Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Joe Tomberlin on February 23, 2011 at 11:31pm

I can't say that I agree with Pat here, or anywhere, ever, on anything but...

I'm not a big fan of the mandate either, although I'm sure it is perfectly legal. I also see why they pushed to get it in the bill, without all the 'forced in' customers, the extra costs of some other provisions would not have been offset. And the insurance companies love it, you are forced to be their customer. And without any real price controls or competition, like a public option, it'll continue to rain money in their industry.

A big problem with the mandate, is that if that had been kept out of the bill, I think Obama and the Dems might have been more likely to swing over to including a public option instead.

Back to religion - If those bone heads want to forgo modern medicine in favor of praying, I say "Have at it Hoss" (just not the kids), nice to see some force of nature that might give atheists an evolutionary advantage over the prodigious breeding wack-a-loons.

Permalink Reply by Hugh Kramer on February 24, 2011 at 1:41pm

I'm not happy about the mandate either because the main beneficiary is the insurance industry and they've been gouging us long enough as well as distorting health care to serve a profit model rather than mainly people's health. The public option would have made more sense but with all the money in play, it never stood a chance.

Permalink Reply by D.O.S on February 26, 2011 at 8:38am

I do agree with the mandate. It is no different than car insurance or any other type of insurance. Sharing both rights and responsibilities is the sign of a healthy civilization. Call it socialism or anything else you'd like but as far as I'm concerned it amounts to basic decency. Everyone should contribute to the betterment of society. And yes, I know there are those who abuse it. So what? Part of why I am an atheist is that I do not believe in perfection. There are negatives to everything. And yes, there are plenty of problems with the law. If people stop bitching and work towards fixing them it'll be better for all of us. Don't believe the Republicans most of the nastier parts are there because of their maneuvering. They're the ones who refuse to make the insurers and drug companies negotiate more reasonable prices.

Permalink Reply by Joseph P on February 26, 2011 at 11:13am

D.O.S, man, you're pissing off the Libertarians.

Permalink Reply by Susan Stanko on February 26, 2011 at 11:58am

Yeah, how dare D. O. S. be reasonable

Permalink Reply by Jo Jerome on March 3, 2011 at 8:03pm

I'd be happy with the mandate if we had an affordable public option. But as it stands, it is a mandate to spend thousands of dollars a year feeding a corrupt insurance company.

 

On the other hand, if the Teabaggers truly hate the mandate as much as they say they do, then A) they need to be picketing the GOP because it's the GOP that pushed the mandate in the first place, and B) they need to also angrily picket to repeal car and other insurance mandates, because it's really not much different.

 

Until then, I try yet fail to take them halfway seriously.

Permalink Reply by Tonya Wynn on March 10, 2011 at 12:44pm

It is unfair for a religious group to be able to get a 'pass' when this atheist wants a 'pass' and can't get one.  Take personal responsibity for your health, America... lose the "I beleive in quality of time (by overeating a bunch of junk and, thus, dying of obesity-related causes) and not quantity."

I believe in the freedom for you to die of obesity (or drugs and alcohol) and for me to be free to watch you die miserably while I don't have to help pool the costs of your decisions.