and it really fits, jobless and hopeless in America. I am so sick of applying for jobs everyday, 7 days a week and getting absolutely nowhere.

I am really hoping UI continues for us 99ers. I listened to MSNBC last night and they were interviewing this poor lady who had to sell her wedding ring, remaining jewelry and husbands golf clubs (after her husband died). She got completely ripped off on everything, but she had no other choice, she needed the money.

They asked her about people that try to deny her UI extension benefits, etc. as being a 99er, she is treated so poorly in the worst time of her life.

helpme...i really believe this is just the tip of the iceburg....

these 99ers' are going to be mighty p*ssed off come election time while they are attempting to apply for welfare and living in the streets...

we are not seeing anything more from the media since they are told to hold back the stories ....but i know there are tent cities out there and it's getting worse...