Socialism
-
- Posts: 12241
- Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2017 7:04 pm
Re: Socialism
Subsidizing gasoline, great example of a trade off. If we take money from everyone, and use some of it to lower the price of gas, what’s the trade off?
1. People who use lots of gas save money.
2. People who use little or no gas, lose money.
3. People whose gas usage plus taxation for the subsidy equals the market price of oil see no benefit or loss.
So is that a “net benefit”? Only if you use a lot of gasoline. For everyone else it’s net neutral or a net loss. But those pushing for subsidized gasoline will no doubt cite the plight of “the poor”, the struggles of the American family, or the disparity between Jeff Bezos’ financial portfolio and their own as a justification to keep a subsidy going.
Meanwhile, only one segment of the population is actually benefitting from the policy, even though the benefits are extended to everyone.
Subsidizing health care doesn’t do much for me, a middle aged guy who exercises regularly, works with an employer who provides blue cross, and is already losing about 30% of their income to taxes. But it’s a great deal for unemployed, under-employed, and overweight Americans who have no ambition to work harder or eat healthier.
Trade offs.
/shrug
1. People who use lots of gas save money.
2. People who use little or no gas, lose money.
3. People whose gas usage plus taxation for the subsidy equals the market price of oil see no benefit or loss.
So is that a “net benefit”? Only if you use a lot of gasoline. For everyone else it’s net neutral or a net loss. But those pushing for subsidized gasoline will no doubt cite the plight of “the poor”, the struggles of the American family, or the disparity between Jeff Bezos’ financial portfolio and their own as a justification to keep a subsidy going.
Meanwhile, only one segment of the population is actually benefitting from the policy, even though the benefits are extended to everyone.
Subsidizing health care doesn’t do much for me, a middle aged guy who exercises regularly, works with an employer who provides blue cross, and is already losing about 30% of their income to taxes. But it’s a great deal for unemployed, under-employed, and overweight Americans who have no ambition to work harder or eat healthier.
Trade offs.
/shrug
"Hey varmints, don't mess with a guy that's riding a buffalo"
-
- Posts: 38685
- Joined: Wed Nov 30, 2016 5:59 pm
Re: Socialism
Subsidizing gas is a really, really bad idea.
-
- Posts: 4050
- Joined: Wed Nov 30, 2016 3:13 pm
- Location: Canadastan
Re: Socialism
It would only take one devastating illness in yourself or a close family member for you to think differently about this.DBTrek wrote: ↑Fri Jan 04, 2019 3:13 pmSubsidizing health care doesn’t do much for me, a middle aged guy who exercises regularly, works with an employer who provides blue cross, and is already losing about 30% of their income to taxes. But it’s a great deal for unemployed, under-employed, and overweight Americans who have no ambition to work harder or eat healthier.
Illnesses don't only affect the overweight.
Honestly I thank the stars that Canada went to our Medicare system in the 60s.
It makes health care so much simpler for every family...
Deep down tho, I still thirst to kill you and eat you. Ultra Chimp can't help it.. - Smitty
-
- Posts: 12241
- Joined: Wed Jan 25, 2017 7:04 pm
Re: Socialism
I pay almost $1000 a month just in case something like that happens. How would me getting seriously ill while having medical insurance change my mind?
As I said, paying even more to cover everyone else isn’t great for me. In fact, I only have to pay so much because others already do not.
"Hey varmints, don't mess with a guy that's riding a buffalo"
-
- Posts: 4050
- Joined: Wed Nov 30, 2016 3:13 pm
- Location: Canadastan
Re: Socialism
I mean that’s the problem isn’t it. You are all paying a lot and there’s the risk you will still exceed what’s covered.DBTrek wrote: ↑Fri Jan 04, 2019 6:28 pmI pay almost $1000 a month just in case something like that happens. How would me getting seriously ill while having medical insurance change my mind?
As I said, paying even more to cover everyone else isn’t great for me. In fact, I only have to pay so much because others already do not.
In the Canadian system you will never exceed your coverage. Basically it’s a more cost effective system overall. We all win. Except the insurance companies.
Deep down tho, I still thirst to kill you and eat you. Ultra Chimp can't help it.. - Smitty
-
- Posts: 4050
- Joined: Wed Nov 30, 2016 3:13 pm
- Location: Canadastan
Re: Socialism
And the best part is the government doesn't tell doctors or patients what to do.
Unlike the insurance companies that are totally interfering with medical practice... telling doctors how many of what kind of treatments are allowed or not.
The only things not covered are cosmetic medical practices except for those to do with accidents/burns etc.
Also it is slightly harder for the pharmaceutical companies latest bullshit drugs to get covered when they are almost exactly the same as the older versions of the same drugs.... once the old drugs expire their patents. Which I actually appreciate...
Unlike the insurance companies that are totally interfering with medical practice... telling doctors how many of what kind of treatments are allowed or not.
The only things not covered are cosmetic medical practices except for those to do with accidents/burns etc.
Also it is slightly harder for the pharmaceutical companies latest bullshit drugs to get covered when they are almost exactly the same as the older versions of the same drugs.... once the old drugs expire their patents. Which I actually appreciate...
Deep down tho, I still thirst to kill you and eat you. Ultra Chimp can't help it.. - Smitty
-
- Posts: 15157
- Joined: Wed Nov 30, 2016 9:47 am
-
- Posts: 18718
- Joined: Wed Nov 30, 2016 7:14 am
Re: Socialism
For legal reasons, we are not threatening to destroy U.S. government property with our glorious medieval siege engine. But if we wanted to, we could. But we won’t. But we could.
-
- Posts: 38685
- Joined: Wed Nov 30, 2016 5:59 pm
-
- Posts: 7571
- Joined: Thu Mar 16, 2017 7:54 pm
Re: Socialism
How much have your premiums jumped since ACA? Mine have skyrocketed. It fucking rages me. My parents told me that they are paying more for health insurance too.DBTrek wrote: ↑Fri Jan 04, 2019 6:28 pmI pay almost $1000 a month just in case something like that happens. How would me getting seriously ill while having medical insurance change my mind?
As I said, paying even more to cover everyone else isn’t great for me. In fact, I only have to pay so much because others already do not.
Shikata ga nai