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Maybe the Repubs could present an alternative, like ...
A. Only **this part** is really what we call 'infrastructure', so we'll go for that, since it is like 50 years overdue
and B, **this** is how we should pay for it.
If the GOP has an alternative plan, maybe some real negotiating could happen.
I would truly like to see something like that, good for the country.
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Where has all the money gone that has been earmarked for infrastructure nationally and should the states not be responsible for the infrastructure they have built?
There are dozens of states who have properly maintained their roads and highways....then we have California that pissed away billions and billions of gas tax money on everything BUT road maintenance.
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If you need to feel better about living in CA, read today’s WSJ article about what NY legislators are proposing Yikes. They are gonna lose well to do people faster than CA.
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Cuomo is already 'bleeding' millionaires by the boat load and has been begging for them to come back. Both states are doomed and won't really wake up until the bond ratings go to 'junk bonds'....LOL
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Even Democrats on Capitol Hill are not keen on the tax increases.
How can a corporate tax hike NOT hurt American worker and result in jobs being sent overseas.
What's the Republicans proposal?...
1) Stop passing spending Bill's that have ***ZERO*** bipartisan support and are bloated with Blue state bailout money.
2) Stop offering "free shit", citizenship and voting rights
to anyone who crosses the border illegally. Finish the wall... let asylum seekers remain in Mexico.
3) Stop the executive orders which are killing jobs and again have ***ZERO*** support in the house, our neighboring allies, or the American people. This administration is a joke.
I guess we have to let Democrats hold office once in awhile to shows us first hand how completely fucking stupid Trump told us they are.
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So many of the largest corporations pay no income tax. As long as the infrastructure program taxes those who benefit most from the system it sounds good. The tax rate in the 50s was something like 90% and we did fine. The Reagan and Trump tax cuts only benefitted the rich and raised the federal deficit. If Bidens bill passes it will be great for employment. Also the military budget should be slashed. Too much pork. Unfortunately Biden is a bit of a neo con so this probably will not happen.
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- "To pay for all that free money that’s been thrown around for the last year.
Some of the ideas obviously focus on taxing the “rich”.... but ... since you can’t tax the rich enough to pay for everything...
Mileage Tax
Increased Energy taxes (gas/natural gas)
Increased capital gains taxes
Increase corporate tax rate
increase taxe on “high income” earners.
lower the “high income” threshold.
Lower threshold on the “death tax/inheritance tax”
Increased “sin” taxes (Alcohol/tobacco)
Added Federal tax for online purchases.
etc...
Can’t wait! I hate keeping my money!"
Oh no. Placing the burden on the rich and corporation instead of blue collar Americans.
No more 2nd yachts for the wife and stock buy backs for corporations. How horrible.
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Also Chinas growing power is in part due to their advanced infrastructure, which is far ahead of our antiquated one. Bidens plan will get us back in the game.
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^^^^ clueless. Look at how little infrastructure is actually in the $2.2 trillion. This will get us nowhere. Turn corporate America loose and grow our economy.... they can accomplish way more than inefficient and wasteful government programs
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Yeah! Corpo America will save us!
Set Corpo America loose on the infrastructure and we will be left with a bigger shit show than our miserable healthcare system.
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Set Corpo America loose on the infrastructure and we will be left with a bigger shit show than our miserable healthcare system.
And the government can do it better? 
What is wrong with the current healthcare system? Give some real facts, not just arm waving arguments and left talking points. Far better than what you get in Canada. Ask a dozen Canadian citizens how they like their system. Many have been on wait lists for surgeries for months or even years. Many 80 year olds are JUST now getting their first shot of vaccine. Some just die before they get the care they need. Richer Canadians crossed the border (pre-Covid) to get surgeries in this country.
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Not either or. There is a place for public investment as well as private enterprise. But public works have to be directed by the public thru the government. The last golf course I played was built by Roosevelts CCC
Agree private profit has screwed up healthcare.
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What's wrong with the current system?
You cant get up front pricing on procedures in most cases.
Even if you have insurance, if your out cold and get treated by someone not in network you will be billed.
Losing your health insurance because you lost your job during a pandemic.
We pay more than most other countries but receive less overall services.
Insurance companies stand between you and your doctor and can/will deny you care.
1 in 3 Go Fund Me campaigns are for medical debt or to raise funds for medical procedures.
Spare me the non point of rich people coming to this country to receive medical services. They obviously have the means to take time off, travel, pay out of pocket for care. This is not a realistic scenario for a large percentage of the US population.
But don't take my word for it.
Freakonomics has a great podcast on this topic.
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- "What is wrong with the current healthcare system? Give some real facts, not just arm waving arguments and left talking points. Far better than what you get in Canada. Ask a dozen Canadian citizens how they like their system. Many have been on wait lists for surgeries for months or even years. Many 80 year olds are JUST now getting their first shot of vaccine. Some just die before they get the care they need. Richer Canadians crossed the border (pre-Covid) to get surgeries in this country."
We are behind Cuba and Estonia in life expectancy at 46th place in the world. Behind Slovakia and Bosnia in infant mortality rates. We also spend the most money in world.
Such an amazing healthcare system.
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We are behind Cuba and Estonia in life expectancy at 46th place in the world. Behind Slovakia and Bosnia in infant mortality rates. We also spend the most money in world.
That is NOT a function of the healthcare system...that is a function of our poor lifestyle, obesity, hypertension, diet, etc. We are one of the most unhealthy countries in the world. We have been our own worst enemies, with lack of activity and exercise.
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Spare me the non point of rich people coming to this country to receive medical services. They obviously have the means to take time off, travel, pay out of pocket for care. This is not a realistic scenario for a large percentage of the US population.
You totally missed my point. If the Canadian system was so good, ALL of their people would get their treatments and surgeries there NOT running across the border. Any Canadian who can afford it opts to get surgeries here NOT there...so our system must be far better than theirs.
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You cant get up front pricing on procedures in most cases. - That is what Trump was trying to move toward, both with drug pricing and medical services. He wasn't able to get it done.
Even if you have insurance, if your out cold and get treated by someone not in network you will be billed. - In socialized nations, you have to go to the doctor THEY tell you....you don't even have a chance at a choice. In this country, Carriers grant 'emergency' care provisions when being treated by a non network provider if none is in proximity. So that argument is wrong.
Losing your health insurance because you lost your job during a pandemic. - Welcome to the real world. You could also have lost your house, lost your car, etc. We have a pandemic once every 100+ years....not sure we can 'plan for that'. But if you lost your job, you could still secure Cobra benefits through your past employer or applied in California for Covered California. If you had NO income, your premium would be mostly subsidized so that argument is totally false.
We pay more than most other countries but receive less overall services. Our hospitals and doctors run more tests, diagnostic procedures, etc. in what is called 'defensive' medicine, to help assure they are not sued for med malpractice. We also have the 'latest and greatest' of medical innovation and technology, and, unfortunately, someone gets to pay for those 'bells and whistles'. Many other countries use more 'conventional' medicine, fewer specialists, less high tech, etc. So maybe they get more care, but is it better care.
Insurance companies stand between you and your doctor and can/will deny you care. This becomes even worse under State run medical. Do you want a government bureaucrat making decisions against you? If a private insurance carrier keeps denying benefits and care, in our world that becomes 'public' and people opt for another carrier. With government run program, you have NO options....
1 in 3 Go Fund Me campaigns are for medical debt or to raise funds for medical procedures. No one said the cost of medical services is cheap. The people who are getting such Go Fund Me campaigns obviously are those who have not purchased insurance. Millions of Americans COULD get insurance through programs like Covered California, but it isn't totally free. There are some premiums, co pays, deductibles, etc. People are 'betting' they will be well. Same people are not buying life insurance.....their decision.
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Many of those coming cannot speak English and do not bring any special skills for work. So they go to the bottom of the heap of unskilled work, and those folks pay very little taxes and use lots of services.
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I have a lot of trouble believing this supposed relationship between taxes and hiring, based on history, except in the most extreme cases (like the sky-high taxes lowered under JFK).
When the Trump tax cuts passed, did Wall Street do serious hiring or pass the savings along to consumers? Did they increase their American investment?
No, none of the three. Instead, they bought back market stock to drive up the price of shares still on the market, so that top executives would make way more on their stock options. Well, gee, good for them!
Meanwhile, it becomes more difficult for a teacher to get a tax break for equipment or supplies they buy for their classroom, out of their own pocket. And it is now more difficult to get a tax break for medical expenses. People also don't get the exemptions for dependents they used to.
And what about the tax loopholes we were promised would be closed? None! Whenever the Congressional leaders were asked that question on TV, they could never give a single answer that I ever saw.
The whole trickle-down theory is BS, and everybody has known it for at least 30 years. It has never been a benefit to the majority of Americans.
And by the way, when it comes to spending, both parties are like drunken sailors. The only difference is the Republicans don't want to tax anybody to even partially pay for their spending sprees. It's all just debt, debt, debt.
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We did not get a true picture of what longer range changes might have occurred.
Yes, corporations did some stock buy back and tried to strengthen their financial picture going forward. Most provisions went into effect January 2018, so we saw effects from 2 years before the pandemic hit. Bouncing the corporate tax rate back up won't help create jobs and keep companies from heading offshore....
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It astounds me how someone can defend a system that most people can agree is broken and in need of reform.
I guess it works for you, Jazz, and that's fine.
Finest healthcare system money can buy. Cant afford it? Tough titties!
You cite covered CA, have you actually looked at it? It hardly covers anything, pay $2k a month for shitty coverage, what a deal!
Same with cobra, $3k - $4k a month. Holy shit what a deal.
If I'm broke and need the shitty poor person healthcare I might as well go to the emergency room and stiff the hospital on the bill.
Yeah all those people that post their sob stories on Go fund me, its all their fault for buying iphones and Disneyland tickets and not planning for catastrophic health events.
You probably didn't even click the link I provided that has industry experts talking about how broken it is and their ideas to help improve it because it doesn't fit your worldview.
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Do you not think its a little disgraceful that the richest country in the history of human kind has no baseline healthcare for its citizens?
Unlike you, I believe health care should be a right and not a privilege.
Because if you think about it, we all have to interface with the health care system at some point in our lives, you would think we would want to make it the best it can be.
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No one said the system is perfect. I read your link. But the alternative of government run health care is far worse. I know dozens of Canadians who will tell you their system sucks big time.
If you are unemployed or make NOTHING, you get Covered California for almost NOTHING. I was under Covered California as a self employed person and because I make lots of money, my premiums butt fucked me....thank you Obamacare.
But for the person who qualifies for the big subsidies, they get pretty basic coverage for a nominal cost. Is it great insurance....no. But the person may be paying as little as $30 a month, so not sure what you think people can get for little payment?
But even at that small amount, thousands of Californians choose to have NO coverage. I can't fix that. There are lots of things that can be fixed.
I pointed out some of the reasons for our expensive health care. Medical malpractice, defensive medicine, lack of hospital competition. Not being able to 'comparison shop' also puts the consumer at a huge disadvantage. The huge increase in higher education including medical school has caused doctors to need very large salaries to pay off loans and high malpractice insurance. Thus huge fees.
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Dems are most likely to pass taxes on such things as:
VAT
and or: Excise tax
sin tax
pass the burden to the states (thorough less remitted to them) resulting in higher sales tax
more deductions from payroll (SS, FCIA)
Higher passed along through stuff like FDIC changes
gee, there was a name for these types of taxes, now what was that???
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- "That is NOT a function of the healthcare system...that is a function of our poor lifestyle, obesity, hypertension, diet, etc. We are one of the most unhealthy countries in the world. We have been our own worst enemies, with lack of activity and exercise."
Canada and New Zealand have high obesity rates and yet are 30 spots ahead in front of USA
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Where do we draw the line on what is a right and what is a privilege?
I personally don't want my government making decisions for me. I have the choice to get an education, work hard, get a job that provides medical benefits and move on. Another person has free will to fuck up, drop out of school and flip burgers or wash dishes. Those jobs won't provide the benefits. But the person made the choice.
If someone could truly show me that government provided medical actually works and can be cost effective, I might reconsider. But look at Medicare. You still need to buy a supplement from a private insurer, since Medicare doesn't cover everything. That supplement costs quite a bit. So 'government' medical costs a bunch....and most people don't know that you still pay premium for Medicare.....so it isn't free. So not sure the low wage workers would be able to pay for Medicare and supplements either. Not the panacea everyone talks about.
Likewise, I have the same opportunity to work hard, save, put down a payment on a house and eventually own it. Why not housing as a privilege?
What about transportation as a privilege....government makes sure everyone has a car....and while we are at it, let's make is a Tesla.
What about exercise and healthy lifestyle....let's give everyone a gym membership.
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Canada and New Zealand have high obesity rates and yet are 30 spots ahead in front of USA
We are #12, and they are 22 and 26.
Have you been to Canada or New Zealand. They may be obese, but far less stress, spread out population, very low violent crime rates.
Our life expectancy is dropping due to alcohol and substance abuse deaths and suicides, mental health issues and hypertension.
Of course, both New Zealand and Canada have very 'rationed' medical services....long wait times for surgeries, special treatments, etc.
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Where do we draw the line on what is a right and what is a privilege?
I personally don't want my government making decisions for me. I have the choice to get an education, work hard, get a job that provides medical benefits and move on. Another person has free will to fuck up, drop out of school and flip burgers or wash dishes. Those jobs won't provide the benefits. But the person made the choice.
You realize that this gov makes decisions for you? I don't wanna be forced to buy an electric car, but it looks like that might be a thing in a few years.
Well lets go the other way on rights. Lets repeal minimum wage, the public school system, the highway system, social security.
Why does someone have to be a fuck up to do manual labor jobs? Maybe they like it, maybe its all they can get for now, there are a million reasons. These jobs are also necessary.
Not everyone is cut out to be a coder or doctor. But sure, lets shit on those folks by not giving them a living wage with some kind of baseline care system.
Let's continue to subsidize the Walmart family by allowing them to give someone 37hrs/wk so they dont have to pay health insurance and they turn to the system to fill in the gaps that their employer should be footing.
Think of the poor Walton family!
(just one example)
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I know. Supply side...it always works...never.
Unless you are rich. Fuck off.
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Yes, the government already makes more decisions for me that I would like.
If I could have had the money I have paid into Social Security over the years and invested it on my own, I would have several million in the 55+ years I have worked. I will have to live to 92 just to collect $1 million, let alone multiple millions based upon my monthly payment.
You can still do a manual labor job and make money. I have contractor clients whose laborers make $28 an hour and most get lots of overtime. But they also have union benefits.
Flipping burgers was never intended to be a primary wage earners job...nor were lots of similar jobs. But people are now expecting a living wage for these supplemental type jobs.
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you fools were warned this would happen, so enjoy the new poverty
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Don't get started on the public school system. Quite honestly, that is one of the major reasons that many demographic groups do NOT move forward financially. The schools in most of the major cities (mostly run by Democratic mayors and liberal school boards) are providing a substandard educational opportunity for most minority students. And Democrats supported by their Teacher Unions, are anti-school choice and spread of charter schools.....
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All I am saying is that the USA, as the most wealthy country in all of history can do better.
We used to be the shining example of how good it can be.
Can you imagine trying to build the interstate highway system today? It would never happen.
I don't have any answers, but what I do know is there a millions out there that are discovering the system is rigged against them. This past year pulled the vail back on a lot of bullshit that many of us suspected, but now we know to be true. (one example is the rigged stock market)
#screamingintothevoid
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"The tax rate in the 50s was something like 90% and we did fine."
"The stock market is rigged
"Unless you are rich. Fuck off."
These statements are the epitome of stupid people who feel powerless in their lives.
You little twats should do the rest of us a favor
And, just kill yourselves
Seriously, how have you survived this long
And, not won a Darwin Award?
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"Can you imagine trying to build the interstate highway system today? It would never happen."
How's that fucking train to nowhere working out?
It doesn't get built because today's politician has NO fucking scruples and tells you one thing (which you're stupid enough to believe) while doing the complete opposite.
Do you have any idea how many highway bills they've passed only to steal the funds for some pet project where their buddy, the lobbyist, gets the payday?
The Cali taxpayer has paid enough in that they could pave the fucking highway with gold and fill every pothole with platinum.
Yet, somehow....every year.....it never seems to get done.
You're a fucking imbecile for voting for the same pieces of shit every year
And, expect something different to happen.
Biden's latest is nothing but a payoff to the SEIU
6% of the labor force is union, yet they seem to be the ones pulling grandpas strings
Fucking mental defective with the Alzheimer's
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- "We are #12, and they are 22 and 26.
Have you been to Canada or New Zealand. They may be obese, but far less stress, spread out population, very low violent crime rates.
Our life expectancy is dropping due to alcohol and substance abuse deaths and suicides, mental health issues and hypertension.
Of course, both New Zealand and Canada have very 'rationed' medical services....long wait times for surgeries, special treatments, etc."
----------------------------------------------
You requesting facts. I am providing facts and yet you continue with these anecdotes.
US healthcare is NOT the best in the world. People are dying due to lack of healthcare. Those who seek healthcare, when they cannot afford it, are crippled in debt.
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I’m always amazed by how everyone thinks “the other guy” should pay more and they should be ashamed of themselves for taking advantage of deductions, rebates and loopholes,
All while you take every deduction available to you (and some that are not.)
The reality is... we don’t have to raise taxes... if all of the people who think taxes should be higher simply chose to pay more. Forego your deductions. Choose to pay more on your own. Why does the government need to make you if you are so convinced it it the right thing to do?
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Stop illegal immigration.
No more anchor babies.
Deport all illegal aliens that don't work in farming industry.
Give green cards for only Farming industry.
Stop giving welfare to people who are able to work.
Stop giving Billions to other Countries.
Stop giving work vivas to foreigners. We have 17 million out of work.
These 7 items would save the US billions or maybe a trillion plus a year..
Plus put more Americans back to work.
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Give them a green card when they come of age to work in the farming industry.
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Tell me what nation OUR size has better health care? There are countries where the people are healthier.
Look at the surgical wait times in the countries with national medicine....
USA #3
Canada #38
Australia #53
Sweden #91
Denmark #115
Finland #117
Norway #118
New Zealand #126
Yep, it might be cheap, but don't expect it to be quick.
A contractor once told me....three words, Cheap, Good and Quick. You cannot have all three.....
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What if they don't want to farm?
Then the apply for asylum while they wait in their own Country..
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