Re: OT Atlas Shrugged.

[JoeRaisin <JoeRaisin@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Robert L Bass wrote:
> "Jim" wrote:
>>
>>> Hmm. Obama has been President of the United States for less than one
>>> school year. When did this course take place?
>>
>> Yeah, I was wondering the same thing.
>
> Apparently, Snopes has debunked the story though it was a good way to
> illustrate your point, even if we disagree on the matter.
>
>> Also, if he's so much for the achiever being rewarded and the slackers
>> not, how come he never failed anyone? Sounds socialistic to me.
>
> I was not aware that he never failed anyone.  Is that something he said
> or something someone else said about him?
>
>> But anyway, even if it's hypothetical .....  I thought it was a good
>> example of how socialism affects the populace.
>
> Maybe so, but we disagree about Obama being a socialist.  Our society is
> a mix of capitalist and socialist systems.  We have Social Security,
> Medicare and Medicaid, all of which are designed to keep people in need
> afloat at the expense of the rest of the taxpayers.  We also have
> unemployment insurance, which is borderline socialist but which no one
> denies is an important government run system.  None of these systems are
> perfect but all are helpful and IMO necessary.
>
> The idea of universal health care does not mean single payer / single
> provider.  It means that those who are currently to obtain health care
> in the private sector will have a public option.  I know you feel that
> it is unfair for taxpayers to foot the bill for those who can't or
> (worse) won't pay for their own coverage.  But there are two sides to
> every argument.  Due to declining health very soon I will have to stop
> working.  My insurer is anxiously waiting for the first day that I miss
> a payment so they can drop me. I've worked all my life, paid taxes every
> year and dutifully paid for health insurance.  Now, as the end of life
> draws near, I may be unable to get medical treatment.  I don't think
> that is fair either.
>

Agreed.  You are buying insurance in case you get sick - they sholdn't
be able to drop you just because you do.

The idea I put forward in the other post would pick up that slack.

> Somehow we have to come up with a compromise.  Obama is at least willing
> to dialogue with Republicans and try to find common ground.  Rather than
> make him out to be a socialist, terrorist or whatever other "ist," why
> not encourage both sides to sit down and do some honest work to find a
> solution?
>

The republicans have put forth several amendments and/or bills (though
they were just as silent as democrats prior to this - So I do agree that
one good thing stemming from this is that our fearless leaders are
finally at the 'shit or get off the pot' stage) that have been ignored
in both houses.