Damn neolib zombies.

*quality.

Boosting this quality contribution up in the Hot Listing - declared quality by blankfist.

No MrFisk, blankfist was merely trying to liberate that individual finger from collectivism.

His finger was bitten off? Wow, that's uncalled for.

...

I hope he has health insurance.

I wonder how much it will cost him to have it sewn back on?

From a news report I've seen, the victim was protesting against universal healthcare, but, being 65 years old, was able to get it done quickly via Medicare. Sort of like this guy, or at least what he would have wanted to do.

Am I going to have to pay taxes for the public option? Yes? Ok, I want two things in return. Tax Reform, no more forms and exemptions. Flat tax please. Next I want Tort Reform, no more bullshit Libel and Slander lawsuits.

lol

Was Mike Tyson within earshot?

Wait wait wait, he used his medicare to cover the costs of his procedure?

"Rice was treated at Los Robles Hospital and Medical Center. The top joint of his pinky, including his whole fingernail, was severed, hospital spokeswoman Kris Carraway-Bowman said.
She said his treatment was covered by Medicare."
AP Link

Oh the sweet irony. Let me bask in it for a little while longer.

After which the protester promptly gave Obama the finger... :eyeroll:

Does this really work to win arguments?

>> ^NordlichReiter:
Am I going to have to pay taxes for the public option?

No.

There's a sort of health care voucher plan to help reduce the costs for people between 133%-400% of the poverty line in the various bills that makes up the vast majority of the cost of the bill. The three proposals I've heard on how to pay for that are:

1. Cap charitable deductions for the wealthy at the same rate as the rest of us (Obama's suggestion)
   
2. Eliminate the tax exemption for employer health benefits (the Republicans' suggestion)
   
3. Add a surtax of 1 percent on income between $350,000 and $500,000; 1.5 percent on income between $500,000 and $1,000,000; and 5.4 percent in income above $1,000,000 (In the HR 3200 bill in the House)

Ahhh, so its a free program...just like the post office...brilliant!

Am I going to have to pay taxes for the public option?
No.

Currently HR3200 contains provisions for taxes (called 'fees') to the tune of $4K+ on any person who does not enroll in a government approved insurance program. It also includes progressive taxes on any household earning over 210K whether they participate or not. And premiums aren't taxes? Taxes are payments that go to the government. Premiums will be payments that go to the goverment. The distinction escapes me. The statement 'public option will not be allowed to receive public funding' is patently ridiculous in the same way that the statement "government will never use Social Security money for general revenues" is. Once money goes to Washington there is no accountability. If the 'plan' suddenly faces budget issues, they will take whatever they want from whatever source they please.

>> ^Winstonfield_Pennypacker:
If the 'plan' suddenly faces budget issues, they will take whatever they want from whatever source they please.


Most likely a printing press if it came to it (though that's a form of taxation in a way).

Luckily we don't such a problem with private insurance. They'll simply bankrupt you by dropping coverage long before they run out of money.

>> ^Winstonfield_Pennypacker:
Currently HR3200 contains provisions for taxes (called 'fees') to the tune of $4K+ on any person who does not enroll in a government approved insurance program.

HR 3200 includes both employer and individual mandates to purchase insurance. If you don't qualify for Medicaid, Medicare, or employer plans, and choose not to purchase insurance, you have to pay a penalty. That penalty is 2.5% of your adjusted income if you're single, which means for that penalty to be $4K+, you need to have a taxable income (i.e. after deductions) of $160,000/yr.

It also includes progressive taxes on any household earning over 210K whether they participate or not.

False, HR 3200's progressive taxes start where I said they do; at $350K/yr. Who exactly do you imagine makes that much money and chooses not to buy insurance, or get it through their employer?

And premiums aren't taxes? Taxes are payments that go to the government. Premiums will be payments that go to the goverment.

No. This is like saying buying stamps or a ride on Amtrak is the same as paying income tax.

Even if I agree to your definition, it then becomes a voluntary "tax", because you are free to choose to buy private insurance instead of signing up for the public plan (or choose to pay the 2.5% penalty, if being uninsured is more appealing to you).