Politics Thread

[Caf]

I can't recommend The Hill enough. I think they do a great job of just telling people what's going on with no spin. I also listen to as much CSPAN as I can. You don't have to worry about media bias when you hear it for yourself.

[Pete Delkus]

A few items of which I have to comment:

Pre existing conditions clause: Prior to the ACA, this clause was instituted for many reasons. Primarily to prevent a individual who elected NOT to have health insurance, purchase an individual plan or join a group plan, just to have a condition or surgery covered while sick, then drop the plan after care was completed. These circumstances raised the cost for everyone, except that individual who essentially "purchased fire protection an hour before the fire started".

Again, prior to Obamacare, if you had continuous coverage (even if you changed jobs, carriers or plans) you would not be "dropped" from your plan due to a pre existing condition. This was always deemed unlawful.

In fact, carriers would allow a new individual (w/o prior coverage) to purchase a plan, but would protect themselves and their members, by only excluding, let's say a knee surgery for 1 year, usually, if that person had history of knee issues, but didn't have continued coverage. If they did have a heart attack, for example, they would be covered "normally", by the traditional financial spilt of that plan.



A Binary choice. 0 or 1. A or B. Trump or Clinton.

I voted for Donald Trump, and while not required, I feel it's important to explain my line of thinking. I guess I care because friends on Social Media have indirectly called me a racist, bigot, sexist, and have indirectly asked to be defriended.

Our presidental choice could have come from the direction we lean politically. It could have come from the words - some imflamatory - or actions of each of the candiates, or thier surrogates. However, my choice, addimttedly was based in self-interest, which is the politically incorrect form of the famous: "...what's best for my family." My choice, primarily, was wrapped in the financials centered around the Affordable Care Act, and the proposed reduction of the corporate tax rate.

"Obamacare" has been a big part of my life, as I work with companies in developing benefits strategies, which are usually centered around the health insurance offering. My income has been directly affected, not only by the tax implications which bussiness had to absorb, but also due to the early-on threat that these tax's and fines were imenent. I've seen half of my industry, especially "Mom & Pop" Helath Insurance Brokerage Shops, wiped away by the inability to afford the cost it would take to define and implement the inane amount of regualtions in which Obamacare put upon the business they serve. I've seen working-class premiums raise, and while there are many causes, the ACA cost burden has had a direct impact. See Bill Clinton's recent remarks to perfectly summeraize the Obamacare-effect on "Middle America".

Another imporant campaign topic to me, to which Trump alluded to, was the proposed reduction of corporate taxes, along with a plan to repatriate overseas money. Money made avialble for research and development, let alone the possibility to increase job creation, would theorectically help both the industries that my wife and I are currently employed.

So there is the top of my thought pyramid - unique to me, and admittedly self-interested - but not nefarious, in my opinion. I'm sure you will see responses disagreeing with the detials of my facts or the cause/effect of these topics. That's fine and even welcomed - topic based dialog is much more beneficial than the alterntive, which has been all to prevelant on Social Media.

[boozehound]

Pete,

I don't entirely agree with you on the issues, but this is very thoughtful perspective and I appreciate you providing it. I disagree with your choice of candidate, but don't entirely disagree with any of your thoughts above.

Regarding the Pre-Obamacare preexisting condition exclusion: That is good perspective and rationale behind having restrictions on pre-existing conditions. I agree that insurance doesn't work if you can simply sign up once you find out you need it. I believe that was part of what Obamacare was trying to weed out by 'forcing' people to have coverage, although it clearly didn't work out. Healthcare is a complex issue, and I'm not entirely sure what that best solution is over a longer term (say 30+ yr) time horizon. It doesn't seem like the current system, or Obamacare, are the answer.

[Strange Brew]

I can't recommend The Hill enough. I think they do a great job of just telling people what's going on with no spin. I also listen to as much CSPAN as I can. You don't have to worry about media bias when you hear it for yourself.

Agree. I forgot The Hill. I go there almost daily.

[Strange Brew]

That is fair. I would probably through Drudge in there as well. I actually think Breitbart is a little more credible than Drudge.

What's interesting about Drudge is the only content he provides Are the headlines. He definitely leans Right/Libertarian but he is the best at breaking stories first.

[bobbiemcgee]

Apparently Trump's plan "to repeal and replace Obamacare on Day One" has gone out the window. Also, he wants to keep the most expensive provision(s) as to pre-existing conditions, etc. He will replace it with "something" wonderful that doesn't cost much altho page 1 of this plan has yet to be written or proposed. Insurance companies will flock to his new plan that contains language similar to obamacare that they have to cover pre-existing conditions or the reason they are all bailing out now. So He will get rid of the subsidies and it will magically cost less. C'mon.

[Caf]

Donald Trump has spoken by phone with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Kremlin says - WaPo

More on this to come, I'm sure.

[GoMuskies]

Trump said on 60 Minutes yesterday that he's spoken to a ton of foreign leaders since being elected. Many have called to congratulate him.

[xudash]

A few items of which I have to comment:

Pre existing conditions clause: Prior to the ACA, this clause was instituted for many reasons. Primarily to prevent a individual who elected NOT to have health insurance, purchase an individual plan or join a group plan, just to have a condition or surgery covered while sick, then drop the plan after care was completed. These circumstances raised the cost for everyone, except that individual who essentially "purchased fire protection an hour before the fire started".

Again, prior to Obamacare, if you had continuous coverage (even if you changed jobs, carriers or plans) you would not be "dropped" from your plan due to a pre existing condition. This was always was deemed unlawful.

In fact, carriers would allow a new individual (w/o prior coverage) to purchase a plan, but would protect themselves and their members, by only excluding, let's say a knee surgery for 1 year, usually, if that person had history of knee issues, but didn't have continued coverage. If they did have a heart attack, for example, they would be covered "normally", by the traditional financial spilt of that plan.



A Binary choice. 0 or 1. A or B. Trump or Clinton.

I voted for Donald Trump, and while not required, I feel it's important to explain my line of thinking. I guess I care because friends on Social Media have indirectly called me a racist, bigot, sexist, and have indirectly asked to be defriended.

Our presidental choice could have come from the direction we lean politically. It could have come from the words - some imflamatory - or actions of each of the candiates, or thier surrogates. However, my choice, addimttedly was based in self-interest, which is the politically incorrect form of the famous: "...what's best for my family." My choice, primarily, was wrapped in the financials centered around the Affordable Care Act, and the proposed reduction of the corporate tax rate.

"Obamacare" has been a big part of my life, as I work with companies in developing benefits strategies, which are usually centered around the health insurance offering. My income has been directly affected, not only by the tax implications which bussiness had to absorb, but also due to the early-on threat that these tax's and fines were imenent. I've seen half of my industry, especially "Mom & Pop" Helath Insurance Brokerage Shops, wiped away by the inability to afford the cost it would take to define and implement the inane amount of regualtions in which Obamacare put upon the business they serve. I've seen working-class premiums raise, and while thier are many causes, the ACA cost burden has had a direct impact. See Bill Clinton's recent remarks to perfectly summeraize the Obamacare-effect on "Middle America".

Another imporant campaign topic to me, to which Trump alluded to, was the proposed reduction of corporate taxes, along with a plan to repatriate overseas money. Money made avialble for research and development, let alone the possibility to increase job creation, would theorectically help both the industries that my wife and I are currently employed.

So there is the top of my thought pyramid - unique to me, and admittedly self-interested - but not nafarius, in my opinion. I'm sure you will see responses disagreeing with the detials of my facts or the cause/effect of these topics. That's fine and even welcomed - topic based dialog is much more beneficial than the alterntive, which has been all to prevelant on Social Media.

Superb post.

As a point of amplification, and beyond the pure idiocy of the Affordable Care Act - what a laughable name - Trump's tax plan isn't a trickle down proposition, yet Hillary played the stupid, tired card of tax cuts for the wealthy.

[Caf]

Trump said on 60 Minutes yesterday that he's spoken to a ton of foreign leaders since being elected. Many have called to congratulate him.

They've updated/expanded the article now. Sounds like it was what you said, maybe a bit more than just congratulations, but nothing substantial. Non-story, not sure why WaPo blasted it as one.