leh-nerd skin-erd

I'm happy to review any of my past comments where I suggested Biden lying was an "unimaginable, even impeachable action". I have stated, emphatically, that Biden has lied the entirety of his career in office. And, that he's made racially insensitive statements during his time in office. And, that he was pretty handsy with many of the ladies in his orbit. I even recall speaking with you about that---ooops, wait, it may have been another poster, Bob in Mich. Perhaps you know of him? I always considered him an intelligent, left leaning thinking person. Anyway, my premise has long been that righteous indignation that Trump lies was neither righteous nor true indignation, simply that you guys like your liars from a different political party. On the issue of impeachment...probably the greatest travesty of the Biden years was raiding Trump's house, taking material unrelated to whatever investigation they were doing, and leaking selectively to the press to shape a narrative. I assumed, correctly as it turned out, that most politicians at that level would have a fair amount of classified/top secret documents in their possession. I also suggested part of the problem was at that level, classified/top secret seemed to be handled as "Do whatever you want". Still, my point of view was that these people play at the "Above the law" level, that's just the way it is. I'd have been fine with Biden did it, Trump did it, Clinton did it....a little humble pie, a few delicious soundbites, whatever. However, when the Biden DOJ escalates, the R party needs to respond in kind when they are in charge.

It's referred to as "Pulling a Fergie". Nothing new. No thoughts on the 3 mos sentence for CZ?

That was already addressed upthread a bit. I believe Trump knows who he pardoned and utilized the power of his office for political purposes. It happens with regularity, so I don't really care. I do wonder, and asked Frankish for his feedback--how this supposed threat existential threat to our national security ended up being sentenced under the Biden admin to a whopping 90 days. What are your thoughts on that? To me, it seems reasonable to consider that the guy was pursued politically by the Biden DOJ. 90 days? 36 months sentence for being a threat to our country? By the way, NB suggested that the Trump admin would use a Biden auto-pen. That's demented, too.

It seems clear to me you didn’t think this one through. It happens. As a gentleman and citizen of the world, I’ll move on.

Thank goodness his mother wasn’t from Coxsackie, I guess.

I don’t know why that would matter in a pardon under the Trump admin, Bill. But maybe.

Thanks for the update. Still, I get hung up on a guy at this level getting 90 days in prison, when the full weight of the US Government was brought down upon him. Steve Bannon did four frigging months for ignoring a subpoena. My accountant has brought up the tax question on crypto in the past, and since I do not play in the crypto markets, it hasn't been an issue for me. I think you're probably correct in your assessment.

I'm glad you brought that up. When I first heard about the pardon, my initial thought was WTF? Big picture, I think sweetheart deals between dems, repubs, and independents are part of the American political system. I think money changes hands, power dynamics are leveraged, and some people named Biden and Trump make out very, very well. So, I don't stress that all that much. On CZ, I had no idea who we was/what he did or whatever. From what I can see, the Garland DOJ went after him hard, said he was a threat to our American way of life...and asked for a 3 year prison sentence for him. 3 years--national security threat, money laundering? As it turned out, he received a 36 month sentence. With your background, maybe you can help me understand how the government only looks for a 3 year sentence, and judge sends him in on Memorial Day and tells him he'll be home by Labor Day. Just being candid here--it sounds a bit like it could have been a shakedown by the Biden admin, for political purposes. To your point, sure, I believe Trump knew who he was and pardoned him for political purposes. See my first paragraph.

These are the people who believed in the magic of Joe Biden intellect and ability to lead the country. They believed so passionately they put him out on a debate stage and watched him implode, and still believed in him thereafter. They thought it happened because he had da sniffles. Surely you can convince them of something as straightforward as doing what they have always done, in a time when they should always do it. Maybe try the crossword puzzle thing?

This time around, the S in Shutdown stands for Schumer. Well, technically it stands for Shutdown but it could actually be the first letter in Schumer, too, in a crossword puzzle format. Appeal to your leadership to end the shutdown. This is on them.

Correct, and as I mentioned earlier, I've had my issues with health insurance cos. Due to immediate family history with colon cancer, I started screening when I was 41 or 42 and I'm approaching mid-60s. Zero issues so far, no polyps over 20+ years. However, according to...someone, somehwere...my screening is not considered preventative due the family history, I believe they refer to it as diagnostic. I have spent considerable time and effort with the insurance company, the doctor's office on their coding, and get absolutely nowhere. Now, back to perspective and context--at some point along the way, I realized that my issue was just a dollars and cents issue, and that there are people with real life challenges and on a scale of 1-50, my problem was a 5. Comparing my financial situation with Ned's, well, my outcome was pretty darn good. And most importantly, having witnessed advanced colon cancer in one of the most important people in my life, things ultimately became pretty clear to me. I wrote the check.

Thanks for the reply., I read it as you saying $1,000/month premium (you and your wife total), $8,000 deductible each, and that you met your deductibles. That $12,000 + $8,000 + $8,000 = $28,000/3 = $2,300/month. Now, going up to $1,300/month, same deductibles and presumably you end up at $2,600 per month all in. Again--I don't quite understand how routine care adds $8,000 each to your cost last year, but that's only because my experience is different. In years where I paid out of pocket for a colonscopy @ $2,700, we're still well below $5,000 total for routine well-care. Anyway--I agree that $2,300 - $2,600 out of pocket is a significant expenditure. Context matters though--if you're a fat cat like Fergie with substantial assets and wealth, it's quite affordable. Probably less than (or not much more than) his country club dues/rounds of golf/club house obligations. I think I'm in your camp as to where it should be--a range for a couple in the $1000-1,500/mo, with sensible deductibles in the $5000 range, $7,500 total for a family. However, until we address all the issues----regulation, government overreach, health insurance company costs and efficiencies, and care costs w/ physicians/hospitals/tests etc nothing gets accomplished. All this said--in the event of a serious illness, I am firmly convinced that $2,300 is money very well spent.

Time to reset the parameters for the money grab. Stick around long enough and the next big thing replaces the last big thing.

Yes.

@nedboy7 just wondering if you have any thoughts on what a reasonable health plan might look like for your family of two? Monthly costs..,ded etc? You indicated about $2,300 this year, with a 30% increase in 2026. What’s fair given your income, health etc?

Use your own words. Ask.

You're becoming more flumdacious with each passing day.

My wife and I pay about $8k for our high ded plan ($5 K deductible), maybe another $2000-3,000 in a typical year. We don't take much in terms of prescription drugs, hit the annual physical on an every 18 mos cycle due to schedules, doctor availabilty etc. We're a couple years away from Medicare. I've had my issues with health insurance before on the level we need it, I can't imagine difficulties in the event of serious illness and questions about new/aggressive treatments. Still, I understand that very little happens in the world of health insurance that isn't directly controlled by government regulation. ACA is the most recent example of that, and I'm in the camp of thinking that's going exactly as the framers of the program wanted it to go. High cost, access more and more difficult, frustration mounting and the finger pointed at health insurance companies operating in the framework of government regulation. What would you consider a reasonable cost for health insurance for you and your wife, relative to other costs we incur? $500/month with $2500 deductible? $750/month with $5000? How much total out of pocket would you feel comfortable with? My opinion is that a fundamental shift in priorities is long overdue. $2,300 per month is a lot of money, and certainly a lot for routine care what I think of woith routine care. $2,300 a month for access to life saving treatment and care seems like a pretty good deal, especially relative to some of the other things people (myself included) spend money on.

I was discussing auto-correct with 4th yesterday. Apparently, there are documented cases of a post being auto-corrected to words that don’t actually exist. Could be the deal here. Advanced AI. P2025. 51st State Stuff. It’s dietrobical. Edit: I didn’t type dietrobical. I typed dietrobical. Edit: I didn’t type dietrobical. I mean, I did the second time, but only to say I didn’t type it the first time, or the third. The whole thing is dietrobical. Edit: Damn it!!

You sound like Eddie Haskell lecturing the Beav and Larry Mondello, knowing Mrs. Cleaver is listening just around the corner….

What was your monthly cost for your plan….and is it a single or family plan?

His thread title: Just. Imagine. If. This. Was. Hunter. Biden. My response: ….if I was to imagine this was Hunter Biden…. His response: 🤯 Tedious. Devoid of value. But you knew all that.

Oh, gosh, my auto correct changed my words too. I initially typed how brave it was for you to expose your intellectual vulnerabilities while at the same time revealing your own prodigious bigotry.

Leon is proof that in spite of overwhelming evidence to the contrary, not all Head is good head. “We all know you can go places and fine China Town etc.” Perfect, or as you might say, “Perr Fickt”.

Good call, sir.