Y2HH

QUOTE (lostfan @ Nov 24, 2009 -> 12:37 PM) Contrary to popular belief, Congressmen don't make that much money. They have about enough to pay their mortgage in their home district, rent an apartment in DC (which is expensive), and that's about it. The ones who are rich were either already personally rich, or got rich after they left office. Their compensation comes in more forms than salary. They make a very good salary, by the way. Now let's add in their health care benefits, which outclass mine by far and I work for Blue f***ing Cross...and some of these benefits NEVER end for them. So contrary...while they may not be compensated in "pure money", they are better compensated than most anyone you know.

QUOTE (southsider2k5 @ Nov 24, 2009 -> 01:10 PM) Ok so who has said 100% innocent? And for God's sake, let's quit pretending that a $12 trillion debt is some fault of health care. It isn't. That is complete crap. It's more convenient for their argument that way.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Nov 24, 2009 -> 10:32 AM) Might be a good point if it were true, but most of those aren't, or are done at a much lesser degree than we saw before. I only murdered her a little bit, your honor...I shouldn't be held as accountable as that guy who murdered her a lot! I don't care if it's a lesser degree or not, aren't these the very things he said he'd NEVER do? And how are most of those not true?

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Nov 24, 2009 -> 09:36 AM) Sort of true, but again, what is the best use of those dollars? On Iraq, I agree with you, because we had no good reason to go there. That's a trillion dollars, thousands of American lives and hundreds of thousands of other lives, all gone, for basically nothing. $1T, even if cut in half, could have gotten us a good part of the way to energy independence, or kept us out of the immense deficit hole we are in, or lowered taxes, or bettered our rail system, or paid for TARP, or some combination of all those things. But with Afghanistan, there were, and still are, valid reasons to be there. Reasons why it was worth it. Yes, but like I said, just because we didn't spend that money on a war doesn't mean we would have spent it here...and odds are we wouldn't have.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Nov 24, 2009 -> 09:16 AM) And it's not like we could use the billions of dollars to rebuild our infrastructure. That's just the thing -- everyone assumes that if we weren't using this money to fund wars that we'd use it for other things like rebuilding infrastructure, etc. -- but the reality is probably much different. We often hear the government speak of "waste over here could be used to fix this over here", but when they stop the waste, the other problem is suddenly forgotten about...and remains unfixed. Meanwhile, however, they never forget to give themselves raises.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Nov 24, 2009 -> 09:04 AM) And your statement about not winning is simply reiterating what I was getting at before. This is not typical nation-state warfare that we were so used to for so long. There is no "winning" any war like this, in the sense we are used to. There is only getting certain objectives accomplished, and we haven't done that yet. I'm quoting this because I don't think many people understand that. When you speak of war, people often think win/lose. This war will be a win if we accomplish a few main objectives.

QUOTE (BigSqwert @ Nov 24, 2009 -> 08:52 AM) It comes off as purely political to me. If he pulls out he loses in 2012 because he "surrendered". Wow, we agree on something.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Nov 24, 2009 -> 08:49 AM) That would do the opposite of setting the stage for his re-election. IF they were trying to help with his re-election, they'd have the benefits kick in BEFORE the election. I think his point was that they don't want them kicking in until after re-election because of how chaotic things may become with the huge changes in the system, not to mention the higher taxes, fees, etc...in order to sustain the new programs. Tell me you don't honestly believe he's only going to tax the rich to pay for all of this...everyone, including middle class people, are going to be paying higher taxes in some form. Be it via soda, water, payroll, or what have you. Anyway, I think his point was more that they don't want these benefits kicking in until after the new elections just in case they turn out really bad.

QUOTE (NorthSideSox72 @ Nov 19, 2009 -> 03:57 PM) There is a difference between your greatest fear, and what motivates policy, or what is even remotely likely. My greatest fear might be shark attack, but that doesn't stop me from taking trans-oceanic flights. Also, Bernanke didn't write the stimulus bill. Well said. And I don't know how many times I have to reiterate this, but while deflation may be feared -- it's NEVER going to happen -- especially when taking into account the flood of currency from the stimulus amongst many other factors at play, it's just NOT a reality at this time. What they need to worry about, because it is a reality, is spiraling out of control inflation.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 13, 2009 -> 11:08 AM) We're still angry at wolves and coyotes for never domesticating themselves, so they've all got to be killed. Preferably from helicopter because that makes you feel extra manly. White Fang was domesticated. I saw the movie and read the book.

QUOTE (Athomeboy_2000 @ Nov 13, 2009 -> 12:36 PM) I'm not sure how it helps in the long run. It's not like the moon has an ecosystem to recycle the water. I see moon water like oil on earth... once it's gone, it's gone forver. Based on what I know, this is false. If I'm not mistaken, oil does replenish itself from deep in the earth via fossilizing plant material, it just takes a long time. Once again, the human factor "we are all that matters" has to be taken into account here. What I mean by that is, while we may not have billions of years to live...the Earth does. And will.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Nov 10, 2009 -> 02:30 PM) Dude, hook a brotha up. Their software is crap, does a FULL backup for some reason, WTF do I need that for. Its a complete waste of drive space. Default, the only full backup you have from time machine is your first backup -- from that point on it's doing differentials only on files that change, the problem is, it's doing it way too much. I think by default, it backs up once an hour any changes that are made, and just using an OS changes files, so it's constantly making incremental backups. Those are not all full backups, though, even if they look like it. If you actually go into the drive, you'll see the sizes of the backups aren't full, they're just pointing to the unchanged files from a previous backup. I believe the app is called time machine editor, I'm not home right now so I can't check at the moment. I only do one backup a week (maybe it's a month). Aside from the first, they're differential backups.

QUOTE (RockRaines @ Nov 10, 2009 -> 02:01 PM) I wanted to mention I've even had success moving one from a PC to a mac pretty seamlessly. I am not a fan of time machine, but I do my own backups and keep all of my real data off of my mac on 2 replicated external hardrives. Amazon has great deals on these drives. Time machine works great, just not with their built in software. I have a time machine addon that lets me set what and when to do backups. I basically set it to do a backup once a week on any files that have changed, and one base backup a month. Works wonderfully.

QUOTE (Kid Gleason @ Nov 10, 2009 -> 07:52 AM) THAT is it 100%! It is amazing how easy that is to understand once you try using anything else. I have bought my kids numerous MP3 players, and they all confuse the heck out of me and leaving me wanting an instruction manual. But the Pods have never been that way. You just knew what to do with them...somehow. One of the guys I work with just got an iPhone, and that intuitive thing isn't right there for him though. He has been lost on numerous aspects, such as voice mail. I haven't looked at it, so I don't know if it is the phone set-up or his own idiocy. Me? I'm a Verizon Blackberry Curve user. My contract is up next year, just in time for the Storm to really be figuring itself out. I figure the Storm3 will be hitting the market, and I will probably go that route. I like Blackberry, for some reason. It's him, the iPhone can be used by 3 year olds without instructions.

You can get any external drive for a Mac, be it USB or Firewire, it will work, and it will work perfectly with the Time Machine backup software. There are no advantages to brand specifics other than speed, quietness, etc...that you'll have to look up and compare based on customer reviews.

QUOTE (Tex @ Nov 8, 2009 -> 10:21 AM) Kind of like claiming if we cut taxes on indiciduals, more taxes will come into the treasury? Because "someone else" will start paying not only the cut amount, but even more. Sadly we can never seem to find who or where are those people are that will be paying all those taxes. So either someone did start paying more taxes, which I guess doesn't make it a cut for them, or after the cut we later paid more in taxes, which again, doesn't sound like a tax cut, or business wound up paying more taxes. For all the great that Reagan did, the everyone gets what they want spending was the negative. I think an underlying issue for a lot of people is that we are beginning to punish the successful in this country. I mean, they have enough money, they should be forced to share it. While that works short term, again we think short term only, the long term thinking isn't there. If we keep doing this, little by little add taxes here, a windfall tax there, we begin to foster an environment of, "be average" because if you get too successful, they're going to just take it away all in the name of good. That's when foreign countries (and this is beginning to happen now) begin offering these rich successful people tax havens...and the rich begin to disappear altogether. I do not like this environment of entitlement this nation is building.

QUOTE (bmags @ Nov 8, 2009 -> 09:30 AM) Well, first the senate bill must pass, then they go into committee to merge the two bills, then it gets voted on by the two houses again. Further, the cost is kind of a silly number considering the House bill, for one, they both project to cut the deficit. Although the senate does a much better job of cutting it for a 20 year projection than the house, which is better for the first 10. But no, then he didn't lie to the American people. Because Congress makes bills. And considering it is projecting to reduce the deficit, that's probably more important than anything. And the taxing of small businesses for HC may or may not make the cut. A lot yet to be determined on this bill. But, one thing is for sure, the dachau death camps. The government says everything they do is going to reduce the deficit...and it never seems to reduce it. Are we supposed to just trust them *this time*?! Because, I know, *this time* they REALLY REALLY mean it! Let's all agree to wake up and small the roses here...this isn't going to reduce anything, and regardless of what some branch of the government says, it will end up costing WAY more than projected. Everything always does. Including this.

QUOTE (Tex @ Nov 8, 2009 -> 09:21 AM) Part 1 - All that and it is still better than what we have today. Part 2 - Great point. Health care claims a big part of the problem is all the uninsured they must treat. We'll see how this helps. One of the biggest problems is lack of oversight on the hospitals providing care. I'm sure many of you have had unfortunate stays at hospitals, or you're loved ones may have. Ever look at that bill when it comes in? Acronyms all over, a plethora of tests you've never heard of and ridiculous charges for things like Tylenol. The kicker is...they probably didn't run 40% of the tests listed on that bill, and unless you were a doctor, you'd never really know with how many people they have coming in and out all day long...it's one of the biggest scams in the industry...and this won't stop it.

QUOTE (Tex @ Nov 8, 2009 -> 09:15 AM) I scream about deficits and cutting taxes while spending more. Like fighting a war and cutting taxes to pay for it. I believe this will offer long term benefits to US small business. I see small business as the long term solution to our economic issues. The mega multinationals tend to move jobs out of here while small business picks up. The problem with every small business I worked at was health care. Attracting talent while offering benefit packages that were dwarfed by larger companies was nearly impossible. With family coverages costing $600 and more, that added $4 and $5 per hour to wages. The insurance companies always claimed it was the size of the pool. Well, we just started to create one hell of a pool. Too bad that pool is going to be buying bad governement run care that takes it's time paying it's bills (see Medicare), or simply doesn't pay them at all...and then Hospitals will begin balking at accepting said insurance knowing they'll never get paid. They're taken a successful step at reforming health insurance...but they've done nothing to reform health care, which was the bigger problem. People will begin to see that unless then Senate knocks this back over the next few years.

QUOTE (Tex @ Nov 8, 2009 -> 09:08 AM) Do you man the opportunity to work for American based small business that can offer health benefits that rival larger companies? The same small businesses that are least likely to outsource overseas? The opportunity to not be a lost job and major illness away from financial ruin? We spend hundreds of billions on a military to protect our health, and the health of millions of foreigners, it's about time that the working poor in this country have a shot at the same health benefits that John Wayne Gacy* received in his lifetime. Well at least to that last procedure he underwent. *thought I would add a touch of kaperbole™ IF that happened, maybe you'd be onto something. In order to make this cheaper, as you think they are going to do, they're going to have a massively subsidize it...and again, you still haven't shown me where this money is coming from. But I understand, it's because you can't...because they money isn't there to sustain this. I agree, it will help small businesses on the short term...but this country's lack of attention span is glaring even in cases like this. Over the next 10 years, this may be sustainable...but what about the 20 after that? We are 10T+ in debt, tack on another 1T from this...and keep in mind, the first 10 years of this plan were the cheap years. Wait until the second 10 kick in and see if that "total package" still comes out to only 1.1T (and forget inflation numbers -- because this is going to far supersede inflation in how fast the costs start ramping up.)

QUOTE (Tex @ Nov 8, 2009 -> 09:02 AM) The usual reaction when we need more revenue is to cut taxes. An across the board tax cut should cover all this nicely. Seriously, There will be lines until the the industry ramps up, which will not take too long. Someone will die and still others will blame the government and Obama. There will probably be displays counting the people that Obamacare kills. I don't think Obamacare kills, nor do I think Obama "is out to get us". I really believe they think this plan will help, and if it was sustainable, it might...but there is no way to sustain this. And they're not going to cut taxes, if anything they're going to have to raise them, and this bill will be unsustainable regardless...they money simply is not there, nor will it suddenly appear. And trust me, Kap, I know what you're talking about, but with how we are over populating the planet as it is, that was inevitable one way or the other.

QUOTE (bmags @ Nov 8, 2009 -> 07:03 AM) yep, 3 more votes until the dachau-like death camps open. What have we done?! Way to take something not just out of context, but like in a different f***ing galaxy of out of context. There will be no death camps. There will be no "lines", nor government dictated health care in what you can and cannot have done. I don't forsee any of that coming from this. What I see is further deficit, further spending, and further debt in which this country simple cannot take on long term. The complete shortsightedness many of you seem to share with the government is beyond baffling to me. I don't know where you think the money is going to keep coming from, it's not like we have a surplus here...we're already OUT of money...things like this make us even MORE out of money. It's a matter of time before something gives...and somethings gotta give. That was the shark tank I'm speaking of jumping. The Republicans and their ridiculous "alternate Heath reform bill" were just as dumb. We were already on our way to jumping it, but something this expensive...and trust me it will be WAY more expensive than they've estimated, well...that puts us over the top.

QUOTE (Chisoxfn @ Nov 7, 2009 -> 04:37 PM) Ya, I love my 23% sprint discount. I get 19% off AT&T, and I'm perfectly happy with my service.

QUOTE (Balta1701 @ Nov 7, 2009 -> 04:31 PM) He's done such a terrible job that this really isn't even funny any more. I love that you blame all of California's problems on one guy. Yea, because it was all him. All of it. Pelosi and her ilk, who run that state, had nothing to do with it, it was all Arnold. We wouldn't wanna blame liberals, after all. Blago sucked, but even I know he was 2% of the problem in IL. The other 98% still exists...and they're still sucking this state dry. The days seem to become sadder and sadder with the way we're moving in this country. Obviously, we're broke, and we have no way of ever reigning in the spending...but I have faith, the US always seems to pull through in the end. I just hope I'm alive to see it happen... We...will...prevail.

The US is one step closer to jumping the shark.