RANT: Proudly sponsored by Aqua Beowulf. Pure sparkling rant water.

[VoxExMachina]

So sad.

You do realize that "Wall Street" is where everyone's retirement savings are now days, right?

Don't act uneducated.

[ThickAsABrick]

who is barlet

he's a gay athiest pothead who wants to ban guns and raise taxes on the rich

[kvk1]

Don't act uneducated.

Ironic.

[ThickAsABrick]

You do realize that "Wall Street" is where everyone's retirement savings are now days, right?

Don't act uneducated.

Are you retiring today and cashing out all your shiz?

No? Then don't fcking sweat one day so much. You didn't lose anything if you aren't cashing out.

[VoxExMachina]

Are you retiring today and cashing out all your shiz?

No? Then don't fcking sweat one day so much. You didn't lose anything if you aren't cashing out.

I might actually sell a lot of stock so I can take advantage of lower capital gains taxes while I can.

If there's one thing that I COMPLETELY disagree with Democrats on, it's taxing capital gains at higher rates. I already fcking paid taxes when I earned the money, then I invested it at my own risk. Why should the government get any part of that gain?

[strongforgood]

Good, good. Let it flow through you. Let the hate flow through you.

Takes the electoral. Likely to take the popular. Senate composition goes larger in favor of Democrats.

Clearly the majority of the country the disagrees with you people.

Deal with it.

I have no hate.

I've worked hard, lived within my means, and invested wisely and I can personally deal with whatever happens with jobs and taxes.

I want freedom, national security and economic opportunity for my kids and for young people like you. If you don't understand that I'm sorry.

[ThickAsABrick]

I'm going to invest in some northern rhone blends vs. southern. I tend to see a much higher return on syrah than grenache.

Chairs.

[therorschach]

rhonebone69

[ThickAsABrick]

rhonebone69

Great vintage.

[kvk1]

I want freedom, national security and economic opportunity for my kids and for young people like you. If you don't understand that I'm sorry.

I'm sorry but who is taking away your freedom? Did Obama tell you couldn't go to the gym twice-a-day after a 2nd term?

Have we had a single terrorist attack on our soil since the man took office? Unemployment numbers have been on a steady decline and the economy is set to see further growth with the current policies in play in the upcoming years. Wall Street and CC reform makes sure banks can no longer manipulate national credit erratically and that your credit card companies don't raise your rates without advanced notification; along with a whole host of overdraft shenanigans eliminated. Your kids and young people like me finally have a clear and sensible choice for healthcare where they don't have to fear if they'll be covered for something or not in times of dire health. After signing the Lilly Ledbetter Act, If you have a daughter she will FINALLY get the same legal rights against their employee that I would get if there is a discrepancy/discrimination in pay. There is financial assistance in place in case parents like you struggle to pay for tuition and because of a 2011 Department of Education regulation, "for profit" colleges with no meaningful student/occupational outputs are cracked down on so the assistance is focused on the illegitimate schools and families. Millions of young-adult immigrant Americans whose only fault is that their parents were illegal when they came to this country can finally contribute to the nation without the fear of being booted out or stigmatized for something they had no control over. Millions of Americans can finally stop suppressing and hiding their basic identities and love, marry, etc. whoever they god damn please. They can SERVE OUR COUNTRY IN THE MILITARY without ridiculous and archaic provisions in place telling them they couldn't identify themselves in any way they damn please.

And this is just about 5% of the DOMESTIC issues that this administration dealt with in the past 4 years. Tailored just to adress your specific concerns.

If you're going to have a criticism of the man, have legitimate ones. Like WHY we're droning American citizens without due process. Why Gitmo is still open. Why the hell isn't P-ACT abolished. Why is he treating a large part of the press and whistleblowers like he's running the Gestapo whereas in 2008 he promised complete transparency?

Not a single anti-Obama post in the past two pages has not been empty rhetoric from the playbooks of right-wing TV/radio talking points.

Give me a break.

[ThickAsABrick]

freeeeeeeeeeeeedom costs a buck o fiiiiiiiive

[kvk1]

freeeeeeeeeeeeedom costs a buck o fiiiiiiiive

Virginia goes blue.

We should make out.

[chazzy1864]

Interesting article about the work force:
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2012-1...ric-work-force

" month ago in "55 And Under? No Job For You" we presented visually and quite simply that of the 3.3 million jobs "created" (updated for October's data), a gasp-inducing 3.8 million has gone to workers aged 55 and over, or the one cohort th
at according to conventional wisdom is retiring, and actively leaving the workforce. How can America's elderly workers account for more than the total? Simple..."

[ThickAsABrick]

Virginia goes blue.

We should make out.

I didn't give a crap about any of the local stuff, but im glad MD voted yes on 6 and 7. That was about the extent of my level of caring what happened.

[VoxExMachina]

I'm sorry but who is taking away your freedom?

Well, to play devil's advocate:

1. What about the "mandatory" requirement of Obamacare? Isn't forcing you to have health care coverage removal of freedom? What if someone chooses not to have it?

2. What about increasing capital gains taxes to the point that it delays someone's retirement by several years because they will now pocket less of their gains?

Also, you should consider that not everyone views the "positives" you listed as steps in the right direction. Not saying I do or don't personally, just that people have different litmus tests of what is a positive change.

[kvk1]

Also, you should consider that not everyone views the "positives" you listed as steps in the right direction. Not saying I do or don't personally, just that people have different litmus tests of what is a positive change.

Listen, we could quibble over this for weeks and weeks throwing out every act, action, policy, character, etc.

At the end of the day, it comes down to your personal ideology: I believe one should self-sacrifice a little for the greater good (especially in dire economic times) and that policy should branch out from this position.

A lot of the right doesn't. Fine. Good. Essence of politics is disagreement. But the country voted. The majority put their stamp on being okay with D policies.

At this juncture, we can either stall the country over discussing just what of your "freedoms" are being taken away, or the petulant majority of the house can swallow their pride, compromise, and work to better the situation.

We joke about the stupidity of the average person, but that's just a shallow inside joke. The majority of the Americans are smart and sensible people. You don't become and remain the most powerful geopolitical force on earth with a dufus population. So you want to abolish Obamacare and alter capital gain taxes to your own advantage? An absolutely fair and doable proposition: run on a sensible campaign where the majority of the American people will agree with you to vote on it. If it's a good idea, at the end of the day the country will rally around it.

Otherwise, this is just more useless bickering accomplishing fudge all.

[kvk1]

bless you colorado. You continue to show what an independent free-thinking progressive state that you are.

x2.

http://www.democracynow.org/2012/11/...zing_marijuana

[PeterGibbons316]

Have we had a single terrorist attack on our soil since the man took office?

You mean other than the US consulate in Benghazi that was mismanaged and swept under the rug? Oh nevermind, he said it wasn't a terrorist attack, so I guess that wouldn't count anyway. I like the underlying implication that without Obama in the White House we would have been having terror attacks left and right or something.

Unemployment numbers have been on a steady decline and the economy is set to see further growth with the current policies in play in the upcoming years.

They ran on a campaign that we would be around 5% unemployment by now, and cut the deficit in half. Instead he grew the deficit by 50%, and unemployment remains unchanged.

Wall Street and CC reform makes sure banks can no longer manipulate national credit erratically and that your credit card companies don't raise your rates without advanced notification; along with a whole host of overdraft shenanigans eliminated.

Banks have already found other ways to make money. So instead of the irresponsible people generating profits for the banks, the burden has been shifted to the rest of us.

Your kids and young people like me finally have a clear and sensible choice for healthcare where they don't have to fear if they'll be covered for something or not in times of dire health.

They have less of a choice. Including the choice to buy health insurance.

After signing the Lilly Ledbetter Act, If you have a daughter she will FINALLY get the same legal rights against their employee that I would get if there is a discrepancy/discrimination in pay.

lol, no. You always had the same rights. And the number of times that the act has been used in actual court proceedings is minuscule.

There is financial assistance in place in case parents like you struggle to pay for tuition and because of a 2011 Department of Education regulation, "for profit" colleges with no meaningful student/occupational outputs are cracked down on so the assistance is focused on the illegitimate schools and families.

Good thing we have good ole government to tell us which degrees are meaningful now!

Millions of young-adult immigrant Americans whose only fault is that their parents were illegal when they came to this country can finally contribute to the nation without the fear of being booted out or stigmatized for something they had no control over.

Obama granted amnesty to these people? Didn't know that.

Millions of Americans can finally stop suppressing and hiding their basic identities and love, marry, etc. whoever they god damn please.

Obama legalized same sex marriage? Didn't know that.

[PeterGibbons316]

Listen, we could quibble over this for weeks and weeks throwing out every act, action, policy, character, etc.

At the end of the day, it comes down to your personal ideology: I believe one should self-sacrifice a little for the greater good (especially in dire economic times) and that policy should branch out from this position.

A lot of the right doesn't. Fine. Good. Essence of politics is disagreement. But the country voted. The majority put their stamp on being okay with D policies.

You have been brainwashed into thinking that the right is filled with wealthy business owners who are selfish and greedy. The truth of the matter is that most of the people on the right also believe in a little self-sacrifice for the greater good. They make that sacrifice through charitable contributions. Romney was the perfect example of that. The difference in your philosophy is that what you are considering "self-sacrifice" is more accurately named forced charity. You think it's your right to take from those who have to give to those who need - in the name of a greater good. Well if that is how you feel, then feel free to give as much of what you have earned to those who need it. But don't force everyone else to.

[Engineer_Guy]

The right to not have health insurance? Wow.

I'm guessing anyone who complains Obama is stripping them of this "right" probably gets health insurance through their employer and doesn't have a pre-existing condition.

[kvk1]

You mean other than the US consulate in Benghazi that was mismanaged and swept under the rug? Oh nevermind, he said it wasn't a terrorist attack, so I guess that wouldn't count anyway. I like the underlying implication that without Obama in the White House we would have been having terror attacks left and right or something.

They ran on a campaign that we would be around 5% unemployment by now, and cut the deficit in half. Instead he grew the deficit by 50%, and unemployment remains unchanged.

Banks have already found other ways to make money. So instead of the irresponsible people generating profits for the banks, the burden has been shifted to the rest of us.

They have less of a choice. Including the choice to buy health insurance.

lol, no. You always had the same rights. And the number of times that the act has been used in actual court proceedings is minuscule.

Good thing we have good ole government to tell us which degrees are meaningful now!

Obama granted amnesty to these people? Didn't know that.

Obama legalized same sex marriage? Didn't know that.

Typical partisan single sentence talking point rubbish over complicated issues. No substance.

You can tell one side is having an argument of positions and other is arguing just to argue.

You think I'm wrong and the baddies won. I'm cynical. I've got my head up a single person's ass. Choose any/all of the above.

It's the gun debates all over again. I'm not doing politics in this thread anymore. It's useless without a sensible discourse.

No sweat. Nothing personal. I have to go work. Later.

[VoxExMachina]

Typical partisan single sentence talking point rubbish over complicated issues. No substance.

You can tell one side is having an argument of positions and other is arguing just to argue.

TBH, I thought PeterGibbons expressed some valid counter-arguments. You might not buy them, but I wouldn't classify it as "talking point rubbish".

[VoxExMachina]

The right to not have health insurance? Wow.

I'm guessing anyone who complains Obama is stripping them of this "right" probably gets health insurance through their employer and doesn't have a pre-existing condition.

Yeah, but a right is a right, even if it's a right that most people would never employ, correct? I have health care and would probably never choose not to. But I can't say that I like the government telling people that they have to do it.


Here's a little story: a company I'm familiar with gave each employee a cash disbursement every month, based on current Blue Cross rates, to allow their employees to purchase health care. Most of them did but several, typically younger and healthier people, chose to pocket the money instead. With the onset of Obamacare, the company went to an employer sponsored Blue Cross plan. Because of Blue Cross rules, people cannot opt out of the plan without proof of other coverage or they may not underwrite the policy. So employees lost the right to pocket the money if they so chose.

In 8 years under the previous cash reimbursement, nobody had an issue with it. Now, several employees were stuck with a net pay decrease and a few had trouble then covering all their bills.

You can argue that they were playing Russian roulette with their health care costs, but that was their choice and they were happy with it.

[Hola Bola]

Typical partisan single sentence talking point rubbish over complicated issues. No substance.

You can tell one side is having an argument of positions and other is arguing just to argue.

You think I'm wrong and the baddies won. I'm cynical. I've got my head up a single person's ass. Choose any/all of the above.

It's the gun debates all over again. I'm not doing politics in this thread anymore. It's useless without a sensible discourse.

No sweat. Nothing personal. I have to go work. Later.

Uses single sentence talking points to describe complicated issues... gets mad when responded to with single sentence talking points. lol...

[Tyrbolift]

Let's all have a rant meeting in Colorado. Then we can relax.

[strongforgood]

Did Obama tell you couldn't go to the gym twice-a-day after a 2nd term?

In fact he is making me go twice, and I have to give the second workout health benefits to some dude in Virginia who apparently won't work out for himself...



As to the rest, I do not want to argue politics in here either, at least not today. I very much appreciate your enthusiasm and hope you keep an open mind throughout the years. I do make an effort to understand the issues from all perspectives even though it is often painful to my right-wing-tea-party-nut ears.

[Tyrbolift]

In fact he is making me go twice, and I have to give the second workout health benefits to some dude in Virginia who apparently won't work out for himself...



As to the rest, I do not want to argue politics in here either, at least not today. I very much appreciate your enthusiasm and hope you keep an open mind throughout the years. I do make an effort to understand the issues from all perspectives even though it is often painful to my right-wing-tea-party-nut ears.

*takes a good long drag*

Maybe this will help ease that pain

*passes to SFG*

[strongforgood]

*takes a good long drag*

Maybe this will help ease that pain

*passes to SFG*

*takes but does not inhale*

[Engineer_Guy]

Yeah, but a right is a right, even if it's a right that most people would never employ, correct? I have health care and would probably never choose not to. But I can't say that I like the government telling people that they have to do it.


Here's a little story: a company I'm familiar with gave each employee a cash disbursement every month, based on current Blue Cross rates, to allow their employees to purchase health care. Most of them did but several, typically younger and healthier people, chose to pocket the money instead. With the onset of Obamacare, the company went to an employer sponsored Blue Cross plan. Because of Blue Cross rules, people cannot opt out of the plan without proof of other coverage or they may not underwrite the policy. So employees lost the right to pocket the money if they so chose.

In 8 years under the previous cash reimbursement, nobody had an issue with it. Now, several employees were stuck with a net pay decrease and a few had trouble then covering all their bills.

You can argue that they were playing Russian roulette with their health care costs, but that was their choice and they were happy with it.

No I get it. I don't like government telling me what I have to do either.

However there are certainly more fcked up situations out there with people who have pre-existing conditions who cannot get insurance and cannot afford to pay for both medication/treatment and basic living necessities. And there's people like those in your story where they simply cannot afford the premiums because of where the system is at now.

Obamacare simply reinforces the basic principals of insurance. Everyone pays a little each each month to cover the costs of the entire group. Works great in theory. However when people can chose not to pay, there are those that won't. Then premiums increase for everyone else who does pay. Now more people opt not to pay because they cannot afford the increased premiums. And the cycle continues. Insurance companies now cannot afford to give coverage to those with pre-existing conditions and we get to where we are now.

If everyone in the nation is contributing to health insurance, everyone's premiums should, in theory, lower. And everyone can have coverage. You are not FORCED to pay into insurance, but you will be taxed if you don't so that everyone else's premiums do not increase.

[Tyrbolift]

*takes but does not inhale*

lol classic