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Ten Immediate Benefits of Health Care Reform

by Ben Hoffman

Here are ten benefits which come online within six months of the President’s signature on the health care bill:

  1. Adult children may remain as dependents on their parents’ policy until their 27th birthday
  2. Children under age 19 may not be excluded for pre-existing conditions
  3. No more lifetime or annual caps on coverage
  4. Free preventative care for all
  5. Adults with pre-existing conditions may buy into a national high-risk pool until the exchanges come online. While these will not be cheap, they’re still better than total exclusion and get some benefit from a wider pool of insureds.
  6. Small businesses will be entitled to a tax credit for 2009 and 2010, which could be as much as 50% of what they pay for employees’ health insurance.
  7. The “donut hole” closes for Medicare patients, making prescription medications more affordable for seniors.
  8. Requirement that all insurers must post their balance sheets on the Internet and fully disclose administrative costs, executive compensation packages, and benefit payments.
  9. Authorizes early funding of community health centers in all 50 states (Bernie Sanders’ amendment). Community health centers provide primary, dental and vision services to people in the community, based on a sliding scale for payment according to ability to pay.
  10. AND no more rescissions. Effective immediately, you can’t lose your insurance because you get sick.

Source

It’s a national security issue. Obama and the Democrats have made us more safe.

Posted on March 22, 2010 at 6:54 AM in Education, Politics   |  RSS feed |   Reply   |   Trackback URL

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47 Responses to “Ten Immediate Benefits of Health Care Reform”

    
  1. Alan Scott
    March 22, 2010 at 12:50 PM

    Mr. Hoffman,

    Congratulations on the destruction of the kapitalist medical system. All will be great until we go bankrupt, but who the hell cares now .

    Reply
  2. Alan Scott
    March 22, 2010 at 4:28 PM

    Mr. Hoffman,

    I do not have all of the facts yet, but I do know this monstrosity is built on deceptions . A few years down the road we are all going to be royally screwed by this . From what I just heard, some of the benefits kick in right away, but the taxes other people have to pay will kick in after the midterm election . Same slimey Democratic politics . No wait this is just what had to be done to save Obama’s Presidency .

    I said other people because it is YOUR party’s politics to get the losers on the dole, and to screw the people who have to pay for everybody else . At some point the suckers will revolt . Even Obama bucks are not free .

    As I said before, some day Conservatives will get back in charge . We will remember every underhanded deal that was made .

    Capitalism requires CAPITAL . I feel I must teach you that . This screw the saver, screw the investor will come back to bite the Bolsheviks .

    Reply
    • Ben Hoffman
      March 22, 2010 at 9:06 PM

      Nobody should die or have their lives destroyed because they don’t have insurance or because their insurance company decided they didn’t want to pay for treatment. This bill will save lives. You can complain all you want, but I think enough people will see this for the good that comes out of it and not just for what political points they can score from lying about it.

      Reply
  3. Vern R. Kaine
    March 22, 2010 at 8:26 PM

    Coming from the right, I don’t buy for a moment that this will somehow all be a cost saver or deficit-reducer in the macro sense. Nonetheless, something had to be done re: the current state of health insurance in America and I’m sorry to say that all I really heard from the right were comparisons to Europe and Canada and the fear mongering that almost invariably went with it – next to nothing of substance. I was hoping for something better from the Republicans this time, but it never came.

    So, I’m here on record as a “right-winger” saying that I support the bill as a FIRST MOVE towards what I hope to be a better system down the road.

    Reply
  4. Alan Scott
    March 23, 2010 at 2:11 PM

    Mr. Hoffman,

    Could you please name some people who have died from lack of health care ? Your side cites all kinds of numbers which I do not believe . So if thousands are dying every year from no health coverage the names should be easy for you . Also what about the people who will die waiting for 2014 ? Where is your phoney compassion for them ?

    Also why are the States bitching about the Medicade mandates your HERO just put on them ?? A whole lot of States are already near bankrupt and do not want more UNFUNDED MANDATES from YOUR people in Washington .

    Oh yea, how in the hell is ObamaClause going to pay for all of this crap ? The man said he would not raise taxes . He got to pull a couple trillion Obama bucks from his Christmas sack .

    You do realize,,even you can’t be this ignorant, that the country is going broke from entitlements ? So your hero just added a couple more Trillion on to the bill . It’s been all smoke and mirrors and deficits so far .

    Wait I know. You are one of those folks who says ” As long as the country lasts during my life time . Screw the next 4 generations . “

    Reply
    • Ben Hoffman
      March 23, 2010 at 2:30 PM

      You, on the other hand, are an ideologue.

      Reply
    • The Arbourist
      March 24, 2010 at 12:26 PM

      Oh yea, how in the hell is ObamaClause going to pay for all of this crap ? The man said he would not raise taxes . He got to pull a couple trillion Obama bucks from his Christmas sack

      What was that figure for sending one US soldier to fight? Was it one hundred thousand per day? I cannot remember at the moment.

      I just wonder where all the righteous fury was when all the money was being spent to kill ‘terrorists’.

      It seems the problem only comes into being when it is being used to help US citizens move toward a level of care the rest of the industrialized world already has.

      Reply
    • Ben Hoffman
      March 24, 2010 at 2:10 PM

      He didn’t promise not to raise taxes. That’s a common right-wing straw-man argument.

      Reply
  5. sleepygirl
    March 24, 2010 at 6:46 PM

    Although I wish this bill had included a public option, I, like Vern, still think that this bill is a necessary first step toward fixing a broken system. It’s comforting to know that at least some of the people that have been ignored and left behind by the insurance companies can now get the help they need.

    My younger brother was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis, which almost took his life twice. When he tried to buy insurance (on his own…not through an employer), he was denied. It was only when he moved to Massachusetts that he was able to get health insurance, which will save him from the inevitable bankruptcy and ruin that otherwise would have occurred down the road. So, I call this bill a WIN, and hope for more reform soon!

    Reply
  6. Alan Scott
    March 24, 2010 at 8:42 PM

    The Arbourist,

    ” just wonder where all the righteous fury was when all the money was being spent to kill ‘terrorists’. ”

    Duh,,,,,,when was killing terrorists a bad investment ??????????????????????? How much did 911 cost ?? It’s always better ta kill o’er thar than over here . But then that concept is beyond you Neville Chamberlin wannabes . You do remember him right ?

    Besides Einstein, all good things must come to an end . Even the Iraq war will end some day . Wait,,, you mean Obama the Great did not end it yet ??????????? He did close Gitmo,,,right ? Not that either ?

    Well the point is, wars eventually end . Entitlements go on forever . You guys never address how Obama will pay for Obama-care . Wait he won’t . He’ll just print the money, right ? Let’s see what will bankrupt us first ? Obama-care, SS, or Medicare ? No wait, raise taxes on the evil rich, that’ll show em . We all know that high taxes worked great in Caleefornia, New York State, and New Jersey ……..

    You guys aren’t really detail guys are you ? More big picture guys right ? The big picture, you guys have the power, so America can go screw itself, right ?

    Reply
    • Ben Hoffman
      March 24, 2010 at 9:15 PM

      [The big picture, you guys have the power, so America can go screw itself, right ?]

      Funny how you right-wingers are so concerned about the deficit now that Democrats are in power.

      It’s okay if trillions are unaccounted for by the Pentagon when Republicans are in power. It’s okay that 9 billion dollars just disappeared in the funding for Iraq. It’s okay that trillions were used to bail out the banking industry before the TARP was enacted. It’s okay that companies like Haliburton and Blackwater/KBR have screwed our country out of billions in war profiteering.

      And what about the trillion or so dollars that went to faith based organizations overseas that tried to convince third world nations that abstinence is the way to control their population problem? Talk about wasted money.

      But now that we have some spending that will help people in America, you right-wingers are all up in arms about it. God forbid we do something good for for the American people. That’s socialism. Ooooooh… scary…

      Reply
    • The Arbourist
      March 25, 2010 at 12:14 AM

      Duh,,,,,,when was killing terrorists a bad investment ??????????????????????? How much did 911 cost ??

      From Osama bin Laden’s point of view the WTC attacks were worth every penny and more. His singular action has cost the US billions will continue to do so.

      It’s always better ta kill o’er thar than over here

      Of course, because that does not inflame populations against the US. If they want to be ‘evil’ we will just kill them faster. A rather genocidal policy is it not? A few other historical figures had similar solutions Mr.Scott.

      Reply
      • Vern R. Kaine
        March 27, 2010 at 6:58 AM

        I think people can argue who was more wrong over the 9/11 attacks (US or Bin Laden) till they’re blue in the face (or red!), but I think the (unfortunate) reality was that an attack on US soil was bound to happen – BL just lucked out with one so shocking and upsetting. As for the justification, if anyone’s dumb enough to give us an excuse to cross their borders with our military, they’ve brought it on themselves.

        Plus, let’s not forget that we’ve been considered “evil” to them (the radical Muslims) long before they were ever considered “evil” to us. To them, we’ve always been wronging them somehow. They hated us in the days before we had oil, they hate us right now while we have it, and when it’s all gone, they’re going to hate us for taking it all and supposedly leaving them with nothing. There’s always an excuse.

        Besides that, though – does anyone actually believe that if the US ratcheted back its military actions and foreign policies that the violence from these guys would ratchet back as well? Is anyone that naive?

        I wonder why this hatred of all things capitalist, greedy, and “evil” is not directed towards the Saudi billionaires, Egyptian billionaires, Russian billionaires, etc. that exist in their own countries and do far worse things to their own people on a daily basis than we do. Odd how we’re not seeing planes flying into their buildings.

    • Ben Hoffman
      March 27, 2010 at 7:41 AM

      [Duh,,,,,,when was killing terrorists a bad investment ??????????????????????? ]

      When it creates more terrorists and puts us deep in debt? It’s funny how right-wingers don’t care about the details if it’s in the name of killing terrorists. It doesn’t matter if it’s run with the competence of the Three Stooges. It doesn’t matter if there’s rampant war profiteering. It doesn’t matter if much of it is for political gain or that it has actually made us less safe.

      For right-wingers, our country is defined by our military might, and as long as they *feel* like we’re strong, that’s all they care about.

      Reply
  7. Alan Scott
    March 25, 2010 at 5:19 PM

    The Arbourist,

    ” Of course, because that does not inflame populations against the US ”

    I can see why you voted for Obama . Wait you’re Canadian . Well you would vote for him . So how comes you racists up North never had a black Prime Minister ?
    Back to the point, you get attacked by showing weakness . That’s history .

    ” If they want to be ‘evil’ we will just kill them faster. A rather genocidal policy is it not? ”

    No that’s what Socialists do . Remember what your hero Joe Stalin did to the Ukraine ? Of course you do . Don’t even try to argue history with me .

    Mr. Hoffman,

    ” And what about the trillion or so dollars that went to faith based organizations overseas that tried to convince third world nations that abstinence is the way to control their population problem? Talk about wasted money. ”

    A $trillion is a little hard to believe . You got some facts to back up your facts ?

    At any rate I notice you do not directly defend Obama’s deficits . You merely excuse them by saying, ” what about Bush’s wars ?”

    Here is what Obama-care stripped of all of the BS you liberals have piled on it .

    It forces Americans to buy something they may not want or face a fine . How that is Constitutional is beyond me . It forces more unfunded mandates on States that are already bankrupt . It pays for all of this with imaginary future cuts in entitlement spending .

    Oh by the way I hear a couple of Medical Device makers may lay off some of the good paying positions because of the Obama-Care taxes . I bet those folks would love to give Nancy Pelosi a big wet kiss . Or maybe just take her broomstick from her .

    Reply
    • Ben Hoffman
      March 25, 2010 at 11:03 PM

      [A $trillion is a little hard to believe .]

      That should be a billion dollars.

      Reply
    • The Arbourist
      March 30, 2010 at 10:35 AM

      No that’s what Socialists do . Remember what your hero Joe Stalin did to the Ukraine ? Of course you do . Don’t even try to argue history with me .

      No, Mr.Scott I do try to argue history with you, it is just that you don’t argue persay, it is more like, here is my ideological screed, or my personal anecdotal experience which I take as ‘fact’ and it is the gospel truth thus endeth the argument.

      Thus, arguing with you Mr.Scott is more like a pedantic exercise in which I, or others must carefully bring you, point by careful point, through your faulty assumptions and skewed views of the topic on hand. It is time consuming, somewhat tedious work as you seem to protect your privileged set of ‘facts’ and not bother to square them with reasoned counter arguments or even reality most of the time.

      I have some time today (spring break) so let’s look at the our last little exchange.

      AS:It’s always better ta kill o’er thar than over here

      Arb:Of course, because that does not inflame populations against the US. If they want to be ‘evil’ we will just kill them faster. A rather genocidal policy is it not? A few other historical figures had similar solutions Mr.Scott.

      So here you are saying that killing people in foreign lands is okay because they are terrorists.

      My counter point is that by engaging in such a practice, that only creates more terrorists as the people you kill always have families that will seek revenge for actions perpetrated against them. Perpetuating the cycle of violence solves nothing.

      Furthermore, policies of kill them all aka genocide simply does not work. Not in WW2, not in 1915 with the Armenians, not in Rwanda, the Balkans, et cetera.

      So, rather than argue the point that genocidal policy is bad or good you say this:

      No that’s what Socialists do . Remember what your hero Joe Stalin did to the Ukraine ?

      You attempt to attribute genocide to Socialism, and Stalin. (I’m a little surprised that you are not a fan of Stalin as his autocratic rule and anti-democratic proclivities seem right up your alley). Really, this is not an argument, but rather a non sequitur that I’m guessing originates from the depths of your flawed ideologically tainted base assumptions (In short: Capitalism good, Socialism Bad).

      Don’t even try to argue history with me

      I cannot argue history with you when you do not argue history in the first place.

      Reply
  8. Alan Scott
    March 26, 2010 at 5:21 PM

    Mr. Hoffman,

    ” That should be a billion dollars. ”

    That’s what Barry calls pocket change . A couple of cartons of cigarettes . That’s what you use to buy a Congressman’s vote with . It’s nothing .

    Reply
  9. Alan Scott
    March 26, 2010 at 5:32 PM

    Mr. Hoffman,

    Here is another group getting screwed by your hero, AT&T’s retirees . But what do you care ? Those rich AT&T retirees deserved to be screwed . No skin off your nose . You never worked for AT&T .

    http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/03/26/att-joins-growing-list-firms-say-health-care-law-cut-profits/

    Reply
  10. Vern R. Kaine
    March 27, 2010 at 6:33 AM

    I’m no big supporter of the healthcare bill, but at the same time I’m not a supporter of the “it’s ramming something down our throats that we don’t want” argument that people make.

    First, I don’t agree with all the Democrat spending but I never agreed with the “Republican” spending under Bush, either, and like it has been pointed out, we were never up in arms over it. I mean, where were the protests over our debt load to the same extent over us somehow becoming “Socialist”? Fact is, there weren’t. lthough that doesn’t make them innocent of the problems we now have. Although it hardly makes them innocent in the whole mess, like it or not, Democrats have a point here.

    And the “something we don’t want” argument. I’m sure there are some who would not buy auto insurance if given a choice, thinking they’re a good enough driver, or some who would scale our entire armed forces down to nothing thinking if we just put daisies in everybody’s rifle, the world would love us and there’d be no war. Sometimes hard decisions have to be made to protect us from our own stupidity/ignorance. I think healthcare is one of those issues, and I think this is one of those times.

    Reply
  11. Vern R. Kaine
    March 27, 2010 at 6:35 AM

    Oops – that post needed an edit (happens a lot, sorry).

    Reply
  12. Alan Scott
    March 27, 2010 at 8:06 AM

    Vern R. Kaine,

    Obama-care sounds great, but you have to get in to the details . It’s about Washington telling you what you can eat, what medicine you get, what activities you are allowed to engage in . Just because you are too afraid to provide your own health care .

    There were plenty of other ways to make health care affordable . The Democrats LIED about them, rejected them because the interfered with the agenda, or threatened the income of their buddies the lawyers .

    None of these entitlements is sustainable, but Democrats just play the class envy card, or demonize private companies and sure as flies on manure the young, the uneducated, and the just plain stupid fall in line .

    Reply
    • Ben Hoffman
      March 27, 2010 at 8:41 AM

      [There were plenty of other ways to make health care affordable . ]

      True, but Republicans didn’t offer any. The only thing they offered was taking away people’s right to sue and taking power from the states to regulate insurance companies.

      Offering a public option would have done the most good, and it’s not completely dead, but it’s not likely.

      Reply
    • Vern R. Kaine
      March 27, 2010 at 6:12 PM

      Mr. Scott,

      I’m more than aware of the slippery slope we’re on when it comes to our rights and freedoms. Ideologically, I think we somewhat agree there. I can also guess that the details of ObamaCare are messy, and agree that they’re probably downright sinister. But some politicians cut some shady backroom deals to get things done – no shocker there. I don’t lose sleep over it, I set my watch to it.

      But allow me to be more clear on my position on health care. At the end of this rope there are two things: 1) a huge, enormous amount of debt and entitlements that we in no way can possibly afford, 2) way too many Americans without proper access to medical care.

      #2 to me doesn’t mean “if you’re broke, go to emergency because they have to treat you, rack up a $50k bill, go to collections, and pay $10 a week for the rest of your life ’cause it won’t show up on your credit report and they’ll still have to treat you” kind of medical care, nor does it mean the “well you WERE covered but you had acne in your teens so we’re now not covering your skin grafts” kind of medical care. I have too many situations close to home that got the $hitty end of the status quo. That was wrong, and it needed to change – not because political ideologies and economic hypotheticals were at stake, but because people’s lives and quality of life were. So on that note, I support the START of this bill.

      Notice I say “START”. Is there a likely a BETTER way to provide health care in America? Sure, but the experiment needed to get started so that we could start dealing with real data and real feedback from all the stakeholders involved – doctors, patients, state govs, everybody – so that we can do things to improve the system based on REALITY rather than the hypotheticals everyone’s been throwing back and forth for months now.

      Back to my point. If we’re going to put something off, I’d rather put off the debt than people’s health.

      I’m not going to wait until the HUTA’s on the Hill get a clue and figure out how to pay for the national debt we had BEFORE this health care bill PLUS the debt we have coming down in the future while people need help. Besides, IF the government ever figures out how to solve the previous and future debt problem, they’ll have no problem with the ObamaCare debt in-between. While we’re waiting, we might as well get healthy.

      Reminds me of one of those “Jack Handy” cards on SNL: “When I die, I want a lot of people standing over my grave saying, ‘Man, he owed me a LOT of money.” 🙂

      Reply
  13. Alan Scott
    March 27, 2010 at 1:45 PM

    Mr. Hoffman,

    Now that the Democrats have gotten their health care boondoggle they are finally admitting what it was really all about . It was not about insuring the uninsured . It was about redistributing the wealth . We call it Socialism . Democrats call it,,,,,well in the words of Sen. Max Baucus D.Mont.

    ” Too often, much of late, the last couple three years, the mal-distribution of income in American is gone up way too much, the wealthy are getting way, way too wealthy and the middle income class is left behind, ”

    ” Wages have not kept up with increased income of the highest income in America. This legislation will have the effect of addressing that mal-distribution of income in America. ”

    Yes, arbitrarily take wealth from producers and give it to others . It’s what Socialists do . Get used to it . Also get used to gazillion dollar deficits . Can you say Weimar Republic ?

    Reply
    • The Arbourist
      March 31, 2010 at 10:00 AM

      Yes, arbitrarily take wealth from producers and give it to others . It’s what Socialists do . Get used to it .

      Progressive taxation makes for a more egalitarian society. Or do you like the trajectory the US is on with only 2 classes available the ultra rich and the ultra poor?

      Before Vern jumps on me here for my hyperbolic statements let me add that a progressive tax system supports the middle class and small business people. A vibrant middle class makes for a healthy democratic (capitalistic) society.

      If you do really well, then you have the means to contribute more back into the society that has given you superstructure that allows you to accumulate wealth in the first place. It seems reasonable to me. 🙂

      Can you say Weimar Republic ?

      Oh Mr.Scott! I’m wiggling in anticipation to see how you think this is relevant to the screed you have written. Please elaborate on how the German system of government established after WWI is relevant to progressive taxation or deficits or really anything to what you have said.

      Or was the point to make a historical reference in attempt to make your ideological screed sound more authoritative?

      Quote me the relevant bits from the wiki article so I can better understand what you are saying.

      Reply
  14. Alan Scott
    March 27, 2010 at 1:56 PM

    Mr. Hoffman,

    ” [There were plenty of other ways to make health care affordable . ] ”

    ” True, but Republicans didn’t offer any. The only thing they offered was taking away people’s right to sue and taking power from the states to regulate insurance companies. ”

    As usual, your facts are so inaccurate as to not qualify as facts . Republicans had many good ideas that Barry refused to listen to . The man covered his ears and never closed his mouth . The man lied about insurance companies, lied about Republicans, and lied about the details of his plan .

    And he lies so blatantly, as Charles Krauthammer said, that it’s not a lie, it’s an insult to the intelligence of those of us paying attention . Obviously you are not insulted .

    Reply
  15. The Arbourist
    March 30, 2010 at 10:39 AM

    BH said: 10.AND no more rescissions. Effective immediately, you can’t lose your insurance because you get sick.

    Movement in the right direction. I really hope this gets the movement started toward single payer health care in the United States. It is time to join the rest of the industrialized world in caring for all of the people of their societies.

    Reply
  16. Alan Scott
    March 30, 2010 at 7:20 PM

    Mr. Hoffman,

    ”

    [Republicans had many good ideas that Barry refused to listen to .]

    “So what were they? ”

    I leave you with this link .

    http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/blogs/beltway-confidential/CBO-Prepublican-health-plan-would-reduce-premiums–69270747.html

    I know you will find fault with the Republican plan, but it is a lot more AFFORDABLE than the one you guys passed . And one more thing!!!!!!!!!!!!

    Correct me if I am wrong, but the Obama plan is loosely based on the Massachusetts Plan . Look up the cost for 2010 . I believe that it is larger by about a factor of 10 than the projections of 3 years ago . If Obama had not bailed out his buddies, Massachusetts would have failed to fund it .

    Now the question for you is,,,,what is so different about Obama-care than Massachusetts-care ? If you say not much, we will all be bankrupt in a very short time .

    Reply
  17. Alan Scott
    March 30, 2010 at 7:32 PM

    Mr. Hoffman,

    I got my story about Massachusetts by watching O’Reilly talk to Krauthammer. It’s pretty devastating . At any rate just so you can check the facts yourself I leave you with .

    http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2009/03/02/mass_healthcare_reform_is_failing_us/

    Reply
    • Ben Hoffman
      March 30, 2010 at 10:13 PM

      [I got my story about Massachusetts by watching O’Reilly talk to Krauthammer.]

      You should stop doing that. 🙂

      The author of the article you cited supported the House bill: “A bill before Congress, the United States National Health Insurance Act, would provide more comprehensive coverage for all. The bill includes doctor, hospital, long-term, mental health, dental, and vision care, prescription drugs, and medical supplies, with no premiums, copayments, or deductibles.”

      That’s a single payer system she was advocating for, you know, like Canada has?

      I haven’t looked at the new laws in their entirety, but the benefits I listed in the OP are pretty reasonable.

      Reply
      • Vern R. Kaine
        March 31, 2010 at 2:14 AM

        Btw, I’m up here in Canada right now and I haven’t heard one “health care horror story” all week, nor have I heard one single person complain about it (hopefully I won’t need to see it first hand!)

        When I bring up our “general” perception in the US of other systems they just laugh.

      • Ben Hoffman
        March 31, 2010 at 8:58 AM

        [Btw, I’m up here in Canada right now and I haven’t heard one “health care horror story” all week]

        You’re just not trying hard enough, Vern. 🙂

  18. The Arbourist
    March 31, 2010 at 9:16 AM

    When I bring up our “general” perception in the US of other systems they just laugh.

    Well it is sorta funny. All the hoopla about a feature that most advanced societies already possess.

    What is annoying is that some of your regressive views bleed northward and delude people into thinking the system down south is somehow better because it is privatized.

    The ‘free’ market is good at many things, distributing health care is not one of them.

    Reply
  19. Alan Scott
    April 10, 2010 at 7:42 PM

    Arbourist,

    ” The ‘free’ market is good at many things, distributing health care is not one of them. ”

    The big Government State is even worse . Check out Massachusetts . They now have the highest health care premiums in the country . The evil insurance companies are all losing money and the Governor rejected premium increases . It must be great when Democrats can repeal the law of economics .

    Wait until Lord Obama commands costs to go down with out service cuts . I mean he commanded sea levels to drop . Global Warming stopped once Bush got out of office .

    Oh how are things up in Canada ? I hear you guys no longer have freedom of speech . Two drunken lesbians got a comic hauled before a British Columbia tribunal for offending them after they disrupted his act . Please keep your REGRESSIVE POLICIES from drifting Southward .

    Reply
    • The Arbourist
      April 10, 2010 at 8:20 PM

      The big Government State is even worse . Check out Massachusetts

      Errr… no.

      We are talking national, not state level here. I highly doubt that Massachusetts has moved to a single payer system at all, which is what my post was about.

      Oh how are things up in Canada ?

      Just peachy, thanks for asking.

      I hear you guys no longer have freedom of speech . Two drunken lesbians got a comic hauled before a British Columbia tribunal for offending them after they disrupted his act .

      And this has what to do with Single Payer Healthcare? Or were you just setting up an opportunity to slander Canada?

      Please keep your REGRESSIVE POLICIES from drifting Southward.

      *sigh* I’ll let you know when they have banned free speech in Canada Mr.Scott. You know, when you have nothing, it is okay just not to say anything. 🙂

      Reply
      • Vern R. Kaine
        April 11, 2010 at 11:14 AM

        “I hear you guys no longer have freedom of speech . Two drunken lesbians got a comic hauled before a British Columbia tribunal for offending them after they disrupted his act.”

        From what I read, their case is over the top, and hey – if you decide to heckle a professional comedian in the middle of his show, you take a risk. Everyone knows that and their case should be thrown out.

        As for my friends on the right slamming the Coulter and Canada’s free speech thing, get the facts. The cops didn’t go in and arrest the comedian because no laws were broken. He has the right to free speech, just like we do in America, but Canada’s free speech laws, as I understand them, are much more like the “the rights of your fist end at my nose” laws we have rather than the ones that say “if my nose is bloody, then I’ll sue you for everything”.

        In the States the two women might have sued the comedy club and comedian for “emotional distress”, whereas in Canada they simply have a Human Rights body that determines whether a fine should be levied of what, maybe $10,000?

        In the States they’d probably try suing for millions, getting the ACLU involved, etc. The Canadian laws prevent things from getting too out of hand, and are meant more to prevent a David Duke standing on the street corner yelling racial epithets than prevent some comedian shouting his mouth off. How much do we spend on frivolous slander and emotional distress lawsuits over free speech? Maybe we can learn something here.

  20. Alan Scott
    April 11, 2010 at 9:58 AM

    THE Arbourist,

    ” just setting up an opportunity to slander Canada? ”

    I was off topic, but I would never slander the great country of Canada . What I said was true and you do have a Human Rights Tribunal in British Columbia .

    ” We are talking national, not state level here. I highly doubt that Massachusetts has moved to a single payer system at all, which is what my post was about. ”

    The Taxachusetts health care debacle is relevant because much of Obama-care is based on it’s lies . Now that their Governor has ordered the bankruptcy of the private Insurers, single payer will be the ultimate result . What happens in Taxachusetts does not stay in Taxachusetts . It is a preview of the disaster awaiting my whole country .

    Reply
  21. Alan Scott
    April 11, 2010 at 2:41 PM

    Mr. Hoffman,

    That town is very similar to the Eastern part of Pennsylvania, where I live . We have old abandoned industrial sites that look similar . Granted Braddock is worse . That town existed because of it’s heavy industry . When that industry starts disappearing, if other business does not come in, the town becomes much like an old west gold rush ghost town .

    In the East there was not the total dependence as in Braddock on single industries . Pittsburgh managed to come back from a similar fate . One wonders, since Braddock is close to Pittsburgh, why it was not able to attract new industry before things got this bad .

    Reply
  22. Alan Scott
    April 11, 2010 at 3:07 PM

    As I watched much of the woods and farmland disappear to ugly housing developments in Eastern Pa. I’ve often wondered why they could not just clear the old industrial and slum sites in the State and build there .
    If you were to plant new fields and forests in places like Braddock, some clown would decide that this would be a great place to subdivide and build on .

    Reply

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