Obama's First Year

Joe

When you reach 55+, the thought of being surrounded by neo-conservative wrinklies and being free from socialist and their screaming kids will be most appealing.

That is why lots of oldies lock themselves up on a posh tub for weeks on end. We are currently looking at a months cruise.

Regards

Mick

Mick,

You make a good case for U-Boats.

Don't do it. You'll go stir-crazy I know a guy who crewed for one of those, he said all they do is eat. The smell of food, moth-balls and urine might send you over the edge. Capt. Bob style.

Joe

Nah let him go, they might not have the internet, all we can do is hope.

Joe you have to remember when Mick says, all, everyone or most etc he is speaking for himself and of course all the people in his circle, which as we all know makes up so much of the world

Cue standard MP snide reply, No 6 I guess!

Sad really that in spite of all Mick's cruising and great age that he has not ever seen any whales -- or was that in another forum ----

Derek

That was a PFM thread. I have only had a couple of cruises around the Caribbean and a couple around the Med and one tends not to find whales there.

Alaska is the favourite for whale spotting.

Regards

Mick

quote:

Alaska is the favourite for whale spotting.

Definite, and bears too. But over the past 10 years, all the cruise ports have turned into jewelrey emporiums!!

Non-the-less, superb scenery, food, company and value.

Cheers

Don

Funny thing about the Republicans' stand on self-reliance, low taxes, no welfare.

The areas of the US that saw the greatest shift to the GOP (the South and West) have been subsidized by the North and Midwest for DECADES. The farmers and ranchers of the West make money ONLY because they get water from the federal government at a small fraction of a true market price.

Those Medicare cuts in the health insurance reform bills? That's because the GOP subsidizes insurance companies to provide extra benefits to some populations - the services can be delivered much more efficiently via the Medicare organization.

Tax cuts? GOP tax cuts are aimed at the wealthiest Americans. And yes, the wealthy pay a large portion of our income taxes, but they drive the most expensive services.

Reducing government interference? They reduce regulation so the favored few can do what they like without accountability - but they aim to be in everyone's bedroom, they condone spying on US residents, they advocate torture.

As individuals, in contexts where their worldview and assets aren't threatened, they can exercise their humanity and be good companions.

Phil Barry

What would be the proper response if you were the first to find 1000 Democrats at the bottom of a lake?

I think it is a good start.

MN

quote:

Originally posted by munch:
Marc,
Only one of JFK's family ran away and got away with it though.

yep

The horror would be if Bush had a 3rd term, what would have happened then?

Just talked to a new Dr and while waiting we talked about health care. I mentioned being on Medicare but he said much of Europe is going bankrupt because of their borrowing to pay for health care. Now Greece has major problems and they don't want to face public servants cuts just like America and the rest of the world. The concept of working 40 hrs and getting 6 weeks off a year and numerous holidays just isn't going to hold up in the long run.

I've never had benefits in the jobs I held, even the Feds called me temporary for 3 years tho I had a masters degree. Benefits and security will only be for the top ranks, the rest of us will just have to make do.

quote:

Originally posted by mudwolf:
The horror would be if Bush had a 3rd term, what would have happened then?

Just talked to a new Dr and while waiting we talked about health care. I mentioned being on Medicare but he said much of Europe is going bankrupt because of their borrowing to pay for health care. Now Greece has major problems and they don't want to face public servants cuts just like America and the rest of the world. The concept of working 40 hrs and getting 6 weeks off a year and numerous holidays just isn't going to hold up in the long run.

I've never had benefits in the jobs I held, even the Feds called me temporary for 3 years tho I had a masters degree. Benefits and security will only be for the top ranks, the rest of us will just have to make do.

Bush-
What a huge fubar.
Hope you and Geoff had fun.

I felt sorry for anyone that won this election. It wasn't going to get better very quickly or before it got worse regardless of what was done. This was going to be a one term deal. Remember how a black man got in and the Dems got control. People were just as unhappy then with the other guys in charge. It's cyclic. They take turns screwing us over.

quote:

Originally posted by js:
I felt sorry for anyone that won this election. It wasn't going to get better very quickly or before it got worse regardless of what was done. This was going to be a one term deal. Remember how a black man got in and the Dems got control. People were just as unhappy then with the other guys in charge. It's cyclic. They take turns screwing us over.

John-
Never truer words.
Marc

quote:

This was going to be a one term deal

So whats the choice in 2013 (2012) JS (IYO)
Same again for another 4 years
The Worldly Wise Mom from Alaska
Who else ???

My Rep or Die buddies from Minnesota DGaS as long as it ain't more of the same, & that is worrying.
IMO the whole planet needs stability for a number of years to dig out the $$$ debt hole.
To me that means slow & steady, & absolutely no controversial stuff like regime changes & we know best world policing stuff.
China is going to throw its weight around I am sure, that needs a steady head & maybe some giving ground. I don't see that coming from the guys (& Moms) with the RW&B elephant.

"Just talked to a new Dr and while waiting we talked about health care. I mentioned being on Medicare but he said much of Europe is going bankrupt because of their borrowing to pay for health care. Now Greece has major problems and they don't want to face public servants cuts just like America and the rest of the world. The concept of working 40 hrs and getting 6 weeks off a year and numerous holidays just isn't going to hold up in the long run."

This is disregarding the extravagant spending on all public services and the over exposure to the over extended mortgage market in most of the western economies.

Where as in comparison in the US you hear of stories like:

Largest US health insurer's profits rise 30%


Interesting illustration from the US of Health Insurer denying life pro longing treatment to 5 year old

quote:

Originally posted by Mike-B:

quote:

This was going to be a one term deal

So whats the choice in 2013 (2012) JS (IYO)
Same again for another 4 years
The Worldly Wise Mom from Alaska
Who else ???

My Rep or Die buddies from Minnesota DGaS as long as it ain't more of the same, & that is worrying.
IMO the whole planet needs stability for a number of years to dig out the $$$ debt hole.
To me that means slow & steady, & absolutely no controversial stuff like regime changes & we know best world policing stuff.
China is going to throw its weight around I am sure, that needs a steady head & maybe some giving ground. I don't see that coming from the guys (& Moms) with the RW&B elephant.

To be honest,this country needs a revolution. To lead this revolution it will take a new political party like the,"Tea Party". Not the independent,or the green party. I really do not care as long as we don't end up like Germany in the early 30s.For that matter, the rest of the 30s and mid 40s.
MN

quote:

Originally posted by mudwolf:

Just talked to a new Dr and while waiting we talked about health care. I mentioned being on Medicare but he said much of Europe is going bankrupt because of their borrowing to pay for health care.

Thats just not true.

I gather that lots of lies are being spread in the US by interested parties. Healthcare free at the point of need is a wonedrful thing to have.

quote:

Originally posted by Marc Newman:

quote:

Originally posted by Mike-B:

quote:

This was going to be a one term deal

So whats the choice in 2013 (2012) JS (IYO)
Same again for another 4 years
The Worldly Wise Mom from Alaska
Who else ???

My Rep or Die buddies from Minnesota DGaS as long as it ain't more of the same, & that is worrying.
IMO the whole planet needs stability for a number of years to dig out the $$$ debt hole.
To me that means slow & steady, & absolutely no controversial stuff like regime changes & we know best world policing stuff.
China is going to throw its weight around I am sure, that needs a steady head & maybe some giving ground. I don't see that coming from the guys (& Moms) with the RW&B elephant.

To be honest,this country needs a revolution. To lead this revolution it will take a new political party like the,"Tea Party". Not the independent,or the green party. I really do not care as long as we don't end up like Germany in the early 30s.For that matter, the rest of the 30s and mid 40s.
MN

Marc

OK Your country need a revolution .. what would you do to sort it out.

Regards

Mick

quote:

Originally posted by Mike Lacey:

quote:

Originally posted by mudwolf:

Just talked to a new Dr and while waiting we talked about health care. I mentioned being on Medicare but he said much of Europe is going bankrupt because of their borrowing to pay for health care.

Thats just not true.

I gather that lots of lies are being spread in the US by interested parties. Healthcare free at the point of need is a wonedrful thing to have.

Mike

Healthcare free at the point of need is also the hallmark of a civilised society.

Regards

Mick

quote:

Originally posted by Derek Wright:
"Just talked to a new Dr and while waiting we talked about health care. I mentioned being on Medicare but he said much of Europe is going bankrupt because of their borrowing to pay for health care. Now Greece has major problems and they don't want to face public servants cuts just like America and the rest of the world. The concept of working 40 hrs and getting 6 weeks off a year and numerous holidays just isn't going to hold up in the long run."

This is disregarding the extravagant spending on all public services and the over exposure to the over extended mortgage market in most of the western economies.

Where as in comparison in the US you hear of stories like:

Largest US health insurer's profits rise 30%


Interesting illustration from the US of Health Insurer denying life pro longing treatment to 5 year old

Pensions funding is a significantly bigger financial problem than healthcare.

The use of "free" with respect to healthcare at point of need is also interesting. It's never free, unless the service is delivered without cost. Free = not paying today, either because you paid something in advance or in anticipation of you being able to pay something later. The funding comes from the taxpayer in a UK scenario, or from a state insurance scheme in the Bismarckian model (taxation by another name).

It may end up being free to the indigent, but that is because the tax payers as voters have mandated a system that can use their contributions socially.

The US model is predicated on the fact that government should interfere as little as possible in the lives of citizens. As I understand it, that was the principle set by the founding fathers.

Over time there has been a shift to more federal than state control. At heart, however, many citizens still believe that a key right is the ability to choose for oneself (and not really care about the person for whom choice is not an option). So healthcare is seen as a choice, I choose to spend on this rather than something else. It's easy for people who have grown up in cosy European systems to criticise this as being socially inequitable, but that is no different than believing Afghans need US or European democracy. There is too much cultural history for easy solutions.

That doesn't mean solutions do not exist, the decision makers need to be sufficiently empowered to make the bold decisions and execute them without being hamstrung by bureaucracy and lobbyists protecting privileged interests of the few.

Huwge

I specifically said, "Free at the point of delivery". Naturally there is a cost, but if one should get hit by a bus in the UK, the Ambulance will take you to hospital, free, and you will be treated, free.

On the pensions funding issue, the UK has more money in private pensions than the rest of Europe combined. Something else we should be proud of.

quote:

Originally posted by Mick Parry:

quote:

Originally posted by Marc Newman:

quote:

Originally posted by Mike-B:

quote:

This was going to be a one term deal

So whats the choice in 2013 (2012) JS (IYO)
Same again for another 4 years
The Worldly Wise Mom from Alaska
Who else ???

My Rep or Die buddies from Minnesota DGaS as long as it ain't more of the same, & that is worrying.
IMO the whole planet needs stability for a number of years to dig out the $$$ debt hole.
To me that means slow & steady, & absolutely no controversial stuff like regime changes & we know best world policing stuff.
China is going to throw its weight around I am sure, that needs a steady head & maybe some giving ground. I don't see that coming from the guys (& Moms) with the RW&B elephant.

To be honest,this country needs a revolution. To lead this revolution it will take a new political party like the,"Tea Party". Not the independent,or the green party. I really do not care as long as we don't end up like Germany in the early 30s.For that matter, the rest of the 30s and mid 40s.
MN

Marc

OK Your country need a revolution .. what would you do to sort it out.

Regards

Mick

Mick-
I would not know where to start.
If this new,"Tea Party",gains momentum? I can see following their lead. I think they have the countries best interest at tier one.Our 2 party system is lost in it's own scat.

Big business,lobbyists,and pandering to the majority minority(s) should no longer be considered good politics.

As I have stated before. This country has become quite complacent and has the memory of a Beagle. Social security,Welfare,and many of the programs set up 40 years ago, no longer strive to be used within their bi-laws. This has nothing to do with changing times. It has much more in common with special interest and big business.And,oh yeah,getting votes.

We are in dire-straights.

At the front,our citizens don't consider where our utilities are coming from and leading just behind, I have seen a drastic change in attitudes amongst the 18 to 34 year olds. Now,and more than any time I can remember,It is me,me,me. These individuals have been weened on complacency,non start,self indulgence,and entitlement.
Clearly not the way I was brought up and how I see the world.

MN

quote:

Originally posted by Mike Lacey:

quote:

Originally posted by mudwolf:

Just talked to a new Dr and while waiting we talked about health care. I mentioned being on Medicare but he said much of Europe is going bankrupt because of their borrowing to pay for health care.

Thats just not true.

I gather that lots of lies are being spread in the US by interested parties. Healthcare free at the point of need is a wonedrful thing to have.

Mike-
This is just an opportune time to suggest the same for your country. Don't believe everything you hear or read.
You see health care different than our politicians do. Don't try to convince them otherwise.As far as "free" can take some? I will need to pay for their care and the care of others who,frankly,I do not care about(See Huwge post) The politics of health care is ruining this country. Taking our eye off the ball,it is.
MN

Marc I'm a bit confused by your post, to be honest. Not sure what you're saying here.

M

quote:

Originally posted by Marc Newman:

quote:

Originally posted by Mick Parry:

quote:

Originally posted by Marc Newman:

quote:

Originally posted by Mike-B:

quote:

This was going to be a one term deal

So whats the choice in 2013 (2012) JS (IYO)
Same again for another 4 years
The Worldly Wise Mom from Alaska
Who else ???

My Rep or Die buddies from Minnesota DGaS as long as it ain't more of the same, & that is worrying.
IMO the whole planet needs stability for a number of years to dig out the $$$ debt hole.
To me that means slow & steady, & absolutely no controversial stuff like regime changes & we know best world policing stuff.
China is going to throw its weight around I am sure, that needs a steady head & maybe some giving ground. I don't see that coming from the guys (& Moms) with the RW&B elephant.

To be honest,this country needs a revolution. To lead this revolution it will take a new political party like the,"Tea Party". Not the independent,or the green party. I really do not care as long as we don't end up like Germany in the early 30s.For that matter, the rest of the 30s and mid 40s.
MN

Marc

OK Your country need a revolution .. what would you do to sort it out.

Regards

Mick

Mick-
I would not know where to start.
If this new,"Tea Party",gains momentum? I can see following their lead. I think they have the countries best interest at tier one.Our 2 party system is lost in it's own scat.

Big business,lobbyists,and pandering to the majority minority(s) should no longer be considered good politics.

As I have stated before. This country has become quite complacent and has the memory of a Beagle. Social security,Welfare,and many of the programs set up 40 years ago, no longer strive to be used within their bi-laws. This has nothing to do with changing times. It has much more in common with special interest and big business.And,oh yeah,getting votes.

We are in dire-straights.

At the front,our citizens don't consider where our utilities are coming from and leading just behind, I have seen a drastic change in attitudes amongst the 18 to 34 year olds. Now,and more than any time I can remember,It is me,me,me. These individuals have been weened on complacency,non start,self indulgence,and entitlement.
Clearly not the way I was brought up and how I see the world.

MN

Marc

So to sum up, you do not have a clue what you would replace the two existing parties with.

Regards

Mick