Please explain this to me. Medicare

[Cogman]

Ok, so many republicans hate the idea of health care reform. They hate the idea of universal health care saying things like "Socializm! It's evil!". And yet in the very same breath they will say "They are cutting medicare funds! That's Evil, medicare needs to go on."

Heck, I just flicked through Rush saying "People are losing their jobs because the government isn't making medicare payments! The Horror!"

That just makes no sense to me. Medicare is a socialist program. While Republicans shouldn't be happy that UHC is going through, why on earth would they defend tooth and nail Medicare, a socialist program? You would think they would celebrate its death instead.

Ok, I know the answer, it has to do with their main constituent base. But still the level of two-facedness is somewhat unbelievable.

 

[theeedude]

Republicans are hypocrites, everyone knows this.

 

[Cogman]

Republicans are hypocrites, everyone knows this.

But this is boarderline crazy. Up until a few years ago, they were the biggest opponents against medicare, now it is the best thing since sliced bread.

 

[her209]

They were for health care reform before they were against it.

 

[nick1985]

As a conservative, I am against medicare. I am against Obamacare. I am against social security.

If I could opt out of this crap I would in an instant. These programs are the biggest reasons for the financial mess this nation is in, and whether or not we can recover from it I am not too certain.


Its unfair to force people to pay into medicare/social security and then crucify them for recieving the benefits for it later in life, no matter what their political stance is. I better as hell be getting a social security check when I retire since I am being forced into paying for it against my will. Now if they would offer me a choice to opt out, giving me a refund of what I have paid into these programs so far, I would in an instant.

 

[spidey07]

Medicare can go away. The reason people complain about cutting medicare is because THAT IS OUR MONEY, and by law it was promised to be used for medicare.

And let me opt out of social security while we're at it and refund the over 100K I've given to it.

 

[Modelworks]

Medicare would have been fine had they left it alone . They borrowed so much from other programs with the thought they can put it back later that its ridiculous. Don't think that medicare is a handout either. The rates they charge the people that are covered makes you wonder if those people wouldn't be better off with regular insurance. My dad gets about $20K a year in SS. out of that his medical cost is $7K. Medicare pays for the first $3400 leaving him to pay $3600. Also add in the $100 monthly fee for medicare to the provider, so another $1200 leaving my dad $15k a year to live off.

At the same time they denied people on SS an increase this year for cost of living adjustments because according to the government prices didn't go up this year. Still everyone in government got a raise. But to offset things Obama is giving seniors a one time check for $250 if they exceed medicare cost. Wow a whole extra $20 a month , but you have to go broke to get it.

They better watch out in november. My dad didn't vote last time. He is 80 years old and on oxygen and can't walk well so he doesn't even like to leave home. He has already told me though that come hell or high water he will make it to vote this time and a lot of other seniors have the same idea.

 

[Cogman]

As a conservative, I am against medicare. I am against Obamacare. I am against social security.

If I could opt out of this crap I would in an instant. These programs are the biggest reasons for the financial mess this nation is in, and whether or not we can recover from it I am not too certain.


Its unfair to force people to pay into medicare/social security and then crucify them for recieving the benefits for it later in life, no matter what their political stance is. I better as hell be getting a social security check when I retire since I am being forced into paying for it against my will. Now if they would offer me a choice to opt out, giving me a refund of what I have paid into these programs so far, I would in an instant.

Well, you're never going to get that money back. It just ain't going to happen. I'm young and happy just loosing the money I payed in if they cut the programs now.

 

[nick1985]

Well, you're never going to get that money back. It just ain't going to happen. I'm young and happy just loosing the money I payed in if they cut the programs now.

Thats just it. How many trillions in unfunded liabilities does this nation owe due to these programs? I could be way off, but I thought it was 60 trillion or something insane like that.

These programs are debt sinkholes. They are drowning this nation.

 

[Fern]

Ok, so many republicans hate the idea of health care reform. They hate the idea of universal health care saying things like "Socializm! It's evil!". And yet in the very same breath they will say "They are cutting medicare funds! That's Evil, medicare needs to go on."

Heck, I just flicked through Rush saying "People are losing their jobs because the government isn't making medicare payments! The Horror!"

That just makes no sense to me. Medicare is a socialist program. While Republicans shouldn't be happy that UHC is going through, why on earth would they defend tooth and nail Medicare, a socialist program? You would think they would celebrate its death instead.

Ok, I know the answer, it has to do with their main constituent base. But still the level of two-facedness is somewhat unbelievable.

Medicare is simply another health insurance policy, just one that the government has deemed compulsory.

If it's "socialism" then so are all other insurance policies.

I.e., I don't really agree with your assertion that Medicare is socialism.

I think Medicaid would be closer since you're covered whether you've ever paid in or not (assuming you meet your state's requirements).

Fern

 

[Cogman]

Medicare is simply another health insurance policy, just one that the government has deemed compulsory.

If it's "socialism" then so are all other insurance policies.

I.e., I don't really agree with your assertion that Medicare is socialism.

I think Medicaid would be closer since you're covered whether you've ever paid in or not (assuming you meet your state's requirements).

Fern

Its a program everyone is force into that is ran by the government and payed through taxes. That, to me, is a socialist program. I'm not saying all socialist programs are bad.

Other insurance programs aren't ran by a government entity, are non-compulsory, and aren't funded through taxes (AFAIK).

 

[shira]

Medicare would have been fine had they left it alone . They borrowed so much from other programs with the thought they can put it back later that its ridiculous. Don't think that medicare is a handout either. The rates they charge the people that are covered makes you wonder if those people wouldn't be better off with regular insurance. My dad gets about $20K a year in SS. out of that his medical cost is $7K. Medicare pays for the first $3400 leaving him to pay $3600. Also add in the $100 monthly fee for medicare to the provider, so another $1200 leaving my dad $15k a year to live off.

At the same time they denied people on SS an increase this year for cost of living adjustments because according to the government prices didn't go up this year. Still everyone in government got a raise. But to offset things Obama is giving seniors a one time check for $250 if they exceed medicare cost. Wow a whole extra $20 a month , but you have to go broke to get it.

They better watch out in november. My dad didn't vote last time. He is 80 years old and on oxygen and can't walk well so he doesn't even like to leave home. He has already told me though that come hell or high water he will make it to vote this time and a lot of other seniors have the same idea.

That $3400 you're referring to is probably the Medicare drug benefit, and your father is in the "doughnut hole." Most private insurance doesn't cover drugs, so your father is probably way ahead.

 

[Tristicus]

My mother said I could possibly get SS because of my father's death to pay for school.

I said no and don't feel right taking it.

Unfortunately, most people aren't like that. I'm against SS and Medicare.

 

[alkemyst]

The main problem with any of these is abuse. Check out where most medicare is being used....Miami Florida.

Illegals and fraud are likely the reason.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Medicare can go away. The reason people complain about cutting medicare is because THAT IS OUR MONEY, and by law it was promised to be used for medicare.

And let me opt out of social security while we're at it and refund the over 100K I've given to it.

That implies gross income of around $1.5 million.

They overpaid, fer sure.





--

 

[blackangst1]

Well, good thing there are Democrats around to balance all the hypocrisy!

 

[Anarchist420]

Medicare should definitely be reformed and then abolished. If we had a President who wasn't a fascist, then we could reform it, but since we do have a President who is a fascist and loves giving crazy amounts of tax payer money to Big Pharma, we can't reform it.

 

[Darwin333]

But this is boarderline crazy. Up until a few years ago, they were the biggest opponents against medicare, now it is the best thing since sliced bread.

Nothing crazy about it, old people vote. Tell them the other guy is going to, or has, taken their free stuff and there is a better than average chance they won't vote for that other guy. It is simply run of the mill politics.

Unfortunately, everyone thinks THEY are entitled to their "free stuff" but they are often against other peoples "free stuff". I know a ton of old people who are against deficit spending and UHC but when I say that part D was a huge mistake I almost get beaten with a cane. The same people that think that the .gov actually owes them social security and its "their" money. I learned relatively young that once the .gov takes it, it is no longer yours.

The above is mainly why I have almost no hope that we can pull ourselves out of our financial mess. It has nothing to do with party affiliation, race, religion, etc... and everything to do with greed. We need to raise taxes.... but not mine!! Cut spending.... except on what I get!!

I say fuck it, as long as other people are dumb enough to loan us money lets just rack up the ole credit cards till the wheels come off because they are coming off one way or another. Math doesn't lie.

 

[Zebo]

I've never known a conservative that defends it. They don't like medicare, SS, or even public schooling if they are philosophically sound.

 

[Zebo]

Medicare is simply another health insurance policy, just one that the government has deemed compulsory.

If it's "socialism" then so are all other insurance policies.

I.e., I don't really agree with your assertion that Medicare is socialism.

I think Medicaid would be closer since you're covered whether you've ever paid in or not (assuming you meet your state's requirements).

Fern

Huge difference.

Social welfare by definition takes from the tax base by force/threat of imprisonment.

Insurance by definition is voluntary (until obamacare kicks in).

One you can opt out of, other you can't.

They are only similar in that they pool risk.

 

[alkemyst]

Medicare should definitely be reformed and then abolished. If we had a President who wasn't a fascist, then we could reform it, but since we do have a President who is a fascist and loves giving crazy amounts of tax payer money to Big Pharma, we can't reform it.

You do realize it's not Obama just coming up with this shit right? He will be the scapegoat no doubt though.

 

[Infohawk]

You have to distinguish between several types. Many conservatives are consistent in that they are opposed to medicare. However some teabagger types are too stupid to see the inconsistency.

 

[Sclamoz]

Huge difference.

Social welfare by definition takes from the tax base by force/threat of imprisonment.

What dictionary are you getting that definition from?

 

[ModestGamer]

The real problem is that we have a for profit health care system.

 

[alkemyst]

You have to distinguish between several types. Many conservatives are consistent in that they are opposed to medicare. However some teabagger types are too stupid to see the inconsistency.

son, the medicare war was way before teabaggers.