General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThis Is Why Elizabeth Warren Should Win Any Damn Elected Office She Ever Runs For
Ohio Joe
(21,726 posts)Plain, simple and no bullshit... I like it.
Arctic Dave
(13,812 posts)Warpy
(111,120 posts)and that has meant living a pinched life with no extras because I had to save every dime for when the bottom fell out again, and it always did. My health is that bad.
I managed to pay for disasters. There was no money left to pay for preventive care.
However, I added it all up a few years ago. Not paying the outrageous combination of deductible, copays and premiums I would have been socked with by the only company willing to insure me about 18 years ago*, I have saved well into the six figures by covering myself.
I am beyond angry at the way working people have been treated in this country, especially concerning their health care. If the government had designed a deliberate program to destroy us, they couldn't have done a better job of it.
*The first line of defense for any insurance company is to make premiums unaffordable. Mine would have been 150% of what I paid two years later for a mortgage on a cheap and shabby little house in a slum. I quite rightly figured that providing myself shelter would be better than sleeping in the open and fattening health care CEOs for my overall health.
kag
(4,078 posts)I have excellent "health insurance" through my husband's employer. My medical bills are pretty hefty every month due to a chronic condition.
But the "dirty little secret" is that my husband's company (a large, multi-national that you have all heard of) is self-insured. The company that pays the bills (a large health insurance corp. that you have heard of) only administers the system. Since they're not spending their own money on my coverage, they pay all my bills, even my outrageous pharmaceutical bills, without a peep.
I live in fear that my husband will find a pink-slip in his paycheck envelope one day, and my healthcare will just disappear. He has stayed in his job, largely because of this; he could have been an amazing entrepreneur if not for the medical insurance issue--for both him and me, and our two kids.
WARREN/GRAYSON -- 2016
I like the sound of that.
SheilaT
(23,156 posts)corp administering the system. We have not had a raise in our premiums in the three years that I have been here, and so far I'm pleased with the tiny bit I've needed to use it. A co-worker who has various health issues is also happy with our coverage.
The fact that there are hundreds, maybe thousands of different so-called health-insurance companies, and many thousands of different plans is criminal. Even if the CEOs of those companies weren't being paid millions of dollars, all those administrative costs would be wrong.
Single payer.
Patiod
(11,816 posts)He is a free-lancer, she is an employee. She carries the health insurance for both of them. A year or two ago, he got a form of leukemia that cost over a million dollars to treat and put into remission, and his wife's insurance covered much of it (although they are still struggling with all the co-payments it didn't cover).
His wife's employer now knows that she's in no position to leave, and she hasn't had a raise or bonus since then, and she knows there are no raises or bonuses in her future, because the employer knows she can't leave now.
We need to get away from employer-provided insurance. It's a stupid idea that's keeping so many people from striking out on their own.
AAO
(3,300 posts)You gave me a lot to think about as I may face the unthinkable because my company is going to announce who is being fired to make a 20% jobs cut. Man, I want Medicare part E.
former-republican
(2,163 posts)Yavin4
(35,414 posts)former-republican
(2,163 posts)ColumbusLib
(158 posts)She is so clear, knows exactly what she's talking about. I want Warren to take over our health care/health insurance system!
Paper Roses
(7,471 posts)I have Medicare, plus the cheapest supplement I could afford. Since I am a Senior, I know age will catch up with me sooner or later.
I fear that all my late husband and I worked for will go down the drain if something happens to me.
Believe me, it keeps me awake at night. I wonder if all these aches and pains are the beginning of my health-care downfall. I want my kids to have whatever I leave, not some health-care bureaucracy.
I'm from MA and voted for Ms. Warren. I hope that she will make a difference to all who need medical attention, not just for MA but for the whole country.
De-fund some of the military, Uncle Sam. Fund single payer. We need it now more that ever.
Let us, as a nation, take care of our own instead of sticking our military noses in everyone else's business.
former-republican
(2,163 posts)and pharmaceutical companies we might have had a single payer system by now.
Whisp
(24,096 posts)care to back that up there, bud?
what proof do you have of Obama being 'neck deep' with them and being dishonest with the American people. Please provide some proof, some link, besides whatever is floating around your head in mysterious ways and messages.
Also, can you provide me an instance of any country getting full single payer system in less than 4 years. Please do that, I am interested in 'your data' as I am sure many others here are.
former-republican
(2,163 posts)You should be able to find your own links on how the Whitehouse made deals with the Pharmaceutical industry
in closed door sessions . Emails have been released on it.
Look it up bud....
former-republican
(2,163 posts)Insurance companies love Obama care
Live and Learn
(12,769 posts)Obama does not make legislation himself, it takes a Congress. What Obama was able to push through was miraculous in itself. To blame him for not getting something even better is ridiculous.
former-republican
(2,163 posts)yea
It sure was for insurance and drug companies , they love it
http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2012-07-09/news/fl-ahcol-obamacare-ruling-huffington-0710-20120709_1_obamacare-ruling-affordable-care-act-step-toward-health-care-reform
this is because, writes Angell, "Obama gutted the law before it even passed." Aside from keeping most of the current system in place and simply extending it, there were the deals to not allow drug re-importation and the deals that prevent the government from negotiating for lower drug prices. In 2008, then-candidate Obama took on the latter provision being left out of the Medicare Part D bill: "That's an example of the same old game playing in Washington," he said. "You know, I don't want to learn how to play the game better. I want to put an end to the game playing." He clearly didn't
graham4anything
(11,464 posts)those that already have cheapie insurance(the ones business pay vast majority and a small(say $200) is taken out of paychecks don't know how cheap they are getting it for.
Whereas those with no company paying theirs pay $35,000 a YEAR regardless of whether they can afford it or not, to have to still have deductibles, but no cap, no exclusions.
Ask me if I think those getting cheapy should whine when maybe it will cost them a little more?
Hell no, they should be greatful.
What should possibly be done is to tax the savings people get from their free or cheap insurance, as if everyone were paying what self employed people pay.
THANK GOD FOR "OBAMA CARE". I LOVE IT. And yes, would like more, but any realist in American history knows
10% of something is better than 100% of nothing.
FORWARD to even better.
So Hell YES I love Obama care.
and show me anything that goes down (and no sexual innuendoes please).
staying the same though is better than going up.
former-republican
(2,163 posts)out of your pocket. But the average person which I am as most are..
My payment went up another $1900.00 a year for a deductible and another $70.00 a month out of my pocket.
Obama care did absolutely nothing to address cost of rising health care. It is a win for insurance companies.
graham4anything
(11,464 posts)15% a year going up(til last year) every year.
Started out at a couple hundred when did work for company, then cobraserv and well, do the math.
15 on top of 15 on top of 15 twenty times over and it gets that expensive
and this is just average for selfemployed
The beauty of Obamacare is that it will cover those who cannot afford even basic.
and those that only pay real cheap, well, get over it.
How about averaging those who work for employees who pay, with those selfemployed and split it in half?
I would love to have just $1000 a month.
former-republican
(2,163 posts)The ones who are just making it .
You sound like an elitist.
sad
WillyT
(72,631 posts)Ligyron
(7,615 posts)She's the only one who could, in simple terms, make the derivative markets explainable to most people. Like me.
redqueen
(115,101 posts)silverweb
(16,402 posts)[font color="navy" face="Verdana"]As others have said, mandatory viewing. Unfortunately, those who need to see it most will likely scoff and refuse to watch.
Forward!
radiclib
(1,811 posts)If so, the fact that MM didn't need to use any of it speaks well for what he ended up with.
Doctor_J
(36,392 posts)they were both searing indictments of corporate rule
sabrina 1
(62,325 posts)Sicko. Both were brilliant documentaries and truly helped to wake up a lot of people to the truth about this system we live under. Elizabeth Warren was, imo, along with Marcy Kaptur, both of them, were brilliant in MM's documentary.
Stuart G
(38,403 posts)pcphonehome
(1 post)I would LOVE to see her run with Hillary in 2016.
sabrina 1
(62,325 posts)under 'certain circumstances. Not to mention her affiliation with the Family's prayer group or whatever it is. She is a DLCer also and we've had enough of that.
Warren and Grayson or Grayson and Warren would be dynamic and complete change from the old DC inside crowd
graham4anything
(11,464 posts)Hillary has a 76% favorable nationwide, Bill is more popular than he was as President.
and in this party (the democratic one) her favorables probably are even higher or near the range of Obama's favorability with black voters (about 99.9%)
The core Obama voters showed what happens when candidates not of their liking run (see 2010).
again, the constant hate Hillary will only infuriate the very voters that will be needed to win in 2016, especially against Jeb.
Remeber the last time a great left liberal from Mass. ran for President against a Bush in 1984.
Mike Dukakis was a really great person and he
Elizabeth Warren can be the new senator that rams legislation through, like the great LBJ did as the single greatest senate leader of all time.
and President Hillary Clinton will be much more liberal than her detractors think. With another 8 years of Dems, there will be even greater freedom and a great supreme court.
Remember, Hillary did not lose in 2008, President Obama won. Hillary would also have beaten John McCain had she not run into President Obama in the primaries, something no one had really expected (even though I myself have my Obama 2004 button).(yes, 2004).
And Jeb would have voted for Iraq too, so that won't be an issue anyhow in 2016.
Especially if Hillary wins the Nobel Peace Prize (assuming it's not too late to be nominated for the next cycle which I guess would be 2013's winners).
marmar
(77,049 posts)You can't be serious?!?!
graham4anything
(11,464 posts)As the Tina Turner song goes "Simply the best"
There is no better qualified candidate in the world to be US President after President Obama.
anyone else is second rate.
(and I wasn't a fan in 2008).
she won and earned my vote.
JackRiddler
(24,979 posts)These people are our servants or they are nobody. You can't make them immune to criticism. That's nuts.
Sen. Clinton, whom I helped elect, voted for the Iraq war resolution, enabling the worst crime of this century so far. (She also voted for the USA PATRIOT Act and the Homeland Security act.)
End of discussion.
Whisp
(24,096 posts)I don't get how people can forget this.
I don't understand how someone with such Horrific Judgement over matters of life and death... is still revered to be a great leader. And iirc she had to be dragged into making a tepid apology about that too.
I have better judgement than Hillary Clinton, and millions of others around the world do as well when it came to the war. Any one of us would be a better choice for President than someone who has no clue as to what is going on. Either she had no clue at all, which makes her really stupid, or she was playing politics with her vote and the end result was such massive suffering and death to this day.
Hillary Clinton owns a percentage of that massive suffering and death and no amount of anything will erase that.
She would be Slaughtered in a campaign for Presidency with her many gaffes and whatnot. Putting her up as the choice would be a terrible blow for the Democrats.
I pray this doesn't happen. Very unlikely she will run but you never know.
sabrina 1
(62,325 posts)her very much. I have lots of friends I like also, but hate their political beliefs.
She is way to the right on foreign policy and that is going to make her unacceptable to a whole lot of people whose votes will be needed to win. Republicans despise her so I don't know where the 76% approval rating came from. They will never get beyond their hatred for Clinton so there would be no hope of any significant crossover votes.
Left leaning Independents are opposed to her foreign policies and that leaves the base. The base is split on Clinton.
We are not a monarchy. We have millions of talented people in this country, people with great progressive credentials and leadership qualities. We don't have to keep recycling the same few people for decades, especially since their policies have not be that great for this country.
30 years of the same family is more than enough. We need new energy in this party. This was never meant to be a life time career, quite the opposite, nor was it meant to be a dynasty, a very dangerous threat to any democracy.
The closeness of the Clintons to the Bushes is another very disturbing factor. No to Hillary, yes to Warren or Grayson or any number of other great potential candidates.
Whisp
(24,096 posts)when campaign time comes. she is not opposing anyone now.
Nobel Peace Prize? are you fucking kidding me?
graham4anything
(11,464 posts)and it would make her wiser than Solomon himself
However, when HIllary goes against head to head any challenger, she whallops them.
I think Biden is 2nd, Andew is 3rd, the others in very low single digits.
The best advantage she has is, all her dirt is long time public knowledge.
That plus the advantage she is the most competent and largest resume of any candidate
(probably her qualifications now equal the sum total of the 20 or other second tier candidates beneath her for the office of the presidency.
Trouble with one issue candidates is, they have no record on any other issue but that or they are out of the mainstream or have nothing to say they would do a better job, different job, or anything else to get above Hillary. There is no track record.
(those on the other side loved to spew about the now knwon fraud that was/is Ron Paul.
He yapped alot, but what accomplishment did he ever get ZERO. Because it takes compromise to get an accomplishment in the USA(ask Lincoln and Stevens).
It is just raw number stats. 2016 will have different needs than 2008 did, and from all the candidates already thought of (the 20 or 30 after Hillary), none presents themselves to having anything that says they would win more electoral votes than Hillary.
And like this time, the only ## I care about is 270. I actually don't even care about wedge issues or any issue but the 270.
Because 270 means we all lead a better life, than if the republican/tea/libertarian/otherkook3rdparty were to win the 270.
That is what I care about.
(as Willie Nelson sang "still is still moving to me" so even if we only stayed parallel, it is still better, however, I don't buy that. I say 10% getting something done is alot better than 100% of nothing or moving backwards.
that was the brilliance later on of President Obama using the word FORWARD. I could not think of a better word.
And I hope for another 10% now, another in a couple of years, and then another in 2017 and 2020 and 2022 and 2024.
By that time, counting the 10% up, we would have about 60% of what we want
NEVER will we get 60% at one time. America does not and never has worked like that.
(cliche- slow and steady wins the race, and yes, it does, Nate Silver would say about 91% of the time).
NYC_SKP
(68,644 posts)Nor for Vice President.
Agschmid
(28,749 posts)Is she top ticket? I think she very well could be.
NYC_SKP
(68,644 posts)I'm in California but donated to her senate campaign twice this year, I so respect and lover her.
Agschmid
(28,749 posts)She was the one person I almost wish I could have relocated to vote for. She is just truly incredibly elegant, intelligent, and understanding.
hrmjustin
(71,265 posts)Le Taz Hot
(22,271 posts)Hillary needs to retire and take her corporation-friendly third-way triangulating husband with her.
sheshe2
(83,633 posts)You can see her tremble wih it. You can feel her emotion just under the surface. You can see her holding back tears.
Yet she speaks softly, she pauses before she speaks, she thinks. Warren tells us clearly yet simply about what this will mean to us.
These are some of the reasons we elected her here in Ma. Our first woman senator from Ma.
She WILL go far!
Thinkingabout
(30,058 posts)I have presented to my dr office and don't think he had looked at this side. Health care personel puts lots of time into training and they do not come close to earning the salaries given to insurance CEO. There is something wrong with this. I can not think of any illness which is cured with CEO salaries
Live and Learn
(12,769 posts)the ridiculous money they are raking in.
cantbeserious
(13,039 posts)eom
MannyGoldstein
(34,589 posts)Enjoy the ride, folks!
lonestarnot
(77,097 posts)Agschmid
(28,749 posts)Also you know that she can relate to the people who need help the most. I really am amazed by her and so glad that she was able to win the seat from Massachusetts.
She can and will lead us to a better future.
sheshe2
(83,633 posts)Le Taz Hot
(22,271 posts)I will re-register back to the Democratic Party (before someone pees their pants over this, I'm currently not affiliated with any party). Not only will I re-register back to Democrat, I will work my ass off for her campaign.
riderinthestorm
(23,272 posts)wakemewhenitsover
(1,595 posts)I am SO glad she was elected. I second your call for infinite re-elections, libKansan!
trueblue2007
(17,187 posts)POSTED THE VIDEO TO MY FB WALL
Whisp
(24,096 posts)I'm not rooting for her just because she's a woman
(I don't like that kind of thinking at all because white guys had rooters for all these times just because they were guys, and white) I am very happy women like Warren can finally have their time in the spotlight to have us listen.
but because she Got It - the honesty and lack of skeletal closet full and great communication skills and critical thinking. Whatever that stuff is, she got it. Hillary does not.
davidpdx
(22,000 posts)(and this next thing I don't say to be sexist or ageist) I wish she was a bit younger so she'd have time in the Senate and to run for 2 terms as president. She is the type of person that would continue Obama's legacy and foster a whole new generation of Democratic candidates.
bvar22
(39,909 posts)but will still be Big Business here in the US even after all the provisions on the ACA are enacted.
....Maybe even Bigger Business when those MILLIONS on The Exchange try to convert their mandated "Bronze" Policies into actual Health Care and discover they are STILL responsible for 40% of the hospital bill.
http://101.communitycatalyst.org/aca_provisions/coverage_tiers
http://prescriptions.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/06/08/why-would-i-sign-up-for-a-bronze-plan/