gatorbait
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Posts posted by gatorbait
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I'm not a big fan of entitlements, and I think we should get the leeches of the system and leave social programs only for the people that really need it.Yes, but here's the rub:
With the passage of the ACA, incidents of people using the ER did not decrease.
As it turns out, government entitlement programs do not make people act more responsibly.
Healthcare is different though. It is going to become a right in the future, where citizens can get treatment and healthcare for their ailments to live a more healthy and successful life. The number one cause of bankruptcy in the US is defaulting on healthcare bills, and we spend over two trillion a year on healthcare. We will have to do something in the future because it isn't working right now.
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GG, I mentioned waiting times are ridiculous for the average citizen, and no health system is perfect. Of course it isn't free, and it mostly comes from taxes. But explain to me why in Germany or Japan, they can get medications and surgeries for a third of the price? When they go into a doctors office they see a list of what everything costs, all the way down to an aspirin. The quality of care we receive in the United States actually isn't all that great if you compare it to other major developed nations.Did you study access to healthcare or timely access to healthcare?
There's never, ever such a thing as a free lunch.
A poster above had a great mention of preventative care, that is a big step in the right direction.
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Where did I say that is the answer? Don't start calling me a liberal dumbass because I'm an independent. Single payer systems around the world work. I did my graduate thesis on other health systems and how the US could improve theirs. I would seriously love to continue this discussion if you are game. That's the only way to control costs, and regulate prices for medicines, procedures and medical equipment. Right now we have a medical system where profits are number one, and providing care is secondary. Waiting times are ridiculous for the average citizen, and those other systems still have flaws, but they are significantly more affordable for everyone. Rich people and high level employees still would get amazing private insurance with the best doctors/surgeons and all the concierge services you could imagine.So to recap, it's not fair or sustainable for people to experience premium hikes to cover people who don't have insurance.
And the answer is to make people experience premium hikes and reduced coverage so we can cover people with an unsustainable program created and run by the federal government?
Sheesh. If that's changing the status quo...
And let's not forget, healthcare costs and premiums have been rising for decades. It's not a matter of if we should change our ways, it's a matter of when and how we should change.
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People racking up ER bills with no insurance is not sustainable or fair to the people who experience premium hikes as a result. So that's your excuse why education in the US is lacking? We need to do more, not make excuses or live with the status quo.Anyone can still walk into an emergency room and get treatment, and that was before Obamacare. Teacher unions and liberal educators at present control education here in the U.S.
You might want to consider a name change.
I live in Florida, graduated from UF, and hunt gators for fun every once in a while. Why should I change my name? Because you think so?
I agree. The United States is still the pinnacle of the world for a lot of things. I'm a young newb who probably doesn't know squat compared to a lot of you older guys. I'm prepared to have my ass handed to me over the months or years, but I love to debate and am a sucker for punishment.And yet most of the medical advances come out of the US, and the world wants to go to US universities.
Something must be working
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Fair enough and you make some really good points. I admit I don't know the nuances of this stuff. I just think it's sad we are the only major developed nation who doesn't guarantee some basic form of healthcare to their citizens. It's also BS that we aren't in the top 10 when it comes to education. The United States is still the greatest country in the world overall, and there is nowhere I would rather live!I'm something of a reformed socialist. You can't say we suck at those things, at least not in relation to the world at large... we could certainly, however, be doing better.
And governance is certainly an aspect relating to socialism, but I wouldn't use the two interchangeably in reference. It's equally a matter of economic theory, which I suppose you could argue is as big a driver of society as is your particular brand of government. Much to consider on the topic, it's great expositionally but you run into some immediate challenges specific to the US when trying to circumvent the materialist theory of history...if you believe in social then you understand it's an inevitability, the ring on the ladder between capitalism and true communism.
Good stuff! 'From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs'...
It's probably becoming obvious I was a Bernie fan, and I deserve any criticism I get for that. Nobody can change my opinion that he was a better choice than HRC or Trump though. Cheers!
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Scroll up and read. I talked about socialism because someone referenced it in a response to my post. I don't feel attacked, and can handle my own. I obviously hit a nerve with you about a different style of government, reasonable response or not. My point is that it might be beneficial to change our style of thinking when it comes to governing. The US is only number one in economy size and military. We suck at educating our people, providing healthcare and making our citizens happy.Crazy is not how I would describe it.
And what exactly is your definition of drama? Or flabbergasted? I thought I was being reasonable. A challenge to one's statements or ideas is not an attack, so don't take it as such.
But I would ask you, if you are not advocating socialism for the US, then what's your point? Don't worry about making me feel better, either - you can't. That would imply that you have the ability to make me feel bad. You don't.
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I listed a few positives. I would have listed the negatives as well if I would have known it would make you feel better. I said twice that I'm not advocating for socialism, and I also said I'm not saying it would work in the states. Did you miss that part? I know you political people here on ppp like to get all flabbergasted about things but I enjoy having a reasonable debate without the drama.It does indeed sound as if you're advocating socialism, having listed five points you consider as being beneficial, and following up with "I could go on". Are the five happiest countries as you call them leaders in industry, technology, business, agriculture, etc with multicultural populations in excess of 320 million, that have constitutional liberties similar to those that we all enjoy?
As for the so called list you say. Look it up. The five happiest populations of people are in socialist countries. They pay more taxes to get all that stuff, so of course a lot of people hate the idea. But every possible solution is at least worth considering. In capitalistic countries, money outweighs everything. Some are okay with giving all their tax money to big corporations or the military, personally I think it should go to healthcare and education. 600 billion a year on military and defense? More than the next 7 countries combined? Let's increase it by 10%! China spends 160 billion and Russia spends 60 billion a year on defense. Is it really crazy for me to think we should spend more of our tax money on our people?
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So are you saying you agree with me? And yes I am fairly new to politics. I'm 29 and never really paid too much attention until campaigning started in 2015.New to politics? Neither side has ever held the moral high ground in my opinion in my lifetime and all but a few are bought and paid for. Hence, the populist draw with Trump and Sanders this election season. Of course, Trump is a phony populist con man while Sanders is a socialist who would bankrupt this country.
I'm not advocating socialism, but I think everyone here should take a look at the list of the five happiest countries in the world. Six weeks of paid vacation, paid maternity leave, universal healthcare, free drug treatment/rehab for addicts, free mental health treatment covered under healthcare. I could go on, but again, I'm not advocating for socialism or saying it would work here in the States. Just trying to have a reasonable convo.
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I might not agree with the old-school conservative way of thinking and ruling, however, I thought Gorsuch was very intelligent and compassionate with his answers today. Obviously, he is a very smart guy, knows his stuff, and I think he would be a good Supreme Court justice. His story about Byron White was fascinating. Trump could pick a lot worse than Gorsuch imo.
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Who knew healthcare could be so complicated?
Everyone Trump! Literally everyone but you.
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Haha sorry for being reasonable!Oh pick a side and go with it for God's sake!
All kidding aside, putting party over what's right for the majority of Americans is a big problem.
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There is so much hypocrisy on both sides, it's not even funny. The Republican's biggest complaints about HRC were her lying, investigations and corruption. Where are the same complaints about Trump? On the flipside, the Democrats have now become obstructionists after detesting the resistance of the prior eight years.
I'm an independent who thinks both sides have some good ideas, and that agreeing to some middle ground is the only long-term solution. A large number of young people like me view this two party, polarized system as an inefficient joke.
I'm not trying to call anyone out. I'm just pointing out the ridiculousness on both sides.
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None of us know for sure, so let's not get ahead of ourselves. Two things we know after Comey's hearing today: there's a criminal investigation going on by the FBI, and Trump lied about the wire tapping.
Drip drip drip
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Let's go Gators!
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I enjoy watching Bourdain as well. Have you read kitchen confidential?
Nope, thanks for the heads up. I will be ordering it from amazon sometime soon.
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I don't think he offers good value at all. He said he would stand this year for the anthem but I still think he carries too much baggage. Once they changed the rules for read- option qb's and allowed them to get hit, even if they handed it off, he hasn't done a thing in the league.
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Bacon.
Any show with Anthony Bourdain.
The devil's lettuce when I was in college.
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This post was worth bumping again, thanks Alpha for showing how it's done. On this board, football analysis always wins over feelings. The constant negativity is really getting old. This is the time of the year to be optimistic, with the draft coming up and all new coaches. Can't we wait until after week one to start crying the sky is falling?1. Passing Yards do NOT equal playoffs. Ask Drew Brees who has averaged 5000 yards per season the last 3 years and never won more than 7 games or made the playoffs. In fact, Brees, Rivers, Luck, Ryan, and Stafford have combined to make the playoffs just 3 times out of 15 tries the last 3 years.
2. In Tyrods 15 starts, we were the 5th highest scoring team in the NFL. Points are points, doesnt matter if you run or throw...each TD is worth 6 and we were the 5th best scoring team in the NFL with TT as our QB. And going into week 17 (when we sat TT), only the Falcons and Saints had scored more TD's than the Bills.
3. We scored all those points DESPITE not having our best WR for most the year, having the rest of our WR's hurt frequently, losing key OL for parts of the year, losing McCoy for a full game and most of 2 others, and switching OC's in week 2. Furthermore, TT had 3 different OC's in 3 straight seasons.
4. IN 15 games, TT led the Bills to 25 points or more TEN times.
5. We were the number 1 rushing attack in the NFL.
6. The 2 years with TT are the HIGHEST 2 years of Buffalo scoring in team history outside the first 3 SB years. Last years team was the 5th highest in Bills history in scoring, but if TT played week 17 likely would have finished THIRD in Bills history.
7. As the number 1 rushing attack, we also had the FEWEST pass ATTEMPTS in the NFL. If you don't throw it, you don't compile stats.
8. TT has an incredible TD:Turnover ratio
9. When Sammy got healthy after the bye week in 2015, the final 9 games of the season with TT he was one of the most productive WR's in the NFL showing what a healthy Sammy can do for TT and this offense, especially if TT trusts that WR.
10. We were a higher scoring team than most the teams in the playoffs under TT.
More about the D:
1. If you ignore the FLUKE shutout of the Patriots in week 4 that had No Brady, No Gronk, and No Jimmy but did have a 3rd string rookie QB with a hurt hand...the Bills defense in the other 15 games gave up an average of OVER 25 points per game, for 26th worst in the NFL.
2. Had Brady played week 4 and put up just 30 (he put up 41 on us a few weeks later) we would have been 28th in the NFL in points allowed over the full season.
2. Rex system clearly did not fit this defense.
3. We didn't have our best Safety and communicator in a complicated D most the season.
4. We lost BOTH our top 2 draft picks for half or all the season in Shaq and Rags.
5. We were missing our DL in Dareus for half the year.
6. We had other key injuries the D could not sustain.
7. We lost 8 games with TT and in those 8 games we lost by 6 points or less SIX times. Including having a big 3rd quarter lead against Oakland where the D gave up 4 straight TD drives late to Oak.
Now...when you average a score of 25+ points per game, that SHOULD be enough to win a lot of games. When you give up 25+ points per game you should lose a lot of games. We did BOTH.
Given we lost six games by 1 score or less, we clearly do not need to go from 26th worse defense to first ranked D to win more of those less than 1 score losses. Even a MODEST improvement of the D to middle of the pack would turn several of those 6 point or less losses into wins and that would equal the playoffs.
Now factor in, we "should" have a healthy Sammy to start the year, better WR's on the roster than last year behind him, both our top 2 picks last year healthy and ready to contribute on D, REX GONE, Dareus the whole year, already an upgrade at S, and whatever else we add in FA and the draft...and its quite easy to see that our path to the playoffs may be right in front of us THIS year. We were close the last 2 years, but the D was by far our biggest issue and just the change from Rex to McDermott will likely make a big difference.
We are on a much better path than people (who hate TT) realize. This false narrative about passing yards is just not factually correct. Yardage doesnt win games, scoring more points than the opponent wins game...and we were pretty good at scoring points and awful at preventing points.
Secondly, every poster here knows Tyrod isn't as good as Brady, and he probably won't ever be in the HOF. But he is good enough to win in the meantime, while we find the next franchise guy.
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Good riddance to the two defensive masterminds.
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I think we finally have a legit group of NFL coaches. Offensive coaching was pretty good last year but defense was a mess. McDermott is methodical and detailed, and the polar opposite of Rex. We sniff the playoffs this year or next.
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Read the thread. Some of the new people don't like following the rules of the board. Also we have jokingly been referring to the new members as refugees.Not sure what you are getting at here.
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Actually that wasn't the question. You brought that up out of nowhere. I have no problem tolerating other people's opinions but there are a handful of posters who bring nothing to this board but their negative feelings. I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels that way. Billsvet have you even read this whole thread or some of his posts?The question isn't whether TT is better than the likes of Losman, Edwards, Fitzpatrick, or Manuel. It is whether he's good enough to QB this team into the playoffs and so far the answer is no. He doesn't hurt the team, but he's not helping it much either. And he essentially admitted his play wasn't good enough by taking a pay cut.
Any fan who comes onto this board and questions the Bills has a right to do so. When they fail to make the playoffs, fire someone, rebuild, fail to make the playoffs, and repeat that process it creates a little skepticism. And that is especially so when the front office remains largely intact the past 4 years.
If you can't tolerate dissenting opinion about the team and where it's going it's you that has the issue. It's more than reasonable for fans to question the direction of this team, particularly with regard to their reckless use of cap dollars in 2015-16, the bad drafts going back forever, and revolving door of HC's, without changes to the front office.
Some fans love to make excuses though, which means accountability goes out the window.
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What is the biggest critique of refugees in Europe? They don't assimilate to their new home's culture and norms.
Sound familiar?
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I said a lot of the same pieces, figures you can't read. It also figures you don't count a win a win. Tyrod is better than most of the quarterbacks we have had since Kelly or Bledsoe, regardless of what you think.Same pieces from last year??
We were a 6 win team (Go ahead and count the Bradyless Pats win if you want to feel better).
From a 6 win team, we lost our starting corner, our starting LB, our starting WR, and our starting safety.
We have a tougher schedule and brought back the QB associated with a bottom 2 passing game.
What real analysis do want in terms of the cap? Just go to spotrac and see our cap-talent ratio in terms of the top teams in the NFL.
I'm sure your the Bills fan that continues to buy seasons after 17 straight seasons without the playoffs.
Any real analysis from you would be nice. Seriously, any. You point out negatives, B word and whine. Reminds me of a teenager who is having a bad day. I guess that is just your personality.
I don't need to feel better. I love my team and am a positive person. Look in the mirror. There are real criticisms of our team on this site, and we agree with them. But almost no one here agrees with any of the ridiuclous things you post.
Trump and Russia
in Politics, Polls, and Pundits
Posted · Edited by gatorbait
It sounds radical now, but in 10 or 20 years you guys will see. Healthcare in this country is going to change, whether conservatives like it or not.
Smoking, soda consumption, fast food. These things contribute to our problem, and more Americans are waking up about the importance of good health. Smoking and obesity are two of the major drivers for rising costs. Americans need to run more and put down the cheeseburgers and big gulps.