Unemployment is the Best Way to Create Jobs

[Red Arrow]

That would be another reason I have them, although now if I use 20 voice minutes a month I'm surprised.  I have about 5300 rollover minutes.

I thought the expiring rollover minutes kept my total around 4500.  I just checked my bill and I have 4903.  This month I added 447 but lost 440 to expiration.  My plan is for 450 minutes/month.

[Hoss]

I thought the expiring rollover minutes kept my total around 4500.  I just checked my bill and I have 4903.  This month I added 447 but lost 440 to expiration.  My plan is for 450 minutes/month.

Mine's 550; likely why the disparity.

[nathanm]

Because your version is a total canard

What is a canard? That an ever increasing proportion of the money generated by US corporations is being funneled towards insiders rather than reinvested or returned to shareholders? Or that health insurance premiums have risen by amounts greater than what we're talking about here in several of the past 20 years? Or that insurance companies themselves have said that only a small portion of the increases being requested are due to the health care law, while the vast majority of the increase is due to the ever increasing cost of procedures?

[heironymouspasparagus]

That was a thoughtful response. . .couple of points. . .

First of all, to ask for a raise or request more benefits, I do not leave my office and stand outside with a sign that says my company is unjust.  Nor do I yell profanity at fellow workers who wish to continue working.

Second.  the 12% is an estimate provided by our insurer.  It is based on several factors, but the primary reason they site is that they now have to cover pre-existing conditions.  Additionally, they warned that additional increases will be necessary but they cannot forecast these yet until they establish a baseline (uncertainty).

They always are.  Even if somewhat strident at times.

Signs?  Different people react in different ways.  Signs are an expression of free speech.  Profanity is the last resort of the incompetent.

12% is pretty much typical.  One very close family friend enjoyed an increase of 300% last year.  All uncalled for of course.  I have experienced changes every year I have been employed and had insurance, for the last 30+ years.  All of them increases.  Ranging from a low of 5% one year (best year ever), to a high of 150% (not too good), with averages in the 10 to 15% range.  Last year was 23%.

One place I was working made a change from just reasonably expensive ($135 per month, modest benefits) to just pure stupid.  Ended the real insurance and went to a major medical only style policy.  $5,000 deductible, no office visits, or health maintenance type stuff.  You pay anything and everything up to 5k, then the plan pays 80% above that.  And it only cost $273 per month!! 

Guess what happened next?  Well, I left.  Many other of the best employees left.  The President was fired by the company owners about 8 months later.  But in the meantime, the huge dislocation of many people's lives due to this clowns stupidity was uncalled for and I feel, criminal.  But hey, that's just me...

[nathanm]

One place I was working made a change from just reasonably expensive ($135 per month, modest benefits) to just pure stupid.  Ended the real insurance and went to a major medical only style policy.  $5,000 deductible, no office visits, or health maintenance type stuff.  You pay anything and everything up to 5k, then the plan pays 80% above that.  And it only cost $273 per month!! 

IMO, single payer would be one of the best things we could do for American business. We're very nearly the only country in the world that expects employers to shoulder the vast majority of the cost of health care, and it puts us at a disadvantage.

[Red Arrow]

Many other of the best employees left.  The President was fired by the company owners about 8 months later. 

It's good to hear that at least he was properly rewarded.

[Gaspar]

Well, as expected, it looks now like the "Plan" to create jobs is changing.  Axelrod alluded that it would be more of an "outline," and as of yesterday, according to Deputy Press Secretary Josh Earnest, it is now more of a collection of "reasonable ideas that can have a tangible impact."

Oh! I can't wait!

[Townsend]

Oh! I can't wait!

Sweet.  Thanks for all the updates.

[we vs us]

Part of the fallout from the moronic debt ceiling negotiations is this supercommittee, which now essentially has carte blanche to cut any expenditures it sees fit.  It has very hard and very strict deadlines, and has the power to make most any cut it wants, including into the President's jobs initiatives, which would inevitably (and rightly) cost us money.

This is why, no matter what Obama says -- and no matter what the GOP says about him -- there will be no government movement to help with the economy until after the 2012 elections.

[Gaspar]

Part of the fallout from the moronic debt ceiling negotiations is this supercommittee, which now essentially has carte blanche to cut any expenditures it sees fit.  It has very hard and very strict deadlines, and has the power to make most any cut it wants, including into the President's jobs initiatives, which would inevitably (and rightly) cost us money.

This is why, no matter what Obama says -- and no matter what the GOP says about him -- there will be no government movement to help with the economy until after the 2012 elections.

You said "the President's jobs initiatives."   I think the White House would correct you as they have been doing in recent interviews by classifying it more as a set of ideas or concepts, things that could have some impact.

Your right. I forgot. Liberals think government spending creates jobs.

The only way he can really avoid criticism is to actually propose something that does create jobs, like taking steps to drastically reduce energy costs, or spur private sector growth by removing the erected elements that are the foundation for the current uncertainty. 

[we vs us]

Your right. I forgot. Liberals think government spending creates jobs.

Ha!  You got me!  Only the past 70 years of government and economic history back me up.  My bad!

[Gaspar]

Ha!  You got me!  Only the past 70 years of government and economic history back me up.  My bad!

I guess it depends on what side of the binoculars you look through.

Government is dependent on private sector commerce, not the other way around.

[heironymouspasparagus]

IMO, single payer would be one of the best things we could do for American business. We're very nearly the only country in the world that expects employers to shoulder the vast majority of the cost of health care, and it puts us at a disadvantage.

Most of the world's other systems have evolved over several decades and have had some painful excursions during the process.  We could certainly learn from the mistakes of others, pick and choose the best, and end up with a world class system that would provide adequate health care to everyone.  (Goes to the "general welfare" statements in the Constitution.  Not to mention the concept of "equality".)  Of course that would mean the people in Congress would have to have a dramatically reduced entitlement.  Or the rest of us would get really good health care.

But we won't.

[nathanm]

I guess it depends on what side of the binoculars you look through.

Government is dependent on private sector commerce, not the other way around.

Did it ever occur to you that they could be interdependent, not independent?

[heironymouspasparagus]

Did it ever occur to you that they could be interdependent, not independent?

I'll answer that... no, it did not.


The only way he can really avoid criticism is to actually propose something that does create jobs, like taking steps to drastically reduce energy costs, or spur private sector growth by removing the erected elements that are the foundation for the current uncertainty. 

As far as removing erected elements...well, they have been systematically removed and neutralized for the last 30 years to the point where we are now in the condition we find ourselves.  But I bet cutting taxes some more and getting rid of even more government regulation is bound to help....not!

Unless the goal is the continued degradation of the US economy.  Which is pretty much right on target to the RWRE.  To the RWRE, lower wages and standard of living are the solution.  To the real world, lower wages and standard of living is the problem.

Hey, if it hasn't worked for 30 years, it ain't gonna work!  (A lot like our "war on drugs" - the American "100 Years War".)