Bob55

6 Ways to Short the Obama Health Plan

Let me ask you, what was left of this country before Obama took office? Not since the recession have I have seen a middle-class and the poor put in such dire straits and that was even before the whole economy tanked. And because the new president asks the fortunate to help the less-fortunate and he asks us to finally address world environmental concerns we should have addressed decades ago, he is labeled a "socialist charlatan"? Is this really the America we've become?

And while countries from the world over (including the European union, Japan, and even Russia) believe CO2 reduction is something we have to address immediately, we believe we know better than everybody else. Are we so much smarter or are we unwilling to face reality? What are these countries willing to give up to address the issue that we simply refuse to? Are these countries doing this to screw us over for the benefit of countries like Brazil or could there possibly be something more to it? 50 years from now, I would hope the world made more progress than the 0.1C or it will be a far grimmer world we'll be leaving our children and grandchildren.


On Jul 12 10:28 PM Freedoms Truth wrote:

> "For purposes of full disclosure, I voted for Obama"
>
> Thanks for voting to destroy what's left of this country, you moron.
> I would forgive those who by now have realized they made a mistake,
> but if you are still committed to supporting this socialist charlatan
> still, it shows you really lack the judgment to be trusted to foresee
> the market.

Pharmas, Hospitals Fall Due to Health Care Reform Troubles

... and no I do not work for the government just to make things clear.

Pharmas, Hospitals Fall Due to Health Care Reform Troubles

And, you, I take it work for health insurance. I used to work in health insurance way back when so hopefully I'm not totally ignorant of all things that go on within the industry.


On Jul 11 08:12 PM Teddie01 wrote:

> You are naive and ignorant...."I am from the government and am here
> to help you!"

Health Care Reform Stall Cushions Insurers' Fall

Why does health care reform have to be seen as such a negative for health insurance companies? If nothing else, it forces them to streamline their operations, and reduce waste and red tape thus lowering cost. Such actions can be seen as nothing more than a good thing from any investors in these companies.

For health care consumers, a national health care plan just increases choice. I doubt very much health care insurers will fall on the wayside like so many would like you to believe, but will adapt and even thrive in the face of competition. For the uninsured and those soon to lose their coverage because of the tough economy, it provides a much needed safety net.

Those making more than $250,000 have so much to be thankful for when you're seeing so many American families struggling. I don't think I have elaborate any more on that point.

Pharmas, Hospitals Fall Due to Health Care Reform Troubles

Typo - I meant to say "I doubt very much health insurers will fall on the wayside like so many would like you to believe, but will adapt and even thrive in the face of competition."

Pharmas, Hospitals Fall Due to Health Care Reform Troubles

Why does health care reform have to be seen as such a negative for health insurance companies? If nothing else, it forces them to streamline their operations, and reduce waste and red tape thus lowering cost. Such actions can be seen as nothing more than a good thing from any investors in these companies.

For health care consumers, a national health care plan just increases choice. I doubt very much health care insurers will fall on the wayside like so many would like you too, but will adapt and even thrive in the face of competition. For the uninsured and those soon to lose their coverage because of the tough economy, it provides a much needed safety net.

6 Ways to Short the Obama Health Plan

"And how much is Obama planning to spend by expanding US presence in Afghanistan? If we had no business being in Iraq, then we have no business being in Afghanistan either."

With Afghanistan being the source for the 9/11 attacks, our presence should have been focused there and not Iraq.

"EXACTLY, you won;t have to make tat decsion, the governemnet
will be doign this for you. As you wait weeks or months for specialized service (like cancer treatment) because the supply of quailifed doctors will dwindle under a national health care- not to menion the beauracrcy inherent in govt programs"

I don't believe national health care will be taken as far as most people believe it will. I believe there is a misconception that people will lose their ability to choose from among health plans. That will never be acceptable in American society. You can correct me if I'm wrong but my understanding is that health care companies will compete against a national health plan. With that competition, the benefit may be finally seeing health care costs steadying maybe even lowering instead of ballooning every year. With concessions made by hospitals and drug companies today should a national health plan come into being, it's a major step towards doing that. Also, being that this is America, if the day ever came that scores of Americans are dying waiting for cancer treatments, imagine the litigation. I hope it never reaches that point, or I will be protesting right alongside you.

One other thing you brought up about the dwindling number of doctors is also valid. They really have to increase the number of doctors and soon should this national health plan be approved. With this bad economy and enough incentives (ex. scholarships), it may not that hard getting more people in the medical field.

6 Ways to Short the Obama Health Plan

China's industry may be booming right now, but growth ultimately comes at a price- to its environment and to the health of its people. Looking back at history, during the Industrial Revolution and well beyond, the United States and Europe paid the price in spades.

Even now, we are seeing the ill effects of China building out a coal plant every week, as you say, with smog and polluted rivers affecting the very `health of its citizens. Their government knows this can't go on indefinitely. Those who don't learn from history are doomed to repeat it, so they say so they have at least made a start of addressing the problem pushing for more renewables in their latest stimulus package. It's a start and that's what we need here in the U.S. too- a start. Whether we are using renewables to combat Climate Change (since some don't believe this exists) or pollution (that no one can refute is a world problem), it just makes sense. This is not a problem that we can just stick our head in the sand and wish it just goes away. The earlier you tackle the problem, while it's at least manageable, the lower the cost.

In the end, there's no "free lunch" when it comes to industrialization. You might think that other countries like China, Mexico, or Brazil will never have the "even the playing field" when it comes to carbon emissions and pollution, but I think you're wrong. When it's your land, the lives of your people, maybe even your way of life, that's a high price to pay. I just want to put this in a more sociological perspective instead of financial, which is something Wall-Streeters almost never focus on. It's not always about the numbers. There's so much more at stake.

6 Ways to Short the Obama Health Plan

If we are going to use China as an example, as its economy continues to grow and mature and a solid middle and upper class emerges, do you not think there will be protests among its citizens demanding a "clean" and "livable" environment just like what occurred here in the U.S. and in Europe. It might not happen immediately, but it will happen.

I agree that there has to be a concerted and unified effort by all industrialized nations to combat climate change, but if I'm not mistaken, many of the other industrialized nations have asked the U.S. to address the issue for years, and it is we who have been refusing to do so. I truly believe the U.S. can lead by example and other nations will surely follow.


On Jul 05 10:12 PM TeresaE wrote:

> When the factories close here and move to China, and then follow
> China's EPA (virtually free rein to do anything they want, pollute
> as much as they want) or even move to Mexico, Brazil or India, <br/>
>
> How do you figure that is going to help "climate change"?
>
> One iota?
>
> It will lower your child's standard of living and raise China's.
>
>
> Great plan. Can't wait to see the "shock" on the faces when this
> recession never ends.
>
> Keep asking for our government to gift our jobs to China and find
> out how great and clean it all is.

6 Ways to Short the Obama Health Plan

Suncatcher, I spent the last 2 decades minimizing my "carbon footprint". Public transportation is all I take. I do not own a car nor do I care to own one until perhaps the day they are electrical. I believe in recycling and conservation, and while I personally do not have solar panels on my roof YET, I minimize my electrical usage and I'm happy to hear my utility has started using solar in part of their electricity generation. My contribution towards helping the environment may sound small, but if every human being on this planet can do their small part, it can add up to a great deal in the long run.

We all know we are at a crossroads right now both in terms of energy policy and healthcare. Every citizen in our nation should voice their opinions on these matters. Some will be for and some will be against. That's what makes this country so great.

6 Ways to Short the Obama Health Plan

It's the same old argument regarding cap and trade. Best to do nothing and let business go on as usual. A decade or two from now, industry will be paying a far higher price. Eventually, the piper will have to be paid.

Old Wizard presents a well thought out argument, but natural gas, while cleaner than oil, will not help us reduce carbon emissions in a substantial enough way. This problem will remain a long-term problem and one we urgently need to attack now. Like I said, it's far too easy to say if the problem is not solvable now, or even 5-7 years as you say, it's not worth doing. Sometimes we have to step back and stop looking at everything purely by the numbers. The world goes well beyond Wall Street and company profitability. Same goes for issues regarding Health Care. There are real people's lives being affected here, both here in the U.S. and around the world.


On Jul 04 07:39 AM John Bowman wrote:

> Old Wizard...your comments are totally accurate. Cap and trade is
> a monster, solar is a joke which is extremely inefficient and costly
> and natural gas powered cars could answer some of our energy needs.
>
>
> Obama may know how to use computers. But other than that, he is technologically
> iliterate and an economic fool.

6 Ways to Short the Obama Health Plan

If there's one attribute that I wish those in government would have more of is objectivity. Politics aside, if we as human beings can't put aside our differences and put value in such basic things as caring for the world we live in and caring for our fellow man instead of always looking out for number one (ourselves), you don't have to mention all the reasons our country is going down the crapper. Heck, we're probably already there.

6 Ways to Short the Obama Health Plan

Kertch,

While it can be argued wages have been kept low in order for U.S. companies to compete internationally, one must bring up the subject of executive compensation. Is executive compensation set too high especially among companies who have underperformed, and why are workers being layed off left and right while the individuals that run these companies barely have to make sacrifices? If cutting executive compensation can save a company from cutting jobs, would they make that sacrifice? I know I speak in theoretically terms and coming at this from a tangent here, the answer most likely would be 'No'. People are reluctant to give up anything even if it's for the good of the company, for the good of those that work for you, even good for the world we live in.

This can be applied to changes to be made regarding the Energy Policy. Yes, it makes things more expensive, for now. Are we willing to make that sacrifice for the good of the planet or are we going to say some of the world's scientists say there's no proof global warming is man-made even if the vast majority of them say it is? Are we going to say we're perfectly willing to take that chance? Got beachfront property, maybe you shouldn't. Bringing up the subject of China, have you been there lately? They are experiencing the same devastating effects of industrialization that we in the U.S. faced way back when and while they are taking steps to shift more into renewable energy and for the sake of their people, they can't do so fast enough. They would be wise to take full advantage of their solar industry if indeed they are so cost-effective.

For Healthcare, can those that have it ever put themselves in someone else's shoes where life is choosing whether you eat dinner or forego medicine or a much-needed medical treatment? That is the reality so many American families face now. You are arguing then that it is better so many have no coverage then?

I know I am an idealist and have a tendency to always be looking out for my fellow man but if that can be equated with being naive in these trying times, perhaps more people should share my affliction.


On Jul 02 05:05 PM kertch wrote:

> Bob55,
> Perhaps you have good intentions but you are quite naive. All of
> the things that you mentioned happening to the middle class are true.
> But the solutions you espouse make absolutely no sense. American
> workers are underpaid because they now must compete globally with
> better educated workers in other counties who will work for much
> less money. Entire industries are moveing to nations where operating
> costs are much lower. More and more money is being invested abroad
> where capital is treated better. The policies of Obama will only
> drive more jobs out of the U.S. A tax on carbon will not make the
> U.S. more competetive, only more expensive for industry. If green
> energy, which is at least 3 times as expensive as "dirty" coal-based
> energy, will create jobs, it will at best only offset the ones lost
> in the coal, oil, and natural gas industries. Many scientists world
> wide are questioning the premise of man-made global warming. Perhaps
> China will support this new opinion, turn it's back on global warming,
> burn cheap coal and dominate world manufacturing while we bankrupt
> ourselves subsidizing clean energy. In fact who will benefit most
> from "clean energy"? China produces the cheapest solar cells and
> India the cheapest wind turbines. Unless utilities are forced to
> buy american, they will purchase the most cost effective green solutions
> meaning Chinese and Indian products. If taxes are raised on capital
> gains, investors will simply invest more in other countries. We
> are already seeing resistance from buyers of our gigantic debt.
> As to health care, today the use of healthcare resources is limited
> by the ability to pay, however no one is capping your salary or earings
> potential. With government health care resources will be limited
> by politics. Those with political connections will get the best
> health care, the rest will suffer. I have relatives in Germany and
> firsthand experience with thier nationalized health care systems.
> Once you retire and leave the workforce, services are routinely denied.
> My Uncle was even denied a perscription to an H-blocker like Prilosec
> to treat his acid reflux because he was over 65. The verdict was
> final and no second opinion was allowed, as seeking other medical
> opinions is considered a "waste" of resources. Ten years later he
> was diagnosed with stomach cancer. At that time he was denied surgery
> because it was decided that he was now too old. Three months later
> he died. That is the reality of socialized health care in Germany
> and other countries. It would be foolish to think that it would
> be any different here.

6 Ways to Short the Obama Health Plan

For so many, if results don't come quick enough, it's not worth doing. Yes, the energy bill won't have any effect regarding Climate Change unless implemented over a long enough period of time but we have to recognize that we need to start. Opponents to the bill would like business to go on as usual regardless of any environmental consequences. What we have to recognize is that the United States is a part of the world community and what we do as a country affects not only our future but the future of those around the world.

As for health care, you must be fortunate to never have had someone become seriously sick. Bankruptcy is happening even to middle-class families who have health insurance and did everything right to protect their family. Can you say to someone who has cancer to skip their treatments so your family will not have to go into bankruptcy? This issue is very much a life-and-death issue for so many families. In the past, while we spent trillions upon trillions on the war, we have neglected everything else that protects our American way of life. Perhaps you're one of the very fortunate in society's elite, but for the majority of America, things have gone from bad to worse and people need a "helping hand". If government has to step in to provide that support, so be it.

6 Ways to Short the Obama Health Plan

Those calling Obama's policies socialist should look at a trend over the past decade. So much of government spending was devoted to the war in Iraq and Afghanistan that most other areas were neglected. What came to pass, and this is not purely a result of the market meltdown, is a middle- and lower class that is much worse off than it has been for decades. People are working longer and harder but receiving less for the fruits of their labor. Their health insurance premiums keeps going up. The price of food, rent, gas and practically everything else they buy keeps soaring while pay raises for the vast majority of Americans have been miniscule at best even during the "upbeat" years when corporations posted bigger and bigger profits and the stock market soared to an all-time high under Bush. Environmental issues including Climate Change are left on the back-burner as it is argue, under Bush, the cost to American industry would be too overbearing regardless of what the world community thinks. Then the economy came crashing down and the average American are left in an even bigger lurch than before. Those who lost their job, lost their health insurance. Many are asked to make sacrifices in the name of company survival, taking paycuts, working fewer hours, maybe losing contributions to a pension fund already dwindling in value as companies discontinue them to cut costs. The average American is left with a bleak and insecure future indeed.

Now let's get back to what Obama is doing. He is channeling resources into programs that every American man, woman and child can benefit from, not only the well-to-do. And yes, this will take money especially in the beginning but the benefits will outweigh the costs in the long run. Infrastructure spending will generate jobs and help make sure our schools, roads and bridges don't fall into disrepair during these bad economic times and well into the future to come. Advocating for an energy policy that pushes for more renewable energy like solar and wind is good and responsible as the world works to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as well as pollution. We simply must do our part regardless of cost, and cost over the long run is expected to go down as technology for renewables advance. Oil independence is another benefit, but I won't get into it. In regards to a National Health Care system that hopes to lower cost and increase the likelihood that every American will be insured, this is a good thing even if it has to compete against current health insurance providers. Left to continue as it is, health care costs in America will balloon to astronomical levels if not controlled. When the average American family can finally be safe from going bankrupt because a member of their family comes down with a deadly or debilitating disease will be the day every family can have some peace of mind.

These proposed changes in American policy is made with Main Street in mind, maybe not so much Wall Street. The benefits are for everybody, rich and poor, for our generation now and that of our children and our children's children. Those who don't see it and are voting against it because they see it as more government spending and waste are simply continuing the selfish policy of refusing to deal with problems today and leaving them for future generations where the price of dealing with them will be far, far higher. Those in our government have to advocate for the benefits of the common citizen and help the United States be a better "citizen of the world" instead of segments of Wall Street that have their own interests at heart.